My husband and I had our wedding at The Woman's Club of Evanston in October 2025, and we truly…read morecannot recommend this venue enough. The space is gorgeous on its own -- not a blank slate at all -- so we didn't need nearly as many decorations or flowers as we did at other venues we considered. Our guests raved all day about how beautiful and unique the building was. One of the biggest advantages is that the entire venue is yours for the day. There are no other weddings or events happening at the same time, which makes everything feel calm, special, and centered on your celebration. We had a Sunday brunch wedding, held our ceremony downstairs (very cozy and intimate), and our reception upstairs in the ballroom. The flow between spaces was seamless, and the ballroom floor is amazing for dancing. The sound system was excellent -- speeches and music were crystal clear. Gretchen was wonderful to work with throughout the planning process. She provided vendor recommendations, kept us on track to meet deadlines, and answered all of our questions. We used J&L Catering for our food and Schaffer's for alcohol, and both were excellent and the liquor from Schaffer's was a significant cost savings. Another huge bonus: so many essentials are included with the rental, such as tables, chairs, silverware, and plates. At other venues, those items can be surprisingly expensive to source. Logistically, this location is hard to beat. There are several hotels and great restaurants within walking distance, making it incredibly easy for our out-of-town guests to enjoy an entire weekend in Evanston. Our local guests appreciated that parking is free in Evanston on Sundays and close to the venue. There are also plenty of bathrooms on the same floors where all the events take place -- a small detail that makes a big difference for guest comfort. Finally, it felt meaningful to support a historic building and philanthropic organization rather than a large hotel chain. Overall, we highly recommend The Woman's Club of Evanston as a premier wedding venue in the greater Chicagoland area. We couldn't imagine having celebrated anywhere else.

A perfect wedding venue. I fell in love with the Women's Club of Evanston the moment I walked in…read morefor a tour. It is a gorgeous old mansion with deep roots; the manager (Gretchen) is kind, reliable, and so easy to work with; the preferred caterer we used (Catering by Michaels) was raved about by our guests; and the gift of bringing your own alcohol was huge. Our guests kept commenting on the uniqueness of the space, how great it was to have a pianist playing during our cocktail hour on the first floor, and how joyful and bright the ballroom looked. It was honestly beyond anything I imagined. A few extra things of note - our guests stayed at the Graduate Evanston which is barely a block away (no shuttles needed!); there is a huge parking garage across the street so nobody was looking for parking; and have I mentioned how beautiful the space is? I wish I had a reason to throw a huge event again - I would go back to the Women's Club every time. Huge thank you to Gretchen and her team!

My wife and I held our 50th Wedding Anniversary Reception for 50 guests on June 29. We could not…read morehave been happier with Halim, from the early days' planning to the actual reception for friends and family. The staff was exceptionally friendly and helpful. The food and bar service were excellent . Several of our guests mentioned how impressed they were with the unique venue. We highly recommend Halim for events like ours!

Living in downtown Evanston, we had always walked by the museum and wondered what it looked like…read moreinside. We saw photos of events held there, and thought it looked beautiful. It was on our list of wedding venues to tour--we arrived, and immediately fell in love. The staff was extremely professional and worked efficiently throughout the process. They answered every single question, and accommodated us when annotating the contract, helping us schedule and track payments, preparing the timeline for the day of, and helped us figure out a LOT of last minute changes. They offered a time for a walk through and assistance with setup the day before, which made the day of the wedding so much less stressful. They take care of EVERYTHING; set up, tear down, linens, place settings, table numbers, water, wine, changing courses, bridal suite, the bar, you name it! We just had to walk in and enjoy. The food was restaurant-quality - no banquet halls here! Many people emphatically said that was the best food they had ever had at a wedding. The menu tasting was a wonderful experience guided by the Chief of Staff, and included a personal visit from the chef near the end. There are many great food and wine options, it was hard to limit ourselves to just a few! The staff was very helpful in accommodating our guests with dietary restrictions and allergies; if one of the food choices would not work, they created a special alternative dish for them at no extra charge. They were so organized, they even remembered to not drizzle honey on one of our guest's dessert. I checked with every single one of our guests who needed an accommodation, and every single one was fulfilled. We even had a guest who was arriving late; his food was kept warm and brought out immediately when he arrived. As the bride and groom, we got to sit at the head table with our personal Head Waiter, Justin, who was awesome. He made sure our water and wine glasses were always full, and would personally deliver them to us throughout the night whether we were chatting at a table or in the middle of the dance floor. He said he was there if we needed anything, and he always jumped in to help with a smile. Our guests repeatedly told us how beautiful, elegant, and classy the venue was. The Tiffany Room and first floor galleries were the perfect setup for cocktail hour, and everyone loved the gorgeous glasswork (and open bar). The Wisteria room, bathed in candlelight, with a view of the Chicago Skyline, was perfect for dinner and dancing. The staff was professional and helpful, and the entire event ran smoothly. We specifically wanted a venue that would "do it all" so we didn't have to, and Halim Time and Glass Museum absolutely delivered. We treasure the experience we had on our special day and thank Jessica and all of the staff for making it the perfect experience.

