Need some ideas

Kari423

I am getting married in August in Chicago, as a destination wedding. I am starting to toy with the idea of doing a welcome cocktail/appetizer thing for folks coming in on Friday afternoon/evening. I have no clue where to host something like that in Chicago and without spending a fortune. Any ideas on some locations that might work for us?? It would be 40-60 people possibly. The wedding is only 75 people, so depends who comes to town early. I checked with the hotel we are staying at but its way too pricey.

hz80408

What kind of budget are you thinking of?  Does your hotel have a small meeting room you could utilize to have food catered too?

Is this in leiu of a rehearsal dinner?

Kari423

Since we are not rehearsing anything because we are getting married on one of the yachts on Navy Pier it would be instead of a rehearsal dinner. So my in-laws would be paying for it. I would like to keep it under $2000. I am not sure if that is unreasonable. I know we could do something back home here for that and could find several options of fun places. I just have no idea in Chicago where to start.

Golfer09

If the $2000 is to include alcohol, you can do one of the local Chicago pizza places like Lou Malnati's or Giordanos.  If $2000 is just food, you might have more options - for a fun place you might want to check out Dave and Buster's in the city or Whirly Ball.

hz80408

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:7bd90759-22e1-4d4d-aad7-352f2cb8832dPost:f6cfdac8-3548-4ea4-b08c-a62b43187cf7">Re: Need some ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]If the $2000 is to include alcohol, you can do one of the local Chicago pizza places like Lou Malnati's or Giordanos.  If $2000 is just food, you might have more options - for a fun place you might want to check out Dave and Buster's in the city or Whirly Ball.
Posted by Golfer09[/QUOTE]

I agree, these are all great ideas!  Quartino's is a less expensive Italian small plates/tapas-type restaurant that I believe you can rent out space from also.

CASK85

Might I suggest Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, in keeping with the tapas theme. 

platinumkate

I second cafe baba reeba!

MrsPaps

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:7bd90759-22e1-4d4d-aad7-352f2cb8832dPost:793b8cc3-a351-40dd-8bf7-96f3dfeb16ae">Re: Need some ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need some ideas : I agree, these are all great ideas!  Quartino's is a less expensive Italian small plates/tapas-type restaurant that I believe you can rent out space from also.
Posted by hz80408[/QUOTE]
Quartinos has a $700 min and a required $200 tip for a Saturday private event and they have pre-fix options so it could work for your budget. Their food is amazing!

Kari423

ladies you are amazing! Thank you all so much for the ideas. I will start looking into some of them today.

hz80408

Hah, good luck on Cafe BaBaReeba...we looked into them for a reception...if I remember right it's a $10K min on Fridays and $15K on Saturdays.

hz80408

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:7bd90759-22e1-4d4d-aad7-352f2cb8832dPost:e1ce0bd9-c468-4dea-82ca-193b0a0a6468">Re: Need some ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need some ideas : Quartinos has a $700 min and a required $200 tip for a Saturday private event and they have pre-fix options so it could work for your budget. Their food is amazing!
Posted by MrsPaps[/QUOTE]

Plus OP said it's for a Friday, so it may be even cheaper then!

MrsPaps

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:7bd90759-22e1-4d4d-aad7-352f2cb8832dPost:9d90587f-4c30-4fa7-8bb7-b93bd6e08d6d">Re: Need some ideas</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need some ideas : Plus OP said it's for a Friday, so it may be even cheaper then!
Posted by hz80408[/QUOTE]
Good catch Hannah! :)

amyb140

I immediately thought of Quartino as well!!  Or Cafe Iberico for tapas.  They have big rooms that could fit a large number of people and they're way more reasonably priced than BaBaReeBa.  Also Carnivale for Latin food - I've organized a private party there that turned out great.

Another place that's less well known is Trattoria Isabella - they have an absolutely gorgeous HUGE outdoor patio and bar with trees, white lights, etc.  Great food and awesome staff.  It's across the street from my house and it's actually where I met my soon-to-be hubby!! 

CASK85

Ohh, sorry for suggesting Cafe Baba Reeba! I had no idea they were so expensive!