The Top 30 Unique Chicago Event Venues for One-of-a-Kind Gatherings
If you’re planning an event, there’s no better place than Chicago. It’s home to hundreds of hotels and conference centers, a large international airport, great local transportation, and a whole lot of history. (Just don’t ask for ketchup on your Chicago hot dog.)
And for planners looking outside of the box, there are tons of unique Chicago event venues that deliver amazing experiences you couldn’t find anywhere else. The only problem with finding the right one is knowing where to start!
That’s why we rounded up 30 one-of-a-kind Chi-town event spaces that can quite literally get the party started.
Remember: If nothing catches your eye, be sure to check out our venue search to browse and compare hundreds more.
30 Unique Chicago Event Venues
1. The Ivy Room
Location: River North
Capacity: Up to 200
Great for: Weddings and large corporate events
Why we love it: Dreaming of a classic ballroom feel? Or a garden party under twinkling lights? Maybe a nightcap in a swanky lounge? Whichever vibe you’re going for, The Ivy Room is here to deliver. A sister space to the Dining Room at Tree Studios, the Ivy Room offers many unique spaces.
2. City Winery: Chicago
Location: West Loop
Capacity: 150 seated or 300 standing
Great for: Intimate dinners, concerts, weddings
Why we love it: Known for providing world-class “urban wine country” to the masses, City Winery: Chicago is a unique private venue. They’re the obvious front-runners in the wine-tasting department. City Winery also provides guests with access to their barrel room. They can also rock out in the concert venue, and explore a massive back patio for any and all event needs.
3. House of Blues: Chicago
Location: Marina City in the Loop
Capacity: Up to 1,800
Great for: Concerts, activity-based events
Why we love it: If name recognition alone doesn’t get you jazzed on this space, then read on. Part of the Live Nation family, this renowned music venue is more than capable of hosting a variety of events. It gives planners tons of flexibility — from the menu to the music. Choose from a variety of semi-private rooms or rent the entire House of Blues for a large party.
4. Chicago Sports Museum
Location: Magnificent Mile in River North
Capacity: 700 standing or 250 seated
Great for: Fun corporate events
Why we love it: Want to relive the hardcourt magic of MJ? Take a virtual swing in Wrigley Field? The Chicago Sports Museum is a fantastic option. This event space offers an unmatched amount of interactivity and fun, making it an especially unique choice amongst corporate event venues.
5. LondonHouse: Chicago
Location: North Loop on the Riverwalk
Capacity: Up to 350
Great for: Weddings, social events, and corporate meetings
Why we love it: You’ll be sure to leave with a distinct Euro-feel after an event at the LondonHouse. It’s known for being the only in Chicago with a three-level rooftop space. With four private dining spaces and ten meeting rooms in total, London House offers 25,000 square feet of unparalleled event space. Plus, their onsite event team will equip your meeting with top-notch catering and cutting-edge AV.
6. The Thompson Chicago
Location: Gold Coast
Capacity: 200 guests
Great for: Corporate meetings, weddings
Why we love it: The plush environment of the Thompson Chicago makes for an unforgettable event setting. Slick British design meets warm American accents — all combined with incredible views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Choose from 12,000 total square feet of event space suited for banquets, meetings, weddings, and more.
7. Thalia Hall
Location: Lower West Side
Capacity: 240 seated or 800 standing
Great for: Performances, holiday parties, galas, weddings
Why we love it: Looking for a beer cellar? Food hall? Tack room? Grand ballroom with a twist? Thalia Hall is the on-point joint. Attendees will enjoy the best food and booze the city has to offer. All while spending time at the historic hangout they know and love.
8. The Underground Chicago
Location: River North
Capacity: 450 guests
Great for: Corporate buyouts, holiday parties, birthday parties
Why we love it: Popular among club-goers in Chicago, Underground Chicago offers much more than strobe lights and bottle service. Turn the lights up a bit and enjoy this beautiful venue for your next event. The most transformative space in the River North area, the Underground has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
9. The Zhou B Art Center
Location: Bridgeport
Capacity: Up to 1,000 standing
Great for: Weddings, cocktail parties, corporate events
Why we love it: One of the top art centers in the city, the Zhou B Art Center is always up for accommodating. Runway fashion shows? Got it. Lavish cocktail parties? Not a problem. Fans of natural light and world-class artwork will find it a dream to work with this 28,000 sq. ft. venue.
10. Untitled Supper Club
Location: River North
Capacity: Up to 150
Great for: Private dining, corporate events, business meetings, weddings
Why we love it: The name does this space justice. There’s an unmatched mystique about Untitled Supper Club that keeps locals and visitors alike crawling back for more. Maybe it’s the extensive whiskey library (500 varieties!) or “backstage” seating area that gives this place the gusto behind its one-of-a-kind events.
