13 Creative Corporate Event Ideas in Chicago (2024)

Some of the best corporate event ideas in Chicago are the ones you’d never think of, and some are just really great versions of things pretty much everyone loves. Regardless of the kind of vibe you’re going for, the Windy City has loads of great options to dazzle groups both big and small.

When your team members can really let their guard down and connect on a human level, everyone benefits. At Peerspace, we’re all about connecting you with special spaces that allow you to connect with others, all in a stylish, amenity-packed setting. We’re the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and offer you access to some of the most amazing hidden gem spaces in every corner of Chicago.

But for now, let’s get to the list! Here are our favorite creative corporate event ideas in Chicago.

1. Book an incredible corporate-worthy event venue on Peerspace

Chicago’s got creativity and style for days, so the city’s various Peerspaces offer something for every taste. After all, what better way to bond with the team than to escape the office and mingle somewhere really cool?

So what types of spaces do we recommend for your corporate event ideas in Chicago?

Here are a few of our favorite options:

• Host a workshop and then lounge in style at this unique lighting showroom loft in West Town (pictured above) with a BYO food and drink policy, A/V equipment, and helpful add-on services.
• Stir up some cocktails and take in the breathtaking view in this huge airy downtown loft studio in Pilsen with an open layout, a full kitchen, a board room, and speakers.
• Enjoy smooth jazz while you sip and dine, gather around the fireplace, and listen to a pianist at a Prohibition-Era-inspired speakeasy in Lakeview.
• Play vintage arcade games at this 750-square-foot video game museum with views of the 606 in Logan Square and order catering from your favorite local restaurant.
• Confer and dine at this elegant modern, urban event space in Lincoln Park with a chef’s kitchen, high-tech equipment, and a live wall.

As you can see, you can use Peerspace to find and rent any type of space that appeals to your corporate event ideas in Chicago.

All spaces are operated by local hosts who not only invite you to enjoy their spaces; they can also help you plan your corporate event logistics. Reach out to them with any questions or requests and they’ll be happy to help. And since venues are available to rent by the hour, you can host your corporate event for as long as you like.

With Peerspace, you get bespoke service and flexible options. And what can be better than that?

2. Roll up your sleeves and spraypaint some walls at Studio W.I.P

Chicago’s got some of the world’s best street murals, and your team can join in the tradition at Studio W.I.P. Local artists and on-site staff lead your team in learning about street art, and of course, making some on their graffiti wall.

Everyone walks away with a take-home canvas of art the team has created. And unique souvenirs at corporate events are truly underrated, aren’t they? Hang some around the office and you’ll have a constant reminder of that awesome afternoon you all spent together.

3. Take game night up a notch with Game Night Out

Sometimes you want something entertaining but laid-back, and Game Night Out fosters a fun, casual attitude. They’ve developed a program of party games that are based on old classics but are totally original, and your group can play them all.

Keep in mind that this one’s for smaller teams since they cap out at 24 participants. Game Night Out boasts that their activities “turn colleagues into teammates,” and at the end of the day that’s what you’re going for, isn’t it?

Peerspace has your back when it comes to your personal event needs, too. For instance, check out our favorite Chicago birthday ideas to spend your next Windy City bday in style!

4. Stir up a signature cocktail with The Chicago Bartend

Every company has things like its own logo and its own tagline. Why not its own cocktail? Private bartending services for events abound, but a fine local choice is The Chicago Bartend. Serving a cocktail menu with a special drink or two particular to your company instantly elevates a corporate party.

We can spend all day coming up with wildly unique corporate event ideas in Chicago, but sometimes you’re looking for something pretty mainstream with just a little bit of a twist. This is a great option, and maybe your team will even make their signature drink a tradition.

5. Blow off some steam by hurling axes

It’s a bonafide craze at this point. If your team hasn’t tried it yet, now’s the time. Axe throwing has taken the nation by storm, and while we admit we were skeptical at first, now we’re believers. It’s way more fun than you might expect. It’s physical but not particularly strenuous, and it’s a unique alternative to the more mainstream fare like bowling nights or batting cages.

The most well-known spot in Chicago is Bad Axe Throwing, and another solid alternative is Backyard Axe Throwing League. You can bring your own food for either, but alcohol isn’t allowed at axe throwing venues in Chicago, so this is a great option for a drink-free event.

