A Waterfront Tavern With Distinct Chicago Flair
201 to 250 guests
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Jessica Lardie
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SALES
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (7X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
River Roast is a waterfront restaurant wedding reception venue located in Chicago, Illinois. Nestled within the downtown area with views overlooking the glistening Chicago river, this lively social house exudes both style and comfort. Specializing in handcrafted tavern-inspired American cuisine, it is the ideal location for you and your guests to sit down for an unforgettable meal.
Facilities and Capacity
Situated within the historic Reid and Murdoch building, this spacious location has six different indoor and outdoor venues for you to choose from. From intimate gatherings with your nearest and dearest to tremendous gatherings of up to 1,000 guests, there’s room for everyone. Depending on your needs, stylistic approach, and time of year, these spaces can also be customized to create separate areas for dining and dancing. For smaller get-togethers, there is also a secluded veranda and dock available for you to host private cocktail receptions or dinners.
Services Offered
Be it formal or casual celebrations, the talented staff at River Roast is committed to helping every couple realize their own unique vision. Dedicated to exceptional service, this team has an impeccable eye for detail when it comes to planning weddings. With a wealth of event planning experience, they will help you craft a complete reception timeline to make sure your special day runs smoothly. From designing the perfect seating plan to providing audio-visual equipment, they strive to make your day as stress-free as possible. Their range of services include:
Event planning
Wedding decor
Setup and cleanup
Dance floor setup
Valet parking
Cuisine
With a scumptuous menu created by Executive Chef, Cedric Harden, Riverside Roast specializes in serving contemporary American dishes with a focus on elegantly delectable presentations. From the four-hour brunch option to the full three-course Royalist menu, there is a range of customizable dining packages to choose from. Popular dishes include slow-roasted pork loin, the signature chicken breast, and Jake Melnick’s famous wings. Whatever your palate, expert culinary staff will work with you one-to-one to construct a full menu that meet your needs. Whether you are looking for the wedding cake of your dreams or an array of late-night snacks, they are here to help. There is also a full bar selection and service staff are on-hand to make sure empty plates are cleared and champagne glasses are kept full. Other cuisine-related options include:
Tastings
Hors d’oeuvres packages
Snack and stationed options
Complimentary votive candles and menu cards
Pricing details
No pricing details yet
We’re here to help! Find other vendors that suit your budget.
Continue browsing vendors
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Beach
Waterfront
Historic Venue
Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Cakes & Desserts
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Destination Wedding Planning
Food & Catering
Planning
Destination Wedding Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Service Staff
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 5
- Jessica LardieAssistant Director of SalesI am a seasoned event planner with 7 years of experience bringing visions to life. From intimate gatherings to grand-scale productions, I possess a meticulous eye for detail, ensuring every aspect of an event is flawlessly executed, leaving lasting memories for clients and guests alike.
- Jena HorowitzSenior Sales ManagerWith six years of experience in the event planning industry, I have a proven track record of success in creating and executing memorable and impactful events. From intimate gatherings to large-scale buyouts, I have a keen eye for detail, strong organizational skills, and a passion for bringing unique visions to life.
- Nick AbateSales ManagerI am an event specialist and planner with 3+ years of experience here at River Roast, and over 5 years of experience in restaurants overall. I love working on all of the large and small details that make an event memorable and magical!
- Kendall KieltySales ManagerWith four years of experience in the hospitality industry, I thrive on creating seamless, unforgettable experiences for all of my clients. I am extra passionate about attention to detail and establishing personalized connections with clients, and expertly manage every aspect of event planning, from concept to execution.
- Lauren StofkoSales CoordinatorI have been the Sales Coordinator here at River Roast for over a year now. There is never a dull moment in this industry, which makes every day a surprise. I love seeing an event go from a first thought all the way to a full blown production - and I love the satisfaction of perfect execution.
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.097 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.
River Roast is highly praised by multiple couples for their dream weddings, with shoutouts to coordinators like Kendall, Jena, Jessica, and Nick who helped create seamless and personalized experiences. Guests raved about the amazing food, beautiful location, and top-notch staff. The venue's stunning ambiance, inclusive packages, and exceptional service from planning to execution were highlighted as major factors in making each event memorable and magical. Overall, River Roast receives high recommendations for its picturesque setting, delicious menu options, and professional staff.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
- Top reviews
- Newest first
- Oldest first
- Highest rated
- Lowest rated
Sort by
Elyse B
Highlighted review.
5.0
10/31/2024
My husband and I recently got married at River Roast this fall and everything about our wedding reception exceeded our expectations.
I would specifically like to highlight the sales manager, Jessica, who I worked with for two years leading up to our wedding. As someone who is extremely particular and type A, Jess handled all my questions and concerns with professionalism and ease during that process. She didn't miss a beat which gave me a sense of confidence and excitement through out the planning process.
When it came to wedding day, Jess helped bring my vision to life and went above and beyond to make our day special. We received numerous compliments on the food, location, and views. When it comes to a city venue...you cannot beat River Roast. It will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Katelyn P
5.0
1/10/2025
Long overdue review! My husband and I got married here in August and it was everything we dreamed of and more. Kendall K. was our assigned manager and holy moley she is the best! She truly helped us create the wedding of our dreams. Together we curated an amazing unique dinner, dessert, and drink menu for our guests which they LOVED. Throughout 2 years of planning, Kendall was there to answer any question we had and was always offering suggestions to enhance our wedding day! She was there on the day of and helped make sure everything ran smoothly. We couldn’t have done it without her. It was seamless and perfect. She went above and beyond for us. I can’t say enough good things about Kendall!
