What an incredible venue and stunning location! We had a fantastic time catching performances by Vampire Weekend, Princes (featuring the amazing Maya Rudolph), and Ra Riot. Our seats were simply spectacular! With the beautiful lake and pier behind us, we were treated to breathtaking sunsets right behind the stage--just magical! The atmosphere was just perfect--not too crowded at all. We loved being right up front in the standing pit, while the back offered great seats with grandstands. The concession options were delightful, and I was impressed by the clean portable bathrooms and convenient sinks. Water stations were plentiful, so staying hydrated was a breeze! The security team was super friendly, making us all feel safe and secure. Bag searches and metal detectors added an extra layer of safety, but we never felt overwhelmed; the ushers were always visible and welcoming. Getting back to our hotel was a piece of cake via bus, and the Uber/Lyft drop-off and pick-up spots were conveniently nearby. All in all, an unforgettable experience! It made the trip to Chicago to see some of our favorite bands pretty freaking epic! read more

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Really cool venue right off Northerly Island on Lake Michigan. It can be a little tricky to get there so make sure you've got your comfortable walking shoes on, but it's work it. They bring in great artists all summer long, I've never seen a bad show! Concession stands with food/drink and always very populated and safe area. Can't wait to see what's on the lineup next time I'm in Chicago! read more

don't go. a lot of the security are AWFUL and fast pass is not a real thing don't spend your money

nice venue, outdoors, kinda small. a bit inconvenient to get to. outrageously overpriced drinks ($25 each for a mixed drink). but it's a fun place to go. i've been a few times. they just put out folding chairs if your in the 100s or 200s section, only the 300s in the back has actual seats but the view was decent from there (pictured). would go again for an artist i like but not my favorite venue read more

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Dang, I was surprised to come to this page and see such a low star rating. We personally loved our recent experience at Huntington Bank Pavilion! It was our first time, and I'd no doubt return. My husband and I went to see Dermot Kennedy and the show was fantastic. I booked tickets online for the "pit" which is essentially the standing room (no chair/seating option here) closest to the stage. I was a little worried it would get crammed, but it ended up being plenty spacious, and most importantly: a great view of the show. A good price for tickets for how close we got! The stage and seating is accommodating for small or mid-size acts. If you're like me and enjoy shows that are a bit more intimate (vs a large arena), then you'll like this spot. This pavilion is located on Northerly Island, so it takes a bit of winding to get there. In effort to avoid parking, we took an Uber which was able to drop us off right out front. With the location being a little remote, expect plenty of back-up in traffic... there's only one main road on and off the "island." Once our bags were checked and tickets were scanned, we entered into the grounds to see a bunch of food and beverage tents. Lot's of options here! To no surprise, we paid an arm and a leg for a beer and a water. It's actually shocking what they can get away with charging people. In any case, you'll find something good to quench and fill your belly. Note: they did stop serving alcohol like 1/2 way through the concert which was interesting. This pavilion is open-aired and offers sweet views of the lake and the Chicago skyline. Yeah maybe the layout and seating options could use a little update to keep the people happy, but overall it was a win for me! read more

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Northerly Island is definitely a unique outdoor venue to see live music at. You have beach access, and fantastic views of the lake and downtown. It's worth noting that events are rain or shine, so do pay attention to the weather forecast the day of. They have a clear bag policy in place but I advise that having no bag will get you through the entrance line much quicker, think VIP. There are food and drink options but they charge a ridiculous, and I mean Ridiculous with a capital R, amount of money for both. Literally the cheapest thing on the menu is Liquid Death/Soda/Red Bull for seven bucks. You want a Hazy Bear IPA? That is considered craft here and will run you twenty bucks!!! You want to keep it real and drink domestic for a cheaper option? A Miller Lite will run you sixteen bucks!!! So yeah, the canned drink options are expensively lame. If you are low on scratch and need a food hack, there are two hot dog huts within walking distance of the venue, one is directly behind the venue on the beach; the other is right outside of Adler. A Chi dog at either will run you five to five and a half dollars. I have been to several shows here over the years and if memory serves, if you wanted a seat, there were bleachers and the rest was just one big GA. At some point, they changed it up and started doing the folding chair thing in addition to the bleachers and added a VIP pavillion. I have never seen them open the back fence to the beach to incorporate the lawn, not sure if that is still a thing or not. read more

