4.9
Verified reviews from real couples
A newly renovated private event venue in Chicago
Recently updated
This vendor updated their storefront within the last 15 days.
Holds ceremonies and receptions
We had an amazing wedding reception at River Roast! Jena and the entire team were wonderful- very professional, communicative, and attentive to detail. We received so many compliments from guests on the venue and its perfect location on the Chicago River. The food was fantastic as well! We would highly recommend River Roast!!!
Kristina H.
5.0
We absolutely loved having our wedding at River Roast! From the exceptional customer service throughout the planning process to the flawless execution on the big day, everything was perfect. Most of our guests were coming from out of town, and we wanted a venue that truly showcased the beauty of Chicago; River Roast was the perfect choice.
And honestly, arriving at your wedding by boat beats any other venue experience ;)
Yesenia R.
5.0
Natalie Katz
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (7X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Introducing RR Events, a newly renovated private events venue situated in the heart of the city with breathtaking views of the Chicago River and skyline. Offering intimate gatherings to grand ceremonies and receptions, our team curates elevated events that leave a lasting impression.
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 RR Events 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
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
Take a 360° Virtual Tour and enjoy an exclusive sneak peek today!
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
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
7-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+4 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Join couples who chose award-winning vendors for their wedding
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 3
- Natalie KatzDirector of SalesNatalie has nearly 10 years of experience in the weddings and events industry. She loves building relationships with clients and getting to see an event come to life! She believes good food, fun music and a beautiful atmosphere are the key components to a great wedding. Fun fact: Natalie first started with Levy Restaurants as an intern at River Roast in 2916! She has since worked at a few different locations and recently re-joined the RR Events team.
- 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.
- Lauren StofkoSales ManagerI have been with the RR Events team since 2023! 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 5.0102 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
River Roast is a stunning Chicago riverfront venue with a gorgeous patio and city views ideal for photos. Reviewers rave about the exceptional food and all‑in‑one catering/bar offerings, with many guests still praising the menu. Staff and on‑site coordinators were professional, communicative, and made the day seamless. Highly recommended for city weddings, but confirm preferred-vendor lighting/DJ details.Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
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 sa...
les 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.
Kristina H
5.0
12/29/2025
We had an amazing wedding reception at River Roast! Jena and the entire team were wonderful- very professional, communicative, and attentive to detail. We received so many complim...
ents from guests on the venue and its perfect location on the Chicago River. The food was fantastic as well! We would highly recommend River Roast!!!
Any questions?
Yesenia R
5.0
12/23/2025
We absolutely loved having our wedding at River Roast! From the exceptional customer service throughout the planning process to the flawless execution on the big day, everything wa...
s perfect. Most of our guests were coming from out of town, and we wanted a venue that truly showcased the beauty of Chicago; River Roast was the perfect choice.
And honestly, arriving at your wedding by boat beats any other venue experience ;)
Eilish M
5.0
12/21/2025
River roast was everything we dreamed of and more. When thinking about our wedding and what we wanted to incorporate, we wanted to find a place that would provide a Chicago setting...
in the best way possible. With a patio on the side of the river, the industrial feel and all the surrounding buildings river roast was the perfect spot. We were paired with Jessica who made our wedding visions come to life and fully surpassed our expectations as well. She was so easy to work with and answered all our questions as well. The food was phenomenal, the atmosphere was perfect and all the assistance through the night could not have been better. Our wedding guests still rave [3 months later] that the wedding was amazing and the food was delicious. I am so thankful to River Roast and to Jessica for hosting our wedding. We truly had the best time and could not have been more thankful as to how it all turned out.
Jaelin H
5.0
11/08/2025
River Roast was an amazing venue! The location, food, and coordination leading up to the day were great. A huge positive is selecting a venue that handles food, bar, dessert, and l...
ate night snack all in one! Additionally, the food is very quality and we received so much positive feedback on the meals that were served! Highly recommend River Roast!
Emily G
5.0
10/24/2025
We couldn’t have asked for a more magical place to celebrate our wedding! From the moment we booked, Jessica (the Assistant Director of Sales) was attentive, professional, and genu...
inely excited to help bring our vision to life. The venue itself is stunning. Elegant decor, beautiful comfy lighting, amazing outdoor space, and a layout that worked perfectly for both dinner and dancing.
Our guests are still raving about the food, the seamless service, and the Chicago views. Every detail was handled with care, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. The atmosphere was warm and romantic, and it truly felt like a dream come true.
If you’re looking for a venue that combines beauty, exceptional service, and an unforgettable experience, look no further. We are so grateful to the entire team for making our special day absolutely perfect!
lori m
5.0
10/12/2025
We were fortunate to host our daughter’s wedding at River Roast in September. If you want to show off the city of Chicago, this is the place to do it! The setting is stunning. Ho...
w can you beat cocktails on the river with the city as a backdrop? We received so many compliments from our guests. Several said it’s the best wedding they have ever attended and SO many people raved about the food. The atmosphere inside is very warm and inviting.
I was fortunate to work with Jena who promptly and professionally responded to my endless questions. She put my mind at ease and the day transpired without even a tiny hiccup. Thank you Jena!
Don’t hesitate. Book here before it’s too late. You will love every minute of it.
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! S...
he 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!
Jessica 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 las...
t 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 th...
e 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 communic...
ation, 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 tha...
t 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 eve...
rything 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 gues...
ts! 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.
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 a...
nd 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, ev...
en 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 s...
eammles 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 H
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 compliment...
s 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 begin...
ning, 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 fo...
r 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 co...
uld 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 w...
as 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. Everythin...
g 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 be...
fore 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 Kr...
istin 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 daug...
hter'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 th...
e 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 ma...
ndate, 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 th...
at 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 delive...
red. 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 Marc...
h 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 accommo...
dating 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 abl...
e 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 sur...
e 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 weddin...
g 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. A...
lyssa 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 y...
our 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!
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