Top Chicago Loop Dinner Party Venues

A narrative-driven Chicago Italian Restaurant that tells a local prohibition-era story with a modern luxury twist

• Spaces for 26-170 Guests
• 2 Restaurants

Stephanie Izard was born in the city of Chicago in the state of Illinois. She was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, and went on to the University of Michigan and Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona before returning to Chicago in 2000 to pursue her culinary profession. She opened her first restaurant, Scylla, in Bucktown in 2004 after working under some of Chicago's best chefs (Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Vong; Sean McClain at Spring; Dale Levitski at La Tache). She had the opportunity to participate on Bravo's Top Chef a few years later, and she won as well as being selected fan favorite. Stephanie met her business partners, Rob and Kevin of BOKA Restaurant Group, and the idea for Girl & the Goat began to take shape. The restaurant debuted in Summer 2010 after great thought and consideration was given to the location in the West Loop. Just a few years later, Stephanie opened Little Goat Diner across the street, followed by Duck Duck Goat on Fulton Market in 2016. The James Beard Foundation nominated Girl & the Goat for best new restaurant in 2011, and Izard received the Beard award for Best Chef Great Lakes in 2013. In 2010, she was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's "Best New Chefs." Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, James Beard award-winning restaurateurs, have become one of the country's most successful owner/operators after creating 20 profitable restaurants over two decades. They have not only constructed a thriving restaurant company, but a restaurant culture based on excellent chefs, imaginative hospitality, and stunning design.

• Spaces for 125-175 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

The Space The restaurant’s expansive layout, designed by Thomas Schlesser, incorporates strong architectural lines and rustic décor, reflective of The Publican’s farmhouse cuisine. Its spacious interior is dominated by large walnut communal tables designed to recall 16th Century European banquets. Set up in racetrack fashion, the banquet tables seat upwards of 130 people with views of the partially open kitchen. This design lends itself as the perfect location for any Chicago wedding. The minimal use of walnut and brass provides the perfect accent to whatever colors, theme and floral you have imagined. The expansive room is built for joyous celebrations and unions of all races, religions, countries of origin, sexual orientations and genders. The Publican hosts private and semi-private events for social and corporate groups as small as 10 and as large as 175. The space is available for private lunches Monday through Friday. It is also available for full evening buyouts 7 nights a week and brunch buyouts on Saturday and Sunday. Whether you are celebrating a wedding, birthday dinner, hosting a happy hour or a board meeting, the Publican can meet your needs. We offer full A/V equipment, WiFi and handicap accessibility. In the summer months we also have our expansive patio, which is the perfect spot for a happy hour with colleagues! The Food & Drink The Publican’s menu is always changing with the season by featuring the finest vegetables and sustainably-raised meat and seafood available. This approach has consistently labeled the Publican as one of Chicago’s best and most admired restaurants. Our James Beard Award winning restaurant design sets the perfect backdrop for celebrations and gatherings. Helping to set the trend years ago, our food is served family style at our long walnut tables underneath our iconic lights. Executive Chef-Partner Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Sieger Bayer have developed a network of purveyors to supply the restaurant with outstanding ingredients. Pastry Chef Erika Chan provides a magical outlet for pastry lovers and those with an undeniable sweet tooth. Beer Director Adam Vavrick, meticulously curates and features a wide range of modern & historical beer styles, brewery collaborations and a focused cider selection. Head Bartender and Wine Coordinator Melissa Romanos rounds out the dining experience with a thoughtfully developed list of house-made, seasonal cocktails and a wine list centered around Northern Italy, Alsace and the Germanic and Balkan regions and grape varietals. Whatever type of event you choose to host at the Publican in Chicago's West Loop, you won't be disappointed by the quality of service, food, drink and setting. Cheers.

