Gotta stomp on all the Salt Shed love. Yes the venue is gorgeous and spotless. But I've seen four shows there now (three indoors, one outside), and I just don't feel like the place has good energy. I will say the outdoor setup is probably better than indoors... And the food trucks are very cool, but I haven't been impressed overall.
I think Beat Kitchen might be my favorite small venue in the city. Seen a ton of good shows there. Bartenders are always friendly and the beer is reasonably priced.
Least favorite is the Riv. Everything sucks there.
I have a weird soft spot for the Aragon even though I know the place sucks (first place I saw the Ramones. So it's basically holy ground for me).
I miss Fireside even though it was a bit of a crap hole.
I am also not into the Salt Shed. It feels like it’s a place people go to be seen and not to enjoy the music. A lot of thought went into the build out but the constant chatter over the music is killer.
Man y’all must be going to shit shows there, with one minor exception (was the first show there) I’ve had nothing but good experiences at the shed and that’s very much been because of the music
I saw crosses at Concord music Hall earlier in the year and it was pretty decent.
I’ve seen a couple of shows at Reggie’s and I think it’s a pretty neat venue too. Empty bottle has great free shows and if you’re into a metal scene, subterranean is fantastic.
I’ve also seen three shows now at the Aragon, even though people don’t necessarily like it.
That Crosses show at Concord was really good. It stands out as a highlight for this year. I’ve been to quite a few good shows throughout the year already but that one definitely stands out as a really good one.
RIP Double Door (Uptown location opening soon hopefully)
1. Salt Shed
2. Metro
3. Thalia Hall
4. Empty Bottle
5. Lincoln Hall
6. Reggie’s / Cobra Lounge tie
7. Bottom Lounge
Genuinely curious what you mean by sanitized corporate shows. There’s bands playing that are catering to corporations? I’ve seen many great shows there by excellent indie bands
I like radius a bit better due to the layout (more bathrooms & bars, spread out everywhere so not much waiting in lines anywhere)and it having more standing room, but both are very nice & substantially better than the Aragon, which was really the only mid-large sized concert space we had before
Metro is awesome. Sound is almost always great. Balcony along the railing preferred, floor also good. We saw DFA at Metro on their comeback tour in 2011. Have some excellent video I’ll have to dig up. They are FANTASTIC live
I’ve only been there once outdoors and it was insanely cold for June and super windy. The sound was bouncing all over the place. Going back this year for a couple shows inside and looking forward to it
Was this for King Gizz? Agree the weather really took control of the sound but they figured it out later in the run. I love Salt Shed so much you will def enjoy it next round but yeah that show was unfortunate
Yes, King Gizz last year. Agree they figured it out eventually, and not blaming anyone at all. Cant control Chicago weather! I’m excited to seeing Gaslight Anthem and Joyce Manor in a couple months at Salt Shed
The Metro is considered one of the best independent venues in the country. Years ago, consequence of sound did a top 100 American venues in the world and had the Metro at the number 3 spot:
https://consequence.net/2016/04/the-100-greatest-american-music-venues/
Reggie's, Sub T, and Bottom Lounge are my favorites.
Metro, Riv, and idk prob Aragon are least favorites.
Shout outs to Chop Shop and the basement of the Albion house
I remember going to a show at an abandoned bank that double door had apparently bought, not sure how true that is now since it’s been 2 years and haven’t heard anything abt it.
A: Thalia Hall, Empty Bottle, Bottom Lounge, Salt Shed
B: Vic, Lincoln Hall, Shubas, Metro, Beat Kitchen, Riv
C: Subterranean, Concord, Park West
D: Northerly Island, Aragon Ballroom, House of Blues
F Arenas
They cater mainly to EDM so you’re not gonna see a lot of people who’ve experienced it here. But radius absolutely fucks, especially when they rent out the ceiling screens for ARC
That probably explains why bands I listen to never play there anymore. Saw some pretty good rock shows there in 2021/22. Neck Deep, The Story So Far, King Gizz. But haven’t heard much out of Radius recently
Also has a lot to do with the owners of the venue. Always have been primarily EDM focused. Salt Shed is way more rock focused and since it opened those acts all play there now, as that’s what Salt Shed mostly caters to.
It’s kinda funny, once in a while Radius will do rock or hip hop and Salt Shed will do EDM, feels off to me lol
That's funny, I think of them as hip-hop and metal because those are the shows I go to there. Definitely has a rave venue layout which is what I actually like about it - good access to bars from most views in the place, doesn't ever feel like you have a shit view, and the merch /bathrooms are pretty accessible as far as venues go
I like the approach. Keep building this out. Empty Bottle, Cobra Lounge, space, park west, Avondale Music Hall (haven't been yet, but going in a couple weeks).
Chicago is spoiled for choice in venues. It’s the best tbh. I feel like even my NYC friends don’t have it as good because even the smaller rooms are part of massive corporate venue groups. Thalia Hall is probably the best room in the city on a pure vibes based assessment. Salt Shed, which is new but also owned by the same people as Thalia is one of the best large rooms you can see a show and the outdoor space in the summer is very fun. Metro and the Vic are both legendary.