Huntington Bank Pavilion - Outdoor Movies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ridiculous lines to get in. No excuse for this. Horrible. Never coming again. Plus there is so much confusion about how to get in. Why would anyone book this place? Sound was so low barely could hear. Try to see your band somewhere else. read more

We saw Dave Matthews Band on 6/28/25. We had lawn seats... Which unknown to us at time of purchase meant we'd be treated like peasants, as we weren't allowed to leave the lawn area to use bathrooms or access the better food. These tickets were not cheap at almost $80/each. - This meant we only had port-o-lets with NO wash stations to use all night. Not even those water and soap things you pump with your foot. Not even sanitizer stations... I mean NO WAY to clean your hands (luckily I brought my own sanitizer). - The only food stations were a pork and tater tots truck, a Mexican food truck, and a corn dog and funnel cake truck. That's right...3 very limited options for food. I ate what I will very loosely refer to as a "taco salad." And...drum roll...the next day I almost cr*pped my pants while walking the dog, because, I GOT FOOD POISONING either from the food itself or my inability to wash my hands. (SHOCK-ER.) The band was great and the people in the crowd were nice. But that has zero to do with the trash venue. Side note, drinks were $25/each! read more

I go to concerts all over the Midwest and this one disappointed more than most. It wasn't just the run down feel and tons of bugs by the port-a-potties. It was the chairs zip tied together so everyone was uncomfortably close. It was the $27 GLASS of wine. And the $20 small cup of strawberries my friend had to buy because her blood sugar dropped. We went to a bar down the street where I ordered a much better brand of wine and it was $12. I just won't go back. I'll follow a band I want to see to a different venue read more

Never again. The view from our pricey seats was so far over to the side, they shouldn't have been seats. Flimsy folding chairs without enough aisle room to allow others to pass without physical contact, and seats are smashed together so there's contact with the stranger next to you too. Zero lager beer available, only IPAs for a laughable $23-26 per can. The bathrooms nearest our seats were porta potties, but other reviewers have said they have real bathrooms. The venue location necessitates a long walk to catch either a bus or a ride share when leaving. I attend a lot of concerts but will never go back to this place, no matter who's playing. read more

The band we saw was fun itself, acoustics ok. The restrooms are actually nice for an outdoor venue. Beyond that, It will take an full miracle for me to return for any show in the future.The layout of the seats is terrible barely an incline. Thank goodness I'm tall so I could still see from way way back. This place is a HUGE money grab from drinks, merch, and even having to pay to check my purse because somehow it "didnt fit their criteria", which was unclear on the website, when I have gone with that same purse for past concerts. The security and "Guest services" were RUDE and AGGRESSIVE to me when I questioned their policies and called out the number of others who were allowed their bags (not medical bags, no tag on them, bigger than mine). I asked for a manager and suddenly found myself surrounded by 3 security all being aggressive and was told that they were not going to call anyone. I have never been treated like a criminal before for asking questions. I worked as an usher and security and customer service for many venues in the past and any kind of behavior like that toward customers would have been a firable offense. Absolutely ridiculous they can treat anyone that way. With the hyped up cost, the shitty power tripping "security" (i sure didnt feel safe there), the only actual perk being a nice view of the skyline, which i can get anywhere else alomg the lake, this venue is not worth the hassle. Go see your favorite band anywhere else. read more

The venue is right in the heart of downtown Chicago. As it's right off the lake there's a nice breeze. Its a fun place to catch a show. It also doesn't hurt that it's near the Shedd Aquarium and the field museum if you need other attractions for a trip to Chicago or a staycation or adventure. read more

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The treatment of concert goers tonight when rain hit the Teddy Swims concert was awful. Staff were screaming at those of us seeking shelter regardless of the lightning and flash-flood warnings. What a mess, and obviously awful planning for situations such as these. I will not return to this venue, as it is one that if something does happen their crowd control is horrendous and you have to walk SO far to get to a place where there is either parking or public transportation. read more

