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When you get invited to a party, one of the very first things that you notice is probably the venue as it can either make or break your event. For starters, the venue or the place can help set the mood and create the setting for your event. This can spell the difference between guests who are comfortable and would love to stay until the very end, and guests who feel like immediately going home the moment they arrive.

If you're from around Chicago, your advantage is that there are many restaurants to choose from if you want to hold an event. But this doesn't mean that all of these restaurants are of good quality and can make your event memorable and successful.

Choosing the right Chicago restaurant for your party isn't easy. But you're in the right place as, here, you'll learn about the qualities to look for in a good restaurant for your event:

1. Accessible Location

Aside from the venue itself, one of the most important qualities to look out for is its location. Depending on where a majority of your guests in Chicago will be coming from, always choose a prime location. This means it's accessible from either end of your locality. As much as possible, the location should be convenient enough for your attendees that all it takes is a short drive.

On the other hand, if a majority of your guests aren't going to be from Chicago, then choose a restaurant for your event that's near airports and hotels. This also makes it more convenient for your guests, especially for those who need to take public transportation.

2. Available Technology

Any event nowadays must have access to technology. At the very least, the restaurant should have a stable Wi-Fi connection. No matter how much you strive to take everyone’s attention away from their smartphones with a fun event, this is going to be close to impossible. One way or another, they'll want to post their photos right away, or even upload real-time updates on Instagram Stories, for instance. Thus, you need to provide stable Wi-Fi access to your guests, or else they'll start to get bored.

Apart from the Wi-Fi connection, the electrical systems should also be strong enough to handle your audio as well. The last thing that you'd want is to be in the middle of your party with the power going off because the restaurant's electrical system can't handle all the add-ons for the speakers and lights you brought along.

3. Ample Parking Space

A great restaurant is one that has ample parking space. Guests will only feel frustrated if they have to keep moving around the block to find a place to park. If possible, choose a restaurant that at least has a parking or valet parking system.

If this isn't possible, then choose one with nearby parking options. For example:

1. Reserve an adjacent parking lot for your attendees and settle the parking costs ahead of time.
2. Encourage families who will be attending to share a ride, so there will be fewer cars to park.
3. Offer ride pick-ups for guests when possible, such as a van to share among guests coming from the same hotel or local area.

4. Excellent Amenities or Services

Each restaurant, such as The Berghoff in downtown Chicago, has its own available amenities that may be included in the package when renting it out for events, while others may be add-ons. Before you even start meeting up with restaurant managers or owners, it's prudent to already have a list of all the amenities you're looking for. That way, you’ll also have an easier time filtering out your options early on.

Examples of standard amenities that you should include are the following:

1. Clean and comfortable restrooms
2. Availability of in-house audio-visual systems
3. A ramp for disabled guests
4. Availability of in-house beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones
5. Capability to serve specialty drinks, such as wine

Conclusion

Organizing and planning an event is no easy task. You'll undoubtedly have a lot of decisions to make. Of all these many decisions, one of the most important is choosing the right venue. Naturally, the venue is a significant factor that can make or break your event as it sets the mood, the comfort, and overall atmosphere of your event. While choosing one in Chicago may seem like an intimidating decision to make, these tips can help you make the best choice with ease. Keep in mind these qualities to look out for, and you'll be one step closer towards completing that perfect event.