I’m on a reunion planning committee, and we’re looking for an interesting venue in downtown Chi, for about 150 people (many of them elderly.) Any one with any ideas?
This is a well-heeled group, so we’re NOT looking for cheap, but neither do we want to rent Soldier Field. We’ve had prior reunions in the Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Art, and those have been successful.
I once went to a wedding reception at the Grainger Ballroom at Symphony Center. (If you’ve been, it’s the large ballroom on the second level.) It could definitely hold 150 people for a party. Symphony Center apparently rents out other spaces as well; see here.
The Cultural Center has lots of beautiful spaces. And the Ballroom at Navy Pier is tres elegant. There’s also a space in the observation deck at the (original) Prudential Building where I was at a swanky party once.
PS - can I get an invitation?
Oh, and I was invited a few times to an event at the University Club of Chicago, in the Cathedral Hall. Extremely swanky, but I’m pretty sure you have to be a member to book an event. It’s basically a very fancy country club on Michigan Avenue.
Superb ideas, thanks!
Just in case you’re still looking, I once attended a work bash at the Field Museum - it was out of this world! I got to sit under a dinosaur or an elephant or something while I ate dinner! It was seriously fabulous.
ETA - this was a pretty formal event - even though I sat under a dinosaur or an elephant or something. There were stairways on either side - I don’t remember what room - this was back around 1998.
The Great Hall at Union Station is a popular and impressive venue. Info. On the other hand, it seats up to 1,500 for dinner* so might be a mite oversized for your event. 
*That sounds a little high to me. I’ve been in the Great Hall countless times, and have seen it set up for a dinner once or twice, and it doesn’t seem quite that large.
How about a Spirit of Chicago/Odyssey cruise, or somesuch? I played in a band on such a cruise a few years back and it was an awesome time. Just got off a live chat with them and they can accommodate from 125-600, depending on the boat. They seem to have accessible facilities too.
What’s wrong with Ed’s house?
Note that he said “a well-heeled group.” That’s not a good description of the SD staff. Dexter travels in some better circles than online riff-raff. 
We met yesterday, thanks for the suggestions. The Field Museum was suggested but they were a little too pricey. And one of the committee members says she gets seasick watching a goldfish bowl, so (alas) the Spirit of Chicago cruise is out. Someone said that the University Club is a little shabby? …
Anyhow, mucho thanks.
Wait… You ask for suggestions on a party location on Tuesday and have the party on Wednesday?! How? I always understood stuff like this had to be planned months in advance.
What kind of dark magic do you use?
The PLANNING COMMITTEE met yesterday to start inquiries. The reunion will be in Sept 2015.
Consider the Union League Club or the Adler.
Thought of a couple more (I used to do these kinds of events in my last job).
:smack::smack:
I think I should go to bed now.
If I was throwing a swanky soire, I’d look into having it at Cafe Brauer.
Thanks, all, for some great ideas. Keep 'em coming, we’re just starting prelim inquiries.
I’ve been to a darned nice charity event at Nacional 27 where they do everything for you and the food and drink are fantastic, and another nice event at River East Art Center - eh, scratch that, looks like it’s no longer doing private events. I did a search for “event space on Chicago River” and came across these listings, look interesting, maybe there’s something in there?
Public libraries usually have space to rent for private events. Depending on the library and the room, they can range from grand through charming to depressingly utilitarian. I have no personal experience with the Chicago Public Library, but I did find this page about their spaces with a link to their prices.