Top Lake Forest Cocktail Party Venues

• Spaces for 30 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Located just far enough out of the city to get you affordable prices and still keep you in the action. This romantic 1920s manor has the charm and unique style - it doesnt really need decorations. The home features a wood burning fireplace in the parlor, upstairs bathroom and prep suite, full working kitchen, main floor powder room, and a backyard porch smoking section. The seasonal garden is amazing with flowers and fruit trees and has a honeysuckle archway that blooms June 1st, a standing garden wedding arch, wood burning fireplace and brick patio with pond. Easy public transportation to and from Chicago, or an easy drive out on I90. This is the historic home and garden of Rev Pamela, who opened her manor to the public in 2011 as a small wedding venue and elopement chapel. The private event space is perfect for groups up to 30 guests, and boasts of all 5 star reviews. The space is not appropriate for children's parties, but we love baby showers, anniversaries, adult birthday parties, etc. and offer a simple rental agreement. You get the manor and the garden space, you decorate, you clean up. Or choose from all inclusive packages already to customize to your event. Rent the venue and get Pine Manor discounts at local hotel and restaurants, photographer, video, musicians. PinePERKS.com

Meridian Banquets is a full-service wedding venue located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois and also within close distance to the Chicago metro area. Meridian Banquets offers couples the opportunity to book customized wedding packages, which include facility rental, catering and party rentals for their special day. Couples tailor their own wedding events at Meridian Banquets and are sure to impress their guests with the phenomenal atmosphere and friendly hospitality at the venue. In addition to weddings, Meridian Banquets also is the perfect venue for corporate gatherings, birthday parties, luncheons and more. With high ceilings, granite dance floors, chandeliers, and amber lighting, any event at Meridian Banquets is sure to be a hit.

• Spaces for 68-250 Guests
• 2 Restaurants
• 1 Bar
• 2 Event Spaces

In the heart of Downtown Skokie, we are an Italian-focused, beautifully designed, contemporary dining destination. A comfortably elevated, contemporary approach with exquisite attention to every detail is our focus from the food, to the service, to the atmosphere. Hand-made pastas, rustically honest entrees, and freshly prepared, per order sauces and marinades, are details that we feel are important and are signatures of our dishes and presentations.

• Spaces for 150-200 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

A Thousand Tales is a family-owned restaurant and event venue offering a warm, elegant setting paired with elevated Mediterranean cuisine. Our space is designed to host unforgettable gatherings—from intimate celebrations to large-scale private events—while delivering exceptional hospitality and attention to detail. We specialize in hosting weddings, engagement ceremonies, corporate events, birthdays, baby showers, and private dinners, with flexible layouts that accommodate both seated dining and standing receptions. Every menu is prepared fresh in-house using high-quality ingredients, combining traditional flavors with a refined, modern presentation. What sets us apart is our hands-on approach. Our events and catering team works closely with each client to customize menus, layouts, and service styles to match the vision of their event. Whether you’re planning a professional corporate gathering or a meaningful family celebration, we focus on creating a seamless, stress-free experience from start to finish. Located in Mount Prospect, Illinois, A Thousand Tales offers a unique blend of cultural richness, culinary excellence, and personalized service—making every event feel intentional, welcoming, and memorable.

• Spaces for 40-50 Guests

The Liven Room is a boutique event venue and party room in the beautiful suburb of Niles, located just northwest of Chicago. Showcasing a versatile and convenient way to be a host and a guest at your own party without having to sacrifice the guest experience. Perfectly styled and furnished, we are designed to accommodate up to 40 seated guests and overall capacity of 50 guests. Our open catering policy allows you to provide the cuisine of your choice from any restaurant or catering company. Our onsite event coordinator and staff provides quality service for the effortless execution of your event.

For a comfortable stay just 40 minutes from downtown Chicago, choose Residence Inn Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa—one of the premier hotels in Lake Forest IL. Conveniently located off I-94, our hotel is minutes from the Great Lakes Naval Station, Six Flags Great America, and major employers like Grainger, AbbVie, Brunswick, Abbott, and Pfizer, plus the Conway Park business campus. Near the Lake County Forest Preserve District, with Fort Sheridan and Lake Michigan just 15 minutes away, plus access to Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall & Chicago Botanic Garden. Our dog-friendly, apartment-style suites feature modern kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, sofa beds and spacious living areas. Enjoy complimentary parking, free Wi-Fi, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Relax in the indoor pool, stay active in the fitness center, or play in the billiards room. Host up to 30 guests in our 950 sq. ft. meeting space or grill on the outdoor patio. Discounted room blocks are available for weddings, meetings, and youth sports teams.

