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Updated Oct 14, 202416 Chicago Engagement Party Venues for a Windy City Soirée
Celebrate your big news in Chi-Town.
Now that you're officially engaged (major congrats!), you're probably embarking on the exciting, but often overwhelming, planning process, which may start with an engagement party. If you live in the Windy City, or are hoping to have your wedding festivities in Chicago, you're probably searching specifically for engagement party venues in Chicago or engagement party venues in the Chicago suburbs.
Luckily, there's no shortage of breathtaking engagement party locations for all budgets, capacities and vibes. Still, it's important to do your research to ensure that you're selecting the right Chicago engagement party venue for your pre-wedding celebration.
Location is key when you're looking for any sort of venue in the Chicago area, as you should factor in whether or not the venue is conveniently located for you and your engagement party guests and is in close proximity to public transportation, affordable parking and accessibility for guests who may be handicapped.
Since Chicago is a major city, you might be specifically seeking engagement party venues with stunning skyline views. The benefit of having an engagement party in Chicago is that you can also opt to have your engagement party looking out on Lake Michigan. Deciding on these factors will help you decide on the ideal venue style and atmosphere for you.
To help you with your search, we've found 16 of the best places for an engagement party in Chicago for a windy city soirée. P.S. Find even more Chicago engagement party venues on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.
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Tortoise Supper Club in River North
If upscale and high-end is the vibe you're seeking for your engagement party, the Tortoise Supper Club offers up one of Chicago's most club-centric, old-Hollywood engagement party venues. It has a jazz-era ambience that can instantly elevate your party, with a Main Dining Room that can seat up to 120 guests and 150 guests standing.
Capacity: 150 guests
Barcocina Chicago in Lake View
This Mexican restaurant has a few locations, but the one in Lake View is a top contender for an engagement party, especially if you're looking to host your event outdoors. Barcocina Chicago has several different areas where you could have your event, from their Feed Me Tacos Bar to their private party room and even their outdoor Bonita bar, so you could rent multiple spots to host a giant event. The margaritas are equally delicious as their food!
Capacity: 300+ guests
Fulton Market Kitchen in Fulton Market
This trendy and artistic restaurant located in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood offers an eccentric and celebratory ambience that can take your engagement party to the next level. Fulton Market Kitchen features multiple event spaces that can serve as your backdrop, including private dining, lounges and even outdoor spots, depending on when you have your engagement party. Their menu features a diverse selection of dishes with a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients. They're also well known for their craft cocktails and artistic performances.
Capacity: 200 guests
Flight Club Chicago in River North
Although the name of this Chicago engagement party venue might not sound incredibly romantic, rest assured that the ambience is perfect for setting the scene for your engagement party. Flight Club Chicago's space is known for its modern take on traditional darts, utilizing proprietary dart-tracking technology that lets players enjoy a novel engagement party activity in a fun, energetic social setting. Their menu is worth writing home about as well and can be specifically curated for your event.
Capacity: 150 guests
Cafe Bionda in Near South Side
This Italian restaurant in the heart of the Windy City serves up traditional dishes with an urban flair. Cafe Bionda can shut down the main dining room for you to host your engagement party and design a curated menu and matching wine list for your group of guests. You'll love the classic Italian charm, open seating plan and proximity to popular Chicago landmarks.
Capacity: 200 guests
Hopsmith Tavern in Near North Side
Known best for their epic happy hours, this bar and grille serves up delicious, pub-style fare and offers a large space to accommodate your guests for your engagement party. Hopsmith Tavern also has a rooftop with views of the surrounding area where you could host your event if you prefer an outdoor venue. Inside, your guests can enjoy the comfy leather couches, big-screen TVs and expansive bar. Since it accommodates 300 guests, this is a great spot for a large party.
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Capacity: 300 guests
Connie's Pizza in Motor Row District
This pizza place has been a Chicago staple for decades—it's been around since 1963! Since opening their doors, Connie's Pizza has expanded their offerings and event packages to accommodate up to 400 guests. Aside from their delicious deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza, they serve fresh salads, soups, appetizers, pastas and sandwiches.
Capacity: 400 guests
Island Party Hut in New Eastside
If you're looking for a tropical vibe in the middle of Chicago, look no further than Island Party Hut, a vibrant, tiki-style bar that offers a dreamy outdoor space for an engagement party. It's situated right on the Chicago River and serves up fruity cocktails, burgers and good energy. They offer live music performances on their Palapa stage, including reggae, tropical rock and more so you don't have to outsource entertainment.
Capacity: 300+
167 Events in Fulton Market
This luxurious wedding venue in Chicago's Fulton Market offers floor-to-ceiling windows that are flooded with natural light during the day and an outdoor space called The Terrace with tons of greenery where your guests can enjoy sweeping views of the city's skyline. 167 Events' Town Hall venue space covers 8,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 400 guests. Choose from a selection of packages or add additional items and even a signature cocktail for amazing engagement party food.
Capacity: 400 guests
Celeste in River North
This new-age American restaurant also specializes in hosting large-scale events, from corporate dinners to weddings and more. Celeste is housed in a breathtaking, multi-story history building in the bustling River North neighborhood of Chicago. Each floor boasts a unique environment, including a Cocktail bar on the first floor and an enchanted rooftop garden on the fourth floor.
Capacity: 100 guests
The J. Parker in Old Town Triangle
Nestled atop the beloved Hotel Lincoln, this year-round rooftop engagement party venue in Chicago offers up jaw-dropping views in all directions of Chicago. You can rent the entire rooftop for up to 225 guests, or secure a private area that seats between 10-60. Should there be inclement weather, The J. Parker's outdoor space has a full retractable glass roof so your guests can stay warm and dry while still enjoying the sweeping city views.
Capacity: Up to 225 guests
The Kitchen American Bistro in River North
If you're looking for a small venue in Chicago, this American restaurant located on the main floor of the landmark Reid Murdoch building could serve as a stunning backdrop. You can rent out their main dining room, which boasts natural light and expansive views of the Chicago River. The historic architecture at The Kitchen American Bistro is beautiful and complemented by reclaimed wood and large, wrap-around leather couches.
Capacity: 50 guests
Evanston Corner Bistro in Evanston
Evanston Corner Bistro is on the ground floor of the historic Hilton Orrington, which could conveniently serve as the hotel where traveling guests can stay. The menu focuses on traditional American cuisine with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. The space can accommodate up to 100 guests and the outdoor terrace has room for about 50 and includes heat lamps for comfort in the cold weather.
Capacity: 100 guests
AfterBar in West Loop Gate
This chic cocktail bar overlooking the park at 320 S Canal could serve as the perfect setting for your engagement party, especially if you'd prefer having the option to have your celebration either indoors or outdoors, since they have a large patio that can accommodate up to 100 guests. AfterBar boasts a robust menu with delicious food options and fun, signature cocktails and can curate a selection of light bites to serve for your guests.
Capacity: 100 guests
RPM Events in River North
RPM Events is commonly used for weddings and rehearsal dinners as well as engagement parties. It offers more than 6,000 square feet of sprawling space with sweeping views of the Chicago River. It has a grand ballroom that can be divided into three independent spaces or one large one for a group of up to 200.
Capacity: 200 guests
Vintage Bar in Near West Side
If you want to keep your engagement party low-key in a beloved local gem of a bar, consider Vintage Bar. It oozes industrial charm with a state-of-the-art DJ booth and fun games for your guests to enjoy. It also has a covered patio that you can use if the weather is nice. The only downside is that it can only accommodate about 32 guests, so it's best for a couple who's hosting a small get-together to toast to their engagement.
Capacity: 32 guests
