Top Chicago Cocktail Party Museums

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 16-250 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 1 Bar
• 2 Total Spaces

Host THE Perfect Party! Museum of Ice Cream was built for celebration, and it’s our mission to help you craft the perfect party. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding party, team bonding or an energetic fundraiser, Museum of Ice Cream is the sweetest spot for an extra special, unforgettable event! Host THE Perfect Party at Museum of Ice Cream! Built for celebration, at Museum of Ice Cream our mission is to help you craft the perfect party. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, team bonding event, or corporate celebration, we’re here to make your special occasion extra sweet. With vibrant, immersive experiences and delightful treats, our museum creates unforgettable moments for every type of event. Let us help you design a celebration that’s as unique and fun as your guests. Come create memories that will last a lifetime at Museum of Ice Cream – the sweetest spot for your next event!

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 100-1,000 Guests
• 4 Museums
• 1 Landmark
• 4 Total Spaces

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago is an engaging and provocative space that serves as an ideal venue for your private events. The MCA’s iconic, modern building is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Chicago, and is perfectly suited for weddings, corporate, and non-profit events in search of an inspiring, artistic locale. The museum space, designed by Josef Paul Kleihues, is both an innovative and accommodating environment for your event. Our west-facing, four-story windows create both a luminous interior space and panoramic view of Chicago’s skyline. The spacious Kovler Atrium is great for large celebrations, while our galleries allow for unique and intimate experiences where guests can socialize amongst some of the world’s most celebrated contemporary art.

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 50-12,000 Guests
• 7 Museums
• 7 Landmarks
• 10 Total Spaces

Dine beside a WWII submarine or a 40-foot tornado, sip cocktails with a Mars Rover, or mingle beneath historic aircraft. From the welcome reception to dinner and dessert, amaze your guests with an unforgettable event. Griffin MSI is the premier Chicago destination for unique and engaging special events. In addition to our awe-inspiring and interactive displays, enjoy private guided tours, gardens surrounded by century-old oak trees, or open-air dining on our breathtaking porticos. Our world-class culinary and special events teams will customize your entire experience, from handcrafted cocktails to an innovative seasonal menu and decadent desserts. We have events down to a science!

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 12-200 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 3 Landmarks

21c Museum Chicago offers unique spaces for memorable events, from weddings to corporate meetings and special events. Leave the boring reception hall behind… Didn’t mom always encourage you to try new things? 21c Museum Chicago is perfectly situated in the heart of River North shopping and dining. Find a new kind of experience with our multi-venue museum and hotel featuring 106 suites. 21c Museum Chicago features over 10,000 square feet of art-filled exhibition and event spaces perfect to host your contemporary gathering. Celebrate in an environment that simultaneously reflects global contemporary culture and Chicago’s personality and perspectives. Our event venue spaces are perfect for: Seminars & Conferences Board meetings Company off site retreats Private dining events Holiday parties Family reunions & celebrations Weddings & receptions Baby showers

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 15-250 Guests
• 5 Museums
• 5 Landmarks

Our state-of-the-art space brings private events to life against the backdrop of the history of American writings, providing a truly unique experience. Private events held in the museum have exclusive access to all exhibits and guests can enjoy food and drink while exploring the museum. Like a good book, your guests won’t want the event to end! With various rooms and seating options, we can accommodate a range of events - seated dinners in our Nation of Writers gallery, cocktail receptions in Readers Hall, intimate corporate breakfast meetings, and more. Attention nonprofit organizations! When you rent a party venue at the American Writers Museum, you can host a memorable and unique celebration for all ages without having to break the bank. Special Venue Pricing*: Save 30% off the venue fee for Sunday to Wednesday events and 20% off for Thursday to Saturday events. *Proof of 501(c)(3) status required

• 1 Cocktail Party Album
• Spaces for 30-300 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks
• 4 Total Spaces

