Norman Bolden is also the owner of Haven Entertainment Center. This a beautiful venue. The owner doesn't know how to treat customers he has a oh well attitude. I waited two hours for food the owner was informed and he was like oh well. No offer of a free drink or meal on us. I will surely eat before I go. read more

Tucked away on East 43rd Street near Lake Shore Drive in the Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side is the best reception hall and event destination spot that most of you Yelp'ers have never heard of. Owner Norman Bolden renovated and reconstructed this building into *the* event space for South Siders and anybody seeking a lovely, centrally located and well-appointed space. Its appeal lies in its loft-style charm -- a split-level, open floor plan boasting gleaming mahogany floors and exposed brick that you can pretty much decorate any way you want for your event. After attending almost a dozen birthday parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions and fraternity and sorority events at Room 43, I knew that this was the only place where I wanted to hold my dad's 80th birthday party. It was the right decision. Rental rates are reasonable for the space that you get (there are two rooms to choose from) and a variety of chairs and tables are included for both the upstairs and downstairs. You supply your own linens, food, DJ and decorations. The onsite staff is also incredibly helpful. The facilities manager Richard is really great -- flexible and accommodating for all of the last-minute changes that come with party planning. The 80+ guests at my dad's party loved the venue. It's easily accessible from North or South from the Oakwood exit on Lake Shore Drive, and also the 43rd Street exit on the Dan Ryan. There is plenty of street parking as well. Lucky for the owner that he was on-site and actually stayed awhile for my dad's party, because several guests were so impressed they inquired about having their own events there. One thing that some have complained about: You can't bring your own liquor, and unless you pay for a tab, your guests are subject to a cash bar. I don't honestly find this unusual, and I paid a tab that allowed guests to enjoy open bar for about 3 hours. In addition to being a party space, Room 43 is also home to the Hyde Park Jazz Society, and you can catch all of their shows there on Sunday evenings. Anyone who reads me, by now, knows that I am big on supporting local businesses, and for the quality, service and location, I absolutely recommend Room 43. Room 43 is an emerging destination spot and represents the best of the "new" Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville community. I would not hesitate to give them my business again! read more

Room 43 - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had the pleasure of working with the Room 43 staff for this all Black inspired wedding. Great times Great space read more

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Room 43 is what you make of it . . . literally set in a clean modern cosmopolitan room, hardwood floors for dancing this 2 floor event space is ideal for social club events, private birthday parties or even a Meet & Greet reception like I hosted when in Chicago. There was no way I could get around to seeing everyone so I invited them to meet up with me at Room 43. Food and drinks, DJ are available and compliment the party atmosphere in a comfortable grown-up environment. The beauty of this space is that with the lighting, the music, the movable furniture, the choice of food, drink and decorations you get to create the ambience of your dreams at a more than reasonable cost. Photos below limit your perspective. You do not have to have the tables shown, you can choose the bar tables and chairs if you want more of a dance space presentation as I chose. Like I said there are many choices to make to suit your vision of the space. And further parking is available in lot across the street read more

Attended a private function at this location. The room is cozy and spacious. There were plenty of tables and still room for a dance floor. The food was good. I guess I didn't look around the entire facility, however, I would recommend Room 43 if you are looking for a place to host an affair. read more

Had a 2016 prom here (on the smaller side). It is an open space that you can transform in any way that you like. The owners are really nice and professional. They had the tables set up just the way we requested before our event started. We were able to start our set up 2hrs before our event which was a big plus! read more

Room 43 - This is just half of the smaller side. There is a downstairs also - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is small and people sit around like its a pool hall around edge of room. Nice area poor place to step

DO NOT BOOK HERE! I placed a $1k deposit in Feb of this year for a 40th birthday in July. Due to current events with COVID and government regulations, the party had to be cancelled. Norman, the owner refuses to issue a refund! I contacted the representative about safety concerns, and was advised that I could move to a larger space that had open windows. I expressed my concerns about the safety of my family and friends. Pauline, the person handling booking advised that if I wanted to use the down stairs portion (which is a part of the rental), I would need to pay an additional $800 - $1000. I felt as though I was being strong armed for additional money to not lose money that was originally deposited. In the end, I was advised to book the party for a later date this year or the next! read more

The staff was great! They were there every step of the way. I used the small side. Very intimate for My 50th Birthday Celebration this summer. Also ample parking. read more

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I have attended two events that were held at this location and both were great. The staff is friendly and professional and the room can be transformed to fit any theme. If I had the need for an event venue, I would definitely consider using Room 43. read more

This place is really perfect for small events. There is ample street parking, and it is in a quiet and more secluded area. We used this for a formal event for the school I work at. We are a small school so this even was perfect. It really has an old yet modern feel. The place has character. I was thrilled to be there in such an elegant place for this event. Very well done. read more