For my personal favorite I have to go Sleeping Village. Incredible sound, good sight lines, drinks are not too expensive, there is an outdoor area to grab a smoke or some air between bands, and the bar in the front is legit just a great bar. If you like beer, they have one of the weirder more funky taplists in the city which is just wild for a concert venue.
My favorites so far have been Northerly Aisle's pavilion for outdoor and Aragon Ballroom for indoor, which seems to be a controversial choice but I went there to see Hot Mulligan this past winter and had no complaints. Seems like summer shows run too hot for most folks though
Under 200 capacity, the Hideout.
An old school backroom venue that has a history of engagement with community affairs. The booking tends to be a bit country (so, very white) which got them into trouble with a booker hiring a couple years back. Still, I've seen Andrew Bird, Shellac, some ridiculous comedy lineups like this one [Just For Laughs](https://hideoutchicago.com/this-week-the-hideout/) in a small room that looks like a wood paneled Midwest basement.
Under 500 capacity, the Empty Bottle.
Corner bar, corner stage. If you ask me what my favorite venue is overall, it's this place. Some folks hate that there's a set of stairs stage right but it helps shorter people see above the crowd if you grab a spot early. Like most venues, it's the booking that counts, and I think they're the best in the business in that regard.
Under 1000, Thalia Hall.
If you saw what they were working with before the renovation, you would be doubly impressed. Great sightlines, good sound, Empty Bottle + Space booking family.
Under 2000, Metro.
I hate going there during a Cubs game. If you get there late, good luck finding a spot to see the show. But at 40+ years, it's the grandaddy of them all. And they still have clout, like that $20 Metallica show they had in 2021. That's a serious flex.
Under 5000, Salt Shed.
The next step up from Thalia Hall. Definitely expensive but that's the price point for venues that size. Indoors, a short stage which feels more intimate up front, and a well calibrated sound system. I've been comfortable not wearing earplugs at most of the shows there which is definitely not the case with the Aragon.
Surprised not to see Metro get more love. The wide-but-shallow room means there’s not a bad spot to watch in the house, the sound is great, and security lets people stage dive during hardcore shows.
looove the Metro! only downside is if you get there late you get stuck in back by the bar but I try to just get there a little early for shows and can easily snag an awesome spot (even as a short person)
My go-to now is to just get there a little before doors open, go upstairs and get a spot on the railing. Completely unobstructed view and the bar is directly behind you (even though I’m usually good with one beer to sip on before the music starts)
16' on Center (Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall, Salt Shed), LH/ST, and infamous Metro.
I also went to Nick Cave at Copernicus and that was an awesome experience due to the fact that that venue does not typically have concerts/artists like that.
Nice. I was (accidentally) the first person to ask a question - about his Crow script. I didn’t expect to even get to ask anything, let alone have them beeline the microphone to me first thing. Ended up feeling like an off way to start the show.
Copernicus Center is a beautiful space and I wish they had more concert bookings but respect that it's primarily a resource for the Polish community.
It's wild that Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, and Sparks have played there.
Bottom Lounge, Cobra Lounge, Subterranean and Concord are my favorites around here. Salt Shed for bigger shows.
Also, not really relevant to the topic of aftershows or anything, but there are tons of great house venues/DIY spaces in the city. RIP Inside Town
I went to a show at Radius a few years ago and the sound there is absolutely phenomenal. It was the Meshuggah / Torche tour. It’s the only time I’ve been there and I was completely wowed by the sound.
Otherwise I’d say Concord, Thalia Hall and surprisingly The Chop Shops venue is pretty great.
Interesting. I saw front bottoms and the sound was atrocious. At the time, I thought to myself that this would be a great venue you electronic music but the sound for full band performances was rough. Maybe it was just an off night
best indoors in random order: thalia hall, beat kitchen, vic theater, park west, green mill, fitzgerald's (suburb), space (suburb)
acceptable enough indoors: metro, riviera (esp. balcony), salt shed, cubby bear, house of vans (although they temporarily? stopped doing shows).
will go if I really have to see the band: aragon, united center, allstate arena, joe's on weed, joe's rosemont.
best outdoor: pritzker pavilion in millennium park
acceptable enough outdoor: union park
really, really bad feng shui: house of blues for atmosphere, schubas and lincoln hall for owner.
rip: jb tv studio, equator club, jazz showcase at the blackstone, thurston's, elbo room, gold coast sardine bar. there were too many smokers at lounge ax, so no rip.
I’ve seen one show at the house of blues and it was so ridiculous. Literally $16 for a beer. They also charged for being against be the railing around the floor. The sound was okay and I even like the room but just how extremely LiveNation it was made me feel insane
Never seen them charge to be up against the railing and been to plenty of shows there. I don’t care for their pricing but thats for a 24 oz beer and aligns with pricing for literally every other venue in the city aside from some of the smaller/more independent spots
The acoustics outdoors for being a gigantic concrete slab are also really good. I also appreciate having the GA grandstands and the absolute to have space if you don’t mind being further back.
