Venue West

Event venue · West Town

Venue West

Event venue · West Town

1

221 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612

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Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null
Venue West by null

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Chic industrial space for customizable events, weddings, and galas  

Featured in Eater
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221 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612 Get directions

venuewestchicago.com
@venuewestchicago

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221 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612 Get directions

+1 312 284 8106
venuewestchicago.com
@venuewestchicago

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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Eater Awards 2019: Nashville Restaurant, Design, and Dish of the Year Finalists - Eater Nashville

"With mint pistou, Pequin chile dusk, preserved lemon, and chamomile, the flavor-packed lamb and beef meatballs from John Stephenson and Joey Molteni join a large, well-executed menu of show-stopping vegetables and more, in the converted former fellowship hall on the West side of town." - Delia Jo Ramsey

https://nashville.eater.com/2019/11/18/20970466/eater-awards-2019-finalists-best-design-restaurant-dish-nashville
View Postcard for Venue West

Sarah Nader Photography

Google
Venue West is a fantastic space for a modern, stylish wedding! As a photographer, I love how versatile the venue is—with its high ceilings and industrial-chic design, it offers endless creative possibilities for capturing stunning images. The open layout allows for seamless transitions between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and the staff is always professional and accommodating, making the day stress-free for couples and vendors alike. If you’re looking for a sleek, contemporary venue in Chicago, Venue West is a top-notch choice!

Herstory Balloons

Google
Venue West is a wonderful space for medium to large events. They thought of everything from coat check and parking to surround sound, lighting and delicious food. Donna is an excellent point of contact! Our Gallery Wall has the perfect spot in the cocktail lounge area.

Sweetteeness

Google
Definitely a contender!!!!!! One of our Top three !!!! Able to remove two from the list today…. Now to figure it all out ❤️Janel was the most bubbliest, professional, intuitive and exciting venue host to date !!!! Beautiful smile with great ideas and options to make our day special. The venue is HUGE !!! With over the top amenities. We liked it😍 Making final choices right after the holiday. We’ve already saved the date at one of them….. but we will see. Everything is bare in the pictures but the vision is there to create a masterpiece ❤️

Stephen Jesenko

Google
Had a wonderful time at the Windup watch show Chicago. Parking right across the street. Easy in and out.

Chun Siu (Charles)

Google
We had an event here. Place were clean and organized. Definitely will pick this for our next meeting

Dianne Green-Moen

Google
Can't say enough good things about the team at Venue West and Michael Collins! Our fundraiser was a huge success because of their beautiful space and all the help they provided in implementing our plans ❤️

Emily Lassila

Google
We recently had our wedding at Venue West, and it was the perfect day! From our first tour of the space with Michael Collins, who was an absolute dream to work with. To the day of staff (thank you Janel!) and the catering staff at J&L (thank you Karly!)- we fell in love with the space, the team, and how customizable the space is. On the day of our wedding, everyone was amazing making sure we had everything we needed and making everything run smooth behind the scenes by coordinating the vendors, designing the room, and preparing amazing food and cocktails. We could not have asked for a better day and will cherish the memories of our wedding at Venue West forever. Thank you for everything!

T “Timo2278” R

Google
Went there for an event and I wish they would of had on the air conditioning. It was 86 degrees inside the building.
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Ann-Marie H.

Yelp
Great Experience for Big Brother Big Sister Big Bash!!! Really great experience with good food and drinks
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Sun N.

Yelp
We held a wedding for 150 (could have been more) and wanted an urban blank canvas for our wedding reception. Michael C. was AMAZING. The years of experience shows in how flawlessly his team can set up the space. His rolodex of vendor is amazing -he has worked with all major vendors and recommended the lighting company - MK Lighting - and had worked with my coordinators (Designed and Detailed) and florist (Juliet Tan) before. His patience and calmness was wonderful and he made sure to have my husband's blue cheese olives for his gin martini on hand at the bar. This is still a hidden gem for wedding - VW does a ton of corporate events but it shouldn't be overlooked for weddings. I will miss the team here that made my wedding day the stuff of dreams
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Sabrina C.

Yelp
Venue One usually draws me out for the Macallan tasting. It's like a fly to the buzzing light - I'm there! After missing out last year, I was back last week to indulge. It's a great space for hosting events. It's very spacious, therefore it can accommodate varying crowd sizes and allows flexibility for having different spaces for activities or displays. The color is flat, which is perfect for customization of the area with any colors or decor that you would like..... and it'll all look great. Bathrooms are clean. Staff was great. Parking is typical west loop - NONE! LOL However if you go on a an off night like I did (Wednesday) you shouldn't have a problem. Other than that, if you don't valet near by, you'll be walking. Happy hiking!
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Abhishek M.

