Top Meeting Spaces in Chicago

You’re planning a meeting in the third largest city in the US, but your company doesn’t have a permanent space to use. So where in the Windy City should you go?

There are hundreds, thousands of fantastic spaces in Chicago. The Trade Show Executive even names Chicago's McCormick Place as being the largest convention center in the country. But if you’re trying to have a smaller meeting, staycation, or conference at a more accessible location, here are a few suggestions to narrow down your search.

For a warm haven that gives you spring on the snowiest days, the Winter Garden at the Harold Washington Library is the perfect spot. The space can fit up to 500 people for a gala but it’s flexible enough to also be used for smaller, breakout meetings. If you need something much smaller, this historic Chicago landmark also offers a huge range of spaces at a huge range of prices.

The Greenhouse Loft is a beautiful space in the hip neighborhood Logan Square that can host any kind of meeting from a focus group to a training session and can hold up to 250 guests. With its eco-friendly bonus and outdoor garden, the pricing is on the high side, but it’s well worth it if you're working with a bigger budget. Read more here for details.

City Winery is a cool space for a fancy event because you can meet in an expansive mezzanine, the barrel room surrounded by wine, or on the gorgeous outdoor patio. The venue doubles as a restaurant, winery, and music venue so you can embellish your event with a variety of entertainment. Read all about your winery options here.

Hotels have an obvious draw because they offer a place where you can gather, do business, and sleep. The Jaslin Hotel was recommended by Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel as a fine spot with all the essentials, a view of the city skyline, and a unique location in the heart of Chinatown. It has a fairly affordable rate and offers close proximity to downtown and public transportation.

Coworking spaces are a great alternative to the norm. Take Free Range Office in Wicker Park. It has an accessible and comfortable meeting space that can fit 5 to 80 people with a projector, wired conference table, conference calling, LCD TV, Apple TV, natural light, and ergonomic chairs. For a small, beautiful, and easy-to-convert space offering hands-on support and management that’s also the most affordable, then Free Range is the place for you.

If you want to keep looking, check out Peerspace where you can also narrow down your search by choosing the neighborhood that’s most convenient location for you.