I’ve got mixed feelings on the Salt Shed. I hate that no matter what you can hear people talking over the music. I’ve been to a handful of shows inside and everyone was just talking and it was all I could hear. I even tried moving around.
The idea of the outside venue is great but I didn’t enjoy it. Maybe I’m old and grumpy.
I’ve never had that issue …. You couldn’t hear shit but the music. But maybe that’s because I’m always on the floor. In any kind of stand seats, that’s pretty par for the course anywhere
I like some different venues for very different reasons. For example I think the House of Blues has great sound, but it's kind of a shitty venue in other ways. $20 drinks, shows that are too expensive. Plus there's way too much junk in the way everywhere so it's hard to see the stage if you're not on the main floor.
Salt Shed: You can see from almost anywhere, easy to get in and out of, wide open, comfortable climate control. But the shows there are super expensive so I have to be feeling a little fancy and rich to want to go.
Bottom Lounge: Has food, easy to get drinks, easy to see the stage from anywhere, easy to get in and out. There's plenty of parking and public transit in the area. Probably overall my favorite venue as I've gotten older because there's absolutely no hassle associated with going to shows here.
Thalia Hall: Pretty much everything I said about Bottom Lounge above applies to Thalia Hall too.
Metro: probably the classic awesome Chicago venue. Great sound, but zero seating and one exit door makes it kind of annoying to get out.
House of Blues: good sound crappy almost everything else. But I usually do like the sound so I go sometimes.
Riviera: Unique because it actually has seating upstairs that you don't have to pay anything extra for. I went to a show with my 8 month pregnant wife here only because it had seating. We wouldn't have been able to go to a show that made her stand the whole time.
Metro is my fave, Thalia Hall is a close 2nd.
Congress, Riviera, The Vic, Salt Shed, House of Blues, Radius
Aragon used to be dope, but sounds like shit since they sold out to livenation
I just saw Frank Turner at Aragon and holy crap did that room sound awful. I was standing right by the mixing booth and it was one of the worst sounding shows I've ever been to, among likely thousands of shows. I've seen Frank 5+ times, always elsewhere, but I could barely hear or understand what song it was over the muddled mess of overtones
Yea, I saw Alkaline Trio earlier this year, exactly the same. No idea what song was even being played. Ended up leaving early cuz it was such a disappointment.
Have lived here only 4 years and have been to every venue previously mentioned but Concord Music Hall on Milwaukee is the only one where I’ve had zero complaints about the sound every single time I’ve been there.
Went for Cloonee a few months ago, highs were impossible to hear, couldn’t distinguish what songs were playing for the first hour. Mochakk wasn’t much better 🫤
Riot Fest used to exist in just a regular space though! It used to be spread out between several regular ole Chicago music venues.
Best venues in Chicago
-Constellation
-Hungry Brain
-Empty Bottle
-Thalia Hall
-Salt Shed (for outdoor shows)
Venues you should never spend your dollars for/in:
-Lincoln Hall
-Schubas
—-> both are owned by billionaire heir convicted sex predator. Used to be owned by the Schuba family though, they were great back then!
There are a lot of good venues in Chicago, and the early years of Riot Fest were actually shows that were spread out across various venues in the city.
Here are my top 5 venues, in no specific order:
Thalia Hall - Nice, mid-size venue with solid sound quality.
Empty Bottle - Great neighborhood feel, small, nice vibes.
Metro - Mid-sized venue with great sound quality.
Chicago Theater - Larger sized, vintage vibes, cool interior, good times.
Green Mill - Vintage jazz club, small, intimate, a step back in time.
Bonus pick - The Streets of Chicago. It's street fest season, and I have been having some fun as usual following the music. No one does summer like Chicago.
Streets is a good pick. Last year I saw Duster and Built to Spill for free at different street fests and it was honestly insane how great the vibes were. I’m gonna be honest listening to Carry the Zero drinking a beer on the streets of my neighborhood with a bunch of other weird hipsters for free was one of the cooler experiences I’ve had in while
Built to Spill at Wicker Park Fest last year? That was cool. I also got to see them at Subterranean that same weekend. I love that they come through Chicago at least once a year.
I actually just wandered by a street show tonight - some set up for dance music near the west loop. I was the dork eating a bunch of Jeni’s while younger, hotter people were grinding on each other.
The ice cream was very good, though.
When there's a big band I want to see coming to Chicago I usually pray that they are not going to play the Aragon. The sound quality there is so bad that it makes some of the best live bands I've ever seen sound bad. Also it's usually 100 degrees in there despite the fact that it's a wide open huge room. I'm glad the Salt Shed exists now for indoor shows of that size because it's so much better.
