Top Near South Side Dinner Party Venues

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 16-200 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 1 Bar
• 3 Total Spaces

Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant West Loop Gate, Canal Street Eatery is a premier destination for weddings and corporate events, offering chic urban style, warm hospitality, and elevated culinary experiences. This distinctive venue is perfect for everything from intimate celebrations to large-scale receptions, corporate happy hours, and festive holiday parties. Designed with both elegance and comfort in mind, the venue features ample onsite parking and wheelchair-accessible facilities to ensure a seamless experience for every guest. For more intimate and exclusive gatherings, The Overpass, our private dining room, provides a refined setting ideal for executive dinners, team celebrations, rehearsal dinners, and private receptions. Just steps away, Cache 310, our intimate cocktail bar, offers a lively and stylish backdrop for engagement parties, corporate happy hours, and seasonal celebrations. Outdoors, the building’s private one-acre urban oasis creates a lush escape from the city—perfect for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and casual corporate gatherings. Inside, our modern dining spaces transform effortlessly to suit your vision, whether you’re hosting a formal seated dinner or a dynamic reception-style event. Canal Street Eatery accommodates up to 200 guests standing or 110 guests seated and offers full-service catering and bartending, including custom menus and curated beverage programs. With high-speed WiFi, get-ready rooms, and thoughtfully appointed furnishings, every detail is designed for a seamless and unforgettable event experience.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 350-400 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Meeting Space

Built in 1914, the Wildman Boiler & Tank building is approximately 12,000 square feet with 16-foot ceilings and a rare double-bow truss with 48-foot ceiling expanses. Located just off of Sacramento Blvd, where West Town, Humboldt Park and East Garfield Park meet, Wildman BT is easily accessible from downtown and all Chicagoland suburbs. The Wildman Boiler & Tank building is home to Trope Gallery, a boutique publishing and film company. From working production studio to a glamourous setting for the poshest private events, Wildman BT has been designed with the ultimate flexibility and functionality needed to make our guests’ visions become a reality. We’ve paid attention to incorporating every detail that makes a space easy to work and gather in, including features like a street-level drive in loading bay (or VIP parking space!), multiple entrance points for guests and vendors, floor-to-ceiling drapery system, multi-layered and dimmable lighting, polished concrete floors with flush mounted electric outlets, 23’ Media wall, state of the art audio/visual system, wi-fi handling up to 500 concurrent users, ample HVAC for comfort and more…

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 45-450 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 3 Bars
• 3 Total Spaces

JoJo’s ShakeBAR is a next-generation restaurant and bar, and River North's go-to spot for hangouts, first dates, and family affairs. Grounded in nostalgia, JoJo’s ShakeBAR will leave kids in awe and transport adults back to simpler times with its 80s/90s-inspired details, like arcade game tables and a walk-up window for city goers on the run. JoJo's brings over-the-top Biggie Shakes, classic diner fare, cocktails, and decadent desserts to 23 W Hubbard St. Take a stroll from the Magnificent Mile to our outdoor patio, or swing by after a show at the Chicago Theatre or the House of Blues. Make unforgettable memories in our uniquely curated space, or take us to your own venue with our offsite catering menu! Street parking is available adjacent to the restaurant for additional fees.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 12-150 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 1 Bar

Inspired by the cultural richness and vibrancy of Mexico City. At Vela, the diverse flavors and energy of Mexico are showcased through the lens of its capital city. Taking its name from the Spanish word for candle, Vela bridges the past and the present, where the flames of tradition dance with the contemporary. Its name captures the essence of The Celeste Group’s commitment for Vela to be a place where the warmth of Mexican culture and the vibrant tastes, styles and sounds of Mexico City converge to create an unforgettable experience. Located in the heart of River North, Chicago, brings the vibrant flavors of Mexico City to life. Our menu showcases authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist, from flavorful tacos to traditional dishes crafted by Chef Jorge Angulo. Sip on expertly curated cocktails featuring a vast selection of tequila and mezcal, including rare pours. Vela offers the perfect venue for private dining and events, with intimate spaces like our Private Dining Room and the stylish Zona Rosa. Whether you're enjoying a casual night out or hosting a private event, Vela delivers a warm and cosmopolitan experience infused with Mexican spirit. Join us for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, and culture in one of Chicago's most energetic neighborhoods.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 24-500 Guests
• 4 Restaurants
• 4 Event Spaces

Mastro`s Steakhouse, in the heart of River North, combines atmosphere, comfort, and elegance for the perfect setting for your next corporate, social or charitable event. Mastro`s courteous and professional staff can provide an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Mastro's features prime steaks, fresh seafood and live music nightly. Our house made sushi created by Angel Carbajal from Cabo San Lucas is the perfect addition to any meal.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 14-120 Guests
• 5 Restaurants
• 5 Event Spaces
• 5 Meeting Spaces

