Top Illinois Venues

• Spaces for 200 Guests

The 1912 Barn is a historic wedding and event venue set on a working farm property in Niantic, Illinois, accessible from Springfield, Bloomington, and Champaign. Built around 1912 and featuring original Douglas Fir post-and-beam construction, a concrete floor rare for the era, wood rafters, and a tin roof, the barn reflects more than a century of agricultural heritage rooted in the Sangamon River valley. The property spans six acres and includes a mix of historic outbuildings — a smokehouse, chicken coop, root cellar, and Quonset building — alongside natural landscapes that provide a backdrop of fields, wooded areas, and open sky. The venue operates seasonally from late April through late October and hosts weddings, receptions, private gatherings, corporate retreats, reunions, and group tours. Indoor ceremonies take place within the historic barn structure, while the property's grounds accommodate outdoor ceremonies in shaded areas or a starlit dance floor set in an open field. Private dressing rooms serve both the couple and their wedding party, a Bridal Closet offers items to borrow, and bonfire areas invite guests to gather after the celebration.

• Spaces for 75-3,500 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 2 Event Spaces
• 6 Total Spaces

Oakley Lindsay Center is a performing arts and convention center complex in Quincy, Illinois, three blocks from the Mississippi Riverfront. Established in 1995, the multi-million dollar facility was built to serve the region as a destination for concerts, conventions, corporate gatherings, and private events of every scale. The center's signature space is McClain-Kent Hall, a 30,000-square-foot clear-span exhibition hall that accommodates up to 1,500 guests for banquets and up to 3,500 in theater-style configuration. The adjoining 500-seat theatre offers a thrust stage with professional technical infrastructure — orchestra pit, fly loft, dressing rooms, and a soundproof rehearsal room — making it well-suited for performances, award ceremonies, and large theatrical productions. The dramatic lobby, with its terrazzo floors and curved architecture, provides an elegant setting for receptions and cocktail hours. Smaller conference rooms — the Lindsay Room, Oakley Room, and Quincy Room — handle seminars, workshops, and breakout sessions for groups up to 125. The center provides event planning and coordination, in-house catering, full bar service, A/V and staging equipment, and a full-service concession area, with the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau offering additional complimentary planning support.

• Spaces for 75-80 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Sullivan's Steakhouse is located in Naperville, Illinois. Hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, distinctive cocktails, and energetic music are all on the menu, and they're all meant to help you untie, unwind, and uncork your evening. This one-of-a-kind downtown Naperville restaurant, located in the Historic District, transports you to another time and place. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular at Sullivan's, you'll appreciate the familiarity that comes with dining here. The quality and service of Sullivan's is brought to every occasion by our specialized events team, which offers anything from spectacular private dining experiences to catered parties that feature the wonderful taste of Sullivan's. Make an appointment for us to deliver our unique Sullivan's experience to the location of your choice, complete with our great catering menu available at your leisure. Each Sullivan's experience is different, thanks to the classic decor and spirited jazz. Our local American Steakhouse serves the best steaks, seafood, hand-shaken martinis, and live music in a fun and relaxed environment.

• Spaces for 1,500 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Convention Center