11. Loyola University
Location: Rogers Park & Gold Coast
Capacity: Up to 260
Great for: Business meetings, multi-day conferences
Why we love it: Loyola has two campuses with many different buildings and outdoor areas. The Lake Shore campus adjacent to Lake Michigan offers some of the most beautiful views in the region, and the Water Tower Campus is located in center city, conveniently close to all of the best attractions.
Its full-service facilities offer everything the city’s best spaces do and more! Catering and on-site dining establishments, overnight accommodations for up to 1,500 people, meeting spaces that take up to 700, and state-of-the-art AV technology.
12. Navy Pier
Location: Streeterville
Capacity: More than 1,500
Great for: Almost anything!
Why we love it: With over 8 million visitors a year, Navy Pier is an attraction in its own right. Where it really shines, though, is as an event space. It has diverse spaces, such as Festival Hall, a massive convention space, and the Aon Grand Ballroom. It also has the Lakeview Terrace, the Rooftop Terrace, and 36 total meeting rooms, the venue can take on just about anything — including the catering.
13. Office Evolution
Location: O’Hare
Capacity: Up to 18
Great for: Meetings with out-of-towners
Why we love it: Office Evolution is especially great for business conferences and trainings, as well as expositions and competitions. The location is incredibly close to the airport, making it easy for travelers to attend. With multiple conference rooms and a larger meeting room — all equipped with LCD projectors and screens whiteboards, flip-chart easels, and ergonomic chairs — you’ll have everything you need for a successful meeting.
14. The University of Chicago
Location: Hyde Park
Capacity: Up to 475 (theater style) or 250 (reception style)
Great for: Multi-day corporate and youth group events
Why we love it: The University of Chicago isn’t just a hub for the world’s best and brightest. It’s also an event space that celebrates Chicago’s history and architecture. Offering housing for up to 3,600 guests and over 50 meeting and event rooms, the school is the perfect meeting space for large companies, youth groups, and more. Most events take place in Ida Noyes Hall, which features eight spaces.
15. The Museum of Science & Industry
Location: Jackson Park
Capacity: Up to 12,000 standing
Great for: Interactive corporate events, award dinners, conferences and more
Why we love it: The Museum of Science and Industry combines education, science, and history with incredible event space. The museum is located right by Lake Michigan and was opened to the public in 1933. It can cater to smaller groups and features on-site catering and décor. Who wouldn’t want to mingle beneath a 747 plane, dine in a garden, or attend a wedding beneath a giant rotunda next to a classic train?
16. Morgan’s on Fulton
Location: Fulton Market
Capacity: 165 guests
Great for: Cocktail parties, wedding ceremonies, receptions, corporate parties
Why we love it: Morgan’s on Fulton has you covered for any type of event. Boasting a 6,000-square-foot rooftop, gorgeous gallery, and the Suite C indoor space, you’ll find many amenities here. You can expect are a 1,500-square-foot penthouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, full interior & exterior bars, perimeter gardens, and private cabana areas — just to name a few.
17. Greenhouse Loft
Location: Logan Square
Capacity: 175 seated or 225 cocktail style
Great for: Weddings, fundraisers, corporate meetings
Why we love it: The beautiful Greenhouse Loft offers over 3,000 square feet of fully customizable event space. It boasts some of the most incredible natural light any building in the city has to offer. It’s drop-dead gorgeous, designed with an eye for photography. It also is Chicago’s most sustainable wedding venue — so it should be no surprise that it’s also one of the most popular.
18. Revel Fulton Market
Location: Fulton Market
Capacity: 10,000 standing or 850 seated
Great for: Weddings, galaces, performances and corporate events
Why we love it: If you’re looking for an on-trend, unique Chicago event venue that still speaks to history, Revel Fulton Market fits the bill. Nestled in Chicago’s former meatpacking district, the urban-chic warehouse house is incredibly flexible. It features an easily-transformable large room with adjoining spaces in the city’s hottest neighborhood.
19. Offsite Chicago
Location: West Loop
Capacity: 100 attendees
Great for: Board meetings, trainings, and other meetings
Why we love it: A premier Chicago corporate venue, Offsite Chicago is an all-inclusive space. It offers ample possibilities for brainstorm sessions and board meetings in an inspiring and creative space. Their team radically simplifies the rental process, giving you the option to choose between the Main Room and the Mezzanine.
20. Space 1858
Location: West Town
Capacity: 50-60 seated or 85-100 standing
Great for: Showers, weddings, birthday parties, art shows
Why we love it: With its chic, loft-style interior, Space 1858 is a beautiful space to hold an intimate gathering. You can rent the space for 6-8 hours, including some helpful features. It includes a set of 17 tables, white folding chairs, use of the kitchen area and sound system, and dependable Wi-Fi.