Ive been here a couple times now. Huntington pavilion is pretty nice as far as access to concession stands go. The sound from the stage is great to. I've always loved how the sun sets right over the city skyline so you can get a great photo of the stage with the sunset in it. The biggest draw back is leaving the concert of course, everyone leaving at once gets pretty congested. I guess the best way to get out of there is to pay one of those bike carriage people to get you to the edge of the park so your walk to the train isn't so far. read more

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To get into the event, we were routed toward the lake, then around a fence then under some trees. I immediately felt multiple bugs jump into my hair. I spent half the concert trying to get them out. They dug into my scalp so they were probably tics. To make matters worse, there were bugs flying around our face the whole concert. Terrible they don't treat for bugs, just unacceptable. read more

After trekking in my 4.5" boots with heels from the city, I must say it was worth it to see John Summit in this smaller venue! I was rewarded with a $28 dollar can of spiked seltzer (and maybe a couple more), by my gentleman who was unbothered by anything and he made me the happiest girl there! . The bathrooms are in a trailer like set up and are crowded at times, but you can walk to the ones by the food area booths and those seemed available. We had an amazing time and we are coming back to see more concerts ( hopefully 21+ crowds ). AMAZING city views ! read more

I wasn't sure what to think at first because I wasn't expecting none of the audience to be covered by roof. I guess that's the difference between a pavilion and an amphitheater. The walk to get to the venue from parking at soldier field wasn't terrible but it could definitely be improved with a walkway over the marina. Getting around the venue was super easy. Bathrooms, food and beverages were everywhere and very easily accessible. I was super impressed with the quality of the video screens that provided a great view no matter where you sat. What surprised me most was how good the sound system was. It seems like they just get better by the year. The bass was so powerful at Suicide Boys that the scene were vibrating. I definitely won't hesitate to see another show here. Especially with the proposed improvements to that area coming up. read more

Huntington Bank Pavilion - Trying to act cool at Suicide Boys - Outdoor Movies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome layout, grounds and staff. Everything was managed very well. Love the location. Very easy to get to by foot or vehicle. Parking is too expensive, just walk or take a ride share. read more

My husband I had never been to a concert together and we came to see Milkey Chance and Young the Giant. We had such a blast! We sat at the VIP third level seats. If you're wondering if it's worth it, let me tell you it is!! First of all the staff was very professional and courteous. We had some drinks and also some cheesecake with a strawberry. It was delish!! The VIP perks include: - Access to your own strip of ports potties which is a little nicer than the regular ports potties - Access to your own back bar so you can stay close to your seats. You can order food and have it delivered right to your seat! The view was stunning with the backdrop of the city. Have to say it was all really amazing and night for the books! read more

This is a very cool venue near Adler Planetarium. It's a little inconvenient to get here via car and public transit but the views of the city are great. The sound is usually on point and every show I've been to has been great. The drinks are very expensive but it's run by Live Nation, so what else is new? read more

This is a perfectly fine music venue. Parking is insanely expensive, but it's pretty easy to get to via train/public transportation. The other thing that's horribly expensive here is food and drinks. I get it, it's a music venue in Chicago. I'm not expecting a beer to be $1. But $22 for a mixed drink is insane. The sound quality is fine. The view is super pretty, with Lake Michigan to one side and the Chicago skyline to the other. It also makes for a nice summer breeze. The bathrooms are nice and clean, in the long trailers. Merch lines moved pretty quick and they seemed to have their stuff together. I recommend skipping on drinks and parking, but enjoying the band and the views. read more

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If your bag isn't the size of a child's pencil case, don't bring it. The teenager running the door who just got their first taste of authority can and will make you exit the line to pay for a $10 locker that's located in a unprotected field outside the venue. read more

