Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Claimed
Space with stay
Up to 550 guests
This venue has been favorited 136 times
This historic monument in the oh-so-fab Windy City is bound to blow you away!
A place where the rich and famous roamed for over a century, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel today, is considered the ultimate hotspot for any type of gathering. With multiple eating and drinking establishments, this trendy spot is perfect for a fabulous night out with your best group!
The Lowdown
Venue use
Space with stay
Best for these Occasions
anniversary
baby shower
Bachelor / Bachelorette party
birthday party
bridal shower
charity event
corporate event
dinner party
engagement party
group getaway
holiday party
Product Launch
rehearsal dinner / Welcome Reception
social event
wedding ceremony
wedding reception
Venue type
Ballroom
Beach / Lake / Waterfront Location
Historic Building
Hotel / Resort / Spa
Restaurant / Private Dining
Views
cityscape
lake
Skyline
Pool
Style
Elegant
Classic
Gothic
Sophisticated
Venue Settings
Contemporary sophistication meets Venetian-Gothic glamour at this former historic social club turned vibrant boutique hotel. With extraordinary old-world craftsmanship throughout, our iconic property’s 17,000 square feet of versatile and creative event spaces are ideal for industry conferences, social events, banquets, board meetings and more, with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology throughout. This architectural landmark dates back to 1893 and boasts four unique event venues and seven dining destinations, including Cindy's, Cherry Circle Room, Milk Room, Drawing Room, Game Room, and more.
MADISON BALLROOM: Dressed to impress with genuine downtown Chicago sophistication, Madison Ballroom stands without peer. Dramatic windows extend from the original walnut parquet floors to a gold leaf beamed ceiling graced by three formidable 19th century crystal chandeliers.
Stats:
- 8th floor
2,330 square feet
150 seated in classroom capacity
170 seated in full rounds
Reception capacity: 260
WHITE CITY BALLROOM: Truly a breathtaking expression of Old Chicago grandeur, White City Ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows, capped with vintage stained glass, open directly onto Millennium Park and Lake Michigan’s blue horizon—for endless inspiration amid three colossal 19th-century fireplaces.
Stats:
- 8th floor
3,580 square feet
80 seated in classroom capacity
230 seated in full rounds
Reception capacity: 400
STAGG COURT: Named for bygone club member and University of Chicago coach A.A. Stagg, the Association’s actual basketball court and gymnasium have been re-imagined as a unique and versatile event space.
Stats:
- 4th floor
4482 square feet
250 seated in classroom capacity
280 seated in full rounds
Reception capacity: 500
THE TANK: Where five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller once plied the swimming lanes, the Chicago Athletic Association’s pool area—originally called “The Tank” by club members—has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind venue ideal for public exhibits, performances, installations and creative semi-private events.
Stats:
- 1st floor
3,780 square feet
150 seated in classroom capacity
200 seated in full rounds
Reception capacity: 260
Capacity
350
Seated
350
Buffet
550
Standing
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
- No
- 16.4% tax on guestroom charges
11.6% tax on food & beverage
$10.00/person porterage
Additional insurance may be required depending on the event
Connect with this Venue
Explore availability, walk the space, and get tailored pricing.
Amenities
Event Logistics
Essential logistics and amenities for a seamless, memorable event.
- 2015
- No Curfew
- Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
- The hotel’s 240 elegantly appointed and playfully detailed guest rooms include 23 distinctive suites, complemented by a host of innovative culinary experiences.
A sense of play is definitely alive in every hotel room and suite, leaving you to divine which artifacts are vintage and which are new—something to ponder as your crystal glasses and cocktail carafe beckon a good, icy stir.- Vintage-inspired custom furnishings throughout
Carrara marble baths with premium fixtures, rain showerheads and custom C.O. Bigelow bath products
Exclusive boxing-style robes fit for champs and challengers alike
Custom Sferra linens and Faribault Wollen Mill Co. blankets
Bedside power center with USB outlets
Complimentary Wi-Fi
42’’ flat screen television
24 hour in-room dining
Gourmet mini-bar stocked with locally sourced Chicago favorites
ADA rooms available upon request
- Vintage-inspired custom furnishings throughout
- Client must use the catering provided by the venue
- Provided by Venue for fee – you must use the venue for all alcohol services, Corkage/Bottle Fee – you can bring your own alcohol for a fee
- Indoors & Outdoors
- Non-smoking venue
Yes
- Yes
Onsite Amenities
Street Parking
Valet Parking
Wifi
Dining Chairs
Dining Tables
Onsite Restrooms
Venue Features
The scene
With echoes of billiard balls, poker chips and clinking glasses frozen within its walls, this 1890s Venetian Gothic landmark springs back to life as an incomparable historic downtown Chicago hotel—where the spirit of play reigns supreme.