The food was seriously amazing. The best food we’ve ever had at a wedding. We got tons of compliments on the iconic locations, the food, and the drinks! Seriously all top notch. We couldn’t be happier and loved our wedding day at River Roast. HIGHLY recommend!
Any questions?
151-200 B
5.0
12/20/2024
We had a beautiful wedding on 9/7 because of Jena! She was truly so easy to work with and open to any of our ideas. She kept us so up to date and was so organized down to every last detail. We would not have had half as beautiful a reception without all of her efforts. I cannot recommend working with Jena and River Roast enough!
Alli O
5.0
11/25/2024
Was the perfect wedding venue for us and our guests. We received so many compliments on the venue, outdoor area, location, food, and beverages. We appreciate all the hard work the staff put into making our day the best they could. Jena was great to work with as well. A huge thanks all around!
Lupe J
5.0
11/13/2024
My husband and I celebrated our wedding at River Roast and it was an absolute dream come true. From the scenery to the ambiance. Our coordinator Jessica, who had excellent communication, helped to deliver a seamless wedding reception. They assisted with finding vendors and helped get the actual day set up. The staff was extremely professional, kind and helpful. If I could do all over again, I would choose River Roast a million times over. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Brooke M
5.0
11/07/2024
We had our wedding at River Roast this summer and we could not happier that we selected this as our wedding venue!! We were looking for a venue with the more all-inclusive vibe that had food/drink/staff, etc so we did not have to outsource, so when we found River Roast we knew it was a great option. Once we toured and met with Jess, we knew it was the perfect venue! The event space, the food, the outdoor terrace and the staff stuck out to us the most and we are so happy we chose River Roast to have our wedding. Our event coordinator was Jess and she was amazing to work with as well. Every question I had even days before the wedding she responded to right away! What else I loved was that the decor add ons and linens were all done through River Roast, so it was nice all going through one vendor for everything! Thank you Jess and thank you River Roast team for making our wedding dreams come true!
Tori M
5.0
10/30/2024
We wanted to highlight Jessica and all the staff at River Roast! Everything was absolutely perfect and exactly what we envisioned! We received so many wonderful compliments on the food, the space, the staff, etc. We couldn't have done it without Jessica and everyone there at River Roast, we greatly appreciated them all! Everything was fabulous and it was a day we will never forget!
A V
5.0
10/30/2024
Jessica was a GEM to work with. Always on top of all communication and we mostly value all of the advice along the way from her trained eye and expertise.
Food was amazing and everything that was manged logistics-wise from River Roast went by so smoothly!
Our guests were totally blown away and we're still getting compliments on how great everything looked.
Only thing I'd caution is knowing what vendors you'll need and check out their offerings of preferred vendors beforehand! It was not obvious to me but all of the mood lightings and DJ lights were things we had to source separately (Our DJ also didn't have his own lights...!)
We are so happy we picked RR and will plan to be frequent diners(:
Natalie D
5.0
10/24/2024
We were blown away by River Roast! The entire night was seamless, the food was amazing and the ambiance of the riverside patio was magical. We had so many compliments from our guests! I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a city wedding.
Kendall was so helpful from start to finish, from planning our first walk through all the way to the day of. She made sure every detail was in order and ensured our night was flawless!
River Roast is a full package venue and a top notch one at that.
Isabella V
2.0
10/02/2024
I was so excited to celebrate our wedding reception at this venue, but sadly, the experience didn’t live up to our expectations. After spending a significant amount of money, I was deeply disappointed by the poor communication and lack of professionalism from the management team. We voiced some serious concerns, but they were either ignored or brushed aside, which made an already emotional time even more stressful. If you’re planning your big day, I’d suggest looking into other riverside venues—peace of mind is worth every penny.
Jacoby H
1.0
10/01/2024
We were really looking forward to our wedding reception at this venue, especially after investing so much to make it special. Unfortunately, the lack of communication and professionalism from the management really let us down. We reached out multiple times with serious concerns, but they didn’t respond in a way that made us feel valued or reassured. It was heartbreaking to feel like such an important day wasn’t treated with the care it deserved. I truly recommend considering other riverside venues, even if they come at a higher price, to avoid the stress we experienced.
Kendra M
5.0
8/05/2024
7 years ago when I moved to Chicago, I was nowhere close to getting married, but I saw River Roast’s event space from a boat tour and said “now THAT would be a dream wedding venue.” I’m still blown away that I actually made this dream come true!
We booked River Roast in Dec 2022 for our April 2024 wedding after touring about 20 venues. We chose based on River Roast’s location, amazing food, close to all-inclusive packaging, and dynamic pricing for the off-season. And OBVIOUSLY for the gorgeous patio space!!
