About Chicago
Call it Chi-Town, The City That Works, or The Windy City; Chicago remains a multi-cultural and innovative city. 77 colorful neighborhoods, sweeping views of the Lake Michigan shores, and towering skyscrapers shape Chicago's skyline.
Besides being easy on the eyes, Chicago is a quite fascinating city all through. Harboring 7,300 dining establishments, 73 breweries, and 580 parks; you could spend days exploring what the city has to offer without exhausting it all. It also serves as the backdrop of 225 music venues and 40 annual film festivals. Going back to the innovative atmosphere, Twinkies have their roots in 1930 Chicago.
There's so much more that could be said about the Windy City which is best experienced in person. That's why you should think about locking down a dinner venue in Chicago for your scheduled gathering.
Dinner Venue Options in Chicago
Whether you are hosting a dinner party for friends or organizing a huge fundraising dinner, you can't go wrong gathering people together to break bread. A great deal of planning is involved in either case, and you could use the help of local professionals to pull off a seamless dinner event.
- Invitations
With a clear vision about the type of dinner event you are having, it's important to send out invitations early enough. The specific occasion determines who should be invited and it's always a great touch to send out card invitations. Several card companies in Chicago can help with the process.
- Decorations
You'll need decorations to convey the theme of the occasion. Even a simple dinner party with friends should feature a few decor pieces to let your guests know that it is a special occasion. Fortunately, you can find everything you need from the party supply stores in Chicago.
- Catering
It's implied that there will be food served at a dinner event. Fortunately, Chicago does half the work because of its great food scene. With the best catering company in Chicago handling your dinner menu you are bound to impress your guests.
- Entertainment
Whether it's a dinner party, fundraising dinner, or awards ceremony, some entertainment goes a long way in keeping the event lively. Besides music, your schedule should include other appropriate forms of entertainment. Perhaps a stand-up comedian will suit your event, a magician, or a dance piece.
- Gifts
Usually, it's guests who offer the host tokens of appreciation but depending on the reason behind the dinner, you may want to send your guests off with gift bags. It can be as simple as boxed candies, guest soaps, or decorative candles. For a corporate event, branded merchandise always does the trick.
Dinner Venue Companies in Chicago
A lot is involved in pulling off a successful dinner party. You will be essentially making several key decisions on how the evening will progress. Teaming up with local professionals can lift the burden leaving you with nothing more to worry about other than having a fantastic dinner event.
- J&L Catering
For 31 years, J&L Catering has been serving various events in the Chicago area. They create custom catering experiences to truly make each occasion unique. J&L also gives back by supporting various endeavors including the arts communities.
- Artists and Events
This full-service entertainment agency knows how to transform your event into a breath-taking occasion. They also provide corporate event planning and coordination, logistical support, and decor services.
- Foursided
Foursided is your one-stop-shop for arts, greeting cards, gift cards, framing, and beautiful gifts. They also offer custom flashcards, posters and prints, books, games, and puzzles. They also have storefront locations in Andersonville, Lakeview, and Clark Street.
Pros and Cons of Dinner Venues in Chicago
Folks always have great things to say about the dining scene in Chicago and the city has plenty of other merits that it is a great place to host a dinner event. You'll still encounter advantages and some setbacks when planning a dinner in Chicago.
Advantages
- The public transport network
Your guests can get to your chosen dinner venue in Chicago with ease because the public transport network is extensive and efficient. The Chicago Transit System controls public transportation with enough rail and bus options.
- Navigation
Chicago is an exceptionally easy city to navigate when armed with the knowledge of how the streets are numbered. Guests who choose to drive themself to your shindig will be able to locate you without a hassle.
- The culinary diversity
The deep-dish pizza, butter-crust pizza, and Chicago-style popcorn are some of the reasons why Chicago's food scene is legendary. With the city’s best catering company taking the lead, you'll have an impressive dinner menu to wow your guests.
- The outdoor spaces
There are selections of amazing outdoor dining venues in Chicago that will undoubtedly impress your guests. The Windy City has acres of natural spaces, gorgeous parks, and a lakefront that are worth exploring.
- The sports culture
There's no better way to kick off a dinner party in Chicago than by catching a big game in the Windy City. It's home to teams like the White Sox, Cubs, Blackhawks, and Chicago Bears.
Disadvantages
- Chicago is expensive
On the list of the nation's costliest cities, Chicago ranks 15th. You are likely to spend a decent amount organizing a dinner event in Chicago.
- Traffic
The worst time you want to deal with snarl-ups is when you are hosting an event. Unfortunately, your guests can't entirely avoid traffic and you should try and choose an easily accessible dinner venue in Chicago.
- Parking is scarce
While it's convenient to get around the city with your own transportation you can quickly regret it on account of the parking problem. Make parking arrangements for your guests to help them avoid running into this issue.
- Callous winters
The bone-chilling weather in winter gets pretty chaotic because of the snowfalls and heavy winds. Piled-up snow is another issue experienced at this time and it's just not the best time to host a dinner party unless you have a venue that is reached with ease.
- Crime
Chicago is infamously known for its gang activity and violent crime rate. It's important to sensitize guests about the situation and get a lay of the city to steer clear of the unsafe areas.
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Art Institute of Chicago
This world-class museum houses hundreds of thousands of works that date back thousands of years in the past. The Art Institute of Chicago is revered for its collection of post-impressionist and impressionist paintings including works by Claude Monet and Georges Seurat.
- Willis Tower SkyDeck
Formerly known as Sears Tower, Willis Tower rises 110 stories and was previously the tallest office block in the world. The view offered from the SkyDeck is simply breathtaking and on a clear day, they say that you can catch a glimpse of views of the surrounding four states.
- 360 Chicago
Found within the John Hancock Center office building, 360 Chicago offers a view from the top. The observation deck is located on the 84th floor, and the "Tilt" feature gives visitors a unique tipped view above the Magnificent Mile.