Off the Clock
Conference guide · Chicago

Where to go during ProMat 2027.

MHI's trade show for manufacturing, warehousing and supply chain automation. It expects more than 50,000 professionals and over 1,000 exhibitors.

Apr 19–21, 2027McCormick Place, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, ChicagoDates source ↗

Plan ahead

Our advice: book private rooms by February 8, 2027.

What's around McCormick Place, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago

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Going to ProMat 2027? We'll email you once, before our book-by date, with the best group picks for that week.

Best picks for show week

All Chicago picks →
Client dinner$$$$

Moody Tongue

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.

Client dinnerPrivate roomTastingBucket listUnique roomEasy walk
Fits
The Dining Room 28 seated (50 standing); The Bar 60 seated (100 standing); Brewery Floor 120 seated (160 standing)
Cost
$120+ per person (est.)
Walk
About 15 min from the convention centre
Tip
Dining Room seatings are 6:30 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6 PM or 8:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays; email ahead about dietary needs, as the menu cannot cover every restriction.
Reserve on SevenRooms ↗
Group dinner$$$

The Chicago Firehouse

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.

Team dinnerClient dinnerPrivate roomBig groupsUnique room
Fits
Palmer Parlor 60 seated (80 standing), Kimball Parlor 50 (70), both together 100 (150); Mayor's Room 18 boardroom; Veranda 50 seated
Cost
$70–120 per person (est.)
Walk
About 20 min from the convention centre
Tip
Book the Mayor's Room if you need to present; it has a 46-inch screen.
Reserve on Resy ↗
Working lunch$$

Il Culaccino

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.

Working lunchEasy walkBig groupsCasual
Fits
Private meeting space and full buyouts; up to 250 seated or 300 standing
Cost
$40–70 per person (est.)
Walk
About 5 min from the convention centre
Tip
Lunch runs 11 AM to 3 PM daily; parties of 5 or more get a service charge added.
Reserve on OpenTable ↗
Website ↗Source ↗Map ↗Checked October 26, 2026
Working lunch$$$

Woven & Bound

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.

Working lunchEasy walkDaytimeRelaxed
Fits
Brasserie tables in the hotel's two-storey Great Room; no group capacity published
Cost
$70–120 per person (est.)
Walk
About 5 min from the convention centre
Tip
It opens at 6 AM daily, so it also works for an early breakfast; book on SevenRooms or call 312-824-0500.
Website ↗Source ↗Map ↗Checked October 24, 2026
Drinks$$

VU Rooftop

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.

DrinksViewsEasy walkBig groups
Fits
Largest room 85 standing; private events up to 100; buyout 550
Cost
$40–70 per person (est.)
Walk
About 5 min from the convention centre
Tip
Weeknights it opens at 4 PM and closes at 11 PM; call the private dining line, 312-256-2991, for a group area.
Reserve on OpenTable ↗
Website ↗Source ↗Map ↗Checked October 27, 2026

Common questions about ProMat 2027

Where can we take clients to dinner near McCormick Place, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago during ProMat 2027?

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). 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.

When should we book group dinners for ProMat 2027?

ProMat 2027 runs Apr 19–21, 2027 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago. Book private rooms by February 8, 2027, about 10 weeks before the show, because rooms near the venue fill up during show week.

Can I plan my whole ProMat 2027 trip in one place?

Yes. The Off the Clock trip planner builds a day-by-day agenda for ProMat 2027 with dinners, activities, shows and your own flights and meetings, and you can share it with your group or print it.

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