We had a great initial tour with a staff member who is no longer there, and our account was transferred to Jessica after we booked who was then our main contact. Jessica was so great!! She checked in often in the downtime before we really needed to start planning, and then was totally on top of things as we got closer. She knew all the details that other couples cared about or forgot and always made sure nothing was overlooked. When some floor plan things needed changing after our rehearsal, she got everything fixed right away so it was ready to go when we arrived on the wedding day. Jessica also went above and beyond, letting us store some things at her desk to minimize stress on the wedding day.
The food on our wedding day was PERFECT and even better than our tasting. We had a guest with extremely severe allergies, and Jessica personally worked with him to make sure he could eat. And it wasn’t just a bland plate - they brought him every side dish and even late night snacks tailored to his needs. We loved the menu options, and how we could have unique options like tuna tartar on wonton chips, but could still offer a classic steak and potatoes for the grandparents with less adventurous tastes. Several guests said the chicken was the best wedding chicken they’ve ever had.
We could not have asked for a better venue. We were lucky to have a perfect April weather day and the patio was gorgeous. We had lots of out of town guests who loved being downtown on the river. Our photos are amazing. The River Roast team and event space truly made our dream wedding come true, and I’ll be talking about it forever.
Kathleen E
5.0
7/03/2024
I cannot say enough amazing things about River Roast. We had our reception at River Roast in June 2024 and it was the best decision we ever made. Many of our guests had never been to Chicago - they could not stop raving about how incredible the cocktail hour was on the veranda and the consistent view of the river was. We were getting told by multiple guests that it was the best wedding venue they have ever been to - we are biased, but we agree!
From the start, the process was seamless. They got us in for a tour so fast, did not put much pressure on us (although, we took the last date in June for 2024 - they book up fast!), and they were so helpful with kickstarting our wedding planning (provided so many awesome vendors). Once we got close to the date, Nick Abate (the River Roast coordinator for our wedding), was consistently communicating with us. We truly cannot thank Nick enough for how incredible he made our wedding reception. He was so willing to work with all of our vendors and make sure everything as just like we wanted!
Lastly - the food! Once again, we were getting told it was the best wedding food guests have had! It was amazing!!
We are more than glad we had our wedding reception at River Roast and will always be so thankful for them!
Alexa P
5.0
6/28/2024
You could not find a more STUNNING wedding venue in the city than River Roast! From the moment we viewed River Roast I knew I wanted to get married there. The views are stunning and every single person loved being out on the veranda for cocktail hour. The food is incredible there and all my guests raved about it all night. They were accommodating to our needs and made sure everything was perfect and matched my vision completely. I could not be happier about how our wedding turned out and River Roast made it happen! If you are looking for a city venue, look no further than River Roast
Jessica W
5.0
3/05/2024
We had our wedding ceremony and reception here in February 2024. WOW does RR know how to do weddings! The venue was so elegant with city romantic vibes being right on the river, even on a cold winter night. We worked with Jessica as our RR coordinator and she was great! She kept us on track for scheduling food tasting, final walk thru and last minute details. She went above and beyond to assist with our requests to make our day even more special. Our guests are still raving about how the steak dinner meal was cooked to PERFECTION, for all 200 guests. RR's partnership with Bittersweet Bakery for our wedding cake was a great bonus. You will be overjoyed booking your wedding here at RR.
ALEXA B
5.0
11/20/2023
It was a dream!! I saw a picture of a wedding at RiverRoast before even being engaged and new that I wanted our wedding to be there. From the beginning of the process it was just seammles and we even experienced our sales rep leaving during the middle of our planning process, but Jess took over and she was amazing - she responded to all my emails with my questions. The day of was absolutely perfect, the venue itself is absolutely gorgeous (if youre doing the monarch room opt for the drapery on the columns) I had multiple people say that they had been at the venue before but the drapery gave it such a dreamy vibe and I truly felt the room could not have been more beautiful, and lastly, the food. I am still receving messages about our mini beef wellingtons that we had as one of the appetizers.
I cannot begin to explain the way in which I am so obsessed with this venue. We had 180 guests which was a perfect amount (and allowed for two bars to be set up in the room) with a kings table of 23 people.
There are not enough good things I can say about this place and I recommend 10000/10
Margot T
5.0
11/14/2023
Dream wedding!!! I had been eyeing River Roast as a wedding venue before I even got engaged, and was quick to book with them once it was time to start wedding planning. I'm so glad I did! They run such a tight ship over there, and it made the process so much less stressful. We experienced our sales rep leaving during the middle of our planning process, which had the potential to be quite stressful, but Jess, who took over, was amazing -- she was so quick to respond to questions and seamlessly addressed all our questions and needs.
I always wanted to have a dive bar-style popcorn machine at my wedding, and the RR team were so gracious and adaptive in terms of handling that somewhat unorthodox request -- they got everything up and running flawlessly! It was also so great to be able to pick up all our stuff the morning after the wedding and not have to worry about it night-of.
Finally -- and most importantly!! -- we wanted to book River Roast for two main reasons: the food and the views. And both were so exceptional! The experience of having our cocktail hour outside on the river was a dream come true -- it was a chilly November day, but the heat lamps made it perfect, and the photo ops were top notch.
10/10 recommend having your wedding here!!
Shannon B
5.0
9/18/2023
We had our ceremony & reception at River Roast, and it was nothing short of fantastic! The venue itself is absolutely stunning & the staff was incredible. We had so many compliments from our guests by the end of the night. 5 stars!
