Black-owned businesses can be helpful, knowledgeable partners when it comes to planning a successful meeting or event in Chicago. From the venue to food and special services, consult one of our local experts.
Event venues and private dining
Host a meeting in the country’s first independent museum dedicated to the history of African and African American culture. Guests can explore over 15,000 photos, artworks, and artifacts at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Hyde Park. The historic collections make a fabulous backdrop for your event. Glimpse into the past by viewing exhibits like Freedom: Origin and Journey. Consult with the museum staff to customize your attendees’ experience.
At the Bronzeville Winery, dining and event spaces can accommodate from 60 to 300 guests. The restaurant, wine bar, and cultural space offers an innovative food menu featuring locally sourced produce, an extensive wine list, and a rotating gallery of local artists’ work. Book a private, seated dinner, or opt for a reception with passed appetizers. A stage and outdoor patio are among the amenities. Full-service catering is also offered.
Also in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Norman’s Bistro offers dining and indoor-outdoor space for up to 80 in the dining room and 70 on its patio. The welcoming restaurant offers a Cajun Creole-inspired menu with a focus on fresh ingredients. Specialties include gumbo, jerk chicken, and blackened catfish. Catering services are available for 15 to 300 guests.
While diners stop in for breakfast and lunch daily at Batter & Berries, the popular Lincoln Park restaurant can also be booked for private evening events. Bright florals decorate the interior, and local art is showcased. The restaurant menu — an array of waffle and French toast options, wraps, salads, poutine, and more — is available for catering.
Catering
Savor vegan cookies from Tubby’s Taste, based in the Garfield Park neighborhood. An assortment of Jamaican-inspired cookies contains no nuts, soy, or preservatives. Choices include mango-coconut, grapefruit-pineapple, and ginger-sweet molasses. Treat meeting attendees with cookies in gift boxes, or order individually packaged treats in bulk. The cookies can also be shipped.
Surprise your attendees with sweet and savory pies, quiches, tarts, and other tasty treats from Justice of the Pies in Avalon Park. Whole quiches, pot pies, and sandwiches can be arranged for your event. For dessert, order an assortment of the bakery’s pies — flavors include salted caramel-peach, sweet potato, bourbon-pecan, and bleu cheese-praline-pear. Justice of the Pies ships nationwide.
Nicole Jordan Catering provides professional serving staff for events and meetings of all sizes. Expect quality, flavor, and fresh ingredients in boxed lunches, as well as plated breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Menu options range from cheese and fresh fruit platters to passed small bites, wraps, savory main dishes, individual desserts, and much more. The caterer can satisfy all types of special dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Go with a Southern cuisine theme for one of your group’s meals by choosing Cajun Cafe Chicago as the caterer. Authentic fare is served for breakfast, in boxed lunches, on platters, and as items on a hot buffet for dinner. A sampling of menu items includes breakfast or lunch wraps, blackened chicken, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and Cajun shrimp and grits. Opt for pick-up, delivery, or a full-service executive set-up for meetings, corporate dining, and special events.
Services
Trust the professionals from The DJ Firm to keep things lively, engaging, and moving on time during your meeting or event. In addition to its team of DJs and event hosts, available talent includes the Off the Cuff band, solo instrumentalists, and string and jazz ensembles. Full audio and lighting are included for each engagement. Share your vision and get price estimates from the company’s customer service team.
Enlist Dominion Designs & Media to capture video and images of the most important moments at your meeting or event, from start to finish. Some of the services to consider include an event highlight video, live stream coverage, and still photography. Use the content for your social media feeds and future marketing efforts. A dedicated project manager will ensure the process runs smoothly.
Experienced and dependable chauffeurs transport passengers in Fellowship Fleet Limousine & Bus Company’s luxury vehicles. Depending on your transportation needs, reserve a motor coach, sedan, SUV, van, or limousine for meeting and event attendees. Services available include airport shuttles, charter trips, events, group outings, tours, and more. Schedule your transport with agents who are available 24 hours a day.
Tasteful ballon arrangements can take a starring role in your meeting or event decor. Specify your preferred colors in sophisticated garland designs offered by Limitless Balloon Design. Prices are based on the dimensions and scale of a project, whether it’s to welcome guests at an entry or to cover a wall inside a venue. Balloons with customized messages are available.
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