Meeting and event planners looking to create exceptional experiences for their attendees will want to consider partnering with some of Chicago’s leading Black-owned businesses. Choose from a roster of eclectic restaurants, unique venues, and exciting entertainment to ensure that your event is a memorable one.
Private dining and catering
Intimate private events are a specialty of 14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar, where the colorful decor and authentic eats will make some 70 attendees feel like they’re on a Caribbean island. Tasty tropical fare at this Hyde Park restaurant includes conch fritters, smoked chicken, jerk-spiced rice, and caramel rum cake. The biggest hit just might be the handcrafted cocktails. Rum is the star ingredient in many of them, including the Hyde Parker (mixed with white, dark, and spiced rums) and the Mermaid Bathwater, featuring dark and coconut rums.
For an adventurous dining experience, book Frontier in West Town. Favorites here are the house-smoked boar, brisket, and chicken, with sides like five-cheese mac and sweet potato soup. You can go big with the whole-animal experience featuring a choice of farm-raised pig, wild boar, or goat. A beer garden or the second-floor lounge can accommodate from 40 to 100 guests. Or opt for a full buyout that accommodates 350 people. Frontier also offers catering services.
In River North, Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley offers Southern comfort food with an upscale twist. Colorful murals, a curated playlist, and creative plating are hallmarks here. Create an event menu with classic staples such as shrimp and grits, fried catfish, jerk lamb chops, and fried chicken with waffles. Peach cobbler and banana pudding are sweet options to end the meal. Reserve the restaurant’s Asset Lounge, which can seat 42 for private dining.
Make a reservation at the cozy Majani Soulfood Vegan Cuisine, a South Shore restaurant full of character, boasting brick walls and a tin ceiling. Hearty, plant-based proteins such as beans, oyster mushrooms, and tofu create a base for many of the entrees, including black-eyed pea burgers, jerk tofu tacos, and a Sloppy Joe made with lentils. Side dishes burst with flavors like garlic, ginger, tahini, and habanero peppers. Majani accommodates from six to 16 people for private dining. Pickup or delivery catering services are offered for events of 10 to 50 people.
In trendy Logan Square, host an event at The Duplex for an always-evolving culinary experience. The restaurant partners with new chefs every six months, ensuring innovative, fresh menus for brunch and dinner. From starters and main courses to desserts and drinks, the attention to detail impresses. Opt for a prix fixe package for your private event of 12 to 100 people, or arrange for catering services at your location.
Hold a lively reception at Cantina Rosa, a stylish new Mexican cocktail bar in Hyde Park. Tequila and mezcal cocktails — including Rosa’s Paloma and the Paddle Cactus — get star billing on the extensive drink menu, but guests will also find wine, beer, and spirit-free options. Order small plates of grilled prawns, tamales, guacamole, empanadas, ceviche, and more. Cantina Rosa is helmed by award-winning chef Erick Williams and his team from nearby Virtue Restaurant & Bar.
Venues
Historic collections of photos, artworks, and artifacts at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center offer an impressive backdrop for your meeting or event. Guests are welcome to explore the Hyde Park venue that’s dedicated to African and African American culture. The museum’s staff can assist with determining the perfect space based on the size and needs of your event.
Book your event at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, a restored mid-century modern venue that celebrates the Black experience. The Austin neighborhood venue houses a 900-seat theatre, art gallery, and community gathering spaces. The KCA Theater accommodates 850 people, while 100 to 120 attendees are a perfect fit for the Allen House, Duveray Atrium, or The Obama Room.
Known for its Southern comfort food, Dawn is a Hyde Park restaurant that easily transforms into a flexible event space, with seating for up to 150. Dawn’s regular menu features items like chicken-and-waffle bites, fried green tomatoes, pot roast and jalapeño grits, and Louisiana gumbo. Event options include family-stye dining, a buffet, plated service, or passed appetizers for a reception. Bar service is also available.
The acclaimed Red Clay Dance Company performs works from the African diaspora as a form of activism at both its Red Clay Dance Center and on stages throughout the city. The dance company’s Woodlawn neighborhood center is also available for rental, from a 615-square-foot studio to a 1,150-square-foot space for receptions, corporate gatherings, and team building sessions. Consider adding a Dance Pamoja workshop so attendees can engage in warm-up exercises, dialogue, and movement to foster a connection with each other.
For over 52 years, the South Shore eta Creative Arts Foundation has offered art exhibits, community events, and plays that highlight the humanity of Black lives. Host an event in one of eta’s spaces, which include the theatre, gallery, and outdoor entertainment area. A classroom can accommodate 20. Larger groups with 99 people at tables, or 200 with chairs only, will be comfortable in the Gallery Cafe. Tables, chairs, and a kitchen for food prep are available.
Entertainment
Bring up to 600 guests to experience Buddy Guy’s Legends in the South Loop. The venue, owned by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Buddy Guy, serves up Chicago-style blues music and Cajun fare like Louisiana-style gumbo, catfish or shrimp po’boys, cornbread, and red beans and rice. Service can include passed appetizers and create-your-own buffets. Talk to Buddy Guy’s staff about entertainment options and reserving either a portion of the restaurant or the entire club.
Schedule your event to coordinate with one of the dynamic musical productions the Black Ensemble Theater is known for. The Uptown theatre group showcases the lives of famous Black artists and everyday people, with a focus on helping to eradicate racism. Group show discounts are offered for 10 or more attendees. Or ask about renting the entire facility for a 299-person event, complete with a stage and theatre seating.
Arrange for a private seated dinner or a reception with appetizers at the Bronzeville Winery, with the added bonus of an in-house music lineup. The restaurant, wine bar, and cultural space accommodates from 60 to 300 guests. Family-style dining and chef-attended stations are also available. Work with the staff to create a menu of items such as hot honey chicken and Creole salmon pappardelle paired with Bronzeville Winery wines.
Local historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas is your enthusiastic guide on a private excursion with his Chicago Mahogany Tours. Take a fascinating two-hour tour through diverse neighborhoods like Bronzeville, Englewood, Pilsen, and Pullman. Along the way, Thomas discusses the city’s storied culture and history. His popular TikToks about Chicago have been viewed over 20 million times. Thomas was named Choose Chicago’s 2022 Chicago Tourism Ambassador of the Year.
Lively professional DJs and hosts from The DJ Firm help ensure that your meeting or event keeps moving in an engaging fashion. Consult with the company’s customer service team to also book talented entertainers like the Off the Cuff band, solo instrumentalists, or string and jazz ensembles. Full audio and lighting services are included with each engagement.
Make a connection
Choose Chicago’s partners include many diverse businesses that provide valuable services for meeting and event planners. Contact us for vendor referrals for dining, catering, venues, entertainment, and more.
