Venue Rentals

A Place for Any Occasion

Built in 1893, the Newberry Library is a historic venue in the heart of Chicago. A recent renovation restored our building’s original architectural details while adding new versatile event spaces. The Newberry is now a gathering place for a variety of occasions.

Non-Profit and Academic Events

Host your non-profit or academic event at one of the leading humanities research libraries in the world.

Corporate Events

Entertain clients or treat your staff to a unique experience at the Newberry. We accommodate cocktail galas, holiday parties, and award ceremonies, as well as conferences, board meetings, and client events.

Social Events, Celebrations, and Ceremonies

We know how to throw a party. Our spaces can serve as the perfect venue for birthday parties, engagement celebrations, recitals, wedding ceremonies, and other special occasions.

Image of the interior Front Entrance Hall to the Newberry Building, a red granite walled stairway leading up to a glass doorway. The ceiling is barrel vaulted in the front hall; in the arch above the doorway is the representation a map and its compass rose.

Spaces and Pricing

Guests are seated around a candle-lit stage in the center of Ruggles Hall. On the stage, musicians are performing underneath the chandeliers.
Candelight Concert, 2019. Photo by Chris Monaghan

Ruggles Hall is our largest and most elegant event space, with expansive windows, a herring-bone hardwood floor, and vintage chandeliers. It is an ideal setting for gala dinners, cocktail receptions, lectures, performances, and fundraising events.

Dimensions: 65’ L x 48’ W

Total area: 3,120 sq ft

Capacities:

  • 150 guests for lecture style with perimeter reception
  • 208 guests for a seated dinner or program
  • 250 guests for a strolling reception or cocktails
  • 160 guests for events with a cocktail hour in our lobby

Pricing guide and floor plan

The Newberry lobby set up for a cocktail party. There are tables with red tablecloths and standing cocktail tables with white tablecloths throughout the lobby. In the background, under the chandelier, is the entrance to the Newberry bookshop.
The Newberry lobby, set up for a cocktail party. Photo by Maddie Blecha

Restored in 2018, our lobby boasts 19th-century grandeur with recessed lighting, marble staircases, chandeliers, and original mosaic floors. The lobby’s central location also offers easy access to exhibition galleries and other event spaces, making it an ideal space for registration or check-in tables, or a post-conference reception.

Possibilities for this space include event registration/check-in, evening cocktail receptions, networking events, and photography shoots.

Dimensions: 32’ L x 52’ W

Total area: 1,258 sq ft

Capacities:

  • 80 guests for a seated dinner or program
  • 160 guests for a strolling reception or cocktails

Pricing guide and floor plan

Baskes Boardroom set up in a conference seating style. Rolling chairs are placed around a U-shaped table. The room has three large windows and two pillars.
Baskes Boardroom. Photo by Tom Rossiter

Our newly designed boardroom is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for modern board and business meetings. This adaptable space can serve as a learning environment for organizations, academic groups, and businesses. It’s also suitable for networking and social events.

Dimensions: 34’ L x 37’ W

Total area: 1,258 sq ft

Capacities:

  • 50 guests for lecture style with perimeter reception
  • 80 guests for a seated dinner or program
  • 100 guests for a strolling reception or cocktails

Pricing guide and floor plan

Rettinger Hall set up with lecture-style seating. A podium is at the front. Behind the podium are three large windows.
Rettinger Hall. Photo by Tom Rossiter

Rettinger Hall has large windows looking out onto Washington Square Park, original marble flooring, and customizable recessed colored uplights. Rettinger is a welcoming space for dinner parties, cocktail receptions, networking events, breakout sessions, teambuilding events, and workshops.

Dimensions: 51’ L x 27’ W

Total area: 1,377 sq ft

Capacities:

  • 50 guests for lecture style with perimeter reception
  • 80 guests for a seated dinner or program
  • 100 guests for a strolling reception or cocktails

Pricing guide and floor plan

Our conference rooms are our most affordable rental spaces available. All five conference rooms are equipped with chairs, tables, and AV systems.

Possibilities for the conference rooms include small meetings, workshops, seminars, and trainings.

Capacities:

  • Room B84: Up to 24 guests seated around tables; up to 22 guests seated lecture style
  • Room B82: Up to 24 guests seated around tables; up to 22 guests seated lecture style
  • Room B91: Up to 18 guests seated around tables; up to 22 guests seated lecture style
  • Room B92: Up to 18 guests seated around tables
  • Room B94: Up to 14 guests seated around tables

Pricing guide

Learn More

Have Questions?

Get in Touch

Contact us at (312) 255-3595 or via email.