Cuuuuuute alert! For all you artsy crafty mavens out there, this is your stop. It's a shop filled…read morewith a well-curated selection of paper goods, books, coloring books, custom art, fabric lamp shades, and gifts in varying price points. From the second I walked in, I was engulfed by a most delightful smell, perhaps a candle burning somewhere? I was greeted by the owner's assistant, Kate, who gave me an overview of the shop and some of the classes they offer in the back, like coptic bookbinding, collage, crafting, and self-motivation classes. They also have a meet up group called The Grown*Up Girls Club where you can meet up with other like-minded individuals and explore new art/craft/maker techniques. The Club meets the second Sunday of every month. The Collage Cafe is a newer business located in an adorable corridor mixed with other art-inspired shops. You can go door to door and visit each one while you're at it! Can't wait to stop back in. But, as I'm writing this, when I go back I realize the selection is too overwhelming for my taste (in a good way of course) because I want one of everything.

One day my young daughters and I where walking by and came in into this beautiful place, what a…read morewonderful store! The owner is such a great lady, great host, kind and knowledgeable. I scheduled a coloring evening for a group of friends from church. We had a delightful experience! The place was set up with a wide variety of water colors, wood colors pencils, markers, etc. the pages provided were also varied, from really intricate to more simple so we were all able to pick something that suited our taste and level of artistry. We already scheduled another event and are looking forward to it. Definitely a great place for gifts, classes and more.

We hosted a small get together for our son's first birthday here, and we had such a great time. The…read morestaff were all so friendly, the food was all delicious, and we loved the hazy IPA. The space was large and open - would definitely recommend it and would come back!

I had never been here before/didn't really know about it. It's a hidden gem and much bigger than I…read morewas expecting it to be! I came here for trivia last night with a few friends who love this place. The food looks great (I had already eaten, so I didn't partake this time), and I appreciate that they have quite a few vegetarian/vegan options. Their beer menu is extensive and my friends liked all the varieties they tried, and they have a few NA options as well. All the staff were super friendly. It's a great space. I'll be back. Side note: Parking was a bit complicated, as the lot isn't big enough for the size of the venue, but there are street parking options around. At least they have a dedicated lot though, which a lot of other places in Evanston don't have.

I went for a college alumni event. The valet and staff were very friendly. The facility is very…read morewarm and cozy inside and reminded me of my college. The view of the lake is amazing as well!

Beautiful venue on the lakefront! Well-planned infrastructure -- multiple dining spaces both inside…read moreand outside. Also fitness center with outdoor racquetball courts. Close enough to the city to attract fitness instructors. Odd studio space that felt like a renovated attic.

A great space for events! Easy to get to, lots of parking available and very adaptable for a wide…read morerange of guests. We held a baby shower for about 35 people and it was a perfect space for our event. Bringing in your own food and drinks made this a very affordable option and we were able to customize the space with our own decor too. Michelle is great to work with, quick to reply to questions and made the process of reservation and preparation super easy.

