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    The Exchange

    4.0 (145 reviews)
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    Services - The Exchange

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Event lighting services

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    On-site management services

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    THE EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Exchange

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gnocchi
    Cassie C.

    Stumbled in here randomly with coworkers when looking for a lunch spot and was pleasantly surprised! It is much bigger than it seems from the outside and the dark first room; we sat in a large beautiful space just past that. I will say it was a late lunch time on a weekday so they were not very busy at all, which probably helped. But service was good and so was our food. Large portions and a lot of options for everyone on the menu no matter what you're craving or dietary restrictions. I opted for the gnocchi with prosciutto on top which was super delicious. We had some of the hummus too which was good and had great sides. Overall really enjoyed our food and experience here.

    Adriana F.

    Three Stars for the Sprouts, One Star for the Vibes I want to like this place--I really do. But my first visit felt like accidentally crashing a vampire book club. We walked in hoping for a lovely time in the atrium, but alas, it was closed for a private party. Fine. I get it. People like exclusivity. So we were ushered indoors to what I can only describe as the "Gothic Mustiness Lounge." It was dark. It was damp. It felt like the setting of a moody indie film where someone gets emotionally betrayed over a charcuterie board. Undeterred (okay, mildly deterred), we ordered light: roasted Brussels sprouts, a salad, and some tea. The sprouts came in hot, metaphorically and literally--crispy little flavor bombs. The salad? It was fine. It existed. The tea? It was... there. Let's just say, no one in our party was inspired to start a cocktail-fueled Yelp poetry slam. We ate fast and fled faster, possibly to escape a ghost. But hey--sprouts were good. So I might go back... with garlic, just in case. Okay I exaggerate a little!!

    Cobb
    Steph G.

    It's great to see that the exchange is getting the love from social media. I just hope it just doesn't ruin it. It's such a great lunch spot.(I've never been for dinner.) located just south on Michigan Avenue a few minutes walk from all the local tourist spots and Chicago Symphony. I popped in and was seated in the atrium which is the preferred spot although I do like the front room also. I opted to have the Cobb salad with chicken added, and tossed. I also had a Coke, which was nice and cold and crispy. The server with dark brown hair and a ponytail about 5'4" was very friendly and helpful. This was on a Saturday afternoon and it got busy towards the end of the meal. Great soundtrack whoever's playing the music does a fantastic job. I would definitely come back for drinks or other meal options. I thought the salad tasted delicious. I thought the chicken was just OK overall. It wasn't served hot or anything more like room temperature to warm. Make sure to get it tossed.

    Brie serving up Drinks in humor and style!
    Chris g.

    Great food but even better staff. We stopped in for lunch and drinks during OASIS weekend. Brie (Briensa?) was our server. She was funny, accommodating and a great representative of the Exchange. This place is gorgeous inside -- former railroad executive building -- and the cocktails are amazing Highly recommend!

    Roasted chicken with potatoes
    Joshua Q.

    When I first saw The Exchange, I was not sure how to receive it. I saw some pictures and read some of the reviews. I decided to try it out during restaurant week. Here is my review: Ambiance This place is beautiful. The venue itself is definitely a place you would see for fancy get together and weddings. The area where I was sat at was close to the front. That would be the area before the main dinning area. The place was slightly dark, which had a nice ambiance. I would say the issue would be that whenever someone would open the door, you do get a cold breeze that hits you for a little bit. Service The service was good. The hostess was courteous and the waitress was friendly. The staff also cleared the plates at a good pace where we did not have a bunch of empty plates around. One thing I would say was a little disappointing was that the waitress did stop by but did not ask us if we would like more water. The water carafe that was left was empty for about 1/2 of the meal and nothing was really mentioned. Food These were the items I got from restaurant week. Oysters The oysters were fresh and came with lemons and a minuet sauce. The sauce paired nicely with the oyster. The plating was whimsical as well. Pigs in a blanket This seemed like an odd item to serve as an appetizer. Instead of a pancake, they used a puff pastry and it was accompanied by a mustard sauce. The dish was flavorful and the mustard sauce worked well with the pigs in a blanket. The crispy puff pastry is a nice twist making the dish feel lighter. Roasted chicken You get a roasted chicken thigh and leg laying on some potatoes and covered with an au jus. There was a side of tzatziki sauce. This was a flavorful dish. The chicken had a nice crispy skin and potatoes and sauce. I liked the tzatziki sauce but it seemed more like an optional sauce but not really necessary. Pasta w/ bolognese sauce The pata was similar to a gemelo pasta and worked well with holding the sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly for me with a nice toothsome feel. The sauce was a good bolognese and was topped with some cheese. Horchata tiramisu This dessert was a nice end to the meal. It was light and had a nice mild flavor. Comparing it to its original counterpart, the horchata has a more subtle taste compared to the espresso which can be appealing to those who would like a lighter flavor than being overwhelmed. Overall The food was good. I would say the ambience would out shine the service and the food. The service was good and I thought the food was prepared very well.