There's a need to celebrate, whether it's the start of a romance or the arrival of a new family member, and Waterford Banquets would love to be a part of it! At the Waterford, our skilled event advisors will work with you to design and arrange every little detail of your dream wedding reception, including cuisine, wine, overnight accommodations, flowers, and entertainment – all to your specifications. We have wedding packages to suit every budget and need! The Waterford Banquet is a lovely venue for outdoor weddings. Our 20,000 square feet of courtyard spaces are adjacent to Eldridge Park and provide you with a plethora of possibilities for arranging your most unforgettable day! Brides in the Chicago region agree it's an ideal location for wedding photography. Allow us to set up tents and outside furniture for your reception if you prefer to eat indoors. If you're looking for something different and tasty, we can even arrange a luau! There are advantages to being in the right location! The Waterford is easy to discover and perfectly situated for Chicago wedding parties and guests. Our lovely wedding site is located near the boundary of Elmhurst and Oakbrook, right off Route 83. The airports of O'Hare and Midway are close by, and with easy access to I-88, I-294, I-290, I-355, and I-55, your family and guests will have a great time! Our adjoining Clarion Hotel Elmhurst/Oakbrook has freshly refurbished hotel rooms with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwave ovens, as well as an indoor pool and fitness center, if you need to freshen up or rest between the service and the wedding reception. The location of your overnight lodgings for you, your wedding party, and your guests could not be more convenient! Nearby are world-class shopping, restaurants, and attractions. Please inquire about our shuttle service.

• Spaces for 60-120 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Historic Space

The Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion is a Late Greek Revival historic house museum in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to preserving the stories of the founding families of St. Louis and Carondelet. The property documents a remarkable range of histories: a nationally recognized Western explorer, relatives connected to an Oglala Sioux leader, the founder of St. Louis's first drugstore chain, and a literary scholar who helped direct the 1904 World's Fair. Underground caves beneath the grounds carry their own distinct historical narrative. The mansion survived threatened demolition for a highway through dedicated restoration, and now stands as one of the city's recognized examples of Greek Revival architecture. For private events, the mansion opens its historic Carriage House with kitchenette access and its surrounding outdoor grounds to groups of up to 100 guests. Indoor seated dining accommodates up to 60, with the outdoor patio hosting an additional 50. Rental packages include tables, chairs, and tablecloths, with five- and eight-hour options available.

• Spaces for 16-30 Guests
• 2 Event Spaces

A welcoming atmosphere, a beautiful table setting, a unique menu featuring world-class wines, and a dedicated team giving pleasant, proactive service. That is the mark of outstanding private dining, and you can expect it at The Capital Grille. Whether it's a little gathering, a spectacular banquet, or a crucial business meeting, your event will be as straightforward as it is memorable. WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER YOU A personal event planner. Menus that can be customized. Advice on wine pairings. Most restaurants offer complimentary valet parking. A full range of media technology is available. And there's a lot more we'd love to go over with you. The warmth of mahogany, the comfort of leather, and the gleam of brass accents may be found in every private dining room. All of them provide an intimate setting that makes special occasions, well, special. Almost any sort and size of personal or commercial event can be accommodated in our elegantly designed private rooms. THE WINE ROOM This area, which is surrounded by an elegant backdrop of dark mahogany and wine cellars, is the ideal location for any occasion. It features cutting-edge audio and visual technologies, making it a great location for a business gathering. Up to 30 people can be accommodated. THE BOARD ROOM The ideal, intimate environment in downtown Chicago for catering to customers or unwinding in elegance and full seclusion with family and friends. Up to ten people can be accommodated. THE STATE ROOM This charming space is ideal for small business meetings or quiet festivities. Our servers will be entirely respectful of your privacy while also meeting all of your requirements. Up to 16 people can be accommodated.

• Spaces for 150-299 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Room43 Event Venue is a fully customisable area that is ideal for any special occasion. This 9,000-square-foot venue has two bi-level event suites with magnificent open space that can accommodate up to 450 people. Room43 can handle events ranging from weddings, intimate receptions, and private parties to celebrations, conferences, and workshops; galas, lifestyle events, fashion exhibits, art showings, movies, and performances... The building uses materials and textures that feel like existing textures from the historic North Kenwood/Oakland region, such as exposed brick, natural light, and wood floors, to name a few, fusing elegance with inspiration from natural elements. Separate levels for generating diverse surroundings, including tables, available seats, room set-up, cash bar(s) and bartender(s), multiple exits for each floor, and easy access for cars and load-ins were all considered when designing the Room43 Event Venue. The main event space at ROOM43 in North Kenwood has a spectacular entrance that welcomes guests into an open and spacious room. Exposed brick, hefty timber columns, and hardwood floors showcase the small yet large historic characteristics, which are both industrial and elegant. It has a beautiful basement level with a large prep kitchen. Corporate events, retail pop-ups, holiday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, non-profit events, and a variety of other celebrations can all be held here. Custom catering and bar packages, customized décor and furniture design, specialized seating configurations, and audio/visual capabilities can help you realize your vision. The regular event package includes six hours of event time, as well as cleanup. Clients are responsible for keeping the Venue clean in a reasonable manner. This includes cleaning and removing all catering, musical, and other equipment from the Venue. Setup time will be two hours prior to the event. By the time specified in the Venue agreement, all events must be completely departed.

