9 New Venues in Chicago for Summer 2022 Meetings and Events

In late April, Convene debuted 90,000 square feet of dedicated event space on the third floor of the Chicago Loop’s Willis Tower, a 108-story skyscraper. It’s the hospitality company’s largest space yet, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor terraces, and a bright, airy atmosphere notable for its neutral color palette, pops of live greenery, and clean lines. There’s no shortage of places to gather, from the 8,019-square-foot Hall (which can be divided into the North and the South Hall) for 646 in a theater setup, 400 in rounds, or 351 classroom style; and the 4,348-square-foot Forum (which can be divided into the North and the South Forum) for 372, 240, or 189 in theater-, rounds-, or classroom-style seating arrangements, respectively. Hosting an intimate meeting? Consider the 482-square-foot Miller Boardroom or 364-square-foot Olmstead Boardroom, which can each accommodate up to 12. There’s also two studios and four gallery rooms, ranging from 500-7,600 square feet. Premium, standard, and basic pricing packages are available, which start at $149. Full buyouts will run planners $100,000 per day for up to 2,000 attendees.

Hit a hole-in-one and book a gathering at Five Iron Golf’s newest location in The Loop. The urban golf simulation and event destination opened in December and boasts a total of 11,000 square feet of space, with a maximum capacity of 99 for full venue buyouts. All-inclusive event packages range anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 depending on the event’s size and duration. Get competitive with friends or coworkers using Five Iron Golf’s 11 simulators. Upon request, gatherings can also come with a dedicated 5i golf expert, plus food and beverage of the planners’ choice. When not aiming to hit par, kick back in the industrial-style space, outfitted with lounge seating, a subway-tile-backed bar, and a variety of table games.

The 146-room Park Hyatt Chicago, a luxury destination just steps away from the famed Michigan Avenue, reopens on July 1 after a transformation of key spaces, including guest rooms, the lobby, and the hotel's F&B program. After the $60 million renovation, Park Hyatt Chicago’s color palette will draw on inspiration from the neighboring Water Tower Park, including in its curated art collection as well as the 146 rooms and 36 luxury suites. At the helm of decor is acclaimed local design firm Anderson/Miller Ltd., which opted for a look that incorporates organic materials and accents of greenery. The 70-story property also boasts 5,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and event space, including private dining and breakout rooms in the on-site dining concepts, NoMI Kitchen, Lounge, and the alfresco NoMI Garden, which span anywhere from 350-500 square feet and offer modern American cuisine rooted in French techniques. The flexible Grand Salon Ballroom (pictured) is 2,870 square feet, can be divided into four, and has space to host up to 180 guests for a banquet or 250 for a reception or in theater-style seating. There’s also the 1,092-square-foot Drawing Room, a 2,800-square-foot pre-function space, or the more intimate 441-square-foot Sullivan Executive Boardroom for receptions of 80, 200, or 20, respectively.

Upon its opening on June 25, WHIM leveled up what it means to be an “immersive cocktail experience” with a one-of-a-kind, 3,500-square-foot space that’s part interactive theater, part bar. Helmed by local nonprofit performance facility Stage 773, WHIM is located in the theater’s lobby, which spans 2,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 100 seated or 200 standing guests for a private event. Want more whimsy? Host your gathering in the Enchanted Forest room (pictured), a 1,000-square-foot, eclectic space where all art forms come together—from paintings and music to sculpture, street art, live performance, and more. Here, 65 seated or 100 standing guests can also come together to enjoy a cocktail off of WHIM’s playful menu. Consider the Chain Smoker, a blend of tequila, mezcal, and agave topped with cherry wood smoke and orange zest, or the Fluffy Punch, made with rum, pineapple juice, lemon lime soda, and housemade raspberry syrup, garnished with cotton candy. Reservations can range from fewer than 10 to full venue buyouts for 300 standing guests, with pricing ranging from $5,000-$50,000 depending on bar, AV, and live performance add-ons.