    This was incredible! Black pepper tofu
    Tigui D.

    Beautiful space with many different options to enjoy the space. Service was great and the food was even better! We were genuinely surprised at how tasty the food was because the menu looks so basic but don't judge a restaurant by its menu lol We will definitely go back to try the other items. Great experience.

    Asian Chopped Salad (v)
    Robin A.

    The service and atmosphere are great! My Asian Chopped Salad (v) was top notch! Fresh, flavorful, and filling - it was way too much food for me but I managed to eat most of it. So good.

    Entrance on Michigan Avenue to cafe area
    Jeannie W.

    Dined here before a Friday show at the Auditorium Theater. We had reservations for 5:45pm and were seated promptly in the cafe area adjacent to the atrium. It was a warm cozy space. My friend arrived in time for the happy hour menu and ordered us Old Fashioned cocktails, crab cakes and Brussel sprouts--all were delicious. Our entrees were okay. The curry was less flavorful than expected. The truffle fries were perfect. The petite filet was cooked perfectly however the 5 spice or whatever it was in the sauce was a bit overpowering and I would have preferred it just with the herbed butter and more salt. It needed more salt and pepper imo. The yellow curry was barely spicy at all. The crispy tofu was flavorless. My friend tried mixing it up and adding salt but the curry was overall lacking in flavor. We were truly surprised as it came highly recommended by our server. We would have ordered dessert but time did not allow. Portions were generous. Overall this is an excellent place for drinks and apps, I would come back to try different entrees. You cannot beat the downtown location. Now the space is stunning and even more so decorated for Christmas. You can easily see how well suited it is for private events and weddings. I'm so glad we settled on this for drinks and dinner. It's really amazing to be able to dine in this architectural gem. Note: The Jackson street entrance is closed off after a certain time. I entered that way before 6pm and you'll see The Railway Exchange above the doors as you enter. After that the Michigan Avenue entrance and exit is your only option.

    Turkey Club
    Brian P.

    Ehhhh! I wanted to like them so bad but I have to say they missed the mark. Let me be clear: The ambience is absolutely lovely! It's the peak of Chicago interior design and architecture. They have 3 areas. A cafe style, the main restaurant area, and smaller private bar. Pro-Tip 1: The main restaurant area carries a nice echo. Pro-Tip 2: The private bar is often rented out for bridal parties, etc. I spotted my server sitting multiple times. We had to find him at least once. He was the only one for the entire restaurant (we came for lunch). I ordered the turkey club + avocado. And it SO SALTY that I couldn't even finish the first half of it. I had to send it back. My wife pulled half the meat off hers and stuffed it down. I wasn't doing that. I asked for a regular bacon cheeseburger. It took the kitchen TWENTY MINUTES to bring out my new order. It took so long that I had to leave. After telling them I was leaving, it still took another 5-ish minutes. Apparently the manager told us that the chef was in a meeting. They apologized and gave us two drink cards for our next visit.

    Karen C.

    I came here with two friends for Chicago Restaurant Week for the $59/dinners!! The surroundings are so beautiful! It would've been more refreshing to see it in daylight too. I thought the courses were just alright! I appreciated the complimentary Prosecco. The shrimp was too salty and the restaurant weeks dessert items were out, so we had to settle on a basic chocolate spread and bread. :/ Our server was friendly though!

    Maya S.

    Really great food! A bit pricey, but this is a higher end restaurant. Service was very nice. Even though the food is great I feel like this is more of a place that you go to for the atmosphere.

    Menu
    Amanda H.

    My boyfriend and I stopped by The Exchange before going to the Chicago Institute of Art. To drink (not pictured), we got a glass of wine. We struck up conversation with ur AWESOME bartender who made us lemon drop shots and welcomed us to Chicago with a warm shot of malort (IYKYK). Our bartender, whose name is escaping me, was kind enough to give us recommendations on where to grab dinner and go out on a Thursday night lol. For appetizers, we split the Buffalo cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. The cauliflower was tasty and paired well with the dip. The Brussels sprouts ware a hefty portion so be prepared! I hope we make our way back to Chicago soon!

