10 New Chicago Venues for 2019 Fall Meetings and Events

Pizzeria Portofino, the ambitious Riverfront project on the Chicago River from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, opened in July. It’s the first for the three-phase project that includes the fall opening of RPM Events On The Water and the highly anticipated winter opening of RPM On The Water. Designed by the Rockwell Group, Pizza Portofino takes guests to the Italian Riviera through the decor such as yellow and white striped booths and rustic white-washed wood, along with greenery and string lights. On the menu, executive chef Doug Psaltis (who also oversees RPM Italian and RPM Steak) features items like hand-stretched pizza and charcoal-grilled seafood, along with a variety of coastal wines. Perfect for yacht spotting through floor-to-ceiling windows, the location offers an 80-seat, 1,600-square-foot patio. Full buyouts are available in the 2,000-square-foot restaurant for 108 seated guests. For those keeping their party on the water, there’s a special “Marina Menu” for guests who pull up in their boats for take away.

The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel was originally built in 1929 as the exclusive Medinah Athletic Club and in July completed the first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation. The focus of the restoration by Whitespace Interiors was on pre-event function space as well as 45,000 square feet of Gatsby-era event spaces, adding modern amenities while retaining the historic details such as restored chandeliers, wood carvings, and original fixtures. The Grand Ballroom’s piece de resistance features the largest Baccarat crystal chandelier in North America, weighing six tons, and hand-painted murals by Italian art restorer Lido Lippi, who is noted for working on the restoration of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and several hotel projects around Chicago. The Grand Ballroom holds more than 1,000 people for a reception.

Ten years after opening, Roof on theWit has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation unveiled in July. Located on the 27th floor, the rooftop hotspot is known for hosting a roster of internationally acclaimed DJs and fashion shows with panoramic views of the Chicago River and State Street. Jackie Koo of KOO Architecture gave the space a Mediterranean makeover with Spanish and Moroccan influences that are seen throughout the furnishings and decor (think bold colors and vibrant tile mosaics). Even the food features international flare with items such as signature paellas with Spanish flavors, red miso hummus and naan bread, and a grilled prime strip steak. The biggest transformation is to the Gallery, an open-air concept with a retractable roof that features the Artisan Wall, a showcase of twirling digital art on nine LED screens that can also display custom graphics during private events. Overall, the 5,394-square-foot indoor/outdoor space can accommodate 325 people for receptions. Smaller events can take over separate spaces within the venue such as the Living Room, an open corner space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a fireplace and two Cheshire couches; the space holds 50 guests.

Inspired by the iconic carousel bar in the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans that opened in 1949, Chicago is now home to its own gracefully rotating carousel bar. Designed by 555 International, François Frankie can accommodate about 75 revelers reception-style or 39 seated, while the entire 6,500-square-foot space can seat 130 or hold 250 for receptions. The carousel is dressed up in mirrors, lights, and an illustration of the well-known François Frankie character holding a bottle of champagne. The main dining area is set to feel like a Parisian courtyard with hanging string lights, and it seats 68 or holds 100 people for receptions. The front lounge, dubbed the Queue, seats 14 or holds 25 for receptions. The French-inspired menu helmed by executive chef Mike Sheerin features pasta, seafood, as well as super prime meats. Highlights from the raw bar include the Big Frank Tower with a dozen oysters, alongside jumbo shrimp, king crab, and lobster. This is the third restaurant for Well Done Hospitality, joining the popular Cochon Volant Brasserie and Taureaux Tavern. It opened in July.

Hilton Chicago Northbrook, located on the banks of the Des Plaines River in the heart of the North Shore, unveiled the first part of a multimillion-dollar renovation in July. The hotel—near the Ravinia Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Bahá'í House of Worship—has upgraded 20,000 square feet of function space with 18 breakout areas that can accommodate as many as 1,300 guests. Some updates include new carpeting, wallpaper, and light fixtures, as well as electronic reader boards and door signs. The Grand Ballroom, which features a Garden Terrace reception area, can accommodate 850 banquet style or up to 1,275 for receptions and saw upgrades including state-of-the-art sound and lighting capabilities. The hotel’s 249 guest rooms also saw a refresh with new carpeting, furniture, smart TVs and upgraded lighting. Phase two of the renovation in early 2020 will include revamps of the hotel's restaurants Allgauer’s on the Riverfront and Frank’s Place.

