I went to a wedding here over the weekend, and I was surprised that I had never been here before!…read more This is a lovely space. It has a nice entry way, large open banquet room that looked nice, and nice easy to find bathrooms. The food was really good. There were rolls, good basic salad, broccoli, roasted potatoes, tilapia, and a jerk like chicken. All of the food was good, none of it was dry or cold! The staff seemed really on top of things, and our water was refilled every time it got low!

I hate to write negative reviews, but this is warranted. I have been looking for a large event…read morespace in Chicago for a special event and learned of the Parkway Ballroom. I was especially interested in this space because it's black-owned and on the south side of Chicago. I don't live in town and of course wanted to see the venue in person before making a decision. It took an entire week to call me back after leaving two messages with a messaging service. I was no longer in town by the time I received a call back. When I finally received a call back a week later, a very rude person named Tennille (s/p) got angry at me because she asked for my e-mail address and I explained I am protective of my e-mail address and if I gave an e-mail, would I receive a response quicker. I was not rude in asking my question. My tone was pretty even as I take respecting others very seriously. She proceeded to tell me, "Ma'am, what we're not going to do is..." Pump the brakes. I'm considering spending upward of $10,000 and you can't answer a serious and simple question without being rude? No thank you. And what's worse is someone wrote a Yelp review about a similar experience with a person by the same name back in 2014 (it's probably the same woman) and I can't believe she still works there! After being rude to the host and their guests. Hard pass. All that to say, you may have a different experience with a different person, but I wouldn't have this woman anywhere near my special day.

This venue is definitely top of the line! The event planner takes her time to find out exactly what…read morethe client wants/needs before everything is put together! I was amazed @ all the details and how precise everything turned out. Sometimes I can complain but there was nothing for me to say but AMAZING JOB!

Having an event at this location was a breeze.The staff made me feel like it was their event as…read morewell.Highly recommended for all rental space needs.

They treated me with respect and kindness the staff was very helpful and professional. I would…read morerecommend this business to my family and friends.

This is an excellent facility to hold meetings or big events. I have attended several meetings and…read moreworkshop at the Charles Hayes Center for years. It's clean/neat with an up/to-date kitchen and plenty of space!

Norman Bolden is also the owner of Haven Entertainment Center. This a beautiful venue. The owner…read moredoesn't know how to treat customers he has a oh well attitude. I waited two hours for food the owner was informed and he was like oh well. No offer of a free drink or meal on us. I will surely eat before I go.

Tucked away on East 43rd Street near Lake Shore Drive in the Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville…read moreneighborhood on Chicago's South Side is the best reception hall and event destination spot that most of you Yelp'ers have never heard of. Owner Norman Bolden renovated and reconstructed this building into *the* event space for South Siders and anybody seeking a lovely, centrally located and well-appointed space. Its appeal lies in its loft-style charm -- a split-level, open floor plan boasting gleaming mahogany floors and exposed brick that you can pretty much decorate any way you want for your event. After attending almost a dozen birthday parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions and fraternity and sorority events at Room 43, I knew that this was the only place where I wanted to hold my dad's 80th birthday party. It was the right decision. Rental rates are reasonable for the space that you get (there are two rooms to choose from) and a variety of chairs and tables are included for both the upstairs and downstairs. You supply your own linens, food, DJ and decorations. The onsite staff is also incredibly helpful. The facilities manager Richard is really great -- flexible and accommodating for all of the last-minute changes that come with party planning. The 80+ guests at my dad's party loved the venue. It's easily accessible from North or South from the Oakwood exit on Lake Shore Drive, and also the 43rd Street exit on the Dan Ryan. There is plenty of street parking as well. Lucky for the owner that he was on-site and actually stayed awhile for my dad's party, because several guests were so impressed they inquired about having their own events there. One thing that some have complained about: You can't bring your own liquor, and unless you pay for a tab, your guests are subject to a cash bar. I don't honestly find this unusual, and I paid a tab that allowed guests to enjoy open bar for about 3 hours. In addition to being a party space, Room 43 is also home to the Hyde Park Jazz Society, and you can catch all of their shows there on Sunday evenings. Anyone who reads me, by now, knows that I am big on supporting local businesses, and for the quality, service and location, I absolutely recommend Room 43. Room 43 is an emerging destination spot and represents the best of the "new" Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville community. I would not hesitate to give them my business again!

