About this vendor
South Branch is a charming, riverside restaurant located in the heart of downtown Chicago, just steps from the Willis Tower and Union Station. The restaurant serves as an alternative wedding reception venue for couples looking for a unique urban setting ($25k minimum).
Amenities + details
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Settings
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
- Bar & Drinks
- Cakes & Desserts
- Food & Catering
- Planning
- Rentals & Equipment
- Service Staff
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Reviews
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5
out of 5.027 reviews
Melanie was SO amazing to work with. She ensured the planning process went smoothly and talked us through all the deadlines for headcount’s and payments. The wedding turned out bea...
utifully and you cannot beat this venue if you’re looking for a wedding with a true city feel.
Our June 2023 wedding at South Branch was an absolute dream thanks to Melanie, her incredible team, and the stunning city location. Situated with views of the skyline and river, So...
uth Branch provided the perfect backdrop for our wedding.
One of the standout features of South Branch was its versatility. With both outdoor and indoor spaces, we were able to seamlessly transition from our outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour to an indoor dinner, followed by an outdoor dance floor. The inclusion of weather contingencies gave us peace of mind, knowing that our plans were adaptable to any situation.
The food and service at South Branch were outstanding. As a restaurant and bar, they exceeded our expectations with delicious meals that our guests are still talking about, and we appreciated their flexibility in meeting multiple dietary restrictions. The servers and bartenders were attentive and accommodating the entire night.
Our venue contact and coordinator, Melanie, was an absolute gem. From our initial walk-through to the tasting and all the way through to the end of the big night, Melanie and her team were there every step of the way. Her communication skills and attention to detail were unmatched, making the planning process smooth and as low-stress as possible!
Another aspect we appreciated was the convenience of being able to leave our belongings in a locked room and retrieve them the following week. This allowed us to enjoy our celebration without worrying about the logistics of packing up at the end of the night.
Overall, South Branch provided a fantastic experience for our wedding. We highly recommend it to any couples looking for an amazing and affordable venue with excellent service. Thanks to Melanie and the South Branch team for making our day so special!
Everyone told us it was the best wedding they’ve been too. From the food, to the drinks, to the location, everything was amazing. I had to do everything long distance since we curr...
ently live in Arizona but we are originally from Chicago, but they were so helpful with getting us all the information we needed and letting my bridal party come and do things I couldn’t do. We also held our rehearsal dinner there and they were so helpful, even that was amazing. The servers were all amazing as well. I can’t thank Rachel enough and Melanie for everything they did for us. Everything was a 12/10. High recommend having your special day here.
South Branch was the perfect wedding venue for us! The beautiful, modern look of the venue with the outdoor bar and river location made for picturesque photos and backdrop for our ...
wedding!
For the venue itself, the food and drinks were incredible. Our guests were raving about how delicious everything was at dinner and how amazing the bar service was all night. Too often at weddings you find yourself with only one bar tender or waiting in lines for drinks and that was not the case at South Branch. The outdoor bar, seating area, and dance floor was packed the entire night with happy guests!
My husband and I had reserved and waited to get married at South Branch for 3 years during COVID, during which for a time we didn't live in Chicago. South Branch made the process of planning our wedding seamless for us. From changing our wedding date to communicating the constantly changing COVID restrictions in Chicago, our South Branch provided wedding coordinators ensured we had a perfect wedding day.
Our South Branch coordinators, Melanie and Rachel, were also amazing to work with. They answered all of our questions and communication promptly. I had a certain vision for how I wanted the decor of my wedding to look, I had drawn out some schematics of for table seating and decor and was not surprised that Melanie and Rachel ensured everything turned out exactly how we wanted it!
Our coordinators were also super attentive day of our wedding, ensuring out emcee kept the events of the day moving, setting up the different parts of the night, and trouble shooting any issues that came up.
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding day and that's largely due to the choice of South Branch as both a wedding & reception location as well as Melanie and Rachel!
