Unforgettable Weddings
151 to 200 guests
Holds ceremonies and receptions
AWARD WINNER (6X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
CityGate Grille is a wedding venue located in Naperville, IL, just a 47-minute drive from the heart of Chicago. Focused on traditional elegance, this establishment offers a romantic atmosphere for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering with a few loved ones or a grand affair, this venue is happy to have you.
When celebrating at CityGate Grille, you can choose from a number of versatile event spaces where you can host your milestone moments. If you’ve been dreaming of saying “I do” in the open air, your ceremony can be held beside the CityGate Pond. When tying the knot here, a venue’s tranquil water feature will be your backdrop. After, you and your new spouse can celebrate in the Terrace Room & Patio with up to 150 loved ones. Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, you can admire views of the grounds while dining and dancing. During the event, you and your guests can share drinks and conversations in the fresh air by availing of the connected patio.
CityGate Grille aims to set itself apart by offering to-be-weds personalized consultations to help turn their wedding dreams into unforgettable realities. Their event staff has thoughtfully curated comprehensive packages to simplify the planning process. For your convenience, ivory-hued floor-length linens, votive candles, and espresso-colored Chiavari chairs will be provided for your celebration. To play a sentimental slideshow during the reception, you will have access to four flat-screen TVs and projection screens. Accent lighting will also be provided to create your ideal dance floor ambiance. The in-house culinary team is happy to create scrumptious dishes for your reception meal. Delectable options such as grilled salmon, chicken pomodoro, and steak can be prepared. As a sweet conclusion to the dining service, you and your loved ones can enjoy a custom-designed wedding cake.
Veteran-owned Business
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
Contact for price
Ceremony:
$2,000
Bar services:
Contact for price
Catering:
Contact for price
Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is Nov.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 200
Settings
Ballroom
Garden
Park
Restaurant
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Food & Catering
Planning
Wedding Design
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.066 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
CityGate Grille receives outstanding reviews as a wedding venue, with multiple reviewers praising the exceptional service, beautiful setting, delicious food, and attentive staff. Katie Jones, the wedding coordinator, is highlighted for her professionalism, attention to detail, and ensuring a seamless planning process and execution of weddings. Guests appreciate the picturesque outdoor ceremony by the pond, the superb cocktail hour on the outdoor patio, and the elegant reception inside the Terrace room. The inclusive packages, reasonable prices, and convenient accommodations at Hotel Arista add to the venue's appeal, making it a highly recommended choice for couples seeking a dream wedding location.Review photos
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Danielle C
5.0
11/05/2024
Review for CityGate Grille - 5 Stars
Our micro wedding at CityGate Grille was absolutely perfect, far beyond what we had ever imagined! From the moment we walked in, the team at CityGate went above and beyond to make our special day unforgettable. We hosted a small celebration with 38 guests in the "Trading Floor" room, and it could not have been a more intimate and beautiful setting.
The entire team—starting with Kristine and the sales team and leading up to the incredible General Manager, Augustus—was exceptional. They made the entire planning process seamless and stress-free. The attention to detail, the level of service, and their genuine desire to make sure we had everything we wanted was unmatched. Every accommodation we asked for was met with enthusiasm and a “we can do that” attitude. The team made sure that we didn’t have to worry about a thing, allowing us to truly enjoy the day.
A huge shout-out to the waitstaff, Gabby and Steve, whose hospitality, patience, and expertise were a stand-out. Not only were they professional, but they also brought such warmth and genuine smiles to the event, making us and our guests feel truly taken care of. And Cindy, the best and fastest bartender, thank you for your amazing Topless Brides all night!!! (Brides Signature Drink name was "The Topless Bride" (Tequila Sangria))
And the food—oh, the food! My husband is a huge foodie, and he was beyond thrilled with the meal. From the quality and taste to the portion sizes and stunning presentation, every dish exceeded our expectations. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how incredible everything tasted. It was an absolute highlight of the evening, and we’re so grateful that CityGate delivered on the most important part of the celebration!
We wholeheartedly recommend CityGate Grille for anyone looking to host a wedding (or any celebration!)—they made our day absolutely perfect, and we will be back to celebrate many more happy occasions here. Thank you to the entire team for making our wedding day so memorable and magical!
Abby C
5.0
10/31/2024
We had our wedding reception here last fall and it was everything we could have hoped for in a venue. The space was beautiful, we loved having both the indoor and outdoor available for our cocktail hour. The food and service was also amazing! Katie really helped everything come together. She was amazing to work with and even set up our reception decorations perfectly! We loved our experience here, no regrets!
Any questions?
Chance K
5.0
10/30/2024
Choosing City Gate Grille and working with Katie Jones was the best wedding decision we made. Katie Jones took us step by step through the whole process with ease. We called on many venues and talked to many people and none of them impressed us as much as City Gate Grille. On the day of the wedding the staff handled everything incredibly well, as they were clearly very experienced. We had a reception captain that made sure the reception went according to plan and according to our liking. The venue was lit up with their custom lighting. The food was phenomenal. I know wedding planning can get stressful, working with a venue like City Gate Grille and the team that Katie Jones runs made our wedding amazing and will make yours just as amazing.
Stephanie C
5.0
10/23/2024
Katie was amazing in helping us coordinate and plan our reception. The space was more beautiful than I envisioned when we showed up for the party! I loved everything about the planning and party process at City Gate! The food was amazing - my guests loved the filet and pasta primavera! The cake was so good that multiple people had seconds and asked if there were leftovers to take with them! I highly recommend this venue for a smaller sized reception. The space was perfect for a smaller group without feeling like it was a sidebar space. And the outdoor terrace with the fire pits and lights was an amazing touch! My photographer was obsessed with the outdoor photo areas - near the water, by the trees, a cute little path, I can’t wait to get the photos back! Thank you to Katie and her team for making our night magical!
