A private Wendella event is a boat to yourself on the Chicago River or Lake Michigan, with a custom route, a five-star crew, a full bar, and your choice of nine recommended catering partners (or bring your own). Two boat classes accommodate groups from 40 to 250 guests. This guide covers what is included on every private event, how to choose between the boat classes, what is on the drink menu, who caters, and how to start planning.
Quick Answer: Private Events at a Glance
- Two boat classes: Wendella Class (100–250 guests) and Ouilmette Class (40–90 guests). Chicago Water Taxi is also available for private transportation.
- Departure dock: 400 N Michigan Avenue, by the Wrigley Building at the northwest corner of the DuSable Bridge — see the Getting to the Dock guide
- Route: Custom — chart your voyage on the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, or both
- Bar: Standard or Premium drink package, full-service bartender included
- Food: Nine recommended catering partners, or bring your own caterer
- Décor: Bring your own (florals, signage, playlist) or use Wendella's linens and setup
- To inquire: Email events@wendellaboats.com or call (312) 337-1446 — or visit the Private Events page
What Is Included on Every Private Event
Four things come with every Wendella private charter:
- Chicago weather-ready boat. The fleet is weather-proof. Your event continues whatever the forecast does.
- Five-star crew. Professional bartender, savvy crew, and full cleanup. You bring the guests, the crew handles the rest.
- Route of choice. Wendella helps you chart a custom voyage on the river, the lake, or both.
- Deck it out. Bring your playlist, florals, signage, and other personal touches, or use Wendella's linens and setup. The boat becomes yours.
Choose Your Boat: Two Classes
| Boat Class | Capacity | Best For | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendella Class | 100–250 guests | Large corporate events, weddings, milestone celebrations | Indoor climate-controlled main cabin with full-service bar in polished wood and brass; open-air decks and indoor lounges; option to dress lower-level tables with navy blue tablecloths |
| Ouilmette Class | 40–90 guests | Mid-size gatherings, rehearsal dinners, team outings, intimate celebrations | Open-air upper deck; lower-level open-air lounge that is comfortable and protected from the elements; fully stocked bar |
| Chicago Water Taxi | Varies by boat | Private transportation for group transfers | Different boat sizes and types — useful for shuttling event guests across the river |
What Kinds of Events Work on a Wendella Boat?
Most private celebrations fit, with the right boat class:
Corporate
- Team outings and offsites
- Client appreciation events
- Product launches
- Networking mixers and after-work events
- Holiday parties
Weddings and Romance
- Rehearsal dinners
- Engagement parties
- Welcome parties for out-of-town guests
- Vow renewals
- Wedding ceremonies (subject to schedule and route planning)
Social Celebrations
- Milestone birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Graduation parties
- Bachelor and bachelorette parties
- Family reunions
Themed and Seasonal
- Fireworks-night private parties — see the guide to Wendella's five fireworks cruises
- Holiday celebrations
- Wine and cheese gatherings — modeled on the public Wine & Cheese Cruise
- Custom-themed cruises
The Bar: Two Drink Packages
Every private event includes a full-service bar with a professional bartender. Two package options.
Standard Package
Wine and Champagne: Cabernet, Chardonnay, Malbec, Moët & Chandon Champagne, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc
Beer and Cider: Hop Butcher "Da Boats" Hazy IPA (a Wendella exclusive), Stella Artois Lager, Modelo Especial Lager, Dovetail Kolsch, Michelob Ultra, Revolution Suncrusher, Vander Mill Honeycrisp Cider
Hard Seltzer: High Noon
Non-Alcoholic: Water, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Lemonade, Hot Tea, Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Sam Adams Non-Alcoholic IPA
Premium Package
Adds a full spirits list to the Standard package, including locally made Chicago spirits:
Spirits: Bacardi Rum, Bailey's Irish Cream, Blue Curaçao, Bulleit Bourbon, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Dewar's Scotch, Espolòn Tequila, Cognac, Jack Daniel's Whiskey, Jameson Whiskey, Jeppson's Malört (made in Chicago), Koval Rye Whiskey (made in Chicago), Malibu Rum, Peppermint Schnapps, Tanqueray Gin, Tito's Vodka
Mixers: Lime juice, tonic water, club soda, grenadine, Bloody Mary mix, regular margarita mix, strawberry margarita mix
The Food: Nine Catering Partners (or Bring Your Own)
Wendella partners with nine vetted Chicago caterers who already know the boats and how to set up onboard. You can also bring any caterer you want — the recommended partners are an option, not a requirement.
Dinner and Small Bites
- Blue Plate — chef-crafted menus, seasonal ingredients, full-scale event service
- Lou Malnati's — Chicago deep-dish, family-owned, scratch-made
- Harry Caray's — Italian steakhouse classics with lakefront flair
- Labriola — meatball subs, penne marinara, signature salads, sweet baskets
- Ēma — California-style Mediterranean: green falafel, lamb kebabs, hummus spreads
- 4 Star Restaurant Group — signature flavors from Chicago's favorite restaurants, drop-off or full-service
- Shaw's Crab House — oysters, sushi, crab legs, upscale seafood
- Osteria Via Stato — imported cheeses, veal meatballs, handmade pasta
- Blackwood BBQ — slow-cooked meats, four-hour mac and cheese, Midwestern portions
Dessert
- Molly's Cupcakes — cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookies, made fresh daily
- Stan's Donuts — glazed, filled, frittered, pocketed
When Does a Wendella Private Event Fit?