6. Hit the kitchen for some Cake Boss meets Iron Chef action

Group cooking classes are a great corporate event idea all on their own. However, some places, like Give Me Some Sugar, kick it up a notch. This popular Chicago bakery offers an array of team classes that let you and your colleagues have your own personal cake-off bake-off if you like.

Choose from classes like Italian cookies, French macaron 101, and fun with fondant, split into teams, and see which team bakes the tastiest confection. It’s a fun way to add in some competition with plenty of sweet treats to enjoy by the end of the event.

7. Participate in some good old-fashioned espionage at Safehouse

Safehouse is a spy-themed restaurant and experiential space. It’s extremely Instagrammable, totally unique, and loads of fun. They’re accustomed to hosting corporate events, so they’ve got packages that cater to a variety of groups. They can even facilitate upbeat bartending challenges where group members can fake off as “spytenders” against each other for some friendly competition.

8. Get retro at Headquarters Beercade

Barcades (also called beercades) are growing in popularity across the country, and Chicago’s got a great one in Headquarters. Headquarters has over 70 vintage arcade games, as well as craft beer, creative cocktails, and excellent food. It’s in a huge warehouse space, so groups of up to 750 people can be accommodated.

Whether you want to rent out a section of the venue or you just want to reserve some big tables, they can hook you up. The nostalgia level is unreal.

9. Try out a whole bunch of food trucks at Foodtruck Hub

Who doesn’t love a food truck? Everyone does, and it’s a really fun alternative to traditional catering. Food truck catering is one of the more popular creative corporate event ideas in Chicago, and that growing demand has given rise to organizations like the Chicago Food Truck Hub.

Connect with the Chicago Food Truck Hub, and they can line up a selection of awesome trucks with pretty much any kind of fare you’re interested in.

10. Live out your game show fantasies with The Second City

Local legends improv troupe The Second City invites you and your colleagues to do more than watch its hilarious improv. The group’s The Game Show Show is a special event dedicated to acting out some of TV’s finest game shows with unexpected sketch comedy twists and turns. Will they let you and your colleagues take part? You’ll just have to show up and see!

Check out these new Peerspaces in Chicago to discover all the unique venues as they hit the rental market in your city!

11. Spin your wheels at WhirlyBall

If you’ve never heard of WhirlyBall, you’re missing out. It’s like bumper cars meets lacrosse with scoops and whiffle balls, and playing it is like being a kid again. At Chicago’s Whirlyball venue, there are plenty of other things to do, too — they’ve got food, drinks, and other games.

12. Become a tourist in your own neighborhood with Chicago Detours

There are a lot of great private tour companies in Chicago, such as Chicago Detours. Loads of options are available, from walking tours to bus and boat rides, and most will have food and drink options. If you can find a walking tour of your company’s neighborhood, it’s a really interesting way of looking at your work life from a new angle.

A local tour guide will point things out that your colleagues have never noticed, from architectural details to little hidden pieces of history, providing your team with a new way of looking at the block they come to for work each day.

13. Elevate your bond to new heights when you book a private Rogers Park retreat space

Do you prefer corporate event ideas in Chicago that provide you with a private setting and free reign to do as you wish? Then you need to see this 2,000-square-foot rooftop with a glass-enclosed event space in Rogers Park! It is nestled at the south end of Loyola Park, providing you with amazing city and beach views.

The enclosed portion of this rental provides you with a chef’s kitchen, which includes a pizza oven, and a lounge with A/V equipment. Outdoors, enjoy the comfy lounge seating as well as the barbecue grill, in case you and your colleagues would like to grill up some tasty ‘cue. But the fun doesn’t end there!! The host also provides a foosball table, pop-a-shot, and other fun games to ramp up the friendly competition while creating lasting memories. It’s hard to imagine more exciting and bond-creating corporate event ideas in Chicago!

Corporate event ideas in Chicago: conclusion

Even if attendance isn’t truly mandatory, employees still tend to feel obligated to attend company events, and let’s be real: sometimes there are other things they’d like to be doing. So it’s only fair that you put on events that really knock their socks off. Our list of creative corporate event ideas in Chicago is a great place to jumpstart your own creativity.

Pick an item off the list, and consider booking a Chicago gathering venue courtesy of Peerspace as your event space or to congregate and unwind after a day on the town. That way, you can truly customize the experience for your company, turning it all into a one-of-a-kind experience.

Find a unique space in Chicago on Peerspace