Gabrielle V
5.0
9/09/2024
We had our wedding ceremony outside by the pond and the reception inside the Terrace Room at CityGate Grille. I cannot express enough how beautiful everything was. Everyone raved about the food and the whole set up of the venue. It was absolutely perfect and everything I had dreamed of. Katie Jones our wedding coordinator at the venue was so helpful with everything every step of way from the beginning of planning all the way through the night of the wedding. Our cake was included with the package from DeEtta’s bakery and it was delicious. They even provided a suite for us the night of the wedding which was very nice and decorated it with rose petals, champagne and chocolate strawberries. Such a nice touch! I would highly recommend this venue to anyone who is in search of one. Just a perfect night!!
Lindsay W
5.0
11/13/2023
My husband and I got married at CityGate Grille on 09/23/23, and could not recommend this venue enough! The scenery was beautiful and we had the perfect ceremony by the pond, a dreamy cocktail hour on the outdoor patio, and a fun-filled reception inside the Terrace room. The staff at CityGate were incredibly nice and professional, and the food was so delicious! This venue offers the whole package, of outdoor and indoor space. Your guests will love it.
Katie was one of the best parts about getting married at CityGate. She helped us plan and perfect every little detail, and calmed all of my nerves about anything that could possibly go wrong. Her attention to detail and organization helped the day run so smoothly, and she was so much fun to work with. She perfectly executed the vision I had for the day and suggested options I hadn’t even thought of. Thank you Katie for helping us have the perfect wedding day! You were so wonderful to work with.
It was also wonderful that so many of our guests could stay right down the street at Hotel Arista, and we had a super fun after party at Tap-In Pub, as well as a brunch the next morning in one of Hotel Arista’s banquet rooms. Everyone at CityGate/Hotel Arista was incredible, and I could not recommend them enough for all of your wedding festivities.
Jennifer C
5.0
8/28/2023
Our wedding at city gate grille felt like a dream. The location is so beautiful! From the pond, to the terrace, our guests were amazed! The food is delicious and the staff are some of the sweetest people I’ve worked with. What a pleasure they all were! We thank you all so much for all your hard work on making our wedding so magical! Special thanks to our AMAZING coordinator Katie Jones! She executed our vision perfectly! She went above and beyond to make sure we had the perfect day! I’ll forever be grateful to her for all her kindness and hard work!!!
Katelynn S
5.0
9/24/2022
CityGate was a beautiful venue for our wedding ceremony and reception! Everything ran so smoothly. Katie did an excellent job staying in communication with us throughout the entire planning process and ensuring that everything was exactly the way we wanted!
Genna K
1.0
9/02/2022
My husband and I had our wedding ceremony and reception at CityGate Grille this past weekend. Everything went great and I was prepared to write a phenomenal review. However, 5 days after the wedding, CityGate reached out to me via email letting me know that there was an "accounting error" and the accounting department counted one of my deposits twice, and despite the paperwork I signed agreeing to a banquet cost estimate of one amount, the now caught error showed I still owe $3,500.00 MORE! This was an error that was made by CityGate when I paid a deposit on 8/15/2022, 11 days before my wedding that was not caught until AFTER the wedding and AFTER I received receipts from accounting congratulating me on paying off wedding. Had I been aware before the wedding date that I still was going to owe an additional $3,500.00, which would have put me over budget, I could have made some budget cuts so that I could remain in my budget. Unfortunately, due to CityGate's own error, I was never given that opportunity and now while my husband and I are celebrating our first few days a a married couple, we get slapped with a several thousand dollar bill. My wedding party and I utilize Hotel Arista and CityGate Grill for our entire wedding needs, from multiple day hotel room stays, rehersal dinners and brunches, room service, and much more. It is disheartening to have this occur and have the accounting department tarnish such great service provided by the rest of the Hotel Arista and CityGate Grille team. I am still in conversation with CityGate in regards to me being held liable for their accounting error, and I will gladly change my review when and if they take accountability for their own errors. I recommend CityGate to MANY people for future wedding venue use prior to this payment issue, and as of now I have warned them to stay away due to a frankly scammy feeling situation that has occurred. I hope that I CityGate takes accountability so that I can return to recommending them in the future!
Donisha W
5.0
7/20/2022
My husband and I hosted our Wedding dinner at Hotel Arista/ City Gate Grille. The entire staff that worked with us was Amazing! Our Coordinator Katie was very professional and knowledgeable. Seth and the whole entire City Gate Grille was exceptional, five star service! We were very impressed with the food, ambiance and decor, customer service and hotel accommodations. Love, Love , Hotel Arista and City Gate Grille. We are so happy with our decision to host our event there.
Margaret W
5.0
5/17/2022
I cannot recommend CityGate enough! You will not regret going with them as your vendor. Our wedding was last weekend and we cannot stop talking about how amazing Katie Jones and the entire CityGate, Hotel Arista, Zorbas and Tap In Pub staff were. They made the entire process run extremely smoothly. Katie is extremely attentive, responsive and just a great person in general to work with. I can honestly say I had my dream wedding because of her. The food was amazing! We had such a fun time at the tasting and could not wait to have the food again at the wedding. Katie worked seamlessly with my other vendors so I did not have to. Us and our guests stayed at Hotel Arista, which was extremely convenient with the shuttle that brought us back and forth to CityGate. Our rehearsal dinner was at Tap In Pub- we wanted something casual and fun and it was perfect! Katie checked in on us the night before and the morning of the wedding. She coordinated the entire day, which allowed us to enjoy the wedding and not worry about a thing. Hotel Arista and CityGate provided absolute top notch service- we have ZERO complaints. The outside ceremony was everything I dreamed out. The outside patio was perfect for cocktail hour. The reception room was absolutely beautiful and perfect in every day. The prices are extremely reasonable, as well. If you are newly engaged, please do yourself a favor and check out CityGate and/or Hotel Arista!