The Halim Time & Glass Museum is home to hundreds of historical timepieces, stained glass masterpieces and artwork from around the world. A Golden Chinese Pagoda topped with over 5000 pearls, a porcelain and bronze clock that was once owned by Katherine the Great, a lobby with towering stained glass windows, and a grand, floating staircase topped with a celestial stained glass dome are only a couple highlights of this magnificent museum. The Halim Museum offers four event spaces. The Wisteria Room is a 4,000 square feet space with stunning hand-painted gilded trim, skylights to the Rooftop Garden, floor to ceiling windows with panoramic view and a wrap-around balcony. The Tiffany Gallery is a 1,500 square foot space adorn with the treasures crafted by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Garden Room and the Zodiac Terrace offer masterpieces of stained glass and hand-painted stenciling inspired by Gilded Age mansions. The Museum Café is a smaller room adorned with timeless decor for intimate wedding receptions. Services Offered Halim Time & Glass Museum offers many services to make your wedding experience as stress-free as possible, including providing event rentals to complete the atmosphere, such as tables, chairs, dance floor, and audio equipment. Each venue is wheelchair accessible and available to host ceremonies, receptions, showers, engagement parties, elopements, and rehearsal dinners. Additional services include: All-inclusive packages Catering and bar services Cleanup Get-ready rooms Parking Setup Valet WiFi Cuisine Halim Time & Glass Museum offers the convenience of in-house catering for your special day as well as supplying all needed barware, china, flatware, glassware, and linens. Couples may choose serving styles, such as a buffet, cocktail reception, hors d'oeuvre, plated, and chef station. Catering services include dessert, outside cake, servers, and tastings. This venue also provides many in-house bar services, and their other services include: Bartender(s) Champagne toast House beer, liquor, and wine Liquor license Open bar Premium liquor Signature drink Specialty beer and wine

• Spaces for 25-999 Guests
• 4 Museums
• 1 Landmark
• 11 Total Spaces

The Obama Presidential Center is a vibrant community hub, economic anchor, and beacon of democracy on Chicago’s South Side. Designed to inspire, empower, and connect visitors from around the world, the campus creates opportunities for learning, civic engagement, and meaningful community impact. In addition to its cultural and educational offerings, the Center features 11 distinctive event spaces designed for meetings, celebrations, galas, conferences, and special events, making it one of Chicago’s most significant new gathering destinations.

• Spaces for 25-5,000 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 3 Restaurants
• 9 Total Spaces

The home of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Blackhawks Ice Center, is a unique events venue offering versatile events spaces, a professional events staff to support your event, and a blank canvas for creativity. Whether it be a small intimate meeting, large product launch, corporate hospitality, large-scale trade show, or anything in between the Blackhawks Ice Center has a proven track record of hosting flawless events that are memorable for guests, turn-key for event planners, and on budget. Our versatile venue features four NHL-size ice rinks that can be covered for large-scale events (17,000 sq. ft. per rink), a premium restaurant and bar, outdoor space, multiple meeting spaces, and premium amenities. Guests can also enjoy exclusive access to Blackhawks player facilities, such as the locker room, lounge, training gym—plus behind-the-scenes VIP tours for an elevated experience. This is more than a venue, but is an experience. For the host, it is a turnkey process with our staff providing consultation, management and execution, while being an extension of our team. For your guests, it is a enjoyable and impactful experience with 100 years of Blackhawks tradition serving as the backdrop to your event.

• Spaces for 40-5,500 Guests
• 6 Museums
• 5 Landmarks
• 7 Total Spaces

Our rooms tell the stories of civilizations. Imagine what they could say about your event. Guests at the Field Museum will discover artifacts from civilizations past, explore almost every corner of the globe, learn about new scientific discoveries, and walk away inspired! No where else can guests dine under the largest dinosaur ever discovered! As you enter Stanley Field Hall, you are standing on 300 million year old fossilized limestone. As you look up—the museum’s skylights and solar roof panels contribute to museum conservation efforts to save energy. In nearby Rice Hall, travel to Africa and stand toe-to-paw with the man-eating lions of Tsavo. Header image courtesy of Kent Drake. Profile image courtesy of © Field Museum, 2019.

• Spaces for 40-1,100 Guests
• 13 Museums
• 3 Restaurants
• 14 Total Spaces

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s major museums, housing an extraordinary collection of objects from across places, cultures, and time. We are also a place of active learning for all—dedicated to investigation, innovation, education, and dialogue—continually aspiring to greater public service and civic engagement. From gardens to galleries, Gilded Age glamour to modern minimalism, the Art Institute of Chicago has several exceptional spaces that can accommodate a variety of special occasions. Whether you’re hosting an elegant seated dinner, the wedding of your dreams, or a theater meeting, the museum has the perfect venue to suit your needs. With the help of our professional planning experts, you can create an event that your guests won’t soon forget.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

With turn of the century architecture, The International Museum of Surgical Science offers an elegant setting for your next lecture, corporate meeting, beautiful reception, and intimate dinner. Guests enter the International Museum of Surgical Science and are led up a gilded metal staircase to the main floor. Italian marble floors and fireplaces, decorative cut stone and sky-high floor to ceiling windows with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan are just some of the many unique features of the International Museum of Surgical Science. The wood-paneled walls decorated with historic murals and statues are customizable to your preferences for an engaging and intimate special event. The historic mansion that holds the International Museum of Surgical Science truly embodies the Gold Coast splendor of the late 19th Century and will provide for an unforgettable backdrop for every special occasion.