Home to rebellious classic cocktails and Chef Matt Troost's unusual bar cuisine, the bar is housed in what was formerly a turn-of-the-century tailor store with a décor that pays homage to the early days of punk music. No-frills, low-fi neighborhood tavern where everyone is welcome to come as they are and eat, drink, and have a good time in the process. As part of a redevelopment of an old tailor shop from the turn of the twentieth century, the bar offers original versions of classic cocktails made by beverage director Kristina Magro, which are served with chef Matt Troost's cult-inducing, varied bar cuisine. Good Measure was selected one of the 33 Best Bars in Chicago by Conde Nast Traveler in 2019, and it was also awarded one of Chicago's Best Burgers by the Chicago Tribune the same year and again in 2021, according to the publication. A reviving River North neighborhood bar serving up cult-inducing burgers by Chef Matt Troost and the bar's own renditions of classic cocktails, good Measure is an oasis in the midst of the city. When the room is bathed in red light, the volume is kept at its highest setting.

• Spaces for 20-35 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

In addition to traditional cocktails and experimental new concoctions, Billy Sunday is noted for having a large collection of vintage spirits and an enhanced bar menu. In terms of flavor, balance, and discipline, our cocktail menu follows a gourmet approach, while also including a welcome dose of whimsy. With one of North America's greatest collections of vintage fernet and Amaro, as well as a diverse variety of rare scotch, whisky, bourbon, and rum, the rear bar is the place to be. We invite you to join us on Billy Sunday for your next meeting of brilliant minds, and we will treat you like royalty! We can put together a menu of our beverages and meals for you. We can develop a menu that is unique to you. We can put together a tasting menu with a few appetizers to go along with it. Alternatively, we may provide an open bar with appetizers. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in holding a special event at Billy Sunday.

• Spaces for 70-120 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 1 Bar
• 4 Total Spaces

The Chicago Hotel Collection Magnificent Mile offers flexible event spaces for your next celebration in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. Located just steps from Michigan Avenue along the iconic Magnificent Mile, this centrally located hotel provides a convenient setting for hosting guests while enjoying easy access to the city's renowned dining, shopping, and attractions. Whether planning a business meeting, networking reception, milestone celebration, or weekend gathering, The Chicago Hotel Collection Magnificent Mile combines a prime downtown location with comfortable accommodations to create a seamless event experience in one of Chicago's most sought-after neighborhoods.

A stylish departure from a traditional steakhouse, Bavette's Bar & Boeuf embraces French flair without the formality, blending fine dining with unabashed fun.

• Spaces for 48 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Bistro Campagne has been a fixture of Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood since opening in 2002. The restaurant was founded on a commitment to organic ingredients and sustainable, low-impact agriculture — a philosophy established by founder Chef Michael Altenberg and carried forward by the current team under Executive Chef Adam Grandt. The kitchen's menu rotates seasonally around French bistro cuisine, complemented by an all-French wine list, local and European beers, and craft cocktails made with house-made components. For private events, Bistro Campagne offers The Cottage, an intimate space that seats up to 48 guests. Designed in a blend of Prairie School and French provincial styles, The Cottage is available for full and partial rentals, with access to the patio and outdoor garden when weather allows. The venue is well suited for celebrations, dinners, and gatherings that benefit from the attentive, neighborhood-restaurant atmosphere the restaurant has maintained for over two decades.