Gabe S
5.0
5/17/2022
Just got married at CityGate this weekend and couldn’t wait to write a review.
Everything at our wedding was perfect.
City Gate offered us a dream outdoor ceremony with a picturesque view of the lake followed by an outdoor cocktail hour where we could enjoy time with our friends and family. The bartenders and staff were fast, professional, and always had a smile on their face.
After cocktail hour, dinner started and it was incredible. The amount of compliments we received from our guest about the quality and presentation of the food was off the charts.
We followed dinner up with a million drinks and an amazing time in this incredible venue.
The entire process from beginning to ending was seamless. Katie from City Gate worked with us and kept our minds at ease and went over and above to help every step of the way. It was very clear she takes pride in her work and we were so grateful to work with her. She is a huge asset to City Gate and the reason my Wife and I had a perfect wedding.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend City Gate to anyone and everyone. Thank you!
Denise J
5.0
5/10/2022
I have so many great things to say about this venue!!! Most beautiful magical place to have a wedding!!! Staff was amazing! Big shout out to Katie Jones for everything she has done to make it such a beautiful wedding for us !! Food was Awsome!! The accommodations of the hotel were absolutely the best!!! City Gate Grille gets nothing but 5 stars from us!!
Tiffani W
5.0
1/28/2022
Hotel Arista/City Gate Grille compound is the best choice for your wedding venue!!! I call it a compound because they have everything you need. There is a cute Starbucks-like coffee shop, a beautiful spa, a modern gym, a plethora of delicious restaurants and of course hotel accommodations that are unique and unmatched. From our first phone call inquiry to our wedding day, we were treated like absolute royalty. We worked specifically with Michael Dubina who was creative, detail oriented, personable and professional. More importantly, working with Michael Dubina and the Hotel Arista staff was fun! If you are looking for a beautiful venue for your wedding and a place your guest will rave about choose Hotel Arista in Naperville IL. Start your memories off the right way!
Karina S
5.0
12/10/2021
My wedding was on October 23, 2021 and it was so wonderful to work with Katie. She was available to answer any of our questions and was very accommodating with the details of our reception. Katie was onsite throughout the day and made sure everything went perfectly! I cannot think of a better place than CityGate for our special day!
Ali P
5.0
12/02/2021
I can't say enough good things about CityGate Grill!! This is the perfect, one-stop shop wedding venue in Naperville....you must go check it out if you are looking at a Naperville wedding for under 200 people!! Our 10/16/21 wedding was everything we imagined and more! Katie Jones made the planning process so easy. She was always very responsive and helpful throughout the entire process and was on-site the day of to make sure everything went as planned. The venue is absolutely beautiful and the service and food was AMAZING!!!! We received so many complements that night from our guests on how good the food was!
Grisel A
5.0
9/01/2021
I had my wedding more than a week ago and it was such a pleasure to work with Katie. She is extremely professional, organized, and really knows how to coordinate the venue details with ease. The day of, our venue looked so great and the guests had a wonderful time! I would highly recommend CityGate Grille to anyone!
Stefanie B
5.0
8/12/2021
My wedding was on May 8, 2021 (postponed twice due to COVID-19). I had the pleasure to work with Katie throughout the postponement period and she made everything so easy and effortless. When the day arrived, I could not believe the transformation of the terrace room. It was everything I imagined it was going to be and more. Our guests still rave about their experience, especially the food. Everything was outstanding and I'd work with Katie and the CityGate Grille/Hotel Arista teams again in a heartbeat. Thank you so much for making Jim and I's day a dream come true!
Sherry B
5.0
5/12/2021
My daughter's wedding for April 2020 was postponed because of CoVid. The new big day was May 2021 and everything was picture perfect. Katie and the crew at City Gate Grille made her wedding magical and even better than we hoped for. Our list of things were plentiful and Katie never resisted jumping in to assist. Thank you for everything and helping my daughter have the wedding of her dreams.
Lisa K
5.0
10/22/2020
Our son’s wedding on 8/8/2020 at City Gate Grille was wonderful! It was well worth the wait! It had to be postponed due to Covid-19 and we had to reduce the guest list to immediate family only.
We had a beautiful day and the ceremony by the pond was picture perfect! The cocktail hour on the private patio worked nicely. The food, service and attention to detail were amazing! Katie Jones and the rest of the staff went over and above to ensure that everything exceeded our expectations and there was plenty of room to have us socially distanced and yet still allowed us to feel close together. The late night nacho bar was a big hit too! Highly recommend!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Lisa,
You son’s wedding was just picture perfect! It was my honor to work with you all! I...
am so glad that even dealing with Covid 19, you were all able to plan a wedding celebration that was safe and comfortable for all your close family and friends. I cannot wait to see all the photos and I hope it was a day you all will never forget!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Sheree F
5.0
10/15/2020
Due to COVID, we had to postpone my daughter's wedding to next year. Since she really wanted to get married this year, we reached out to City Gate to put together a mini wedding. Katie Jones was amazing at assisting us in getting the event put together and she spent an unlimited amount of time helping us to coordinate every detail for the special day. The venue is beautiful and the staff is warm and welcoming! Fantastic place for any special event!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Sheree,
You are so sweet! It was so great working you and your daughter, Tracy. I am sor...
ry Covid changed all your planning and made you work a lot harder. You were so wonderful to roll with all the guideline changes. I would love to plan something with you in the future- stay in touch!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Ali P
5.0
10/08/2020
Our original wedding date was set for 10/17/20 but due to COVID we opted to reschedule for May 2021. Katie Jones & CityGate were AMAZING; so accommodating and supportive throughout the entire of process of deciding to reschedule or not! Fingers crossed we don’t have to postpone again as I can’t wait to have my dream wedding at CityGate Grill next year!!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Ali,
Thank you for taking the time to share a kind review with us about your planning exp...
erience so far. I am deeply sorry your wedding had to be postponed due to Covid- 19. I look forward to planning your wedding with you next year! Stay safe!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Dan G
5.0
10/07/2020
We unfortunately had to cancel our wedding because of covid but CityGate was amazing. They were helpful at every turn and provided a full refund with no hassle.
