Top Chicago Opening Party Venues

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  Mrs. Murphy & Son's Irish Bistro

  3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA

  • Spaces for 200 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant

  Mrs. Murphy's is a multidimensional establishment that provides pub service, private gatherings, and an imported Irish goods shop. The pub has been offering scratch-made Irish pub favorites, supplemented by a smart choice of craft beers, a welcoming wine list, and a deep range of over 50 Irish whiskeys, since it first opened its doors in September 2005 in Chicago's North Center neighborhood. Mrs. Murphy's provides the warm family welcome that makes a wonderful Irish bar, in addition to superb food, music, and drink. Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro first opened its doors on September 2nd, 2005, with a long history of hospitality and community service. Jim Murphy, the late owner of the famed Wrigleyville pub Murphy's Bleachers, dreamed of bringing contemporary Irish cuisine to his homeland. Jim and his wife, Beth, bought a 1920s-era funeral house at 3905 Lincoln Avenue in 2002 with the intention of turning it into a restaurant serving Irish food that was more sophisticated than pub grub. Jim had gathered various antiques over the years, including stained glass windows from the famed German restaurant Zum Deutschen Eck, nautical bric-a-brac, Guinness collectibles, and vintage images of Chicago, to decorate the restaurant. Wood pillars, stained glass, and skylights, all original to the 1920s building, were also included into the design. James is the general manager and resident Cicerone whose enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of beers is shown in the carefully prepared beer list. He is aided by his younger brother, Brian. Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro employs an international staff of talented and kind individuals who contribute to the restaurant's luxurious and welcoming atmosphere. Slainte!

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  Water Tower at Loyola University Chicago

  111 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

  • Spaces for 80-200 Guests
  • 2 Hotels
  • 4 Ballrooms
  • 4 Total Spaces

  Located in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, just one block from the Magnificent Mile, the Water Tower Campus of Loyola University Chicago serves as a full-service conference and event center in the heart of downtown. The campus spans several historic and modern buildings — including Lewis Towers, built in 1927, the Corboy Law Center, and the Schreiber Center — each offering distinctive event spaces that look out over the city skyline and Lake Michigan. Four principal event venues accommodate a range of gatherings, from intimate meetings to receptions of up to 200 guests. Beane Hall, in Lewis Towers, features medieval vaulted windows, ornate ceilings, a fireplace, and rich textiles alongside views of iconic Chicago landmarks. Regents Hall, on the 16th and 17th floors of Lewis Towers, offers a wrap-around balcony and striking views of the Magnificent Mile. Kasbeer Hall on the 15th floor of the Corboy Law Center is a spacious modern hall with floor-to-ceiling windows and a built-in digital wall and sound system. Wintrust Hall, a premier event space on the 9th floor of the Schreiber Center, features an open floor plan with 2,600 square feet and panoramic views of downtown Chicago. State-of-the-art technology and audio-visual services are available across all spaces, and gourmet catering can be arranged for any event.

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  22Thirty9

  2239 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

  • Spaces for 250 Guests

  22Thirty9 is a 2,200-square-foot private event loft situated above Pressure Point Recording Studio, part of the Bassline Music Complex on historic Record Row in Chicago's South Loop. The space is acoustically tuned and fully wired for presentations, live performances, and recorded entertainment, reflecting the building's deep roots in Chicago's music culture. The loft features floor-to-ceiling atrium windows, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings alongside a full-service bar and lounge area. Built-in A/V systems, in-house A/V specialists, and an experienced hospitality team are available for events. The venue sits steps from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena, with convenient access to major roadways throughout the city.

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  Good Measure

  226 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

  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.