Who in there right mind would book here they give you 1 tissue 1 paper towel you have yo swep and…read moremop wtf are you really getting

From the owner: We specilaize in making your next special event memorable, fun, and a great experience.read more

This event space is very nice although there is no parking. My only concern was with Dealing with…read moreMichelle the owner . She can be a bit challenging because She speaks in a very condescending accusatory tone: Her partner on the other hand is much more agreeable. Also In my opinion they nickel and dime customers for every item. They have a Horrible account receivables process. Michelle demands that the final payment be paid in cash only ! Unfortunately because of my experience with the owner I will NEVER contract with this business again.

I have driven and biked past this place thousands of times, and I didn't even know how wonderful of…read morea space existed here! This is an event space/venue that can be rented out. It's a large open, pretty space. I saw a kitchen in the back of the first floor behind the two bathrooms on that floor. The 2nd floor seems just as nice as the first floor! But that's not why I was here. I was here for a Zumba class. They also have bootcamp, martial arts, and a few other athletic classes here on a weekly basis. This seems like a brilliant combination to me! A lot of classes do well in wide open spaces, so it seems brilliant to use event space for multiple purposes! The owner was very nice and friendly! I have to keep my eye on this space! But since I plan to be here Monday and Wednesday evenings for Zumba (7:30-8:30 for $10 if anyone is interested in joining me), that should be fairly easy! Oh, and street parking is usually plentiful,and the #3 bus stops right in front.

"It's just like Harry Potter," they told me, but I had only seen one Harry Potter movie and read…read morenone of the books. The truth of the statement revealed itself as vaunted ceilings gave this cavernous room an aura of grandeur and the feeling of tradition. There were beings engaged in erudite studies with an inflexible concentration on laptops, notebooks, and in the back were old men going back and forth on the chessboards. It was still and had the eerie silence of a church chapel and sunbeams flowed in from the windows above. What an alien universe and there I was with a large foil tin carrying thirty of the best chicken wings Chicago had to offer. After the religious pilgrimage to Wings Around the World, Reuben H and Aurore L had the good sense to take us all to Reynolds where we wouldn't be bothered and be allowed to worship our wings in peace. For the moment, Reuben went to fetch pop while Aurore went off as well. I was alone and a heretic - a trespasser sneaking in and using up space that I had no right to, but the chess players were very old and had no business being there either. Then it came to me that everyone was allowed in and Reynolds was there for all to share, no identification required! Lined on the walls are large portraits showing various trustees of the University of Chicago. Lists of past Presidents line the wall and the fashion progression from long beards and robes to finely made designer suits and shaved faces led us to mock one portrait - he definitely wanted some of our chicken wings! We cracked open our wings and uncapped our pops only to find that the Cherry Pepsi was expired! While we munched and crunched on our chicken wings, nary a soul turned their heads nor noticed what fine dining we were helping ourselves to. The unbending concentration of the other people in the hall sustained itself except for the old chess players who all got up and went out for a smoke. We ate undisturbed and worked to get rid of the evidence. On our way out a young college student declared that he was going to have to retake high school chemistry. We laughed about it and then I thought that they were right - It really was just like Harry Potter!

The home of WHPK 88.5 FM!…read more Don't be fooled by the irresistable smell of pizza when you walk in. The pizza they have here is crap. But the rest of the building is all gothic and oldskool college cool.

The venue looks nice at First gland. But when you look at the walls, the edges, and the uneven…read morefloor that seems like it's bulging from a flood, it is not been renovated or kept up. The bathrooms might as well be out houses. I would not recommend this place.

The assistant of the owner here is so disrespectful and unprofessional. Let alone, she cannot…read moremanage to keep up with her daily task, so she blames everyone else. I love the owner for creating this special venue, but she needs a new assistant. I've never known anyone to be as incompetent as her! Never again will I rent from here, only because the unprofessional and rude assistant! Too bad I forgot her name.

Where do I even begin? My night was perfect thanks to Row 24. I was looking for a space that fit my…read morevibe and the vision I had for my 30th, and the event space EXCEEDED my expectations. The communication start to end, the bar packages that are available, and the willingness to help when one of my vendors didn't show up. The area is great and has tons of parking (paid and unpaid) nearby, safe for guests to arrive, and they provide security. They were there every step of the way and so kind. If I have any events in the future, this will always be top of my list. Here are some photos of how the space was set up for me. Hopefully this helps someone else.

I love this place, security is great, music lit, food is good and the bathroom is clean!!read more