Margaret S
5.0
6/20/2023
We had our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception at River Roast and it was beyond perfect. The venue is absolutely stunning - of course you cannot beat the river and skyline view from the veranda, but the reception halls are equally as beautiful.
The staff is best of the best! Jenn was our venue coordinator and she was amazing - extremely responsive, helpful, and generous with her time. Our day wouldn't have been possible without her. The waitstaff and bartenders were best of the best - the bar service moved quickly and the waitstaff was very professional, delivering all 10 dinner entrees to a table at the same time.
The food!!!! I have had countless guests say the food was the best wedding food they have ever had. We had 120 of our 185 guests order filet mignon and the steak was cooked to medium perfection. The venue was also very accommodating to guest allergies and dietary restrictions, which was greatly appreciated!
Lastly, the décor – River Roast helps coordinate the main parts of the décor. They helped coordinate chairs (chairs are included, but I wanted a different look), linens, chargers, etc – which was just a couple less vendors we had to find and coordinate with.
I would host my wedding 1000x over at River Roast - they helped make our dream wedding a reality!
Megan M
5.0
3/30/2023
We had our reception at River Roast and I cannot recommend them enough. We had initially reached out to a few venues, and struggled with communication from some. But from the beginning, through the entire planning process, to the day of, River Roast was very communicative and helped make the process run seamlessly. A few days before our wedding, the weather forecast unexpectedly turned for the worse—predicting freezing temps, high winds and precipitation. Jessica and everyone at River Roast were wonderful working with us to tweak our plans (initially an outdoor cocktail hour) to accommodate the change in weather. Our reception ended up being better than we could have imagined. And our guests couldn’t stop raving about how great the location, service and food were. I cannot recommend River Roast enough!
Erin T
5.0
3/09/2023
My husband and I held our December wedding at River Roast and we could not be happier with this decision. River Roast is a beautiful venue, especially at night, and is in a perfect location next to the river! We had so many out of town guests who loved the view. The food is incredible, too - so many of our guests have raved about the food, saying that it's some of the best they've had at a wedding. Alyssa was so helpful and great to work with throughout the planning process. She was responsive and helpful with even the smallest of requests, and she gave great suggestions when it came to the flow/timeline of the evening. She was accommodating with every last request we had!
Everything about River Roast is great - the space, the view, the food (!!!), the lighting, the staff. I can't recommend it enough.
Colleen W
4.0
2/14/2023
River Roast was an absolute dream location. Located on the the River, it served as an idyllic background for our Fall wedding. Due to Covid we had 3 different event coordinators for our wedding date. All were accommodating and capable. The food is much better than most mass produced venues. Your guests wil thank you because you are able to have a ceremony and a reception all in one location!
BE WARNED! The venue did not save our wedding cake or leftover desserts. I never thought that this was something that I would have had to specify, so I can only assume all waitstaff ate it and then they through the large remainder away. They also threw away my bridal bouquet, without providing anything, even an apology.
Lauryn H
5.0
12/23/2022
River Roast is an absolutely incredible place to get married! From overlooking the river with it's gorgeous outdoor patio, from the amazing food and staff, it has everything you could ever want in a wedding venue. Alyssa Rossetti helped us every step of the way to ensure our day was perfect. She is absolutely wonderful and really helped tie all of our "visions" together. Thank you thank you River Roast for the most amazing day ever!!
Rachel K
5.0
10/26/2022
We absolutely LOVED River Roast! We had the wedding of our dreams thanks to Jennifer and the whole team. Jennifer was always so responsive and on top of things, and dealt with our many (and I mean many) requests and questions. She truly went above and beyond to make our day special. The location is BREATHTAKING, and everyone was so in awe of the view from the balcony. Half our guests were on the dance floor and the other half were outside enjoying the beautiful balcony. In my opinion, lighting is everything, so we added the string lighting over the dance floor, up lights, chandeliers on the balcony, and many candles. Totally worth it.
Jeannie W
5.0
9/05/2022
We were SO lucky to have found River Roast (Veranda + Murdoch Room) for our wedding venue and booked it immediately. You cannot beat the location right on the river; the veranda was beautiful for cocktail hour. Our guests (especially those from out of town) loved being in the heart of the city. The food is also amazing. We did several different dinner stations and you really can’t go wrong with their menus. Alyssa was really flexible and helpful in customizing some items to fit our service style/vision (of course for dietary restrictions as well), and let us swap out some beverages on the bar. We were able to bring in desserts (we wanted to do our local Chicago favorites) and Alyssa even ordered and handled that for us. They also have in-house decor options which makes it super easy. We ended up using vendors on their preferred list as well (photographer, band, floral, etc) and loved all of them too! Everyone at River Roast, from Alyssa to our banquet captain to the bartenders, made our day so seamless and special!
Nicky B
5.0
7/18/2022
We absolutely LOVED our venue!! We rented out the Murdoch Room and outside veranda. Alyssa at RR was extremely helpful along the way and really was a great consultant. Everything was executed to perfection - no problems at all and when can you say that as the bride?! There are always problems! lol. The food was exceptional - all the way down to the late night bites! I'd throw another event at RR!
