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Envent
Rating Details »
Categories: Venues & Event Spaces, Party & Event Planning
Neighborhoods: West Loop, Near West Side1376 W Carroll
Chicago, IL 60686
(312) 239-2350
- Nearest Transit:
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Ashland (Pink, Green)
5 reviews for Envent
Recently caught the Urb Magazine Chicago party advertised as having hosted open bar from 10pm-2am at Envent, but the organizers had the party throwing skills of a 14-year old whose parents have left town for the first time!
The venue itself is quite remarkable, featuring a giant parking lot to pitch up giant tents or set up trucks and displays of all kinds as well as giving room for people to smoke so they wouldn't try to smoke inside. Unfortunately, the event organizers botched up the event by moving the entrance to the back end of the loft space, then proceeded to make people wait in line for well over two hours to get into the venue.
Once I climbed the short steps to get in, I found a giant commercial loft space quickly packing with a few hundred people. There was a good sound system, and of course for this giant mob of people thirsty for their recessionary free beer and only one bar with three bartenders working. This shoddy event planning is no fault of Envent, but if you are going to throw a party with free beer for hundreds of people, you best properly staff the joint!
There were inadequate amounts of garbage cans for the amount of trash that was there, and people began stacking cups and piling bottles anywhere near anything that resembled a flat surface and or garbage receptacle.
As for the bathrooms, it was a guaranteed debacle. Looking at a mens washroom line of over 15 deep, a few of my friends took off into the alleys to take care of business. I on the other hand found the secret extra washroom by conveniently opening a janitor's closet!
Good lord, Envent! If you are going to let people use up your commercial loft space, you should give them a quick 101 on how to throw an event without making it a giant endless circus of waiting in long lines!
I have a real problem with this place. I went here for a New Year's Eve bash that was being thrown by Loop Apparel and the entire night was a disaster. I've already corresponded with the representative at Loop Apparel and I feel that Xchange West is hugely to blame for this event. I am just going to list out the issues.
1) Coat Check: 6 people in line and it still took me 20 minutes to get through the line. There were not enough hangers for everyone (think 100 hangers for 650 coats - it's Chicago, everyone has coats in December). At the end of the night we had to individually rummage through piles of coats on the floor.
2) Drinks: We were promised beer tubs (classy, huh?) and 5 bars. There were 3 bars and the lines for each were at least 30 minutes. When we finally got served we were told to go to another bar for beer. Are you kidding? My friend got one round of beer before she was told that they were out. Who runs out of beer? There was no champagne toast either.
3) Bathrooms: One word port-a-john. Yes, they put massive port-a-johns in a dark hole of a room so we could hike up our pretty dresses and sit in a dark, unknown hole.
4) Food: Crap. Simple as that. I saw about 3 trays go around all night and the poor waitresses were attacked as they walked around.
This is just a small list of the entire night. My understanding is that no one was happy. I reviewed this event under Loop Apparel: NYE Event if you'd like to see more detail. It is sad that Loop Apparel has to take the hit for this clearly irresponsible company. I waited almost a week to do this to see if my feelings would change and they haven't. I am also contacting Xchange West directly.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Went here for a private Halloween party last night. Great space!!! You could probably do so much with it because it is like a blank space. Hardwood floor throughout, clean bathrooms, and good open layout. If you are considering a private event, def. check them out.
Pro - ALOT of parking available on the street
Con - No cabs available though!
I came here for an after party for the Gen Art Fashion Show. The venue was decorated pretty cool. It is a great urban raw space with exposed brick and high ceilings.
Since everything was brought in through various vendors, there isn't much more to say except that the space is very cool!
Great space, huge! But if you are going to have an event larger than 200+, make sure you scope out the bathroom situation. For the event that I attended, the line was very long.
And I understand that the venue is like a blank canvas but come on, you must have more furniture somewhere that people renting the space can use. The space is HUGE. Location is just ok as well.
On a final note, I know my friend throwing a party had a few issues with the coordinators. Ultimately they came to a compromise, but make sure you get all your issues/questions answered before anything is signed. That goes for anything in life.
