When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Room 85 Venue
Why Room 85 Venue is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Room 85 Venue is an ideal location for gathering with friends, hosting social events, or corporate and community meetings. Located in Chicago, it offers 1,800 square feet of contemporary, flexible space that can accommodate up to 80 seated guests or 100 standing, making it perfect for intimate to moderately sized groups. The venue features a clean, modern design with dimmable lighting and complimentary clear Chiavari chairs that provide an elegant touch without overwhelming the ambiance. Guests can enjoy ample on-street parking, free Wi-Fi, and two ADA-accessible bathrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience for all attendees. Room 85 also offers a custom floor plan tailored to your event’s needs, including a variety of round and rectangular tables to suit different seating arrangements, and 2-3 complimentary food tables to facilitate dining or buffet setups. Outside catering and decorations are welcomed, allowing you to personalize your event experience fully. The venue’s location and streamlined amenities make it a great meet-up spot for friends celebrating milestones, social gatherings, or collaborative group activities, all supported by professional management that accommodates event setup and breakdown within the booking time frame for ease. Overall, Room 85 blends functionality and style, providing a welcoming canvas to create unique and memorable experiences with friends and community members alike.
Here's what people think of Room 85 Venue
As of recent, Room 85 Venue holds a 5-star rating based on 25 reviews.
User reviews of Room 85 Venue consistently praise its flexibility and modern aesthetic, making it a favorite spot for various events. Positive reviews highlight the spacious and clean environment, the helpful and accommodating staff, and the smooth booking experience. Guests appreciate the venue’s practical layout that supports a variety of event configurations and the complimentary amenities such as tables, chairs, and Wi-Fi, which add value without extra cost. The ample parking and accessible facilities further contribute to positive user experiences. Reviewers also note the freedom to bring in outside catering and decorations as a significant advantage for customizing events. However, some negative feedback points to scheduling constraints, emphasizing the necessity to strictly include setup and breakdown within the booking times. A few users have expressed a desire for more in-house beverage options or clearer beverage policies. Additionally, as of February 15, 2025, the venue no longer accepts repast, memorials, or celebration of life events, which affects some potential clients. In conclusion, the reviews suggest that Room 85 Venue is highly regarded for its functionality, modern charm, and accommodating services, with minor limitations mostly related to scheduling rules and event type restrictions.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Tonisha Bowen
My experience with Room 85 Venue was fantastic, and I was very pleased with how everything turned out. The space was perfect for our event, and the attention to detail you all provided made the entire process seamless. The venue itself was spotless, with every detail taken care of to ensure a clean, welcoming space for our event. The customer service was exceptional; everyone I interacted with was friendly, professional, and attentive to my needs. I also really appreciated the seamless communication and check-ins leading up to the event, which helped put my mind at ease. The decor was beautiful and the security guards were very respectable. I highly recommend Room 85 Venue for anyone looking for a beautiful, well-maintained space with excellent service. Thank you for making my event such a success!
Nicole B
We were thoroughly impressed with Room 85 Venue. When we needed a venue at the last minute, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were incredibly accommodating and professional. Despite the short notice, everything turned out perfectly. The space was ideal, beautifully decorated, and immaculately clean. The security guards were also very effective. We highly recommend Room 85 Venue and look forward to booking again in the future. Thank you for making our event so successful!
Tammy Bland
Where do I start… let me start by saying this is the 2nd review I’ve ever left in life. I booked this space for an event at the last minute. The professionalism, event space, just everything left me thoroughly impressed! My guest couldn’t stop talking about it either! The bathrooms were immaculate! There is an intimate outdoor space for smokers. I’ll definitely be a repeat customer! Oh and I definitely appreciated the security!
Zsazsa Brown
I would highly recommend Room 85 Venue! The venue was spacious, the owners were great, and my guest had a great time for our event! The host had great communication skills from the time of booking! We hosted a sneaker ball for my teenage sons! The venue includes tables and chairs. The owner also offers decor to be purchased if needed.
Law law
I had a day party at this location and when I say this is 5 star this is 5 star. The owners are excellent. This venue will give you everything you need plus make you feel like family. The restrooms are beautiful. The space is very spacious and great for a party. Use the decoration service and they did an outstanding job. Thank you Room 85 for everything it was amazing.
How to reach Room 85 Venue
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Why Room 85 Venue may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Room 85 Venue with your friends? Room 85 stands out as an exceptional meetup destination because it perfectly combines a contemporary, stylish atmosphere with versatile space to host groups comfortably and creatively. Located in the vibrant heart of Chicago, this venue offers an inviting, modern 1,800 square-foot event space that can accommodate up to 80 seated guests or 100 standing, making it an ideal spot for both intimate gatherings and lively celebrations. The thoughtfully designed lighting, free Wi-Fi, and ample parking create a hassle-free experience for anyone organizing a get-together. Whether you're planning a casual hangout, a birthday bash, or a casual networking event, Room 85’s flexibility and amenities empower you to customize your experience exactly how you want it. Beyond the physical space, the venue’s welcoming vibe encourages everyone to relax, socialize, and fully enjoy the moment without the usual distractions or limits you may find elsewhere. This perfect blend of comfort, style, and practicality is why Room 85 Venue is an outstanding place to rally your friends for memorable occasions.