This venue has so much potential but it is horribly managed. I had a particularly terrible experience here when attending the Florence + The Machine concert this week. In fairness, I am not sure if this is all the fault of Huntington Bank Pavilion or Live Nation, which also sucks, but my biggest issue is that nowhere in any of my emails following ticket purchase was it noted that you could only bring tiny bags of a certain size or clear plastic bags into the venue. I had a relatively small crossbody bag with me and had to check it and pay $10 to store it in a locker outside the pavilion, which I was not at all happy about (my other option was to walk 20+ minutes back to where my car was parked at Soldier Field to lock my bag in the car, which likely would have meant missing the start of the concert). I am happy to abide by security protocols, but the fact that I received several email reminders leading up the concert with language that said, "Important things to know before the concert" and the clear bag thing was not mentioned in any of them was extremely irritating. Lesson learned for me, as I will now always check the venue website in addition to the concert ticket website to confirm these things, but it really was ridiculous and the venue should work with the ticket provider to make sure these policies are communicated to attendees. I had to wait in line forever to check my bag along with a lot of people who also didn't know about this policy. Okay, so that is my main gripe, but there is a lot more to complain about. This venue is situated at a lovely location and has the potential to be awesome, but it seriously sucks so bad. I paid top dollar for center-stage seats and could barely see anything because the seats have no stadium-like incline whatsoever, which is ridiculous. The acoustics are awful. There is hardly any wayfinding signage, and as there is very limited parking close to the venue, people who park at Soldier Field or elsewhere don't always know where to go: a lot of concert-goers were wandering around aimlessly before the show and needed to be pointed in the right direction. And literally, your choices to go to the bathroom are either traditional port-a-potties or what basically amounts to port-a-potty trailers, which are beyond awful and so, so disgusting. Also, there are a lot of nice people who work at this place, but it is overall so poorly managed and not even the employees know what's going on. The people doing the security check really did not have answers to my questions, the whole security line was very disorganized beyond the whole clear bag fiasco, and when I had put my purse in the locker and was headed back to the security line, the staff diverted the line for some reason and we all had to traipse across a wet lawn in the dark to get back in another line and enter the pavilion. It's all so ridiculous and is honestly an embarrassment to our city that what is billed as a beautiful lakeside entertainment venue is so horribly managed. I really hope they make some much-needed improvements soon. One more note: the concert itself was awesome. Do yourself a favor and see Florence + The Machine the next time you have an opportunity to do so (but it's probably not worth it if the concert is held at the Huntington Bank Pavilion). read more

The chairs on the blacktop are infested with spiders. I saw a few spiders crawl on people. My wife found a spider in her hair. I wouldn't recommend this place for people who are scared of spiders but if exposure therapy is your thing then this is definitely the place to do it. Maybe find better storage for the chairs and spray them down with a hose before a show. They were pretty dirty chairs all round. read more

Very cool concert / festival grounds! This was my first time ever going to Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island, and I'm so glad I did. The set-up is perfect for a large festival. The main stage is a little small for really big bands, but can accommodate smaller size or mid size acts. I went for Northcoast, which is an EDM / Dance music festival. We had VIP tickets which allowed us to sit in a private seating area, private bar, and private restrooms that were air conditioned. Definitely worth upgrading. We were also allowed access to walk up to the mainstage and see the acts up close. They have lawn seats which are pretty far back. If you're on a budget great, but we'll worth the upgrade to get up close. Beyond the lawn seats they have tons of room for vendors selling food, drinks, clothing, and other cool stuff. Besides the mainstage, they also have an old airport hangar for indoor acts. For this festival they had another stage set-up in the grass between the mainstage and the hangar. That's a pretty small stage, but it allows newer acts to promote themselves. When you're at the pavilion, you'll have awesome views of the Chicago skyline as well as Lake Michigan. Awesome views and awesome place to have fun! read more

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Don't go to a concert there. Lines, lines, lines. Line for security was over an hour. Lines for food and drinks over 20 mins. Lines for bathroom over 15 minutes. If you like standing in lines, it's the place for you. I went to see DMB and I missed the first 5 songs. So many inefficients and untrained staff. Need to make so many improvements. Under-delivered enjoyment experience. read more

Huntington Bank Pavilion - Security line to get into lawn seats. Took over and hour to get into venue - Outdoor Movies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS ON THE LAWN AT THIS VENUE I WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY NOT RECOMMEND IT... Fortunately this was not the case for me at the recent Phishband 3-night extravaganza BUT my professional concert best friend and I went back there a couple times for professional evaluation and overall we deemed that it was UNSAT. If you have GA Pavilion or reserved bleachers the place is fine. Good sound, nice scenic views of the city, BUT it's not really a dedicated true amphitheater... it's very makeshift... All the concession stands and bathroom very temporary / wheeled in... The Staff didn't seem that with it either. I would go back, but it's definitely not a top outdoor venue. read more

