Hoping someone can help me out here.  I am working with a skeptic organization to organize an event and we are having difficulty finding an appropriate venue.

We need a free or cheap space for roughly 30 -40 people in Chicago or the near 'burbs.  Part of the event is a demonstration involving food that is from a very specialized menu so we want to bring in our own food.  We'd like to have alcohol available as well.

Most of the places I've found have a room charge of $500 or more OR require that we purchase from their menu or contracted caterer which is not really an option. 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, all!