Visiting The Rookery was one of those quiet Chicago moments that really sticks with you. From the…read moreoutside it's understated, but once you step into the Light Court, the space opens up with natural light, ironwork, and detail everywhere you look. The Frank Lloyd Wright staircase is subtle but impressive--nothing flashy, just solid design that holds up over time.Tip for first-time visitors: go on a weekday and aim for mid-morning if you can--the light is best, it's calmer, and you'll actually have space to stop and look around. It's not a long visit, but it doesn't need to be. The Rookery is simple, beautiful, and worth slowing down for.

Make no mistake, this space is stunning and definitely something to see. As a recent wedding guest,…read moreI was expecting more. The setup of the building makes for a cramped wedding. We had to stay in the crowded lobby for a long time before the ceremony space was opened. The restrooms are far away from the action, about as far from the party as they could be. The second floor cocktail space was cramped. The two bartenders were soooo slow. Not sure if they were part of the catering staff the Rookery uses or separate. Dinner was exceptional. No one knew the bar moved from the second floor to a space under a first-floor staircase for drinks after dinner. There was no announcement of where desserts were located. A lot of the issues I had with the wedding could have been eliminated had an experienced planner been hired. Too often during the day guests were not sure where to go or what was happening, what was next. It's a beautiful space but my advice to couples would be to hire a planner who is experienced and who has worked several wedding at the Rookery. Also, I was told the space was rented the night before the wedding so the couple couldn't have a rehearsal. Unfortunately, that was obvious and added to the disjointed event. Also, some tourist walked into the back of the ceremony space during the wedding. I would have thought Rookery staff/security would keep tourists out of a private event, but this is one of those things that will become a funny wedding story in a couple of years.

This is my second time renting Room 85 venue and it was a great experience again! I would highly…read morerecommend the venue space 10/10. She's understanding and very consistent. The owner has great communication and she went above and beyond to ensure I had a great turnout for my event.

The venue space is large enough to be accommodating and small enough to be intimate. The layout is…read moreuser-friendly and can be reconfigured without becoming labor intensive. Management is professional and affable. Pricing is flexible and fair. Situated in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, this venue is comparable to upscale locations throughout the city.

An incredible place to play ping pong, get a bite to eat and enjoy a drink. We walked in without a…read morereservation and got a great spot to play. The server came by just enough to get refills but not disturb us playing. Music was great and not too loud. Chicken tenders were delicious with Indian inspired sauces for dipping.

Great food, ok service. Came here with my sons for Father's Day. I wish I could say I would come…read moreback. But...reservation cost of the table is steep. Also had a sever complain to us about the manager and where we were placed. So we had to go to the bar to order. Experience was good but just don't think I would go back.

Wonderful experience for my daughter's 22nd birthday party! Florentina was extremely professional…read moreand responsive from the very beginning to the end, and she had helpful tips to add along the way that made everything come together! Her place is in a great location, the place itself is gorgeous and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

From the owner: Services Anniversary Parties, Baby Showers, Banquet Hall,…read moreBirthday Parties, Bridal Showers, Celebrations, Cleaning Provided, Corporate Events, Event Space, Event Venue, Meeting Space, Private Brunch, Private Dinner, Reception Hall, Silverware Included, Small Gatherings, Workshop Space Locations Facts 10 Mile Radius

"It's just like Harry Potter," they told me, but I had only seen one Harry Potter movie and read…read morenone of the books. The truth of the statement revealed itself as vaunted ceilings gave this cavernous room an aura of grandeur and the feeling of tradition. There were beings engaged in erudite studies with an inflexible concentration on laptops, notebooks, and in the back were old men going back and forth on the chessboards. It was still and had the eerie silence of a church chapel and sunbeams flowed in from the windows above. What an alien universe and there I was with a large foil tin carrying thirty of the best chicken wings Chicago had to offer. After the religious pilgrimage to Wings Around the World, Reuben H and Aurore L had the good sense to take us all to Reynolds where we wouldn't be bothered and be allowed to worship our wings in peace. For the moment, Reuben went to fetch pop while Aurore went off as well. I was alone and a heretic - a trespasser sneaking in and using up space that I had no right to, but the chess players were very old and had no business being there either. Then it came to me that everyone was allowed in and Reynolds was there for all to share, no identification required! Lined on the walls are large portraits showing various trustees of the University of Chicago. Lists of past Presidents line the wall and the fashion progression from long beards and robes to finely made designer suits and shaved faces led us to mock one portrait - he definitely wanted some of our chicken wings! We cracked open our wings and uncapped our pops only to find that the Cherry Pepsi was expired! While we munched and crunched on our chicken wings, nary a soul turned their heads nor noticed what fine dining we were helping ourselves to. The unbending concentration of the other people in the hall sustained itself except for the old chess players who all got up and went out for a smoke. We ate undisturbed and worked to get rid of the evidence. On our way out a young college student declared that he was going to have to retake high school chemistry. We laughed about it and then I thought that they were right - It really was just like Harry Potter!

The home of WHPK 88.5 FM!…read more Don't be fooled by the irresistable smell of pizza when you walk in. The pizza they have here is crap. But the rest of the building is all gothic and oldskool college cool.

Paris312 really came through for me! I was looking for a small, yet beautiful, balloon bouquet that…read morecould be delivered to my apartment to surprise my wife for her birthday. Not only was the process on their website simple and straightforward, they also had an option to shorten the delivery window. The delivery provided updates and happened earlier than expected making for a great birthday morning!