Robert et Fils welcomed guests to experience its indoor, upscale French dining experience in December. Located in North Center, owner and chef Rob Shaner serves up an ever-changing sampling menu based on what’s fresh and available at the local farmer’s market. Expect entrees and plates such as hiramasa crudo with strawberries and extra virgin olive oil, Parisian gnocchi made with pistachio milk, a selection of le fromage—cheese—and more. Spanning 350 square feet, Robert et Fils is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner party of up to 34 guests. Through the summer, full venue buyouts are also available for corporate or private events of up to 50 with access to an outdoor patio. Decor highlights include muted tones, rich textures, and soft lighting to bring chef Shaner’s vision of a space reminiscent of an “exclusive dinner party with a strong sense of inclusiveness and home” to life. Event pricing starts at $150 per guest, and a 20% down payment is required upon booking.

At the end of 2021, the 47-year-old Steppenwolf Theatre Company debuted the highly anticipated Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Arts and Education Center, which welcomed the public for the first time on April 28 with an adaptation of Seagull. The 50,000-square-foot theater—which was designed by world-renowned architect Gordon Fill of locally based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture—has a 4,040-square-foot main floor and a 6,914-square-foot balcony for up to 460 total guests. For planners looking for smaller spaces, consider the 1,905-square-foot 1700 Theater for up to 88; the 2,253-square-foot Front Bar, which can host up to 99; or the 660-square-foot Reflection Gallery located in The Loft for 33. There’s also an on-site wine bar and tap house, as well as a new upstairs bar (pictured), studio, lab, and garage spaces designed by Chicago-based fcSTUDIO, inc. An in-house food and beverage team can accommodate basic event needs and will assist in bringing in outside caterers for larger events. Inquire within for pricing.

LÝRA is an upscale Greek restaurant that brought the spirit of the Greek islands to Chicago’s West Loop in January. The space is decorated in neutral tones and mixed materials (think: oak floors, rattan lighting, and leather banquettes), and spans a total of 8,000 square feet. The main dining room can seat up to 100 or accommodate up to 500 for a standing reception, and private dining areas include the Kava Room for 36 seated or 50 standing, and the Villa Room for up to 52 seated and 75 standing. The menu is rooted in the Greek ethos of wellness and offers such dishes as slow-roasted lamb gyros, cast iron moussaka, and more. Or, pick from the daily fresh seafood selection where whole fishes are wood grilled and served tableside with saffron ladolemono and charred lemon.

On April 20, “selfie venue,” museum, and dedicated event space Mommie Experience debuted in Flossmoor, about 45 minutes outside of Chicago. The 2,656-square-foot space features 12 areas, each 10-by-8 feet and themed after motherhood, featuring “MOM” in marquee lettering, a photo op designed to look like a Barbie box, a room decked out in pregnant belly casts, and more. The free-flowing, designated party area spans 2,000 square feet for up to 100 guests. Pricing for a four-hour, full venue buyout starts at $1,800, and planners are encouraged to consider event add-ons, including helium balloon bouquets as favors, a microphone for live entertainment, bar service, and more. Food must be catered from an outside vendor, and an on-site event team is available to assist.

Eric Williams, the owner of The Silver Room in Hyde Park—a boutique shop supporting local designers and vendors—opened Bronzeville Winery in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood in April. The 2,500-square-foot, mixed-use space shares the same sentiment as Williams’ boutique, emphasizing the importance of community with a custom wine wall highlighting bottles from Black-owned wineries and showcasing artwork by local artists. Floor-to-ceiling windows shower the space in sunlight, and locally based architecture studio Future Firm incorporated nest-like chandeliers, custom black powder-coated metalwork, and microgreen plantings into the decor. Corporate events, community talks, weddings, or celebrations for up to 300 standing guests can be held in the winery’s private event space on Mondays and Tuesdays. On-site food offerings range from passed appetizers for a cocktail reception of 200, to chef-attended stations, and plated, family style dinners that can accommodate 150 in a formal dining seating arrangement. Looking for a vinous accompaniment? The bar will be stocked with local, small-batch beer and wine, and will feature a selection of curated cocktails. Event pricing ranges from $2,500-$6,000 with add-ons such as AV system use, valet parking, and access to the scotch and cigar lounge or sommelier tasting station.