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Dan,
I am sorry your wedding had to be canceled due to Covid-19. It was a true pleasure w...
orking with you and please let us know if there is anything we can do for you in the future. Be well!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Jillian G
5.0
7/16/2020
This venue has it all! Barb was amazing, attentive, accommodating and made sure everything was just perfect. The staff was friendly and professional. We had a smaller wedding so we got to have some extra fun with our wedding package. The food is AMAZING. Just go see Barb and check it out you won’t be disappointed.
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Jillian,
Thank you for taking the time to share a sweet review, we truly do appreciate it...
. We are so glad you loved everything about your wedding and we were able to customize your package to meet all your needs. Please let us know if there is anything, we can do for you in the future.
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Amanda M
5.0
10/05/2019
Barb was awesome! She was prompt in returning messages and very personable. She listened to what we wanted fir our wedding and went above and beyond our expectations!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your review! So glad Barb was able to exceed your expectati...
ons to help you create and unforgettable wedding. We look forward to you celebrating your anniversary with us!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Natalie C
5.0
10/04/2019
We could not gush more about how amazing our experience with Barb, City Gate and Arista was!!! The package first and foremost was all inclusive and had all the upgrades we were looking for already included, such a great deal! The site itself is absolutely beautiful, windows galore with a great open space. Barb was so helpful in every step along the way and with every single question we had. We wish we could do it all again! Our guests a year later cannot stop talking about the venue and amazing wedding we had, one of a kind! Thank you to everyone involved!
Don’t miss out!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Natalie,
Thank you for gushing about CityGate Grille and your amazing wedding! The Terrac...
e room is so beautiful with all the windows and open floor plan. It so nice to hear all your guests are still raving about it. We would love to plan another event with you in the future, so please stay in touch!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Megan R
5.0
10/04/2019
Barb Spall thought of every detail and it really was a stunning evening. The whole process of working with her was professional and enjoyable. I heard many comments that the atmosphere was perfect and that they loved the food. I would recommend the intimacy and attention to details that will get at CityGate Grille. High Value!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Megan,
Thank you for sharing a review about your stunning wedding at CityGate Grille! I a...
m glad you loved the intimacy of our Terrace room and Patio. I am sure it made for a very memorable wedding celebration. We look forward to seeing you at the restaurant soon!
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Katie B
5.0
10/03/2019
Great venue and Barb is very easy to work with! I highly recommend.
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Katie,
Thank you for highly recommending CityGate Grille! I hope your wedding was everyth...
ing you dreamed of and more! Please let us know if you need anything in the future.
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Lynn R
5.0
10/03/2019
We loved citygate grille, everything was perfect and went so smoothly. Plenty of pretty areas for photos. Reception area was big, guest loved our food and thought hotel arista was gorgeous. Staff was very friendly, Barb is awesome! Helps you with anything and everything you need. You even get a free anniversary meal and a whole new top cake which is such a perk! 10/10 would recommend!
Vendor response 11/23/2020
Lynn,
I am so glad you loved CityGate Grille and everything was perfect! It does have won...
derful space for photos and we cannot wait to see yours! We look forward to having you in for your first-year anniversary- please let us know when you ready to make that reservation.
All the best,
Katie Jones
Wedding Designer
Alicia D
5.0
10/03/2019
We hosted my daughter's wedding at City Gate Grille and could not have been more pleased. The venue itself is lovely and the staff set up all the decorations we had brought to the venue. Barb was fantastic!! She made sure everything ran perfectly and beautifully. Food is delicious and plentiful.
We received so many compliments on the venue, the staff and the food. Highly recommend City Gate Grille.
Vendor response 10/03/2019
Thanks Alicia! It was my pleasure! I'm so happy that you received so many compliments--t...
hat's our goal! I hope to see you in the restaurant again soon!
Katie S
5.0
9/22/2019
We couldn’t have chosen a better venue to host the wedding of our dreams! We had an outdoor ceremony by the pond and worked closely with Barb to decorate how we envisioned. Cocktail hour was beautiful on the patio with all the string lights. Barb and the entire staff were incredible to work with. Barb truly does what she is meant to do. She is so good at accommodating and making couples happy! Not to mention her professionalism is top notch. Highly recommend CityGate Grille for your wedding!
Vendor response 10/03/2019
Thanks so much for your kind words Katie! I will share them with our entire staff. I'm ...
so glad to hear that you had the wedding of your dreams--that's our goal!
Continued blessings to you & Derek!
~Barb Spall
Vivian S
5.0
9/17/2019
I felt like I was in Disney World again! I was asked if I needed help before I could ask for help....with anything! I have not worked with nicer people. They all bent over backwards to make sure my daughter's wedding was absolutely wonderful and it was absolutely wonderful!!! I would highly recommend City Gate Grill to anyone!
Vendor response 10/03/2019
Thanks for your sweet review Vivian! We all love what we do here at CityGate Grille and a...
re thrilled that you were so pleased!
Hope to see you back for a visit soon! Thanks again!
~Barb Spall
Kathleen M
5.0
9/16/2019
We can’t say enough about CityGate. From beginning to end it was FABULOUS. Barb, the wedding coordinator was always available to help and keep everything organized. She made sure we had everything we wanted down to the special pink champagne I wanted. The food was delicious and the venue & patio were just beautiful! Every person we came in contact with was friendly & professional. You get so much more for your money here as well. People are still taking about what a hidden gem CityGate is! Thank you CityGate for making our day so wonderful! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Vendor response 10/03/2019
Thanks for your wonderful review Kathleen! I'm so happy to hear that you were impressed w...
ith our food and venue! We pride ourselves on providing a top quality experience for our guests along with affordable elegance for our couples all in an beautiful setting! My best to you & Pasquale!