Stephanie G
5.0
7/17/2022
We had our June 2022 wedding reception at River Roast and I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone getting married. From the location to the views, River Roast was my dream venue before we even started the planning process. But what really sets River Roast apart is their service - we could not have had a more positive experience working with Kristin. She was so prompt & communicative, helped us make decisions that were right for us, and she has the nicest, warmest personality. River Roast also provided us with a list of their preferred vendors. This made the planning process easy because we already had our vendor options narrowed down and we knew anyone we chose would know their way around the venue. The actual wedding day was so beautiful - the veranda was stunning and the indoors looked warm and romantic. Kristin's team does a great job with the lighting so that it keeps guests comfortable and dancing all night. We also had so many guests that raved about the food!! We had over 120+ guests that ordered the filet and somehow they were all cooked perfectly. I am so grateful to Kristin for giving us the best day of our lives and would recommend River Roast to anyone getting married.
Nicholas V
5.0
7/14/2022
In our search for the perfect location, some venues saw us purely as a business transaction and some realized that it may be the most important day of our lives. River Roast and Kristin were of the latter category.
Even though they could have gotten away with a gorgeous view and a beautiful rustic interior, they still provided flawless service. The food was the best wedding meal I've ever had. The service was on point, and they checked in on us throughout the night as well as modified the schedule as it changed last minute.
Our ceremony was off location, so, when we arrived, they gave us our own little space with appetizers before we made our entrance. They even worked with our photographer to create some amazing entrance shots.
On top of all of that, they are by far the best price for the middle of the city we found. It was an incredible day and I couldn't be happier with what they provided.
Jennifer M
5.0
6/05/2022
We had both our ceremony and reception at River Roast on April 30, 2022. It was a perfect day, thanks to Alyssa and the staff. From welcoming our guests with a glass of champagne, to the flawless ceremony room setup and reception room flip, to the amazing cocktail hour and delicious dinner, to the dancing and the late-night snack.
The location is gorgeous, even in a complete downpour. All our guests had a great time, and even a month later, they're still raving about the quality of the food. How do they cook each steak so perfectly? We would (and have) recommend River Roast to couples looking for a great reception location or anyone looking to host a party.
Jackie B
5.0
5/22/2022
What a great venue for a wedding! And Alyssa was so wonderful to work with and she leads an outstanding team. With the many challenges of Covid and having to reschedule my daughter's date, Alyssa worked with us through all of it. The day finally arrived a week ago and it was sheer perfection. To begin with the venue itself is beautifully situated on the Chicago River. The view is so lovely, and we held our cocktail hour outside on the veranda. The hanging chandeliers and flowing drapery added to the charm as our guests enjoyed exceptional weather and the view of boats traveling by on the river. When night came and the city lights twinkled it was even more beautiful and could even be seen and appreciated through the room's windows as well.
The room was laid out beautifully, thanks to Alyssa, and looked stunning. The layered lighting package we chose enhanced and highlighted the rustic charm of the room and the gorgeous flowers. The food was outstanding and kudos to the Chef for the tasty and beautifully presented
hors d'oeuvres and the delicious meal that was actually served hot to our guests not just warm. A challenging feat to acknowledge with so many people. The chicken was superb! The bartenders, wait staff and Alyssa's support team who were on top of every detail were tremendous.
We received compliments all night long on the venue and how smoothly everything went. And many compliments on all of the food served. Thank you, Alyssa, for making our special day so easy, so enjoyable and so special. You are such a pleasure to work with and I appreciate your attention to detail. All your efforts are truly appreciated. The evening passed quickly but the memories you helped create will last us a lifetime. Thank you!!
Clark D
5.0
5/15/2022
My wife and I got married at River Roast on January 22, 2022. We could not have been any happier for choosing them! River Roast is the best wedding venue in downtown Chicago. Their location is absolutely stunning no matter what season it is. You are in the heart of Downtown Chicago surrounded by all the beautiful skyscrapers, gleaming city lights, and calming view of the Chicago River. Not only do they have a beautiful view, but their food is also impressive. Everything we ate and drank was delicious. Their roasted chicken is the best chicken we have ever had and so are their palomas. My wife and I were so happy with everything and so were our guests. Special shout out to Kristin at River Roast for helping us plan and organize our wedding rehearsal, wedding ceremony and reception there. Kristin was always easy to reach and so pleasant to work with! We are so grateful and blessed to be able to have our wedding there.
Caitlin D
5.0
3/29/2022
River Roast was an absolute dream venue for so many reasons!
The staff: Sales director Alyssa Rossetti was such a huge help (helping us select the right package, personalizing the menu, letting us do a mix of different late night food options, working with us on our weird floorplan, adding last-minute decor options - the list goes on and on). Over the course of our 18 month engagement Alyssa was always available to answer questions and let us check out the space multiple times with different excited family members. She even checked in mid-reception to make sure everything was OK and top off our glasses of wine! On top of that, the day-of staff were great - quick at the bar, quick to serve food, and attentive to all the little details.
The space: The view is what really sells this venue. The reflection of the city lights off the river is super romantic, especially with tealight candles along the windows/on the tables and string lights over the dance floor (both coordinated by the venue). The exposed brick gives the whole space an industrial feel. Absolutely gorgeous.
