Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide - 2026
What’s new
2025-12-26 06:06:02
Chicago is never done — these hot hotels, lauded restaurants, and creative event venues are bringing fresh energy to the city’s meetings and events scene.
HOTELS
New luxury hotel The Duke of Wells, Hyatt Unbound Collection honors its historic Old Town neighborhood with classic red brick and loft-inspired, 8-foot windows across 203 guest rooms. A rooftop lounge offers 360° city views, while a spa and restaurant complete the experience.
Wow your guests at Bally’s Chicago, a glittering casino and hotel. The expansive complex features 500 rooms and 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. Six restaurants, an entertainment venue, and a gaming floor make Bally’s Chicago an experience your attendees will remember. Historic Gold Coast hotel The Talbott has been completely reimagined with a warm color palette, vintage-inspired touches, and local artwork throughout. Three sophisticated meeting spaces welcome C-suite sessions or elegant receptions, while new restaurant LAUREL serves fine mezze and Mediterranean-style seafood.
The newly renovated Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile boasts a fresh, contemporary look. Expansive ballrooms and smaller meeting rooms are available, with full on-site catering for easy planning. Guests can enjoy elevated American fare at upscale Level Two restaurant.
Lakefront hotel The Wade (formerly the W Lakeshore) combines Chicago sensibility with an industrial-modern aesthetic. With 19 state-of-the-art meeting rooms and 520 guest rooms, there’s space here for the whole team. Sample local seasonal comfort food at on-site restaurant CURRENT.
Classic meets contemporary at The Midland Hotel, Chicago, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (formerly the W Chicago). This stunning 1929 beaux arts building offers 403 tranquil guest rooms with skyline views. Twelve event rooms blend art deco details with modern-day tech capabilities.
South Korean import L7 Chicago by Lotte brings a sophisticated touch to a 1912 high-rise. This 14-story hotel overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk boasts three handsome meeting spaces for 20 to 300 guests. Plan a custom catering menu or dine at PERILLA, a chic Korean American steakhouse with tableside grills.
Boutique-style Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago is an ideal home base for a Chicago conference. An American buffet breakfast and grab-and-go lunch get attendees moving quickly. After meetings are done, head up to The Rooftop, a seasonal bar on the 27th floor with a dizzying glass-bottom balcony.
The updated Residence Inn Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile is a home away from home, with kitchens, workspaces, and sitting areas in all 289 guest suites. Ten event rooms can accommodate small and large groups, and terrace bar The 101 Rooftop can be rented for private receptions.
DINING
Comfort food destination Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley has a new location near the House of Blues. Reserve the swanky Asset Lounge for a private soul food experience with shrimp and grits or Southern fried catfish.
Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park elevates Central and South American flavors like the prime tomahawk flambéed in smoky mezcal. Create a custom menu with cocktail or tequila pairings for your event or group dinner.
Hyde Park cocktail bar Cantina Rosa honors the diversity of Mexico’s culinary traditions. Sample dozens of tequilas and mezcals while snacking on golden-fried empanadas or grilled prawns with salsa huichol in this rose-hued lounge.
Also in Hyde Park, Cafe Yaya is a new all-day cafe by James Beard Award-winning chef Zach Engel. Savor creative Middle Eastern fare like roast chicken with za’atar and challah croutons in the brick-walled private dining room upstairs.
A popular Bronzeville bistro has a new seasonal Rainbow Beach outpost at Norman’s Bistro on the Lake. Event guests can enjoy heaping plates of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches while marveling at the Lake Michigan and skyline views on the expansive deck.
Restaurant meets art gallery at LIA (Life Imitates Art), where the tasting menu takes inspiration from the rotating art on the walls. Each delicious dish at this creative River North eatery is a conversation starter, featuring creative European and Asian influences.
Acclaimed restaurant owner and Top Chef winner Joe Flamm brings the Roman trattoria to Fulton Market at Il Carciofo. Reserve the private room with views of the bustling kitchen and feast on handmade cacio e pepe and vitello saltimbocca.
VENUES
Jackson Park’s sprawling Obama Presidential Center offers 19 acres of indoor-outdoor event space. The largest venue is Home Court, featuring a glass-enclosed, NBA regulation-size basketball court and multiple meeting rooms. Rent the entire campus for events of 2,000+ guests.
Inside the historic Morton Salt complex, The Salt Shed is an only-in-Chicago music and event venue. Choose from five distinct multipurpose spaces, including Three Top Lounge, a cocktail bar with an outdoor deck and stunning skyline views.
All-day American restaurant DJ’s Great Room is both a neighborhood eatery and inviting workspace. Reserve the private dining room for an intimate party. Or buy out the entire venue for cocktails and elevated bites in this living room-inspired space.
The Harry Potter Shop Chicago offers a magical experience. Visitors can sip sweet Butterbeer, spin the wheel to sample Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, shop Chicago-themed Harry Potter merchandise, and take selfies with the infamous Goblet of Fire.
Catch all the Chicago Cubs baseball action at Wrigley Field’s The YETI Yard. This reserved section in center field is like your own private backyard, with high-top seating, ballpark dogs and burgers, and fully stocked YETI coolers with unlimited beer and seltzer.
Give your party a jolt at Electric Shuffle, a high-tech shuffleboard lounge. Groups of 15 to 250 can reserve dedicated game tables for some friendly competition, plus house pizzas and signature cocktails. Team photos and action replays make fun digital souvenirs.
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