North Side Restaurant/Bar for large party

[Chargenda]

So, instead of "rehearsal dinner" I want to have out of town friends meet somewhere for a get together with family who are here. I am looking for a north side spot that will be little or no cost for the room that I can have people come in and buy or bring their own drinks. I am thinking around 40 people, but it could be as low as 30.

I live in Andersnville and I know you can do something like Ranalli's that we could buy the pizza and BYO. Or ask if a bar & grill type place with a back room would be willing to fill the place and have people order on their own and get their own drinks.

We are paying for the big day on our own, so we need it to be pretty thrifty...but still a fun night out. We want the "wow" factor to be the next day, so it doesn't need to be fancy...

Thoughts and ideas?

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Ranalli's
138 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661

[iphonechica]

You could ask Jin Ju. They have a back room and you can offer open, cash bar. They do not charge for the room, but you do need to meet a minimum food order. Call and ask, as I don't recall the minimum. I was looking into for a party and didn't think it was too unreasonable. I think Agnes handles the back room reservations.

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Jin Ju Restaurant & Bar
5203 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

[juliejulez]

Riverview Tavern in Roscoe Village has a larger private room. Can't tell from here if there's a room charge, and they do have a food/beverage purchase minimum but with 30-40 people the minimum shouldn't be too hard to hit: http://www.sparetimechicago.com/index...

Addition: Also check out The Grafton in Lincoln Square. They don't have a "private" room, but they have a large area in the back that's pretty separate from the front that would be good for a non-formal party. It has a fireplace back there and is pretty cozy. Food there is really good too.

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Riverview Tavern
1958 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60657

[lbs]

Off the top of my head thinking of random parties I've been too/hosted:

Candlelite Pizza on Western.
O'Donovans on Iriving Park
Irish Heritage Center
Upstairs at In Fine Spirits on Clark

If you really want to get down and dive-y, Ricoche's on Lincoln. You can order food to bring in and they are incredibly nice. Plus cheap. And since they remodeled, it actually isn't so dive-y. I had my 30something birthday there and I've seen a lot of people have informal large gatherings.

http://www.ricochetstavern.com/

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In Fine Spirits
5420 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

[Chargenda]

Thanks. In Fine Spirits is right around the corner from me, but in now way cheap! They have a minimum for the room to be rented and you have to pay ahead, etc.

But I will check out Ricoche's....

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In Fine Spirits
5420 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

[DGSullivan]

The suggestion from lbs of the "Irish Heritage Center" is a great idea. I have no idea what they'd charge but they have a very nice set up with their "Irish Pub" inside the building.