    Micaela W.

    Was pleasantly surprised by this place and how expansive the restaurant is--it opens up into the center ballroom area that has a ceiling similar to the 3 Arts Club Cafe. It was very pretty and calming inside and maybe a good place for a wedding banquet? The menu didn't have a ton of dinner options (mostly sandwiches and some pastas). The bolognese was very filling, ask for a slice of lemon to squeeze over top. The BUNS were really good and you can't go wrong with tiramisu! Also happy to see a few good non-alc options :)

    Cesar salad with chicken.

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    2 years ago

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    Mary F.

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    4 years ago

    3.8. Nice aesthetic in the atrium. Food was good (got the chicken) but the wine did not seem reduced fully. It had a nice crisp, however.

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    3 years ago

    Perfect dessert: chocolate ganache drizzled with mild olive oil, sprinkled with flaked salt and served with toasted baguette slices... Mmmm

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    2 years ago

    Had a birthday dinner there during the restaurant week. Amazing food, nice private room and wonderful friendly service. Highly recommend!

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    Page 3 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Exchange

    Revel Motor Row - Dinner, dancing, and event space at Revel Motor Row for an Indian wedding event (sangeet).

    Revel Motor Row

    4.6(8 reviews)
    2.0 miNear Southside

    We attended a sangeet (Indian pre-wedding party) at Revel Motor Row and had a wonderful time. This…read moreis a versatile event venue with multiple spaces which can be used for a single event. We were shuttled here from the wedding hotel. The building is cool because it's historic - built in 1936. However, repurposed into an event venue, the interior spaces feel a bit more generic and industrial (typical). The spaces were decorated beautifully for this event. Cocktail hour took place in the Lobby and adjacent Mercer room. There were two bars - one in the Lobby and one in Mercer - and hors d'oeuvres. I don't know how many guests there were, but it was crowded and tight, especially in the Lobby. Dinner (self-serve buffets), dancing, and dessert took place in the Packard room. Again, pretty standard space repurposed for events. Decor, sound, lighting, food, and drink (more bars) were all great. There was even a liquid nitrogen ice cream station. To cool off during the reception (dancing), we went outside to the adjacent Cadillac Courtyard. Restrooms are located in the basement. They were spacious, clean, and even stylish.

    Revel Motor Row is a large, spacious event venue in the South Chicagoland area. I've been to this…read morelocation several times for events, parties, and small concerts. The building is historical and the architecture is incredible. There is a patio area and 3 levels to this venue. There is street parking in the area so get there early.

    Photos
    Revel Motor Row - The photo is of the beautiful bride and myself the proud and loving uncle! We are inside the covered courtyard.

    The photo is of the beautiful bride and myself the proud and loving uncle! We are inside the covered courtyard.

    Revel Motor Row - Dinner, dancing, and event space at Revel Motor Row for an Indian wedding event (sangeet). Liquid nitrogen ice cream station.

    Dinner, dancing, and event space at Revel Motor Row for an Indian wedding event (sangeet). Liquid nitrogen ice cream station.

    Revel Motor Row - Dinner, dancing, and event space at Revel Motor Row for an Indian wedding event (sangeet). Liquid nitrogen ice cream station.

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    Dinner, dancing, and event space at Revel Motor Row for an Indian wedding event (sangeet). Liquid nitrogen ice cream station.

    Il Culaccino - Entrance (Indiana Ave)

    Il Culaccino

    3.9(315 reviews)
    1.8 miNear Southside
    $$$

    This is a reminder to myself to frequent Il Culaccino way more often! Being 100% Chinese always…read moresteard me to mostly Asian cuisine. This time my taste buds were just craving something heartier, more complex and something I haven't had in a while. Well, badabing - it's Italian, of course! My love of pasta got me to order some of my favorites: chicken marsala, chicken parmigiana, and Nana's meatballs oh yes! Being Valentine's Day got me a little nervous if I was going to get my order on time. Well, not only was it on time, scheduled through the wonderful GrubHub app (now with brand new no service/no delivery fees on orders $50+), all the food arrived hot, fresh - even the basket of sliced fresh baked bread was still warm that you could melt a cube of butter on it. I'm not exaggerating that I'm a big Italian cuisine fan. The chicken marsala was 10/10 and the chicken parmigiana with rigatoni OMG the sauce itself alone I could eat with bread alone, and I'd be happy. Healthy salad? sure but why not have it if it comes with Nana's fantastic scrumptious meatballs?! Boy, was I pleased with myself to have chosen Il Culaccino! Will be repeating again soon.

