Family reunion venue suggestions

I just received an e-mail from the planners of my family's reunion this summer saying that the event is tentatively planned for a friday in June at a community center and will be $75 a person to cover the cost of the caterers (the catering service the community center contracts with). I find it hard to believe we can't do a lot better for that price.
Does anyone have any ideas for a fun, but not too adventurous venue in the north suburbs which could accomodate about 100 people and has decent parking. Alcohol is a must (if my cousins and I are going to make it past the first 30 minutes of this thing).
Thanks,
Becca

For $75 a head I should think you could go to just about any hotel in the suburbs. Open bar will bring the price up quite a bit, of course.

I would pick up a copy of Chicago Bride magazine. It has a section in the middle that lists venues by area (north, northwest, etc...) and has capacity and price as well as a lot of other information in a very concise graph format. It has venues for rehearsal dinners as well, which may be cheaper.

I have heard that price quotes for the same fare will be cheaper for an event such as a retirement than they will be for a wedding. When I was planning my wedding, I didn't try this tactic, but it would be interesting to see how much your price quotes vary from the wedding prices listed in the magazine.

Additionally, places will generally give you 10% off for a Friday or Sunday event. Maybe more if it is during the day versus an evening event - make sure you ask for the off-peak discount if they don't offer it. If you have a daytime event you may have to absolutely be out by a certain time if they have an evening event in the same room, so this would be important to find out if it matters to you. If you do an evening event, find out if you can extend the party at the last minute if things are going well and what it will cost. (I would highly recommend going on consumption vs. a per person fee if you extent the time - much cheaper.) When I was planning my wedding, I got price quotes for kids' meals ranging from $6 to $40, interestingly enough...so be sure to ask that as well.

I will tell you this - I was amazingly surprised to see the price list for the Sears Tower - 99th floor. The cheapest entree was $75, which sounds like a lot, but not really when you consider it had taxes and gratuity already included and had a $5000 minimum (this was 5 years ago). My suburban venue was $85 per person when all was said and done. I guess I am just saying not to rule out any place based on what you 'think' it might cost...

Good luck!