Theory

Sports bar event space and buyouts in River North

River North
Up to 225 guests
3 spaces

Cancellation policy
Free cancellations for 48 hours after booking, unless the booking is within 48 hours of the event.

About Theory

Theory is a sports bar and lounge in River North, Chicago, that hosts birthday parties, corporate events and game watches for up to 225 guests. Groups pick it for more than 35 TVs with the sound on for big games, shareable food and a full bar that runs late.

Three areas on the first floor can be booked for a private party. The Patio / Front Area takes up to 25 guests for cocktails or 16 seated. The Middle Area takes up to 75 for cocktails or 45 seated. A Full Venue buyout of the first floor takes up to 225 for cocktails or 80 seated. The patio and middle areas are semi-private sections of the bar, and the buyout is fully private.

Food for events comes from a catering list of group platters, wings, sliders, flatbreads, salads and desserts, and drinks are served as per-person packages for three hours, from beer and wine up to premium liquor. Bottle service is available. By day the room is a polished sports bar with screens at every seat, and at night it turns into a lounge with DJs and table service.

Each event gets a customized table set-up, and the venue works with groups on specific menu requests. Drink packages do not cover shots, martinis, rocks or pitchers, and gratuity, tax and service charges are added. For game watches, a private room with a 133-inch screen is offered.

Planning your event

A group chooses one of three first-floor areas at Theory, from the patio and front area to a full buyout, and the table set-up is customized for the event. Food is ordered from the event catering list and drinks as a per-person package for three hours, with bottle service as an option.

Vibe: An upscale sports bar by day, with screens in view from every seat and the audio on for big games. Later in the evening it becomes a lounge with DJs and bottle service. Time Out describes the crowd as lively but never too rowdy.
Space layout: The first floor has a patio and front area, a middle area and a long central bar, with exposed brick, wood tables and high-tops. Each area can be reserved on its own, or the whole floor taken as a buyout. A separate event space called Concept is upstairs in the same building.
Private events: There are three private event options downstairs: the Patio / Front Area and the Middle Area, which are semi-private sections, and a Full Venue buyout of the first floor. The table set-up is customized for each group. A private room with a 133-inch screen is offered for game watches.
Food & drinks: Event catering covers one-bite appetizers, group platters, salads, wings, sliders, flatbreads, pasta trays and desserts, and the venue will work on specific menu requests. Drink packages are per person for three hours, in five levels from beer and wine to premium liquor, and exclude shots, martinis, rocks and pitchers. Bottle service is available.
Group size: Patio / Front Area: up to 25 for cocktails or 16 seated. Middle Area: up to 75 for cocktails or 45 seated. Full Venue: up to 225 for cocktails or 80 seated.

Spaces

3 spaces, smallest first. Prices are starting rates before taxes and fees.

Patio / Front Area
The front section of the bar and its outdoor patio, a semi-private spot for small birthday parties, game days and after-work drinks.
Up to 25 · Semi-private
25max
Semi-private

Reviews

No reviews yet.

What this venue offers

Location

9 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Good to know

More than 35 TVs, with audio on for big games
Opens early on some Formula 1 race days, per Time Out
Gratuity, tax and service charges are added to drink packages
Late-night menu available

About Theory

Planning your event

Spaces

Patio / Front Area

Reviews

What this venue offers

Location

Good to know

Best for

Middle Area

Full Venue