FAQ
WE REALLY LIKE WHAT WE SEE. WHEN CAN WE COME IN FOR A TOUR?
We give tours by appointment only. Monday-Thursday evening between 4pm and 10pm is ideal. Saturdays and Sundays between 11:30am and 3:30pm are options, as well.
YOUR SPACE FITS OUR STYLE PERFECTLY. HOW CAN WE RESERVE A DATE?
You can put a 14 day courtesy hold on any one available date you'd like. This must be done in writing via email. The hold starts the day you see Ovation in person. Once two weeks has passed, if there's another party interested in the same date, you will have 48 hours to make your decision.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED LIST OF CATERERS?
No. You are free to use any licensed and insured caterer you'd like. We're happy to point you in the direction of those who continually go above and beyond. Once you lock your caterer in, we will share with them our rules and regulations, outlining what is expected of them while working in our space.
WHAT IS YOUR RENTAL PERIOD?
You have access at 12 noon and and can host up to a seven hour event. The recommended event duration is six hours, which is the norm for Chicago weddings. Monday-Friday events can begin at 6pm or later.
WHAT IS THE PARKING SITUATION AROUND OVATION?
We have a private, gated lot that will hold about twenty cars. We encourage you to invite your elderly and/or handicapped guests to park in these spaces. There is abundant (and free!) street parking in the immediate area but if you really want to enjoy yourselves, don't drive. We're right off Western so you can Uber it in no time flat.
WHAT IS THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF YOUR SPACE?
We've got about 5500sf of main event space and 2000sf of staging space (prep kitchen, green room, private washroom, etc.). Goldilocks approach: Not too big, not too small. Just right.
WHAT IS YOUR CAPACITY?
We can host 200 for a sit down dinner or 250 for a cocktail style reception.
WE ENJOY GOOD BEER. DO WE HAVE TO USE OUR CATERER'S BAR PACKAGE?
Absolutely not. We're BYO. Give Prestige or Grand & Western Liquors a jingle and create a drink package that reflects your personalities. They'll reimburse you for anything that wasn't consumed. No brainer.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT A DJ FROM STYLE MATTERS IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL RATE. HOW DOES THAT WORK?
This is a very important part of our process. Around three months prior to your event, we will start determining who the best fit for your party might be. Style Matters is a large collective, and you're going to have a lot of options. We want your party to be the one that everyone talks about when it's all said and done. The DJ can help make that happen and it's imperative that we find the best possible fit for your party.
OUR PARTY IS MID-SUMMER. DO YOU HAVE AIR CONDITIONING?
Yes, we put way more HVAC in our space than was needed.
WE'RE HOSTING OUR SOIREE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER. WHERE WILL OUR GUESTS PUT THEIR COATS?
With us at our coat check, of course.
HOW MANY TABLES, CHAIRS, AND HIGHBOYS DO YOU HAVE?
25 8' tables, 4 4' tables, 8 24" highboy/cabarets, 2 30" highboy/cabarets.
WHEN CAN WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE SPACE THE DAY OF OUR EVENT?
Noon. We're not morning people.
THAT STEINWAY OF YOURS IS STUNNING. CAN WE USE IT?
That's why it's here. You're welcome to have any trained pianist use the Steinway.
WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF GUESTS IN WHEELCHAIRS. ARE YOU WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Absolutely. We even have a section of the bar designed for guests in wheelchairs. Everything is on the ground floor, as well.
WE NEED WIFI THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF OUR EVENT.
No problem, there's lighting fast Wifi in the entire building.
THE LAST WEDDING I ATTENDED HAD THREE SINGLE STALL RESTROOMS.
Yeah, isn't that a joke? There are four stalls in both our mens and womens bathrooms and our clients have their own private washroom.
CAN WE BRING OUR DOG TO OUR EVENT?
For a short time, you bet.
HOW MANY EVENTS PER DAY DO YOU HOLD?
Just one. Yours.
DO YOU HAVE AN OUTDOOR SPACE?
No, but our sister space (Greenhouse Loft) does.
WE WANT TO HAVE FOOD TRUCKS, CAN THEY PARK OUT FRONT?
After seeing Chef, how could we say no? Do it.
WE'D REALLY LIKE TO HAVE A BAND PERFORM AT OUR EVENT. IS THAT ALLOWED?
Indeed.
YOUR RATES ARE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE BUT WHAT ADDITIONAL FEES MIGHT WE INCUR?
None. All applicable state and federal taxes are built in to the rental rate and there are no additional or hidden fees. We take 50% down and the remaining balance about a month out.
HOW IS OVATION A PART OF THE GREEN INITIATIVE?
- We have geothermal heating
- All caterers must separate recyclables from trash
- We prohibit caterers from serving bottled water
- We provide hand rolled towels in the restrooms
- We clean and re-use candle votives
- The majority of our lighting is LED
- There are electric car charging stations going in this spring
- We have an abundance of natural light, eliminating the need for lights to be on during the day
- All of our tables, the bar, DJ booth, and 30' countertop are made out of reclaimed materials
- We use primarily eco-friendly cleaning supplies
DO YOU TAKE COMMISSIONS FROM OTHER VENDORS?
No. Not how we roll.
WE'VE BOOKED OVATION AND WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT ROOM BLOCKS AT LOCAL HOTELS. HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?
Yes. The Robey, Ace, and Freehand are Ovation's go-tos for adventurous travelers.
CAN WE BRING IN ADDITIONAL DECOR? WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING IT UP AND WHEN WOULD THAT HAPPEN?
Yes, you can bring your own decor. You will be responsible for setting it up and tearing it down. If there's not an event happening in the building the night before yours, you are welcome to come in the day before.
CAN WE HOLD A SHORT REHEARSAL THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT?
Yes, provided nobody else has rented the space the night before your event. There is a $250/hr fee.
YOUR AMENITIES LIST INCLUDES "CANDLE TREATMENT". WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
We will provide small candles in small votives and place them along the window sill. We will also provide mercury and hurricane glasses on the highboys, coffee tables, and end tables. You are responsible for bring in your own decor for the dining tables.
OVATION LOOKS LIKE IT HOSTS A LOT OF WEDDINGS. WHAT ABOUT CORPORATE FUNCTIONS?
Because weekend dates book so far in advance, we host primarily weddings on Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays. In the short time we've been open, we've already hosted groups like Facebook, Uber, HBO, Make-A-Wish, VICE, Tesla, Adidas, Stephanie Izard, Honda, Tanqueray, and ABC.