a man and a woman standing in a room
people standing in line
paintings on the wall
entrance
people looking at artwork
people looking at artwork
people shopping
a wedding cake
tables and chairs
Reception
The Helm Room
I
interior
Cheese burger & homemade fries
Chili bread bowl
Half sandwich & soup
The owner Orin
interior
Head table accent
Exterior of building
Chicken pot pie
Wedding upstairs
Buffet dinner: fried chicken, pasta salad, roasted potatoes, veggies and fresh baked bread. REALLY good.
Deborah B.
Jul 13, 2021
This is the best thing in Harvard!!! Actually best in the county. If you want to have a really fun and interesting evening, and enjoy some culture this is the place!!! Get away and take your mind off things come see Starline. Last friday of the month. I go back as often as I can, different artists exhibiting there. Owner has truely worked magic in this antique Factory. All sorts of neat vintage stuff to look at in addition to some very talented artists works. Many many books and crannies. Many different types of art and artists. It will be your favorite place to go toThere's music, bands, snacks, and a pub if you need more food. There's a contest for
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Salena C.
Nov 5, 2017
Starline is a beautiful (and affordable!) place to hold both a wedding ceremony and reception. The SPACE is absolutely stunning. Factory-style turned chic. Brick walls, exposed beams, stringed lights. It was gorgeous. The FOOD was actually really, really good, too! The salad was small, but the buffet included crispy fried chicken (with moist meat!!!!), roasted fingerling potatoes, an assortment of veggies, pasta salad, and fresh baked bread. My friend was also very pleased with PRICING. It was completely affordable and customizable with all of the different pieces she wanted and/or didn't want. The LOCATION is well outside of Chicago, and obviously into the burbs. It only took us about 90 minutes to drive there, so that really wasn't a big deal for us! There is a massive parking lot across the street, and a hotel with a shuttle nearby. Smooth sailing. I've been to other celebrations where there are two separate weddings happening and the families accidentally mash together and it's chaotic, but not here! Starline staggers the start time, and it's also super spacious inside. The left side is meant for a smaller wedding (50-100), while the right side is much larger (100+). Starline did a job well done making my friend's day magical. I would highly recommend for a wedding venue :)
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Sheree C.
Oct 26, 2018
I attended and decorated a wedding on October 20, 2018. We stopped by a few times previously and walked through the venue with David, the event planner. He was so accommodating and unlike other reviews I've read, allowed us to decorate the poles. We used magnets as to not damage the architectural aspects of the building. We decorated the day of and he couldn't have been more helpful, before, during and after!! He even offered to park my sister's car for her as she has trouble walking.The service was great, the bartender was fast and accommodating and the food and cake were good. The one thing that stood out was the service. Thank you David and staff for making my nephew's wedding so special!
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Marin C.
Mar 24, 2019
Review just for factory venue, not the restaurant. Came here with our Crystal Lake friends for 4th Friday event. Coolest venue ever. Former barn door factory, I think. Now, event space, restaurant and artist studios. Large variety among artists: handbags, photography, jewelry, clothing/textile, painting, sculptures. On the fourth Friday, 10$ entry, snacks, and 2-3 live entertainment (singers, bands etc). The theme varies by month, I think March's was 'Irish,' as the duo and band sang Irish tunes. A solo singer sang in the stairwell. Check it out, 6-10pm are the hours, I believe.
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Alyssa B.
Sep 8, 2019
I recently had my wedding here, and it was amazing! We worked with David, who I was very impressed with. He was knowledgeable and accommodating, very prompt in emailing back. He worked with us throughout the year, and was there the day of. We were able to set up the Helm Room the day before since there was not another event and were able to leave stuff overnight. This made day of so much less stressful. The food was great, and service was wonderful. We had 130 people, and the space was perfect. Not overcrowded, room for kids to be kids without issue. Lodging in Harvard is an issue, but we rented school buses and staying in near by Woodstock, IL which was great for getting our hair done in the morning. I highly recommend Starline and David. Everything was amazing.
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Carlota G.
