Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo


Select services venue

The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $12,000

Guest capacity

Up to 230 seated guests



About this venue

Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo combines historic charm with natural beauty, creating a magical wedding venue in Chicago. The venue’s grand ballroom features stunning architecture and views of the surrounding park and skyline. Guests appreciate the seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, perfect for ceremonies and receptions. The dedicated staff ensures a personalized and smooth event, from planning to execution. For couples seeking a unique and enchanting setting, Cafe Brauer offers a truly unforgettable experience.


Our event spaces

Cafe Brauer

A Timeless, Prairie-Style Landmark with Stunning Skyline Views

Café Brauer is one of Chicago’s most highly prized rental venues for good reason. This timeless prairie style landmark completed in 1908 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The second floor Great Hall is the centerpiece, with its soaring, sky lit roof, Tiffany inspired glass chandeliers, stained glass windows, tile mosaics and flanking curved outdoor loggias. Imagine gorgeous indoor and outdoor space offering earth-toned elegance against the city skyline.

Guest capacity

Up to 230 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Square footage

3,900

Ideal for

Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour

Cafe Brauer

A Timeless, Prairie-Style Landmark with Stunning Skyline Views

Café Brauer is one of Chicago’s most highly prized rental venues for good reason. This timeless prairie style landmark completed in 1908 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The second floor Great Hall is the centerpiece, with its soaring, sky lit roof, Tiffany inspired glass chandeliers, stained glass windows, tile mosaics and flanking curved outdoor loggias. Imagine gorgeous indoor and outdoor space offering earth-toned elegance against the city skyline.

Guest capacity

Up to 230 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Square footage

3,900

Ideal for

Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Couples luncheon, Cocktail hour


Available services that can be provided by Cafe Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo

Services & amenities

  • Bar services
  • Catering services
  • Clean up
  • Dance floor
  • Event rentals
  • Event staff
  • Service staff
  • Set up
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Self parking - free
  • Self parking - paid
  • Valet - paid
  • Wheelchair accessible

Rentals

  • Barware
  • Chiavari Chairs
  • China
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Standard Chairs

Reviews

Write a review

4.8 out of 5

4 reviews

Write a review
  • The most gorgeous venue in Chicago

    Verified review
    Alexa M.Nov 9, 2024

    There isn't a more beautiful venue in Chicago, hands down. On top of that, the kindness and professionalism of our point-of-contact Natalie made it clear we made the right choice in booking Café Brauer for our November wedding. Natalie was incredibly thoughtful and responsive throughout our time working together, answering tons and tons of questions from us. The day of our wedding went so smoothly (seriously, it was perfect?!), and we know Natalie had a big hand in achieving that. If you're looking for a beautiful, bespoke venue with gorgeous views of the city that will awe both you and your guests, you've found it. And if you're looking for catering services, go with the in-house option: Tigerlily Events! The chefs were so accommodating of dietary restrictions (my husband is allergic to the major eight, and then some), and we received SO many compliments on the food.

  • Best decision we made

    Verified review
    Grace A.Apr 18, 2024

    Ellen Woods knocked it out of the park! We absolutely made the right decision in selecting Tigerlily as our wedding caterer and Cafe Brauer as our venue. From start to finish (even after our wedding day!), Ellen answered all of our questions thoroughly and in a timely manner, remaining flexible and patient, working closely with her beverage director and catering to ensure our St Patrick's Day wedding was stellar. The tastings & meetings were personal with extreme attention to detail all the way through. The speed of flipping the Great Hall from ceremony to reception was superb, even our guests commented on it! To top it off, Ellen made sure that the exterior of the building looked 110% prior to our big day; she truly did everything in her power to make things happen for us and saw it through. Thank you Ellen and the entire team of Tigerlily Events!

  • Great venue, but..

    Verified review
    Liz L.Oct 26, 2023

    A beautiful venue and easy to work with in terms of management, but I had something stolen during the event. It was stolen from a space that staff and vendors had access to. I informed the manager and recommended in future, they either keep an office open and locked for secure use or a safe for people to store items in if needed.

  • Perfect Venue

    Verified review
    Kelci G.Aug 16, 2023

    Our wedding turned out to be a dream come true. Cafe Brauer was the perfect event space, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get over how well it all came together. I would definitely recommend this venue, and if the weather is nice, you should use the honeycomb for your ceremony. Ours was epic. Natalie and Ellen were amazing to work with, and had great relationships with all of our vendors. The food from Tigerlily was incredible as well!