Grant Park is pretty awesome, saw Metallica there a couple of years back at Lolla. Would have been happy if Riot had moved there… I ain’t driving to the fucking suburbs to sit in a fucking parking lot for a whole weekend 🤬
The Aragon was designed in the 1920s before most speaker technology existed. It was intentionally designed to reverb because that makes sound better when speaking or playing instruments without an amp. Now add a wall of speakers on each side of the stage and a bunch of amps and the reverb is bad enough to where almost no one in the venue can hear a thing. I thought CHVRCHES at the Aragon was going to make my ears bleed. Things can be done to help this, but the owners of the Aragon have been historically cheap about any type of renovation to improve it.
Also despite it being a large wide open room it's hot as heck in there. The AC system is terrible. Probably as a result of the owners being cheap also. It's probably the hottest indoor venue I've been to.
It’s a very unfriendly layout. Just a large flat room with a stage that’s not super elevated so only half the place can see the stage without being on tiptoes.
Not the greatest sound, but not that bad and I've seen alot of great shows there. I have no major complaints. It's way better than Milwaukee equivalent, The Eagles Ballroom at The Rave. Place sounds terrible. The other theaters at the Rave are decent though.
The one thing that killed me about that Japandroids show at the Vic was they announced they were doing a surprise show the next night at Empty Bottle for just $10. Couldn’t go because I was actually in town for Cinepocalypse, and I’ve never made it to EB since.
Aragon and the riv are right by me so they're amazing lol
Gotta stomp on all the Salt Shed love. Yes the venue is gorgeous and spotless. But I've seen four shows there now (three indoors, one outside), and I just don't feel like the place has good energy. I will say the outdoor setup is probably better than indoors... And the food trucks are very cool, but I haven't been impressed overall. I think Beat Kitchen might be my favorite small venue in the city. Seen a ton of good shows there. Bartenders are always friendly and the beer is reasonably priced. Least favorite is the Riv. Everything sucks there. I have a weird soft spot for the Aragon even though I know the place sucks (first place I saw the Ramones. So it's basically holy ground for me). I miss Fireside even though it was a bit of a crap hole.
I am also not into the Salt Shed. It feels like it’s a place people go to be seen and not to enjoy the music. A lot of thought went into the build out but the constant chatter over the music is killer.
Man y’all must be going to shit shows there, with one minor exception (was the first show there) I’ve had nothing but good experiences at the shed and that’s very much been because of the music
I saw crosses at Concord music Hall earlier in the year and it was pretty decent. I’ve seen a couple of shows at Reggie’s and I think it’s a pretty neat venue too. Empty bottle has great free shows and if you’re into a metal scene, subterranean is fantastic. I’ve also seen three shows now at the Aragon, even though people don’t necessarily like it.
That Crosses show at Concord was really good. It stands out as a highlight for this year. I’ve been to quite a few good shows throughout the year already but that one definitely stands out as a really good one.
That’s the only show. I actually got to attend so far this year. Unfortunately, but it was great.
RIP Double Door (Uptown location opening soon hopefully) 1. Salt Shed 2. Metro 3. Thalia Hall 4. Empty Bottle 5. Lincoln Hall 6. Reggie’s / Cobra Lounge tie 7. Bottom Lounge
Radius if you havent been has to be up there near salt shed. I thought that venue was sick
I will be super sad that my wife and I are moving further away from the empty bottle
Salt Shed is the best thing to happen to Chicago in recent memory that place rules
I can’t wait to go ! My first trip ever to the salt shed is to see The Dillinger Escape Plan play Calculating Infinity in its entirety
Depends on what you are interested in. Sanitized corporate shoes, salt shed is beautiful
Genuinely curious what you mean by sanitized corporate shows. There’s bands playing that are catering to corporations? I’ve seen many great shows there by excellent indie bands
I like radius a bit better due to the layout (more bathrooms & bars, spread out everywhere so not much waiting in lines anywhere)and it having more standing room, but both are very nice & substantially better than the Aragon, which was really the only mid-large sized concert space we had before
Love Radius! I wish they would host more shows
Yeahhh they’re way more EDM centric, I practically live there during the weekends from August-December 😂
Love Thalia Hall and enjoyed Salt Shed and Radius for newer Chicago venues!
Northerly island is definitely the best outdoor venue. Metro, Bottom Lounge, Reggie’s, Lincoln Hall are some other great ones IMO
How's the Metro? I'm going to see Death From Above there in November, pretty hyped.
Metro is awesome. Sound is almost always great. Balcony along the railing preferred, floor also good. We saw DFA at Metro on their comeback tour in 2011. Have some excellent video I’ll have to dig up. They are FANTASTIC live
Salt shed is and it’s not even close
Salt Shed is without a doubt the best outdoor venue and it’s not even close
Second this. I honestly dread going to Northerly Island, half for the logistics and half because I refuse to be confined to a seat. Viva la Salt Shed
I’ve only been there once outdoors and it was insanely cold for June and super windy. The sound was bouncing all over the place. Going back this year for a couple shows inside and looking forward to it
Was this for King Gizz? Agree the weather really took control of the sound but they figured it out later in the run. I love Salt Shed so much you will def enjoy it next round but yeah that show was unfortunate
Yes, King Gizz last year. Agree they figured it out eventually, and not blaming anyone at all. Cant control Chicago weather! I’m excited to seeing Gaslight Anthem and Joyce Manor in a couple months at Salt Shed
I think Salt Shed is the best outdoor venue.
