BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations

Where to Catch City Views This Summer

Stacy Warden
July 25, 2008
Rooftop bars and restaurants are gaining popularity in neighborhoods from Wrigleyville to River North, offering city views and party-ready spaces. Here are four spots to check out for groups or business entertaining.

1. Tucked just around the corner from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the rooftop lounge at Zed451 opened in April and offers a bird's-eye view of the area's surrounding skyscrapers. Highlights of the contemporary outdoor space include a dual-sided fireplace and a large patch of real grass. In addition to its full service bar, Zed451’s “Liquid Market” drink list features eight to 10 specialty cocktails each season, many of which are made with house-infused spirits. The restaurant offers specialty menus, including a selection of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, fondues, and skewered meats. A full menu from the downstairs kitchen can also be served buffet style. Zed451’s rooftop lounge is 2,300 square feet and holds as many as 100 guests. Full buyouts are available.2. With 3,400 square feet of space, NV Penthouse Lounge is one of Chicago’s more spacious rooftop decks with views of the bustling River North neighborhood. The venue sits on the eighth floor of a building designed by local firm Studio Modernista and holds as many as 280 guests. The bold decor is decked out in black and white with a few illuminated accents. Curtained cabanas provide semi-private seating, while towering heaters serve as inviting mingling spots during the chillier months. NV Penthouse Lounge’s signature cocktails are inspired by the seven deadly sins. The bar also offers food menus that can be tailored for events. NV Penthouse Lounge, which opened in October, is available for full buyouts.

3. Sushi Samba Rio’s River North locale blends Brazilian, Japanese, and Peruvian influences in its enclosed rooftop garden. Large windows open to views of River North buildings and beyond, while upbeat music streams from the sound system. Vibrant ottomans and sofas provide lounge seating, while plush black stools line the sleek black-top bar. In addition to shochu-based cocktails, Sushi Samba Rio’s drink menu features nearly 300 wine and sake selections. The restaurant’s cultural influences also shine in the food, which focuses on sushi rolls like the signature lobster tempura with peanut curry sauce, leafy greens, cucumber, and lobster-claw tempura. The 2,700-square-foot, temperature-controlled space, which is open year round, holds 150 guests reception style and seats as many as 100. Sushi Samba Rio's rooftop, which opened in 2006, is available for full buyouts.