Huntington Bank Pavilion - Outdoor Movies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Most horrible concert experience I have ever had in my life. Do not waste your money. Never see a show here. They took our water bottles and our umbrella at an outdoor arena with a forecast of rain. None of this was posted. . It was absolutely the worst experience, never ever again do not see a concert here. They took our water. We don't have a right to drink water unless we buy it from them perhaps. Think about it! WATER they have absolutely no right to do that!! I can't post this review unless I leave one star. They deserve a negative 10. read more

Ooohhh, BARR-A-CUDA! Yesterday I saw the legendary rock group ¶HEART¶ perform here, so I've been on an Ann & Nancy Wilson (the sisters who created/headline the band) spree since then. I may or may not randomly throw in some of their hit song titles over the course of this review. Sitting on the tract of land previously occupied by the ill-fated Meigs Field, this outdoor concert venue is probably more suited for bands than for their fans. The stage faces Lake Michigan to the southeast, with the crowd eagerly watching to the northwest. Normally this'd mean everyone in attendance is treated to killer views of the gorgeous Chicago skyline, but the humongous height of the band scaffolding blocks the brightly-lit skyscrapers. CRAZY ON YOU A supersized can (23 oz) of Budweiser costs $12.50, which seems expensive but actually isn't all that terrible. Fortunately, it's easier to hold onto (and thus less likely to spill) plus the higher content of booze equates to spending less time waiting for drinks and more time spent enjoying the lakeside concert. So that's cool. The booths appeared to have a modest selection of food choices, everything from dessert nachos (!!!) to pulled pork sandwiches. We ate beforehand this time around, but rest assured on my next visit I'll be ordering some tasty sustenance from the vendors here. WHAT ABOUT LOVE? The acoustics were solid. Seating was either in tiered bleachers or in folding chairs on the pavement. Locating the section/aisle was a challenge at first (the section # is spray painted on the ground). LiveNation ushers and security did a commendable job keeping the walkways clear of people, which is almost always a problem at concerts, so props to them. Thankfully weather wasn't a factor on 7/19/16, because if it rains during an event.....you're royally, 100% boned. Aside from the VIP section, there is NO protection from the elements whatsoever. The uncovered, open-air environment can be great on clear summer nights but if the weather should take a turn for the worse, then I have honestly no idea where you can seek shelter. If the sirens blare, grab your ankles and kiss your butt goodbye. KICK IT OUT The bathroom situation was pretty laughable, as both the men's and women's lavatories are located in trailers. You heard me, trailers. Like the kind that are in imminent danger during a tornado. Or the kind that are prone to exploding from a makeshift meth lab. Those kind. You walk up a few steps to pee in stalls that are spaced way too close together with privacy shields that aren't nearly high enough. This means that whether you want to or not, you'll likely catch a glimpse of another male concertgoer whippin' out his meat sword because he's drunkenly pissing LESS THAN A FOOT AWAY FROM YOU (proceed with the "why you lookin, bro?" comments). EVEN IT UP The concert venue is located on a peninsula, while the lone entrance/exit is itself an isthmus. Getting in and out of here is a big ol' headache (Northerly Island is just south of the Adler Planetarium), and despite the presence of free trolleys shuttling people back and forth from the Soldier Field garage, there's a lot of walking involved. Location gets huge points for coolness factor and promptly loses said points for convenience factor. Imagine the logistics of getting to an event at Soldier Field. It's tough, right? Now imagine that Soldier Field is on a tiny strip of shoreline and has only one entrance which also doubles as the only exit. Fill this pygmy promontory with overserved patrons shouting (not singing) the lyrics to Joan Jett's "I Love Rock & Roll" and you should have a decent image of what a rock concert is like here. STRAIGHT ON My verdict? There are worse places to see a band play your/their favorite hits. Granted, there are far better places too, but Northerly Island (I REFUSE to acknowledge the existence of another bank-named music venue, because that sh*t is getting straight ridiculous) isn't an awful place by most measures. Currently titled FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, formerly known as CharterOne Pavilion a.k.a. StupidAssballsArena. Wait 2 years, it'll be called something completely different. I can't really recommend this place.....but then again, you can't exactly choose where Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, or Huey Lewis play gigs. read more