This venue was absolutely a slam dunk. We did luck out in weather and most of reception was held outside. Beautiful venue with city lights and river views. The Event Manager Mela...
nie K is phenomenal! She accommodated us at every turn. The staff was fantastic (no wait for drinks!!) and the food was delicious - highly recommend the mashed potato bar! Our guests loved it
The number one thing we wanted for our wedding was to show up and have fun! With me finishing grad school I was extremely busy and really didn't have much time to plan a wedding. M...
elanie and the staff at South Branch were so incredibly helpful, I never once felt stressed or overwhelmed about the process. Having all the food/service/drinks all come from the venue made everything so easy. From our first time meeting Melanie and touring South Branch we knew it was the perfect setting for us! Our special day ended up being more perfect than we ever imagined, and the pricing for the venue/food cannot be beat! I would recommend South Branch (and Melanie) to anyone getting married in Chicago!!!
Hands down the best wedding venue! From start to finish, everyone there was an absolute dream to work with- they accommodated our every need and really made our wedding planning pr...
ocess so easy and seamless. They were flexible with us and our vendors in the planning and preparation leading up to the event and really did it all for us on the day of the wedding as well, paying attention to every single detail.
The venue itself is gorgeous and really just speaks for itself. All of guests were awestruck not only by the décor that came with the venue (which really did save us a lot of money when trying to "dress-up" the restaurant) but the location and ambiance were second to none.
We started with cocktails on the patio, followed by a perfectly cooked and delicious dinner inside, before the party moved back on the patio outside- we couldn't have dreamed of a better party!
I highly recommend South Branch for any wedding, without a single hesitation. It was such a magical night and they really made it perfect for us!
WOW!! We are SO happy with the beautiful wedding celebration at South Branch for our wedding. The venue, the staff, the food, the service, were all top notch and genuinely exceeded...
our high expectations. Everything went so smoothly and wonderfully. While we were disappointed that the rain kept us from enjoying the outside bar/patio, we enjoyed every moment inside the restaurant! It was an incredibly special evening and provided lifetime memories. We have heard many compliments from our guests about South Branch and staff. The wedding coordinator was delightful to work with. I cannot give this venue higher praise!
Our wedding reception at South Branch was amazing! We worked with Melanie, who was a delight to work with from beginning to end. The venue itself is the perfect space for a Chicago...
wedding. We loved having the combination of indoor and outdoor space. Guests were able to be cool and relaxed inside for dinner and eating, but go outside and take in the city lights and river for cocktail hour, drinking, and dancing! Our guests were so impressed with the location. In addition to people saying that it was an absolutely perfect venue, we had several people compliment us on the execution, the flow, and timing of the reception.
The staff at South Branch were so easy to work with and so accommodating. They got dinner out quickly and efficiently. We even had one guest who was stuck at work and running late. The servers brought his dinner out to him on the dance floor when he got there later in the night. They set up all our decorations themselves and did a wonderful job. They played two different videos/slideshows for us that worked perfectly on the TVs inside and outside. They were so accommodating for all the things we wanted to bring and the things that just showed up (lots of glow sticks).
The food was absolutely amazing - the steak was wonderful, it was cooked perfectly, and I think everyone loved their meals. No one ever had to wait for a drink all night. The bar staff were amazing, helpful, and quick to serve everyone.
We didn't have to worry about anything, it was stress-free, and we could focus on hanging out with our family and friends. I think that's all due to their team and that they are all exceptional at what they do.
We had our August wedding at South Branch, and it could not have been more perfect. We wanted a city venue with a great outdoor space and a reasonable price point, and South Branch...
came through. We wanted everything to be outside, but it was important for my stress level that we have a solid backup indoor option, which South Branch could also offer. Erin and Melanie, our day-of site coordinators, made sure everything ran smoothly from the first time we met with them until the last dance. They were able to help us execute a cocktail-style reception with plenty of food and drink to keep our guests happy. Our friends and family raved about the food, and numerous people commented on how they never had to wait for a bartender! Everyone loved being downtown, on the river, surrounded by fabulous architecture, and walking distance from our three hotel blocks. Erin, Melanie and the South Branch staff handled everything, timing-wise, worked well with all of our vendors, and just made the whole day perfect. We knew we were in the good hands of people who have done this hundreds of times, which meant that we could just relax and enjoy this one time we were getting married.
What a perfect venue! My husband and I had our first date at South Branch so it was only logical we get married there when we found out they also did weddings.
We worked with Gaby...
from the start. She wound up going to work corporate events and Christina took over. The transition was seamless! Both did an amazing job at coordinating the day. Everything was perfect.
If you're looking for a place that takes care of everything, South Branch is it. There is very little decorating that needs to be done. The venue is beautiful as is. Where else can you have an outdoor wedding in the city on the river for what South Branch has to offer? Nowhere else.