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  Ravenswood Event Center

  4011 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA

  • Spaces for 180-250 Guests
  • 1 Outdoor
  • 2 Historic Spaces
  • 2 Lofts

  To succeed in a competitive and demanding environment, you must put in a lot of effort. In 2007, Chicago had a few unusual loft and warehouse event spaces. There are now more than fifty. In 2007, REC pioneered a new method by offering on-site catering and event planning services in a fully refurbished print warehouse and production facility. Our method has now become the standard for independent event services in Chicago. We never stop improving and getting better, which is what makes REC relevant and in demand. While traditional elements of service and design never go out of style, REC uses current and global ideas to create menus and one-of-a-kind event experiences. BILLBOARD FACTORY LOFT & ATRIUM The Atrium, arguably Chicago's most spectacular wedding ceremony and cocktail event location, was once a workshop for giant advertising billboards in the early twentieth century. The Atrium, perched atop the Ravenswood Event Centers' Loft & Showroom spaces, looks down onto Ravenswood, Chicago's classic neighborhood. The Atrium becomes much more than a location to get married and dance with views of the Hancock, El, and Metra lines, it becomes a reflection of why so many people call Chicago home. The Event Center's Loft level is a traditional Chicago industrial loft. The Loft, with its rough-hewn wood flooring, timber beams, and centuries-old brick, can accommodate big parties for dining and celebrations. Our two decks extend our events into the sun and moonshine when the weather is favorable. Wedding ceremonies, corporate receptions, and a dancing lounge are the most common uses for this space. The Atrium can accommodate 180 people for ceremonies, 100 people for a seated supper, and 150 people or more for cocktail parties. The Loft embodies everything that is great about Chicago. Farm-to-table wedding meals, Sunday brunch gatherings, and lively cocktail events benefit from the combination of vintage pine and oak, brick, concrete, and glass. The Loft can seat 180 people in a formal setting and up to 250 in a cocktail setting. BILLBOARD SHOWROOM The Showroom has accommodated rock concerts, hi-tech product launches, great mitzvah celebrations, major fundraising events, and the most wonderful wedding festivities because to its expansive area and high ceilings. The Ravenswood Event Center has accommodated crowds ranging from 150 to 1,000 people. When clients walk into the Showroom for the first time, they frequently exclaim, "Wow!" Industrial printing and binding apparatus the size of tanks formerly occupied our greatest space. It now houses the Hayes neon sign collection as well as one of the world's most rare collections of vintage European and American sports automobiles. The Showroom, with its lofted skylights and ample square footage, lends itself to a wide range of event ideas. Many of the Midwest's most unusual and private conferences, presentations, and holiday celebrations have been held at the Showroom thanks to our corporate and tech clientele.

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  Fountainhead Chicago

  1970 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA

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  Hopleaf

  5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA

  • Spaces for 40 Guests

  Hopleaf Bar has anchored Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood since 1992, built around a commitment to craft beer and Belgian-inspired cooking. The bar pours from 62 taps alongside an ever-rotating selection of bottles covering Belgian ales, fine wines, spirits, and ciders — a breadth of selection that has made it a destination for enthusiasts across the city. The kitchen extends that same philosophy to food: nearly everything is made from scratch in-house, from stocks and charcuterie to housemade sausages, with sourcing guided by a preference for pasture-raised meats, organic produce, and sustainably harvested seafood. The bar's signature mussels and frites reflect its Belgian roots and remain a fixture on a menu that shifts with the seasons. The space itself carries the character of its long history — exposed brick walls hung with vintage Belgian beer advertisements, a classic wood bar, an ornate tin ceiling, and a quiet back dining room anchored by a wood stove. Hopleaf is an adults-only venue, and limited reservations are available through Tock for those planning ahead, while the majority of tables remain open for walk-ins.

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  Burning Bush Brewery

  4014 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA

  • Spaces for 100-200 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant

  Interested in renting the whole space for a fundraiser, special event, rehearsal dinner, wedding etc… send us an email.

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  Hawthorne Race Course

  3501 S Laramie Ave, Cicero, IL 60804, USA

  • Spaces for 500 Guests

  Hawthorne Race Course has served as Chicago's hometown track since 1891, making it the oldest sporting venue in Illinois. The fourth-generation family-owned facility sits in Stickney, just outside Chicago, and holds a distinction no other track in the country can claim: it is the only race course that hosts both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing under the same roof. The main venue accommodates group events alongside live racing on Thursdays and Sundays, offering guests the backdrop of an active track with multiple large-screen viewing areas and food and beverage service throughout. For groups, the combination of live racing atmosphere and on-site dining creates an experience that goes well beyond a typical event space. A network of off-track betting bars and multiple sportsbook locations round out the broader Hawthorne footprint across Chicagoland, but the Stickney track remains the heart of the operation — a working venue with more than 130 years of racing history still running.