• Spaces for 350 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Mansion

The Haley Mansion is a castle-like historic event venue set on the bluff overlooking downtown Joliet, Illinois. Construction began in 1891 and was completed in 1893, commissioned by Patrick C. Haley — Mayor of Joliet, attorney, and civic leader — and designed by nationally recognized architect Frank Shaver Allen, who made spectacular use of locally quarried limestone. Gaelic insignias cut into the front porch honor the Haley family's Irish heritage. The three-story, 8,600-square-foot structure features a distinctive tower, original stained-glass windows, intricate hand-carved friezes, and quality wood finishes throughout. Today the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as a private event facility with 20,000 square feet of event space. The Grand Ballroom seats up to 350 guests and is appointed with crystal chandeliers, starry-sky accent lighting, billowing silk ceiling fabric, and a high-gloss tile floor suited for dancing. An adjacent conservatory with a light-flooded skylight and 12-foot French windows overlooks the manicured gardens, offering an intimate indoor ceremony setting. The grounds feature a white pergola nestled between two waterfalls and lily ponds, thousands of annuals and perennials, and towering pines — an outdoor ceremony setting that works in all seasons. The Haley Mansion provides in-house catering, a full bar program, and event planning support, making it an all-inclusive option for weddings, banquets, and corporate events throughout the Chicagoland area.

• Spaces for 30-150 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Venue with Activities

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is a 45-acre zoo and botanic garden in Evansville, Indiana, established in 1928 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The grounds bring together hundreds of animals representing species from South America, Africa, North America, and Asia, set among thousands of exotic and regional botanical species. The zoo hosts a full range of private events — weddings, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, and family picnics — with both indoor and outdoor spaces that adapt to occasions ranging from intimate ceremonies to large celebrations. A dedicated events team supports planning and coordinates animal encounters, tram rides, and other on-site experiences that make the setting distinctive.

• Spaces for 225-300 Guests
• 1 Outdoor

The Orchard estate is a full-service venue with all of the amenities required to deliver a one-of-a-kind, beautiful, all-inclusive, and relaxing guest experience. Our expert wedding team will walk you through a stress-free planning process and give you a Day-Of Coordinator and staff to make sure your event goes off without a hitch. Your wedding guests will have an unforgettable wedding experience that they will talk about for years. Wedding photo chances will also aid in the creation of the enduring memories you desire. Our breathtaking surroundings will serve as the perfect background for your wedding ceremony. Our skilled event crew will arrange and oversee your vow exchange. Our professional wedding planners will walk you through the whole planning process and provide you with a Day-Of Coordinator to guarantee your event runs well. Proclaim your love for each other beneath the Unity Arbor, which overlooks the orchard's magnificent rolling hills. Up to 225 people can be seated on traditional white orchard chairs. In our picturesque orchard, photography privileges are permitted and very necessary. Throughout the year, weather alternatives are available. For those last-minute preparations, a private bridal suite and groom's area are offered. Your wedding at the Kuipers Family Farm is now complete. We recognize how taxing the task of wedding planning may be. Allow us to divide the responsibilities and assist you in enjoying your special day. Our wedding planners play a crucial role in your big day. They'll assist you in planning and managing all of the event's day-of arrangements, and they'll work closely with you to ensure that your event is a success. Choose your menu, beverage package, and style, then leave the rest to us so you can concentrate on the personal touches that will make the event really yours. Your style will be a demonstration of your dreams, along with the talents of our expert staff.

