2016-12-24 02:09:13
CHICAGO SPORTS MUSEUM As a planner, you are looking for a venue or hotel that’s the right fit for your special event. Whether the goal is to host an intimate board of directors reception and dinner, create an opening or closing night wow reception for a few hundred or thousands of guests, or treat your staff to a fun, casual outing before the meeting kicks into high gear, Chicago promises its own brand of inspiration. GAME TIME Built in 1914, the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field is being restored and expanded to offer new luxury suites, premier club spaces and group terraces. A nearby development will have an open-air plaza, 175-room hotel and building to house Cubs offices, a conference center and retail shops. The Hotel Zachary boutique lifestyle hotel will offer an authentic neighborhood experience. Expect restaurants from four well-known Chicago groups, including a two-story restaurant and cocktail bar. The recently renamed Guaranteed Rate Field, playground of the Chicago White Sox, welcomes groups with Pre-game patio parties, suites, conference space and more. Home of the Chicago Bears and a winning array of meeting and event space for 20 to 10,000, Soldier Field recently introduced The Midway, an enclosed 14,000-square-foot event space with a variety of seating for up to 1,000. The Chicago Sports Museum is filled with interactive experiences and a vast collection of sports memorabilia with perfect-for-mingling dining space next door at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch. Lucky Strike has bowling and billiards in an upscale lounge atmosphere. Private rooms and a wine bar serve smaller groups. The addition of FTW Chicago reimagines traditional arcades with cutting-edge games, interactive mini golf, chef-driven cart cuisine, 32 draft beers, four private suites and steam punk-themed décor. DISTINCT PLACES Transformed from a former paper mill into a sophisticated venue in 2015, noted event designer Tom Kehoe created The Geraghty, a 25,000- square-foot customizable space. In the heart of River North at Medinah Tree Studios, and only two blocks from The Magnificent Mile, The Ivy Room embodies a history of artistic elegance with a ballroom, courtyard and lower-level lounge available for up to 350 guests. Guests experience the story of the Chicago River and 360-degree views of the city and river in the spiraling five-story McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. With two visually smart event spaces, the Skyline Loft and Sculpture Garden Gallery, the Bridgeport Art Center combines art and a look of raw urban elegance that juxtaposes timber construction, exposed brick, soaring ceilings and unparalleled views. The Museum of Science and Industry captures imaginations with interactive exhibits and event spaces for 15 to 10,000 guests. The Field Museum not only is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, it is a premier setting for meetings and events for 10 to 10,000. Known for a treasure trove of 20 million items that tell the story of Chicago’s past, present and future the Chicago History Museum also has dedicated meeting spaces, galleries, a theater, café and outdoor plaza. Connect with 32,500 creatures and humans, too, at the Shedd Aquarium, a treasured attraction with two restaurants and event spaces such as outdoor lakeside terraces, a magnificent foyer, auditorium and the Caribbean Reef rotunda. GREENRIVER UNIQUE HOTEL VENUES The grand InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile dates back to 1929. This gem has numerous dining options and 45,000 square feet of event space. The Riverside Room at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago evokes the Art Deco glamour of the 1930s and is situated on the property’s modern riverwalk. Riverside Gallery accentuates the building’s natural light and curves with lavish water views and walls of mirrors to reflect the city lights. Looking sleek with a recent $22 million facelift, Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel has more than 30,000 square feet of function space along with the hip new Raised rooftop bar with indoor, cabana and outdoor spaces for lounging and networking. At more than 12,000 square feet, the Atlantic Ballroom at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in downtown is one of the largest in the city and a highlight of the property’s 28,000-plus square feet of gathering space for groups. MOUTHWATERING FLAVORS Chef Stephanie Izard, winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season Four, crafts hand-pulled noodles, house-made dumplings, wontons and spring rolls at Duck Duck Goat in Fulton Market. GreenRiver brings exceptional cocktails, seasonal American fare, an outdoor terrace and great views to Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. Located in River North, Kinmont is the first entirely sustainable fish and seafood restaurant in Chicago and offers private dining space. Spiaggia delivers artful presentations of upscale Italian cuisine by James Beard Award nominee Chef Tony Mantuano and floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of The Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan. Interactive cooking classes and tastings are offered along with a newly remodeled private event space. Positioned on the border of River North and the Loop and able to seat 300 guests, Prime & Provisions is a sophisticated yet traditional steakhouse with one of the largest private dining rooms in Chicago. At Maple & Ash, area farms are used to prepare wood-fired dishes and celebrate the best of a classic Chicago steakhouse in a new way EXPANDED CATERING STYLES Tap into your Chicago catering team’s talents. Here is just a small sampling of creative options: In business for 30 years, Blue Plate focuses on seasonal ingredients and caters at more than 85 of Chicago’s most sought-after venues, from glittering ballrooms to sleek downtown galleries. Food For Thought Catering Group partners with nearly 100 venues— from cultural institutions like the Adler Planetarium to exclusive venues like 19 East—with a focus on from-scratch cooking, fast-casual solutions and sustainability. Paramount Events takes Chicago catering in a new direction and brings restaurant-quality dishes to events big and small. Working with numerous venues, the focus is on fresh, including gourmet boxed lunches. A new approach to one-stop shopping, Revel Group is an agency of independent eventcentric businesses, each perfecting its own area of expertise. As part of this collaboration, Limelight Catering has been dishing up culinary experiences that are customized and flavor-filled since 1990
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