Are you looking for a space to host your corporate employee appreciation event or social gathering? You can easily find event spaces in Chicago that bring your vision to life!
Whether you want to dazzle the masses with an extraordinary venue or plan an intimate meeting with favored clients, you can cement your business in your guests' minds with the right space. We've compiled our featured exclusive venues across the Chicago area that are sure to impress employees, clients and guests.
Small, Elegant Event Venues in Downtown Chicago
Smaller, private events can be just as profound as large gatherings. Here are some top choices for hosting events with under 250 guests:
1. Chicago Cultural Center
Amaze your colleagues and guests by hosting your event in the city's official venue! Featuring stained-glass domes, art exhibitions, sparking mosaics, theater events and lectures, the Chicago Cultural Center can create a business atmosphere or cozy social ambience.
This venue also offers impressive views of Millennium Park, highlighted by soaring walls and coffered ceilings that will dazzle your guests with natural light. You can host anywhere from 80 to 360 seated guests, 500 guests theater-style or up to 700 standing guests.
2. Chicago History Museum
Host the event or celebration of the year at the Chicago History Museum. This venue is great for hosting intimate gatherings and large events. Choose from an outdoor plaza, theater and several rooms filled with Georgian-style architecture. The Chicago History Museum is the perfect venue for connecting your guests with the city's history and offers stunning views of the gardens at Lincoln Park. Host an event with as few as 10 guests or up to 1,500 guests.
Iconic Large Event Spaces in Chicago
Venue capacity is a top consideration when looking for an event location. A too-small space can hinder socializing and networking opportunities. If you're expecting a larger crowd at your upcoming event, here are some of the best venues for corporate events in Chicago:
1. Field Museum
The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, making it an unforgettable venue for your event. Allow your guests to indulge in discovery as they explore the spacious hall filled with ancient artifacts, dinosaur fossils and stunning skylights.
The Field Museum offers more intimate atrium and theater spaces to accommodate smaller parties and spacious terraces, garden spaces and halls for larger events. This historic venue with one-of-a-kind views can comfortably seat 250 guests or up to 4,500 reception-style.
2. The Old Post Office
Delight your colleagues and guests by hosting your event in a repurposed post office! The Old Chicago Main Post Office is located in downtown Chicago, central to the business community. It used to be the world's largest post office but was renovated into a multi-use space for a variety of events.
The Old Post Office features various spaces, including a two-story historic lobby, conference center, telegram lounge, penthouse and library. This venue is also home to the largest urban rooftop in Chicago, where your guests will be immersed in downtown views. Seat anywhere from 150 to 800 guests or comfortably host up to 1,400 guests reception-style.
3. Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a beloved location in the heart of Chicago Loop. The SAIC Ballroom is the ideal place to host your event if you're searching for a spacious venue with masterful architectural design. The Ballroom features marble columns, high ceilings, stained glass windows and baroque opera balconies.
You can also access an elevated stage and customized audiovisual system for your event needs. Seat up to 300 guests, or host up to 600 guests reception-style.
Contemporary and Sophisticated Corporate Event Spaces
Finding the right venue for your event includes selecting a space that fits your agenda and brand. Whether you're hosting an annual gala, conference, product launch, shareholder meeting or networking event, it's important to choose a sophisticated event space in Chicago that reflects your organization's culture and values.
1. Venue SIX10
Looking for a venue that offers modern sophistication with historic views and exceptional hospitality? Venue SIX10 is an innovative location for your corporate or social event, offering over 50,000 square feet of space. From private seminars and workshops to elegant galas and fundraisers, this environmentally friendly space makes it easy to create a memorable event.
You can use any of their spaces independently or in combination, including their open-concept hall, outdoor terrace gallery and midsize theater. Seat anywhere from 60 to 350 guests or up to 500 guests reception-style.
2. The Geraghty
The Geraghty is one of the city's most expansive and customizable venues. This innovative space can be designed to bring any event vision to life, including conferences, product launches, fundraisers and seated dinners.
Delight your guests with stunning LED displays, high-end lounge furniture, custom chandeliers and a VIP green room. The Geraghty can host larger standing groups of about 1,500 or seated layouts of up to 1,000 guests.
Supremely Unique Event Spaces in Chicago
Are you scouting for an unconventional venue to make a lasting positive impression on employees and guests? Take your event to the next level with one of these awe-inspiring venues!
1. Adler Planetarium
Escape to the stars when you host an event at the Adler Planetarium. This venue is one of Chicago's most popular museums. Its status as a cultural landmark and picturesque views of the Chicago skyline make it the perfect location for your event.
Your colleagues and guests will be transformed into curious stargazers as they get to learn about space science, planets and cosmic happenings. Take advantage of this unique venue to host an out-of-this-world event! The Adler Planetarium's flexible spaces can seat anywhere from 50 to 370 guests or up to 1,200 guests reception-style.
2. Theater on the Lake
Change things up for your guests by taking them from the hustle and bustle of the city to peaceful lake views for your event. The Theater on the Lake is a restored 1920s prairie-style building that's open year-round for all types of events, including corporate meetings and social galas. This lakefront property also has an upscale tavern restaurant on-site.
This fully enclosed venue features open sightlines, giving your guests a clear, unobstructed view of the skyline above Lake Michigan. Theater on the Lake offers flexible space for groups of 25 to 1,500 guests.
Urban and Stylish Event Spaces in Chicago
Are you planning a high-end corporate event in Chicago and need an elegant space? Here are our top choices for polished, functional venues that will allow your impactful strategies to speak for themselves!
1. Mae District
If you're looking for a spacious yet contemporary location to host your social, corporate or private event, check out the Mae District. This two-story venue captures Chicago's classic beauty and charm while highlighting the city's stylish, innovative updates.
Mae District features soaring windows and skylights, restored herringbone flooring, tree-lined terraces and original steel beams. Host an event with professionalism and comfort at Mae District, where you can seat about 200 guests seated or reception-style.
2. Morgan Manufacturing
With over 32,000 square feet of space for private functions, conferences and product launches, Morgan Manufacturing offers a beautiful atmosphere for your event. This renovated historic building features a combination of industrial elegance, tall ceilings, glass, exposed concrete and abundant natural light.
Your corporate colleagues or guests can overlook sprawling Chicago skyline views from multiple levels. You can host your event in three different spaces, which can fit between 200 and 800 guests reception-style or up to 500 seated guests.
Bring Your Event to Life With Chicago's Top Caterer!
Planning a successful event can help you boost employee morale and enhance company culture. At Food For Thought, our team works closely with these best-in-class venues to provide you with unforgettable corporate events and experiences.
As Chicago's leading catering and food service, Food For Thought offers full-service catering and food delivery services to make your event as seamless as possible. Search for the best event spaces in Chicago with our online venue tool, or contact our team to learn how we can meet your catering needs!