• Spaces for 24-125 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

PQM serves as a butcher shop and café by day, and the Publican’s private event space by night. As one of the West Loop and Fulton Market’s most unique venues, we offer a change of pace from your usual private dining experience. Host your next corporate gathering, social celebration or reception style event at Publican Quality Meats! The Chef’s Table can accommodate 24 guests down in our working kitchen for an unforgettable experience that places you and your closest friends and colleagues in front of all the action. This space is also used for our signature butcher demos and classes which can be incorporated with your dinner or event. The Main Café can accommodate 40 guests for a family-style, intimate dinner or up to 100 people for a lively cocktail party. Our large, wrap around patio is adjacent to this space and is a perfect location for a cocktail reception and happy hour. Both spaces are yours to use when you secure a date with us. We often incorporate one space for a reception, demo or class and use the other space as the dinner location. Seasonal menu inspired by simple farmhouse cooking in an intimate and unique atmosphere. Our team of butchers and chefs work closely with local and sustainable farmers to source prime cuts, fresh seafood and the best vegetables available. This allows us to provide outstanding options for all dining preferences. Rob Levitt, our Head Butcher and Chef de Cuisine, guides our culinary team through sourcing, sausage making and our expansive charcuterie program. Rob works closely with Catering and Private Dining Sous Chef, Luke Coan, to craft a menu that is unparalleled in the city. Whatever type of event you choose to host at Publican Quality Meats in Chicago's West Loop, you won't be disappointed by the quality of service, food, drink, and ambiance.

• 1 Restaurant

Cruz Blanca is a small-batch Chicago brewery passionately focused on ModMex lagers, sunny IPA’s and tropical wild-fermented sours. Inspired by the original Cruz Blanca Brewery that opened in Mexico City in the 1860’s. Plan the perfect fiesta with crowd-pleasing fare from award-winning chef Rick Bayless at Cruz Blanca. Cruz Blanca's catering and private event menus are filled with soul satisfying flavors from Mexico. You and your guests can make your own tacos with Cruz Blanca's house-made corn tortillas, and choose from an array of toppings. Include their freshly–made guacamole, amazing sides, and stellar house-beers for a fun fiesta spread.

• Spaces for 36 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Fire and ice have never played so well together. Leña Brava — ”ferocious wood” — takes its inspiration from the multicultural seaside elements of Baja California Norte, the region’s celebration of live-fire cooking and the area’s world-class wines. You and your guests will indulge in exquisite cuisine and crafted cocktails at your private event. Leña Brava's private dining room seats up to 36 for an intimate affair. Whether it be a milestone birthday or a corporate gathering, Leña Brava is the perfect spot for your next special occasion. The Leña Brava raw bar tempts with spicy aguachiles and unique ceviches while the kitchen satisfies with everything cooked on an open hearth and wood-burning oven. With one of the country’s best selections of mezcal and wines from the much-heralded Valle de Guadalupe, Leña Brava evokes the unique flavors of one of Mexico’s most vibrant regions. Leña Brava's seafood is sourced from sustainable fisheries and environmentally responsible aquaculture enterprises, and their tortillas are handmade from heirloom corn grown in Oaxaca, Mexico.

• Spaces for 664-1,000 Guests

Punch Bowl Social's scratch kitchen, creative drinks, and immersive gaming like karaoke, bowling, and a retro arcade make us the place to go for the best food and entertainment. Party planners, your ideal event is just around the corner. We have bowling, ping pong, billiards, arcade, dartsee, fantastic meals, and artisan drinks all housed in a 30,000-square-foot glammed out, jazzed up, dirty modern grown-up playground that will thrill your guests and keep the party rockin in the Fulton Market District. It's time for some genuine, unscripted hilarity. It's time for some foodertainment that goes above and beyond. We're all about having fun and interacting with other people, whether we're on our feet or on our knees. Brunch and power ballads, happy hour, late night, private parties, and everything in between are all on the menu. Punch Bowl Social is a location where rock stars are treated like guests and guests are treated like rock stars. Regardless of color, class, creed, gender, orientation, or karaoke ability, all fun hunters and foodies are welcome and invited. Our goal is to promote human connection by emulating the Victorian-era habit of gathering around a punch bowl. It's true real world fun and exploration on a whole new level, with our dirty modern design, handmade beverages, scratch-kitchen food, and unlimited entertainment alternatives. It's time for some serious eating, entertaining, and out-of-this-world fun. We have legendary punches, specialty beverages (with and without alcohol), food fit for foodies, and countless gaming alternatives at Punch Bowl Social. And we're giving it to you in a stunning, design-forward environment that will entice you to stay and play indefinitely.

• Spaces for 35 Guests

Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant located in Chicago's historic Fulton Market District. An extension of Ema (located in River North), Aba incorporates a similar light style of cooking with an emphasis on raw and cooked proteins. Aba offers space for groups of up to 35 for semi-private receptions, as well as our Chef's Table for up to 12 guests. For larger events of up to 600, The Dalcy is the perfect private dining hall.