• Spaces for 25-40 Guests
• 1 Event Space

• Spaces for 350-600 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Highland Park Country Club, one of Chicago's original and historic event venues, is being reimagined as the newest piece of the Catering by Michaels portfolio. We offer both indoor and outdoor locations and checks all the boxes for your wedding. Whether you choose to have your ceremony in the beautiful nature preserve or admire all of its beauty inside from the floor to ceiling glass windows, this space is perfect no matter what you choose. Traditional seated meals of up to 350 guests with a dance floor or up to 400 guests without a dance floor can fit in the space. As the exclusive caterer and event management partner, Catering by Michaels brings over 40 years of experience to offer more than just food on a plate. Offering chef driven gourmet menus, event coordination services, elite level of service staff, and a personalized recommendation portfolio of other event vendors, this partnership brings a new level of event experience to the North Shore of Chicago. Since no two events are the same, every event we design and cater is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and customized just for you. We pride ourselves on being by your side each step of the way, guiding your wedding for a truly cohesive and enjoyable experience.

Located in the heart of Highland Park, Dinx Social Club is a lively destination designed for gathering, celebrating, and making memories. With its stylish setting, vibrant energy, and welcoming atmosphere, Dinx brings a fresh, modern take to the neighborhood social scene. From intimate dinners and cocktails with friends to birthdays, celebrations, and private events, Dinx offers a versatile space where every occasion feels special. The experience is centered around great food, thoughtfully crafted drinks, and an atmosphere that encourages guests to stay awhile and enjoy the moment. Whether you’re planning a milestone celebration or simply looking for a fun night out, Dinx Social Club is where good food, good company, and good times come together.

• Spaces for 75-400 Guests
• 3 Historic Spaces
• 3 Estates
• 3 Mansions

The Highland Park Community House is a beautifully renovated historic landmark that evokes the glamour of the past with our Ballroom's Art Deco fixtures, vaulted ceilings and gorgeous hardwood floors. With stunning indoor and outdoor space, this venue can be converted into many configurations to graciously accommodate all types of functions from wedding receptions and ceremonies, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, business meetings, theater productions, fundraising events; to personal celebrations such as anniversaries and birthdays. Located just a few steps from one of the most exciting business districts on the North Shore, your guests can explore the possibilities of our treasured town. One of the unique aspects of our special venue is you can bring in any vendor, caterer, food, beverage, decor of your choosing making it affordable on all budgets to create the event of your dreams.

This recently design, event setting is a blank canvas. With 13,000 square feet of world class event space, it is just waiting for your imagination to bring your dream to life. All this and it’s set right in the heart of Chicago’s North-Shore. The perfect combination, location, setting and the ability to add your own personal touch. What could be better for your mitzvah wedding, reception, party, work or charity event? This exclusive event space can be turned into anything you need. For work events or corp meetings you can include 6 breakout rooms. For parties and other events our upper level studio Ballroom has a stage and large dance floor with the addition of a lower level space which is just as alluring. This stunning building is sophisticated, elegant, charming, modern and clean. To add to all of this there is a parking garage which houses up to 300 cars. All this in an exquisite setting. Whatever your need be it Social, Wedding, Corporate Event or anything else, we have you covered. We offer a multitude of gourmet catering options, a full bar or just beer & wine tailored to your preference.

• Spaces for 50-350 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks

Immersed in lush greenery a nd formal gardens, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is a historic mansion and museum that combines old world elegance with Venetian style architecture. Encompassed with neoclassic statuary, the mansion embodies pure opulence. Located 40 miles north of Chicago in scenic Vernon Hills, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens stands as a monument to old-world elegance. Make your wedding day one to remember at Loyola's Cuneo Mansion and Gardens! Signature wedding packages are available through any of Loyola’s four preferred caterers. The rental fee allows for exclusive use of the property and self-guided tours of the mansion are offered during cocktail hour.

• Spaces for 150-300 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Set within the native landscape of Greenbelt Forest Preserve, this community gathering place expresses the relationship between culture and the natural world through events and nature and history education programs. The trails around the Center lead to an interpretive nature pond and link to additional preserve trails. The building also offers exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, including two classrooms, a divisible multi-purpose room, two community art galleries, and an outdoor amphitheater. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding natural setting.

Unequal parts of lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars. The city of broad shoulders, Chicago. Blind, reckless determination. They all came together in 1993, when Sam Elias, our founder, moved from Florida to Chicago and opened up what the people were demanding: 4,000 square feet to bump cars, slam dunk, cross check, laugh, eat, drink, and simply…have fun. A needed release from the daily 9 to 5 grind and Tuesday bowling night, our first location in Lombard, Illinois was so popular, we opened up another factory of fun near downtown Chicago as well as Vernon Hills. But the people demanded more. So we delivered. To the delight of adrenaline junkies and lovers of unadulterated fun everywhere, we added laser tag arenas with multiple levels, billiards, bowling, and arcade games. The people were now content. But we aren’t! We are always looking to increase the dopamine level in ALL of our guests! Not only can you get your game on with WhirlyBall, bowling, and other games, you can also get your food and drink on with our inventive cocktails, curated craft beer selection, and elevated bar fare from our chef-driven menu. We also encourage our guests to sit back, relax and enjoy sports and entertainment on multiple TV’s located throughout our space for your viewing pleasure!