LÝRA brings the spirit of the Greek islands to Chicago’s Fulton Market with an inviting setting that blends rustic Mediterranean-inspired details with contemporary design. Centered around a wood and charcoal hearth, the restaurant pairs bold Greek flavors with warm, earth-toned interiors and an energetic atmosphere. Private dining spaces range from intimate rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows to a stylish lounge, central bar, and expansive main dining room, creating versatile settings for corporate gatherings, birthdays, cocktail receptions, and other celebrations.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 20-90 Guests
• 2 Restaurants

We remember when we were kids at a restaurant…seeing the kitchen doors swing open and closed, wondering what magic was behind them. Whether in a diner or a fancy white-tablecloth restaurant, the kitchen and the chefs were the hidden heart of the restaurant. And so at Roister we’ve built our kitchens to be the restaurant. Our chefs are an integral part of service. Roister’s food is rooted in primal cooking techniques combined with modern technology when it produces better results. The results are a combination of understated platings and vibrant flavors. It is the perfect environment for celebrating with a party, small or large, for dinner, brunch, or cocktails and snacks. We have event packages to fit each of these occasions. Supper Clubs are a Midwestern tradition and our St. Clair Supper Club is named after chef Achatz's home town in Michigan. Just below Roister we've created a comfortable spot to enjoy first class Prime Rib, Sweet Brandy Old Fashioned’s, Spicy Shrimp Cocktails, and delicious dishes and daily specials. This is a meat & potatoes spot, so if you prefer veggies as a main dish please visit one of our other establishments. But if you love Prime Rib, you'll want to stop in. We can't wait to see you.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 12-80 Guests
• 2 Event Spaces
• 2 Meeting Spaces

Discover our hidden gem in the heart of Chicago. Our elegant venue, seamlessly connected to our wine shop, is the perfect backdrop for your private event. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, wine tasting, or large-scale event, we partner with top-tier caterers and in-house sommeliers to ensure every detail is exquisite. Experience the blend of elegance and excellence and let us create a memorable event people won't stop talking about!

• 2 Dinner Party Albums
• Spaces for 10-250 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 2 Bars
• 9 Total Spaces

Experience understated elegance and award-winning cuisine at Park Hyatt Chicago. Our centrally located hotel offers chic and sophisticated wedding venues in Chicago paired with the talents of our culinary team to ensure an unforgettable gastronomic experience and an evening to remember. Our wedding specialist will help orchestrate your special occasion into a modern day fairytale or an intimate gathering of friends and family. Set in the fashionable heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, our hotel features 5,000 sq. ft. of beautiful event space, sumptuous catering and impeccable service. Park Hyatt Chicago features museum-quality works of art, sophisticated yet inviting decor, award-winning dining, prime Magnificent Mile setting and a personal service team dedicated to ensuring a remarkable stay, making us the preferred hotel in downtown Chicago for discerning travelers. Create memories to last a lifetime in our elegant Grand Salon, sophisticated Art Gallery or NoMI private dining spaces with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the historic Water Tower Square. At Park Hyatt Chicago, you will experience the wedding of your dreams.

• 1 Dinner 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 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 84-250 Guests
• 4 Event Spaces

With its grand staircase, intricate architectural details, and spacious halls, The Newberry Library is a unique, historic and world-renowned research library offering distinctive gathering spaces for special occasions. The Newberry collection—some 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and 5 million manuscript pages—is a portal to more than six centuries of human history, from the Middle Ages to the present. We connect researchers and visitors with our collection in the Newberry’s reading rooms, exhibition galleries, program spaces, classrooms, and online digital resources. Since its founding in 1887, the Newberry has remained dedicated to deepening our collective understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Holding your event at the Newberry will support our mission of inspiring research, teaching, and learning in the humanities. Nestled just steps from the Magnificent Mile, and across the street from the city’s oldest public park, Washington Square Park, the Newberry Library offers indoor event spaces with various capacities for intimate presentations, performances, formal ceremonies, fundraisers, galas, high-end corporate entertaining, all-day conferences, workshops and trainings, dramatic cocktail receptions, elegant dinner celebrations, and multimedia presentations. Rooms may be combined for greater capacity and for varying program components. The fully restored Lobby is a showstopper. Featuring a Romanesque entryway, distinctive chandeliers, 20-foot ceiling and broad marble staircase (great for photos and a grand entrance) it lends itself beautifully to cocktail receptions and dinner parties. Our largest event space, Ruggles Hall, can accommodate up to 160 guests in a warm and cozy library atmosphere created by its mahogany paneled walls and broad windows overlooking Washington Square Park. For more intimate gatherings, the newly created Rettinger Hall and Baskes Boardroom feature beautiful marble floors and specialty recessed lighting, and are lovely complements to the Newberry’s unique aesthetic.

