About Chicago’s Most Creative Venue Space

FAQs

General FAQs

What is Catalyst Ranch?
We are a creative meeting and event venue located in the old meatpacking district of Chicago called the West Loop, our version of the SOHO district of NYC. Bordering the west edge of downtown, right off the main expressway connection to both airports, we are housed inside lofted wood-beamed buildings dating to the 1880s. Our spaces are furnished with a mix of vintage and ethnic furnishings with lots of natural light and verdant plant-life. The welcoming spaces break down barriers and foster new ideas and conversations. You can learn a bit about our unique philosophy here.  We are a woman-owned business and were a pioneer in this industry when we opened in 2002.
How many rooms do you have?

Catalyst Ranch has a total of 5 meeting rooms (Polka, Tango, Mambo, Foxtrot, and Jitterbug) located at 656 W Randolph Street 4E and 5E.

How big are the rooms?

Polka is 1,700 sq feet,
Jitterbug is 1,400 sq feet,
Mambo is 1,100 sq feet,
Foxtrot is 300 sq feet,
and Tango is 300 sq feet.

Take a look at our Tour page for floor plans and virtual tours!

What are your room capacities?

You can find the capacities and floor plans of all of our rooms on our tour page! There are different capacities for meetings and for events. 

Is your space handicap accessible?

Yes, we are fully accessible now!

What are your Covid safety guidelines?

Catalyst Ranch adheres to CDC and City of Chicago guidelines and restrictions when it comes to precautions and capacity limits at any given time. There are currently no capacity restrictions or social distancing requirements. Masks are only required for individuals who are not fully vaccinated but each client can set guidelines based on what they feel comfortable with and our staff will honor those requests. Our staff is fully vaccinated. Find out more about our Covid-19 precautions here!

How do I book a tour?
Just give us a call at (312) 207-1710 or submit an inquiry here and we’ll get right back to you!
Is there parking at your location?

There is some street parking in front of our building but we recommend and validate for an indoor parking garage located at 180 N. Jefferson for 12 hours for $12. Click here to see more information on parking and directions.

What are your hours?

Catalyst Ranch is open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday for standard office hours. Our hours fluctuate depending on the needs of specific meetings and events. Meetings and events may be booked any day of the week.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, Venmo, CashApp, and all major credit cards. However, we do a require a credit card on file for all bookings.

Meeting FAQs

What kind of meetings can I host at Catalyst Ranch?

Catalyst Ranch is happy to host any kind of meeting or conference from strategic planning, to focus groups, team buildings, retreats, ideations, brainstorming sessions or anything else you and your business need.

Can you host a Hybrid Meeting?
Yes, we can! Find out more about our hybrid capabilities here.
Are you a Focus Group Facility as well?
We sure are! We can help you out with your market research needs in Chicago. Our spaces are particularly conducive to breaking down barriers and getting people talking. With have rooms with mirrors and without, depending on your needs. Find out more about our focus group capabilities here.
How much is your room rental for a meeting?

This may vary based on your meeting requirements, but check out here (on page 4) to see a breakdown of our average pricing compared to similar venues.

What’s included in the room rental for a meeting?

Your room rental includes the space, unlimited hot and cold beverages, snack services, audio visual equipment, office supplies and tech support. Check out our Meetings Nuts & Bolts sheet for more information on what comes with a Catalyst Ranch meeting.

What Meeting AV and meeting supplies are included in your rooms?

Complimentary with your room* are an LCD Projector and screen, stereo and sound system, flip charts, and white boards. We also stock each room with all the office supplies you might need as well as some you probably never thought of!

*The Foxtrot room contains a 37” HD TV, white board, and flip charts.

Can I provide my own catering for my meeting?

All of our meeting meals are catered by Tri-Star. The menus provide a wide range of mouth-watering options and home baked desserts. You can see the current menu here.

Will there be other people there during my meeting?

Multiple meetings may take place on the same day so it is possible that other groups will share the common spaces on the floor with you but the room is yours and the doors can be closed for privacy. 

Can you help me with my Meeting Planning or with finding a facilitator for my meeting?
Our favorite aspect of our jobs is helping our clients plan their best meeting ever! We’re here to brainstorm with you and problem-solve your challenges. And over our past 18+ years of business, we’ve met quite the assortment of talented facilitators and we’re happy to share our recommendations with you. If you want it to be even easier than that, try one of our turn-key Meeting Bundles which include facilitation, activities, meals at a flat-rate price. You can find details here.
Can you help me with teambuilding activities?

Sure thing! Energizers, ice breakers and team building activities play an important role in any meeting and we’ve curated a nice assortment that’s easy to plug into any meeting. Check out the options here.

Events FAQs

What kind of event can I host at Catalyst Ranch?
Catalyst Ranch is happy to host weddings, micro-weddings, mitzvahs, milestone birthday parties, bridal & baby showers, fundraisers, music events, bachelorette parties and so much more! Just ask us! If you just want to throw a turnkey event with minimal planning, check out the Catalyst Ranch Dinner Parties option here. They’re perfect for any sort of gathering whether it’s for a special occasion or just to get together with family and friends in a living room that’s not your own and without the hassles or prep or clean-up.
How much is your room rental for an event?
Event rentals vary by the type and duration of the event. You can find all the pricing here.
What’s included in the room rental for an event?

Your private event room rental includes the fully furnished and decorated room and private access to the common spaces on the floor. There is no need to source or pay for any table or chair rentals.

Can I bring in my own decorations?

You are welcome to bring in your own decorations to supplement what is already here within the space. Please ask us for specific guidelines on what is or is not allowed within our spaces (ie. confetti and glitter are a no-no).

Will there be other people there during my event?

We only allow one special event per space so your event will be private!

Can I bring my own catering for my event?

Full catered meals must be provided by one of our wide variety of preferred caterers that can be found here.

Can I do drop-off catering for my event?

Drop-off catering is an option and many of our preferred caterers provide that service as well. If drop-off catering is used, we do require that one of our staff be engaged to handle service and clean-up.

Can I serve alcohol at my event?

Catalyst Ranch does not have a license to serve but all of our caterers are licensed and insured and can provide alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages for your event.

Best Place in Chicago for Meetings and Events 2006
Best Place in Chicago for Meetings and Events 2012
Best Place in Chicago for Meetings and Events 2013
Best Place for Small Businesses