I am SO impressed with Paris312. We order a simple baby gender reveal balloon and they did a great…read morejob with on-time delivery (to the western suburb) and making sure the balloon was secure and protected at the time of delivery. Pricing was a little high but worth it IMO. Everyone loved the reveal and the extra touch of mini balloons and confettis sprinkling the ground as we popped the balloon. We can't wait to use them for future events!

I cannot say enough about Scott and Trigger Chicago. The space is amazing. Beautiful and eclectic…read morewith all the right vibes. Scott is probably one of the coolest guys I've met in a long time. Additionally, his professionalism and continued support, even throughout the day of, were second to none. My wife and I celebrated our 10 year Wedding Anniversary with a Vow Renewal celebration. Friends and family aging from 15 years old to 70+ (my Dad) all had an amazing time! Trigger Chicago, our staff (from Carol's Staffing) and our booze selection (from Carly w/ Bottles & Cans) were outstanding!! Everything was Top tier... 10 out of 10, and highly recommended!

The facility is modern, spacious, and thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of…read moreproductions -- from photography and film shoots to live performances and private events. The equipment and amenities are first-class, making setup smooth and efficient, while the lighting and acoustics are exceptional. Every corner of the space feels intentional, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal. It's clear that Trigger was built by people who understand the creative process and what professionals need to bring their visions to life.

A great space for events! Easy to get to, lots of parking available and very adaptable for a wide…read morerange of guests. We held a baby shower for about 35 people and it was a perfect space for our event. Bringing in your own food and drinks made this a very affordable option and we were able to customize the space with our own decor too. Michelle is great to work with, quick to reply to questions and made the process of reservation and preparation super easy.

The venue was exceptional. Michelle provided prompt and helpful responses to all our inquiries. Our…read morebaby's first birthday celebration comfortably accommodated approximately 35 guests, with ample space available. This location is highly recommended for event hosting.

My wife and I held our 50th Wedding Anniversary Reception for 50 guests on June 29. We could not…read morehave been happier with Halim, from the early days' planning to the actual reception for friends and family. The staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful. The food and bar service were excellent . Several of our guests mentioned how impressed they were with the unique venue. We highly recommend Halim for events like ours!

Living in downtown Evanston, we had always walked by the museum and wondered what it looked like…read moreinside. We saw photos of events held there, and thought it looked beautiful. It was on our list of wedding venues to tour--we arrived, and immediately fell in love. The staff was extremely professional and worked efficiently throughout the process. They answered every single question, and accommodated us when annotating the contract, helping us schedule and track payments, preparing the timeline for the day of, and helped us figure out a LOT of last minute changes. They offered a time for a walk through and assistance with setup the day before, which made the day of the wedding so much less stressful. They take care of EVERYTHING; set up, tear down, linens, place settings, table numbers, water, wine, changing courses, bridal suite, the bar, you name it! We just had to walk in and enjoy. The food was restaurant-quality - no banquet halls here! Many people emphatically said that was the best food they had ever had at a wedding. The menu tasting was a wonderful experience guided by the Chief of Staff, and included a personal visit from the chef near the end. There are many great food and wine options, it was hard to limit ourselves to just a few! The staff was very helpful in accommodating our guests with dietary restrictions and allergies; if one of the food choices would not work, they created a special alternative dish for them at no extra charge. They were so organized, they even remembered to not drizzle honey on one of our guest's dessert. I checked with every single one of our guests who needed an accommodation, and every single one was fulfilled. We even had a guest who was arriving late; his food was kept warm and brought out immediately when he arrived. As the bride and groom, we got to sit at the head table with our personal Head Waiter, Justin, who was awesome. He made sure our water and wine glasses were always full, and would personally deliver them to us throughout the night whether we were chatting at a table or in the middle of the dance floor. He said he was there if we needed anything, and he always jumped in to help with a smile. Our guests repeatedly told us how beautiful, elegant, and classy the venue was. The Tiffany Room and first floor galleries were the perfect setup for cocktail hour, and everyone loved the gorgeous glasswork (and open bar). The Wisteria room, bathed in candlelight, with a view of the Chicago Skyline, was perfect for dinner and dancing. The staff was professional and helpful, and the entire event ran smoothly. We specifically wanted a venue that would "do it all" so we didn't have to, and Halim Time and Glass Museum absolutely delivered. We treasure the experience we had on our special day and thank Jessica and all of the staff for making it the perfect experience.

We could not be happier with our choice of Loft on Lake for our wedding/reception venue. The space…read moreis both beautiful (especially the skylight!) and accessible, the location is convenient, and Jill was incredibly helpful and a pleasure to work with. We highly recommend using Jill's day-of coordination services if you have an event at Loft on Lake because she made the experience extremely smooth and had worked with several of the vendors before.

Dear Jill, Thank you…read moreso much for allowing Kita to host her Big Five oh!! At Loft on Lake! Your customer service was absolutely unmatched--you were incredibly accommodating and thoughtful every step of the way. The venue was stunning, and we truly appreciated your helpfulness and suggestions throughout the planning process. You made both Kita and me feel so welcome. We especially loved the open-concept space, which gave us the freedom to transform it and get creative in ways that made the celebration truly special. Words can't fully express our gratitude! It was a 10 out of 10 experience, and we will absolutely recommend Loft on Lake to others and continue to spread the word. With love and appreciation, Que & Kita