The Wellsley
The Wellsley stands out as a glamorous, 1920s Gatsby-inspired venue with moody, photogenic interiors, multiple rooms, and a striking red-velvet lounge—ideal for weddings, welcome parties, birthdays, and other polished group events. Guests regularly praise the attentive event team, seamless coordination, and Boka Catering, while one recurring caution is inconsistency in the food: some rave about beautifully plated French-bistro dishes, but others found the mussels and entrées bland and overpriced.
What 216 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“As a wedding photographer, I’m always looking for spaces that elevate both the experience and the imagery, and The Wellsley delivers effortlessly. The space is stunning, with dark, moody lighting that creates depth and emotion in every frame. The rich color tones photograph beautifully, adding a sense of warmth and sophistication that feels both editorial and timeless. Every corner feels intentional. What truly sets it apart are the multiple rooms, each offering a distinct backdrop. It gives you variety without ever leaving the venue, which is a dream on a wedding day timeline. If you care about atmosphere, design, and how your photos will feel years from now, this space is it. I cannot wait to return to this venue! IG:LaurenAshleyStudios”
“As a wedding photographer, I absolutely loved working at this venue. It has a stunning 1920s Gatsby-inspired style, lots of beautiful light, and incredibly photogenic interiors. The second floor lounge with the red velvet curtains and sofas is next-level — truly unforgettable. The food was excellent, the service was amazing, and the coordinator kept everything running perfectly. Highly recommend this venue for anyone looking for a stylish, elegant, and unique space for their wedding or event.”
“We had the pleasure of working at The Wellsley on several recent weddings. The venue, itself, is stunning: a warm and inviting space that gives an intimate wedding a very classic and grand feel. Raphaella, our point of contact is fantastic, always communicating clearly with our events team, accommodating the couple’s questions and needs, and making sure everything ran smoothly. Raphaella’s professionalism and attention to detail made the events seamless, and we truly enjoy collaborating with her and the rest of The Wellsley's team. Looking forward to the next one!”
“Fantastic venue. Extremely professional. From the beginning planning stages to the day of our event this team is top notch. I can’t say enough good things about all of them. They cleaned the sidewalks before our guests arrives and had everything in tip top shape. Staff was helpful and friendly and they truly know events and whatnot takes to make them successful.”
“My fiancé and I had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding here, and it was absolutely breathtaking. This was my first visit to Chicago, and the venue was truly top-notch. A beautiful setting for a memorable occasion!”
“Randomly came across this French restaurant and decided to give it a try. Walking in the ambiance is warm, busy, sophisticated, yet simple. Our server was very attentive and informative about the menu. We came for our anniversary so we were welcomed with two glasses of champagne. The food was absolutely delicious and this restaurant is underrated in my opinion. Every single thing we had tasted was of quality. The wine pairings were on point as well. My only complaint is the menu is fairly limited. I would probably come back here next for drinks because the bar looks like a nicely designed and decorated one that seats many. Overall a 12/10 experience.”
“Lovely place has a buzzing vibe. Impeccable service...very friendly and helpful staff. Food is typical brasserie fare. Fine, but not the best.”
“excellent vibes and customer service. the staff was incredible, namely Ingrid, who went above and beyond for me! the bar staff was so patient and efficient.”
“This venue is 10/10!! We had our wedding welcome party here and it was the best venue we could have ever hoped for. It is so classy and elegant while also modern and sexy. The service and management is an absolute dream to work with! Eric and Brian went above and beyond to make sure that we and our guests had the most amazing night. They were flexible, accommodating, and just outstanding hospitality professionals. Whatever type of event you are looking for, stop looking. Book the Wellsley.”
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