This event space is very nice although there is no parking. My only concern was with Dealing with Michelle 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. read more

I have driven and biked past this place thousands of times, and I didn't even know how wonderful of a 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. read more

I hate to be the first to write a negative review for this place but I feel I must:! The décor is beautiful and I think if I were just a guest at The Connection my feelings would be different. However if you decide to rent this place out BEWARE! I have hosted/planned many events (both corporate and personal) and I have NEVER had an owner tell the dj what type of music they can play! Are you serious????This was not a juke fest! My friend and I turned 40 and we both like house music etc.. when the dj started to play Freaky MF, the owner came over and told him they don't play music like that. Again are you serious, we are 40 and any house head knows some of our favorite songs have explicit lyrics. No one is about to take off their clothes and get freaky on the dance floor! Also, the owner wouldn't let us use the kitchen to melt chocolate for a fountain! REALLY??? We didn't ask to fry up batches of chicken! I CANNOT recommend this place to anyone...unless you want to be monitored like you are in grammar school. read more

Im going to give this place 4 stars because it sort of peeked my interest when looking for a wedding venue. I learned about this place when we were considering a place to have my aunties birthday party. Im not sure how many people they seat, they have two floors. The price would range from $1400 - $2800 depending on what you want. The person Micelle responded very quickly to my request for information. My biggest hold up was the Location. I wasn't so sure that I wanted to have my wedding in that area. So they dropped off the list for the wedding but I would defiantly consider it for a smaller scale gathering. read more

Dear Michelle: I wanted to send you a quick note to thank you and your staff for a job well done! My client, her guests and I were so impress by your level of professionalism. One word comes to mind... excellence. As an event planner, I am constantly managing many vendors and details. It was such a comfort to walk into The Connections and see your staff work so hard to execute the vision for the event. They remained professional and attentive the entire evening. I loved the open floor plan, beautiful hardwood floors and spacious kitchen. I look forward to recommending The Connection for future events. Best regards, Regine Rousseau, Shall We Wine read more

I must say that this place is beautiful, Michelle Thibodeaux and her staff are the greatest, the venue is awesome a hidden gem that no one should sleep on. The professionalism of the staff was excellent everyone was helpful I would definitely do business with them again!!! read more

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This place is Black Owned and EVERYTHING about it was Great!!! The owners were simply kind prompt, friendly and professional I thank you guys for making my 40th Birthday a success highly recommended for your events read more

I held a memorial here. the staff is great (very accommodating). There is plenty of parking. there is a kitchen in the back. there are seating options. Great Space for events! read more

I do not recommend this place. The owner Michelle is a liar. She pretends to be nice and helpful to get you to trust her, but things change when the party starts. She ended my party early and changed my contract as if I would not notice. Then to top it off they stole my liquor that was left over from my party. I was told by a staff member that no one went in the closet that I believe they stored the liquor. I have pics showing the closet door open. If no one goes in that closet why are the doors open Very disappointing. One star because the event is clean but if it didn't make me. I would not have read more

I Will never rent this event space again. My reception was ruined, I didn't get to cut my cake, I didn't get to throw my bouquet, I didn't even get to dance with my guest , I didn't get to do my dance to my groom ... All because the owner promised things while signing the contract but when the day came everything was changed ... She wouldn't even let me set up hours before my reception so that lead me to setup 1 hour and half before my reception started ..She also harassed my guest aswell following them around and making them feel uncomfortable ... I will never recommend this place to anyone Very un-professional.... read more

I have been taking a zumba class her off and on with fellow yelper and south side neighbor, Anne S. I am totally bummed because the class times changed and now it's harder for me to attend. But The Connection is a lovely space. It would be a really nice rental space. Warm, inviting, and simple. Brick walls, hardwood floors, and plenty of light. They offer all sorts of classes here too. I believe in addition to Zumba there appears to be martial arts, bootcamp, and a few others. Everyone I have met and dealt with here has been super friendly, welcoming, and helpful. I hope that as class sessions change a rotate, I will be able to attend more. read more

I was here for a baby shower and I have passed by this place so many times and did not know what was nice inside.

We recently hosted a baby shower at this incredible venue. Not only is the space sophisticate with great decorum, the owners were incredibly helpful for our setup as well as the breakdown. You seriously, won't find a better venue for all your special occassion needs...huge fan! Thanks Frat & Soror for allowing my family to host a fab event :-) read more

Great location and amenities however the owner Michelle is extremely rude. On multiple occasions her attitude was a major issue for me as well as others involved with my party planning. There's a certain courtesy you should possess when people are spending money with your establishment that she lacked. Expect to hold your tongue to remain professional when she chooses not to. Otherwise the working Staff was great. read more

I was planning my 30th Birthday Gala when the Monday before my event the venue I'd been working with told me they'd double booked me. I frantically called around and as pure divine order would have it, The Connection was available. I'd used them before in 2010 and loved the space, so it was a PLEASURE to return here for my birthday. Ms. Michelle was so very heaven-sent. After I'd let her in on the details of the event, she promptly sent me all of the contract information and took time out to re-assure me that everything was going to be OK. Well, everything was MORE than OK. My Gala was fantastic. read more

Wonderful space. Large, bright, clean, accessible. Thoroughly state of the arts. Large facilities on each floor for men and women. Hardwood floors, cloak rooms, food service areas, mounted large screen television for displaying visual information. Excellent accommodations for business and/or social events. read more

We recently stayed at the The Connection and really enjoyed the experience. All of the staff members were courteous and helpful and the entire hotel seemed to be clean and well taken care of. The room we had on the 7th floor was an optional add on to the adjacent suite. As a result it was a bit on the small side. The restaurants, particularly SNAX and 720, are a little pricey for what you get. This is an impressive property with an impressive history and is certainly worth trying when visiting the Chicago City. read more

Michelle and Terry are great. I rented the space for two events and they delivered everything as promised. I would highly recommend this facility. The space is bright and clean. There are amazing food floors and tv screen. read more

I love everything about this place! The space is beautiful and the entire team is professional and very accommodating. I highly recommend The Connection for your special event. read more

My baby shower was hosted at The Connection. The venue floor plan was ideal and the location was convenient. The owner Michelle was very unprofessional, rude, and hard to get a hold to after my first deposit. The day of, her staff that "had to" be present, for the entirety of my shower, must have woke up on the wrong slide of the bed. They never smiled and were rude to my guest. Her and her staff almost ruined my special day. I even have a few photo bombed pictures where Michelle is mean mugging with her arms crossed in the back of my beautiful pictures... I can't even crop her out. I will never have another special event there and definitely would NOT recommend anyone to rent out this space if you care to have good vibes. read more

The venue is beautiful and spacious. The owner Michelle is EXTREMELY difficult to work with. It is very unfortunate that such a nice place is run by someone who has no personality and people skills. She walked around chastising and monitoring people as if she were a Catholic school teacher. She policed every move that we made and even our guest. She set such an uncomfortable and unpleasant mood, I was hurt that I had decided to host my sister's shower here. At some point of the shower she up set the mother and father to be, and also both their parents and grandparents with her ridiculous behavior. None of our family or guest were disrespectful, unruly or uncooperative, so her behavior was completely uncalled for. And after treating us and our staff so bad, with my own eyes I saw her help herself to the favors we had for the baby shower. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. It's really unfortunate because I plan many events and will not be sending business her way again. read more