The new year has arrived! But the celebrations are not over! Whether you’d like to take out business clients for a dinner to say thank you or you’ve got a birthday you’d like to celebrate, you need a location that can accommodate many people with ease and comfort. No more uncomfortable discussions about split bills or who ordered what.
Now is the time for a fun and pleasant time with your associates or loved ones. But where should you go? Luckily, Chicago offers excellent options for large-group dining. Let’s explore what they are and which one is ideal for your special occasion.
7 of Chicago’s best locations for group dining
And without further ado, we jump straight into the top 10 restaurants and bars in Chicago to help you make the most of your fun night out. Let’s dive in!
- Alla Vita
Translated from Italian, “Alla Vita” literally means “To life!”. The overcoming of challenges and a celebration of life comes to the fore at this Italian restaurant that severs a casual, family-style menu.
With Executive Chef Lee Wolen at the helm of the operations, you’ll be able to enjoy “elegantly detailed and elaborately crafted” food as the restaurant’s pursuit for perfection never ends. Alla Vita is the place to see and be seen for all things related to Italian food. It’s a must for large group dining in Chicago and is not to be missed.
- Quartino
An award-winning Italian restaurant and wine bar, located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, this is the place where you and your accompanying group can enjoy a distinctive Italian small- plates menu, vintage decor, and attentive, personable service staff. The menu features some regional specialities from Italy. These include artisanal salumi, Neapolitan thin-crust pizza, house-made pasta, and seasonal dishes.
The items on the menu are served in moderate portions and are meant to be shared. Absolutely perfect for adventurous diners ready for a unique experience. As for the decor, you can enjoy refurbished subway tiles, chairs, tables, and mirrors, all of which lend to the relaxed and genuine feel. And apart from the great dinner you can enjoy there, you can also head over right next door to the legendary Redhead Piano Bar, THE place to be for great fun, great music played by amazing musicians who play your requests and sing away! Guests sing along and enjoy awesome cocktails and great wine at this Chicago classic spot.
- LUXBAR
LUXBAR, Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood bar, was named one of the “Great Bourbon Bars of America” in 2014. Ever since it was founded in 2005, it continues to serve all-American, feel-good food and handcrafted cocktails – with seating available in big booths or long banquet tables. Whether you’d like to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, you’ll always be able to enjoy high-quality ingredients with American favorites made from scratch.
Some of the classics you’ll be able to devour there include the Gold Coast filet sliders, Lux Royale double patty cheeseburger made with Gibsons Prime Angus and caramelized onions, kale and avocado and Cobb salads, Alsatian pizzas, cedar-planked salmon, and steak frites, among so many other options.
As for the cocktails, you can “Build Your Own Manhattan”, there’s an “approachable” wine list and of course, the beer menu with vintage and local options. “With its checkerboard floors, rich wood walls, black marble accents, fireplace, and sprawling bar, LUXBAR has a refined look that exudes warmth and a relaxing vibe.”
- Maple & Ash
One of Chicago’s finest restaurants, you can find Maple & Ash at 8 W. Maple Street Chicago (for the Chicago Dining Room or the Chicago Patio). Led by two-Michelin-star Chef Danny Grant, the menu is out of this world. But the wine list is spectacular, too! It was named “one of the most outstanding in the world’ by Wine Spectator” as the restaurant and staff always find a way to make every celebration one to remember.
Recognizing that hospitality is not a one-size-fits-all concept, the team of seasoned professionals goes the extra mile to create the best experience possible for their guests. Food is cooked over an open fire and just one of the exciting options you can enjoy include the Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, among many other mouth-watering treats. There is a dress code, so dress to impress!
- Aba
Able to accommodate groups as large as 600 at its private event hall, The Dalcy, Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant with locations in Chicago, Austin, and Bal Harbor. Looking for varied flavors? You certainly get it at Aba! Featuring the signature flavors from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, you can also take advantage of the rare Mediterranean-inspired wines and spirits, a bar program, which is crafted by Lead Mixologist Liz Pearce.
“Aba” means “father” in Hebrew and this comes to the fore as Chef CJ Jacobson employs the “lighter style of cooking”. This lush green oasis has a sprawling rooftop patio that’s perfect for any event. You and your companions are welcome for dinner or a weekend brunch with some signature dishes including Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Muhammara, Jerusalem Bagel with Labneh, Char-Grilled Lamb Chops, and Skirt Steak Shawarma.
- BiXi Beer
If you’re up for drinks – and some amazing drinks at that – why not try BiXi Beer? This is a cool and hip Asian bar scene and you’re bound to find anything from beers and specialty cocktails to wine and non-alcoholic drinks there. Their house draft menu features Shifties (American-style light lager), Allergic to Discomfort (dry hopped saison), BiXi Premium (Dortmunder lager), Ghosts of Megamall (Hazy Ipa), and Listening In (American Ipa).
The last option has strong tropical and coconut vibes. What’s more is that “Sultana and experimental 06300 hops provide resinous pineapple and freshly cracked coconut balanced against assertive bitterness”. This modern pub offers delectable Asian-inspired food, a breathtaking patio, and a bright, beautiful dining room.
- Fulton Market Kitchen
The Fulton Market Kitchen sets itself apart from all the eateries in Chicago’s West Loop, particularly near Randolph Street Restaurant Row. This is a contemporary European restaurant that’s bright, colorful, unique, and airy. Bringing your besties is a must for a night out of full and unadulterated enjoyment.
Getting there is now a breeze
Of course, organizing large groups of people to arrive and leave together safely is a concern that any event planner will have. However, with Bus Connection, you no longer have to worry. We offer a fleet of medium and large buses, perfect for any occasion and we’re always ready to serve you with a smile.
Simply reach out to us for any of your transportation needs and we’ll ensure a smooth and pleasant journey to and from your location of choice. We’re just a call or a click away and ready to help! Get in touch with us today and we’ll take one less worry off your to-do list!