Yelp
This is my second visit to this venue, and coincidentally they've been both for scotch tastings....once for McCallan and the second time today for The Glenlivet. Venue One is a large space that is ideal for this events. They have a cocktail reception area and an inside space for a sit down presentation. Lighting can be customized as can be the seating. I don't know if they rent the space for weddings but in my opinion it would work great for up to 200 people. We had passed appetizers at both events and the food was great both times but I also not sure who was catering, the venue or an outside caterer. There is plenty of street parking to be found in and around this part of W. Randolph.
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Kathleen C.

Yelp
I've been to Venue One for a few events now and it's a top notch event destination. Aside from the one drawback of the parking situation, it's a great spot (and parking is dismal anywhere near there). The events I've attended have been large (200+) people and it's always set up well, with excellent crowd flow and easy access to bars, food areas and bathrooms. It's basically a blank canvas and the space looks great with some uplighting and candles. There were 3 bars set up, so it allowed everywhere to mingle without having to wait in line for 20 min to get a beverage - easy access! There were multiple food areas set up also, so no back-up there either. The bathrooms were in the back, stocked and clean, which is a plus (especially with a large group of people using them). The main room had room for plenty of tables of 10, excellent acoustics and while it was hard to see video screens in the back, it wasn't for lack of attention to technology. All in all, a good spot to host an event. Staff was also very friendly and accommodating.

Geri Anne N.

Yelp
It has been a pleasure to work with Karly and Venue West for the past few years. Our non-profit event was given detailed attention, just as equally as any other event, which is not always the case when working with a venue in the city. Karly and her team was helpful and accommodating leading up the event and especially on the day of. The event team was committed to quick set-up and event preparation. They were efficient and patient with the last minute changes. As a venue, Venue West is a beautiful and customizable space. Their wifi was strong enough for the 200 people to participate in our silent auction without any problem. The food was deliciously prepared and presented beautifully, and the tech crew was very helpful. While it may seem to be a little off the beaten path of the West Loop, it is prime location! There's a large parking lot available at no additional cost and it is easy for ride-share pick-ups! I would wholeheartedly recommend Venue West and J&L Catering for your next event, wedding, or fundraiser!
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Damon M.

Yelp
Venue one is a space used for events and tastings. I have attended several events here and they were all great. Last night I attended a Glenlivet tasting event with friends. We were all happy with the set up of the venue and the presentation by Glenlivet. I look forward to attending more events here and I would recommend Venue One to others.
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Andre W.

Yelp
I usually come here for Macallan Scotch tastings twice a year as the event usually takes place here or the River East Arts Center.. Great space that fits a nice amount of people. Its great because after you leave drinking events here you can grab a nice dinner @ any of the awesome restaurants nearby. Always a good time here!
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La Tonya G.

Yelp
I thought I wrote a review for this place already but I see I'm way behind. I don't know if I can rate this place accurately really because this venue was rented out for Macallan Whiskey Tasting. I thought the staff was great and the way the inside of the room looked where there were chairs were set up beautifully. It did seem like when were first coming into the location we were herded in like cattle so they could keep up with the amount of people that were trying to get into the tasting. I again can't fault the venue because I don't know if that is what they were told to do for the event. I would host a small event at this place and would be very happy I believe. I would say that you should check out this place when it isn't being rented by someone else and you could get a tour of the place and get a better feel for what they have to offer. Enjoy!
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Kevin B.

Yelp
How does one rank what is essentially a rentable office space? Well focusing on the place itself, one of the best things about it is the layout. When you walk in, it's a more intimate area for smaller events. I've been here a few times for scotch tastings and when the turnout isn't that great, that small area was perfect. There is room in the back for much larger events. But again it's an office space so most of the time the event dictates how things are set up. But the back area is extremely spacious so for those looking to book a large space, this place may interest you.
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Emily D.

Yelp
As a Wedding Planner, it's SO important to work hand in hand with the Venue Manager throughout the process of planning and coordinating a couple's big day. Karly and the team at Venue West were excellent to work with for my couple's special day. She answered emails almost always immediately, was extremely accommodating, and a pleasure to work with. The day-of, all of the staff were efficient and quick in everything they did, and the venue has an extremely vast array of furniture and decor pieces, which is uncommon for a lot of venues and makes this truly unique. Would HIGHLY recommend this beautiful space for any couple looking for the whole package for their venue - the staff is superb and the space is amazing. Hope to come back to plan another wedding there soon!
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Pamela K.