What makes the activities at Room 85 Venue ideal for group meetups? Room 85 caters to a wide spectrum of social events and activities, all supported by its adaptable layout and high-quality amenities. Guests can organize seated dinners using up to eight round tables that each seat 8-10 people or ten rectangular tables for more customized seating arrangements. The venue also offers complimentary clear Chiavari chairs and food tables, which streamline setup and help keep events organized and elegant. The large cooler for beverages and the allowance for outside catering mean groups can bring their preferred drinks and cuisines, so the gathering feels personal and tailored without the constraints of typical event venues. The room’s dimmable lighting allows for atmosphere control, perfect for setting the right mood whether the event is a lively celebration or a cozy catch-up. Free Wi-Fi availability supports entertainment needs, such as streaming music playlists or virtual participation from friends unable to attend in person. These features make Room 85 especially suited for groups looking for a versatile, comfortable space where they can engage in a range of activities including dining, socializing, entertainment, and games.
Why is Room 85 Venue perfect for hosting your group meetup? One of the strongest points of Room 85 is its thoughtful spatial design focused on guest comfort and accessibility. The venue provides two ADA-accessible restrooms, ensuring that all attendees can enjoy the event comfortably regardless of mobility concerns. Plenty of on-street parking eliminates much of the logistical stress often associated with city events, making arrival and departure smooth for your whole group. Additionally, Room 85’s policy allows for outside decorations and décor, which means you can personalize the environment to reflect the spirit of your gathering, whether that’s playful, formal, or festive. The venue also provides a custom floor plan to help organizers visualize and optimize the layout according to their specific needs—this flexibility means that from formal sit-down dinners to casual standing receptions or interactive workshops, the space can be perfectly adapted. In-house decoration packages are available too, making it easy to enhance the ambiance without extra coordination on your part. All these thoughtful provisions underline why Room 85 is a prime choice for a stress-free, enjoyable group meetup.
What are the logistical advantages of choosing Room 85 Venue for your event? The venue prides itself on combining style with convenience, offering seamless booking and planning processes along with functional day-of-event features. Room 85 ensures that setup and breakdown times are fully included within the booking hours, so event organizers can prepare and clean without feeling rushed or incurring unexpected costs. This policy helps prevent scheduling headaches and ensures your gathering flows smoothly from start to finish. The clear communication Channel through phone and email assistance provides a direct line for questions, changes, or special requests, indicating a customer-centric approach to service. The space comes equipped with complimentary tables and chairs, significantly reducing the need for outside rentals, and its allowance of outside catering lets you choose the exact menu that suits your taste and budget. The venue staff can also arrange site visits or tours upon request, helping group planners visualize the space and finalize details in advance. All these carefully considered logistics make Room 85 a reliable and accessible choice for hosting group meetups without unnecessary complications.
How does Room 85 Venue cater to different types of group events? Whether you're gathering for a casual party, a corporate meeting, a community event, or an entrepreneurial pop-up, Room 85's multi-use design supports diverse event types with appropriate space, technology, and comfort. The venue’s open floor plan allows for easy customization, accommodating everything from seated dinner arrangements to open standing mingling sessions. Dimmable lighting means the atmosphere can be adapted to suit different event tones — brighter for presentations and meetings or softer for parties and socializing. The availability of free Wi-Fi supports digital presentations, live streaming, or social media sharing, enhancing engagement for professional and personal events alike. Beyond typical gatherings, Room 85 also embraces creative entrepreneurial activities, making it a hub for community engagement and innovation. This adaptability underscores its appeal for groups with varying purposes who need a venue that can flexibly support their goals while providing a comfortable, stylish environment.
What should you know about booking and accommodations at Room 85 Venue? Booking Room 85 is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, reflecting the venue’s commitment to excellent customer experience. The space is suitable for groups up to 80 seated or 100 standing, striking a balance between intimacy and spaciousness that fits many group sizes comfortably. The clear tables and chairs are included in the booking, along with food tables, allowing you to host catered events without logistical gaps. On-street parking availability simplifies transport considerations in busy Chicago neighborhoods. While the venue no longer accepts repast, memorials, or celebration of life events since early 2025, it remains an ideal location for celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, social clubs, and community or corporate gatherings. Booking includes not only the event duration but also the time required for setup and breakdown, which helps prevent surprises on the event day. For those unsure about details or wanting a firsthand look, scheduling a site tour is easy and strongly recommended to confirm all needs are met well in advance. This blend of clear capacity guidelines, included essentials, and flexible options makes Room 85 highly accommodating for a wide range of group events.
What makes Room 85's location a bonus for your event? Positioned at 8532 S Ashland Ave in Chicago, Room 85 is nestled in a lively and accessible urban neighborhood that adds to the convenience and experience. The venue’s central location means it is reachable for most Chicago residents and easily accessible for visitors coming from various parts of the city. The ample on-street parking nearby reduces the stress of city driving and parking, a major advantage over venues with limited or expensive parking. Its surroundings provide options for additional exploration before or after your event, with local eateries, coffee shops, and retail spaces contributing to a well-rounded outing. Plus, the neighborhood atmosphere adds character that can enhance the overall vibe of your gathering. Being in a bustling area ensures that transportation, dining, and entertainment are within easy reach, meaning guests can enjoy a full day or evening out without worrying about logistics, making Room 85 a strategic and practical venue choice.
How can Room 85 Venue contribute to memorable experiences for your group? The venue’s clean, modern aesthetic paired with customizable features provide a backdrop that complements any occasion without overshadowing the moments themselves. The flexibility in table arrangements and décor lets groups personalize their environment, ensuring the space reflects their unique style and spirit, which is crucial to creating lasting memories. Friendly, attentive staff and the venue’s smooth operational policies reduce stress on hosts, letting everyone focus on enjoying the event rather than worrying about details. Amenities like free Wi-Fi, ample parking, and ADA compliance create a welcoming and inclusive experience for all guests. Whether you’re celebrating milestones, hosting a community gathering, or launching a new project, Room 85’s inviting space and thoughtful services help transform your plans into joyful, seamless experiences that your group will fondly remember.