• Spaces for 140-1,750 Guests
• 11 Museums
• 11 Landmarks
• 11 Total Spaces

Since its opening in 1930, Shedd Aquarium has ranked among the world’s leading aquariums, and it’s the No. 1 cultural attraction and “must-sea” destination in Chicago. Discover another side of Shedd—as the incomparable locale for your next evening event. Encounter unbelievable animals from aquatic environments around the world, plus eye-popping architecture, at popular cultural destination in Chicago. The city’s iconic skyline and Lake Michigan’s blue expanse create a stunning backdrop for any private event. We can provide you with a spacious, gracious setting for a dinner and a cool coastline or breezy terrace for a cocktail reception. A celebration at Shedd Aquarium means superb service, top-of-the-line facilities, and beautiful surroundings. The Azure’s Sales and Catering team at Shedd Aquarium has the passion to help clients bring their events and imagination to life within incredible spaces. We bring years of culinary experience, focusing on in-house catering and special event designs. From stunning views of the Chicago skyline to world-class cuisine, guests are surrounded by the beauty and wonder of aquatic life. Get ready to host in new and refreshed exhibits and spaces in the coming years.

• Spaces for 40-1,500 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 3 Landmarks
• 1 Theater

When you choose the Chicago History Museum, you will experience the perfect venue for your event. Whether you're planning a corporate celebration, daytime meeting, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, engagement or anniversary celebration, or your dream wedding, the Chicago History Museum will provide the quintessential Chicago experience with a sophistication and elegance you won't find anywhere else. Overlooking scenic Lincoln Park and the Gold Coast skyline, the Chicago Room at the Chicago History Museum creates an ideal setting for any type of event with spectacular views and traditional Georgian-style elegance. Combine the history of the city of Chicago and the beauty of our venue, and you will have the perfect backdrop for your event at Chicago History Museum.

• Spaces for 50-63,500 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark
• 10 Total Spaces

Soldier Field is the premier destination for events in Chicago, hosting a wide range of events including corporate events, social events, meetings, expos, sporting events, and concerts,. With sweeping views of the downtown skyline and beautiful Lake Michigan, Soldier Field is the perfect venue to “wow” your guests. The talented event team at Soldier Field will take care of every detail to ensure that your event is spectacular! Now is the time to book your next exciting event at Chicago's most prestigious event venue.

• Spaces for 20-200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark
• 4 Total Spaces

Glessner House invites you to host your corporate lunch, dinner, or cocktail event; your lecture, program, meeting, or photo shoot in our exquisite mansion located near McCormick Place in the heart of the Prairie Avenue Historic District of Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. (Please note we no longer host weddings). Featuring a private outdoor courtyard, this intimate venue offers a distinct alternative to hotels and banquet halls. Café-style lighting illuminates the courtyard, while a modern Bose sound system provides an intimate environment for any occasion. Once home to prized horses, our updated coach house serves as a beautiful interior event space and is fully accessible. Located directly north of the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, Glessner House is both easily accessed by public transportation and is within walking distance of three major hotels. A nearby parking lot is also available as needed. Prairie Avenue once boasted over 90 mansions built by the movers and shakers of Chicago. One of only seven remaining, Glessner House stands tall at the corner of 18th Street and Prairie Avenue, a treasure for all time. Our Mission: To spark excitement in architecture, history, and design through a dynamic exploration of Glessner House, its family, and its preservation.

• Spaces for 75-1,000 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Restaurant
• 4 Total Spaces

Whether a birthday party, wedding, or corporate event, Millennium Hall is a multi-purpose event spot worth celebrating. Need an intimate, indoor atmosphere? Try Napolita’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar. Need something bright and outdoors? Try our Double Clutch Patio or Casa Bonita Pavilion. Whatever your event needs, we’ve got you covered. Please fill out the form below and we will be in contact as soon as possible. A stylish, Millennium Park eatery, Napolita’s intimate pizzeria and wine bar features some of the finest authentic, brick oven Neapolitan pizza in Chicago. Always fresh and inspired by the traditional pizzas and dishes of Naples, Italy, our sleek wood and glass architecture compliments a savory, curated menu featuring specialty salads and entrees, sharable appetizers, and exquisite, Italian-style desserts.