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Oh my, this place is poorly designed, poorly laid out, poorly operated and just not well run overall. My partner and I were so excited to see the Pet Shop Boys in concert. We showed up with plenty of time. The lines to get through the gate had us meander through the wilderness to come right back to the entrance. How about investing in some rope lines! Ok then once inside, sheesh. Ok so since the layout of this place has only one entrance onto the "island" to get to the far side of the stage you have to walk all the way around. Did I mention only one entrance/exit. Ok then there was the bottle necks where the vendors are. You have one way in, set up lines to help flow. OK, now the concert. Thank god the music was amazing because the control of the people in the place was terrible. I get people wanting to dance in the isles, but I would think for safety they would want to keep isles open, but NO! The slope of the "chairs" so poor you might as well all be in an open pit. Given how Live Nation tried to "control" the audience, it ended up a big mosh pit of people and no isles. They never got this in control. THIS VENU IS TERRIBLE AND POORLY LAID OUT. read more

Venue was better than I anticipated, after having read mixed reviews. If you love the band/performer you're going to see here, sections in the 100's are best. I loved the proximity of my seat (directly in front) to Dave Mathews. We saw, heard, and experienced all that there was. What a show they put on!!! Best concert to date! On to the venue- Once you're in your section, the crowds can get messy, as the seating isn't highly enforced. The seats are lawn chairs, as well. So, if you're spending an exorbitant amount on section 100 seats, front row, you'll be surrounded by some who should be rows behind you... which isn't fair. It is something to consider when purchasing tickets. I wish I would've known, or that the venue would've changed the situation, so I wouldn't have purchased some of the best seats to be surrounded by people whom spent considerably less but are arm in arm with me. Views are incredible, however, wherever you sit. If you're in 200s or 300s sections, it isn't so bad. The venue is rather intimately sized. SO glad I got to see my favorite band here; what an incredibly memorable show it was!! I would return for another concert here, just with these new considerations in mind. Drinks at venue- Vendors sell mango/strawberry/coconut cocktails for $16ea. They were good. Beer vendors walk around as well, at least in the 100section, so no need to wait in lines prior to the show. read more

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I attended the Nathaniel Rateliff show recently which was my first show at Northerly Island. And I loved it. It's a bit hard to separate the whole experience from just the part that is in Huntington Bank Pacillion's control though, and I saw one of my favorite bands on a picture perfect summer evening definitely impacts my overall feel of the evening. Considering the venue can't control sunsets, I'll try to stay focused on the venue itself. We parked at the Solider Field garage ($25 I think) and walked over. Apparently there's a shuttle, but it was a scenic 15 minute walk, so walking was just fine. Getting through the gate was easy as well, but we weren't carrying anything. We decided to have some dinner. There are food vendors right through the gate. There was pizza, sandwiches and a few other options. After we went to find our seats, which I was a little surprised were plastic folding chairs. It probably shouldn't have been surprisingly as it's an outside venue, but I expected something a little more permanent. The VIP section (AKA not me) looked a lot more permanent (from a distance anyway) with big fancy looking seats. We went to find some beers. There were many tents and stands to go to, but most had a similar selection. There were standard lite beers, and a few Chicago craft beers as well. The bathrooms were like fancy port-a-potties. Not the blue boxes, but like a trailer with many stalls and sinks. They were pretty decent and a good alternative to blue boxes. We had great weather for our show, and the sunset perfectly behind the city. There ended up being an un-advertised opener, putting it at a 3 act show, which was a little long. It was 2.5 hours after the advertised start time that the headliner went on. That was pretty annoying. But overall we had a good time. But if you're looking to park, drink or eat, be prepared to spend some money. I think we spent about $75. $25 to park, $25ish for food and $25ish for two beers. read more

One star for cheap shows and another for having decent concessions. Sound and lighting are okay as well. Location is awful. It's at least a 30 minute walk from the Roosevelt Red Line stop or the 18th Street pedestrian bridge which are the only way to access the venue unless you're driving and prepared to pony up for parking. The marina just makes finding this place tricky especially at night. read more