Thalia Hall
At the corner of 18th and Allport, this historic Pilsen landmark was founded by John Dusek as a community hub at the turn of the century in 1892. Closed to the public in the ‘60s, in 2013 it was re-established as a beer-inspired restaurant (Dusek’s Board & Beer on the ground floor), a punch focused cocktail bar (Punch House in the basement), and upstairs, a public hall fit for all types of events. Modeled after the Prague opera house, John Dusek’s dream of bringing arts and entertainment from Bohemia to play for his bohemian neighbors is still alive today in Thalia Hall.
The Vibe
Spacious, yet intimate—the acoustics are good and there’s really not a bad “seat” in the house. That being said, if you do want to sit, spring for the opera box seats or a balcony spot. The floor can get kind of claustrophobic.
Known For
One of the most ornate theaters of its times, it was granted landmark status in 1985 and has hosted a multitude of entertainment over the years, bringing a wide array of music, community, and artistic events to the Pilsen neighborhood.
Why Go Here
They book great acts. The building is historic and ornate—from the chandeliers, to the cool ceiling, to the vintage stage and balcony.
Keep in Mind
Parking sucks. Avoid driving if possible.
Photo courtesy of Thalia Hall
- 1808 S Allport St
- Chicago, IL 60608
Lincoln Hall
Congrats! You’ve made it to the time in your life where you don’t have to be hammered to enjoy a concert. Lincoln Hall is the perfect place for experiencing various genres of fantastic music while imbibing in an adult manner. Lincoln Hall in no way is a dull music venue, it just means when you brag to your friends about the concert, you’ll actually remember what you heard.
The Vibe
Lincoln Hall is owned by Mike and Chris Schuba, the same people who own Schubas. The two-story Lincoln Hall music venue is camouflaged around the exciting and bustling college area around Depaul University. You can expect great music, and with a capacity of 507, you can feel like a fan in a welcoming setting.
Known For
Intimate setting for wide selection of musical performances.
Why Go Here
Lincoln Hall is the perfect experience for an ultimate admirer. The place is the right size to have excellent acoustics and small enough to make it feel like a personal experience.
Keep in Mind
You can grab seats (first come, first served) upstairs in the Mezzanine if you get there early enough.
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Hall
- 2424 N Lincoln Ave
- Chicago, IL 60614
The Chicago Theatre
Don’t stop at the photo op in front of the sign, proceed into the theater to see world-class acts from Broadway to comedy, to legendary musicians. Tickets won’t be cheap, but they will be worth it!
The Vibe
Historic, legendary, and beautiful, with stunning sound quality to boot.
Known For
The building’s historical and architectural highlights, including the grand lobby, sweeping staircase, and majestic auditorium.
Why Go Here
To see big acts—from U2 to ‘Hamilton’ in a gorgeous and historic Chicago venue.
Keep in Mind
You can grab seats (first come, first served) upstairs in the Mezzanine if you get there early enough.
Photo courtesy of The Chicago Theatre
- 175 N State St
- Chicago, IL 60601
Schubas
The sister venue to Lincoln Hall, Schubas can be divided into two parts: an intimate music venue and the pub food-slinging Harmony Grill. Both are well worth a visit.
The Vibe
The low-key music venue offers up a wide range of live acts, from indie to jazz, that attract audiophiles of all stripes. The bar and grill, meanwhile, is a laid back spot serving hearty entrees and weekend brunch.
Known For
Mac and cheese that you can dress up with ingredients like jalapenos and buffalo chicken.
Why Go Here
Housed in an old Schlitz brewery, Schubas is a no-frills spot to catch new and established acts, and the small-ish venue means there’s not a bad seat (or standing quadrant) in the house. If you get there before the show kicks off, kill time at Harmony Grill. The cheese curds are among the best in the city!
Keep in Mind
Like a lot of venues, if you’re kind of short, you’re going to want to get there early for a good spot.
Photo courtesy of Schubas
- 3159 N Southport Ave
- Chicago, IL 60657
Aragon Ballroom
Built in 1926, the Aragon Ballroom is one of Chicago’s premier live entertainment venues, featuring extraordinary architectural design and aesthetics.
The Vibe
Be prepared to stand in line for entry, but once you walk through the door, you’ll be like, “wait, what?”. While architecturally amazing, the ballroom’s Greco-Roman decor is unlike any other music venue in the city.
Known For
It’s gorgeous interior—the magnificent building boasts crystal chandeliers, mosaic tiles, beautiful arches, extravagant balconies, and terra-cotta ceilings painted to resemble a starry night sky.
Why Go Here
This ornate Uptown music arena hosts some big-name acts. Get tix if one of your favorite bands is playing.
Keep in Mind
Get there early—there can be a line to get through security. With the exception of the Mezzanine level, the Aragon is standing room only. Pre-party: Drinks are always overpriced at shows, and the Aragon is no exception. Avoid driving/parking if possible.
Photo courtesy of Aragon Ballroom
- 1106 W Lawrence
- Chicago, IL 60640
Metro
A staple, the Metro has been Chicago's independent music venue for over three decades. The intimate venue puts you close to your musical heroes—both national headliners and local up-and-comers.
The Vibe
Not much has changed in the past 35 years. Metro has a classic, nostalgic feel. It’s not fancy or glamorous— in fact it’s kind of grungy.
Known For
The first act to play Metro back in ‘82 was R.E.M., and the live music institution has been rockin’ ever since.
Why Go Here
To experience a show, duh. On the weekends, keep your 21+ wristband on and get free entry to Metro’s sister nightclub, SmartBar (located in the basement).
Keep in Mind
The bar is CASH ONLY. Pre-party and hit the ATM.
Photo courtesy of Metro Chicago
- 3730 N Clark St
- Chicago, IL 60613
The Vic Theatre
An oldie, but a goodie. Located in the Central Lakeview area, The Vic is the quintessential Chicago music venue. The luxurious five-story vaudeville house was opened in 1912 as the Victoria Theatre and still maintains its Italian marble lobby floor and staircases.
The Vibe
The interior still has most of the original ornate wall sculptures. The acoustics are near perfect, and the balcony has wonderful sight-lines.
Known For
Its weird zig-zag standing room areas. The mid-size space makes for more intimate shows. There’s plenty of bars, so you won’t have to wait long for your overpriced drink.
Why Go Here
Because bands you love play here. When there’s no live music, check out the Brew & View—see an old or new movie for five bucks while drinking cheap beers.
Keep in Mind
The main floor is GA/standing room only.
Photo courtesy of The Vic Theatre
- 3145 N Sheffield Ave
- Chicago, IL 60657
