Best Group Dining Gatherings Restaurants in Motor Row
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
VU Rooftop
22nd-floor rooftop next to McCormick Place with skyline views and shareable plates.
Notable Picks
#1
VU Rooftop
8.3
VU Rooftop is a 22nd-floor lounge above McCormick Place, combining skyline views with a shareable menu of small plates, flatbreads, and cocktails. Guests lean on it for sunset drinks, hotel-adjacent dinners, and pre- or post-event hangs in the South Loop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom Tostadas, Voodoo Popcorn Shrimp, Guanciale & Arugula Flatbread
What makes it special: 22nd-floor rooftop next to McCormick Place with skyline views and shareable plates.
8
Since 2007, Reggies Music Joint has combined a wood-fired grill, craft beer, and live music in a multi-level South Loop venue with a rooftop deck. The Main Stage Burger and a roster of specialty burgers anchor a menu of bar food that fuels concertgoers and sports fans late into the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Main Stage Burger with hand-cut fries, BBQ Bacon Burger, Mushroom Swiss Burger
What makes it special: A long-running bar-and-venue where char-grilled burgers, rock shows, and rooftop hangs share the spotlight.
Across from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena, Fatpour McCormick runs a two-level sports bar with a big beer list and wings built for game-day snacking. Traditional and boneless wings share space with burgers, pizzas, and brunch plates in a loud, screen-lined room that runs late.
Must-Try Dishes:
Traditional Bone-In Wings with Garlic Parmesan or Buffalo, Boneless Chicken Wings with Buttermilk Ranch, Chicken Little Sandwich (Fried Chicken with Wing Sauce)
What makes it special: A bi-level sports bar across from McCormick Place where wings, beer, and wall-to-wall TVs dominate game days.
Across from McCormick Place in the Motor Row corridor, Windy City Ribs & Whiskey focuses on sauced pork ribs, smoked meats, and late-night bar snacks for pre- and post-event crowds. With a full bar, TVs, and long hours, it functions as a casual BBQ-and-whiskey hangout as much as a sit-down rib house.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked Pork Ribs, Whiskey-Glazed Wings, Brisket Platter with Mac & Cheese
What makes it special: Event-adjacent ribs-and-whiskey spot that serves BBQ late into the night.
#5
Il Culaccino
8
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Opened in 2019 near McCormick Place, Il Culaccino offers modern Italian plates, a large wine list, and an outdoor patio steps from Wintrust Arena. It’s used for pre- and post-game dinners, business meals, and nicer nights out when you want polished service without downtown formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Ricotta Tuffo, Linguine with Clam Sauce, Bone-In Berkshire Pork Chop
What makes it special: Modern Italian near McCormick Square with a serious wine list and patio.
Worthy Picks
On Motor Row, Williams Inn functions as a sports bar that happens to bake both thin crust and Chicago-style deep dish alongside wings, burgers, and bar snacks. Pricing runs higher than basic slice counters, but for groups splitting pizzas while watching games steps from McCormick Place, it can still come out as a reasonable per-person spend.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicago Style Deep Dish Cheese Pizza, Thin Crust Cheese Pizza, Turkey Sausage Pizza
What makes it special: Sports-bar setting with a full slate of deep-dish and thin-crust pizzas for pre- and post-game crowds on South Michigan.
7.6
Steps from McCormick Place and Wintrust Arena, La Calle Tacos and Tequila focuses on street-style tacos, simple platters, and tequila drinks for pre- and post-event crowds. It’s a newer, casual option where speed and location matter as much as depth of the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Pastor Tacos
What makes it special: Arena-adjacent taco and tequila spot geared to fast-prep plates and drinks before or after events.