It’s one of life’s great gnawing questions:
Where is the best place to host my party? My dinner? My full-service, impress-the-hell-out-of-’em event that’ll have everyone asking, “When’s the next one?”
And while there are plenty of private spaces in Chicago to meet every need and occasion, not all of them are brand spankin’ new.
Those spots? Right here, in our round-up of five new private event spaces for your next summer soirée.
We just hope our invite’s in the mail.
Low Res Studio
West Town
Headed by Chicago photographer Nathan Michael, Low Res Studio is the ideal backdrop for out-of-the-box events and creative business. This place has style. It’s got character. It’s built to inspire big ideas, and that’s something you can’t buy. Of interest: a convertible stage, open kitchen, bar and lounge, plus one-of-a-kind touches like a Klipsch sound system and a vintage 1950s chemical photo booth. A can’t-miss wall mural drawn up by artist Kyle Steed ties the space together. If we’re to guess, you’re gonna wanna book this one with a quickness.
1821 W. Hubbard St. (map)
www.lowresstudio.com
Morgan’s On Fulton
Fulton Market
This multi-room venue is perhaps the primest spot to host a party in a neighborhood rife with private event spaces. That says somethin’. Somethin’ like industrial meets choice amenities and a enclosed penthouse so your guests can revel in Chicago’s most beloved summer rituals; a rooftop hang. All in: four distinct spaces from the first-floor gallery to the aforementioned rooftop, all decked out with everything you need, counting also exclusive vendor hookups and a dedicated on-site party liason.
950 W. Fulton St. (map)
www.morgansonfulton.com
Elite Private Yacht
Lake Michigan
Wanna guess the easiest way to impress, oh, say, up to 150 of your closest colleagues and clients? A tricked-out private yacht on Lake Michigan. Since we first covered its extravagant trappings back in 2014, the Elite Private Yacht looks better than ever thanks to a slick $1 million renovation completed in the spring of last year. With three decks, including two open-air decks and a sky deck befit for champagne glass-clinking, you’ll be able to customize everything from boarding times to on-board music.
Launches from Navy Pier
www.eliteprivateyachts.com/chicago
The Bassment
River North
Located underneath the Hampton Social in River North, this 4,500-foot subterranean speakeasy holds up to 200 people for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The alley entrance leads way to a space both stunning and unexpected: exclusive with just the right amount of flash — think leather and velvet-clad couches and exposed brick walls covered in street art. But the real win: the space was built with live music in mind, and you’ll have access to the Bassment’s in-house roster of live entertainment.
353 W. Hubbart St. (map)
www.thebassmentchicago.com
Mayne Stage
Rogers Park
Completely rehabbed in 2009 to the tune of $6 million by Col. Jennifer Pritzker (who’s behind another noteworthy private events space in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Emil Bach House), the Mayne Stage just recently announced it was closing to the public and becoming a full-time private events space. This is good news for anyone looking for an intimate venue with all the advantages of a fully equipped theatre. Capacity: 220 and some change. Whatever your needs, trust it’ll be a good show.
1328 W. Morse Ave. (map)
www.maynestage.com
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