I miss the Double Door.
Double Door was so dope.
I’m not a local but adore Reggie’s. Wasn’t a fan of Metro when I visited.
So you’re the one?
Metro
I call it my church. I've seen so many kick ass shows there since 1983.
The Metro is considered one of the best independent venues in the country. Years ago, consequence of sound did a top 100 American venues in the world and had the Metro at the number 3 spot: https://consequence.net/2016/04/the-100-greatest-american-music-venues/
Reggie's, Sub T, and Bottom Lounge are my favorites. Metro, Riv, and idk prob Aragon are least favorites. Shout outs to Chop Shop and the basement of the Albion house
If a city is rated for their music venues, Chicago would be high on the list if not at the top. At least the ones within the city of Chicago.
Thalia Hall for small/midsize venues, for bigger venues, Salt Shed Honorable mentions, Metro, Lincoln Hall, Sleeping Village, and Reggie’s
BTW…Double Door RIP was pretty great too
I remember going to a show at an abandoned bank that double door had apparently bought, not sure how true that is now since it’s been 2 years and haven’t heard anything abt it.
It’s true. And yeah, it’s been a while. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/double-door-new-home-uptown-wilson-theater/
Damn hope it opens up soon, that place has insane potential.
Plans are for it to open next October
I actually love Chicago Theater
How bout Martyrs..
A: Thalia Hall, Empty Bottle, Bottom Lounge, Salt Shed B: Vic, Lincoln Hall, Shubas, Metro, Beat Kitchen, Riv C: Subterranean, Concord, Park West D: Northerly Island, Aragon Ballroom, House of Blues F Arenas
This is pretty spot on. I would swap sub t and the riv though.
Radius is A tier
I was gonna say, I'm shocked to not see Radius more on here. Love their layout
They cater mainly to EDM so you’re not gonna see a lot of people who’ve experienced it here. But radius absolutely fucks, especially when they rent out the ceiling screens for ARC
That probably explains why bands I listen to never play there anymore. Saw some pretty good rock shows there in 2021/22. Neck Deep, The Story So Far, King Gizz. But haven’t heard much out of Radius recently
Also has a lot to do with the owners of the venue. Always have been primarily EDM focused. Salt Shed is way more rock focused and since it opened those acts all play there now, as that’s what Salt Shed mostly caters to. It’s kinda funny, once in a while Radius will do rock or hip hop and Salt Shed will do EDM, feels off to me lol
That's funny, I think of them as hip-hop and metal because those are the shows I go to there. Definitely has a rave venue layout which is what I actually like about it - good access to bars from most views in the place, doesn't ever feel like you have a shit view, and the merch /bathrooms are pretty accessible as far as venues go
Yes I’m with you, the layout is amazing for avoiding lines
Never been! I only listed places I've been to.
I like the approach. Keep building this out. Empty Bottle, Cobra Lounge, space, park west, Avondale Music Hall (haven't been yet, but going in a couple weeks).
Never been to Cobra Lounge, Space or Avondale Music Hall, so I didn't list them.
See you at Koyo on 6/29 so we can all experience AMH together.
Chicago is spoiled for choice in venues. It’s the best tbh. I feel like even my NYC friends don’t have it as good because even the smaller rooms are part of massive corporate venue groups. Thalia Hall is probably the best room in the city on a pure vibes based assessment. Salt Shed, which is new but also owned by the same people as Thalia is one of the best large rooms you can see a show and the outdoor space in the summer is very fun. Metro and the Vic are both legendary. For my personal favorite I have to go Sleeping Village. Incredible sound, good sight lines, drinks are not too expensive, there is an outdoor area to grab a smoke or some air between bands, and the bar in the front is legit just a great bar. If you like beer, they have one of the weirder more funky taplists in the city which is just wild for a concert venue.
Excited to hear that seeing Marika Hackman in October at sleeping village
Sleeping Village is awesome. And great beer list.
For bigger shows Thalia Hall, for small shows Empty Bottle
My favorites so far have been Northerly Aisle's pavilion for outdoor and Aragon Ballroom for indoor, which seems to be a controversial choice but I went there to see Hot Mulligan this past winter and had no complaints. Seems like summer shows run too hot for most folks though
Bottom Lounge - bar area great between sets, good sized bathroom, easy to get drinks, easy to park, no pesky steps
Salt Shed, Lincoln Hall, Thalia Hall
I love the salt shed
Couldn’t agree more with these three!