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  Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue

  700 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

  • Spaces for 18-120 Guests
  • 2 Restaurants

  Sophie's at Saks Fifth Avenue is an American restaurant with globally-influenced cuisine, situated on the second floor of Saks Fifth Avenue within The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Florida. The restaurant draws its name and spirit from Sophie Gimbel, a pioneering American fashion designer who led couture at Saks for over four decades — and whose philosophy of precision and elegance shapes the venue's approach to food and hospitality. The space features a dining room, a bar with views into the kitchen, and an outdoor terrace bar and lounge offering both covered and open-air seating. For private functions, the venue accommodates up to 50 seated guests or 120 for a standing reception. A dedicated private dining room seats 18 and is well suited to intimate dinners, business meetings, and social gatherings. Chef Jaryd Hearn develops seasonal menus built around locally-sourced ingredients, complemented by craft cocktails and curated wines.

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  Gala Banquet Hall & Catering Concepts

  5639 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646, USA

  Gala Banquet Hall recognizes that every event is unique in terms of budget and requirements; thus, our hall rental Chicago is prepared to meet your needs, making it simple to arrange your special occasion at our facility. Our banquet halls in Chicago are dedicated to preserving and celebrating life's precious moments and memories, from milestone celebrations to joyful weddings. A celebration with excellent cuisine, lively music, and beautiful wedding locations is something that Chicagoans like, and we bring it all together for them. True love is the source of true happiness. Because of this, Gala Banquet Hall Chicago is an excellent choice for business conferences, personal parties, and large festivities. With our newly refurbished banquet spaces, Chicago festivities can be made even more wonderful, whether they are for as few as 40 people or as many as 150 guests in total. If you are searching for something different, we have a second banquet hall Chicago that is only 2 minutes away if you want to try something new. We can work together to make your big day even more beautiful and memorable at Gala Banquet Hall or Stardust Banquet Hall!

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  Beatrix Fulton Market

  834 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

  • Spaces for 25-200 Guests
  • 4 Restaurants
  • 2 Bars

  Beatrix is a coffeehouse, restaurant, and gathering spot in the Chicago districts of River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market, and Oak Brook. Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises' Founder Rich Melman, Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs, and Chef Partners John Chiakulas, Rita Dever, and Susan Weaver are the brains behind the restaurant. The menu is noted for its famous coffee and bakery counter, which includes signature cookies and in-house pastry favorites, and for its healthy meets tasty alternatives. Our coffee bar features Beatrix Coffee Roasters' house blends, which include Medium, Dark, Espresso, and Decaf roasts. Barista-created lattes, Bulletproof Coffee, Cold Brew Iced Coffee, Nitro, and featured special blends are all part of the coffee program. Honey Cinnamon Latte, Matcha Iced Latte, and Mexican Iced Coffee are all favorites. Seasonal fruits, fresh-squeezed juice, and made-in-house ingredients are featured in the cocktail program, which is inspired by the everyday healthy meets delicious concept and is founded in classic cocktails. Both home obscurities and international picks make up the wine collection. Beatrix Fulton Market in Chicago is a welcoming neighborhood restaurant, café, and gathering spot. Our semi-private dining room is ideal for a family brunch, business lunch, reception, or dinner party.

