10 New Venues in Chicago for Spring 2020 Meetings and Events

21c Museum Hotel Chicago, located steps from the Magnificent Mile, has called the Windy City home since February. With 297 guest rooms that include 106 suites, it’s the ninth property for the brand and the largest to date. There are two suites that are 828 square feet with views of downtown, located on the 16th and 17th floors, respectively. At the forefront of this unique concept is the mix of an art museum and a boutique hotel. The museum is open to the public 365 days a year and features rotating art exhibits, as well as curated artwork by emerging local artists called the Elevate Art Program that is highlighted for guests on each floor. For meetings and events, the art-filled offerings are endless, with 10,000 square feet of exhibition and event spaces that can accommodate small gatherings of 20 for conferences to large functions of up to 250 in the main gallery. Planners can expect audiovisual equipment through PSAV, in-house catering, and a 24-hour business center. These artistic boutique hotels can also be found in cities like Louisville, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, and Nashville, with plans to open in St. Louis and Des Moines.

Avli River North opened an outpost in November 2019, the third concept from the popular Greek eatery which also operates in Lincoln Park and Winnetka. The spacious two-floor, 2,000-square-foot restaurant focuses on modern Greek cuisine by co-owners chef Louie Alexakis, sportscaster Lou Canellis, and investor William V. Glastris Jr. Highlights on the menu include honey and fig saganaki, pork souvlaki, and kataifi prawns, along with a curated Greek wine list and specialty cocktails. For events, there are several options. The Odyssey’s 1,200-square-foot space comes equipped with audiovisual capabilities, a DJ port, and bar access, and it can host 120 for cocktails or 74 seated guests. The 180-square-foot Mati Booth can host 16 for cocktails or 12 seated for intimate events. When weather permits, the 800-square-foot patio can hold 100 for cocktails or 70 for seated dinners. Full buyouts can accommodate 180 for cocktails or 110 for seated gatherings.

Bonhomme Hospitality Group has opened the perfect spot for intimate gatherings in January just above its Black Bull restaurant and Bordel lounge in Wicker Park. Botánico features two separate spaces, encompassing 2,500 square feet, designed by Maison Bonhomme, Bonhomme Group’s design division. Lush tropical plants, Persian rugs, and Murano crystal wall lamps bring an exotic feel to the spaces, where guests can expect cozy seating areas that include plush velvet sofas. For culinary-focused private dinners, product launches, and cooking demonstrations, the chef demo kitchen and bar is highlighted in the open-air concept. Botánico can accommodate 100 guests for receptions or 60 for intimate seated dinners. The restaurant group runs other popular eateries such as Beatnik, Celeste, Bonhomme, and Porto.

In February, the South Loop’s luxe dining spot Hayden Hall made its way to the CNA Center, otherwise known as “Big Red.” The 25,000-square-foot food hall is named after Sophia Hayden, the architect of the Women’s Building for Chicago’s World Columbian Exposition in 1893. The restaurant’s murals―inspired by the famed fair―are a highlight. The eatery features a slew of vendors, including 10 restaurants such as County Barbeque, Ada St., and Anaba Handroll Bar. The coffee bar, dubbed Julia Coffee & Brioche, and Love Foods, a grab-and-go market, are also popular options. Customers can use technology to see wait times on food preparation with a custom partnership with Grubhub Ultimate, allowing them to place an order and decide to dine-in, pick up, or opt to have items delivered to the office. Semiprivate options include Ada St., which can host 130 for seated dinners or 150 for cocktails; Sophia can host 75 seated guests or 100 for cocktails and Sophia’s Corner accommodates 50 for intimate dinners or 65 for cocktails. A private dining room can hold 50 seated guests or 75 for cocktails. The terrace can host 50 seated guests or 75 for receptions. For larger events, the entire venue can host 600 for receptions or 300 for a seated dinner. Partial buyouts can accommodate 300 for cocktails or 200 for seated gatherings.

Hubbard Inn unveiled its new space in October after months of renovation. The popular River North venue features three exclusive floors for events. The first floor has been revamped and features a new eye-catching bar in the center of the room. Guests can expect comfy booth seating, as well as high- and low-top tables, accommodating 120 for seated gatherings and 150 for receptions. The Sun Parlor features floor-to-ceiling windows and booth seating and can accommodate 25 seated guests or 35 for receptions. The Library Lounge is a cozy space that highlights wooden beam ceilings and two faux fireplaces and can host 16 seated guests or 35 standing. On the second floor, an Instagrammer's paradise awaits at the Blue Violet at Hubbard Inn cocktail lounge. The newly renovated space features black-and-white checkered floors, a large floral wall mural, and lush greenery and faux flowers hanging from the 12-foot beamed ceiling. It can hold 40 seated guests and 150 for receptions. Patrons also have their own private restrooms, several lounge areas, and a private bar. The theater-inspired third-floor space is the largest and features luxe jewel embossed walls, plenty of chandeliers, and a private bar. It can hold 250 revelers for receptions and 100 for seated gatherings. The entire three-floor venue can hold as many as 600.