Hope to see you back in the restaurant soon! Continued blessings to you both!
~Barb Spall
Katrina J
5.0
6/05/2019
What can we say about CityGate other than AMAZING! More than what is their who. Barb is literally CityGate's angel! My husband and I can not explain enough how fantastic of a person she truly is. She truly made the planning process such a breeze for us. She was always quick to respond with any and all of our questions and helped us form back up plans when the weather got questionable for our big day. I could go on and on about what a fantastic coordinator you will get if you choose CityGate...so WHEN you pick them, I'll continue ;)
Another high point about CityGate is their food! We were told by pretty much by all of our guests it's some of the best they've ever eaten at a wedding!!
Let's not forget the bonus of CityGate working side by side with Hotel Arista!! AHMAZING hotel!
So if you're looking for somewhere to check a lot of your must have wedding planning boxes; pick CityGate!
BEST coordinator! GREAT food! FANTASTIC nearby hotel accommodations!
Vendor response 10/03/2019
Thanks for your kind words Katrina! I really enjoyed being a part of your big day! You a...
nd Tony were a pleasure to work with and I'm thrilled that your guests raved about the food too! I look forward to seeing you back here next year for your complimentary anniversary dinner @ CityGate Grille!
Continued blessings to you & Tony!
~Barb Spall
Jessica M
5.0
10/30/2018
Cannot day enough good things about Citygate Grille and Barb! The entire process working with the venue was so easy and Barb was so organized and made sure all of the wedding planning stayed on schedule. The weekend of our wedding the weather didn’t look like it was going to cooperate with us and we ended up deciding the Thursday before to move the ceremony inside. Barb made sure everything ran smoothly despite the change in plans and helped us to get a backdrop for the indoor ceremony space last minute which eased a ton of my stress. The day of the wedding was perfect and we could not have been more thrilled and stress-free knowing Barb could and would handle anything that came up.
One of the things we loved most about this venue was the outstanding food that was served at our wedding. Narrowing down all of the different options was so hard and everything was delicious. The best part was the Barb and the Chef were so accommodating with all of the dietary needs our guests had. Everyone commented on how great it was to be at a wedding and not have to worry about their dietary restrictions. Overall we would recommend this venue to anyone looking to get married, especially if food is an important part of the wedding to you!
Vendor response 11/03/2018
Dear Jessica & Tom,
Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm so glad that you selected Ci...
tyGate Grille for your wedding! You made planning a breeze you --were so organized! Don't forget to make plans to come back next year for your complimentary 1st Anniversary Dinner!
Thanks again! Continued best wishes to you both!
Barb Spall
Kelsey K
5.0
10/29/2018
CityGate Grille was the perfect setting for our perfect wedding! Honestly day of, everything went amazing. Our family and friends said it was the most fun wedding they've ever been to. Food was delicious, service was fast, everything was decorated to what we asked for. Our ceremony was there outside and the setting was beautiful. The cocktail hour was outside on the patio but we had the firepit and heaters to keep everyone warm! Barb is very friendly and helpful. My only advice to brides would be to get Barb's cell number a couple weeks before the wedding to make communication easier, as she is only in the office Tuesdays-Saturdays.
Book your wedding here, you won't regret it!
Vendor response 11/03/2018
Dear Kelsey & John,
Thanks for selecting CityGate Grille for your wedding! I'm so glad y...
ou were pleased with our food, service and setting! We pride ourselves on all three! I hope to see you back in the restaurant soon!
Continued best wishes to you both!
Barb Spall
Lorena R
5.0
10/24/2018
We cannot say enough great things about our experience with City Gate Grille! Barb is AMAZING and we were so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with her in getting everything coordinated for our wedding. She is informative, energetic, organized and really went above and beyond for us. We challenged her with a few fun things we wanted at our wedding (a first for them) and she made it happen! She was incredibly detailed and didn't miss a beat. My husband and I were truly able to enjoy our reception and new that everything was in good hands. Apart from the amazing coordinating, EVERYONE could not say enough good things about the food and service both during the reception and at the Hotel across the way (Arista). They have gone above and beyond even as we approach our first anniversary-- calling us to remind us of our anniversary dinner and offering to take care of all reservations including a night stay at the Hotel, just like our wedding night! Highly Recommend!
Vendor response 11/03/2018
Dear Lorena & Alex,
Thanks so much for selecting CityGate Grille for your reception! I ha...
d so much fun helping you with your wedding planning and seeing it all come to fruition! I'm so glad to hear that you loved the reception and our wonderful service--we really do have an amazing staff here. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon for your 1st Anniversary!
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Amber + Joe S
5.0
10/14/2018
Barb was our day of coordinator at City Gate Grille for our wedding reception, but she was so much more than just "day of". Barb helped guide the planning process and stayed in contact with us and our vendors and helped us develop a timeline to make sure there were no hiccups on the day. Barb was more than accommodating, quick to respond to questions, flexible with meeting in person and overall such a joy to work with. I can't imagine having gone through this process without her guidance and enthusiasm. She truly helped make our day incredibly special and memorable. THANK YOU, BARB!!!
Vendor response 11/03/2018
Dear Amber & Joe,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your reception! I'm so...
happy that you were the first couple to enjoy our brand new brick paver patio! I appreciate your kinds words. It was truly my pleasure to see your reaction to seeing the room for the first time on your wedding day--your creativity and vision come to life was magical!
Continued blessings to you both!