Apr 27, 2018
Brides Beware -Starline is a great industrial venue and the pricing is much better than most, but there are some things you need to know before you fall in love with this venue. When we had our tour, our consultant was lackluster at best. She never smiled and she pretty much said no to all my questions and yes only a few times.When asked if we could have pew decorations, we were told no, nothing could hang or be attached to the pew. We were told they needed to go on the floor. I thought this was odd, because they have old pews taken from a church which has probably had hundreds of weddings where the pews were decorated, but once the pews were moved to the Starline Factory, no more? Obviously, you need to be protective of how things are attached, but to just have a blanketed NO, is unreasonable. Pew decorations are all over Pinterest, but you can't have them at Starline.We asked if we can line the floor with petals, real or silk - answer - no. No explanation given. Really, how could this hurt anything? Have you seen petals lining the aisle on Pinterest?We asked if we could decorate the poles...answer - no. Really? No lights, no tulle? Let's face it, the whole place is brick, it could use some decorating. We're not talking about putting things up on beautiful Mahogany wood pillars here, we're talking plain, metal poles. I wanted my sweetheart table on one side of the room and we were told no. We were told it always goes on the other side. Really? I have no say in the set-up of the room? The side where we were to sit was definitely not the attractive side of the room, but that is where the Bride and Groom are allocated to. Where's the flexibility?They have a cool bridal suite, but we were told it was not for the groomsmen. There isn't a place for the groomsmen, so why not invite them after all are dressed? Nope. We were told no. My fiance took that as a punch to the gut. The groomsmen are to walk around aimlessly before the wedding, but the bride and her bridesmaids can be whooping it up in the bride's room.I wasn't very happy to learn that they get all of your money before your wedding even happens. $500.00 deposit and 3 months later they wanted another 1500.00 and before your wedding, you are paid in full. If there are issues, too bad, they have all your money. Read the other reviews about bad food, bad service and not getting what was contracted.Tasting- Their tasting is only for 2 people. Well that's great if the bride and groom are paying for the wedding, but my parents were paying and they weren't included. When I asked if more people could come, I was met with a sigh and told there would be a $25.00 charge. Really? For a tasting? I could buy a full dinner for that price. Event Insurance - This blew my mind. We were told that we had to buy an Event Insurance Policy. Why? Their business is being a venue for events. They are already insured. I looked in to it. Policies ranged from 175.00 to 400.00. This is a bogus charge. Seems like the owner wants to be overly insured, but not have to pay for it.Labor charge: This charge was not communicated to us upfront. There is a 5% labor charge added to your food and alcohol bill. So add up your alcohol charge per person, then your food cost per person and multiply it by 25% (20% regular gratuity and then 5% labor) This will be your total PP charge unless they add the 7.00 PP charge to it.$7.00 Per person - I never made it to the end of my contract, but I wonder, is the $7.00 per person fee for the use of tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware added to your food and alcohol costs and then the 25% gratuity/labor charge is charged against that fee too? Be sure to ask. For example, if you have 100 people at your wedding. The 7.00 pp fee would be $700.00. Now multiply by 25%. That's another $175.00 you would have to pay.Rental fees taxed - While I have you on the line, if you are a budget bride like me, you will need to know that the IRS taxes rental fees. If you rent a space with the expressed purpose to feed people, then you are taxed on the rental fee. If you rent a space, say for an art event, then you are not. Harvard, Il has lower tax around 7%ish. For example, their rental charge for a Saturday is $1,250.00, plus $750.00 for the chapel = $2,000 X $7%ish = another $140.00.
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Paulette B.
Nov 24, 2024
We have always loved this place to go for good food and be able to hear each other talk. This time we came with friends we had bragged on what a great place it was only to be served very poorly done patty melts. It was a shock that they would serve them cooked like this. It was a poor diner meal at a high price. So very disappointed. We will not be back.
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Lisa C.
Jun 28, 2024
Very good! Went for the fish fry. I got a mix of the baked and fried. It was delicious. I selected the fries as my side (yummy). Kids and hubby got the buffet and loved all of the food they ate, especially the shrimp and chicken. Only thing I didn't like was the tartar sauce. Good price/value as well. Cool old building too!
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Elizabeth P.
Aug 9, 2024
Beautiful place. Love everything Orin did here. Unfortunately since he passed, standards have dropped. They stopped music by 1030 before, which was respectful to the neighbors. Since he passed, I've had to call the police to shut down the music after 11 pm, I ordered fish fry tonight and it was cold and old. I spent 20.00 for two tiny, cold pieces of fish. Very disappointing. I wish we could go back one year where the food was amazing
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Lisa S.
Sep 4, 2023
Great pub, great food in Harvard! The chef, Colin is super creative and adds specials every week. You can go in on the second Friday and feast on a large buffet, and late night hours on the 4th Friday art event each month. I'm an artist in the building and have a studio there- I often come down for a carry out. Don't miss the outdoor terrace! Outstanding service too!
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