• 1 Dinner Party Album

The X Pot is an innovative dining concept created and established by Chubby Cattle. The X Pot offers a unique dining experience that bridges Asian and American cultures. Our goal is to offer a dining experience that awakens all your senses: sight, sound, scent, and taste. Our menu offers the most high-quality ingredients including imported seafood and purebred A5 Wagyu beef flown in daily from Japan. Enjoy the age-old tradition of hot pot with fresh delicious ingredients, where every dish is served to perfection. At the X Pot Chicago, we offer a stylish and memorable venue for your group. The X Pot can accommodate up to 250 guests inside the venue, as well as additional seating at our outdoor patio area. Our space allows for any style of affairs with a variety of drink selections, seafood, and quality wagyu options with both hotpot and non-hotpot packages available that can be tailored toward your preference depending on the size and nature of your party.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 200-300 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

• 1 Dinner Party Album

• 2 Dinner Party Albums
• Spaces for 150 Guests

From and intimate luncheon, to a full private buyout, SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom can produce a variety of events curated to your exact needs. The Lunchroom features a vegetable-forward, California-inspired menu centered on globally-influenced entrees including soups, salads, sandwiches, fish tacos, grain bowls and other lunch and brunch dishes. With a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, the menu features classic dishes with a twist. The Lunchroom’s design aesthetic reflects the same attention to details as the artfully-curated menu. The space is light and airy with windows and alcoves featuring potted plants and walls draped in sister parish wall covers. A custom scalloped green leather banquet and natural maple wood accents lend a layer of warmth throughout the room. After or during your event, guests are welcome to shop SPACE 519 which offers a curated assortment of hard-to-find items across a broad range of categories, including women’s apparel and accessories.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 12-450 Guests
• 4 Restaurants

Located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, Tavern on Rush is an iconic dining destination known for its vibrant atmosphere, timeless elegance, and elevated American cuisine. Following its highly anticipated reopening on Rush Street, Tavern on Rush blends classic Chicago energy with a fresh, modern design featuring a stunning indoor dining room, lively bar scene, and one of the city’s most coveted outdoor patios. Perfect for everything from intimate celebrations to large-scale events, Tavern on Rush offers a versatile setting for rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, wedding weekends, cocktail receptions, and social soirées. Guests can enjoy prime steaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic dining experience that seamlessly transitions from day to night. The restaurant’s stylish atmosphere, impeccable hospitality, and prime Gold Coast location make it a sought-after venue for unforgettable events in Chicago. Whether hosting a seated dinner, chic brunch, or lively cocktail party, Tavern on Rush delivers a polished yet approachable experience that captures the spirit of the city.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 75-250 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Meeting Space

Memorable Experiences Begin Here: ALTAR Community in the Heart of Chicago Nestled in vibrant Logan Square, ALTAR’s meticulously designed space combines urban sophistication with mindful tranquility. Whether hosting wellness retreats, corporate gatherings, or cultural celebrations, ALTAR provides an inspired setting for meaningful connections At ALTAR, we believe in the power of intentional spaces to nurture authentic connections and foster personal growth. Our venue transcends the traditional event space concept, offering a sanctuary where the chaos of Chicago’s city life dissolves into mindful presence. The soaring ceilings, natural light, and thoughtful design elements create an atmosphere of serenity and possibility. This is more than a venue—it's a catalyst for transformation. Whether you're hosting a wellness workshop, spiritual ceremony, or conscious business gathering, ALTAR's environment naturally encourages deeper engagement and meaningful interaction. Our space honors the sacred nature of coming together, allowing your event's purpose to resonate more profoundly with each participant. We're a sophisticated and sacred space for connection, collaboration, and inspiration. Our space is intentionally flexible and infinitely customizable as a welcoming environment where you feel transported out of the day-to-day and immediately more present, connected, and at home.

• 1 Dinner Party Album
• Spaces for 50-150 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Bernie's Restaurant & Bar, located in Chicago's historic River North district, opened its doors in the summer of 2015. Chef Zack Sklar's first effort in the city of Chicago follows a successful career in Michigan, where he has been at the helm of several successful culinary projects. Bernie's, which is located on the corner of Erie and Orleans Streets, is situated in an appealing and informal yet polished atmosphere that includes family-style sitting, beautiful turquoise banquets, vaulted ceilings, and an unusual assortment of textiles, among other things. In addition to our wood-fired pizza oven and two big bars, we also have a seasonal rooftop terrace that is perfect for both regular eating and special events. We take great pleasure in providing each of our visitors with a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience. Our seasonal and progressive cuisine, which draws on flavors from Spain to coastal Italy, Provence, and beyond, features many locally produced foods and draws inspiration from across the world. With attentive and polite service, we also offer specialty cocktails, microbrewed beers, and a well curated wine selection, in addition to our other offerings.

• 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 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.