Here's a closer look at Chicago's newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Chicago-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Verve Wine
Verve Wine, an event space connected to a wine shop, opened in Lincoln Park in November 2024. The space has Parisian bistro-inspired decor, and it can hold everything from seated dinners to cocktail receptions, wine tastings, and holiday parties. At 2,000 square feet, the venue can seat 50 guests or hold 100 for standing events; its private dining room, which has a boardroom-style table and seating for 12 guests, can hold small meetings. Open May through October, the patio can seat an additional 20 guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Verve Wine
Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC
Hampton Inn & Suites opened a new property in Chicago’s Medical District in November 2024. With 135 rooms, Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC has a 648-square-foot meeting room that can hold gatherings of up to 40 guests. Additional amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness center, and free hot breakfast for guests. The hotel is across the street from Rush University and a mile from the United Center.
Photo: Courtesy of Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC
Il Carciofo
Il Carciofo, an Italian restaurant helmed by Top Chef alum Joe Flamm, opened in Fulton Market in December 2024. The venue hosts private events in its Pasta Lab, which holds seated dinners for 20. For larger groups, the main dining room holds semiprivate seated dinners for 40. The full restaurant is available for buyout and can accommodate seated dinners for 130 or receptions for 200. Menu options include Roman-style pizza, handmade pasta, and Italian cocktails.
Photo: Garrett Sweet
Americano
Americano opened at Hotel Lincoln in June 2024. The ground-floor restaurant, which overlooks Lincoln Park, is available for buyout. At capacity, it can hold receptions for 200 guests. The venue also has a private event space called The Wells and Clark, which holds receptions for 120 guests. For small groups, a dining experience called The Intimate Table offers private, customized dinners for 15 guests. Marked with bistro seating, marble-top tables, and lush greenery, the restaurant serves caviar deviled eggs, house fries with an aioli dip, burgers, oysters, and more.
Photo: Defining Collective
The Lobby
Paramount Events’ new event space, The Lobby, opened in Avondale in September 2024. At 2,000 square feet, the fully furnished venue holds seated events for 50 guests and standing receptions for 75. Features include a dining room, kitchen, bar, conference room, and beauty bar. Catering is provided exclusively by Paramount Events.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lobby
Vela
Vela opened in River North in July 2024. Inspired by Mexico City, the venue has a candlelit private dining room that seats 12. A back room, known as Zona Rosa, can be curtained off to hold seated dinners for 28 guests or standing receptions for 35. Also available for buyouts, the restaurant accommodates seated dinners for 90 or standing receptions for 150. Menu items include head-on king prawns, pork belly with mole sauce, and chicken with lime-adobo seasoning.
Photo: Courtesy of Vela
Fat Rosie’s
Fat Rosie’s, a colorful taco and tequila bar, opened its sixth Chicagoland location in Rosemont in October 2024. At more than 7,000 square feet, the venue has a private dining room with an adjoining patio. The private space can hold seated dinners for up to 122 guests and standing receptions for 200. In addition to tacos, menu items include enchiladas, quesadillas, and guacamole.
Photo: Courtesy of Fat Rosie’s
The Atria
The Atria, a 6,400-square-foot event space, came to Humboldt Park in August 2024. Formerly a horseshoe factory, the bow truss loft has a 75-foot retractable skylight and a conference room with a built-in disco ball. The space can hold seated events or cocktail receptions for 100 guests. Amenities include a custom kitchen with a granite bar, a loading area for vendors and food trucks, and tables and chairs.
Photo: Tuan B & Co
Ema
Ema opened in Glenview, a northwest suburb of Chicago, in September 2024. Specializing in Mediterranean small plates, the airy venue has a 52-seat private dining space called the Vanessa Room (pictured), which can hold standing receptions for 70 guests. The room has built-in audiovisual equipment; Bluetooth capabilities; sound absorption panels; and soft, wicker pendant lighting. Signature dishes include Moroccan onion dip, tahini Caesar salad, and spicy brisket kebabs.
Photo: Jeff Marini
Chapel Street Cafe
Billed as Chicago’s first Australian-style restaurant and cafe, Chapel Street Cafe opened within the meeting-friendly Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites in January. The restaurant has a semiprivate dining room that seats 14 guests or holds 20 for standing receptions. The venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it also serves Australian wines and coffee drinks made with beans roasted on site.
Photo: Courtesy of Chapel Street Cafe