Radius, a former steel factory located in the East Pilsen neighborhood, is Chicago’s latest and most anticipated music venue. The 55,000-square-foot venue opened on February 29 and has already booked acts Lil Wayne and Alkaline Trio/Bad Religion. The multi-use venue doesn't play host to only host stellar music attractions, but also large-scale corporate events such as trade shows and expos, product launches, and fund-raisers. It can hold up to 3,800 guests. Highlights include HD LED walls and TVs, a D&B KSL sound system, a V.I.P. mezzanine area, four private dressing rooms, an artist lounge, and RV and trailer parking for musical acts. A 10,000-square-foot space within Radius is called Cermak Hall and can hold 1,350 guests welcoming patrons with its own entrance. Featuring a bar and stage, it works well as a pre- or post-function space.

The founders of Cards Against Humanity (the popular self-proclaimed party game for horrible people) opened Chicago Board Game Cafe in Logan Square in February. The 14,000-square-foot space is located in the Margie’s Candies building and is set up to resemble an open-air international cafe with cobblestone pavers, street lamps, and string lights. The bank vault has been set up to house some 300 games, including Scrabble, Monopoly, and, of course, Cards Against Humanity. It’s a place where guests can nosh on international cuisine inspired by Spain, Vietnam, and Mexico street markets and cafés, with the main focus of connecting people through board games. The basement features two escape rooms that were created by the House Theatre of Chicago that can accommodate 16 players each. The main dining room can host 98, and Mead Hall, a large event space on the main floor, can hold 48 seated guests. Buyouts are also available.

The swanky STK Chicago that opened in the River North Neighborhood in November 2019 is part luxurious steak house, part chic lounge. The main dining room can accommodate 234 guests for a seated dinner or 500 for receptions. There are four private and semiprivate dining rooms for more intimate occasions, including the Champagne Bar, which can host 85 for receptions or 50 for seated dinners. Named after well-known burlesque singers, the other three private dining spaces include: Blaze Starr, which can seat 20; Lili St. Cyr, with room to accommodate 30; and Tempest Storm, which can seat as many as 20 guests. All of the private dining suites feature a 55-inch TV for presentations or can be used for social events. Lili St. Cyr and Tempest Storm can be combined to accommodate 80 for receptions or 60 seated guests. The private dining suites are available for a full buyout to host 150 guests for reception-style events or 120 for seated gatherings.

Opened in October 2019 and offering downtown and lake views, WoodWind is available for private events, boardroom meetings, and receptions. The venue, which is located in the Streeterville neighborhood on the 18th floor of the Lavin Family Pavilion, within the Northwestern University downtown medical campus, features over 12,000 square feet of event space and has three main event rooms that can be rented separately or combined. The Linden space can hold 250 for reception-style events or 120 seated, the Cedar room can accommodate 250 for receptions and 80 for seated gatherings, and the largest space, the Birch room, can hold 350 for receptions and 190 for seated occasions. During warmer weather, the Birch Rooftop garden can hold around 70 guests for receptions, offering breathtaking views. A private bar area dubbed the Annex can host intimate gatherings for as many as 40 seated guests.

The Gwen Hotel, located in the famed McGraw-Hill Building on Michigan Avenue, has a new restaurant to transport guests to the Mediterranean. Kostali, which means “coastal” in Maltese, opened inside the hotel in December. The 2,367-square-foot restaurant features cuisine inspired by local dishes of Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, and Morocco. Some menu highlights from James Beard Award-winning chef Carrie Nahabedian include whole roasted loup de mer, garganelli highlighted with braised clams, prawns and feta cheese butter, and a tagine of baby chicken. The former Circa location was transformed by Bureauiad Principal Tom Nahabedian into a luxe space featuring bronze-toned metal screens that were inspired by nautical maps, terrazzo tile floors, and a calming color palette of blue and browns that are found within the accessories and artwork. The dining room can accommodate 68 seated guests and the nine-seat bar area can host cocktails for intimate gatherings. Buyouts are available.