21. Ovation
Location: Near West Side
Capacity: 200 seated or 250 standing
Great for: Music-themed events, parties, weddings,
Why we love it: Ovation transforms daily. During the week, it’s a creative and collaborative workspace that’s home to more than 30 artists, musicians, and DJs. But on the weekend, it becomes a blank canvas for any soirée. Amenities include DJ services, a custom photo booth, wood dining tables, a sound system, coat check, and much more.
22. Catalyst Ranch
Location: West Loop
Capacity: 325 standing or 210 seated
Great for: Spunky weddings, creative meetings
Why we love it: Catalyst Ranch creates unique event experiences through globally-inspired decor that’s both retro and modern all at once. It’s a favorite on Off-Beat Bride, and it’s also won “Best Chicago Conference Venue” and “Best Venue for Small Meetings” thanks to its versatility and tireless special events teams. The all-inclusive pricing leaves no surprises while the creative flair makes it a “catalyst” for amazing gatherings.
23. Venue 1420
Location: South Loop
Capacity: 250 standing or 150 seated
Great for: Corporate events, parties, weddings and experiential events
Why we love it: Venue 1420 understands that “Life is about connection. Connections begin with experience!” Located on world-renowned Michigan Avenue, this unique Chicago event space can accommodate experiences from meetings and weddings to full-fledged fashion shows.
24. Moonlight Studios
Location: West Loop
Capacity: Up to 500
Great for: Social gatherings, corporate events, and weddings
Why we love it: A repurposed factory, Moonlight Studios is 15,000+ square feet of industrial-chic space that transforms into one of the most elegant, lively event centers in Chicago. The modern, neutral tones along with the lighting and dining tables make it a beautiful, blank canvas that’s just begging for gatherings.
25. Savage Smyth
Location: River North
Great for: Fundraisers, creative events
Why we love it: With a jaw-dropping rooftop and an eclectic indoor space, Savage Smyth is colorful, curated, and nothing short of immaculate. Labeled “a unique space for innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations,” the space caters to experiences that stick with attendees long after the event is over. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with the floor-to-ceiling steel entry doors, breathtaking city backdrop, and bounty of other amazing features.
26. Ravenswood Event Center
Location: Ravenswood
Capacity: Up to 400
Great for: Weddings, corporate events, and parties
Why we love it: going for an industrial look? The industrial urban loft that is Ravenswood Event Center might fit the bill. There are multiple event spaces, ranging from $3,500 to $8,000 for the day, depending on the date and room. Choose the atrium and loft event space for natural lighting, or go for the showroom for a larger space with a completely different, out-of-the-box vibe.
27. Museum of Contemporary Art
Location: River Noth
Capacity: Up to 1,000
Great for: Corporate and non-profit events, weddings, showers, and parties
Why we love it: The unmatched view of Lake Michigan pairs with some of the most important contemporary art of our time at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The terrace, atrium, and sculpture garden call out to summer wedding receptions, baby and bridal showers, and engagement parties.
28. The Wit Hotel
Location: North Loop on the Riverwalk
Capacity: Up to 350
Great for: Corporate meetings, parties, social events, weddings
Why we love it: Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s arts and shopping district lies incredible views, one-of-a-kind design, and catering for even the most discerning of tastebuds. Of the multitude of available event spaces, the 27th-floor rooftop lounge of the Wit Hotel especially stands out and is open year-round. How do they do it with Chicago’s brutal winter cold snaps? It’s all thanks to a modern design featuring a retractable roof.
29. Union Station
Location: West Loop
Capacity: 1,500 seated or 2,500 standing
Great for: Large weddings and corporate events
Looking for something on the larger end of our list of unique Chicago event venues? At Union Station, guests can enjoy a collection of newly-renovated event spaces that house a piece of Chicago history. Choose from the Burlington Room, Pennsylvania Room, Adams Terrace, or the Founders Room. Based on the size and feel you want for your wedding or corporate event, this has it all.
30. Guaranteed Rate Field
Location: Wentworth Gardens
Capacity: From 5 to 5,000+
Great for: Sports events, performances
Why we love it: You might still call it Comiskey Park or The Cell, but today the Home of the White Sox is called Guaranteed Rate Field. This ballpark offers a choice of six event spaces of all sizes. Executive Chef Troy Tornabeni will whip up a mouthwatering, personalized menu for any event to help you really knock it out of the park. (Cubs fans, don’t be upset — if Wrigley could be rented, we would have included it, too!)
Wondering about a destination other than the Windy City? Check out our lists for other event cities known for amazing venues.