I recently went to this place for a Wedding. The family decorated the place very lovely. The building itself is built and rehabbed well. However the owner apparently takes away the option of having your own caterers which would be great if there was good food or even food that wasn't rationed out. They had no servers serve the food at such an occasion. They made you wait in a line that took over 2 hours and they barely had enough food at all. I had 4 vegetables on my plate and the smallest piece of chicken I have ever seen. I had to ask the the young lady for a regular size piece of chicken which she was reluctant to give me. The potatoes were those from a box and not the good kind. The food was served on paper plates, paper cups and plastic flatware. It was terrible. I'm sure this place overcharged my relative for this crap! When I left I went home and cooked dinner. Why would you charge people for this GHETTO Meal. You cant eat a nice building and enjoy it. ??? If you say your going to offer catering you need to have a tasting for the bride and groom with Real Food. The food was unacceptable. Everyone at my table and other tables were really unhappy with the meal and the way in which they suggested patrons get food at this establishment. They don't really care about quality to their customers. They just cared about getting money. This was a Wedding not summer schools lunch in the cafeteria! Pick up a few Catering books and watch some David Tutera to figure it out. This was heartbreaking. Shame on You for taking money you didn't earn. If you want to have a good wedding reception where the Presentation matters to the staff DON'T GO HERE. Just my observation and about 10 others that mentioned it. I said nothing at the time. Not Nice. THEY SHOULD NOT CATER FOOD. Tacky. read more

My Mom, her childhood friend & I celebrated my Mom's 65th birthday at Room 43 in December 2013. Room 43 was my Mom's back-up Wednesday nite spot, after the celebratory stepping event she originally planned to attend that evening, was cancelled by the promoter at the last minute. I met them there and as soon as I walked in, someone asked me to dance and I cracked up on the inside and my inner voice said "DANG, can I at least take my coat off first?" LOL! Anywho, Room 43 is a classy place and if you're a Stepper, check it out on Wednesdays. The music was great and we had a good time people watching. I was overjoyed when a gentleman asked my Mom to dance and she got the chance to do a "Birthday Step" (Chicago STAND-UP! :) It was a Wednesday nite to remember, and I'm glad that the other event got cancelled ;) Room 43 is a gem, most def. read more

I attended a private Birthday party, not on the restaurant side, but the "loft" side, very nice venue. Its a blank slate and you can make it your own. there are two floors so plenty of occupancy. If I have a party or event, where I need a classy, clean, centralized space, I would defiantly remember this venue. Convenient and parking available. read more

This is a terrific venue for music as a recent visit proved. Thaddeus Tukes played there as part of the Hyde Park Jazz Society and staging, seating and acoustics were terrific and that man made the room explode with some slammin' sounds. But the space is owned by the same guy who owns Norman's restaurant about a block west and understandably he runs the food and beverage service. We ordered gin and tonics, handed over $9 for each one and were served the most unforgivably small drinks imaginable, to the point of being insulting. They came in standard 9 ounce plastic cups that were filled with ice before adding gin, tonic and lime. She plops them down and no exaggeration, the glasses were only half full. So at most, the drink, without the ice, was 3 ounces and mostly tonic at that. I get that he's trying to make a profit but there was no excuse and no forgiving the short pours. Without doubt this was the most egregious example of ripping off customers through beverage service that I've ever experienced. The space would get 5 stars. The rip-off-customers attitude is negative zero but I'm feeling generous so gave it three, perhaps more than it deserves. Next time I visit (as in next time Tukes shows up), you can bet I'll have a flask in my back pocket and there won't be an ounce of guilt about it. Anyone else going for music--do the same. He doesn't deserve fo be paid that kind of money for the beverage service. read more

Room 43 - The unfortunate $9 gin and tonic, an on-the-rocks glass half full. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Getting an appreciation for jazz has been on my To-Do List for a while now and so I tasked my music sensei/musician friend with this. He brought me here to see Vincent Goines (Winton Marsalis' saxophone player) perform with his quartet. Unbeknownst to us, it was a Hyde Park Jazz Association event but that matters not. The room was packed but they found a way to squeeze us in. The music was amazing...the musicians were so talented...it just blows my mind to watch/listen. My one criticism about this was that there appeared to be only 1 server working the entire room. She was working her ass off and doing the best she could...impressive to say the least...but they could have had 4 people there, it was so crowded. So..during a 3 hour set, we got 2 drinks. And we were smashed into the middle of the room so getting up for our own drinks was out of the question. (by smashed, I mean it was elbow to elbow). The space was nice, the crowd was friendly, the solo waitress was friendly, the music was amazing...all around a great night. I'd go back for sure! read more

Hosted a private birthday party here recently. I didn't feel welcomed/wanted by the owner. I was told that my space would be for me and my guest exclusively during my event but the owner, staff not working my event, others kept entering my space. I won't host here again. read more