A Wendella private charter is the right call when:
- You want the boat to yourself — no shared cruise, no other guests
- The Chicago skyline is the venue — not a backdrop you see between conference room walls
- You need a weather-proof venue for an outdoor-feeling event
- Your group is between 40 and 250 people
- You want flexibility on route, catering, and décor without managing 10 separate vendors
- The event would benefit from movement — the boat travels while you celebrate
It is not the right call when your group is under 40 people (too small for either class — consider Wendella's regular cruises with a group booking instead — see the architecture tour guide for public cruise options), when you need a strictly stationary venue, or when you need guaranteed accessibility without coordinating in advance.
How to Plan Your Event
1. Inquire
Send an email to events@wendellaboats.com or call (312) 337-1446 with your date, group size, and event type. Private events are not booked through standard Shopify checkout — they are coordinated with the events team directly. The Private Events page also has an inquiry form you can submit.
2. Choose the Boat Class
Match your group size to the Wendella Class (100–250) or Ouilmette Class (40–90). For private transportation between event sites, Chicago Water Taxi boats are also available.
3. Plan the Route
Decide whether you want the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, or both. The events team helps you chart a custom voyage that fits your timing and the vibe of the event.
4. Pick the Drink Package
Standard or Premium. Premium adds spirits — useful for full cocktail service, classic Chicago Malört shots, or hosted bar at a larger event.
5. Choose Catering
Pick one of the nine recommended partners, mix and match dinner and dessert vendors, or bring your own caterer. The events team coordinates either path.
6. Personalize
Bring florals, signage, your own playlist, decorations. Wendella can provide navy blue linens and basic setup, or you can supply everything yourself.
7. Day-of Arrival
Plan for guests to arrive 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior. The dock is at 400 N Michigan Avenue, at the Wrigley Building, on the northwest corner of the DuSable Bridge. See the Getting to the Dock guide for parking options and transit directions, or read the full guide to reaching Wendella's Michigan Avenue dock.
Accessibility
The Michigan Avenue dock itself is not ADA accessible (62 stairs from street level). The West Dock is ADA accessible by elevator from 400–410 N Michigan Avenue or 401 N Wabash Avenue. Once at river level, both docks have wheelchair-accessible ramps. All Wendella boats have ADA-compliant restrooms. Coordinate accessibility needs with the events team in advance — call (312) 337-1446 so the right boat and dock can be arranged. Full accessibility details on the Accessibility page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can a private Wendella boat hold?
Wendella offers two boat classes for private events. The Wendella Class holds 100 to 250 guests and works best for large corporate events, weddings, and milestone celebrations. The Ouilmette Class holds 40 to 90 guests and suits mid-size gatherings, rehearsal dinners, and intimate celebrations. Chicago Water Taxi is also available for private transportation with varying boat sizes.
What is included in a Wendella private event?
Every private event includes a weather-ready boat, a five-star crew with a professional bartender, a custom route on the river or lake, and the option to bring or use Wendella's linens and basic décor setup. A drink package is selected separately (Standard or Premium), and catering is arranged through one of nine recommended partners or your own caterer.
What kind of food can you have on a Wendella private event?
Wendella works with nine recommended Chicago catering partners covering dinner (Blue Plate, Lou Malnati's, Harry Caray's, Labriola, Ēma, 4 Star Restaurant Group, Shaw's Crab House, Osteria Via Stato, Blackwood BBQ) and dessert (Molly's Cupcakes, Stan's Donuts). You can also bring any caterer you prefer — the recommended partners are an option, not a requirement.
What drinks are included on a Wendella private event?
Every event includes a full-service bar with a professional bartender. The Standard package covers wines, Champagne, beer, cider, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic options including the Wendella-exclusive Hop Butcher "Da Boats" Hazy IPA. The Premium package adds a full spirits list including locally made Jeppson's Malört and Koval Rye Whiskey, plus all mixers needed for cocktail service.
How do you book a Wendella private event?
Email events@wendellaboats.com or call (312) 337-1446 to start. Private events are coordinated directly with the events team rather than booked through the standard online checkout. Provide your preferred date, group size, and event type, and the team will walk you through boat options, route, drink package, and catering.
Where do Wendella private events depart from?
Private events depart from 400 N Michigan Avenue, at the Wrigley Building, on the northwest corner of the DuSable Bridge — the same dock used for Wendella's public cruises. The West Dock, which is ADA accessible by elevator, is also used for many cruises. Guests should plan to arrive 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
Related Reading
If you are still deciding between a private charter and a public cruise booking for a group, these guides cover Wendella's public offerings in detail:
- Chicago Architecture Boat Tour: Choose Your Wendella Experience — for groups interested in narrated architecture cruises
- Chicago Fireworks Cruise Guide — all five fireworks cruises compared, useful if the event is fireworks-night themed
- Wendella Sunset Cruise Guide — for evening event inspiration
- How to Get to Wendella's Michigan Avenue Dock — to share with event guests
- Wendella FAQ — for additional policy and onboard detail