Billed as the nation’s largest rooftop venue—and confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records—Offshore is the newest entertainment space, restaurant, and bar at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Located on the third floor atop Festival Hall, the all-weather 36,000-square-foot venue has unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and a unique vantage of the city skyline. It has suited large private events of as many as 1,000 guests, and during summer months it’s the perfect perch to take in Navy Pier’s biweekly fireworks. The venue includes a 20,000-square-foot terrace studded with seven fire pits and two private lawns. Indoors, the Play Pen seats 24 guests or holds 125 for receptions. The popular Ring of Fire outdoor space seats eight guests or holds 30 standing; it can be combined with the Play Pen to hold 150 people. The venue opened at the end of May.

Located in the northwest suburbs, Chicago Marriott Schaumburg recently finished a $22 million renovation. The project included a new “Great Room” lobby, guest rooms, meeting spaces, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant and bar, and the addition of the lobby-level MClub Lounge. Kraig Kalashian Architecture & Design oversaw the project and was inspired by nature and industry while creating a space that evokes softer textures and a mix of materials that include concrete, velvet, red oak, and hickory with accents of calming grays and pale blues. The Great Room can accommodate over 300 seats in this multi-function space that also features a full-service bar and restaurant. There are 16 event rooms and a total of 28,770 square feet of customizable space that can accommodate everything from business meetings to 1,000 attendees for galas in the Schaumburg Ballroom, the largest venue. Attractions nearby include Allstate Arena and the Schaumburg Convention Center.

Randolph’s Restaurant Row in the West Loop has expanded to be one of the city’s hottest foodie destinations. Rooh Chicago—which opened in late May—brings the excitement of Indian cuisine to the trendy West Loop. The fine-dining restaurant showcases a variety of Southern Indian dishes by executive chef Sujan Sarkar that mix traditional and modern techniques including small plates such as cauliflower koliwada and tandoor smoked pork belly and large plates like paneer pinwheel and beef short ribs curry. The multi-level restaurant is not the first for husband-and-wife owners Vikram and Anu Bhambri, who operate restaurants throughout India and have a location in San Francisco as well as Baar Baar in New York. For private events, there are four spaces: ROOH Underground, the most intimate, holds 10 to 12 for private dining. The vibrant Jhoomar dining room, accented with chandeliers and exposed brick, holds 40 seated guests or 55 for receptions. The second-floor bar, dubbed the ROOH Lounge, features a state-of-the-art sound system and can hold 35 seated guests or 50 for cocktail parties. The Guldasta dining room, which is named after its rich floral wallpaper, holds 40 seated or 50 standing guests. A full buyout of the second floor can accommodate 100 revelers.

Bird’s Eye Bar & Grill is the latest dining and private event venue to open at Lincoln Park Zoo. The eatery, located above the gift shop near the entrance, has the perfect bird’s eye view of the Japanese macaque, birds of prey, as well as the seal habitat. The 6,000-square-foot space opened in July and offers family-friendly features such as giant games like Jenga, Connect 4, air hockey, and foosball. A variety of options are available for catering including picnic packages with themed offerings such as Southern BBQ, as well as an a la carte menu. Reception menus offer specialty and carving stations, as well as buffets. The retractable roof allows guests to enjoy the venue year round. The space is available for daytime or nighttime events and seats 235 or holds around 400 for receptions.

Adjacent to upscale food court Aster Hall on the sixth floor of the 900 Shops, Topgolf Swing Suite offers indoor sports simulators including golf, hockey, football, baseball, and zombie dodgeball. Opened on September 13, the venue has three simulator bays for virtual games with each suite accommodating as many as eight guests, as well as a separate 600-square-foot V.I.P. area for 30 guests. The entire 2,900-square-foot venue can be rented out for private events for as many as 75 people. For those renting the V.I.P. space, catering is available from Aster Hall. Guests can choose from 16 food stations with popular choices like Small Cheval, Green Street Smoked Meats, Boardwalk Seafood Co., and Doughnut Vault.