The food: Unreal. Multiple guests have told us this was the best wedding food they've ever had. This place is known for its meats and the steak was definitely above and beyond, but I got the vegan meal and still thought it was delish.
I couldn't have asked for a better wedding venue. We trusted all their recommendations and expertise and our day was absolutely flawless. 1000000/10.
Linda C
5.0
3/14/2022
I had my wedding at River Roast on 3/12/22 , the day the river gets dyed green. Working with Kristin and her staff was AMAZING. Kristin was very flexible as we navigated the vax mandate, covid and all the nuances that came with all the changes by the city. She was very responsive and available and when we had to add the ceremony space, she worked to get us the best layout and plan. The food was incredible, and the space is beautiful, the river was green, and it was everything we wanted. If you are looking for a great venue with great food and amazing staff, River Roast is the place.
Kristen S
5.0
1/19/2022
We held our rehearsal dinner and it was wonderful - we sat everyone at the outdoor patio. The food was fantastic and the service wonderful. They followed all the COVID protocols that helped our guests feel safe. The locale right on the river can't be beat. (note: our rehearsal dinner was August 2020)
Shannon S
5.0
1/01/2022
Having our reception at River Roast was a complete dream come true. We knew we wanted a place to show off the city for out of town guests (and even locals!), and River Roast delivered. Using their dock, we arrived via the water taxi—a moment we'll always cherish. The space looked gorgeous, and we had family and friends commenting that night (and well afterwards) about the patio/riverview. Another reason we loved River Roast was the food; you just can't go wrong. Each plate was perfection, and that is just one more thing guests continue to gush to us about. Erika + team worked so well with us, keeping us sane with the changes COVID-19 required and making sure the evening went off without a hitch. We are so grateful that we got to host our event at such a standout Chicago venue!
Patty M
5.0
12/18/2021
Where to start the River Roast and Kristin the event manager went above and beyond to make our day absolutely perfect. First, they were super flexible when we had to move our March 2021 date to December 2021. The food was incredible!! We had specific alcohol requests that they were super accommodating with. The staff was so friendly and professional. Our guests were raving about the location. If you are looking for a wedding that really showcases the beauty that Chicago offers this is your place. We love you River Roast. Thanks for helping to make our day one we will never forget!
Jill B
5.0
12/14/2021
The great news of our wedding day - we won our ceremony on the Mag Mile. The not so great news - we had only 3 weeks to plan our wedding day. River Roast did an amazing job accommodating our limited planning time wedding reception. Getting someone on the phone initially was a little tricky. But once we got a direct contact, everything was AMAZING from there. Erika was very responsive to any and all questions. The virtual tours were super helpful since we do not live in the city and had to make decisions quick. I booked River Roast without having physically been there. Our reception was not traditional. We did a late Sunday afternoon 4 hour reception. Cocktail hour - dinner - then dancing and desserts. They referred us to our DJ and he was the best DJ ever. The food was delicious. It was actually seasoned and had flavor unlike your traditional banquet food which is usually bland. The meat was tender and juicy. The potatoes so crisp and perfect. Carrots seasoned to perfection. We got so many compliments on how great the food was. The bartender was fantastic. Mixed up some delicious drinks for our guests. The staff was great and always around to help with anything you needed. Your event coordinator was always close by. You get so caught up in the moment of the day, they helped remind you of what you wanted scheduled and made you aware of the timing. The option to go outside and enjoy the riverwalk was perfect for a September COVID wedding. We look forward to going back and enjoying the restaurant part in the future. Let's not forget what really counts. The photos - so many perfect photo options. You have the beautiful river front and within the venue multiple bars, stair cases, wine barrels,etc. You will not be disappointed.
Colleen D
5.0
11/12/2021
I just got married 2 weeks ago and had my reception at River Roast. Erika and Alyssa worked hard to make my wedding day all I could dream for! The service was amazing, with enough staff to help set up, bartend, bring out wine at dinner, serve food and help clean up. It was truly so well organized and they stuck to my timeline exactly. I recommend River Roast to anyone looking for a space for less than 220ppl. All my guests loved the atmosphere, food, drinks, and overall set up! It was AMAZING
Shannon P
5.0
10/11/2021
We hosted a small family dinner to celebrate our wedding. The event managers were awesome at communicating and helping us set everything up (Thanks Erika and Alyssa). We were able to have a ceremony outdoors on the riverfront veranda which was a beautiful backdrop. Then, we had dinner in the Commerce Room. We were able to select our family style menu in advance. Thank you to our server Julio for being very flexible with all the demands from our family! He was attentive at keeping our drinks filled. The food was amazing. We had the roast fish and pork- both were delicious! They were also accommodating for a family with a dietary concern. We were very happy with everything- they helped to make the experience special.
Kelsey E
5.0
10/04/2021
River Roast was a PERFECT venue! Both my husband and I are not originally from Chicago, so we had a lot of guests coming from out of town. It was important to us to really make sure they felt like they were in Chicago and give them a great experience being here, and River Roast delivered! The venue is so pretty on its own (big windows, exposed brick) that we needed only lights & minimal decor to create the look we wanted. Cocktail hour on the veranda + having private access to it all night was a HUGE perk to this place, and our guests could not have enjoyed it more. The food is incredible, and also got rave reviews from our guests. We worked with Kristin who executed everything exactly how we wanted it and was helpful with our many, many questions between booking the venue and the actual event.
