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 while 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.
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!
