Here's a closer look at Chicago's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Chicago venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Salon 61
Salon 61, a private event space, opened in River North this September. Run by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, the venue holds cocktail receptions for 300 guests and seated functions for 125. The space has two rooms, which must be rented together. The 1,650-square-foot Library has wood-paneled walls and coffered ceilings. The 2,250-square-foot Atrium room has a vaulted glass ceiling, large windows, a gray-and-white harlequin marble floor, and grand crystal chandeliers. Salon 61 offers cocktails, plated and family-style meals, and live stations. The menu has dishes from several Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. Interactive experiences, such as a carving station from RPM Steak and a hand roll bar from Sushi-san, can be arranged.
Photo: Courtesy of Salon 61
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park completed a renovation in March. Helmed by design firm KTGY, the renovation included an overhaul of the Rouge Meeting Room, which is now known as the Millennium Room. The 5,000-square-foot space has freshly uncovered windows to let in natural light. It also has a more open flow, as a previously sunken floor is now raised. The Millennium Room can hold receptions for 450 guests. Later this fall, pan-Latin restaurant Toro will open within the hotel, offering a private dining room with 14 seats. The 83 Fairmont Gold guest rooms and suites, open to members of the hotel’s loyalty program, have also been updated, with new furniture, carpets, and redesigned bathrooms.
Photo: Mike Schwartz
Forte at Symphony Center
Symphony Center, home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, opened a private event space called Forte in September. Overtaking a former restaurant, Forte has a private dining room called The Conductor’s Room, which seats 20 guests and holds 40 standing. Its main dining room seats 100 guests and holds 140 standing. The bar, which has high wooden tables and booth seating, seats 50 and has standing room for 80. With a dedicated entrance, Forte is handicap-accessible and has audiovisual equipment and a coat check. The culinary team can prepare boxed lunches, reception stations, seated dinners, and more. Menu options include crab tostadas, cucumber and whipped feta bites, and grilled peach and ricotta flatbreads.
Photo: Courtesy of Forte at Symphony Center
Hawksmoor
Hawksmoor, a London-based steakhouse, opened a River North location in June. In a three-story landmark building that was previously a cable car powerhouse, the 16,500-square-foot venue has two private dining rooms on its second floor. The Lady Bird 3rd seats 16 guests and the Big Mike seats 22. A dedicated event space will open on the third floor this fall, seating 130 guests or holding 175 standing. Menu options include oysters, charcoal-grilled steaks, and classic steakhouse sides such as creamed spinach and baked potatoes.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawksmoor
Ina Chicago
An all-in-one medical spa and day spa, Ina Chicago had its soft opening in January and hosted its grand opening in May. The River North venue hosts wellness-themed gatherings for corporate groups. Offerings range from yoga classes to sound baths to a day filled with services, which can include anything from massage therapy and acupuncture to cupping, reiki, and Botox. Packages are customized for groups of various sizes and generally accommodate 50 to 150 guests, though smaller or larger groups can also be accommodated. The catering menu includes small bites, display stations, desserts, and bar service with cocktails or mocktails. A range of optional event add-ons can include tarot card readers, flowers, balloons, a step-and-repeat, a DJ, audiovisual support, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Ina Chicago
Sushi-san Lincoln Park
After opening in May, Sushi-san Lincoln Park unveiled a private event space this September. With 46 seats and standing room for 100, the space hosts seated dinners and cocktail receptions. Passed appetizers include spicy tuna crispy rice and otoro nigiri, while family-style dinners include maki rolls, nigiri, and charcoal-grilled bites. The venue can also arrange for private Japanese whisky tastings, sake pairings, or an interactive hand roll bar with a chef.
Photo: Lindsay Eberly
Petit Pomeroy
Petit Pomeroy, a French restaurant, opened in River North in September. Inspired by Parisian bistros, the eatery has a private dining space called the Bijou Room, which seats 24 guests and holds cocktail receptions for 30. When combined with the adjoining Clock Room, the Bijou Room can hold semiprivate dinners for 60 guests or cocktail receptions for 70. An additional semiprivate space called the Salle de Bar seats 40 and holds cocktail receptions for 50. Menu options range from escargot puffs to oysters on the half shell to steak a la bordelaise. The venue can also have customized celebration cakes delivered on the day of the event, with no additional charge for the delivery.
Photo: Courtesy of Petit Pomeroy
Sunda New Asian, Fulton Market
Serving Southeast Asian cuisine, Sunda New Asian opened a Fulton Market location in February. In the sleek, dark-hued restaurant, decorative touches include lanterns and a capiz shell installation. A private dining room seats 36 guests or holds 50 for cocktail-style receptions. It has a 70-inch HD smart TV for logos and presentations. The venue also has communal tables that can seat 13 to 30 guests in the heart of the main dining room; the garden has a communal table for 16 guests. The restaurant offers private sushi-rolling parties with instruction from a chef. Other options include a Kamayan Feast for 20 guests. Served in the private dining room, the Filipino-style feast features a long table lined with fresh banana leaves and topped with communal dishes such as adobo pork belly and grilled garlic shrimp.
Photo: John Stoffer
Dearly Beloved
Dearly Beloved opened on the Near North Side, between Old Town and River North, in May. Billed as a “cocktail restaurant,” the glamorous venue—marked with dark walls, jewel-toned lounge furniture, and dimly lit chandeliers—focuses on inventive cocktails. It has several spaces for semiprivate events. The Annex and The Gazebo both seat 30 guests, and The Window Lounge and The Platform both seat 20. The Chef’s Table seats 14. The venue is also available for buyout. It can hold cocktail receptions for 350 or seated events for 160 guests. Private cocktail-making workshops or spirits tastings can be arranged. Signature drinks include the vegetal Waiting for the Moon, which is made with snap pea-infused gin, and the spiced At Your Age, which contains cinnamon and cumin tequilas. Buffet stations or plated dinners are available, with menu items such as truffle fries, beef tartare, truffle-honey chicken sliders, and vegetarian Japanese pancakes.
Photo: Marisa Klug-Morataya
Casa Chi
Helmed by renowned chef Richard Sandoval, Casa Chi opened at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in June. Designed by KTGY, the 1,471-square-foot dining room has 68 seats and holds standing receptions for 88 guests. Additionally, a 560-square-foot patio can hold receptions or seated events for 40 guests. Fusing Japanese and Peruvian flavors, the menu includes tuna-ponzu guacamole and ceviche, while the bar specializes in mezcal cocktails.
Photo: Courtesy of Casa Chi
