Celebrating a birthday? Partying with your intramural team? Organizing the office happy hour? You're gonna need a bigger bar (or restaurant, or bowling alley). Never fear: we've rounded up five spots around Chicago that are perfect for big groups, where everyone is sure to have a great time.
Private Dining Space: Bar Lupo
River North
Inspired by punk rock, this "Italian pub" offers authentic food in a dimly lit, quirky atmosphere, with a selection of private rooms that can accommodate up to 250 people for everything from cocktail parties to corporate events. The family-style dinner menus are especially reasonable, at $32 and $40 per person for three and four courses, respectively. Options include black truffle ricotta toast, kale salad, chicken parm, and spaghetti and meatballs, with cannoli and spumoni for dessert.
Private Karaoke Room: Sakura Karaoke
Chinatown
If singing in front of a crowd is too intimidating, head over to Sakura, whose private rooms can accommodate anywhere from 8 to 25 people. After undergoing a recent revamp, they now feature swanky amenities like big-screen TVs, wireless microphones, LED lights timed to the music, and plush sofas. The songbook boasts more than 100,000 tunes, including foreign-language options, and there's a full bar for those who need a little liquid courage.
Group Bowling: Waveland Bowling
North Center
In business since 1959, this bowling alley has evolved with the decades, and now features flat-screen TVs, electronic scoring, and cosmic bowling (with blacklights, fog machines, and special music) on select evenings. Rent a couple of lanes for $4-6/hour (each serves five people), or check out one of the special packages for big groups, which can be customized to include a pizza buffet, drink tickets, and/or a full bar.
Trivia Night: Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
Lakeview
If your office can't get enough of The Office—or Game of Thrones, Gilmore Girls, or The OC—bring them to Schoolyard Tavern & Grill's Tuesday trivia night, where all the questions revolve around a rotating selection of pop-culture favorites. The winners of every round get prizes, increasing your team's chances, with awards ranging from snacks like tater tots and cookies to a pitcher of beer or bar credit. In the event of a tie, a member from each team comes forward and competes in a chug off. But even if you don't take home a prize, you'll still get to enjoy a 50 percent discount on sandwiches and tacos, along with $4 Coronas.
Urban Brewery Tours: Lagunitas Brewing Company
Lawndale
The trippy black-light hallway with Willy Wonka music will probably be your first indication that Lagunitas is no ordinary brewery—and if that doesn't get you, the quirky house brews, from cappuccino stout to Hop Stoopid saison, certainly will. Since it's a production brewery, Lagunitas' taproom has plenty of table space for groups to enjoy beer flights, burgers, and nachos, with live music on select days. And no reservation is needed to take a brewery tour; they're offered daily at 1 and 3pm, with extra tours from Wednesday-Sunday.