Yelp
Came here for an event that used the space pretty well. One big space is divided up into a sort of higher and lower level so you can create different seating areas for your event. The only downside with a space like this with loft height ceilings and brick walls is the acoustics. If you don't design for that in a space like this the sound gets totally swallowed up. Not sure that it's a great place for a wedding-type of event because of the different levels of space which cuts off the room and the acoustics may present problems. The big lobby area just outside of the main room is a nice size for your guests to hang out for a bit before "go" time. Parking is sort of tricky being that the building is on Randolph in the West Loop. If you hire a valet service to your guests, that would be ideal. Overall, V isn't bad for different special events where your guest list is in the hundreds and need good amount of space for hangin out. Down the street from the L and bus, the V is convenient to get to for commuters on foot.
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Stephanie H.

Yelp
My brother (and his now wife) had their wedding reception there in September. Everyone raved about the set up and the space. It was absolutely beautiful and creatively done, with a combination of both my brother's ideas as well as the awesome Venue One creative and event staff. They do it all there--creative, food (delicious!), flowers (absolutely gorgeous), etc.. Would highly recommend it to others. Sean and his staff are great.
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Kamilah S.

Yelp
I have been here several times always for the Macallan tastings. The staff are great the drinks are nice, the last time I was here, the drinks were a little stingy, but it was free, so no complaints. Venue one is a nice space overall.

Katherine L.

Yelp
My husband and I just got married here and it was truly amazing! Our wedding coordinator Karly was so helpful and accommodating, she made our day perfect, the space is great and looked beautiful the day of, all of the staff was friendly and service was flawless! I would definitely recommend this space for a wedding!

Jermae W.

Yelp
Lovely place, first time there last night. The Chicago Tribune Dining Awards was amazing. Different Vendors such as Bang Bang Pie, Whisk, The Jerk Truck, Frontier and more.... tasty food, plenty of Jack and a great crowd. I really enjoyed myself and had a great time.

Greg R.

Yelp
Venue West has been a fantastic partner with our non-profit, The WIndy City Ball, for the past two years. The venue space is beautiful and Karly and her team have been incredibly accommodating for our event. All large scale events experience last minute snafus and we have been thoroughly impressed with the responsiveness of Venue West. I would without a doubt recommend Venue West not only from a venue perspective but also from an event management perspective.
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Amanda T.

Yelp
I planned my company's Holiday party at Venue One in 2013-2014. It's important to mention the company I work for is extremely particular - requiring the best service, space, food, alcohol, etc. It was a great space and the team was very accommodating. After a few rounds of negotiations, we arrived at the right package and pricing. What's great about this venue is that it's a blank canvas and 100% customizable. Another bonus? Venue One is somewhat more unique than other blank-canvas locations since they have their own bartenders, catering, and stock of furniture to choose from - which takes some of the legwork out of planning. There are different lighting and projection packages, which I loved. I was able to download a couple of streaming/looping videos and provide them to their tech team for projection during the entire event. Their night-of staff - simply incredible. They possessed a lot of experience, and I really felt as though they were glad to be there. The event went off without a hitch! Co-Workers still talk about the event and I've been told repeatedly it was one of the best parties we've had. *I highly recommend Venue One!*
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Shanti N.

Yelp
I attended a Raise the Macallan whiskey tasting at Venue One. The place itself is slightly offset from the bustle of Randolph Street's restaurant row and this was my first venture here, so I had no idea what to expect. From reading the reviews and talking with some of the other attendees at the event, it sounds like Venue One hosts the whiskey tastings regularly. The evening started out in a reception hall with glasses of whiskey and appetizers and from there led into a main room, configured with tables and squishy sofas, to facilitate the tastings. The multimedia experience was unparalleled, although I found the overall setup to be akin to a talk show or live performance and less educational about the various whiskeys. Perhaps it was because we were all sitting and not standing around a tasting table. The event ended pretty abruptly- once it was over we were out the door, and the next batch of attendees was ushered in. At least there are restaurants, bars, and other venues in the area to grab dinner or a drink and it is easy to catch a cab.

Rebecca F.

Yelp
I cannot say enough great things about Venue West. I worked with Michael on an event for the non-profit I work for. From start to finish, Michael was a breeze to work with and made my job so much easier. Almost everything was included, so there was no need to worry about catering, hiring outside vendors, bartenders, etc. Him and his team were professional and so fun to work with. I can't recommend this venue and Michael and team enough! The venue itself is gorgeous and is perfect for any occasion!

Brittany S.

Yelp
The company I work for held our event @ Venue West for the second year. Great location, great staff, easy to work with. Highly reccomend.
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Daniel C.

Yelp
I came here for the Macallan tasting and this place was amazing. The place is awesome if you want to hold a big function like a wedding reception. The hall that they did the tastings I think you can use it as a reception hall. The staff was great. Come dressed up nice. I think I was a little underdressed but they didn't mind.
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Cynthia H.