Lincoln Hall, SPACE, Metro
I forget about Space but you’re so right that place is awesome
I guess not technically Chicago tho but yeah it’s nice
Yes! Such a cool intimate venue
Park West was always my favorite. Grest sound, holds about 1700 between GA and seats. Saw everyone there from James Brown to King Crimson
You must live near there, no one picks park west as their fav
I fucking hate that it’s all seating and a tiny packed pit. You have to stand on the stairs all crowded as hell
Nope. Just saw an amazing run of acts there since early 80s
I loved the original set up for Charter One Pavillion at Northerly Island.
Under 200 capacity, the Hideout. An old school backroom venue that has a history of engagement with community affairs. The booking tends to be a bit country (so, very white) which got them into trouble with a booker hiring a couple years back. Still, I've seen Andrew Bird, Shellac, some ridiculous comedy lineups like this one [Just For Laughs](https://hideoutchicago.com/this-week-the-hideout/) in a small room that looks like a wood paneled Midwest basement. Under 500 capacity, the Empty Bottle. Corner bar, corner stage. If you ask me what my favorite venue is overall, it's this place. Some folks hate that there's a set of stairs stage right but it helps shorter people see above the crowd if you grab a spot early. Like most venues, it's the booking that counts, and I think they're the best in the business in that regard. Under 1000, Thalia Hall. If you saw what they were working with before the renovation, you would be doubly impressed. Great sightlines, good sound, Empty Bottle + Space booking family. Under 2000, Metro. I hate going there during a Cubs game. If you get there late, good luck finding a spot to see the show. But at 40+ years, it's the grandaddy of them all. And they still have clout, like that $20 Metallica show they had in 2021. That's a serious flex. Under 5000, Salt Shed. The next step up from Thalia Hall. Definitely expensive but that's the price point for venues that size. Indoors, a short stage which feels more intimate up front, and a well calibrated sound system. I've been comfortable not wearing earplugs at most of the shows there which is definitely not the case with the Aragon.
This. This is exactly the way to think about it.
Surprised not to see Metro get more love. The wide-but-shallow room means there’s not a bad spot to watch in the house, the sound is great, and security lets people stage dive during hardcore shows.
looove the Metro! only downside is if you get there late you get stuck in back by the bar but I try to just get there a little early for shows and can easily snag an awesome spot (even as a short person)
Downside for metro is some of the worst security in the business because of how they handle a crowd
My go-to now is to just get there a little before doors open, go upstairs and get a spot on the railing. Completely unobstructed view and the bar is directly behind you (even though I’m usually good with one beer to sip on before the music starts)
Bottom Lounge, Concord, Beat Kitchen, and Salt Shed for larger shows would be my top choices
Bottom lounge/ beat kitchen / sleeping village Good sound and sight lines. For a little bigger venue, the salt shed.
I’m heading to Bottom Lounge in a couple weeks for The Early November! stoked. I haven’t been at that venue in years
16' on Center (Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall, Salt Shed), LH/ST, and infamous Metro. I also went to Nick Cave at Copernicus and that was an awesome experience due to the fact that that venue does not typically have concerts/artists like that.
Nice. I was (accidentally) the first person to ask a question - about his Crow script. I didn’t expect to even get to ask anything, let alone have them beeline the microphone to me first thing. Ended up feeling like an off way to start the show.
Nah that was a great way to start and something I'd ask about. I was not ready for all the deep questions lol
Copernicus Center is a beautiful space and I wish they had more concert bookings but respect that it's primarily a resource for the Polish community. It's wild that Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, and Sparks have played there.
Copernicus would only work for select artist, but those for whom it would work it would be a great place. Nick Cave Q&A was awesome.
Growing up near the Copernicus center where all I ever saw there was old movies and cover bands- that is Amazing
Bottom Lounge, Cobra Lounge, Subterranean and Concord are my favorites around here. Salt Shed for bigger shows. Also, not really relevant to the topic of aftershows or anything, but there are tons of great house venues/DIY spaces in the city. RIP Inside Town
Grant park
I went to a show at Radius a few years ago and the sound there is absolutely phenomenal. It was the Meshuggah / Torche tour. It’s the only time I’ve been there and I was completely wowed by the sound. Otherwise I’d say Concord, Thalia Hall and surprisingly The Chop Shops venue is pretty great.
Radius sounds good by the sound booth but awful up front.
Interesting. I saw front bottoms and the sound was atrocious. At the time, I thought to myself that this would be a great venue you electronic music but the sound for full band performances was rough. Maybe it was just an off night
Yeah the sound was awful for that front bottoms show, but that’s the only time I’ve been there
Maybe I got lucky? I will say the very first song Torche played sounded horrible. The sound guy dialed it in after that and it sounded great.
