Tucked along the Chicago River in the city’s North Center neighborhood, the River Room at Burning Bush Brewery offers couples a flexible, modern space for their big day. With its industrial charm, river views, and city access, it’s an appealing choice for couples looking to blend urban edge with scenic charm. Whether you’re planning a cozy winter wedding or a summer bash, this venue gives you room to customize your event from start to finish.
The River Room can accommodate a range of guest counts and includes indoor event space that works well year-round—especially important in a city like Chicago. It’s well-suited for couples who want a venue with personality that also allows them to bring in their own style and vendor team.
But what does it actually cost to get married here? The Tulle Together Wedding Pricing Transparency Project is on a mission to collect all of the pricing PDFs for wedding venues across the country. All of the PDFs in our database – 2,500 total and more than 100 in the Chicago area – are contributed by other couples planning their weddings. That means we can walk through the venue costs for you – without you having to email them. Below, we’ve broken down everything in the pricing PDF to help you figure out whether the River Room fits your budget and your vision.
Want to access the original pricing PDF and help estimating your potential cost? Log in to Tulle Together‘s Wedding Pricing Transparency Project to access the full venue pricing PDF and more than 2,500 other pricing PDFs.
Overall Cost Estimate
Let’s start with some total numbers before breaking down each fee individually. We combed through all the pricing details in the PDF to put together some high level quotes using Tulle’s Venue Calculator tool. This tool allows you to put in the most common elements of venue pricing PDFs to figure out the actual total without having to build a complex spreadsheet.
$26,000 for 75 guests on a peak season Saturday
This takes the required venue fees, the 5-hour beverage package, and estimated catering spend of $150 per person, and tax.
$43,000 for 150 guests on a peak season Saturday
This takes the required venue fees, the 5-hour beverage package, and estimated catering spend of $150 per person, the required additional cost for staffing, and tax.
You can calculate the rough estimate of what it would cost to get married at the River Room by using Tulle Together’s Venue Calculator! For the breakdown of the different costs, see below or log in to Tulle Together to access the entire pricing PDF.
Ceremony & Reception Costs at the River Room
The River Room is a single, flexible indoor venue that’s fully customizable for both ceremony and reception. It sits right along the Chicago River and provides a modern industrial backdrop with urban charm. The space supports a range of layouts and guest counts, though exact capacities may vary based on event setup and catering style. It’s ideal for all seasons and includes access for setup three hours before your event begins.
Venue Rental Fees
The River Room uses a straightforward flat-rate pricing model based on the day of the week and the season:
Peak Season (April 1 – November 15):
- Monday–Thursday: $4,500
- Friday: $6,500
- Saturday: $9,000
- Sunday: $6,500
Non-Peak Season (November 16 – March 31):
- Monday–Thursday: $3,500
- Friday: $5,000
- Saturday: $7,000
- Sunday: $5,000
Each rental includes 6 hours of event time, with additional hours available at prorated rates if the schedule allows. You’ll also get 3 hours of setup time beforehand and 1 hour post-event access.
Holiday dates (like New Year’s Eve or holiday Sundays) are priced at Saturday rates or higher, depending on availability.
What’s Included in the Venue Fee
The River Room rental fee includes:
- 6 hours of exclusive event time
- 3-hour setup window and 1-hour teardown
- Basic staffing: 1 bartender and 1 busser for events up to 50 guests; 2 bartenders and 1 busser for 50–100 guests
Additional access (day-before setup, etc.) may be available for an extra fee, based on availability.
Not included: Catering, bar packages, additional rentals (tables, chairs, linens), or extended staffing needs for large events.
Catering Fees
The River Room works with several preferred caterers (including Paramount Events, Blue Plate, and Brix Catering). You’ll need to coordinate directly with them for food pricing. Expect full-service catering in Chicago to range from $150–$300 per guest, depending on your menu and service level.
The River Room does have a required in-house beverage package, however. Here’s a look at their fees, which vary depending on the package you select.
Bar packages are flexible and priced by duration and tier. All packages require a 3-hour minimum and include 2 signature drinks. The pricing goes up incrementally and you can select 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, or 6 hours, but we’ve included just the 3 hour pricing and 6 hour pricing below.
Wine & Beer Only:
- 3 hours: $28/person
- 6 hours: $40/person
Bronze (basic liquor):
- 3 hours: $32/person
- 6 hours: $47/person
Silver (mid-tier brands):
- 3 hours: $37/person
- 6 hours: $52/person
Gold (premium brands):
- 3 hours: $43/person
- 6 hours: $61/person
Optional add-ons:
- Champagne Toast: $8/person
- Dinner Table Wine: $10/person
- Non-alcoholic package: $20/person
- Hard seltzers or cider: $500 flat
- Alcohol substitutions: $250 each
Staffing fees apply for larger events, particularly those with over 100 guests.
How much could your total wedding cost be if you got married at the River Room?
When you factor in everything — from venue fees to vendor costs — Tulle Together’s Cost Forecast Tool projects that the total budget of wedding at the River Room could land around $92,000 if you forgo a wedding planner and depending on your guest count (this estimates a 150 person guest count on a peak-season Saturday), design scope, and other vendor selections. This estimate factors in a range of typical wedding expenses beyond the venue & catering itself, helping couples get a realistic view of what their wedding might actually cost before making any commitments. Of course, someone could spend more or less than this (especially if you go with off-season pricing and significantly less guests!) – but it’s an average estimate for what that total wedding cost could look like.
The Cost Forecast Tool is just one of Tulle Together’s budgeting resources. On the website, you’ll find a variety of budget tools designed to help couples plan out their total wedding costs before they book anything. Whether you’re estimating expenses, tracking your spending, or looking for real venue pricing, Tulle Together’s tools provide a transparent approach to wedding budgeting—so you can plan confidently and avoid unexpected surprises. Sign up here for a smarter way to plan your wedding!
Final Thoughts
Couples love the River Room for its modern vibe, riverfront location, and DIY-friendly approach to planning. With flexible drink packages and an open approach to catering (through vetted partners), it’s a great option for creative couples who want a city wedding with character. Just be sure to factor in all the extras—like rentals and staffing—to get a true picture of the cost.
Tulle is here to make wedding budgeting clearer, one venue at a time. Want pricing breakdowns for more venues like this? Explore the full collection on Tulle Together’s Wedding Pricing Transparency Project.
Photo Credit: The River Room Pricing PDF
