The Forum: Chicago's Lost Landmark Restaurant

The Forum was a legendary restaurant in downtown Chicago, operating from 1913 to 2001 directly across from the Civic Opera House. Renowned for its opulent Art Deco interior — grand staircases, marble columns, and crystal chandeliers — it became a favored haunt of celebrities, politicians, and Chicago's elite. Over its near-century run, The Forum hosted countless gala events, power lunches, and cultural gatherings, cementing its status as a symbol of the city's golden age of dining and entertainment. Its closure marked the end of an era for one of Chicago's most elegant culinary institutions.