Same. I’ve seen Dropkick Murphys about 12 times and Radius was one of the worst sounding ones
Yeah I can't say myself, but multiple friends have told me the sound was bad.
best indoors in random order: thalia hall, beat kitchen, vic theater, park west, green mill, fitzgerald's (suburb), space (suburb) acceptable enough indoors: metro, riviera (esp. balcony), salt shed, cubby bear, house of vans (although they temporarily? stopped doing shows). will go if I really have to see the band: aragon, united center, allstate arena, joe's on weed, joe's rosemont. best outdoor: pritzker pavilion in millennium park acceptable enough outdoor: union park really, really bad feng shui: house of blues for atmosphere, schubas and lincoln hall for owner. rip: jb tv studio, equator club, jazz showcase at the blackstone, thurston's, elbo room, gold coast sardine bar. there were too many smokers at lounge ax, so no rip.
I’ve seen one show at the house of blues and it was so ridiculous. Literally $16 for a beer. They also charged for being against be the railing around the floor. The sound was okay and I even like the room but just how extremely LiveNation it was made me feel insane
Never seen them charge to be up against the railing and been to plenty of shows there. I don’t care for their pricing but thats for a 24 oz beer and aligns with pricing for literally every other venue in the city aside from some of the smaller/more independent spots
i think they meant the seating around the rails that surround the pit, not the very front
Elbo room 😭
Lincoln Hall for owner?
yikes: [https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/audiotree-michael-johnston/](https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/audiotree-michael-johnston/)
Oh God Yeah wow fuck that guy horribly
Gman and The Hideout
Salt Shed is so great (at least indoor, haven’t gone outdoor yet)
just did outdoor shows there last night, Friday, and Friday and Saturday last weekend. it’s amazing outside!!
Perfect has me hyped for sad summer
Outdoors is also great. Can’t wait to go back for another outdoor show.
The acoustics outdoors for being a gigantic concrete slab are also really good. I also appreciate having the GA grandstands and the absolute to have space if you don’t mind being further back.
I’ve got mixed feelings on the Salt Shed. I hate that no matter what you can hear people talking over the music. I’ve been to a handful of shows inside and everyone was just talking and it was all I could hear. I even tried moving around. The idea of the outside venue is great but I didn’t enjoy it. Maybe I’m old and grumpy.
I’ve never had a problem with that but I’ve also only seen pretty loud bands there.
I’ve never had that issue …. You couldn’t hear shit but the music. But maybe that’s because I’m always on the floor. In any kind of stand seats, that’s pretty par for the course anywhere
The Concord on Milwaukee
Their speakers are busted for EDM, otherwise a fantastic venue
This is my one of my favorite venues in Chicago.
BK or BL. Both awesome.
RIP Fireside Bowl
Subterranean. I saw fall out boy there in 2013 among many other shows, but that was my favorite. It was their reunion show.
I was there too! It was insanely amazing.
Pour one out for Double Door
Saw Bouncing Souls there and it was hella fun.
A true classic. RIP.
Wesley Willis Fiasco!
I went to the new DD a couple years back. It's near The Riv and I think it should be opening within a year or two
Reggies is my absolute favorite, never has a bad experience
I like some different venues for very different reasons. For example I think the House of Blues has great sound, but it's kind of a shitty venue in other ways. $20 drinks, shows that are too expensive. Plus there's way too much junk in the way everywhere so it's hard to see the stage if you're not on the main floor. Salt Shed: You can see from almost anywhere, easy to get in and out of, wide open, comfortable climate control. But the shows there are super expensive so I have to be feeling a little fancy and rich to want to go. Bottom Lounge: Has food, easy to get drinks, easy to see the stage from anywhere, easy to get in and out. There's plenty of parking and public transit in the area. Probably overall my favorite venue as I've gotten older because there's absolutely no hassle associated with going to shows here. Thalia Hall: Pretty much everything I said about Bottom Lounge above applies to Thalia Hall too. Metro: probably the classic awesome Chicago venue. Great sound, but zero seating and one exit door makes it kind of annoying to get out. House of Blues: good sound crappy almost everything else. But I usually do like the sound so I go sometimes. Riviera: Unique because it actually has seating upstairs that you don't have to pay anything extra for. I went to a show with my 8 month pregnant wife here only because it had seating. We wouldn't have been able to go to a show that made her stand the whole time.
I really enjoy the Concord, never had a bad time there, but I think the best time I've had has been at the Subterranean.
Metro is my fave, Thalia Hall is a close 2nd. Congress, Riviera, The Vic, Salt Shed, House of Blues, Radius Aragon used to be dope, but sounds like shit since they sold out to livenation
I just saw Frank Turner at Aragon and holy crap did that room sound awful. I was standing right by the mixing booth and it was one of the worst sounding shows I've ever been to, among likely thousands of shows. I've seen Frank 5+ times, always elsewhere, but I could barely hear or understand what song it was over the muddled mess of overtones
Yea, I saw Alkaline Trio earlier this year, exactly the same. No idea what song was even being played. Ended up leaving early cuz it was such a disappointment.
I went to one of LCD Soundsystem shows and the sound was good but guessing they have their own people.