Lincolnshire Marriott Resort welcomes you to the tranquil enclave of Lincolnshire. Our resort in Illinois is near Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Deerfield, Wheeling, and Chicago's North Shore, and sits within the Chicago northern suburbs. Inspire your senses at our corporate resort, which invites hotel guests who work best in well-designed environments. Step into a welcoming lobby, and visit four restaurants and bars. More amenities include an on-site M Club, full-service Starbucks, and resort spa. Plan the event of the year in 64,000 sq ft of meeting and event space. Our ballroom venues include the latest tech, plus we offer three outdoor pavilions with views of Illinois' North Shore. Stroll through our beautiful, 175-acre resort hotel in Lincolnshire, IL, tee off at our championship golf course, or attend the Marriott Theater, one of Chicago’s largest theaters. Lincolnshire Marriott Resort dazzles guests with a range of services and amenities. More than a hotel, we're a true suburban resort in Illinois.

Bobby's Deerfield is a true neighborhood spot with an inspired take on inventive food and drink. This is our version of an American bistro with influences from all over the world. We too are stirred by what we see, where we travel, what we experience and what we eat. We bring that unique perspective to our concept, while staying true to ourselves. Our philosophy is simple… provide a quality, consistently-good product that is accessible to all. We offer food you can understand but be inspired by. That means the very best seasonal ingredients with familiar but fresh, creative preparations. Bobby's Deerfield presents craft cocktails that are well-thought out with fresh ingredients and boutique spirits that all have a story to tell. Our wine list is a carefully curated collection full of depth and personality. We have worked tirelessly to create an environment that is both high in style and comfort. There is an intangible warm familiar feeling when you come into our space. Our vibe is energetic and full of effortless ease. Our gracious service comes naturally to us. There’s no pretense, no attitude, just genuine friendliness and a desire to please. We do our own thing in our own way. We’re small scale with big expectations for ourselves and we look forward to having you.

• Spaces for 600-1,800 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Loft 21 is a 31,000 square foot Chicago urban loft styled special event venue and meeting space located on 3 acres of property. Loft 21 will feature the latest in audio, visual, lighting, as well as contemporary furniture and will provide clients a variety of preferred caterers to choose from that best fits their desired cuisine and budget. As a team, we are committed to making every event experience one that the guests will never forget.

• Spaces for 10-120 Guests
• 2 Restaurants
• 9 Hotels
• 9 Total Spaces

Tucked away in the serene suburb of Deerfield, the Chicago Marriott Suites Deerfield blends modern comfort with Midwestern charm. Each of its spacious two-room suites is a sanctuary of style—French doors open to reveal a living area perfect for unwinding or diving into work. Whether you're fueling up at the Parkway Grill, breaking a sweat in the sleek fitness center, or soaking in the sun by the seasonal outdoor pool, this hotel offers more than a stay—it offers space to breathe. Just off I-294 and minutes from Fortune 500 headquarters, Ravinia Park, and the Chicago Botanic Garden, it’s a quiet escape with downtown Chicago always within reach. Perfect for business, pleasure, or a bit of both.

• Spaces for 350-500 Guests
• 1 Venue with Activities

Viper Alley in Lincolnshire is a revolutionary private event and concert venue located in the heart of one of Chicago’s most prominent north suburban corporate and residential communities. Viper Alley has a “factory chic” interior and meets today’s demand for flexible event environments that are both casual and upscale and also come fully equipped with our complete kitchen, AV, staging and a six lane private bowling facility. At Viper Alley, we individually customize your lighting, furniture arrangements, menus, and more to meet your personal and specialized needs for each of your events and programs. With the flexible modular floor plan at Viper Alley, we offer catering for up to 500 people with endless possibilities for an unforgettable experience.

• Spaces for 350 Guests

A wedding at the Hyatt Regency Deerfield is the ideal setting for couples who want to exchange vows just outside of the Windy City of Chicago, yet without having to travel far. The Hyatt Regency Deerfield can accommodate up to 300 people, and it has held a number of weddings, conventions, and conferences throughout the years. The Hyatt Regency Deerfield offers a total of 20,000 square feet of event space, which includes two ballrooms, sixteen conference rooms, two boardrooms, and additional spaces.. Both ballrooms are decorated in a contemporary style and have modern conveniences. Additionally, the Hyatt Regency Deerfield has an outdoor courtyard space for guests who choose to arrange an outdoor ceremony or reception, or perhaps both ceremonies and receptions. The Hyatt Regency Deerfield is thrilled to have the opportunity to host your event! When seeking for conference hotels in Chicago, Illinois, the Hyatt Regency Deerfield should be considered. The Hyatt Regency Deerfield, with its spacious rooms and accessible location near a variety of famous meeting sites, including the Chicago Conference Center, is an excellent choice for any conference or event taking place in the neighborhood.