Here's a look at the best new and renovated venues in Chicago such as corporate event venues, party rooms, conference centers, restaurants with private rooms, unique venues, and more. These event and meeting spaces can accommodate groups large or small for winter entertaining including holiday parties, business dinners, cocktail parties, conferences, and private and corporate events.
Built in 1927, the Pittsfield is a historic building on Jeweler's Row; it became available for private events in August. The art deco-style venue hosts sit-down dinners with a dance floor for as many as 200, or for 230 without a dance floor. All events take place in the five-story atrium, which has a brass chandelier and two balconies. The in-house rental inventory includes gold Chiavari chairs, tables, and gold draping. There iss also a valet service and rooms are available for overnight stays. Jewell Events Catering is the exclusive caterer.
The Gold Coast hotel the Thompson Chicago began opening in stages in October. Meant to feel residential, the 247-room hotel's design includes velvet and tweed fabrics, brick walls, and a glass-and-mesh-steel staircase. Later in the year, 12,225 square feet of meeting and event space will open and will hold 200 guests. There will also be a seafood-driven Italian restaurant called Nico Osteria.Â
Prasino, the eco-friendly American restaurant with an outpost in Wicker Park, opened a Rosemont location in August. In the buzzed-about Fashion Outlets of Chicago, the restaurant serves pork belly B.L.T.s and vegan sushi rolls, and dishes incorporate locally grown and organic ingredients when possible. A private space called the Green Room seats 24 guests or holds 40 for receptions and has an LCD screen for presentations. When combined, the private and main dining rooms hold 150 guests, and the Eco Lounge accommodates 100 for cocktails or 150 including the patio space. The restaurant is available for total buyout and holds 350 for receptions.
Italian restaurant Vapiano opened a location in the former Carson Pirie Scott building in August. Available for full or partial buyout, the downtown venue seats 200 inside; during the warmer months, there's outside seating for an additional 60 guests. A lounge area has removable furniture to make room for a dance floor, and a raised stage area can hold a DJ station. Menu items include pesto pasta, caprese salad, and bruschetta.
Firehouse Chicago hosted its grand opening in late September. In a restored, turn-of-the-century firehouse in Rogers Park, the 1,800-square-foot venue is decked with tin ceilings, white-tiled walls, and vintage furniture. It hosts seated dinners for 75 or cocktail receptions for 100. Fig is the in-house caterer and prepares menus based on seasonal ingredients; staffers can also arrange for food trucks, decor, rentals, and staff. Â
Gibsons Restaurant Group introduced its new event space, the Montgomery Club, in September. In the space that formerly housed BLT American Brasserie, the venue is more than 8,000 square feet and holds 1,000 guests for receptions. The Superior Room holds 800 for cocktails or seats 300 for dinners; the Chicago Room seats 100 or holds 200 for receptions; and a patio hosts receptions for 250. Hosts can arrange for chef stations offering fare from Gibsons's restaurants, including Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House, LuxBar, and Quartino.
The Brazilian steak house chain Fogo de ChĂŁo opened a location in MB Financial Park in the Rosemont's business district. The venue seats 311 including at the bar and also offers four private dining rooms that hold as many as 58 guests. The interior is decked with glass-tile mosaics, custom chandeliers, and fixtures made of Brazilian rosewood, walnut, and maple. The prix-fixe menu offers meats carved table-side and a salad bar with more than 30 items. There's also a 200-label wine list and Brazilian cocktails.
A private event space within the Lyric Opera of Chicago's Civic Opera House, the William B. and Catherine Graham Room recently underwent extensive renovations. The room—which is now decked with alabaster, bronze, and new colors including a dusky rose on the walls—comprises five adjoining salons. It hosts standing events for 238 or seated dinners for 120.
In Rogers Park, Sol Cafe is now open for private events. With an open floor plan, the venue holds 100 guests standing or 40 seated. The interior features rustic and industrial elements with vintage shapes. There are brick walls, concrete pillars, and reclaimed wood tables, and a custom bar is made from found maple wood. The space also includes a 1960s-style Sputnik chandelier, a 1970s Milo Baughman couch, and textured white walls with gold accents. The sound system is suited to live music or DJs, and an in-house photographer can capture events. Catering options include pastries from Glazed & Infused, charcuterie and cheese boards from Publican Quality Meats, tacos from Blue Star, and full dinners from Blue Plate Catering.
In Aurora, Sushi + opened in September. The venue specialized in "kaiten" or rotary sushi, and menu items are delivered via refrigerated conveyer belt. The 3,000-square-foot venue does not have a private event space but can be rented out for groups of as many as 45. Along with sushi and specialty rolls, the restaurant offers cocktails and Japanese-inspired small plates. Items include "Sushi Pizza," which is crispy rice topped with spicy crab, mayo, avocado, salmon, and tobiko.
