With 30,000 square feet of column-free space, Skylight in the iconic Chicago Board of Trade Building fits 1,000 seated or 1,500 reception-style. Venue SIX10 on South Michigan Avenue offers a multitude of meeting spaces, with a reception capacity of 1,200 guests, across 35,000 square feet of space. Up to 700 guests can socialize under the world’s largest Tiffany glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center . The West Loop’s Epiphany Center for the Arts , originally a 19th-century church, features modern amenities like a showcase kitchen. Gather up to 1,750 guests for a standing reception. Zhou B Art Center features flexible spaces across two floors, plus an outdoor garden, to accommodate intimate cocktail parties or stylish galas. Invite 700 guests for a seated dinner or 1,550 for a reception. The Zephyr on historic Motor Row near McCormick Place was once a Lincoln Motors showroom, and can host up to 300 guests. Conference facilities at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab can accommodate up to 250, with an auditorium that can be split into three smaller rooms. The Second City Garfield Park Conservatory ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT Magic, music, or improv — these entertainers grant any request. STITELY MUSIC Stitely Music works with Chicago’s top musicians. From Motown to an orchestral ensemble to DJs and live karaoke, their dynamic bands will pack the dance floor all night long. stitely.com THE SECOND CITY No one brings the belly laughs better than The Second City. Alumni of Chicago’s legendary comedy club include superstars Amy Poehler and Bill Murray. secondcity.com DANCE SPECTACULAR PRODUCTIONS Dance Spectacular Productions can provide flash mobs, character meet and greets, and even cheerleaders to liven up a product launch, holiday party, or trade show. dancespectacular productions.com THE MAGIC PARLOUR Magician Dennis Watkins offers private shows for groups of 20 or more at The Magic Parlour in the Palmer House, with customized dining options from the hotel’s Lockwood Restaurant or Potter’s Chicago Burger Bar. themagicparlourchicago.com CARMEL CREATIVE Carmel Creative in Evanston secures high-profile national talent for events, in addition to offering script writing services and arranging AV requirements. carmelcreative.com Check out meetinchicago.com for even more ideas. gardens to art galleries, with reception capacity for up to 4,000 people. Between its airy atrium, lobby, and galleries, the stunning Chicago Architecture Center accommodates 300 guests across two floors. In Lincoln Park, sip cocktails next to a historic ‘L’ car at the Chicago History Museum , the city’s oldest cultural institution, accommodating up to 800 guests reception-style. Rent the entire Museum of Science and Industry for parties of up to 12,000 guests. Or opt for the intimate Smart Home , which seats 40. All three world-class attractions at Chicago’s Museum Campus offer beautiful Lake Michigan views and spectacular event venues. Touch stingrays at the Shedd Aquarium (1,600-guest capacity) or see the night sky through the Doane Observatory’s research-quality telescope at the Adler Planetarium (1,200-guest capacity). Time travel at the Field Museum (7,500-guest capacity) and marvel at Máximo, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. The Kovler Atrium and Kern Terrace Garden are popular indoor and outdoor spaces at the Museum of Contemporary Art , seating 300 inside or 500 in a garden tent. The interactive American Writers Museum (the only museum of its kind in the nation) accommodates 60 seated and 250 standing. SPORTS VENUES Home to the Blackhawks and Bulls, the United Center has private suites available for 20 to 80 guests, with boxed or plated in-house catering options. Soldier Field , home turf for Bears football games and Chicago Fire soccer matches, offers a myriad of indoor and outdoor venues. Rent the whole stadium for a capacity of 63,000. In Bridgeport, Guaranteed Rate Field seats up to 600 standing, between the party deck and Home Plate Club, for a White Sox baseball game. Arrange bullpen sessions at Wrigley Field before enjoying a Cubs game from a private suite. Gallagher Way , the stadium’s adjacent open-air plaza, hosts 3,000 theatre-style. At Wintrust Arena , suite rentals with a personal attendant are available for up to 16 guests to watch the Chicago Sky WNBA team play. A playground for sports fans, the Chicago Sports Museum fits 600 seated or 1,200 standing, with catering by Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch . ADAM ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY (ALL PHOTOS) PRIVATE EVENT SPACES The luxe Geraghty boasts 22-foot ceilings, overhead wall-to-wall lighting, and a VIP green room. Plan a banquet for 800 or a reception with up to 1,500 guests. 25
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