A Guide to Summer team bonding events in Chicago: Not Your Standard Corporate Party
Acknowledge your team’s great work and Skip the stuffy corporate gathering this spring. book an out-of-the-box experience that will engage and delight your team.
Smart and empathetic managers know the importance of team bonding on culture productivity in the office.
Corporate team bonding activities build trust and strengthen interpersonal communication, cultivates creativity and lifetime learning, and creates healthy competition, just to name a few. Additionally, a team bonding activity outside the confines of the physical office space and with cross functional team members serving a different role than the do in the workplace, can help teams understand individuals strengths and interests by working together on a problem in a different context.
Team building activities are known to reduce burn-out symptoms, which an alarming 59% of Millennials and 58% of Gen Zers have reported experiencing in 2023. When employees are burnt out, they are much more likely to feel unsatisfied with their job, and 50% more likely to seek out another company with a company culture they identify with better.
In order to recruit and retain top talent, the best company leaders and HR departments seek out corporate outings that have a team bonding activity component to them, in order to create a strong culture.
As the weather finally starts to warm up in Chicago, team leaders are looking for fun ways to reinforce valuable colleague relationships, boost moral in the office, and support company Culture. We’ve done the research, and put together a list of the best corporate team bonding activities in Chicago, so you don’t have to.
Royal Palms: Rooftop Shuffle Board Bar
Photo Courtesy of Royal Palms Chicago
Photo Courtesy of Royal Palms Chicago
Photo Courtesy of Royal Palms Chicago
Why you’ll Love Royal Palms:
The Lido Deck reopens in May! Team members can head up to Royal Palms’ rooftop deck to play a round, grab a drink, and some vitamin D (don’t forget the sunscreen)
Great package options for large groups. Royal Palms is primarily a first come first serve for groups less than 10, but have 2-3 hour court and cabana rentals in incremental party size from 10-15, to 46-100. Lido Deck is also first come first serve, but there is a 3 hour rooftop reservation buy out option which is best for parties around 75.
Details about Royal Palm:
Food? Royal Palm has a food truck program where rotating Chicago food trucks come and offer catering packages and pre-orders for larger groups.
Drinks? Royal Palm has three different per person beverage packages including local beers and cocktails.
Where to book? See rates and book a party here.
Big Mini Putt Club: Indoor mini golf
Photo Courtesy of Big Mini Putt Club
Photo Courtesy of Big Mini Putt Club
Photo Courtesy of Big Mini Putt Club
Why you’ll Love Big Mini Putt Club:
Play a nostalgic game of mini golf, but add cocktails! The skilled bartenders at Mini Putt Club craft fun and instagram-able cocktails and mocktails to sip on while you play your round of grown-up indoor mini golf, or just hang out at the bar. They even have rotating boozy slushie flavors! 2.5 hour unlimited drink packages are available.
Indoor Mini Golf can be enjoyed in temperamental Chicago weather. Even if we get a 'second’ or ‘third’ winter, your team can still have a great time playing at Chicago’s first specially designed indoor course.
Details about Mini Putt club:
Food? Mini Putt Club does not have their own kitchen, but carryout from one of the many local restaurants is allowed.
Drinks? Mini Putt Club serves cocktails, draft and can beer and cider, wine, and mocktails.
Where to book? Book your next party and drink package for 14-40 people here.
Art Room Events: Murder Mystery Party
During the Art Room Events Murder Mystery Experience, guests are encouraged to get into character for the duration of the experience. Working together to solve a murder creates healthy competition and strengthens interpersonal communication.
Why you’ll love Art Room Events:
Host at one of our stylized partner venues or at your own office. Art Room Events has partnerships with speakeasy lounges, art deco bars, and historic landmarks in Chicago. You decide what venue makes the most sense for your team and your budget.
Pick from our highly rated themes and scripts or build something completely new and custom. You choose your experience, and Art Room Events will take care or organizing every detail, from personalized character descriptions, essential costume activities, and certificates for games winner. Art Room Events always has a staff member present to facilitate your event.
Details about Art Room Events:
Food? Depending on the chosen venue, A la cart or party menus available
Drinks? This is a cocktail party experience. If hosting at your office, Art Room Events can assist with bar tending service. Art Room Events can also provides venue assistance for liquor licensed venues
Where to book? Head over to Art Room Event’s website to get started on your personalized quote for your next corporate event.
Speakeasy With a Murderous spin
Cross functional team-members get name tags and are transported to a prohibition-era inspired, 1920's Interactive Speakeasy environment to solve a who-done-it mystery! Inspired by the Dil Pickle Club, a historic speakeasy, cabaret and theater operating between 1917 and 1935, this murder mystery event will transport your group to Chicago’s bohemian renaissance. Guests will weave their way through details of an untimely death, meeting characters inspired by the socialites, brothel owners, bootleggers, radicals, and artists of the Dil Pickle Club.
Events like Art Room Event’s Murder Mystery Experiences tend to expand perspectives, diversify the strengths of all team members by sharing the workload, and most importantly it makes work fun!
Hawaiian luau turns grim
Your company is invited to mourn famous Hawaiian news reporter Lisa Wu’s death by gathering in traditional colorful garb to talk about the deceased life over dinner and Tiki cocktails. What guests don’t know is that secrets and questions from Lisa’s past could arise from this dinner.
Guests will search for answers while making sure to not become one with Lisa on the other side. This Hawaiian culture-inspired event is perfect for the Tiki boat, but can happen on shore or inside at one of our Tiki themed event venue partners.
Team building events like Art Room Event’s Murder Mystery parties are thrilling and engaging for the whole team. Sharing memories and working towards a common goal are great ways to connect your team of any size.
Acebounce: a ping pong bar
Photo Courtesy of Acebounce
Photo Courtesy of Acebounce
Photo Courtesy of Acebounce
Why you’ll Love Acebounce:
Themed private and semi-private event rooms available. With a total venue capacity of 550, and the multiple spaces for a variety of group sizes and needs, Acebounce can accommodate and entertain your team.
Good variety of ‘Shareable’ crowd pleasing appraisers. No need to go anywhere else for food, drinks, and pong!
Details about Acebounce:
Food? Acebounce serves a variety of appetizers, tacos, and pizza. They also have a happy hour menu weekdays 4-7pm.
Drinks? Acebounce serves beer, wine, and cocktails.
Where to book? Book your team a private party room here.
Book Your Corporate outing Party
Spring is here, and that’s a great reason for party planning! No matter how big your team, it’s never too early to start planning your company party. Reach out today for more information about our themed murder mystery packages, group bookings, or upcoming pop-up events.