Working with Christina and the South Branch team was seriously the best experience and made our wedding day perfect! From the beginning stages of touring the venue to the last dri...
nk at the end of our wedding night everything went off without a "hitch", except for us getting hitched of course :) The planning process was a dream and the whole event team assisted with everything from suggestions for ceremony/reception timeline to building out the look and feel for the entire night. They really helped out with details and I felt truly so comfortable with them running the show the day of our wedding. We knew as a bride and groom that we could rest easy and could not have been more right! Thanks again for an amazing night that we will forever remember!
South Branch was a perfect venue from start to finish. You get an on-site coordinator built in which makes everything so much easier. The venue itself is well decorated and we did...
n't need to add too much extra which is good for lower-budget weddings. The service was quick, friendly and very helpful. Would absolutely recommend to any bride or groom looking for a gorgeous Chicago location right by the river with a big patio and huge indoor space :)
We used South Branch for our wedding on August 15, 2015. Jennifer Williams and her team are completely amazing. The entire event was flawless, from the ceremony, to dinner, to the ...
reception afterwards. Throughout the planning process, it was a pleasure to work with Jennifer to finalize any and all details before the big day. I met with her 3-4 times throughout the past year for walk-throughs, food tastings, and pre-event meetings. She always had an answer for any of my questions. One of the reasons we picked South Branch as our venue was due to her confidence, calm demeanor, and organizational skills. She assured us that everything would go perfectly on our big day and she was exactly right. Our guests commented that the food was outstanding, the service was excellent, and even the security guards were friendly. We made a last-minute decision to extend our event from 11pm to midnight and her whole team graciously accommodated our request. Compared to other venues in downtown Chicago, South Branch is relatively affordable for an outdoor, Chicago Loop wedding. The value of the event compared to the cost was on point. We cannot say enough good things about the events team at South Branch.
With so many out of town guests, we knew we wanted a venue that would highlight the city we love while also providing an atomsphere where guests could casually chat and catch up wi...
th one another. From the moment we stepped foot in South Branch, we knew it was the perfect setting for our mingling reception. Being able to utilize the riverfront patio for cocktails, dinner, and the dance floor was an absolute dream come true, and our guests are still commenting on how it was the most fun wedding they have ever been to thanks to the fun ambiance, amazing food, and incredible service. The night itself easily exceeded all of our high expectations, but after meeting and working with Jennifer, we were not surprised. She was the kindest, most attentive event coordinator throughout the entire planning process. Her response time is unparalleled, and despite wedding planning being a stressful experience, she was always available to calm our nerves and make us feel confident that our day would be perfect. She really helped us take our vision and turn it into a reality. We cannot say enough good things about our experience with Jennifer and South Branch; you will not regret booking this stunning venue for your big day!
We were thrilled and impressed with South Branch from beginning to end. The organization was flawless, and Christina was wonderful in every way possible. Attention to detail was ...
not missed and I felt very confident with the planning from the beginning. And our guests could not have been more impressed with this unique urban location. The space truly speaks for itself.
My daughter Ashley/Robby had their wedding here. Jennifer was great. Everything was perfect the set up for the wedding was beautiful food was great. The staff was always around ...
to assist with all our needs. Thank You for making this a perfect day. Margaret Eppolito
We were so pleased to have found South Branch Tavern for our wedding and reception. The moment we met with the event planners Christina and Jennifer, we knew that we had made the r...
ight choice for our wedding. Everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish. The venue, food and professionalism of the staff was outstanding. We felt completely comfortable and supported by the staff. The day of our wedding was so easy for us. Everything was in place when we arrived for our event. The food was incredible and the staff was perfect. There were no flaws or hiccups for the entire event. I would recommend South Branch Tavern to everyone.
South Branch was an absolute amazing venue located in the heart of Downtown Chicago with beautiful views of the river and city skyline. Jennifer was incredible to work with and hel...
ped to make our day PERFECT!! She was so incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and very responsive. I was speechless when I arrived on my wedding day and saw how gorgeous the venue looked. Our guests are still raving about the décor, food, drinks and service. We wouldn't change a thing about our special day, and we thank the team at South Branch for making it happen! HIGHLY recommended!
