Top West Loop Dinner Party Venues

• Spaces for 150 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

In the heart of Wicker Park, The Violet Hour serves handmade drinks. The James Beard Award-winning bar program provides a seasonally rotating cocktail list as well as an extensive collection of approachable and sought-after spirits, all of which are rooted in pre-prohibition era libations. The Violet Hour's outer facade displays an ever-changing mural with a discrete single entryway, while the three interior salons shine under clusters of candlelit tables and a spacious marble bar, making it an iconic destination for cocktail connoisseurs. Gather the team for a virtual cocktail class led by our award-winning bartending crew. We'll break down each component and offer our best-kept secrets on how to prepare the ideal drink while highlighting the history and origins of a few featured cocktails. We'll provide everyone with a complete cocktail kit, as well as a private Zoom link for your party. Let The Violet Hour's James Beard Award-winning mixologists conjure up the perfect libation for you, from trademark and bottled drinks to mixology demonstrations. Drinks created specifically for your event and delivered to your door. Fresh juice, premium spirits, house syrups, and bitters are used in the cocktails. The Violet Hour is widely regarded as the birthplace of Chicago's craft cocktail movement, as well as a breeding ground for some of the world's best bartenders. Private and semi-private groups can hold cocktail-style gatherings in our curtain draped, candlelight salons, which feature cocktails from our award-winning selection. The inside is decorated in a pre-prohibition manner with three distinct salons and a marble bar that runs the length of the room. Cornflower-blue walls, white crown molding, crystal chandeliers, and hardwood floors give the area an elegant speakeasy ambiance, making it a one-of-a-kind event venue.

• Spaces for 40-100 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

Make your special event one to remember by hosting it at Riva Restaurant on Navy Pier. Whether your party is casual, or calls for a truly extravagant meal, Riva offers menu options that are perfect for any type of special event or celebration. All of Rive Navy Pier's menu items are prepared to order using only fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant can accommodate groups of 15 to 100 people. Riva is a popular choice for both social and corporate events. From private corporate gatherings, benefits, and convention dinners to showers, birthdays, and anniversaries, your event at Riva will be unforgettable.

• Spaces for 85 Guests

• Spaces for 62-250 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 1 Outdoor
• 3 Total Spaces

Designed for lively celebrations along the lakefront, this distinctive venue pairs island-inspired style with some of Chicago’s most recognizable views. Groups can gather across the Main Dining Room, window-lined Fins Porch, and seasonal outdoor patio for everything from networking receptions to weddings and private parties. Margaritaville Chicago offers flexible entertaining spaces, dedicated bar areas, and an energetic atmosphere in the heart of Navy Pier.

• Spaces for 13-120 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 3 Hotels
• 5 Total Spaces

The Robey captures the storied spirit of Chicago: a bustling, ever-changing, big-shouldered town, perched high above the big intersection of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Avenues in an Art Deco masterpiece formerly known as the Northwest Tower—stretching 203 feet tall and the only skyscraper for miles. Our goal from the start was to commemorate this skyscraper's illustrious past while adding a fresh, contemporary viewpoint to our 89 room hotel, which was named after Robey Street, the north-south thoroughfare that would become Damen Avenue. The hotel's rooms, lobby, and roof areas were converted by Belgian design partnership Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors after it was originally planned as an office building in 1929 by the firm of Perkins, Chatten, & Hammond. All of The Robey's restaurants, lounges, and rooftop venues are available for private gatherings. The Robey is a unique event environment for private cocktail parties, meetings, get-togethers, workplace celebrations, brunches, and private dinners. Our culinary and beverage staff creates all of our meals and drinks in-house. To discover more about our availability, menus, and spaces, please contact our Events Director directly. The first, planned as an office building in 1929 by Perkins, Chatten, & Hammond, features Tower Rooms, as well as a lobby and roof spaces—all of which have been turned into subtle elegance by Belgian design pair Nicolas Schuybroek Architects and Marc Merckx Interiors. In addition, in the adjacent former Hollander Fireproof Warehouse, built in 1905, we offer 20 multi-bed Annex Loft rooms and a multifunctional hall, an industrial-style environment filled with boutique finishes and custom-designed furnishings brought to life by DELORDINAIRE architects. With 180-degree views of the city skyline, including tree-lined streets and the steel girders of L train stations, we invite you to discover Chicago in a whole new light: where today's design meets yesterday's daring, and where there's always something going on at night.

