Planning a dinner or cocktail party for 100 people or more? It’s easy to find the perfect private group dining space in Chicago. We’ve got eight great venue ideas, from a celebrity favorite Asian restaurant-nightclub to a Chicago sports-themed eatery, to get you started.
The Dalcy
The Dalcy is a sprawling private event hall located on the third floor of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ wildly popular Aba restaurant in the burgeoning Fulton Market. The Dalcy offers 6,000 square feet of rustic-elegant space that’s perfect for large group dining or cocktail parties, accommodating 300 seated guests or 550 for receptions. A big bonus is the access to a lovely plant-filled rooftop patio, featuring a 4,000-square-foot terrace with downtown skyline views and fire pits to warm up cool evenings.
Sunda Chicago
Sunda Chicago sets the scene for an adventurous evening with New Asian fare, craft cocktails, and sleek environs accented with red travertine marble and black bamboo. Family-style dining takes advantage of Sunda’s dishes that are perfect for group sharing, such as dim sum and sushi, with three- or four-course options offered. A variety of both semi-private and private dining spaces are available, accommodating up to 400 guests. And don’t forget cocktails — Sunda features an extensive selection of sake, with flights available for tasting.
TAO Chicago
Make your guests feel like celebrities at Insta-worthy TAO Chicago. The massive Asian-themed restaurant/nightclub features the same dramatic design as the original TAO locations in New York City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Housed in a huge historic building, TAO Chicago has multiple levels, creating dynamic spaces that feature murals, glowing lanterns, and TAO’s signature 16-foot-tall Quan Yin statue that towers over the dining room. The restaurant offers Pan-Asian dishes like dim sum, noodles, and sushi, along with colorful cocktails and sake. TAO Chicago offers a variety of unique private and semi-private event spaces for up to 300 seated guests or 1,000 for receptions.
Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch
Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch is located high above The Magnificent Mile inside Water Tower Place. Here, you can turn your private event into a winning sports history experience. Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch, combined with the Chicago Sports Museum, creates a 23,000-square-foot, high-energy event venue. Guests are welcome to wander through the interactive museum, which features Chicago sports memorabilia, skills challenges, and high-tech simulations. The entire venue can be rented for receptions of up to 1,200 guests, or for seated dinners accommodating 300 people. Individual private rooms are also available.
Carnivale
Inventive Latin fusion fare, creative cocktails, and colorful decor add up to a party like no other at Carnivale. Bold splashes of color, dynamic artwork, and festive Latin music are the perfect backdrop for Carnivale’s cuisine, which is influenced by the flavors of Central and South America, as well as Mexico. Meals can be served plated, family-style, or as a buffet. Carnivale has seven private dining rooms, with playful names like the Lambada Lounge and Samba Room, that can accommodate groups of up to 500. Or do a buyout of the entire restaurant and entertain up to 1,000 guests.
River Roast
River Roast is a lively gastropub known as much for its dramatic river views as it is for its contemporary American tavern fare. Sitting on the banks of the Chicago River, River Roast serves up meat (including whole pig and leg of lamb), fish, and veggies that are roasted and carved tableside. Its six private dining spaces can accommodate up to 450 for receptions and 330 for seated meals. Or do a total buyout for 1,200 guests and bring the party outdoors to the huge patio that offers panoramic city vistas.
RPM Events
RPM Events offers more than 6,000 square feet of event space within a dramatic four-level restaurant and events complex overlooking the Chicago River. The venue features both indoor and outdoor options with sweeping water and city views. The grand ballroom can be divided into three independent spaces, with access to the breezy outdoor terrace. Menus can mix and match signature dishes from the acclaimed RPM Seafood, RPM Steak, and RPM Italian restaurants. RPM Events can accommodate up to 425 guests.
Joy District
Throw a hip cocktail party or seated dinner at Joy District. This River North nightclub-restaurant hybrid offers two floors of event space, including private bars with DJ booths and mezzanines overlooking the action, that can accommodate up to 350 guests. Throw a party on the funky rooftop that features colorful murals emblazoned on the white brick walls, chic furniture, a customizable flower wall, and panoramic city views. Joy District also offers event activations like aerialist performances, custom lighting, and tequila-themed games that include Jenga and Connect Four.