We held our ceremony and reception at South Branch Tavern & Grille last weekend, and we couldn't be happier. Our South Branch coordinator, Jennifer Williams, was a dream to work wi...
th from the very beginning. She was there for us every step of the way and was so attentive, organized and extremely accomodating. South Branch is the perfect city venue with extremely reasonable pricing, the best food and a premium bar package that is worth every penny. We held our ceremony outside, and the backdrop was stunning. Unfortunately, because of the chilly weather, we weren't able to utilize the fabulous outdoor patio, but the reception inside was amazing. Our guests are still raving about the decor, food, drinks and service. We wouldn't change a thing about our amazing day, and we thank the team at South Branch for making it happen! HIGHLY recommended!
We are so happy we had our wedding ceremony and reception at South Branch Tavern and Grille. The location is stunning: right on the river with great views of the city and an excel...
lent bar and restaurant for us and our guests to enjoy. A special mention must go to Erin Carroll (events manager) who was so easy to work with and was always quick to reply to our questions that we knew the day was in safe hands every step of the way. Erin and her whole team were just great. Our guests, many of whom were from out of state and country, had a great time and seemed to really appreciate the cool Chicago location and vibe. Last but by no means least, the food is stunning. It's seriously good! Thank you, Erin and South Branch, for such an awesome day!
without the cooperation of mother nature, this place is still very city chic, but the 4000 sq ft patio really gave the feel we were looking for. having your guests outside on the ...
river surrounded by all the buildings downtown constantly reminds people that they are part of the skyline in the greatest city in the world. plus, it will look like you cost a fortune to ensure they have a good time! because south branch is set in the business district, being a saturday night, everything surrounding us was pretty quiet. when we left to take nighttime pictures, all we could hear through the whole neighborhood was our band rockin it out. it was more important to us that we have good food rather than pretty food, so for us, the only option for our reception was a restaurant. the staff is great and manager erin will make sure that everything is going smoothly every step of the way.
Not only was South Branch an amazing venue, but the wedding coordinator, Erin Carroll, was so amazing, we couldn't be happier with our choice! Erin was so easy to work with, was so...
accomodating every step of the way, and was very responsive. I appreciated her quick replies to my emails and how she worked with us on every request we had. All of our guests were so awed by the fact that our wedding wasn't in just another typical banquet hall. It was a classy, unique Chicago wedding and guests loved being outside. Everything was perfect, including the amazing food. Thank you South Branch!
My husband and I recently were married and chose SBT for our ceremony and reception venue. We had an absolutely wonderful experience working with Erin Carroll and her staff. They...
were professional, attentive and went above and beyond for our day. We could not have asked for a better venue and experience! From the food, to service and everything in between it exceed our expectations!
We planned an August wedding for just over 120 people and had both our ceremony and reception on site. From the initial meeting and visit to the restaurant, to the night of wedding...
, Erin handled everything perfectly and beyond what I could have ever imagined. The outdoor patio is a beautiful setting with gorgeous pots of flowers, trees, and plenty of seating, all along side the river and under the amazing cityscape. The restaurant has great decor, and all the service was exceptional! The food was great, and there are plenty of options in the wedding packages to chose from. I loved the idea of an indoor/outdoor wedding, which is why we chose South Branch, and the weather was perfect on our wedding... I'll give credit to Erin for that, too. Even if the weather is less than perfect, there are indoor options and the setting is much more unique than a typical banquet hall or hotel. The photos of everything in my wedding are stunning and all my guests commented on what a fantastic place this is! We were lucky to book our wedding about 6 months out, but hurry up, this place will catch on and be another that needs to get booked over a year in advance, especially in the summer. I would give my wedding experience 10 stars if I could!
My husband and I hosted a cocktail party here for approximately 200 friends and family following our destination wedding. I could not have imagined a more perfect setting for this ...
celebration! Having the whole restaurant to ourselves was great. We did drinks and appetizers -- the food was delicious (plenty of it), service was wonderful (you didn't have to wait for drinks) and the amazing event planner on staff made pulling together an absolute breeze. Highly recommend it!
We had the most amazing reception at South Branch! Our guests enjoyed a phenomenal meal inside. The party outside was incredible. Everyone was dancing on the outdoor dance floor...
with the skyline of Chicago in the background and the river just a few steps away. Many guests said it was the best wedding they had ever been to and most said it was the most fun they had had in a long time. South Branch did everything was eager to give us everything we wanted from the cocktail hour to the last dance.
Contact
100 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
