Best of 2011: Chicago's 10 Most Notable New Event Venues

Public Chicago

Hotelier Ian Schrager opened the first property of his new brand, Public, in Chicago in October. Taking over the former Ambassador East Hotel in the Gold Coast, Public Chicago offers a full business center, 285 guest rooms, and lobby spaces with communal work tables and computer stations. A lounge area off the lobby serves as a screening room or event space. New York-based chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten oversees the menu of the on-site restaurant, which offers farm-to-table fare, Asian small plates, a private dining area, and a '40s-inspired bar. The hotel's meeting rooms are on the second, 16th, and 17th floors and can host conferences for 18 to 54 guests. The modern spaces are furnished with rift-cut oak tables, white leather executive chairs, and linen drapery. The 17th-floor meeting room has an adjoining terrace.

In November, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel took over 18 floors of the mixed-use Aqua Tower on North Columbus Drive. The $125 million property has more than 28,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes a 12,500-square-foot ballroom and alfresco function space. The property also houses 334 guest rooms, two outdoor pools, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center and spa, and an indoor basketball court.

The Tinley Park Convention Center completed a $19 million expansion this fall. The 64,000-square-foot venue now houses 15 meeting rooms that can hold 10 to 10,000 guests. Included is a 12,000-square-foot ballroom that divides into six spaces, and a 6,000-square-foot pre-function area. Amenities include 1,500 free parking spaces, shuttle service to satellite parking lots, and an on-site banquet staff that can prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and meeting-break buffets of flavored popcorn, ice cream, and cookies.

Greenhouse Loft opened in the LEED-certified Green Exchange in November. Suited to meetings and corporate events, the 3,500-square-foot space hosts gatherings for as many as 250. An area known as the loft can seat about 100 in a classroom-style format, while a sun-filled space called the Glass House can seat around 120 with tables, or more with classroom-style seating. Equipped with an 8,000-square-foot organic garden that can host alfresco receptions, a portrait studio, and a collection of midcentury furniture, the venue is in Logan Square, about 10 minutes north of the Loop.

In August, Sepia opened a banquet space in a neighboring building that once housed the Maria Pinto boutique. Called Private Dining by Sepia, the venue can host seated dinners for 70 or cocktail receptions for 120. A street-side patio can host alfresco functions for 60. Gary Lee Partners outfitted the space with sunburst-shaped light fixtures, a turn-of-the-century walnut and pewter bar, and an antiqued mirror in a gilded frame. The venue also has gray bamboo flooring and plush, jewel-hued lounge furniture. Executive chef Andrew Zimmerman oversees the menu of seasonal American fare. Hors d'oeuvres on the opening menu included mini lobster rolls and sunny-side-up croque madame sandwiches made with quail eggs. Items on the dinner menu included local tomato gazpacho with basil marshmallow and olive-oil jam, roasted Gunthrop Farms chicken with sage and chestnut bread pudding, and chocolate-caramel-pecan tarts with malted ice cream. Hosts can also opt for personalized tasting menus, wine pairings, and vegan and vegetarian options.

From the team behind Hub 51, Paris Club opened in River North in February. Its upstairs lounge area, Studio Paris, debuted in late June. With a retractable glass roof and glass-covered walls, the space can hold private events for 300. Called the Salon Privé, a space that's adjacent to the main dining room can seat 80 for dinner or hold 100 for cocktails. Catering packages include hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, chilled seafood and charcuterie stations, caviar service, and desserts such as mini apple strudels and pots de crème.

Hubbard Inn came to River North in February. The restaurant's second-floor lounge, which has its own bar and antique tables, chairs, and couches, can host private events for 150. The newly revamped beverage list includes handcrafted cocktails such as the "Couple of Minutes," which includes Grey Goose vodka, lime juice, Pimm's, and an English lavender elixir. Menu items include pan-seared scallops, handmade ravioli with sheep's milk ricotta, and Moroccan vegetables.

Public House, a 10,000-square-foot bar from the owners of Bull & Bear, opened in January. Available for buyout, the River North venue can host receptions for 500. Large groups can also opt to rent the east bar, which holds 200, or the 300-person west bar. For smaller groups, a space known as the deck seats 50. With a fireplace and bookshelves, the library can host dinners for 16. The beverage list offers 100 types of beer, and guests can pour their own drinks from liquor and beer taps built into tabletops and walls. Beer also plays into menu items, with options including Belgian White mussels made with Blanc beer, mini Kobe corn dogs served with pineapple-beer mustard sauce, and beer-battered fish-and-chips.

After much anticipation, Magnolia came to the Loop in October. The New York-based bakery, famous for its cupcakes, also serves banana pudding, cookie bars, cakes, and brownies. With pastel walls, lace curtains, and aprons and egg beaters serving as decor, the homey venue can host dessert receptions or cupcake-frosting parties after 9 p.m. The space can hold 100 guests.

Named after a 1930s blues song, Barrelhouse Flat was opened in Lincoln Park in October by Stephen Cole, former head bartender at the Violet Hour. On its lower level, the two-story space has a bar, an open kitchen, and exposed brick walls. A vintage jukebox has a selection of 45 records that play ragtime to rockabilly; there's also an upright piano on site. A fireplace and another bar are on the second floor, where a private room in back has a pool table and reception space for 35 guests. The entire floor can be rented out to accommodate 90 guests. The entire venue is also available for buyout and can hold 180. The cocktail menu includes artisan punches such as the Golden Fleece, made with gin, green tea, lemon peel and juice, pineapple syrup, and Drambuie liqueur. Punches are available by the glass or in group-friendly bowls, delivered on drink carts. Menu items include deviled eggs, porchetta sandwiches, and cheese and caramelized onion dips.