Birthday Party Venues for Rent in Chicago

Despite its reputation as a windy city, Chicago boasts wonderful weather in the spring and summer, making it the perfect time of year to spend your birthday on one of the city's finest patios or skyline bars. If you despise the cold weather, you can celebrate your birthday in cozy spaces such as cafes, pubs, or restaurants. But we encourage you to open up your eyes and check out our birthday party venue ideas for your big day!

Party ideas for your birthday venues

Host a restaurant dinner party

Let's start with the standard options. Restaurants may appear to be an obvious choice for throwing a birthday party, but the venue you choose can have a huge effect on the overall theme or vibe of your event. For instance, if you’re someone who loves urban chic spaces, you could opt for a restaurant that provides such a setting and organize a dinner based on the same idea. You could opt for fusion dishes that represent the city. Birthday parties don’t have to be loud or packed; if you prefer hosting a dinner party with a few good friends, head to Pops for Champagne where you can book a private room to host your party and enjoy a variety of champagnes, the best drinks to celebrate with. This simple yet classy space will surely remind you of the good things in life! Looking for the perfect backdrop for your birthday celebrations? Go to a tiki bar if you’re having a holiday-themed party, or to Carnivale if you were born in November. That way, you could host a Day of the Dead theme party or a Pixar’s Coco-themed party if you’re hosting a birthday for the kids! They will surely have a blast! 

Organize a themed party in a garden

Host a tea party in a garden and pretend that you’re in the Royal Kingdom! A little bit of extravagance certainly couldn’t hurt on your special day. If you love brunches, why not host a garden brunch with delicious red velvet cupcakes on your birthday? Think pastel colors and mini desserts! You could even host a Veuve Cliquot Polo-inspired theme party and get everyone to put on their best attire just for you! If you think you won’t be able to handle all the organization, just ask your friends or the venue manager to assist you with the planning. 

Sail away on a yacht 

Picture yourself with a glass of Dom Perignon by North Avenue Beach. It feels pretty amazing, doesn’t it? Then why not turn this thought into reality by renting out a yacht? Yachts are excellent for breaking away from the daily routine and enjoying a day full of relaxation. Whether you’re planning to move around like an explorer or stay in one place and admire the blue sea, you can spend your birthday however you like on this yacht. Sounds expensive? It doesn’t have to. Celebrating on a yacht doesn’t require you to go broke in a day! You can find plenty of affordable options to rent for your fete! Instead of a yacht, you can always go for something more affordable like a motorboat or a catamaran. You could even let yourself be carried away and ask everyone to wear sailor costumes or whatever suits your fancy. The feeling of being free in the open air will surely be more than just another memorable experience. 

Rent a patio or terrace and enjoy the view

Patios and terraces are fantastic spots for hosting a birthday party in an outdoor setting. Many spots in Chicago provide access to beautiful patios that will make you thankful that you’re turning a year older. With lush greenery, elegant chandeliers, and the prettiest alfresco gatherings, patios are not only excellent spots for pictures, but they are also commonly attached to reputable eateries. Terraces and patios are definitely places to consider if you’re planning an event in style and want to host a cocktail for your birthday or even a small party! If you’re looking for an outdoor Chicago party space where to have happy hours or dinner parties, consider venues like the Rooftop Lounge - Workbox - River North, a chic rooftop terrace that offers a breathtaking view of River North district - something that could make you feel like a celeb in no time. Looking for something cozier that puts you and your guests in a relaxed atmosphere? The Patio Area at 99 Perspectives Studio might be just what you need- this elegant spot with green grass carpet and astonishing views over the city is great for spending the evening partying while watching the sunset!

Make it classy and hire a waterfront venue

Fact: There’s no shortage of waterfront venues in Chicago. These spots, located on sandy shores, are great for celebrating an intimate gathering or hosting a birthday bash. Whether you're celebrating a quinceanera or your 30th birthday, hosting your birthday at the beach is surely a stylish and classy way to begin your new year! To make your event extra special, you could always have the venue manager assist you with a special birthday menu with some of your favorite dishes. From intimate gatherings to big birthday parties, Chicago has many amazing spots for hosting an event along Lake Michigan or Ohio Beach.

Keep it simple but fun by hosting your birthday in a park

If you’re running out of venue ideas for your event, why not pick your favorite park and rent a venue to host your birthday party? You could do anything from a picnic to a birthday party filled with games and fun. The advantage of hosting a birthday party at a park is that you don’t have to worry about the space, and the gorgeous surroundings are usually enough to entertain your guests. If you’re hosting a toddler’s birthday party, you can be assured that the kids will be exhausted by the end of the day due to the number of activities that they can indulge in while hanging out in the park. With its exquisite landscaping, Millennium Park is probably one of the prettiest parks in Chicago. If you’re trying to host a low-budget birthday party, just make sure you check with the local authorities to see which spots can be rented for your event! Don’t want to be amidst the crowd but still enjoy the park? You can find anything from rooftop terraces to glass wall venues in many Chicago parks and even in Millenium Park, one of the prettiest spots in the city of Illinois!