• Spaces for 80-1,200 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 3 Landmarks
• 1 Theater

With breathtaking skyline views, the Adler Planetarium is an iconic Chicago venue providing a unique and memorable location for your private event. Whether a seated event for 50 or a reception for 1,200, your guests will be dazzled by everything the Adler has to offer. Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Solarium: Be awe-inspired by the panoramic view of the Chicago skyline from our Skyline Solarium. The Skyline Solarium features floor to ceiling windows making it the premier event space at the Adler. The terraces are included with the rental of the Sky Solarium. Clark Family Welcome Gallery: The Gallery features futuristic architecture and colorful lighting, which can be customized, creating a one-of-a-kind venue for cocktails or an intimate dinner. Grainger Sky Theater: With a domed ceiling scaling 36 feet high, the Grainger Sky Theater offers your guests a truly unique, 360-degree, immersive experience for a seated dinner, cocktail or lounge area, dancing, wedding ceremony or a presentation. Rainbow Lobby: The Adler’s Rainbow Lobby, named for the rainbows created by afternoon sunlight streaming through its prismatic doors, is a regal entrance for any party. Use the area for cocktails or as a grand entrance for your event. Terraces: Enjoy unparalleled views of Chicago’s skyline from the North Terrace and Sundial Plaza. The terraces provide a scenic spot for cocktails, wedding ceremonies or just taking in the city’s world–famous sight. Samuel C. Johnson Family Star Theater: Our newly renovated Samuel C. Johnson Family Star Theater is the perfect setting for a lecture or presentation. Additional Services: Enhance your event with experiences only the Adler can provide. Treat your guests to a show in the Grainger Sky Theater or Definiti Space Theater, telescope viewing on our terraces or in the Doane Observatory, or custom logo projection in the Clark Family Welcome Gallery. Visit our website for more details: http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/private-events/

• Spaces for 100-300 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks
• 1 Outdoor

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a premiere destination spot for any event, with 35,124 square feet of usable space. We have a number of spaces suited to host a variety of different parties and celebrations, each transformable to meet your event’s specifications. Whether your event is social or business, casual or formal, our elegant and legendary event space provides a unique one-of-a-kind setting that will truly ‘wow’ every one of your guests. Located in the heart of Little Italy in fabulous downtown Chicago, there’s not a better backdrop than surrounding yourself amidst the presence of some of the most iconic Italian American sports heroes. From our Showcase Exhibit Gallery to our Rooftop Terrace, The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame gives you the opportunity to entertain your guests amongst Chicago’s greatest tribute to Italian American sports legends.

• Spaces for 50-1,200 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks
• 1 Event Space

The Chicago Sports Museum and Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch combine to create a high-energy, 23,000 square foot complex offering dining, entertainment, private event venues and retail. Located seven floors above Chicago’s historic Magnificent Mile, the Chicago Sports Museum blends the luxury of Michigan Avenue with the city’s love for its legendary sports teams, creating an unparalleled Windy City experience. Combining interactive entertainment, state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities and upscale design, the Chicago Sports Museum is the ideal venue for casual and formal events including CORPORATE MEETINGS, CONVENTION KICK-OFF RECEPTIONS, TRAINING CLASSES, BAR/BAT MITZVAHS, REHEARSAL DINNERS and WEDDINGS. Massive windows with breathtaking lake views flood the space with natural light. The entire venue can be rented as an exclusive playground for receptions of up to 1200 guests or for seated events of up to 300 guests. Smaller spaces within the Chicago Sports Museum are also available for private events.

• Spaces for 80-800 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 3 Landmarks

The Chicago Cultural Center, amongst the ornate decor of marble, polished brass, fine hardwoods, and colorful mosaics holds a rich history of the Windy City. Initially built as the first central public library of Chicago, this building has become one of the most visited attractions in the city. Home to not one, but two spectacular crystal domes, this building will serve as a decadent background to any private event or wedding. Close to numerous hotels, shopping and across the street from Millennium Park, The Chicago Cultural Center is convenient for those traveling near and far.