The venue was exceptional. Michelle provided prompt and helpful responses to all our inquiries. Our…read morebaby's first birthday celebration comfortably accommodated approximately 35 guests, with ample space available. This location is highly recommended for event hosting.

I'm so happy to be able to post the first review of 1100 Florence! First and foremost I love that…read morethis former Polish grocery store has taken on a creative and artistic life. The owners--local artists and arts advocates, are giving back to the community by repurposing the front of the building into a gallery space, event space, and pretty much a space for any and all things creative. I recently had the pleasure of attending a photo shoot there. The morning light was absolutely ideal, and the white walls with the wood floors made for a perfect backdrop. The owner, Lisa, also in attendance, mentioned that she rented the space to the photographer on an hourly basis (can't remember, but the rate was very reasonable). Such a great addition to Evanston, and I loved the vibe so much I want to dream up my own exhibit for the future. Note: If you're lucky, you might be able to catch a glimpse of the really cute bunny that takes up residence in the building and roams freely.

The craziest part is that I grew up a block from this gallery and I remember what it was a butcher…read moreshop and for years it was vacant. Along comes a visionary couple who turned it into an art gallery. The first exhibit featuring artist Ben Blount is politically charged in mind opening. Don't miss it!

This is my favorite hotel to stay in when I visit Chicago for any reason. I am always treated well…read moreby the staff. The room is always comfortable. Extra towels and it is always very restful. I get plenty of sleep and feel rested when I wake up. Their rack rates for business travelers isn't too outrageous. The only time my sleep is disturbed is when I eat too much and my belly is too full. Therefore, I eat my heavy meal during lunch and eat lighter at supper helps me sleep better.

I was looking for a quiet place to meet an old friend for a drink and pick on her brilliant mind on…read morean opportunity. She suggested Hyatt House since the location is convenient for both of us. Upon arriving, my friend had the valet meet me at the entrance and sashayed into the hotel like she owns the place! We situated ourselves in the bar area and the front desk attendant, Olivia, promptly walked behind the bar to take our orders since there was no bartender on duty at the time. One brownie point for Olivia. Although my choice of poison is simple to make, it is unusual. Olivia admitted she doesn't know how to make it, but with the recipe I gave her, it was perfectly done. Two brownie points for Olivia. The hotel lobby was nice and quiet on a Saturday night with guests returning from their venture sporadically. I was able to catch up with my friend, shared many laughs, and gained a lot of insights with no-nonsense advice from her. Oliva quietly checked up on me and my dear friend every so often. She was never intrusive. 2 more brownie points for Olivia! To be honest, the idea of meeting for a drink and discussing at the hotel bar never crossed my mind. The bar/lounge area was spacious and clean. I enjoyed the experience tremendously. I'd highly recommend a casual meeting and a drink at the hotel bar than a typical bar where the noise level can be clamorous. Located in the heart of Evanston, there are plenty of shops and eateries within walking distance. In addition to valet parking, many available (pay) street parking along Chicago Avenue in front of the hotel are available. Of course, Northwestern University is also within walking distance.