Barb Spall
Katie J
5.0
10/11/2018
Barb at CityGate Grille is the most amazing person ever! From the moment we met her we just knew we wanted her involved in planning our big day. She took care of every detail and was so personable throughout the entire process. We looked forward to our meetings with her and loved hearing her ideas and suggestions. And our wedding day was perfect! The outdoor ceremony and patio for cocktails were beautiful. All of our guests raved about the food and the ambience and said it was the best wedding they'd ever attended. The staff at was so friendly and attentive. We couldn't have dreamed of a better place to have our wedding. We're thinking of doing it again next summer ;)
Vendor response 11/03/2018
Dear Katie,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your big day! I enjoyed plann...
ing your wedding! You & Brandon are such a happy couple! I'm so glad to hear that your guests raved about our food & ambience! I hope to see in the restaurant again soon!
Continued best wishes to you both!
Barb
Susie S
5.0
10/08/2018
Wonderful event set up, awesome food and service Barb did great job making our day awesome
Thanks Susie snd Bob
Vendor response 10/09/2018
Dear Susie & Bob,
Thanks again for selecting CityGate Grille as your venue for your weddin...
g and reception! I'm so happy to know that you had an awesome day! That's our goal!
Continued best wishes to you both!
Barb Spall
Elaine C
5.0
10/07/2018
Barb Spall & City Gate Grille made planning our wedding reception a breeze. She is so professional and left no detail to chance. I loved her professionalism and her friendly nature. Our guests continue to rave about our reception, both food and venue, and I know all went so well because of Barb Spall's attention to detail. I wish we could do it all over again because it was so much fun!
Vendor response 10/09/2018
Dear Elaine & Joe,
I wish we could do it again too! Your wedding day was so joyful! I wa...
s honored to have been a part of it. So glad to hear that your guests are still raving about us and our food! Hope to see you both back in the restaurant again soon!
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Alyssa D
5.0
10/06/2018
We got married in June and it was the perfect day thanks to Barb. We knew from the minute we first met her that we had to have our reception at City Gate Grille! She wanted to make sure the day went as exactly how we wanted it to go. She was amazing at answering our questions throughout the whole process. The day of the wedding everything went so smoothly because of Barb! We had received so many compliments from our family and guests saying how wondering Barb was the day of our wedding! We would recommend to anyone to have their wedding at City Gate Grille!
Vendor response 10/06/2018
Dear Alyssa & Mark,
Thanks so much for sweet comments! It was my pleasure to help you cel...
ebrate your beautiful wedding @ CityGate Grille! I'm so glad your day went exactly as you wanted it too! I look forward to seeing you here on your first anniversary for your complimentary dinner! Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Elaine C
5.0
10/06/2018
Barb Spall , event coordina
Damon M
5.0
9/21/2018
I do not usually write reviews. I tend to think that good service is expected with any contract. However, I feel compelled to express my gratitude to CityGate Grille and Barb for an experience that was well beyond expectations. Every step of the process, from initial planning to food selection to execution on the day of the wedding and reception was well done. Barb was a pleasure to work with and took care of every detail envisioned by my wife. I could not visualize how the space for the ceremony would be utilized, but the layout was perfect for our guest count.
The preparations for the reception was spot on. As soon as I stepped into the room I was impressed. The smile on my wife’s face said it all. Barb delivered everything we planned and made sure the rest of the evening went smoothly. The staff was courteous and prompt. Barb ensured that the few special meals we had with dietary restrictions were delivered without any problems. Many guests commented on how much they enjoyed their meal.
There are many venues in the area to choose from. I would encourage anyone to give CityGate Grille and Barb strong consideration for their next, big event.
Vendor response 10/06/2018
Dear Damon & Zhavonne,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your big day! I en...
joyed getting a chance to know you both and help to make your day memorable! I look forward to seeing you back next year for your complimentary anniversary dinner! Thanks again, Barb Spall
Vivian G
5.0
8/25/2018
We got married at City Gate Grille about a month ago and it was perfect. Barb, our coordinator, was so great answering all of my little questions throughout the entire planning process. On the day of the wedding, she helped make sure everything ran seamlessly. Food was very important to use when we were looking into venues, and City Gate did not disappoint. We are still getting compliments from our guests about the food! You get a lot for your money and we are so grateful we chose to do our ceremony and reception here.
Vendor response 09/07/2018
Dear Vivian,
Thanks for celebrating your wedding @ CityGate Grille! I'm so happy that you...
are still getting compliments about the food! I really enjoyed planning everything with you and your family. Make plans to come back on your first anniversary for your complimentary dinner! Continued blessings to you & Zack! Barb Spall
Megan M
5.0
11/17/2017
It was absolutely amazing! I got married last weekend and Barb was our wedding coordinator for CityGate. She did an amazing job making sure everything was set up perfectly, all the guest had a drink, and even helped me fix my dress! The food was also amazing. Head chef Adam Tanner made sure everything was made to order and even came down to check on us! All the guest could talk about the next day was how beautiful the place was and the amazing food! I would HIGHLY recommend this place! They made you feel at home and very special!
Vendor response 11/17/2017
Dear Megan,
Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm so thankful that you selected CityGat...
e Grille for your wedding reception and that I am the lucky one that had the honor of helping you & Brian plan your big day! I'm so happy to hear that you were pleased with everything and that everyone loved it!
Make sure you join us next year on your anniversary to receive your complimentary anniversary dinner!
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Cristen S
5.0
10/15/2017
CityGate is an amazing place to have your wedding! Our wedding day was everything we imagined it to be. Barb and the rest of the staff were so attentive and helpful throughout the entire day. Barb was so accommodating and made sure we had everything we wanted. She even came to the hotel suite that the bridesmaids were getting ready in to make sure we were doing okay! The food was amazing and we got so many compliments on it. Unfortunately it was raining on our wedding day but the outdoor patio is a beautiful place to have cocktail hour and to use during the reception if the weather is nice. Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend having your event at CityGate, you will not regret it. We had the wedding of our dreams and would not have changed a thing! Thank you Barb for making everything absolutely perfect!
