Five Great Event Spaces in Chicago

Who doesn't love a great party?

As VDC's resident "event guru," I manage and coordinate special events for our clients. From a 900-person conference to an anniversary celebration, I've helped organizations plan dynamic events at some of Chicago's most unique venues.

I'm also a self-proclaimed social butterfly and love going to networking events around the city to check out new spaces. Here's my pick on five great places to hold your next meeting or fiesta.



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Midtown Kitchen + Bar

If you're looking for a trendy and fun (but not pretentious) place to host a mingler or cocktail hour, Midtown is the spot for you. The upstairs space offers plenty of room for networking, I've coordinated two events here for Women Employed's Advocacy Council. Wide windows offer a great view of the Loop and provide nice natural light. It's also conveniently located on Lake and LaSalle streets, near all major CTA train lines. Midtown also has great drink and food specials - I recommend the brie-apple quesadillas. 203 N. LaSalle St. (312) 379-5086.

National Museum of Mexican Art
Located in the heart of Pilsen, the former Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, is the nation's largest Latino arts institution. I've been to several events here and its always a treat to view the amazing exhibits and learn more about Mexican culture. And you can cater in delicious Mexican fare from local restaurants. 1852 West 19th St. (312) 738.1503.

UIC Forum
Hosting a conference or symposium at one of the usual Loop hotels doesn't have to be your only option any more. The UIC Forum, UIC's newest event venue on Halsted St. and Roosevelt Rd., offers a convenient space for large meetings. I coordinated one of the Forum's first major events last year with the New Communities Getting It Done conference. While I did encounter some glitches (usually associated with any new place), the accessibility to downtown and public transportation, as well as spacious, versatile rooms make this an ideal venue for a large gathering. 725 W Roosevelt Rd. (312) 413-9875.

Catalyst Ranch
Need to spice up a meeting? Check out the quirky and creative rooms at Catalyst Ranch. I never knew this place even existed, but the had the pleasure of spending time here during a board retreat for Women Employed a few years ago. Its like preschool all over again - fun, kitschy decor and toys from head to toe, including hammocks, play dough, tinker toys, and candy. Definitely a fun environment to foster some creative brainstorming outside the conference room. 656 W. Randolph St. Suite 3W. (312) 207-1710.

The Grand Ballroom
An urban jewel, the Grand Ballroom is tucked away in the Woodlawn community; one step inside and you're transported to a whole new world. The vibe is old-school Chicago jazz glamour: gorgeous hard wood floors, a 60 foot long bar, band shell stage, and ornate light fixtures. The Ballroom dates back to the 1920s when it was formally known at the Cinderella Dance Hall (note the slipper accents in the decor) and was fully restored in 2005. We hosted the Chicago Community Loan Fund's 15th anniversary here in 2006 and it was a magical evening. 6351 S. Cottage Grove Ave. (773) 324-0000.

What are your favorite event spaces in the city? Comment and let me know. I'm always looking for a new spot to check out.

Photo by John Booz for LISC/Chicago's New Communities Program