A Michelin-starred brewery dining room near McCormick Place and Michelin-listed steakhouses along the river, with architecture cruises, a sky deck and cooking classes for groups.
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$38.00 USD for dinner: the US federal (GSA) dinner allowance for Chicago, FY2027 (part of the $92 daily meals rate). Many companies use government rates as their benchmark. None of our dinner picks typically fit it, so plan on the company covering the difference or choosing a set menu.
Fit is based on our price estimates, before tax and tip. Rate source ↗
2515 S Wabash Ave, South Loop · about 15 min walk from McCormick Place
A one-Michelin-star tasting menu paired with house-brewed beers, served in a 28-seat room above a working brewery. The Dining Room can be booked privately for a client dinner.
66 W Kinzie St, River North
A Michelin-listed River North steakhouse on two levels, built around a wraparound marble bar. A semi-private mezzanine room suits a client dinner.
300 N LaSalle St, on the river at River North
A Michelin-listed riverfront steakhouse that dry-ages its prime beef in house for 35 days. Private rooms on the second floor look out over the river.
932 W Fulton Market, West Loop
Top Chef winner Joe Flamm's Italian and Croatian cooking in Fulton Market. A bright private dining room suits a client dinner with A/V on request.
1401 S Michigan Ave, South Loop · about 20 min walk from McCormick Place
A steakhouse in a landmark early-1900s fire station on Michigan Avenue. Two parlors join up for a big group, and the Mayor's Room is set up as a boardroom.
1000 W Fulton Market, West Loop
A Michelin-listed steakhouse in a renovated 1920s meat and produce warehouse, with a raw bar. The Wellington Room has its own entrance and bar.
222 N LaSalle St, on the river in the Loop
A big riverfront steakhouse in the style of a 1920s supper club, known for house-cut bacon and dry-aged strip. It reopened in July 2026 after a kitchen fire and a six-month remodel.
445 N Clark St, River North
Rick Bayless's long-running Mexican restaurant in River North. The Morales Room downstairs is hung with Rodolfo Morales art, and La Vista upstairs has its own bar.
638 S Michigan Ave (Blackstone Hotel), South Loop
A Spanish tapas restaurant in the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue. The Barcelona Room takes a big group, and La Veranda suits a smaller one.
Chicago Riverwalk, 112 E Wacker Dr, the Loop
The official Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, a 90-minute trip led by the center's volunteer docents. Groups can also charter a boat for a private evening on the river.
4747 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Square · about 25 min by cab from the Loop
A cooking school running since 1997, with hands-on classes and private cooking parties. Colleagues cook a multi-course meal together, with a competition format on offer.
Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Dr, the Loop
The observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, with The Ledge glass boxes. Groups of 20 or more get discounted tickets, and a 99th-floor space hosts private events.
401 E Wacker Dr (St. Regis Chicago), Lakeshore East by the Loop · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
Tuscan cooking from chef Evan Funke in a grand second-floor room in the St. Regis, with river views. Handmade pasta is the star, and a mezzanine room seats 40 for a private client dinner.
1639 S Wabash Ave, South Loop · about 18 min walk from McCormick Place (estimate)
A candlelit South Loop supper club styled on 1930s Los Angeles, added to the Michelin Guide in 2025. Steaks, seafood and strong cocktails, with two private rooms for a small client dinner.
Marriott Marquis Chicago, 2121 S Prairie Ave · about 5 min walk from McCormick Place (estimate)
An American brasserie in the Marriott Marquis, linked to McCormick Place, with Midwest and South Side touches on the menu. Easy for a sit-down lunch without leaving the convention campus.
2201 S Michigan Ave, Motor Row / South Loop · about 8 min walk from McCormick Place (estimate)
A Michelin Bib Gourmand pick with a bright, roomy dining room near the convention hotels. Wood-oven Mediterranean plates and pastas suit a relaxed client lunch.
2134 S Indiana Ave, South Loop · about 5 min walk from McCormick Place (estimate)
A large Italian dining room across the street from McCormick Place, with generous pasta and a long wine list. Lunch is served every day, which makes it a dependable midday fallback.
225 N Wabash Ave (L7 Chicago), the Loop · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
A Korean-inspired steakhouse in the L7 hotel that also runs a full breakfast service. Gayot lists it among Chicago's power breakfast spots.
224 N Michigan Ave (Pendry Chicago), the Loop · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
A wood-panelled French brasserie in the Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building. The daytime cafe side serves breakfast under tall windows on Michigan Avenue.