• Spaces for 80-8,505 Guests
• 3 Outdoor Spaces
• 1 Event Space
• 6 Total Spaces

Navy Pier is the premier destination in the Midwest offering two exhibit halls, 36 meeting rooms, the historic Aon Grand Ballroom and Lakeview Terrace, all overlooking the lakefront with unparalleled views of Chicago’s beautiful skyline. These dramatic and diverse spaces are ideal for trade and consumer shows, conferences, business meetings and special occasions of any size. Flexible mixed-use meeting space combines with the Pier’s leisure, dining and entertainment options all at your fingertips. Conveniently located steps from Michigan Avenue and with thousands of hotel rooms nearby, Navy Pier’s versatile venues, exceptional customer service, and delectable cuisine will all create an event that your guests will remember forever. Besides distinctive space, Navy Pier has a dedicated and expert event team who will help you every step of the way to ensure flawless coordination, seamless execution and guarantee the success of your event. Navy Pier offers a variety of amenities including on-site exhibition and audio visual services, on-site enclosed parking and covered drop-off areas to the Festival Hall complex and the Aon Grand Ballroom.

• Spaces for 12-225 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom
• 3 Total Spaces

Great ideas happen in Hotel Lincoln's great event spaces in downtown Chicago. Hotel Lincoln offers 1,300 square feet of meeting rooms and wedding venues with ample natural light and beautiful Lincoln Park views—all in a relaxed environment that encourages creativity and productivity. The team of professionals at Hotel Lincoln —from the front desk staff to the sales department—will work to make your event special and memorable. Hotel Lincoln offers flexible event space that is perfect for meetings, special celebrations, and weddings. The hotel offers customizable menus from J. Parker Rooftop Bar and assistance coordinating with local event professionals.

Welcome to The Sandbox Chicago, Chicago’s newest, hippest, ultimate warehouse party. Opening up in Pilsen, Chicago in Spring 2021, the Sandbox is an oversized game bar, where you can feel like a kid again. Think beer pong with 55-gallon drums and volleyballs, cornhole with beanbag chairs, bocce ball with medicine balls, giant Connect 4 with frisbees and life-size checkers where you are the pieces.

• Spaces for 225 Guests

The J. Parker has the most breathtaking panoramas of Lake Michigan and the cityscape of Chicago thanks to its enviable location atop the Hotel Lincoln. The atrium has a total of 140 seats outside and 55 chairs inside, all of which provide unimpeded views of the surrounding area. The J. Parker is an ideal location for hosting private events as well as enjoying a night out on the town. The J. Parker provides guests with a genuinely one-of-a-kind experience in the Windy City by providing unobstructed views of Lake Michigan, downtown Chicago, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. All through the year, huge party reservations, buyouts of the outside space, and buyouts of the entire J. Parker are all available (both daytime and evening). The outdoor patio at The J. Parker features a fully retractable glass roof that may be utilized in the event of severe weather as well as throughout the winter months to keep guests dry and toasty.

• Spaces for 250-500 Guests
• 1 Event Space

ABOUT US With large, open spaces that feature an inpouring of natural light, Mae District provides a brilliant canvas for your upcoming event. Our expert planners believe that it's all in the details - create a masterpiece in every moment with Mae District. OUR SPACE A jewel in Chicago's vibrant Motor Row District, Mae District is a gathering space and open-air terrace that embodies the classic beauty of old Chicago while celebrating the endless new beginnings of a City that never stops moving. Just blocks away from vast Lake Michigan and steps from McCormick Center, this two story space nestled within among a collection red stone brick buildings features an exceptional history. It is the perfect getaway on the doorstep of Chicago.

• Spaces for 20-100 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

Blue Door Farm Stand creates a farm fresh dining experience for Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The chefs allow the seasons dictate what’s on the table by featuring fresh seasonal produce and ingredients from local farms and farmer’s markets.

• Spaces for 250-600 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 2 Event Spaces
• 2 Meeting Spaces

The Chicago Illuminating Company is a premier event venue and production space located in the heart of downtown Chicago. Known for its seamless blend of historic charm and contemporary elegance, our venue offers a sophisticated backdrop for weddings, corporate gatherings, galas, and private events. Housed in a restored early 20th-century industrial building, The Chicago Illuminating Company features soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and state-of-the-art amenities — creating a versatile canvas for unforgettable experiences. Our dedicated team is passionate about delivering exceptional service, from customized event planning to flawless execution. Whether you're hosting an intimate celebration or a large-scale production, we work closely with clients and partners to bring bold ideas to life in a setting that’s as dynamic as the city itself. Let The Chicago Illuminating Company light the way to your next extraordinary event!