• Spaces for 110-175 Guests
• 1 Restaurant

Find the best restaurant on Chicago's North Shore to host an occasion! We specialize in hosting private events. The Barn Steakhouse excels at large and small dinner parties, private events, lunches, brunches, and buyouts for special occasions. The Barn Steakhouse hosts weddings, bridal luncheons, and corporate events every week. When dining or organizing a private event, outdoor dining in the three-season Garden ups the ante, especially in these days of the pandemic, when health and safety are all of our key concerns. BUYOUT IN FULL / MAIN DINING ROOM On the North Shore, there is no better place to conduct a buyout than The Barn Steakhouse. Whether it's a wedding, a 40th birthday party, or a holiday gathering, the space easily adapts to anything the imagination conjures up. The Barn Steakhouse will astound you, as will the food, wine, service, and ambiance, whether you want to have Bessie the Cow as your host or use our sleigh-driven carriage out front. THE FLOWER GARDEN The Garden Room is a stunning three-season venue that may be used for private sit-down events, cocktail receptions, or a combination of the two. Our fire pit and Adirondack chairs invite anybody brave enough to brave the elements during the colder months. THE LOFT The Loft of The Barn Steakhouse, positioned upstairs and overlooking the stylish modernism of the Main Room, has a classic steakhouse ambiance. The Loft is a secluded space with deep red, round, tufted booths, a barely visible historic mural, and The Barn Steakhouse's signature service.

• Spaces for 275-410 Guests
• 1 Country Club

The Nineteenth Century Landmark Building is a great place to hold your next event. From weddings, galas, benefits, and cocktail receptions to corporate events, conferences, and meetings, the gorgeous historic structure offers a variety of alternatives for large and small gatherings. Two dining rooms and a lounge are available on our freshly refurbished and customized first level. The big south dining room, ideal for small to medium-sized events, provides the ideal setting for elegant parties and ceremonies, as well as corporate events, award banquets, and graduation parties. The north dining room, which is smaller, is ideal for small dinners and meetings. The stylish and comfortable furniture in our sophisticated lounge is ideal for cocktail parties, showers, and small gatherings. Our newly remodeled ballroom, which can accommodate over 275 guests, is ideal for weddings, banquets, receptions, fundraisers, ceremonies, and special events. Our large stage is ideal for bands and orchestras performing live music and events. Since its erection in 1928, the majestic Oak Park Landmark building of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association has served our communities. It was designed by architect James L. Fyfe, and it is listed as a "Contributing Resource within the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District" in a recent Village of Oak Park document. Our mission has been to promote study and charity since 1891. We encourage social responsibility by giving philanthropic work, financial support to community not-for-profit groups, and college scholarships to Oak Park-River Forest high school graduates as part of our commitment to our 21st-century community. Through vibrant, multicultural programs that include music, art, literature, science, and the social sciences, we foster lifelong learning.

• Spaces for 20-236 Guests
• 1 Boat

From sightseeing cruises to dinner cruises, everything is better when done on the sea. The Spirit of Chicago is ready to take you on a tour of the city. With a lunch, dinner, or specialty cruise, you may eat, drink, and dance while taking in the beautiful skyline. Your taste buds will be delighted by the Spirit menu, which features a range of culturally-inspired meals made with fresh, organic ingredients. Spirit is a great place for every occasion, from romantic meals for two to business events. Let's have a party! There is nothing like it on the land: On the top deck, there is a rooftop lounge. Three internal decks with panoramic windows, each with its own climate control system. Menus featuring vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives have been included. Live DJs, large dance floors, and full-service bars are all available. Admiral Richard M. Navy Pier is known as "the People's Pier," and it is Chicago's lakefront jewel, inviting everybody and providing dynamic, diversified experiences via partnerships and activities that stimulate exploration and amazement. Guests have flocked to enjoy the Pier's 50 acres of unrivaled activities and experiences since it reopened in 1995, bringing in more than 180 million visitors since then. In 2021, Navy Pier will continue to transform into an accessible, year-round focal point for Chicago's many arts and cultural treasures, while also expanding its offerings.