• Spaces for 70-400 Guests
• 2 Hotels
• 2 Ballrooms

Sofitel Chicago’s Grand Ballroom is the hotel’s centerpiece setting. With its magnificent décor and multiple floor plans, the 4,592-square-foot ballroom is perfect for an extraordinary wedding reception or any event. Envision 19-foot tall ceilings, gently curving windows that offer spectacular views of the John Hancock building and surrounding Gold Coast neighborhood and an abundance of natural light. Chic, elegant and sophisticated, Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile is the premier reception venue in downtown Chicago. From a five-course formal dinner to a ballroom gala steeped in modern splendor, the professional planning staff at Sofitel specializes in designing affairs to remember. We invite you to experience the je ne sais quoi of Sofitel luxury and live out one of your most cherished events with us.

With a name coined from the frothy head of a draft beer, plus the quarters that are usually pumped into them to play, Headquarters Beercade (arcade bar) lines the space with 70+ vintage arcade games and pinball machines that appeals to those looking for an alternative to the monotonous. Open 365 nights a year, HQ offers cleverly crafted cocktails, an extensive list of craft brews, and imaginative fare within an industrial space powered by Machine Hospitality Group. Head back in time to play fan favorite arcade games such as Donkey Kong, NBA Jam, Rampage, Teenage Mutant Turtles, NFL Blitz, and Frogger–among many others.

• Spaces for 65-130 Guests

Experience the best of Good Ambler! At Good Ambler, we are pushing the boundaries of what modern pastry, chocolate & snacking looks like. Let us cater or host your gatherings and special events! Our chic and contemporary cafe, bakery, and chocolatier will elevate your gathering with sophistication and style. We offer the perfect space for semi-private or private events for groups of 15 to 100 guests. Whether it's a corporate celebration or happy hour, a milestone birthday, or a refined social gathering, our versatile space can be transformed to suit your vision. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring that every detail of your event is tailored to perfection. From personalized menus to seamless service that anticipates your every need, we go above and beyond to make your occasion truly special. Contact us to discuss how we can customize the perfect menu and ambiance for your gathering. A full range of savory and sweet menus and bar packages are available. Your celebration deserves the finest, and we are here to make it one-of-a-kind.

• Spaces for 40-500 Guests
• 4 Restaurants
• 3 Bars
• 4 Total Spaces

With a unique blend of elegance and comfort that just has to be experienced, and views that have to be seen to be believed, Sable at Navy Pier crowns one of Chicago’s signature destinations. Lush accommodations, unique dining experiences, and a rooftop bar unlike any other, guarantee that your visit to the new landmark on Chicago’s landmark will be unmatched, unmistakable and completely unforgettable. Host your dream wedding, throw a world-class party, take in the views, or step outside and soak in the downtown Chicago vibes from the shores of Lake Michigan. Dive head first into Chicago’s newest and most extraordinary hotel experience. Sable’s stylish venues, brilliant chefs, and dedicated, personalized service are truly unmatched. The Great Lakes Ballrooms are 3,456 sq feet and located on the 2nd floor of the hotel with 884 sq feet of pre-function area. These stylish event rooms feature 10 ½’, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with sweeping, unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s Skyline. The Great Lakes Ballrooms can be divided into a maximum of 5 breakout rooms – Michigan, Superior, Huron, Ontario and Erie – in a matter of minutes with air walls. Capacity is ideal for intimate meetings of 6 while still an excellent choice for grand celebrations of 200 - all with the best views of Lake Michigan that Chicago has to offer. Located in the Sable Hotel, Lírica restaurant provides a fresh take on Latin-inspired cuisine and promises to serve up delicious delights for all tastes. Enjoy a modern open kitchen, expansive bar, and outdoor seating with sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Event options range from 10 to 40 guests in our private dining room, or up to 175 guests with both indoor and outdoor options.

• Spaces for 20-200 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

Formento’s has three amazing private event spaces. Two of these spaces can accommodate parties of 20 to 200 guests in an intimate loft overlooking Restaurant Row. Located on our second floor, these spacious rooms boast their own private bar, restrooms and sound system. The third space is a semi-private backroom located on the first floor, and has the quintessential Italian charm. Our private dining rooms are the perfect gathering place for any occasion and offer a beautiful atmosphere with fantastic food and great service.