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  Summer House Santa Monica

  1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

  • Spaces for 250-300 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant

  Summer House Santa Monica is Chicago's go-to spot for private dining events such as birthday dinners, bridal and baby showers, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and more. Summer House's knowledgeable Private Parties staff works with guests to plan every element of their special celebration. Summer House also provides full-service catering for off-site events of various types, including First Lady Cruises in Chicago. Please fill out the form on our site or contact our staff to inquire about private dining or off-premise catering. Summer House, which is now even bigger and better, offers a light and airy setting. Guests will be transported to a California-style paradise by the substantially expanded facility. Comfortable booths, full bar seating throughout the restaurant, and two main dining rooms are included in the whole restaurant buyout. Wedding receptions, corporate meetings, and large-form parties looking for a West Coast hideaway would love this area. In our All-Seasons Courtyard, you can host your next little gathering. A retractable roof, brick-lined walls, and lit string lights characterize this hidden gem. Work with our staff to develop your vision and customize the area with a private bar, gift table, buffet, and other amenities. This semi-private table, located in the main dining area of our new "Beach House," provides an appealing backdrop and lots of vistas to take in. When celebrating important anniversaries, hosting productive meetings, and more, use this room for personal parties and small group outings. When you're at The Beach House, it's always golden hour! When you visit our newest space in the building, expect to be greeted by our famous "YES" sign and vivid vegetation. The Beach House features a private bar area, comfy booth seating, high-top tables, and plenty of space for your gathering.

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  Gajin

  950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

  • Spaces for 70-100 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant

  Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicago’s first okonomiyaki restaurant, offering both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake. A self-described gaijin, or “outsider” in Japanese, Virant playfully embraces this perspective and honors traditional preparations and techniques, as well as his well-known passion for pickling and preserving. Designed to deliver a lively and interactive culinary experience, the 60-seat space is anchored by a custom 12-foot griddle and chef’s counter and offers individual Hiroshima teppan griddles for table service. The dessert menu features kakigori, a shaved ice dessert, along with mochi donuts and other Japanese-inspired treats. The bar program showcases highballs and a focused selection of beer – including a Moody Tongue-Gaijin collaboration house lager, sake, Japanese whisky, and wine. We can’t wait to see you at Gaijin!

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  Luxury Wedding Yacht Valara

  773 W Montrose Harbor Dr, Chicago, IL 60640, USA

  • Spaces for 149 Guests
  • 1 Boat

  Set sail on the Luxury Yacht VALARA VI for your next unique entertainment event. It will be a memorable occasion that you will want to relive over and over! Weddings Wedding and reception cruises aboard a private yacht in Chicago. Our spacious and luxurious charter boat here at Chicago private yacht rentals makes wedding and reception excursions worry-free and simple to schedule. Unique wedding packages tailored to the preferences of our discerning wedding clientele. Corporate Our huge and small well-appointed charter boats here at private Chicago yacht rentals, as Chicago's favorite client and employee entertaining cruise yacht, are guaranteed to please and impress all of your corporate cruise rentals and entertainment needs! Private There are numerous causes for private family and friend celebrations. On very well outfitted Chicago yacht rentals, we provide private Chicago boat parties and charters. With our Chicago boat rentals, we've made a lot of memories on Lake Michigan, and we can make all of your important occasions memorable as well. Event Specialist Mary Antoniette’s meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizing abilities surpass those of any other event planner we've ever encountered. Mary's deep understanding of our many packages, as well as her ability to match your particular event with the appropriate package, will be extremely helpful in making your event planning as simple and wonderful as possible. In 1995, Mary Antoniette joined Adventure Sea Tours. She has contributed ten years of past management expertise to our company, as well as the people skills that have greatly boosted our already successful business. Give Mary a call today and we're confident you'll be completely satisfied with her expertise to handle your unique event requirements.