Go on a beer tasting tour

Running out of ideas and time? Breweries are probably one of the safest event locations for you to get wasted without an ounce of guilt! With the range of local and imported beers available in Chicago, no one can blame you for getting tipsy on your birthday! Breweries are a great way to spend the night out with your friends without having to overspend. With places like Innjoy Wicker Park, you can rent a spot for only $36 per person and taste some delicious craft beer in a lively atmosphere! In addition to that you can invite up to 125 people for your birthday party! Make it big, but affordable! For something more intimate, you can consider spots like Peggy Kinnanes Irish Restaurant & Pub, a newly established pub that focuses on adding the Irish spirit in everything it does! Or you simply grab a few pals and go on a beer tasting tour at the Pilot Project Brewery, where you can capture the spirit of start-up breweries and help support the newcomers to the industry! 

Go on a wine tasting mission

A difficult mission indeed, particularly for wine aficionados. You can get your hands on all types of wine in Chicago with the array of wine bars to choose from. Lake Square, Lincoln Park, and Lake View have many options for you to indulge in some vino. Whether you’re planning an intimate party or a shindig for the occasion, you can surely have loads of fun at wine bars. With many bars originating from the Prohibition era, you can surely get a taste of  some unique local specialties. Moreover, you will be served a lot of delicious food like salami and sushi to pair with your wine at most bars- so it’s not only about getting tipsy but also about treating yourself. Another huge advantage of hosting your birthday at a wine bar is that you can surely make some new friends in the city-after all, a good glass of wine is all it takes for the talking and party to start! 

How to save on your birthday party venue?

Host the event during the day

When you’re planning a smaller event, you have to think about making the experience unique while keeping everyone in mind! If you’re hosting a party for adults, chances are that half of them will abstain from alcohol as they will be driving after the party. Sad, but great for you to save some bucks and serve a limited amount of alcohol. Instead of wine or beer, why not ask for some fresh fruit juice to be served. If you’re holding a brunch, you can limit the number of drinks to 2-3 or provide alcohol-free options if your crew is cool with that! Hosting a party during the day can help you save a lot on food expenses, as dinners at restaurants and bars are frequently pricier due to the higher number of clients in the evening. A party at any time earlier can be less stressful to manage as well as cheaper. 

Keep your food and beverages tab down

You could always lower the overall cost by hosting a party that focuses on finger foods like sausage rolls or brie bites. Having a variety of finger foods served will not only make everyone happy but will also make your table look appealing since you’ll have a colorful table with different bites! Planning to host something even cheaper? Rent a space to hold your event and go for a potluck- that way you won’t have to worry about everyone’s dietary restrictions and you could even allow yourself to splurge a little bit on that birthday venue space!

Play your own music

Do you know that feeling when you go to a stunning venue but the music ruins the atmosphere? Not great, right? So why not be your own DJ? That way, you wouldn’t have to hire a DJ for your gathering and you could play your favorite tracks, for free. And since you’re the host, everyone will simply have to love every song on your list! If the location has a private room, you could simply ask them to play your music. If you’re hosting your event at a dance studio, you’ll probably have high-quality audio facilities in place, which will only make hosting the event even easier for you. If not, you could always arrange for a stereo or a docking station to Pump Up The Jam!

Birthday Party Venues in Chicago FAQ

Do all birthday party spaces in Chicago provide birthday packages?

Luckily, many party venues in Chicago do provide special event packages that not only suit your budget but also assist you in every part of the planning. While some venues might only provide the space and require you to take care of everything else, rest assured that plenty of venues in the city will be ready to cater to your birthday needs!

Can I bring my own decorator to birthday party venues in Chicago?

Yes, you can hire your own decorator. However, you should let the venue manager know in advance as some venues might suggest hiring an on-site decorator for your event. It also depends on whether you’re hiring only a room or the whole space for the event. In any case, you should contact the event coordinator prior to hiring your decorator.

What is the cost of hosting a party at a birthday party venue in Chicago?

Prices vary, but the good news is that Chicago has a good range of options, from cheap venues to upscale ones. Prices per person can range from $16 to $92 and upwards. If you’re thinking about renting a whole venue, budget around $2,000–$7,000+ for the hire fee. (All data according to Tagvenue.)

What are some of the loveliest Chicago neighborhoods for booking an outdoor space for a birthday?

While you can find many parks all over Chicago that you can rent for your event. If you’re looking to flaunt your city, we suggest hosting your event in the prettiest neighborhoods like Ravenswood, Lakeview, or Logan Square. These spaces are great locations if you’re planning to host an outdoor event and enjoy the luscious scenery after or before the event.