Infuse your next meeting or event with quintessential Chicago style. Whether it’s a private architecture cruise on the Chicago River, ordering delicious deep dish pizza for a casual dinner, or hosting an event at a lively blues club, there are plenty of ways for planners to wow attendees with unique Chicago experiences they won’t find anywhere else.
Venues
Attendees will learn about the history of the city and see some of its most significant structures on a Chicago Architecture Center tour. Expert docents share fascinating facts about the city’s landmarks on more than 85 different tours. Tour destinations may include downtown skyscrapers, the Helmut Jahn-designed Mansueto Library at The University of Chicago, groundbreaking buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and many others. One of the most popular tours is the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady, which glides past spectacular architectural gems that line the Chicago River.
Combine a business meeting with the all-American sport of baseball at historic Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The largest meeting room at the stadium can hold up to 200 standing or 150 seated, or there’s space to accommodate 3,000 for a reception. Or buy out the Wrigley Field campus for a gathering of up to 40,000 people. Explore the event possibilities at adjacent Gallagher Way, an open-air space for holding concerts, film screenings, and more.
Get creative when considering the diverse spaces available at Millennium Park, Chicago’s outdoor cultural oasis. Choose the architecturally stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage for a reception with 250 people, the Choral Rehearsal Room for a meeting of 200, or a banquet on the Terrace accommodating 1,200. As a bonus, add a tour of Millennium Park and its gorgeous Lurie Garden that’s offered by the Chicago Cultural Center’s Greeter service.
Impress guests with panoramic city views aboard a City Experiences dining cruise on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. Opt for a brunch or sunset cruise, a wine-and-dine event, or customize your own package. Three-course plated meals, buffets, and cocktail receptions are among the options. Book a private deck, a section of tables, or one of three meeting rooms. The largest room accommodates 250 standing or 208 seated. Or do a full buyout of the vessel for an event with up to 749 people.
Dining and catering
Guests will need a knife and fork to dig into the hearty deep dish pie from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Gooey-good mozzarella cheese and toppings like pepperoni are slathered with a Roma tomato sauce and nestled in a flaky crust. Round out the casual menu with the Malnati salad, bowtie pasta tossed with Lou’s sausage, and a chocolate chip cookie baked in a deep dish pan. Buy out the Gold Coast restaurant for 300 people, or book semi-private spaces at the River North and West Loop locations. Catering is also available.
Plan a lunch or dinner meeting with private dining at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, an early-1900s landmark located close to McCormick Place. The Mayor’s Room, Veranda, Patio, and the Parlor Room can accommodate from 25 to 140 people. A full restaurant buyout seats 275 or hosts 450 for a reception. Menu items range from passed appetizers like baked brie tartlets to lobster bisque, pan-roasted salmon, grilled sirloin steak, and chocolate blackout cake. The Blue Room, the restaurant’s Prohibition Era-style basement speakeasy, can be reserved for an intimate dinner of up to 16 or a reception for 40.
Up to 70 guests can sample some of the city’s best Chicago-style barbecue at Lexington Betty Smokehouse. The Pullman restaurant is helmed by chef Dominique Leach, who won Food Network’s BBQ Brawl and was named Master of ‘Cue. Menu options include beef brisket, smoked chicken, and pulled pork, with sides like mac ’n’ cheese, baked beans, and candy yams. Off-site catering services include Betty Boxes for corporate lunches and the Betty Food Truck, which can pull up to your event site.
Dine at The Berghoff, a family-owned Chicago icon that’s operated in the downtown Loop for over 125 years. The German American restaurant can host private gatherings ranging from 20 for a seated dinner to 140 for a reception. Guests will savor appetizers like potato pancakes drizzled with fig marmalade and topped with bacon, entrees that include wiener schnitzel and a game sausage plate, and traditional German desserts like apple strudel and Black Forest cake. Berghoff’s own root beer, served here during Prohibition, still appears on the menu.
Gifts
Gift your attendees with gourmet popcorn made fresh daily by Garrett Popcorn Shops. The company’s first hot-air popped flavors, including caramel and cheese, debuted in 1949 and are still popular today. Check for new flavors and seasonal options. Tins of popcorn can be customized with company logos on custom lids, and event bags can be emblazoned with your message or branding. Garrett’s also offers gift boxes of Frango chocolates, beloved by Chicagoans for over 100 years.
Put your logo or message on Chicago-style merchandise customized by CHICAGOMIDWESTMADE. Explore options for T-shirts, beanies, hoodies, and jackets from brands like Champion, Dickies, and Hanes. Screen-printing and embroidery are also offered. Check out the many choices at CHICAGOMIDWESTMADE’s store in the Pilsen neighborhood or view their website.
Customized gift baskets filled with treats and trinkets from BasketWorks create a lasting impression. Especially popular are Chicago-themed baskets that can include Wrigley gum, Windy City snack mixes, and items featuring city sports teams like the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. Personalize the baskets with your event’s colors and logos.
Here Here Market champions Chicago’s culinary artisans, makers, and creators by promoting their specialty products via an online marketplace. Treat your attendees to the Chicago Fans baskets filled with tasty items like Caruso Provisions’ Hot Giardiniera, Monteverde Gnocchetti Pasta, Wazwan Sesame Tomatillo Achar, Gibsons Blackened Seasoning, and dozens of other choices.
Entertainment
The Second City, Chicago’s famed improv comedy club, offers corporate learning, marketing, and brand development exercises. Whether you take meeting attendees to one of The Second City’s comedy shows or enlist the troupe for an interactive coaching program, it’s a guaranteed entertaining experience.
Legendary Chicago blues music venue Buddy Guy’s Legends checks all the boxes for a fun event. The club can accommodate from 30 to 600 guests for lunch or dinner. Cajun fare like Louisiana-style gumbo, crawfish étouffée, cornbread, and red beans and rice is on the menu. Service can include passed appetizers and create-your-own buffets. See top-notch musicians that regularly headline at the club, or ask the knowledgeable Buddy Guy’s staff for suggestions on entertainment for a private event.
Planners can purchase tickets for their group to attend one of the award-winning shows presented by Broadway In Chicago. Or host a meeting or event in one of their historic downtown theatres. Full- and half-day rentals are offered at five theatres — Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, Cadillac Palace Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, CIBC Theatre, and the Auditorium Theatre.
Amp up the energy of your gathering with talented Chicago professionals from The DJ Firm. DJs and hosts will keep your event lively, engaging, and moving on time. The Off the Cuff band, solo instrumentalists, and string and jazz ensembles can also be booked. Full audio and lighting are included with each engagement. The DJ Firm’s customer service team is at the ready to help planners with all the details.