After all, this is the city where the can-and-will-do attitude of Ernie “Let’s Play Two!” Banks lives on, where the father of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters, shook all night long at the Checkerboard Lounge and Sir Duke tickled the ivories at The Blue Note.
And this is the club whose members swam with five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller—a.k.a. the original Hollywood Tarzan—and watched their fellow member Pudge Heffelfinger own so much end zone, he became football’s first pro.
Today, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel is a historic monument to the big-shouldered, switch hitting spirit that defines our city.
Design
Standout venue features
Beyond coffee and WiFi, we’re committed to offering you the most unique amenities during your stay. In order to provide our collection of services,
a $25 Founders Fee will be applied to your reservation nightly. We hope you enjoy the extras, plus many more!
- Welcome toast of Henriot Champagne in Cherry Circle Room
Skip the line to Cindy’s Rooftop
Preferred reservations in our Rare Spirit Bar, Milk Room*
Open gym access to shoot hoops on our historic b-ball court, Stagg Court*
10% discount to take home a piece of Chicago Athletic Association in our e-store (excludes gift cards)
10% off your order in Fairgrounds, our coffee shop
First dibs on hotel events during (and after) your stay
Athletic amenities including seasonal bike rentals and guided lakefront runs*
Turndown Service (on request)
Strategic Partner Discounts
*subject to availability
PLUS OUR STANDARD AMENITIES- Premium WiFi
Triple distilled water in room
Daily coffee (or tea) from Milk Room
24/7 Gym with access to discount personal training session from On Your Mark Coaching and Training
Full Service Concierge team
Extra perks
Over and above the extraordinary downtown Chicago meeting spaces on offer, high-spirited amenities and custom services also abound.
Shake It Up: In addition to our traditional catering options, guests and event planners alike will delight in special menus of Shake Shack classics like burgers, dogs, fries and custom frozen-custard concretes.
Build It Up: In the same spaces once reserved as training grounds for some of the most celebrated athletes of their day, we offer a menu of unique team-building exercises and classes designed to cultivate camaraderie and ensure your meetings go the distance with lasting value.
Customized wedding packages with special accommodation rates for your out-of-town guests
Steps from Millennium Park’s unlimited photo location opportunities
Five eating and drinking establishments for rehearsal dinner, brunch gatherings, and bachelor and bachelorette parties
Preview menu tastings for weddings of 100 people or larger
Bespoke punch bowl concoctions available, including personal potions designed specifically for the newlyweds
Easy accessibility to O’Hare and Midway Airports and the Chicago Loop’s finest shopping, dining and nightlife
*Tables: 72' rounds, 60' rounds, classroom tables, 6 ft tables, highboys, and lowboys (cocktail tables) included
*House linen (white or ivory) is included
*Chairs: house chairs
*Pads, pencils, water station
*Portable bar option
The conference rooms include the preset boardroom tables and TVs
Awards, Notables & Events
Travel & Leisure: THE TOP 10 HOTELS IN CHICAGO 2018
Harper's Bazaar: THE TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC WEEKEND GETAWAYS 2018
Illinois Meetings & Events: ILLINOIS M+E BEST OF 2018 READERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
Conde Nast Traveler: 13 BEST ROOFTOP BARS IN CHICAGO 2018
Bon Appetit: THE 15 BEST FOOD LOVERS’ HOTELS IN THE U.S. 2017
Wall Street Journal: THE ROOM SERVICE REVOLUTION: HOW HOTELS ARE UPPING THEIR GAME 2017
Travel & Leisure: WORLD’S BEST: THE TOP 10 HOTELS IN CHICAGO 2017
Esquire: ESQUIRE’S BEST BARS IN AMERICA – MILK ROOM 2017
New York Times: A STORIED CHICAGO HOTEL WITH A MODERN SPIRIT OF PLAY 2017
Travel & Leisure: BEST HOTEL OPENINGS ON THE PLANET 2015
Wallpaper: BEST URBAN HOTELS 2015
Getting there
9.3 mi
Food Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Lounges
This section provides insights into our diverse culinary and social offerings.
Our rooftop restaurant, bar and open-air terrace overlooks Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, Lake Michigan and beyond. With seasonal freshness reflected in both food and drink, this downtown Chicago rooftop restaurant dons the relaxed ambiance of a Great Lakes beach house with one heckuva view. Executive Chef Christian Ragano brings classic comfort food and culinary invention …
Space with stay
Up to 550 guests