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, Chicago's first Spanish tapas restaurant, serves authentic Spanish cuisine in a warm, hip setting enhanced by lively music. Guests can dine inside or outside on the all-season patio while enjoying award-winning sangria, tapas (the famous small dishes of Spain), pintxos (one-bite appetizers from Northern Spain) and paella (a traditional Valencian rice dish). Offering savory and colorful combinations of vegetables, cheeses, meats and seafood, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! also features Flamenco Dinner Shows, cooking classes, wine tastings and catering for private parties of all sizes. At Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! we can accommodate groups of 10 to 300 in our private and semi-private rooms, serving a custom menu of tapas, paella and more. We also offer carryout and off-premise catering including aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises.

• Spaces for 156-749 Guests
• 2 Boats

Escape on the water aboard Odyssey Lake Michigan, or our newest vessel - Odyssey Chicago River. Enjoy upscale dining and entertainment, and sit back and relax as Chicago's famous skyline drifts past your window. Whether you're cruising on the river or lake, Odyssey delivers gracious service, fine dining, quality entertainment and breathtaking views. Odyssey allows you to create unforgettable moments customized to make your dream a reality. With options for parties of 4 or 400, Odyssey is the perfect space for your wedding, work or family event. Copy the link below to request more information! https://www.odysseycruises.com/groups/request-information

• Spaces for 500 Guests

Located on Chicago’s lakefront at North Avenue Beach, Castaways Beach Club offers a one-of-a-kind beachside experience in the heart of the city. Known for its iconic boat-shaped design, Castaways combines casual coastal energy with sweeping skyline and waterfront views, creating a vibrant destination for dining, drinks, private events, and summer celebrations. Guests can enjoy beach-inspired bites, frozen cocktails, and refreshing seasonal drinks just steps from the sand. Expansive open-air spaces create a lively atmosphere for everything from laid-back afternoons and sunset happy hours to corporate gatherings, brand activations, blowout birthday bashes, and large-scale private events. With its unbeatable location, energetic ambiance, and unmistakably Chicago backdrop, Castaways Beach Club delivers a summer experience unlike anywhere else in the city.

• Spaces for 160-30,000 Guests
• 2 Outdoor Spaces
• 2 Theaters

Featuring an outdoor setting with soaring views, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is the perfect location to host your next conference, corporate event, fundraiser, private concert or graduation. Located 1.8 miles from Downtown, this unique venue serves as an iconic backdrop with versatile spaces including an open-air amphitheater, spacious lawn and intimate VIP Club offering limitless opportunities for your next private event. Accommodating up to 30,000 guests, this venue celebrates extraordinary hospitality and service creating a lasting impression from intimate experiences to full venue buyouts. With access to the world’s greatest musical entertainment, full-service event production, custom menus and mixology, our talented team of event specialist provide seamless execution to make your event one to remember.

• Spaces for 300-800 Guests
• 1 Theater

This historic theater has been an integral part of Chicago’s entertainment scene since it opened as the Lane Court vaudeville and movie theater in 1916. In 1977 we transformed into Park West, the iconic Chicago concert and special event facility. Flexibility, exclusivity and convenient City location combined with over 40 years’ experience, professional production and venue staffs and in-house A/V make Park West the ideal location for a corporate or social celebration, business presentation, fashion show, gala, benefit concert, awards ceremony, product launch etc. Park West can hold up to 900 people for receptions and can comfortably seat groups of 100 to 700. The versatility of the space allows Park West to function as the perfect location for meetings requiring heavy AV, live entertainment, seated dinners, and dancing. 11,000 square-foot facility with 5 tiered levels, 2 balconies, 7 bars, and comfortable booths/beautiful and practical in design. What’s So Special About Us? Park West is an important part of Chicago history – the theater has been in this location for over 100 years, producing live performances and events as Park West for 40+ years.

• 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 6 Guests
• 1 Boat

ChicaGo By Boat offers Chicago's premier affordable luxury boat charters. We invite private groups of up to six passengers aboard the S/V Nightswimming for two to four hours based on our guests' needs. The sails conveniently depart from Burnham Harbor, making getting on board a breeze, and the perfect pre or post destination for concerts and special events in Museum Park. While on board you can watch the sunset behind Chicago's skyline or watch a full moon rise out of Lake Michigan. You can also experience the Wednesday & Saturday Navy Pier Fireworks from the front row. Want to host your corporate outing? We can do it. Want to propose to your partner on a sailboat? Perfect! The annual Air & Water Show as well as Museum Campus, Northerly Island and Soldier Field events are some other opportunities to experience the water. Or, maybe just sail with us because it's your Sunday Funday or you're on a stay-cation! Whether it's your first time, only time or just the next time; we want your sailing experience with us to be the BEST time you have this Summer."