« theWit Hotel, Chicago's Unique Meeting Space | Home | Best Places to Have Your Holiday Party in Chicago »
View From The Top: Chicago's Indoor and Outdoor Rooftop Venues
By admin | October 21, 2009
View From The Top: Indoor and Outdoor Rooftop Venues
Visitors and locals to Chicago will agree about this fact: The city and surrounding communities are flat as the proverbial pancake. The prairie landscape shouldn’t hold back those who have lofty ideas for holding a party or other special event. In this sea-level, altitude-challenged metropolis, there are places that offer a view from the top.
Private clubs, like the Metropolitan Club in the Sears – make that – Willis Tower and the University Club on Monroe Street at Michigan Avenue, offer unparalleled views, facilities, cuisine and service. But these and others only allow members and guests the privilege of hosting events. Here are some venues that will give you and your guests a window to the world that is Chicago.
One private club does open its doors to non-members: The Mid-America Club on the 80th floor of the Aon Center at 200 E. Randolph St. Founded more than 40 years ago, the club boasts something others can’t match: A 360-degree view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront parks and attractions. Planners can host small receptions for 20 guests, a seated banquet for more than 600, or reception for 1,000. The club offers various private rooms and an expandable ballroom in its more than 8,000 square feet.
Perhaps the hottest new sky-high venue to come on line recently is the aptly-named ROOF, the lounge and party space taking up the 27th floor of the Wit Hotel at 201 N. State St. Lines to visit the high-rise venue stretched 30-plus deep this summer to make the scene at ROOF’s indoor and outdoor areas. Reserve this party location and have all 7,000 square feet for you and your guests. They’ll enjoy handcrafted drinks, food from an Italian-themed small plate menu and views of the Chicago River and beyond. ROOF will accommodate up to 150. Contact theWit Hotel
Long-time Chicagoans know the “grand dame” of vertical venues is the Signature Room at the 95th in the John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Av. Known for fine food, romantic dinners, floor-to-ceiling windows and views that can bring in three surrounding states, the Signature Room also can be reserved for a wide range of events, from rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and weddings to themed parties, receptions and corporate dinners.
Want someplace a little more “down-to-earth?” Here are three locations that are, indeed, up on the roof, only a lot closer to the pavement than the aforementioned.
A stalwart on the Greek Town dining circuit, Pegasus at 130 S. Halsted St. opens its Veranda, a second-level outdoor space between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Guests can dine on Greek tapas-style cuisine and take in awesome views of the Chicago skyline. The space can be reserved for 20 to 80 people, depending on the day of the week.
The Rock Bottom Brewery anchors the southwest corner of Grand Avenue and State Streets. Along with various traditional style indoor party rooms, this brewery and casual restaurant offers a rooftop deck during summer months. The views include surrounding office buildings, but Rock Bottom is perhaps the only outdoor venue of its kind within the downtown area. Contact Rock Bottom Brewery
Out in west suburban Oak Park, the Avenue Ale House Fight Club buy , 25 S. Oak Park Av., is a popular, spacious year-round restaurant and lounge for after work drinks, a great “pub” menu, live music and catching sports on huge plasma TVs. When the weather warms up, patrons often head upstairs to the only outdoor rooftop deck in the west suburbs. The views aren’t great, but the casual atmosphere, great food and drink make the Ale House a great option.
Visit our directory for a list of all of Chicago’s best indoor and outdoor rooftop venues and spaces for your next friends gathering, bachelor/bachelorette party, birthday party, anniversary, company party, corporate event, wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, wedding, holiday party and more.
Topics: Unique Chicago Venues | Comments Off
Comments are closed.