• Spaces for 50-400 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 3 Event Spaces

Adalina Prime offers a design-forward steakhouse setting in Chicago’s Fulton Market for weddings, corporate gatherings, rehearsal dinners, milestone celebrations, cocktail receptions, and private events. The 10,500-square-foot indoor-outdoor restaurant features several distinctive spaces, including The Atrium for up to 80 seated or 120 standing guests, the Golden Room, Eden, Atrium Lounge, and Chef’s Prime, with full events accommodating up to 400 guests. Lush greenery, dramatic chandeliers, warm metallic details, and a soaring two-story wine cellar complement globally inspired steakhouse cuisine from Chef Soo Ahn. With flexible layouts and dedicated event service, Adalina Prime creates a striking backdrop for memorable Chicago gatherings.

• Spaces for 30-450 Guests
• 2 Restaurants
• 13 Hotels
• 13 Ballrooms

Built in 1927, the 4-star Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago has a colorful history. Set the scene in the glamor of the Roaring ’20s with the beautiful decor and gorgeous details of the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago. Located just steps from downtown Chicago and the Magnificent Mile, the Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago will wow your friends, family, and guests. Whether you're planning a luxury wedding, large-scale conference, holiday party, or other celebration, the Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago can help make your event one to remember. Whatever the style and size of your event, the dramatic and historic private event spaces at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago offer a glamorous setting. And to guarantee a legendary time, the dedicated Catering and Conference Planning Managers at the Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago will work out all the details for you.

• Spaces for 10-80 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 2 Event Spaces

At 20 East, creative menus featuring quality-driven and modern takes on American fare are served with playful, inventive presentation and flavor. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner offering salads, sandwiches, large plates, sides, and specials. Additionally, the bar serves craft beers, wines, and culinary cocktails that pair perfectly with the cuisine. We have a wide array of party and event drink and food packages available! We can customize a package to suit any occasion.

Great Big Game Show, brought to you by The Escape Game, is an immersive game show experience. Two teams come on stage to face off in a battle for points and glory. Questions? Contact us at Hello@GreatBigGameShow.com!

• Spaces for 20-50 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 3 Event Spaces
• 2 Meeting Spaces

Adalina Italian offers a sophisticated modern Italian setting in Chicago’s Gold Coast for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, engagement parties, birthdays, showers, cocktail receptions, and private dinners. Event options include the fully private Dahlia Room for up to 40 seated or 50 standing guests, the intimate Rose Lounge for up to 26 seated or 40 standing, and the semi-private La Arte Table for dinners of up to 20. Full restaurant buyouts can accommodate up to 180 seated or 300 standing guests. Contemporary Italian cuisine, curated wines and cocktails, audiovisual capabilities, and dedicated event support complement the experience, creating a stylish backdrop for memorable Chicago gatherings.

• Spaces for 26-125 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

"For your next corporate or social occasion, transport your guests to another time and place. The Monkey Parlour can accommodate up to 12 people in an intimate environment. The legendary Vietnamese institution Le Colonial in Chicago wonderfully reflects the beauty, passion, and spirit of French Colonial Southeast Asia in the 1920s. Le Colonial, dubbed ""an escapist's paradise,"" is a lovely two-story antique row house located in the center of Chicago's prestigious Gold Coast area. Le Colonial, located on Rush Street, has a first-floor dining room, a seasonal sidewalk cafe on the first floor, and a second-story bar, lounge, and all-season terrace overlooking Rush Street. Chao Tom, grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane with angel hair noodle, lettuce, mint, and peanut sauce; Goi Ga Xoai, grilled chicken with mango, mesclun greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and tamarind dressing; and Banh Uot, grilled sesame beef over flat rice noodles, cucumber, and fresh herbs are among the restaurant's signature dishes. This French-Vietnamese restaurant has been open since 1996, which is a long period in the restaurant world. It's a white-tablecloth restaurant that's perfect for when you need something quiet and classy. Palm palms and woven seats contrast with candlelit tables with white tablecloths and wood shutters. You’ll be awed by the delicious food and excellent service that Le Colonial offers, whether you’re enjoying a date night or a private dining experience. “This place never disappoints! Gorgeous interior and plenty of pretty people inside, with beautiful plates. My favorites are crispy shrimp and pork rolls, crispy vegetable rolls, and Banh Xao Tofu (wide noodles). Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful - just ask your server. Service is impeccable.” -Janet M."