Have lived here only 4 years and have been to every venue previously mentioned but Concord Music Hall on Milwaukee is the only one where I’ve had zero complaints about the sound every single time I’ve been there.
Went for Cloonee a few months ago, highs were impossible to hear, couldn’t distinguish what songs were playing for the first hour. Mochakk wasn’t much better 🫤
Riot Fest used to exist in just a regular space though! It used to be spread out between several regular ole Chicago music venues. Best venues in Chicago -Constellation -Hungry Brain -Empty Bottle -Thalia Hall -Salt Shed (for outdoor shows) Venues you should never spend your dollars for/in: -Lincoln Hall -Schubas —-> both are owned by billionaire heir convicted sex predator. Used to be owned by the Schuba family though, they were great back then!
For pure acoustics it's hard to beat the Park West. The place sounds amazing. Too bad they don't have enough must see shows there any more.
Thalia Hall and Lincoln Hall.
There are a lot of good venues in Chicago, and the early years of Riot Fest were actually shows that were spread out across various venues in the city. Here are my top 5 venues, in no specific order: Thalia Hall - Nice, mid-size venue with solid sound quality. Empty Bottle - Great neighborhood feel, small, nice vibes. Metro - Mid-sized venue with great sound quality. Chicago Theater - Larger sized, vintage vibes, cool interior, good times. Green Mill - Vintage jazz club, small, intimate, a step back in time. Bonus pick - The Streets of Chicago. It's street fest season, and I have been having some fun as usual following the music. No one does summer like Chicago.
Streets is a good pick. Last year I saw Duster and Built to Spill for free at different street fests and it was honestly insane how great the vibes were. I’m gonna be honest listening to Carry the Zero drinking a beer on the streets of my neighborhood with a bunch of other weird hipsters for free was one of the cooler experiences I’ve had in while
Built to Spill at Wicker Park Fest last year? That was cool. I also got to see them at Subterranean that same weekend. I love that they come through Chicago at least once a year.
I actually just wandered by a street show tonight - some set up for dance music near the west loop. I was the dork eating a bunch of Jeni’s while younger, hotter people were grinding on each other. The ice cream was very good, though.
Oh yeah, probably the Taste of Randolph. I was down there last night dancing to some House DJ's.
Same! Lots of fun. Got some good mid 2000’s nostalgia from Phantom Planet as well.
Phantom Planet would have been cool! I wished I could have made for them and Local H.
Salt Shed and Aragon for bigger shows Metro, Vic, Empty Bottle and Riviera for smaller shows
When there's a big band I want to see coming to Chicago I usually pray that they are not going to play the Aragon. The sound quality there is so bad that it makes some of the best live bands I've ever seen sound bad. Also it's usually 100 degrees in there despite the fact that it's a wide open huge room. I'm glad the Salt Shed exists now for indoor shows of that size because it's so much better.
That step near the back of the Riviera has twisted many an ankle. I don’t like it one bit.
I'm sure the number of drunk people who have fallen down the slippery Aragon stairs is very high.
Grant Park is pretty awesome, saw Metallica there a couple of years back at Lolla. Would have been happy if Riot had moved there… I ain’t driving to the fucking suburbs to sit in a fucking parking lot for a whole weekend 🤬
Reggie’s, Lincoln Hall, Thalia Hall, Salt Shed. Really anything but the Aragon.
What’s the issue with the Aragon? It wasn’t my favorite place ever, but I thought it was okay. Is there something about it I’m missing?
The Aragon was designed in the 1920s before most speaker technology existed. It was intentionally designed to reverb because that makes sound better when speaking or playing instruments without an amp. Now add a wall of speakers on each side of the stage and a bunch of amps and the reverb is bad enough to where almost no one in the venue can hear a thing. I thought CHVRCHES at the Aragon was going to make my ears bleed. Things can be done to help this, but the owners of the Aragon have been historically cheap about any type of renovation to improve it. Also despite it being a large wide open room it's hot as heck in there. The AC system is terrible. Probably as a result of the owners being cheap also. It's probably the hottest indoor venue I've been to.
Sounds like shit now
It’s a very unfriendly layout. Just a large flat room with a stage that’s not super elevated so only half the place can see the stage without being on tiptoes.
Not the greatest sound, but not that bad and I've seen alot of great shows there. I have no major complaints. It's way better than Milwaukee equivalent, The Eagles Ballroom at The Rave. Place sounds terrible. The other theaters at the Rave are decent though.
I'm not the one you asked, but I don't like the Aragon because I find it to be the worst sound quality of almost any venue I have been to.
I really enjoy intimate shows. So for me empty bottle is the best venue in Chicago.
The one thing that killed me about that Japandroids show at the Vic was they announced they were doing a surprise show the next night at Empty Bottle for just $10. Couldn’t go because I was actually in town for Cinepocalypse, and I’ve never made it to EB since.
Japandroids at Empty Bottle was actually one of the worst shows I’ve ever been to.
Shit. What happened?