July 29, 2019

The Geraghty: Redefining Chicago Event Venues

July 29, 2019

The Geraghty: Redefining Chicago Event Venues

From acclaimed events designer and tastemaker Tom Kehoe comes The Geraghty, a sophisticated and diverse space intent on redefining the standard for custom event venues. Located in the up-and-coming Pilsen neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, it is the perfect place for all your social events.

With his background as an event designer, Kehoe has brought together everything you need to pull off a flawless event. From the size and design of the place, to the smallest decor details, The Geraghty’s purpose is to make events easier to plan and manage. 

Designed by industry visionaries, The Geraghty was built to be fully customizable: the perfect backdrop for event designers to execute any vision. But even if you don’t have an event designer in mind for an event you want to plan, there’s no need to worry.

The Geraghty is owned by a decor company that offers in-house separators and drapes that you can hang from their 22-foot ceilings to change up how different rooms are defined for specific events. The 25,000 square feet of open space can seat 800 guests comfortably and can fit up to 1000 standing guests or more (with the right permits).

Beautiful indoor space for weddings, corporate and social events

Visit The Geraghty on a normal day and you’ll be impressed by the modern industrial feel of the place.

When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with giant chandeliers in mixed metal at the entryway. Walk into the event space itself and you’ll find high-end decor, custom chandeliers, and lounge furniture that you can also use for your event. 

The Geraghty's state-of-the-art technology venue

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February 5, 2018

Chicago Venues We Love: Loft 21

February 5, 2018

Chicago Venues We Love: Loft 21

We’re lucky to have so many amazing venues in our network, giving you direct access to a variety of unique backdrops to complement any type of event.

As part of our ongoing “Chicago Venues We Love” blog series, we recently spoke to Jazmine Gonzalez, Owner and President of Loft 21, to get the lowdown on Chicago’s newest and most awe-inspiring event space that can be transformed time and time again.

loft 21 Chicago event venue

What kinds of events typically take place at your venue?

We have seen clients use Loft 21 for many different events this first year. From mitzvahs and weddings, to corporate and charity galas. We have even done baby showers, 1st birthdays and 50th birthdays. It is incredible seeing how each client transforms the space to fit their vision.

loft 21 Chicago quinceanera

loft 21 Chicago wedding

What are your favorite types of events to host at Loft 21?

My personal favorite is an event where the client comes in excited to be creative. There are so many amenities with Loft 21 — from the divisible space, tables & chairs and my favorite feature, the technology. It really allows the client to put their personal stamp on their event.

loft 21

What are your favorite features of the space?

We have built the 31,000 sq ft venue to be an event space with a distinct blend of industrial and ultra-modern design. With state-of-the-art sound, lighting, 11 giant screens, and 15 mechanical walls, a client can truly transform the space to be personalized every time. There are so many amenities including; tables, ghost chairs, linens, lounge furniture and more. We have a VIP suites, 4 outdoor terraces, private parking and are surrounded by a nature preserve and trails. With 4 trap doors in the ceiling, guests are in awe when aerialists come down to serve drinks and sweets. Truly a dream venue allowing the client to design their event to fit their style.

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Welcome summer by enjoying a fun-filled day at Independence Grove, a 1,100-acre nature preserve and recreation area located in Lake County. The pristine and secluded forest preserve is situated on a 115-acre lake and features hiking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, a sand beach, marina, and cafe.

The Cafe at Independence Grove

The Cafe at Independence Grove reopens this Friday, May 26th, and is a delicious attraction that you may not have known about. The cafe is run by Catering by Michaels, so the menu is all freshly prepared, made-to-order food. It’s unlike what most people would expect at a park or forest preserve.

Menu items include thin crust pizzas, gourmet salads, and classic Chicago Style Hot Dogs and Italian Beef Sandwiches. Snack on Asian Sesame Chicken Wings or Spicy Onion Straws, topped with parmesan-garlic buffalo sauce. Cool down with an afternoon sweet treat of soft serve ice cream or relax with a glass of wine.

A special ‘Kids Corner’ menu includes a Turkey “Korn-Dog” and PB&J “Uncrustables.” The cafe is open 7 days a week to the public: Mon-Thurs 10:30am to 4pm, Fri-Sun10:30am to 6pm, and until 9pm on concert evenings. 

Free Summer Concerts 

The lake and cafe alone makes your trip worthwhile, but you might as well stay for the whole day. The summer concert series is a guest favorite and begins on June 13th with a live performance by the New Invaders (60’s Rock & Roll). Concerts take place in the preserves outdoor amphitheater, Millenia Plaza, and continue through August 8th. See the full concert schedule.

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April 11, 2017

Chicago Venues We Love: Independence Grove

April 11, 2017

Chicago Venues We Love: Independence Grove

If we could pick a favorite event venue, it would have to be Independence Grove. Ok, we’ll admit it – we’re a bit biased!

Events at Independence Grove: Quick Facts

Events at Independence Grove is the exclusive caterer and event management partner of Independence Grove Forest Preserve, and is a Catering by Michaels company. The venue opened in March of 2001, and was specifically designed with a premium visitor experience in mind. It is open year-round to host various events and celebrations.

Independence Grove is located in Libertyville, Illinois in a 1,100-acre nature preserve and recreation area. People know it for its pristine beauty and secluded setting. It’s been described as a Midwestern one-of-a-kind treasure because of its natural calmness, beautiful grassland and stunning lake views. Because of this, hosting an event at Independence Grove will provide a truly unique and memorable backdrop for any type of wedding, social or corporate event.

Independence Grove

There are three main event categories we normally get bookings for at Independence Grove.

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January 24, 2017

Chicago Venues We Love: The Geraghty

January 24, 2017

Chicago Venues We Love: The Geraghty

We’re lucky to have so many amazing venues in our network, giving you direct access to a variety of stunning backdrops to complement any type of event. This week we sat down with Cyndi Roppolo Rosenberg, in charge of New Business Development at The Geraghty, to give you the inside scoop on this spectacular event space!

The Geraghty event venue in Chicago

What kinds of events typically take place in this venue?

The Geraghty was intentionally designed to easily accommodate a wide range of events from social to corporate, from weddings and mitzvahs to galas.
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