4. Located directly across the street from Wrigley Field, Vines on Clark’s rooftop deck offers one of the best views of the stadium without actually buying a ticket. The space, which was renovated last spring, seats up to 50 people and provides a simple, laid-back atmosphere with wood-paneled and latticed walls, slate-colored patio furniture, and colorful flower beds. Menus can be crafted from the restaurant’s regular offerings or pulled straight from its catering list. Specialty items include classic Italian dishes like baked rigatoni, wild mushroom ravioli, and fettuccine alfredo. A selection of pizzas and party appetizers are also available. Drink packages range from the “Wish You Well,” which includes well liquor, domestic bottles, and drafts, and house wine, to “The Ultimate Vineyard,” with premium liquor, domestic and imported bottles, and specialty wine. Full buyouts of the rooftop deck are available.
Sushi Samba Rio's rooftop bar
Sushi Samba Rio's rooftop bar
Photo: Courtesy of Sushi Samba Rio
NV Penthouse Lounge features an eighth-floor vantage point overlooking the city skyline. Curtained cabanas provide intimate nooks.
NV Penthouse Lounge features an eighth-floor vantage point overlooking the city skyline. Curtained cabanas provide intimate nooks.
Photo: Courtesy of NV Penthouse Lounge
Vibrant colors and music make Sushi Samba Rio's rooftop an exotic destination.
Vibrant colors and music make Sushi Samba Rio's rooftop an exotic destination.
Photo: Courtesy of Sushi Samba Rio
Sleek elements such as long wooden benches and a dual-sided fireplace give Zed451's rooftop lounge a streamlined look.
Sleek elements such as long wooden benches and a dual-sided fireplace give Zed451's rooftop lounge a streamlined look.
Photo: Courtesy of Zed451
Vines on Clark's rooftop bar is a baseball's throw from Wrigley Field. Simple lattice walls, beer signs, and flower pots evoke a backyard barbecue feel.
Vines on Clark's rooftop bar is a baseball's throw from Wrigley Field. Simple lattice walls, beer signs, and flower pots evoke a backyard barbecue feel.
Photo: BizBash
Latest in Venues & Destinations
From Suites to the Field: Private Event Spaces at Allegiant Stadium
Industry Insiders
Inside Allegiant Stadium: Vegas’ Most Unexpected Venue for Unforgettable Private Events
W Hotels recently revealed a multimillion-dollar transformation of W Austin—and the resulting space now boasts the Texas capital's largest suite. Penthouse I (pictured) spans 1,798 square feet; in addition to panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline, the suite has a separate service entrance, perfect for catered social gatherings at the large dining table. The hotel has 32 suites in all, which offer personalized concierge service, Dyson Airblades, record players, and exclusive artwork from artists across Texas and beyond.
Global
What's New in Event Venues: Art-Centric Experiences, All-Inclusive Resort Add-Ons, and More
avad3 designed and executed a custom AV solution for the world's largest retailer and its third-party sellers in Las Vegas.
Industry Insiders
Your Venue's AV Isn't On Your Team: Our Hot Take
'There’s really nothing else like it in California,' Meta's Damien Baines says of The Donum Estate, his favorite event venue to entertain a client.
Global
Meta's Head of Experiential Marketing and Creative Shares His Favorite Event Venues
Related Stories
Country Club
North America
Clubhouse-Style Lounge Replaces Dirty Disco
The Boathouse's bright new colors
Orlando / Central Florida
Going Greek
House Foods's tofu cook-off
New York
A Taste of Soy
Special Olympics athletes
Chicago
Let the Games Begin
More in Venues & Destinations
Sponsored
Inside Allegiant Stadium: Vegas’ Most Unexpected Venue for Unforgettable Private Events
Create unforgettable experiences and host your next event at Allegiant Stadium.
From Suites to the Field: Private Event Spaces at Allegiant Stadium
Global
What's New in Event Venues: Art-Centric Experiences, All-Inclusive Resort Add-Ons, and More
BizBash rounds up the latest news from hotels, convention centers, meeting spaces, restaurants, and other event venues around the world.
W Hotels recently revealed a multimillion-dollar transformation of W Austin—and the resulting space now boasts the Texas capital's largest suite. Penthouse I (pictured) spans 1,798 square feet; in addition to panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake and the Austin skyline, the suite has a separate service entrance, perfect for catered social gatherings at the large dining table. The hotel has 32 suites in all, which offer personalized concierge service, Dyson Airblades, record players, and exclusive artwork from artists across Texas and beyond.
Sponsored
Your Venue's AV Isn't On Your Team: Our Hot Take
In-house AV is convenient—but convenience can cost you more than you think.
avad3 designed and executed a custom AV solution for the world's largest retailer and its third-party sellers in Las Vegas.
Global
Meta's Head of Experiential Marketing and Creative Shares His Favorite Event Venues
Damien Baines dishes on his favorite spots to entertain clients, get inspired, host an event abroad, and more.
'There’s really nothing else like it in California,' Meta's Damien Baines says of The Donum Estate, his favorite event venue to entertain a client.
Sponsored
Downtown Phoenix’s Arizona Center Is the City’s Newest Hotspot
New restaurants, pop-up businesses, and meeting space offer more options for event planners.
Phx May2025 Arizona Center3
Sponsored
Meet in Margaritaville
Where serious business and serious fun make a meeting or special event truly memorable.
Find your License to Chill with award-winning meetings and special events at Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts.
Most Popular
Event Design & Decor
‘Feathers Galore’: Step Inside the Colorful Carnaval Ambiance of City Harvest’s Annual Gala
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Inside Motorola’s Bold, Multisensory Razr Launch Event
Sports
Laps, Luxury, and Logistics: Inside the 2025 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Get a Peek Inside These Star-Studded Beauty Events
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Step Inside the First-Ever, Brand-Packed Ulta Beauty World Event
Event Tech & Tools
Guest Column: Still Not Using AI for Events? Here’s What You’re Missing
Texas
5 New Venues in Austin for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Austin, Texas.
Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin
Sponsored
Investing In and Refining the Client Experience
Convene believes that unforgettable meetings and events don’t just happen—they’re designed with intention.
Convene is the largest provider of dedicated meeting and event venues in the U.S. and U.K.
Canada
5 New Venues in Canada for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Canada.
Fairmont Pacific Rim
Sponsored
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Meetings that hit big—made simple.
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
United States
Upcycled Hospitality: 6 Historic Hotels That Weren’t Always Hotels
These historic banks, breweries, bottling plants, and more have found new life as event-friendly hotels.
The Langham, Boston
Global
What's New in Event Venues: How the Tariffs Are Affecting the Hotel Industry and More
BizBash rounds up the latest news from hotels, convention centers, meeting spaces, restaurants, and other event venues around the world.
Hawaii's 605-room, event-friendly Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa has introduced a unique new offering for groups: the 'Harmonizing Experiences' workshop, tailored for groups seeking enhanced communication and better dynamics through tai chi principles. This workshop, guided by seasoned practitioners, employs tai chi exercises to help participants balance their energy, focusing on using mental focus rather than physical strength to execute continuous, fluid movements. The exercises aim to convert tension into cooperation and frustration into flow, cultivating a more empathetic and unified group atmosphere.
Page 1 of 1118
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.