Chicago is full of history. It has America's first skyscraper, built in 1884; it was the site of the infamous Great Chicago Fire, which destroyed a lot of the city, and it marks the start of the well-traveled Route 66. Put simply, Chicago is a heavy historic hitter, which translates into a good selection of Victorian locations here.
Some of the gems of the city's Victorian era are still standing. This includes Charnley-Persky House Museum, designed by Louis Sullivan and influenced by a young Frank Lloyd Wright, Nickerson House, a high-end Victorian architectural masterpiece, and the Rookery Building, on the National Register and designed by Daniel Burnham. While these historic architecture-filled buildings aren't available as a venue for your next birthday party, corporate event, or photo shoot, Giggster offers the next best thing.
Whether you want a cute and quirky home near Lake Michigan for a New Year's party or a lavish mansion fit for an unforgettable wedding, Giggster has you totally covered. Book in minutes and wow your friends and family with a venue originally built during a grander era.
From amazing Queen Anne-style mansions to Empire-style homes originally constructed at the turn of the 20th century, Giggster offers a well-rounded selection of Victorian locations in Chicago, such as Otherworld Theatre Performance Venue and Bar.
If the exterior of the Victorian structure is important, find options done in with elements of shingle style, classic park-adjacent Greystones with lovely third-floor views, or Prairie-style places, which originated in Chicago, Illinois, and are full of timeless beauty.
Giggster offers historic places all over the city and beyond. Find locations near Prairie Avenue and the historic Prairie District, prestigious neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, and farther-out towns like Naperville situated near the Des Plaines River.
Venues don't have to stick exclusively to houses and mansions. Instead, you can also choose churches, museums, and country estates on multiple acres full of nature.
For authenticity, easily book a location that still has many of the original features, like fireplaces, woodwork, and stained glass.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 20 Victorian locations in Chicago available on the Giggster app, you can choose from curated spaces on the North Side, South Side, and everywhere in between. Plus, Giggster's venues can accommodate gatherings of 30 to 300, so you never have to settle.
Hassle-Free Booking: Using the Giggster app, you don't have to spend days searching and booking your event venue. Easily search and filter for targeted results and book instantly. Review the property's availability, amenities, and price, which starts at only $40/hour, to make an informed decision. If anything is unclear, just message the host or owner for a quick answer.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Don't worry if your plans are more in flux than you'd like them to be. Provided your booking is made at least 48 hours in advance, Giggster gives you 24 hours after booking confirmation to change your mind completely or make adjustments without any fees.
Platform Protections: When booking any Giggster venue, you have the option to add useful protection for damage and liability to make the experience completely stress-free. It's also possible to extend your risk-free cancellation period for total flexibility.
Victorian venues in Chicago can cover just about any event need. They offer space and quality features that add depth to any celebration.
Themed Birthday Parties – Turn of the Century Fun. Take your guests back to a life full of extravagant fashion, enviable feasts, and wholesome party games. Set up a dance floor in the parlor, serve period-appropriate cocktails in the courtyard, and generally revel in the magic of a time gone by.
Corporate Events – Connect with History. Throw an off-site corporate event in beautiful surroundings to encourage creativity and team bonding. Use the dining room for meetings and the outdoor space for team-building exercises and relaxation.
Weddings – Vintage Luxury. With the stunning options on the Giggster app, you can host your ceremony in an ornate Victorian church and follow up with a reception at an equally special Victorian residence. Center your theme around the venues for an easy yet memorable day.
Photo Shoots – Add Grandeur. Break any modern trends and organize a historic photo shoot backdrop to add extra interest. Use the front porch for daytime shots and the ornate corners of every room to vary the images significantly.
Baby Showers – Keep it Fancy. Celebrate an upcoming birth in style at one of the fantastic Victorian venues located in Chicago. You'll get kitchens to prepare food, cozy living rooms for games and chatting, and even manicured gardens for an outdoor feast.
Victorian locations in Chicago are beautiful, but they also come with some challenges. Take a tour of the property through the images and confirm all amenities before you commit to a location.
Do the aesthetics hit the mark? One of the reasons you're choosing a Victorian location in Chicago is for the backdrop it offers for photos. Are the inside and view from the street photos and videos ready? If so, it will save you a lot of time because you won't have to decorate as much (if at all).
Are the details authentic? Because it's possible to get the real thing in a historic city like Chicago, aim for true Victorian features. Little touches like door handles, moldings, and rich wood tones really make a difference.
Is unloading and loading large items possible? In general, Victorian homes weren't built for today's lifestyle. Many have steep stairs as entryways and smaller door frames. If you're moving in large sound equipment, decorations, or other cumbersome items, double-check that it's physically possible before booking.
Victorian buildings are impressive and have their own stories, but like everything, there's a good and a not-so-good side to picking these properties for your next event.
Advantages
For photo shoots or anyone photographing the festivities of the event, Chicago Victorian locations offer one of the best backdrops imaginable. Plus, the indoor/outdoor options mean you can experiment with different lighting easily.
Guests generally won't have a hard time getting to and from the venue. Chicago's more densely occupied areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s were central and are now accessible via public transportation.
You can get grandiose features like epic staircases, glorious chandeliers, and well-maintained wood paneling for a relatively low price point.
Disadvantages
In Chicago and most Illinois cities with Victorian buildings (like Springfield), you'll find boxy rooms that limit event flow. You'll need a completely renovated home for that open "great room" feel.
Chicago's Victorian treasures are more limited when it comes to modern amenities. Ventilation may not be as good as with newer locations, and fewer bathrooms could cause an issue among guests.
Accessibility can be challenging. While this applies to moving party supplies, it also applies to people. Don't expect ramps or elevators in these historic locales.
A Victorian venue certainly gives the impression of a big budget, but that doesn't actually have to be the case. Book venues with rates starting from just $40/hour on the app and apply these other tips to keep your costs manageable.
Watch out for venue minimums.
When planning a shorter event, don't forget that many venues have strict minimums, so even if you aren't using the space, you're paying for it. The most common is from four to six hours. Move on to the next venue if the minimum time doesn't agree with your schedule.
DIY set up and clean up.
Some locations will offer these services for an added fee, others won't. If it's not already included, commit to completing these tasks yourself (designate a team of family and friends to help) rather than paying extra and hiring someone else to do it.
Smaller events can be better.
Aside from being more manageable altogether, small events allow everyone to connect, and they also mean lower costs. You won't have as much food or alcohol to buy, and you can rent a smaller (read cheaper) venue without everyone feeling cramped.
In a city where prominent and ground-breaking architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Daniel Burnham made a big impact, it's not surprising that you can find unique and historic places to host your next event. Channel the architecture, art, and furniture from another time into a memorable private event using the Giggster app.
