About Chicago
Diversity is what gives Chicago its distinctive character. The Windy City is equally defined by hard work, integrity, and harmony. The bid for Chicago to be at par with the Big Apple is why it's also referred to as "The Second City."
Carl Sandburg penned the masterpiece aptly titled "Chicago," and the fifth stanza lends the city its other name - "City of the Broad Shoulders." Besides going by many names, Chicago has plenty of thrills and opportunities to offer. It's backed up by the estimated 2.7 million people who reside in the city making it the third-largest city in the nation. The landscape of the Midwest metropolitan is shaped by a lakefront that runs for miles, soaring skyscrapers, and about 580 parks.
The city frequently hosts music and dance festivals as well as 40 annual film festivals and 30 food events. With a special occasion coming up, you should book a ballroom venue in Chicago.
Ballroom Venue Options in Chicago
A ballroom gives you the best of both worlds in terms of pairing sophistication with lots of space. It works for various events whether it's a wedding reception, dance recital, or fashion show. Working with a grand space requires the right styling to create an intoxicating atmosphere which is something the local businesses can do.
- Venue
A ballroom works for grand events with a large number of guests. Ballroom venues in Chicago are not built alike, and each comes with a different capacity and varying amenities. Thanks to the sheer amount of space, you have the freedom to dress the venue up as you please.
- Decorations
One of the other great aspects of a ballroom is the fact that you can divide the space for different purposes. Draping is the best way to get it done as well as the use of thematic decorations. You can also suspend elements like chandeliers, candles, and lighting from the ceiling.
- Lighting
Speaking of lighting, you can use it to create an intimate feel or a romantic atmosphere. Beyond candles, having a lighting plan and being able to control the lights at the venue allows you to set the scene for your event.
- Catering
Sit-down dinners are overdone and perhaps you should consider having food stations at your ballroom event. Not only does it help you fill up the space but spreading them out around the room encourages your guests to move around rather than stay seated. A catering company in Chicago can help you come up with a suitable layout.
- Music
More than likely, a ballroom event is an occasion that gathers people to celebrate or enjoy entertainment. You'll need some music persuasion to get your guests on their feet. It comes down to whether you prefer a DJ or live band for your event.
Ballroom Venue Companies in Chicago
A ballroom venue in Chicago gives you the flexibility needed to bring your vision to life. Whether you are organizing an awards ceremony, holiday party, or staging a theatrical performance; there are lists of local experts who can assist.
- Liven It Up Events
This full-service planner can handle the A to Z related to producing your special occasion. Their services include production design, budgeting, theme selection, menu planning, and more. They’ve been featured in dozens of publications including The Huffington Post and the Chicago Tribune.
- Chicago Props
With a 36,000-square-foot warehouse, you can bet that Chicago Props has the thematic rentals you are looking for in stock. Their extensive catalog includes furniture, backdrops, rugs, art, and more. They also do custom fabrication.
- DJ Persist
DJ Persist provides professional sounds for your corporate function, wedding, or other special event. They also offer A/V services alongside uplighting, projectors, and satellite systems. They can also make your event even more memorable by supplying photo booth services.
Pros and Cons of Ballroom Venues in Chicago
Chicago is high up on the list of the nation's most populous cities, alongside Los Angeles and New York. Much like the other two major metros, Chi-Town has its set of advantages and disadvantages that you should explore before booking a ballroom venue in Chicago.
Advantages
- Incredible food
Whether you are hosting a wedding reception, reunion, or recital at a ballroom venue in Chicago; you'll take the experience to the next level by serving up some of Chicago's best dishes.
- Diversity
You'll experience diversity at its best from the city's 77 distinct neighborhoods. In turn, it gives you a clear guideline on where to host your ballroom event to align with the spirit of the occasion.
- The culture
Chicago is an arts and culture hotbed with over 100 festivals hosted in the city alongside several cultural attractions found around town. It creates the right atmosphere to host diverse occasions in the city.
- An efficient public transit system
Chicago falls second on the list, after New York, of the cities with the largest public transit systems. Your guests will have their pick from 145 train stations to 129 bus routes alongside rideshare services to get to your chosen ballroom venue in Chicago.
- Sports
The Windy City loves its sports and after all, it's home to five major professional sports teams. In turn, it's a great place to host a sports-themed event.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Chicago is home to one of the nation's busiest traffic corridors - a section of Interstate 290/294 that's close to Interstate 90/94. Thoughtfully schedule your event so that your guests don't get caught up in the nasty rush hour traffic.
- Chicago winters are rough
The grey skies and below-freezing weather experienced in winter should guide some of your decisions when looking around town for a ballroom venue. Fortunately, selections of venues adequately address the weather conditions.
- Chicago is a costly city
Costs related to utilities, transportation, and food will drive up your event budget in Chicago. The overall cost of living is high in this city but you'll get some reprieve with the low housing costs.
- Parking
Once your guests navigate the roads, the last thing they should battle with is finding parking space. Unfortunately, finding a parking space isn't an easy task in Chicago and therefore, you should make sure that your chosen ballroom venue comes with ample parking.
- Pollution
The breathtakingly beautiful outdoor venues in Chicago might sway you to go that route but keep in mind that Chicago has a pollution problem. The waterways are hard-hit and several homes have dealt with sewage flooded basements.
Famous Locations in Chicago
- Art Institute of Chicago
All roads should lead to the Art Institute of Chicago if you are an art lover. The gallery houses collections across diverse media including paintings, prints, sculptures, architectural drawings, and more. The collections also span thousands of decades.
- Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry dates back to 1933 when it was constructed to showcase the strides made in the field of natural laws and industrial development. It's also touted as the first museum in the nation to have hands-on installations on display.
- Millennium Park
Downtown Chicago is where you'll find Millenium Park which is in a real sense a section of Grant Park. The centerpiece is undeniably the 110-tonne stainless steel sculpture known as Cloud Gate. Other highlights include Lurie Garden and the Crown Fountain.
