Need an inexpensive venue for an event

Our place is tiny. All of our friend's places are tiny. Ergo, we have to hold the baby shower somewhere else. The main problem being, we are fairly short of cash these days.

We're looking for someplace that can hold 30 (maybe? possibly more?) people, that can feed them something or allow food to be brought in, with or without alcohol, and $500 is the absolute max we can spend. So far I've looked into a couple of different bars (unfortunately my husband doesn't share my idea that a baby shower in a bar would be sort of awesome) and Margie's Candies, Montrose location. Margie's is cheap, but can only hold about 17 people. My other thought is maybe Scooter's, but they're closed today.

Any ideas? Unconventional venues are sort of what we're aiming for, but we are constricted by time and budgetary concerns, and so are not too picky.

A couple ideas - most park district venues offer cheap rentals; if you're in Chicago, caterers will be restricted to a specific list, but other municipalities not so much.

Unconventionally, I think Ethel's Chocolate Lounge will close their doors to host your event (bridal/baby showers, etc.) that is, if they're still open at Old Orchard...

Timber Lanes on Irving Park. $240* will let you buy out all 8 lanes (yes, it only has 8 lanes) and close the joint; you can bring in whatever food you want; you just pay for drinks (and have to buy them from them). And a divey bowling alley is even cooler than a divey bar for a shower, no?

* As of Myles' 9th birthday, late 2008.

Mike G wrote:Timber Lanes on Irving Park. $240* will let you buy out all 8 lanes (yes, it only has 8 lanes) and close the joint; you can bring in whatever food you want; you just pay for drinks (and have to buy them from them). And a divey bowling alley is even cooler than a divey bar for a shower, no?

* As of Myles' 9th birthday, late 2008.

I was super excited about this (I have an un-ironic love of bowling) but their fee is now $400. Since we'd have to outsource food, that might put us over the limit. Still, it's a possibility.

I attended a baby shower at Mystic Celt that was a lot of fun--guys and gals (and kids) attended, the back room is really nice (they have some comfy couches for mom-to-be ) and if I recall, the food was not just the standard bar app's buffet but, I admit, I can't remember what was served. I've been told that their prices are very reasonable. I know many on this board are not fans but it's actually a pretty nice place when it's not midnight on Saturday and the place is overrun with drunkies.

We had the same problem for our rehearsal dinner... we ended up having it at Pompei on Taylor St. We had about 40 people and with food, beer and wine we ended up paying about $800. They have a really nice private room that would be great I would think for a baby shower... If you go cheap on the food, just pizzas and salad and don't have an open bar like we did, I'm thinking you could end up at about $400-500, maybe less.

Maybe I'm unrealistic, but I would hope that a not-fancy menu would cost less than $400-500ish. I mean, we could always go to Gulliver's, and spend like $300 maybe, but eh. No thanks.

I spent some time googling for caterers, and there are some local options that don't exactly set my panties afire, but would be perfectly serviceable, in the $200-300 range. So assuming we could secure a venue for $200-300 that should do the trick. One of the caterers I came across was FIG, and while we drooled over the sample menus, I'm guessing they'd be a bit out of our price range.

And dammit, my husband definitively vetoed the bowling alley. It's a good thing he's cute.

And dammit, my husband definitively vetoed the bowling alley. It's a good thing he's cute.

Did you run our RP fave Candlelite by him? I bet that would be a hoot, and probably not horrifically expensive, either. . .

Ah, we actually both like Candlelite quite a bit, I should suggest that!

I attended a baby shower at Let Them Eat Chocolate. If I recall correctly, they didn't charge for the space if they stayed open for counter service. Not sure how the food was handled, but I think they provided some and the party-throwers provided some.

http://www.letscoco.com/

Let Them Eat Chocolate
5306 N Damen
773-334-2626

The Candelite has an all-you-can-eat pizza deal for $12 per person...and $200 for room rental. Deep, expansive sigh.

Try calling Salvage One.
312.733.0098
There business is way off- and
I'm sure that they'd rent the Upstairs for a
lot less than normal.
Ask for Davide.

Also-
Logan Square Auditorium
Kedize and The Boulevard
Maybe too much space for ya.

Marmish wrote:I attended a baby shower at Let Them Eat Chocolate. If I recall correctly, they didn't charge for the space if they stayed open for counter service. Not sure how the food was handled, but I think they provided some and the party-throwers provided some.

http://www.letscoco.com/

Let Them Eat Chocolate
5306 N Damen
773-334-2626

And we have a winner! They are quite reasonable and the chocolate is decent. Thanks for the suggestion!

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:

Marmish wrote:I attended a baby shower at Let Them Eat Chocolate. If I recall correctly, they didn't charge for the space if they stayed open for counter service. Not sure how the food was handled, but I think they provided some and the party-throwers provided some.

http://www.letscoco.com/

Let Them Eat Chocolate
5306 N Damen
773-334-2626

And we have a winner! They are quite reasonable and the chocolate is decent. Thanks for the suggestion!

Yay! I'm glad it worked out!

I had forgotten about this thread, but a friend of mine came to me with criteria simliar to the OP. I suggested Nada Tea House just because I adore the interior and their matcha lattes and think they should get more business.

My friend ended up having a very positive experience. Sandwiches, scones, green tea ice cream and beverages came to $13.50 + tax per person. For $1 more per person, they could have gotten rice bowls or noodle soups instead of sandwiches. Also for $1 more, they could have had matcha instead of coffee and tea. I think my friend's party opted for more western sandwiches like prosciutto and smoked salmon, but Nada did offer Japanese sandwiches as well.

Capacity is less than 30, but otherwise I think Nada is a great option for a smaller, inexpensive venue with tasty food and drink.

Nada Tea & Coffee House
1552 W. Fullerton Avenue (at Ashland)
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (773) 529-2239
Fax: (773) 529-2588
E-mail: admin@nadateahouse.com