Taylor W
5.0
8/25/2021
GET MARRIED HERE!!! First - I was a COVID bride and River Roast was SOOO understanding and flexible through-out the whole process (originally 6/20/20, switched our date like three times, finally had it on 7/30/21). We worked with Kristin who was so friendly and helped us with so much! We didn't have a planner or coordinator, so she was basically helping us with every little step (and lots of last minute changes). And holy cow, did the day turn out perfect! We came in on a water taxi (which is a MUST for this venue!) and our guests were blown away! The food was raved about, the bartenders were so nice and accommodating to everyone, and everyone had the best night! SO HAPPY we chose River Roast for our special day!
Nicole L
5.0
7/10/2021
We are so happy we chose River Roast for our wedding! The veranda for the cocktail hour is unmatched and we had multiple people tell us it was the best wedding food they have ever had. We worked with Kristin who was personable and responsive throughout. The bartenders were also very good and there was never a long wait at the bar. Highly recommend River Roast for a true downtown Chicago wedding experience!
Alyssa C
5.0
9/29/2020
Best. Wedding. Ever. Our original venue fell through and River Roast was so awesome for planning our wedding in TWO WEEKS. The coordinator, alyssa, was amazing in making our wedding feel special and look beautiful. We used the outdoor space and indoor room and could not have been happier! Awesome view and food!
Janet F
5.0
4/22/2020
The RIVER ROAST wedding we hosted for our daughter was perfect!. We could not have been happier with the banquet facility and attention given to us while planning this event. Alyssa was absolutely wonderful to work with and did not miss any details. She was extremely helpful to making sure every question or request was answered and taken care of for us. We received many compliments on the food and service that was provided that evening. The view of downtown Chicago and the Chicago river provided a great setting for some very spectacular wedding pictures. Thank you again.
Deanna N
5.0
4/22/2020
River Roast blew our expectations away! We worked with Alyssa and she was beyond helpful and made everything such a breeze. Our guests raved about the food which was NOTHING like your standard wedding menu. The location itself is beautiful but once the room is all put together, it was stunning. We got married on November 9, 2019 and the weather was perfect! Our favorite part about the venue is the private balcony outside and we were worried no one would go out there. With the heaters River Roast provided, all of our guests were able to enjoy. Would highly recommend this venue if this is the style you are looking for! We are so happy we were able to have our dream wedding there and are grateful for all the wonderful employee's!
Nicole T
5.0
1/06/2020
River Roast was awesome! We were planning our Chicago wedding remotely from DC, and they made everything super easy on us. We only had to be there in person for the food tasting, which really who can complain about that?! We’ve gotten tons of compliments on the food (definitely do the mini grilled cheeses with tomato soup shooters for cocktail hour!). The location right on the River is unbeatable. We got so many phenomenal photos here, including being able to arrive at the venue on the Chicago Water Taxi (extra $$ but totally worth it)! Value for money was excellent. They do lots of weddings, but still make you feel special and are total pros. Everything was fun and organized and amazing and we can’t recommend them enough!
Rachel M
5.0
11/18/2019
River Roast was the best choice we could have made for our wedding. It was just the right size for our 90-guest event. It's location in downtown Chicago provided a gorgeous backdrop of our fabulous city. We're also nature lovers, though, so being on the river gave us that touch of the outdoors in the urban environment. It was also convenient for our many out-of-town guests staying in nearby hotels.
Our event coordinator, Melanie, was an absolute pleasure to work with and the event-day staff were so friendly and helpful. Several of our guests had food sensitivity issues, and the accommodations and flexibility that River Roast provided were greatly appreciated.
Finally, the food was AMAZING. We had a Sunday brunch event and are still getting compliments about the buffet!
Holly B
5.0
11/17/2019
We had both our ceremony and reception at River Roast for our summer wedding -- and we could not have been happier! We knew we wanted to focus on the guest experience and great food so River Roast was on our short list. Once we toured the space, we loved the layout of the venue and the ideal location right on the river. We had many out of town guests so we knew this would be a true Chicago-vibe wedding. River Roast was perfect for this. Alyssa was our coordinator and she was so fun and easy to work with. She had a lot of ideas and helped us feel at ease since we were planning this wedding out of state. Alyssa went above and beyond especially working with guest food allergies and creating a custom drink station. The whole process was organized, the food was phenomenal, and the location cannot be beat. It was truly a magical night at River Roast for us and our guests!
David T
5.0
11/03/2019
As we were looking at venues for our wedding, it was clear that River Roast checked all the boxes: great location, ability to accommodate our guests' accessibility and dietary needs, and appetizing menu selections. The space looked stunning on our wedding day, especially with the special lighting and linens they helped us pick out. Moreover, the food was delicious, and we felt like our guests and we were well taken care of by their staff. We especially enjoyed working with event coordinator, Melanie, who helped us understand the options and customize our package based on what we cared most about.
