Wedding Venue Review · Chicago, Illinois
Café Brauer
Featuring a sky-lit roof, stained-glass windows, covered outdoor space, and views of the skyline from the Great Hall, this venue is in the heart of Lincoln Park.
✓ Pricing updated with the venue, October 2026
- Rental fee$12,000
- Beverage minimum$12,000, bar counts toward it
- Catering$252/pp, staffing and bar included
- CeremonyLoggia free, Great Hall +$1,000
- Capacity200–220 for a wedding
- Off-season50% off rental, Jan–Mar
- Events endMidnight
- ParkingStreet or zoo lot
Average base cost for a Cafe Brauer wedding is calculated by figuring a 125-person guest list for an in-season Saturday evening ceremony and reception using a rental fee of $12,000 and a cost of $252/pp, which includes food, staffing, and beverages, plus tax (11.75% on food and beverage). Entertainment, flowers, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. *Prices subject to change
What It Costs
Rental Fees & Minimums
- Daytime, Monday–Sunday (9 a.m.–1 p.m.)Food and beverage minimum of $4,000$4,000
- Evening, Monday–Thursday (5 p.m.–midnight)Beverage minimum of $5,000$5,000
- Evening, FridayBeverage minimum of $9,000$9,000
- Evening, Saturday and holidaysBeverage minimum of $12,000. Your bar package counts toward it, but with a smaller guest count (around 100) you may need to upgrade the bar to reach it.$12,000
- Evening, SundayBeverage minimum of $7,000$7,000
- Off-season (January–March)Applies to the room rental fee only50% off
Before tax. This price includes the $32 per guest staffing fee and beverages, usually a 5-hour open bar plus tableside wine. Tigerlily Events is the in-house caterer.
Alcohol is provided by Café Brauer
Bar Packages
- Beverage packagesMost couples do about a 5-hour open bar plus tableside wine. Café Brauer provides the alcohol. A bar package is already included in Tigerlily’s $252 per person, and your bar counts toward the $12,000 Saturday beverage minimum. With a smaller guest count (around 100) you may need to upgrade your bar package to reach it.$16–$27/pp per hour
Fees & Extras
- Great Hall ceremonyA ceremony on the South Loggia has no added fee.$1,000
- Honeycomb (Peoples Gas Pavilion)A popular outdoor ceremony spot for late spring, summer, and early fall. Added to your facility rental fee.$2,000–$3,000
- Extra hours, until 2 a.m.Arrange 30 days ahead with the Sales Manager. Does not include extending your bar package.$1,000/hr
- Coat checkOne attendant per 100 guests is advised.$200 each
- Restroom attendants$200 each
- Extra securityOne guard is included. More may be required for events over 250 guests.$250/guard
- Propane heaters, May–October$150 each
- Valet parkingAsk for pricing
- Staff feeThe $32 per guest staff fee is already part of the $252 per person. It is not a tip, and tips are voluntary.Included
- TaxTigerlily lists 11.75% on food and beverage and 11.25% on set-up and service items. Rates can change.11.25–11.75%
- DepositNon-refundable: 50% of the room rental plus 50% of the beverage or food and beverage minimum.50%
Included
- Tables and chairs for up to 250 guests
- One security guard
- Heated tents on the North and South Loggias, November 1–April 30
- Four heaters (two per loggia) during tent season
Not Included
- Tips for your staff
- Rehearsal time (not available)
- Valet, coat check, and restroom attendants
- Photography, entertainment, flowers, and decor
Rehearsals are not available because of the volume of events here. Only approved vendors are allowed in the space, and the venue is strict about the approved caterer list: outside caterers who are not on it are not allowed. Your sales manager gives you the list of caterers, entertainment, florists, and more to choose from. Café Brauer is the exclusive alcohol provider, so no outside wine, beer, or liquor is allowed, and there is a two-drink maximum per person at the bar.
The Spaces
A sample day: ceremony in the South Loggia, cocktail hour in the North Loggia, and reception in the Great Hall. The Lower Level Café/Patio can be added with a Great Hall rental from October 1 to May 1 (ask the Sales Manager for fees and availability).
Photos
The Details
- Space typeInside/Outside, with a ballroom and two loggias (North and South)
- Size200–220 guests for a wedding. The venue can hold 250, but that is more for a corporate event without a dance floor.
- Bridal suiteLimited. Ask your sales manager what is available for getting ready.
- ParkingStreet parking is available on North Stockton Drive and is often free. You can also pay to park in the main zoo lot.
- CeremonyFor weddings of 160 guests and under, the venue can host the ceremony on one of the two loggias.
- Party on!Events can go until midnight, or 2 a.m. for $1,000 an hour.
- How will Grandma get there?Located in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, there are a ton of hotel options nearby such as Hotel Lincoln (about 0.4 miles from the zoo), Claridge House (about 1 mile), and The Ambassador (about 1 mile).
- Contact2021 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 · 773-571-0404 · groupsales@lpzoo.org · lpzoo.org
The Report
Designed by Dwight H. Perkins and completed in 1908, historic Cafe Brauer (also known as the South Pond Refectory) was one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago until it closed in the 1940s. After several mixed uses throughout the years, the historic Prairie School-style landmark located in Lincoln Park underwent an extensive renovation and the second floor main ballroom became an event venue in 1987 and a historic Chicago Landmark in 2003. Featuring a sky-lit roof, stained-glass windows, covered outdoor space, views of the skyline from the Great Hall and of the Lincoln Park Zoo wildlife, the South Pond and Nature Boardwalk, this venue is in the heart of Lincoln Park.
Woman Getting Married Says
There are so many amazing Chicago wedding venues, and this is definitely one of them. If you’re having a smaller guest list, the pricing might not make sense for you since their venue rental fee (especially on a Saturday) and bar minimums are on the higher side. But if you’re looking for a great, classic space for 125+ guests (I think 150 would be a sweet spot here) then this should definitely be on your list of venues to check out. I also like that tables and chairs as well as security and heated tents/heaters are included if needed. And if you have flexibility on which day of the week you get married (or if you’re looking to get married in the off-season) you can save up to 50% off!
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