Frequently Asked Questions
About Carnivale
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Yes. Carnivale is family-friendly, and children love our colorful, high-energy atmosphere.
We also offer a kids’ menu for our younger guests.
Reservations & Policies
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Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for prime dining hours, weekends,
and select event days. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available.
We accept online reservations for up to 10 guests. For parties of 10 or more, please contact our group dining team at 312.850.5005 ext 3 or submit form
Yes, but it must be a cake purchased from a bakery and be accompanied by the receipt. There is an additional dessert service fee. We also offer customizable cakes through our group sales team.
Yes. We offer both high chairs and booster seats for our younger guests. If you need one,
just let our host or server know and we’ll be happy to accommodate you.
Menu & Dietary Needs
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We offer a variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten‑free options, and our team is happy to
help guide you through the menu. If you have food allergies or specific dietary needs,
please let your server know — we’ll do our best to accommodate any restrictions.
Yes! We have halal options available, plus dishes that can be made halal. Just let your
server know and we’ll take great care of you.
Yes. We offer a variety of mocktails and zero proof- options.
Yes. Our menu features seasonal updates throughout the year, including dedicated
spring, summer, fall, and winter menus that highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients
Absolutely! We offer plenty of pescatarian friendly- dishes — just ask your server for
recommendations.
Entertainment & Experience
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Carnivale features live entertainment on select weekday evenings.
• Thursdays & Fridays: Samba dancers starting at 7 PM
Please note: There is no entertainment on weekends, but the atmosphere is always lively.
Yes! We offer a Happy Hour every Tuesday–Friday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, featuring
50% off select cocktails, beers, and wines. View the full Happy Hour menu here
Performance times can shift slightly, but our entertainers stick to the posted schedule so
you don’t miss a moment of the magic!
Yes, we offer a complimentary birthday dessert for the person celebrating. For anniversaries, we help you celebrate with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
Yes. Our entire restaurant is filled with photo friendly areas and vibrant backdrops. From
bold artwork to colorful décor, Carnivale offers countless photo opportunities throughout
the space.
Location, Parking & Hours
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Carnivale is located at 702 W Fulton Market, in Chicago’s vibrant West Loop/Fulton
Market district.
Yes, valet service is available during all service hours. Additional street parking and nearby parking garages are also available throughout the West Loop.
Yes. Carnivale is fully wheelchair accessible, and accessible tables are available upon
request.
Carnivale is approximately 10 minutes from the United Center by car, making us a great
choice for pre-event dining before concerts, games, or shows.
The closest CTA station to Carnivale is the Morgan Station on the Green and Pink Lines,
just a short walk from the restaurant. The Grand Station on the Blue Line is also nearby and
provides another convenient option for guests arriving via public transit.
Group Dining & Events
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Yes — Carnivale is one of Chicago’s premier event venues. We are proud to host a wide variety of events from corporate events (dinners, meetings, happy hours, retirements, company celebrations), social events (weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries), non-profit events, and more. We can accommodate groups of all sizes – from a small, intimate dinner for 10 guests, to a full-scale, partial or full buyout of the venue for up to 1,200 guests. Contact one of our seasoned event specialists to bring your event to life!
We host private events seven days a week, from morning/afternoon to after-hours. We offer customized menus for all time periods, including breakfast/brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktail party options. Reach out to our Group Dining & Events team, and we’ll help you find the perfect date and time.
We allow groups of up to 20 to order à la carte from the main dining menu. For larger events, we have dedicated menus designed for group service, but many of our signature dishes appear in those selections. Our team will guide you to the best options for your event and customize to your needs.
Yes! We can customize a private event menu as well as a welcome sign tailored to your celebration, including personalized details such as your logo, event name, and specific party information. Our Group Dining & Events team will help you design a menu that fits your vision.
We do not allow helium balloons in our main dining room and adjoining salon spaces due to our high ceilings and safety considerations. We can allow balloons in our fully private space, with approval and advance notice to our Events team.
Yes. We offer several drink package tiers for group dining and private events. Our Private
Events Team can help you choose the best option for your celebration.
We do not provide in-house entertainment for large groups or events; however, we do allow groups to book and bring their own! We have a curated list of preferred entertainment vendors of all types — including performers featured on our regular entertainment nights — and our Events team can connect you with the right partners for your celebration. Please note that outside entertainment is allowed only in our fully private spaces for the comfort of our other guests.
Yes, in our fully private spaces or a full or partial buyout, we are happy to accommodate custom music, including a DJ, band, or playlist of your choice. We do not allow outside/custom music in our semi-private spaces to not disrupt other guests, but we always have a lively house playlist to complete the ambiance. Volume can be adjusted in each space pending your needs.
Yes, a deposit is required to secure your event space. For larger groups, final payment is due 3 days prior to your event date, along with a headcount guarantee. Our Group Dining & Events team is happy to outline payment details for every event request.
Yes. Minimums vary based on the event space, date, and time. Our Private Events Team
can provide specific minimums for your preferred event details.
Yes. We offer both full venue buyouts and semi-private buyout options. Our Events Team
can help determine the best fit for your group size and vision.
Yes. We offer a variety of AV options, including both complimentary and rental-based equipment. For more detailed audio-visual needs, we are happy to provide recommendations on outside vendors to best suit your needs. Your Events Manager will guide you through what’s available in each space.
We are happy to accept all major forms of payment based on what works best for your needs. Our team will provide a secure online payment link for all event deposits and final payments.
We recommend booking as early as possible—especially for peak dates, holidays, and weekends—as space fills quickly. We are always happy to accommodate pop-up and last-minute events when possible as well, and our team is happy to respond quickly with availability, including alternate availability for other dates/times.
Yes. We regularly host corporate meetings, presentations, luncheons, and business dinners. AV packages are available.
Yes. Eligible groups can provide documentation for tax-exempt billing.
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout our event spaces.
Yes. Carnivale hosts wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and
engagement celebrations. Our unique event spaces and vibrant atmosphere create a
stunning backdrop for your special day.
Yes. Carnivale is a popular venue for rehearsal dinners, offering private and semi-private
spaces, customizable menus, and a festive atmosphere.
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