DO NOT consider a winter wedding here, and absolutely DO NOT expect transparency or flexibility…read morewith any hiccups in their formula. Also, they apparently blocked my account on Zola -- I can't find them in a search when I'm logged in anymore. Thankfully I was able to leave a review without being logged in, and am also sharing here. TLDR: they can't accommodate winter weddings, despite including those months as available on their website, and they aren't transparent about their inability to do so. They can only provide half a venue, with 40% decreased capacity, but still expect you to pay full price. I was appalled by their poor communication and business practices throughout our experience trying to book them for our January wedding. -- -- The issues started when booking a tour -- their availability is challenging if you work a day job, and we were also limited with my partner's 24/48 shifts for the city. But I rearranged my work to accommodate their schedule. The day of the tour we received a vague cancellation with 3 hours notice, saying they would work with our schedules to get a new tour on the calendar. They very much did NOT work with our schedules, declined several options I requested that would work without us making major concessions on our end, and only offered a small window later than their once-a-week evening slots. We were once again rearranging our schedule to work for theirs after their cancellation. When we finally had the tour, I'll admit it's a gorgeous venue. We were excited about booking there, but concerned about how they'd handle January events. Since their website includes Jan in their off-peak season rates, I figured they had a plan for accommodating cold weather (they have a tent for the yard, but it's insufficient for temps under 30 degrees and that's a heavy gamble for evenings in January). They didn't seem to have any ideas outside using that tent. They do have an upstairs to the venue that reflects the ground floor footprint, so I asked if they would include these in the base rate (they're usually an add-on expense) because we were losing space in the yard. They said they would "compromise" by including just one of the rooms, but would reduce capacity to only 70. We had been straightforward that our guest list was 80-90, and their website advertises up to 120 guests for a buffet or cocktail reception, which was our plan. I understand they don't do a ton of events in the winter, so I thought maybe they just didn't have a well-designed plan for colder months and we could find a way to work one out. But they refused to work with us to expand capacity beyond 70 guests AND made no concessions on price. I have no idea what they would have done had we moved forward and temperatures were too cold for a tent (leave our guests shivering? cut our guest list week-of? at the door?) -- I asked and and they couldn't answer. On top of it all, they made me feel like I was a problem for having these concerns. At the end of the day, I can't believe that a venue would expect clients to pay full price for half a venue and 40% decreased capacity, especially in a season they admit having little to no bookings. They clearly do not want business in their winter months, but will jerk you around for a month pretending they do.

Exceeded our (extremely high) expectations at every step, turn, and touchpoint!…read more We worked with the AMAZING Teddy and Sarah and from the start knew we were in the right place, space and best of hands. First of all, Firehouse is charming as all HECK. This isn't your drab hotel ballroom where partition walls, lighting rigs and bunches and bunches of flowers can barely start to cover the lack of character. This space has personality and soul, every last inch. Classic Chicago neighborhood setting, we didn't want to leave the beautiful courtyard space. Everything about the venue is built to make your guests feel at home, comfortable and intimate to the party. Did we mention the firepole?! Best entry ever for a groom to make. We can't recommend enough - Teddy and Sarah listened to all our thoughts/concerns/ideas and custom built a space and flow that complimented the night in every possible way.

One of the best parts about living in Wilmette is coming to this community recreation center run by…read morethe Wilmette Park District. Here they run a variety of activities for children as well as adults and seniors. Almost any activity you can think of including sports, fitness, dance, theater, gymnastic and art are offered here. They are always adding new things that are popular. My son just started a video game design class which is really up his alley. During holidays and throughout the year they put on special events for families to enjoy. They run a very good preschool which is one of the most affordable in the area, but make sure you book it early because it fills up fast. The quarterly book that they send to the residents is huge and nicely laid out with programs. You can register for classes with ease online or there. Not only that, but the staff are all very helpful. If there was ever a time when we were not completely satisfied or were suddenly unable to attend, we were refunded our money and never given a hard time. Anyone can sign up for the activities here, however it is just less expensive if you are a resident. What I love the most is the convenience of everything being in one location, so I'm not running all over the place. I also like how many options there are. We are always trying something new and fun. They put on the cutest theater productions and tickets are not expensive. The rec center has alot to offer so check it out for yourself!

The Wilmette Community Recreation center houses 2 modern playgrounds, a preschool, tennis courts,…read morebaseball fields, state of the art gym facilities for adults and little ones, and a variety of indoor and outdoor extracurricular activities for all ages. The indoor facilities and the outdoor grounds are all very well maintained. The large playground was rebuilt last year and is one of the nicest ones in the North shore area. The small playground (which is part of the preschool) is fully fenced and has a splash pad that operates during the summer months. There is an outdoor walking path that loops around the entire Rec center and an indoor running path at the fitness center. There is also a state of the art gymnastics facility for toddlers to big kids. Overall, this is an excellent recreation center that is very well maintained and has just about everything. The only negative aspect of this center is that the playgrounds can get too crowded when all the kiddos from the preschool, summer camps, and enrichment programs all come out to play. Otherwise, very highly recommended.