Yelp
Love the spacing and building staff and employees always seem so helpful, no matter the event. Restrooms are always maintained at the level of a hotel, which is great, because I've been here when there were over 500 people.
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Davin L.

Yelp
Came here for a Glenlivet scotch tasting, and it was amazing. The floor space was massive and the design and architecture was warm and inviting. Hope there's another tasting here soon!
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Raul I.

Yelp
Basic rentable space for promotions or special events. Attended for the Macallan Single Malt whiskey tasting event. The wait staff was courteous. The event was cool. Focusing on the space, the tables and lighting were nice. If the chairs are provided by the venue, I'd recommend a higher quality, sturdier chair. I saw as several people nearly fell off as the tried to lean back and watch the presentation as their chairs snapped like twigs.
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Sammi E.

Yelp
AIGA recently held "This is Chicago" here and I had an absolute blast. This was such a cool space. It was perfect for the event and able to fit the stage, two bars, couches, plenty of people, and the exhibition without a problem. The bathrooms were well kept and everything throughout the building was very modern.
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Tom H.

Yelp
I attended a Guiness Stout tasting here last night. It's a big, mostly concrete raw loft space in a very good location, along the Randolph Street Restaurant Row, a block from the Morgan Street L stop on the Green & Pink CTA lines. The space looks like it could be adapted for many uses. So--a big, chameleon-like loft space in a good location. This really doesn't apply to Venue One, but my thoughts on the Guiness tasting event: the standard Guiness Stout is still my favorite, but was oddly served ice cold, not the Irish-style cellar temperature, which surprised me a little, as the event was an official Guiness company event. Maybe they've decided we Americans will never give up our ice and icy drinks? The other two tasting samples, Guiness Foreign Export & Guiness Lager were to me, just average, not as good as the standard. The Foreign Export is hoppier and more alcoholic (both were preservatives when shipping to Africa and South Asia) but had a shorter finish and seemed less complex. The lager was Guiness "lite", aimed at lager drinkers everywhere who might not choose a full bodied beer; stout with training wheels. The event was nice and well-planned, a couple of pop-up bars, pro bouncers/security, Halloween-faced customer service reps, roaming bussers and all. Nice video projection of the company and its products. A fun MC gave a short presentation. And I learned how to do a proper Guiness pour, an art form in itself.
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LaToya A.

Yelp
I've been to Venue 1 for 2 events and I've thoroughly enjoyed myself. The staff is so friendly and helpful. They are really good with hospitality and serving the guests. The atmosphere is beautiful and can be whatever you want it to be. The sound system was very loud and clear. There were large monitors for video viewing. The lighting was nice and there was some sort of effect where the lighting matched certain songs the DJ played. It was a great touch. I plan to return and hopefully have a party of my own there one day.

Blair M.

Yelp
Just rating them on their response rate for a recent wedding inquiry I had. Received no response from my most recent email and had to follow up twice for the first response.

jennifer s.

Yelp
We recently had our son's bar mitzvah here and I cannot say enough good things about this venue (no pun intended!). From the cool space to the wonderful food and then to top it off with the most amazing staff... We couldn't have asked for a better experience!!! They handle everything soup to nuts.... And could not be nicer in the process!! We got so many compliments on the food that is made from their in house caterer. If you are a techie person... This place is a dream come true with all of their high tech capabilities!! We loved our experience here and everyone made us feel part of their venue one family!! Our guests loved it as well and could stop raving about everything!!! What is so great is that you get the benefit of having it in a super cool space without having to bring everything in. They are one stop shopping place... They have it all from the tables and chairs to lounge furniture and then to have the in house catering... Makes things very simple!!! Kudos Venue One!!!
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Dominic W.

Yelp
I have been to several events at Venue One and I must say it is one of my favorite event spaces. Everything is "built in" video, sound , decor and catering. The sound is perfect from speeches to hearing a band or DJ. The lighting is vibrant and really pops against this stark white loft like space. I am a massive fan of the decor, open layout, and furniture. I even enjoy the cool moss wall by the restrooms and all the interesting colors/textures they have throughout. The thing I am most impressed with is the food and video walls in this venue. The food has been spot on every time and the waitstaff has always been helpful and friendly. Video, video, video, is the best tho, I love the visual capabilities of this space. They have massive walls they project on that makes any presentation larger than life. They also have an HD video wall comprising of I don't even remember how many HD flat screens I just cant gush enough about this space. You need to check it out for yourself. If I ever get married this is the first place I am going to get quoted from. Keep up the good work guys. I can't wait to go back! Wow!

Jill S.

Yelp
Great place for events and parties. Good location for use of public transportation and adequate parking.