12 Chicago Venues for Memorable Corporate Holiday Parties
As balmy evenings and alfresco dining give way to falling leaves, it’s time to lock down a trendy locale for your upcoming holiday celebrations. Getting out of the office provides an opportunity to connect against a backdrop of food and fun and whether it’s a corporate luncheon to thank your staff or a full-scale evening bash to fete the year end, you want to create an unforgettable event. To help you appreciate and celebrate, we’ve rounded up a list of amazing office holiday party venues.
FOR GROUPS SMALLER THAN 50:
Somerset at the Viceroy Hotel
Set in the heart of the Gold Coast, this brand new and impeccably-designed restaurant sits on the street level of the Viceroy Hotel. Serving up innovative American cuisine and a booklet of specialty cocktails, this addition to the Boka Restaurant Group is destined to be a Chicago staple – and a perfect office holiday party venue. Two private rooms — the Regatta and the Upper Deck — share a nod to the nautical restaurant and offer posh options for dinner celebrations.
The Upper Deck Capacity (semi-private): 18
The Regatta Room Capacity (private): 22
GT Fish and Oyster
Nothing says “celebration” like a seafood tower and GT Fish and Oyster takes this to another level — literally — with three tiers packed with lobster, king crab, shrimp, snow crab claws, mussels, oysters, clams and ceviche, all part of their private dining menu. You’ll feel contentedly submerged at your office holiday party in their Whale Room, which features coastal shiplap walls, a wine room and, of course, a large whale tail, serves as a stylish and tasty option for a holiday luncheon, brunch or evening celebration.
The Whale Room Capacity (private): 50
FOR GROUPS SIZED UP TO 150:
Devereaux at the Viceroy Hotel
The crown jewel of the Viceroy Hotel is the just-opened Devereaux. It’s an intimate Boka Restaurant Group rooftop bar and lounge that offers a bit of Gold Coast glamour 18 stories up. Its interior space features a marble floors, luxurious velvet seating, and brass accents. With its unobstructed skyline views of our glittering city, your office holiday party will literally sparkle.
Devereaux Capacity: 100
Beacon Tavern
This casual upscale rustic setting boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that offer ground-floor views of tasteful landscaping and Chicago’s city bustle. Host a cocktail party for your office holiday party in the bar and enjoy American classic drinks prepared with inventive techniques, explore local and international beers or partake in offerings from their thoughtfully selected wine list. Dining offers elevated tavern specialities as well as a wide array of seafood dishes. The elegantly simple fare and beautiful views will impress your guests.
Bar Event Capacity: 45
Dining Capacity: 140
Firefly Kitchen
For a North Shore holiday party that feels city-chic (Brooklyn, that is), FireFly Kitchen is the place to go. Expect seasonal classics — with fresh herbs grown on their roof — and upscale comfort food from this New Yorker chef who will happily accommodate guest food allergies/preferences. The space, with its mix of tufted leather banquettes and cafe chairs, offers varied seating and an eclectic vibe with brass fixtures, bare bulbs, framed black and white photos and thoughtful quotes inscribed on the walls.
The Patio Capacity: 35
Upstairs Parlor Room Capacity: 35
Main Dining Room Capacity: 65
Entire Venue Capacity: 140
FOR GROUPS SIZED UP TO 250:
Untitled Supper Club
Modeled after Prohibition-era speakeasies, this sexy bar & restaurant boasts gilded mirrors, velvet booths, dark wood panels and live entertainment and can play host to holiday party groups of 15 to 750 people. Five bars serve up craft cocktails with a 20’s cabaret vibe. Choose between a swank cozy library, a parlor with a gorgeous statement ceiling, a backstage area with low leather seats and trunk tables, a dining room with an ornate champagne bar or a large open lounge with a 30-foot bar — or some combination of these spaces. You can choose the perfect vibe and size for your office holiday party.
Champagne Dining Room Capacity: 120
Whiskey Library: 150
Main Lounge: 175
Backstage Capacity: 175
Salvatore’s Chicago
Tucked away in the heart of Lincoln Park sits this charming venue, dripping with sparkling chandeliers casting light on thick mahogany walls and oversized French windows. From an intimate wine-filled dinner party to a large Italian feast, Salvatore’s is perfect for any warm and cozy winter holiday party.
Pasta Vino Bar Capacity: 45
Pasta Vino Room Capacity: 75
Classico Room Capacity: 150
Ceremony at Salvatore’s Capacity: 175
Chicago Room Capacity: 225
Three Dots and a Dash
Head down a Chicago alley to this hidden spot and shake off the dreary winter weather when you step into a tropical tiki paradise. Cocktails play a starring role with hand-crafted syrups and fresh cold-pressed juice mixed with spirits in exotic combinations then served up in coconuts, totem pole mugs, bamboo cups and more. When it comes to the menu, their easy-to-pass finger foods include rolls, skewers, pu pu platters — oh my! Winter is the perfect time for a quick trip to the islands, and your office holiday party is sure to be a festive one.
The Lagoon Capacity: 16
The Island Capacity: 16
The Bamboo Room Capacity: 30
The Cove Capacity: 30
The Luau Room Capacity: 240
Morgan’s on Fulton
With four unique spaces, this West Loop locale nods to its historic meatpacking past while providing sophisticated, artistic flair. With an uber-cool gallery entryway, a roof deck featuring Chicago’s twinkling skyline, an intimate industrial spot with raw brick and wood floors, and an underground “nightclub” that’s post-party perfect, Morgan’s has every options perfect for celebrating your office holiday party well into a winter evening.
Gallery Space Capacity: 95
Studio M Capacity: 135
Suite C Capacity: 165
Rooftop Capacity: 250
1st Ward Events @ Chop Shop
This modern urban event venue in the heart of the Wicker Park/Bucktown is situated within the Chop Shop, a hip meat-centric restaurant that features its own butcher and deli. 1st Ward’s 6,000 square feet of convertible space features 20’ ceilings and exposed brick walls and offers configurations galore with its modular staging and state-of-the-art lighting options. An in-house personal production team manages on-site audio and visual for all of your holiday party entertainment needs. Prepare to be wowed.
1st Ward Event Space Capacity: 250
FOR GROUPS SIZED UP TO 1,000:
Morgan Manufacturing
In a completely-renovated Fulton Market building that survived the Great Chicago Fire, this space offers 32,000 square feet of industrial elegance for your office holiday party. Raw brick walls, a statement-making skylight and polished concrete floors offer a fitting canvas for your inspiration. With in-house AV equipment, a DJ booth, and four rooms that can be joined as desired, Morgan Manufacturing can make any party hip and fun.
Mezzanine Capacity: 200
Plant Capacity: 300
Production Capacity: 700
The Geraghty
Hundreds of large companies call Chicago home and it’s never been easier to find a special spot to celebrate with a large crew. The Geraghty makes throwing a big holiday party seriously simple and beautiful. The space features 16 foot windows, 20 custom gold meridian chandeliers, olive trees, luxurious draping, perfect acoustics and AV inclusions. Even the little extras that make for seamless events have been taken care of with 150 parking spaces and bathrooms so gorgeous you’ll want to move in. Our favorite bonus idea: Make use of the impeccable “Green Room” to throw a pre-party VIP champagne tasting or dinner party.
The Geraghty Raw Space Capacity: 1000
VIP Green Room Capacity: 50