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  Bruna's Ristorante

  2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, USA

  Bruna’s is located at 2424 S. Oakley Ave, near the southwest side of Chicago, only 12 minutes from the Loop. It is a convenient location for dinner before or after events at Soldier Field, Guaranteed Rate Stadium, United Center, McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena. "Bella Bruna" is an Italian name for "Bella Bruna." Bruna's was founded by Cani in 1933, the same year that prohibition was lifted. With a long history as Chicago's third-oldest Italian restaurant, Bruna's swiftly established a reputation for offering out substantial quantities in a vibrant, neighborhood setting. Bruna would dance on the bar as her clients sung in the background when she wasn't busy cooking for them. It was still possible to find her daughter Marylyn (Mickey), who passed away in 2013 at the age of 94, relaxing on a neighborhood bench when the weather was nice. Bruna's legacy continues to live on through Chicago lore, and until recently, you could find her relaxing on a neighborhood bench when the weather was nice. Following a bout with illness, Bruna decided to sell the restaurant to Luciano Silvestri in 1981. There was a lot in common between the two of them. Both were originally from the central Italian area of Tuscany, and they both had a penchant for traditional Italian cuisine. Several of Bruna's original recipes were kept, and Luciano added several of his own family's valued Italian specialties to the menu, which became a hit with the customers. Because Luciano is originally from Siena, Italy, he regularly returns to his hometown to seek culinary inspiration. He began working in the restaurant sector at an early age, and has since traveled widely around Switzerland and London. A native of Como, Italy, Luciano spent his early years working at the world-renowned Villa d'Este resort and aboard cruise ships for the Sitmar and Princess lines until settling in Chicago in 1977. Bruna's is today recognized for a diverse selection of pasta dishes, tender veal, and, of course, Bella Bruna's original roast chicken recipe, which is still served every Sunday at Bruna's Restaurant. It's also the location of what many consider to be the greatest tiramisu in the city, which is made by Luciano himself. Bruna's has a large wine list that is dominated by Italian wines, with a few Californian selections thrown in for good measure. Wines such as the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is produced near Luciano's homeland in Italy, are also imported by Bruna's. The Vino Nobile is available by the glass and by the bottle at the winery. Luciano is usually found welcoming clients, serving wine, and preparing espresso shots for the establishment.

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  Vie

  Western Springs, IL, USA

  • Spaces for 65-100 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant

  Restaurant Vie, the flagship restaurant of Chef Paul Virant, pays homage to his heritage of cooking seasonally, sourcing locally, and applying ancient ways of preservation to produce a unique dining experience that makes a long-lasting effect on guests. The constantly changing prix fixe menu of modern Midwestern cuisine provides visitors with a unique opportunity to taste seasonal flavors and ingredients year-round, regardless of the season. At Vie, everything is created in-house, from the fresh breads to the charcuterie to the pickles and preserves, and everything is delicious. Residents and visitors alike will appreciate the warm and polished service provided in a charming, modern setting unlike any other in the neighborhood. The hotel boasts a timeless bar, an intimate lounge space, two magnificent dining rooms, and a pastoral terrace with lighting. Vie opened its doors in 2004 as the first restaurant in Western Springs to sell alcoholic beverages since the repeal of Prohibition. Vie, which is just a few feet from from the Western Springs Metra station, attracts food-conscious customers from all around Chicago and the surrounding area. We look forward to seeing you, whether it's your first or twentieth time here at the hotel.

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  Elske

  1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

  Elske requires that all of our visitors and personnel wear a mask while on the premises. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, we urge that you stay at home. Please show consideration for our personnel and your fellow diners. Thank you for your understanding and support at this difficult time. We are looking forward to having you as our guest for dinner! Elske's private dining room was designed to be a welcoming, relaxed area where family and friends can come together to relax and enjoy delectable cuisine in Atlanta. Chefs David and Anna Posey's food is a fusion of soulful cooking with modern techniques and an open, wood-fired hearth, which they created at their home. A small or large gathering, dinner, or cocktails and snacks are all possible in this setting. For each of these events, we offer a package that is tailored to your needs.

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  Haymarket Pub & Brewery

  737 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661, USA

  • Spaces for 350-400 Guests
  • 1 Restaurant
  • 1 Bar
  • 1 Brewery

  Haymarket Pub & Brewery is a brewpub and event venue located at 737 W Randolph St in Chicago's Randolph Street corridor. The name pays tribute to Chicago's Haymarket Square — site of the 1886 Haymarket Affair, a labor demonstration that helped establish the eight-hour workday and inspired May Day observances around the world. That history informs the brewery's identity as a place for working people of all kinds, a welcoming spot to gather after a long day. The venue's private event space, The Haymarket Tavern, accommodates semi-private gatherings of up to 40 guests in a reserved section of the back bar and dining room, or full buyouts for groups of 100 or more — with complete venue buyouts available for up to 350 guests. The space comes equipped with two pool tables, two dart boards, seven flat-screen TVs, a 100-inch HD projector screen, and a full sound system. Haymarket's kitchen offers buffet packages, à la carte banquet options, and beverage packages, with food and beverage minimums that vary by date and season.

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  Bordeaux Lounge by Turquoise

  2147 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA

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