Katrina F
5.0
10/31/2019
How beautiful is this venue? River Roast has been so wonderful to work with! Their team is super hands on and ready to answer any question you have about wedding planning. I personally don’t have a wedding planner and they have been so helpful because of their connections in the wedding industry! I cannot wait for our tasting and we’re even talking about a post wedding brunch! Can’t wait to see all the details come together. Thank you!!
Julie B
5.0
10/31/2019
Thrilled with our River Roast experience. We had our daughter's wedding reception there in June. The veranda was the perfect place to greet guests and enjoy appetizers and cocktails, and of course the city views were incredible. Not only was the food delicious, we keep going back every chance we get! Melanie was a delight to work with and made the planning process easy. Highly recommend.
Kristin C
5.0
9/24/2019
Had our wedding here & the venue was INCREDIBLE! People loved the outdoor space (tough to find space as great as theirs in Chicago), the speedy bar, the styled interior and the HOT, delicious food! We had 200 guests & a 5 person band and this space did not feel over crowded (we had more guests say yes to attending than expected)
The staff during the selection process was very helpful & responsive and we felt the pricing was reasonable for the service, location & event planner support. The staff the night of was very friendly as well
If I had to pick one downside it’s that having guests from the restaurant walking through the bar area to use the bathroom during cocktail hour isn’t great. We thought restaurant guests were going to be directed to other bathrooms elsewhere in their space but that did not seem to be the case. Again, the rest of the event was so amazing - I’d 1000% recommend
Mal K
5.0
9/09/2019
The ABSOLUTE BEST!! The food, drinks, venue, views were wonderful! Our guest simply cannot stop raving about our venue! Many have expressed to us it was the “best wedding” they have ever been to and we have River Roast to thank for that! We would highly recommend this location versus choosing a traditional “cookie cutter” wedding reception location.
Sarah L
5.0
7/17/2019
River Roast is a stunning venue for a Chicago wedding and we were so thrilled with our experience there! Jordan and her team were outstanding from planning to execution! This venue truly showcases Chicago and the food is the best! No better place for a wedding in Chicago!
ROBIN V
5.0
6/17/2019
We had our son's rehearsal dinner on Friday, 5/24/19. We had an amazing experience working with Jordan Kusiak. She could not have been more gracious, professional and accommodating. We had 130 people at our event and it went off without a hitch. I highly recommend River Roast for any special event!
Valerie N
5.0
3/12/2019
River Roast is an exceptionally beautiful venue with views to die for and food to match. Our wedding was a complete dream. Every step of the planning process and day-of was very well executed and HUGE thanks to Jordan K for going above and beyond in so many ways for us. We are still in awe of how perfect everything was. River Roast will forever have a special place in our hearts!
Jackie H
5.0
1/02/2019
The River Roast was absolutely everything I had dreamed it would be. Jordan was absolutely fantastic throughout the entire process. She answered all questions in detail and in a timely manner. The day of everything could not have gone more smoothly. My husband and I loved working with everyone. I highly recommend doing the top decor package with them as well. It created such an amazing ambiance. All of my guests loved that they were able to move inside and out throughout the entire wedding. Plus the food is AMAZING. Not typical wedding food. Could not recommend them more!
Eunice H
5.0
11/15/2018
Getting married at River Roast was the BEST decision we could have made. The entire planning process with Jordan, then Melanie, from start to finish was seamless and the day of went off without a hitch. Our 200 guests still cannot stop talking about how beautiful the venue was and how much fun they had. The day was a dream and River Roast made it all possible!
Mary M
5.0
11/01/2018
My husband and I had our wedding reception in the Monarch Room at River Roast. WOW! Jordan did an AMAZING job helping us plan and coordinate from out of town. Not only was the location beautiful, the food and service were exceptional. I could not have imagined a more perfect night. I was mostly worried about planning everything from out of town, but Jordan stepped up to the plate, and the reception room was set up perfectly when we arrived. Our guests had an amazing time. I would highly recommend River Roast for your wedding!
Megan M
5.0
11/01/2018
WE LOVED RIVER ROAST! I can't say enough great things about how fantastic this wedding venue was. My husband and I felt this was a quentessential Chicago wedding venue located right in the heart of the city on the Chicago river. We had an amazing experience from start to finish. Our event coordinator, Jordan was so kind, willing to help with whatever we needed and provided extrodinary customer service. We didn't need to hire an external event coordinator because Jordan did it all. We had about 200 guests at our summer wedding and the venue held everyone perfectly. Having the outdoor veranda for cocktail hour and throughout the evening was an incredible amenity. The food was 5-star restaurant quality that guests raved about and the decor blew us away and exceeded all expectations. We would recommend this venue to anyone looking for a classy Chicago wedding.
Fred S
5.0
10/24/2018
Had our rehearsal dinner here last month. Can't say enough good things about it. Our assigned event planner (Jordan) was overly accommodating and not trying to "upsell" anything. Totally listened to our needs, made suggestions, and everything turned out perfectly. And it wasn't just her. The whole team there was knowledgable about our event and was able to answer questions if Jordan was unavailable at the moment. The food was fantastic (although that was expected from what I had already heard) and the ability to be right on the river was a plus too. I know this sounds like a fake review...but I assure you it's genuine. My wife and I really were that enthusiastic about our experience. This was our third wedding (one in Chicago at another venue and one on the East Coast) and neither compare to the quality and experience we had at River Roast.