Private Room for 40th Birthday

Hi all,

I just read through the thread about the anniversary party for 40-50, but I'm not looking for "old school" so I'm starting a new thread - hope that's OK.

My husband is turning 40 in October and I'd like to have a party for him at a restaurant/pub; I expect about 40 people.

I've called the Hopleaf in Andersonville (his favorite) but they don't do Friday or Saturday night parties.
Neither does Cafe Iberico, another of our favorites.
Brasserie Jo has a $3,000 minimum for the room that will accommodate 40, so I'm mulling that over but think it's more than I want to spend.
I've left a message for the catering manager at Scoozi! (we had our first date there in 1996) and hope to hear from her tomorrow.
We love Cafe Selmarie in Lincoln Square but I doubt they'd do a private party on a Friday or Saturday because they don't have a private room.

I'm open to different locations as long as they aren't in the suburbs. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you!

There are some interesting ethnic ideas in this thread: Ethnic Wedding Reception and some others in this one: Private Wedding dinner for ~60. Hope this helps.

Might be too old school, but when we were at Mitchell's Fish Market in the Glen the other night they were having a private party for someone in a back room-it looked like they were doing a nice job...

When I put together the "not old school" and the "not expensive," I'm reminded of the place mrs. riddlemay threw my surprise 40th birthday party in 1990, which was a lot of fun for everybody.

Don't laugh.

Ed Debevic's.

They have a private room, you can decorate it how you like (there'll be very little they'll tell you you can't do--a place with no decorum has its advantages), they do their part to keep things fun, there's none of the "surly" shtick that was old even in 1990, the food is good enough, and the drinks and food keep a-comin'.

You can knock your head against the wall for a while trying to come up with a better place, and maybe you will, but all I can tell you is that everybody had fun that night.

WinnetkaFoodie wrote:My husband is turning 40 in October and I'd like to have a party for him at a restaurant/pub; I expect about 40 people.

The Gage has a few private event options. Specifically, I'm thinking of the Theodore Ascher room on the bottom floor. It's a very attractive space with a separate bar. The website states that it can accommodate up to 65 people. It's worth checking out.

Let us know what you end up doing.