133 E Cermak Rd (Hiltons at McCormick Place), South Loop · about 5 min walk from McCormick Place (estimate)
A big 22nd-floor bar next to McCormick Place, with lake and skyline views. An enclosed room keeps it open year-round, so it works for a drink after a show day in December.
39 S LaSalle St (Kimpton Gray), the Loop · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
A library-style cocktail lounge in the Kimpton Gray, with leather chairs and bookshelves. Calm enough to keep talking after a client dinner in the Loop.
12 S Michigan Ave (Chicago Athletic Association), the Loop · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
A glass-enclosed rooftop on the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, looking over Millennium Park and the lake. Fire pits warm the terrace in winter.
700 S Wabash Ave, South Loop · about 10 min by cab from McCormick Place
Buddy Guy's own blues club, with live music Wednesday to Sunday and his guitars and awards on the walls. Cajun food and a warm room make an easy winter night out for a group.
111 W Wacker Dr, the Loop by the Riverwalk · about 15 min by cab from McCormick Place
Social darts with automatic scoring on 14 playing areas, plus two bars and a restaurant. Colleagues play team games side by side, and it runs indoors all winter.
671 N St Clair St, Streeterville · a cab ride from McCormick Place
An all-day restaurant with a coffee and pastry counter, named by Gayot among Chicago's power breakfast spots. Weekday breakfast starts at 7 AM, and it has rooms for group breakfasts.
Nothing matches that combination yet. Try a different group size.
Enter your dates to see the games, conferences and holidays happening while you're in Chicago. Schedules go as far ahead as teams and organizers have published them, and we add more daily.
Nothing we track is happening on those dates. Your evenings are wide open.
Our rule of thumb for groups. Individual venues vary, so confirm when you call.
Moody Tongue (2515 S Wabash Ave, South Loop): The Dining Room 28 seated (50 standing); The Bar 60 seated (100 standing); Brewery Floor 120 seated (160 standing). Chicago Cut Steakhouse (300 N LaSalle St, on the river at River North): Private rooms for 16, 24 and 60, with movable walls to combine them. Rose Mary (932 W Fulton Market, West Loop): North Room 16 seated; Semi-Private Room 24 seated; Full Private Room 40 seated, A/V on request (Rose Mary events package, Apr 2026); full restaurant 125 seated or 150 standing. The Chicago Firehouse (1401 S Michigan Ave, South Loop): Palmer Parlor 60 seated (80 standing), Kimball Parlor 50 (70), both together 100 (150); Mayor's Room 18 boardroom; Veranda 50 seated. Swift & Sons (1000 W Fulton Market, West Loop): Private Dining Room 1 or 2 up to 36 each, both together 64; Wellington Room up to 40 (OpenTable; The Infatuation says up to 60); full buyout 300 seated or 500 standing.
Chicago's First Lady architecture cruise: The official Chicago Architecture Center river cruise, a 90-minute trip led by the center's volunteer docents. Groups can also charter a boat for a private evening on the river. The Chopping Block: A cooking school running since 1997, with hands-on classes and private cooking parties. Colleagues cook a multi-course meal together, with a competition format on offer. Skydeck Chicago: The observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, with The Ledge glass boxes. Groups of 20 or more get discounted tickets, and a 99th-floor space hosts private events. Buddy Guy's Legends: Buddy Guy's own blues club, with live music Wednesday to Sunday and his guitars and awards on the walls. Cajun food and a warm room make an easy winter night out for a group.
Upcoming home games: Bulls vs Spurs, Wed Nov 11 at 7:00 PM (United Center); Blackhawks vs Sabres, Thu Nov 12 at 7:00 PM (United Center); Bulls vs Hawks, Fri Nov 13 at 7:00 PM (United Center); Blackhawks vs Jets, Sat Nov 14 at 2:30 PM (United Center). The Chicago page lists every home game for the next six months.
RSNA 2026: Nov 29–Dec 3, 2026 at McCormick Place. Our advice is to book now. Private rooms are already filling up. AHR Expo 2027: Jan 25–27, 2027 at McCormick Place. Our advice is to book private rooms by November 30, 2026. ProMat 2027: Apr 19–21, 2027 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago. Our advice is to book private rooms by February 8, 2027.
Groups of 10 or more: book a private room 3 to 4 weeks ahead in a normal week. Conference weeks: book as soon as your dates are set. Each conference guide shows our book-by date. Game nights near the arena: book pregame dinners at least a week ahead. Holidays: many restaurants close or switch to set menus, so confirm hours before you book.