Chicago Interactive Mingling Hour
A unique Chicago happy hour event for groups, featuring 5 canapés, 2 beverages, and 3 awesome activities to get people mixing and mingling naturally.
An elevated happy hour in Chicago where guests engage with hosted activities as they mix and mingle.
The Chicago Interactive Mingling Hour takes place at a single restaurant location of your choice. Guests will be welcomed with an icebreaker using quirky drink charms to encourage natural conversation throughout the experience. Then they’ll mix and mingle as they nibble on canapés, sip delicious drinks, and engage with two different hosted activities of your choice.
How it Works
Designed for standing reception and happy hour-style events, the mingling hour helps guests engage naturally. In between sips and bites, guests can visit the hosted activity stations for hands-on foodie fun.
What’s Included
Our Chicago Interactive Mingling Hour package includes the following:
Restaurant Venue
Expert Avital Emcee Host
2 Hands-On Activities
Plus Icebreaker Activity
5 Canapés & 2 Beverages
Beer or Wine
Where is It?
Choose your preferred restaurant from among our network of partner venues throughout the city. The event takes place at the restaurant’s bar, lounge, or private dining room for large groups. Our restaurant partners are curated to be within walking distance from your office or key corporate meeting centers.
Avli on the Park
Avli on The Park, North Field Boulevard, Chicago, IL, USA
Siena Tavern
Siena Tavern, West Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Venteux Brasserie
Venteux Brasserie, Cafe & Oyster Bar, North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Sepia
Sepia, North Jefferson Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Bub City
Bub City, North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Lou Malnati’s
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Sunda
Sunda, East North Water Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Frontera Grill
Frontera Grill, North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Kie-Gol-Lanee
Kie-Gol-Lanee, North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, USA
Pleasant House Pub
Pleasant House Pub, South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Botanico
Botu00e1nico, West Division Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Ramen-San
RAMEN-SAN, West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL, USA
We Work with The Best
All of our partners not only serve outstanding food and drinks, but have numerous awards (think Michelin Starred and Michelin Bib Gourmand, James Beard Nominees, and Eater’s Top 38), and a staff committed to guest engagement who understand group and corporate needs.
Sepia
Michelin 1-Star Restaurant serving seasonal and inventive American cuisine
Kie-Gol-Lanee
Vibrant and colorful Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serving exceptional exceptional Oaxacan cuisine
Avli on the Park
Michelin Recommended Stylish Greek restaurant with rooftop and multiple private dining spaces
Siena Tavern
Modern Italian Restaurant from Top Chef alum, Fabio Viviani
Venteux Brasserie
Dark and Moody French Brasserie with Champagne and Oyster Bar
Bub City
Authentic BBQ and soul food from seasoned BBQ chef, Tim Cottini
Lou Malnati’s
Cozy, family-owned pizza joint voted “Best Pizza” in North Shore Choice Award’s
Sunda
Modern takes on Southeast Asian classics in an elegant and upscale space; Gayot and Eater Recommended
Frontera Grill
Authentic Mexican cuisine earning Michelin Bib Gourmand and winner of James Beard Award for “Outstanding Restaurant”
Pleasant House Pub
Locally-sourced British inspired fare with Michelin Bib Gourmand status and Chicago Tribune’s “Outstanding Restaurant”
Botanico
Glamorous, upscale, Michelin Bib Gourmand Spanish cuisine
Ramen San
Neighborhood noodle joint named “Best Ramen” by Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago
Custom Venue
Looking for a certain cuisine or location? We’ll onboard a new, custom venue, just for your event
What Are the Activities?
You’ll choose two of the activities for your event. Each activity is hosted by an Avital Emcee.
Smell Like a Sommelier
Learn to smell like a professional wine sommelier.
Water Tasting Bar
Taste water like its wine! Discover how different water can taste.
Nostalgic Snack Pairings
Pair your fine wines with nostalgic snacks from childhood.
Hands-On Cocktail Making
Mix up a cocktail like a pro, then enjoy your delicious creation.
Pop Rocks Blending
Make a one-of-a-kind Pop Rocks blend. Includes take-home gift.
Electric Gummy Bears
Add Electric Dust to flavorful gummy bears. Includes take-home gift.
How Does Pricing Work?
We have simplified pricing so you pay one flat fee per person, with everything included.
Base Package
$160 + $40 Service/Gratuity Per Person = $200 Per Person
Inclusivity & Diversity
Inclusivity
We accommodate all dietary restrictions so everyone in your group feels cared for and full!
Substitute alcoholic beverage pairings with high-quality non-alcoholic alternatives, including a hands-on zero-proof (no alcohol) cocktail making experience.
Diversity
Celebrate Diversity with themed content, such as: Black History Month, Juneteenth, Pride, LGBTQIA+, AAPI Month, Women in Business (Psst! We’re a woman-owned business!) and more. ❤️🦾 🏳️🌈 ✊🏿 🏳️⚧️
Have a specific theme in mind? Let us know!
Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate all dietary restrictions on private group dining experiences. You will be asked to submit your group’s dietary restrictions one week before the private dining event. If you are unsure if we can accommodate your restriction, please ask your Avital Culinary Curator during the booking process.
Run of Show
1: Meet Expert Host & Icebreaker Activity
Guests are welcomed to the restaurant by their Avital Host before engaging with the fun icebreaker game using quirky drink charms.
2: Grab a Drink & Nibble on Canapés
Throughout the event guests will nibble on delicious bite-sized appetizers and sip beer or wine.
3: Engage with Hands-On Activities
At their leisure, guests will engage with the hosted activities, like hands-on cocktail making or a water tasting bar.
4: Connect Authentically
Guests will mix and mingle naturally throughout the event. Conversation flows effortlessly with the perfect balance of structured activities.
Why Choose Avital for Your Chicago Private Dining Experience?
- Expertly Hosted: Our Denver Interactive Mingling Hour is hosted by an on-site, vetted and trained, expert Avital Emcee Host. You can sit back and enjoy as your host takes care of all the logistics with rich storytelling and group engagement throughout.
- Unique & Memorable: More fun than a standard happy hour, guest will get hands-on and engage between sips and nibbles.
- Experienced Team: A full support team to ensure a turnkey booking and seamless experience from start to finish.
- Designed for Connection: The Interactive Mingling Hour creates the perfect balance of authentic conversation and curated experience.
- Customizable: Inclusive, accessible, and customizable to a variety of use cases, from small team gatherings to large, multi-city events.
- Dietary Restriction Friendly: We understand dietary restrictions and want everyone to leave feeling cared for and full! We’ll ask for your restrictions after booking.
How to Book Your Private Event
1: Explore Packages
Download the PDF proposal to view packages and pricing for each experience. Still have questions? Schedule a call with your Culinary Curator.
2: Start Your Booking
Submit your event details to get started. Upon submission, you’ll also have the option to make an initial, refundable deposit to reserve your date right away.
3: Finalize Details
A real human will be in touch to finalize your event details, like confirming your package, how to submit request for dietary or alcohol accommodations, and when your final headcount is due.
Start Your Private Booking