Kimberly S
5.0
10/13/2017
Our wedding at CityGate Grille was everything that we wanted and more. Barb is such an amazing person to work with and will do everything to ensure your day goes perfectly! She is very friendly and personable is able to quickly think on her feet! Right before our ceremony it started to rain and she was able to get our guests seated quickly so we could have our outdoor ceremony we dreamed out before it started raining too hard. We would highly recommend having your wedding at CityGate. The food and drinks were excellent and the outdoor patio is perfect for drinks by the fire pits. We booked our room at Hotel Arista which was beautiful. The staff there was very accommodating. Thank you to Barb and all of the staff at CityGate and Hotel Arista for making our day perfect!
Vendor response 10/14/2017
Dear Kim & Zach,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your big day! I'm so hap...
py that we exceeded your expectations--that's our goal!
I appreciate your kind words and will share them with our staff as well as everyone at Hotel Arista.
Best of luck to you with your classes Kim. You'll have to make plans to celebrate your graduation with us too! Don't forget to make time to come in for your complimentary anniversary dinner next year too.
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Waldina C
5.0
10/08/2017
We had our wedding at CityGate Grille, July this year. Barb, was extremely helpful and accommodating to our requests. We wanted a ‘cocktail party’ type of reception as we wanted something laid back and not too traditional but still nice with a wedding feel. The room was set up with round tables and cocktail tables and the outside patio was everything for a summer night party. Barb even helped with center pieces and the cake is included in the package, which is extremely helpful, plus it was beautiful and delicious. The food is amazing, we had tons of food options and the staff during the reception was friendly, polite and accommodating. We had exactly the wedding we wanted! Wish we had our ceremony there as well, we missed out on that because we found this place last minute and had arranged the ceremony already, but the patio/outside area is beautiful for your ceremony as well.
Vendor response 10/14/2017
Dear Dina & Brian,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your wedding reception...
. I'm so happy to hear that you had exactly the wedding you wanted! We pride ourselves on being unique and having wonderful food & service!
I look forward to seeing you back next year for your complimentary anniversary dinner.
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Areta W
5.0
10/04/2017
I wanted to write this review and thank everyone at City Gate Grille for making our wedding day so perfect. My husband and I were determined to have an outdoor ceremony with an outdoor cocktail hour. City Gate Grille is the absolute perfect venue for that. Katie and Barb helped us plan our big day. They were both so sweet and their attention to detail was spot on. We had several meetings before the wedding but because of that everything went off without a hitch. They were both my "right hand women". I couldn't have picked two better women to work with. They say planning a wedding is very stressful but the two of them made it stress free. I knew I was in very good hands. We were worried about the weather for the day of but it was a perfect 70 and sunny. The patio is so beautiful so we were so happy we got to utilize it. Love the lights everywhere and the fire pit. Let's talk about the food now. The food was phenomenal! Katie knew we'd be talking to our guests during cocktail hour making it impossible to eat so she made sure we had a plateful of the apps at our table waiting for us. We hit the "easy" button and decided to serve steak and chicken on the same plate but did accommodate people with special dietary restrictions. I highly recommend going this route because it'll make your life easier. Everyone commented on how great the food was. All in all I'd say our wedding was absolutely perfect. My husband and I are city people and wanted our wedding in the city but for all the upgrading we did at CGG we'd be paying substantially more just to have it in the city and that wasn't worth it to us. The CGG gave us everything we wanted and for a really great value. The wedding came out exactly as we envisioned it and we couldn't be happier.
Vendor response 10/05/2017
Dear Areta & Mark,
Thank you for choosing CityGate Grille for your wedding ceremony & rec...
eption. Katie & I were honored to be a part of your big day! We are so happy that it was everything you hoped for!
We look forward to seeing you again next year when you come back to enjoy your complimentary anniversary dinner.
Thanks again!
Barb Spall & Katie Jones
Kirsten B
5.0
10/03/2017
From beginning to end, CityGate Grille was amazing. Katie Jones made the whole process extremely easy and enjoyable. She was always very easy to get in contact with and she made sure everything was in place leading up to the big day. I would recommend CityGate Grille to anyone looking for a venue that stands out from the rest. Our guests raved about the food and outdoor terrace. Barb was very tentative to us the day of the wedding. Thank you CityGate Grille for all of your hard work!
Vendor response 10/05/2017
Dear Kirsten & Patrick,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your wedding rece...
ption! Katie & I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of your wonderful wedding. We're so happy that you were pleased with everything!
Don't forget to make plans to come back next year to celebrate your first anniversary with your complimentary dinner @ CityGate Grille.
Thanks again!
Barb Spall & Katie Jones
Renee B
5.0
9/11/2017
Our wedding at CityGate was absolutely perfect, much thanks to our wedding coordinator Barb Spall. She made sure our entire day ran smoothly. I could not have asked for a better coordinator to be with us on our day. CityGate really did a great job at transforming their event space into my dream reception. Having the outside terrace to use on the warm summer night was a great feature. The food was to die for, the wait staff was extremely fast and respectful. There were so many people from CityGate that made the whole night flow smoothly. Thank you Barb for making it all happen!
Vendor response 10/05/2017
Dear Renee,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your big day! I'm so happy t...
o hear that you were so pleased with everything--that's our goal!
I hope that you & Brandon can make a trip back here next summer for your complimentary Anniversary Dinner @ CityGate Grille.
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Rachael V
5.0
7/12/2017
Every aspect of the reception at CityGate Grille was fantastic. Barb was excellent throughout the entire process. She worked with us to make sure that everything that we asked for was handled flawlessly. Any request that we had was taken care of, and done so quickly and fairly. The rest of the staff we worked with were wonderful, too, and so incredibly nice. The entire Calamos complex was top-notch. Having Hotel Arista so close was a huge plus.
