Chicago, Illinois is home to nearly 3 million people, making it one of the largest destinations in the United States. One of the greatest draws is the fantastic private events Chicago has available. With so many stellar venues, how could you pick the best venue for your event?
If you’re curious about the many amazing locations in Chicago, we’re here to help. Read on to learn about venue planning in the Windy City. We’ll also cover five great options for your next event.
Why Plan the Venue?
To begin, let’s look at why you should plan a venue. Isn’t it easier to tell people to meet somewhere and wing it? Doing so gives a fun air of spontaneity and keeps planning costs down.
However, there are many drawbacks to not organizing your event. One enormous downside is that large groups often can’t work spontaneously. If you’ve tried to walk into a restaurant with 30 or more people without a reservation, you’ve experienced this first-hand.
Another drawback is an underwhelming event. A spur-of-the-moment Chicago wedding is unlikely to have high attendance. There also may be issues getting things to run properly without proper preparation.
Winging it shouldn’t be an option. Here are three of the reasons you should plan for your Chicago venues.
Special Needs
One dominant reason for the need to plan is to accommodate any special needs. If you have people in your group with restrictions, planning is vital.
For example, if you’re seeking an event space but need handicapped accessibility, this may take some searching. You’ll need to parse out what sort of space you need and how many people need certain allowances for mobility.
If you’re having a private party that includes dinner services, you may need to follow dietary restrictions. Can the venue allow for vegetarian, vegan, paleo, or gluten-free diets? What about some allergies your group may have?
Address these problems during planning. Your event planner will need such information so they can research properly.
High Volume of Guests
Another reason is having a high volume of guests. There are countless Chicago venues that can fit your party, but not without planning.
Are you having a private dining event for hundreds of employees? What about a retirement party that has your entire company coming out?
Venues can’t accommodate a massive volume of guests at the drop of a hat. Seek an event space that can take your group without needing to force others out.
Important Occasions
Finally, you may seek a private venue for an important occasion. If you’re having a private event, you may not want others in the space. Strangers at a wedding or rabble-rousers at a professional work meeting are generally unwelcome.
You can get around such issues by booking a private party that only certain individuals are allowed to. Booking a space ahead of time can cut down on the many inconveniences of having others there that you didn’t invite.
Top 5 Venues in Chicago
With our reasons for planning understood, we can begin looking for a venue. Here are five of the venues in Chicago that may fit your desires.
1. City Winery Chicago
If you’re booking an adult event and want something sophisticated without feeling stuffy, the City Winery is one of the best destinations.
For a corporate outing, this venue speaks to professionalism while not shutting down fun. The hotspot serves as a winery, restaurant, bar, patio, music venue, and tasting room. With so many options, there are stellar places for any group.
As it’s a winery, we don’t recommend this location for a family outing that involves children. Anyone below the legal drinking age won’t be able to partake in the venue’s main attraction. As such, young children may serve as a nuisance as well as being bored or not entertained.
2. Zhou B. Art Center
Want something more focused on art and culture? A great place for any group is the Zhou B. Art Center.
Located in Bridgeport, the Zhou B. Art Center can transition into a venue for any need. Natural light makes professional photography a beauty in this location.
The Spirit Space will give you fantastic privacy, while the Group Dance space fits collaborative activities. Outside, the Life’s Garden koi pond gives a moment of peace and tranquility.
3. Museum of Science and Industry
Do you like museums but don’t prefer art? The Museum of Science and Industry fits your needs flawlessly.
Hosting your event here puts you in the only structure remaining from the 1893 World’s Fair. Unique to Chicago, this 400,000-square-foot venue gives you dozens of options for your event. Look into the MSI to see how best they can accommodate your group.
4. Adler Planetarium
Science is lovely, but what if your preference is solely astronomy? The Adler Planetarium in Museum Campus is a stellar pick for you.
The Skyline Solarium gives floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Michigan. Switching to the Grainger Skye Theater, you’ll find an immersive 360-degree sight. With a domed 36-foot ceiling, it’s as close to the stars as you can reach on Earth.
5. The Ivy Room
Closing our list is the Ivy Room, a venue fit for events of any style. The beautiful space deep in River North is best to change to your desires.
With multiple rooms to pick from that vary from lavish to intimate, any number of guests will fit. The decorations can be changed to suit your event regardless of the time of day or year. In-house catering also keeps you from needing to source third-party refreshments.
Scheduling Private Events Chicago Style
The many private events Chicago has available will fit any desire, size of group, or setting. Look into what venues best fit your needs so you know where to start your search. If none of our five suggestions please you, there are countless Chicago venues that may fit your desires better.
For more informative reads, be sure to browse the rest of our extensive site.