    We got there almost at closing, sat at the bar and ordered right away. John at the bar was great…read moreand we ordered the meatballs, buratta, and stuffed peppers while watching the game. The ambiance was comfortable and good for friends and fun dates. The service was fast and everything was delicious!!!! Highly recommend. :)

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    Il Culaccino
    Il Culaccino
    Il Culaccino - Il Culaccino Italian restaurant in Chicago's McCormick Square neighborhood.

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    Il Culaccino Italian restaurant in Chicago's McCormick Square neighborhood.

    The Revival

    The Revival

    4.3(26 reviews)
    0.6 miSouth Loop
    $$

    My husband and I watched an improv show last night. We bought the tickets day of, when we realized…read morewe had no plans for the evening. Buying tickets on their site is so easy! Also, don't forget to add a donation! We got to the theater about 25 minutes before show time, they have a big lobby area with seating as you wait. There's also a small bar, with assorted mixed drinks, beer, cider and wine. The staff there is so nice, they let me try something before I committed to it. The theatre itself is large with different types of seating. I prefer the high top tables in the back row. The show started a bit later than advertised but it was all good. The show was so funny! And of course in true improv style, they had the audience participation by asking for prompts and input. I would 100% go back!

    I'm not sure I can even type words without falling into what might be mistaken as hyperbole…read more I had the luck to stumble upon tickets for a one night only show of Dorff, Jagodowski, and Messing. That's Kevin Dorff (writer for Conan), TJ Jagodowski (umm legend for more than Sonic commercials), and Susan Messing (the spitfire that spits the hottest fire (and who I had the good fortune of studying under at the Annoyance)). The show was phenomenal. $20 for 45 minutes of pure, smart, incredible comedy. With the comedy 20 feet away! I saw in the back at a high top with a cider and a mocktail. Drink service comes through halfway through the show or you can order before obviously. A few snacks are available. This is such a cool venue that more people should be talking about.

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    The Revival
    The Revival
    The Revival

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    Mae District

    Mae District

    4.8(20 reviews)
    1.7 miNear Southside

    The Mae District/ Food For Thought team was excellent to work with from start to finish. They were…read morerecommended to us through our wedding planner, and were the perfect fit for our wedding. The venue itself is the perfect balance of modern + historic. It fit our aesthetic perfectly and wowed our guests. High ceilings, natural light, interesting art and architectural features, clean finishes - its beautiful! The food options were a level above what you typically see at weddings. Our tasting was such a fun experience and our final menu, which included caviar, a beet and burrata salad, and more was just about as good as you can ask for at a wedding. The staff on the day of our wedding were great. Attentive, kind, and kept the drinks flowinggg! Special shout out to Kaci, who became an integral part of the planning team over the ~year we spent planning the wedding. She is excellent and knows her stuff!

    I got married at Mae District in July 2025 and could not be more happy with how the day panned out,…read more thanks in large part to the team at Mae District/Food for Thought! The historic venue itself is stunning - there's a separate room for everything (i.e., ceremony, dinner reception, dance floor/cocktail hour), which made the space feel more elevated and was a huge selling point for us. There's a cute courtyard area in the back with ivy and string lights which was great for photos and for guests to get some fresh air. However, the biggest selling point for us was the bridal suite/upstairs lounge area. It's a generous-sized private space with enough room for the entire wedding party and family members to spend time before the ceremony, and you can store personal things there during the wedding. I got into my wedding dress in the bridal suite and was able to capture getting ready photos here. My husband and I toured multiple Chicago venues in the same tier and this was the only one with a bridal suite/lounge area. Our venue coordinator was Hanna and were very pleased with the level of service we received. From the beginning, she made us feel like Mae District/FFT was open to our creative liberties, and anything that we wanted could be made true. We wanted a late-night ramen bar on a cart, which was a big hit, and she made sure that the sign on the cart was to our standards. One of our priorities going into wedding planning was that the food had to be good, and FFT delivered! We received many compliments on the food from our guests. Overall, I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking to get married in Chicago!

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    Mae District
    Mae District
    Mae District

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    The Exchange - bars - Updated June 2026

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