We've received nothing but compliments on the food. The food coming fresh from the kitchen worked great for two reasons- one, it tasted fresher, and two, it allowed us to actually eat and take a quick breather before the dancing got going. De'Etta's Bakery, the company that the cake is contracted through, is top notch, too!
We are so glad that we chose CityGate Grille for our reception!
Vendor response 07/18/2017
Dear Rachael,
Thanks so much for choosing CityGate Grille for your wedding reception! I'...
m so happy to hear that you have received so many compliments on our service and food quality! Those are definitely things that set us apart from other places!
I know I will continue to see you & Aaron in our restaurant often. Don't forget that you will be receiving a complimentary dinner on your first anniversary too!
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Amanda P
5.0
7/10/2017
I had my wedding ceremony and reception at CityGate in Naperville in June 2017. Everything was AMAZING. The ceremony was beautiful outside by the pond and the reception followed immediately after. The access to the patio was perfect for cocktails before dinner. Our wedding coordinator, Barb was fabulous! We did not have to worry about a thing. She made sure everything ran smoothly for the ceremony & reception. The food was great-we received so many compliments from our guests on the food choice, which was steak & chicken marsala.
I would definitely recommend CityGate for anyone who is looking for a wedding venue!
Vendor response 07/18/2017
Dear Amanda,
Thanks so much for celebrating your big day at CityGate Grille! I'm so happ...
y that you and your guests loved it--that's our goal!
Best of luck to you & Mike! I look forward to seeing you back again next year for your complimentary first anniversary dinner!
Thanks again!
Barb Spall
Carrie S
5.0
5/03/2017
Picking CityGate Grille as our reception venue was probably the best choice we made in our wedding. The venue is amazingly beautiful and the staff there was so kind. The package/deal is absolutely amazing - when we booked with them, the package included a complimentary wedding cake (saved us hundreds probably!), complimentary hotel room the night of our wedding (which was an AMAZING suite that even gave us chocolate covered strawberries!), a one-year anniversary dinner and one-year anniversary cake. Not only all of that, but the package is extremely flexible if you decide you don't want all the courses, or to limit drinks, etc. Anything taken away lowers the price per person so we were able to do so much.
When I booked, I met with Holley who was absolutely incredible and to be honest, a big part of the reason why we decided on CityGate was because of her and how organized, accommodating, flexible, and kind she was. We were so upset to find out that she wasn't staying, and had found a new job elsewhere. However, we worked with Laura after Holley left, who was super prompt and great at answering my questions, and then they eventually hired Barb who now is in Holley's place and was there the night of our wedding. Barb was incredible and though she had a high bar set for her, we were so pleased with everything. Only thing I will say is that she was not as quick to answer emails since she is in office a lot less and doesn't answer emails outside of the office, but it was not a problem really and she was so thorough once she replied so we truly don't have any complaints. Thanks CityGate Grille!
Vendor response 05/03/2017
Dear Carrie,
Thanks so much for your amazing review regarding your wedding reception! I'...
m so happy to hear that you were so pleased with everything at CityGate Grille!
I look forward to seeing you & Jake at your one-year Anniversary Dinner with us!
Congratulations again!
Cordially,
Barb Spall
Ashleigh E
5.0
4/25/2017
CityGate was the first venue we looked at and we knew right away that it was the perfect place! Barb was fantastic! She was there every step of the way. Whenever I had a question or concern she was there with a response right away. The entire staff was amazing the whole night. The food was amazing! We got a lot of compliments for all our guests about how perfect everything was. I would highly recommend CityGate to anyone.
Caroline U
5.0
8/09/2016
My husband and I couldn't be any happier went with CityGate for our venue. Katie Jones was our on-site coordinator and she was there from start to finish. The location was perfect because it was right off the highway, it was next to Hotel Arista, where our guests stayed, we were able to hold our ceremony on the patio of CG, and the layout was perfect for our 175 guests. The food was amazing, we went with the steak with chimichurri sauce and the pear and onion glazed chicken. The appetizers we chose were the tuna ahi crisps, bacon wrapped dates, beef tenderloin skewers, and bruschetta.
Knottie1466554361
5.0
6/21/2016
It is impossible to put into words our experience with CityGate Grille and most of all Holley Himes!
Our wedding was on father's day, 6-19-16.
I randomly found the venue after months of searching for a non-banquet feel in the suburbs.
As we first drove to meet with Holley, we realized we've been to the restaurant upstairs before and immediately had a relief knowing at least the food will be outstanding (we are both big foodies and our guests expected nothing less but gourmet kitchen).
Once we saw the space downstairs, we were stunned by the big top to bottom (almost 180°) windows. On top of that there was a private terrace surrounding the main room, which also included!
My husband (then fiancé) and I looked at each other and immediately knew we had found our place!
Once we booked we realized we'd also hit the jackpot!
Holley (and the venue) was very flexible with every crazy request we threw at her. The best part is that she actually cared, she wanted to be involved, she came up with ideas, solutions and always sent me updates with diagrams and photos so it's easier to visualize .
She was extremely prompt, attentive and somehow could "read my mind". I'd only give her an idea or ask question and you bet she knew how to beautifully make it happen!
The day of our wedding Holley was managing the entire flow and made sure all decorations were on point.
The entire CitiGate Grille team did a phenomenal job, all of our guests thought the place looked amazing, they were obsessed with every food choice they were served and everyone was taken care of greatly.
Thank you CitiGate Grille for the phenomenal service, food, and experience. But most of all thank you Holley Himes for delivering the smoothest and best wedding day anyone could have ever ask for!!! ♡♡♡
P.S. There always was at least one negative review for every venue we looked at. But believe me, even if you come across one for CityGate Grille, just ignore it! I am one of the toughest critics and still There's nothing I can even think of that we didn't like, not one thing!