It doesn't get much better when it comes to small music venues. Plus this one is located in Lincoln Park which is a great area. Amazing stage and a very intimate setting. read more

Actually pretty awesome layout-wise. I was there to watch a Bears game on a Sunday and it was really empty which was good because I'm not a sports girl or a Lincoln Park girl. The balcony, like a theater balcony, looks out at a theater size screen. This was a good thing for my sporty friend. It was actually really fun. It's like going to a drinking theater where they have good beer and bar food for really cheap. Also, our server was great! (In case her boss reads Yelp reviews...Sunday 9/12/10 first waitress on, ponytail, arm tatt) Super chill and the perfect amount of service. read more

One of my favorite venues in Chicago (I'm in Milwaukee)! Fairly easy to get to. Nice balcony with seating with a separate bar for when I am lazy. Nice open space with a floor bar. Food available in the adjoining bar space. Bar, bar, bar. Did I mention they have several bars? Good sound, my last show the performer did a full on acoustic number sans speakers and it carried amazingly well. Great neighborhood for walking pre and post show. read more

Beyond the great stage, sound and acts (some Christian bands, by the way), there is a great restaurant. There are specials and regular menu items. Today I had the off-menu shrimp po-boy and it was very good but not like the Local Option version. Their soups are "souper" -- had a squash and ginger soup recently. Salads are solid, especially the purple and green (beet) and fried green tomato. I have come here for lunch since the opening -- venue was once Three Penny Cinema. On the second visit, the staff knew me by name. My warnings: I did not appreciate the flatbread and would not come at night to eat during performances. Nice dining space with best near windows to lookout to the Jewel carts folks drinking out of paper bags and doctors mixing it up at Children's Memorial Hospital pocket garden at Fullerton and Halsted. read more

One of my faaaavorite venues in Chicago. It's still pretty new & the interior design is what mostly got me hooked. The front of the place is a good sized bar & restaurant; the back room has high ceilings with a balcony & stage. The food is delish & the bartenders are pretty friendly & helpful with suggesting a good beer. The sound was pretty good; I've seen two bands here so far. There are a few small round high top tables in the back room, but I suggest arriving early to snag one. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went to Lincoln Hall for a comedy show, it ended up being a comedy show plus rap show, errr not really made it famous rap show. Immediately I was impressed with the place due to the sound upstairs on the balcony. The comedians were crisp and easy to hear and also the DJ set was clear. This place can get LOUD! I was also surprised to see a waitress floating around which is rare at a music / comedy event. I decided to go to the bar and here's my one gripe, they had 1 girl working a bar where 45 people were seated! Eeeeek long wait for a drink make me sad! However the place was clean, drinks are available if you are patient at the bar or get lucky and happen across the server but overall for the neighborhood and a music venue a good place to try out. Plus they have a pretty good selection of beers to chose from with a few micros even Lagunitas made an appearance on their rail. read more

Saw Russian Circles here on Saturday night. It is a pretty sweet venue! They have a ton of beer on tap - around $5 for 12oz. We didn't try the food, although it looked like it was tasty. All concert tickets are will call - so it's nice that you don't have to deal with getting tickets and remembering to bring them. The staff was nice and friendly. The place was clean with a modern loft feel to it. The concert area was awesome with a big balcony and raised floors on the sides, which I love because I am short. The sound was really good and I love the small venue. Also, love the waitresses that bring you beer in the middle of the concert floor so you don't have to lose your spot. read more

This place is spotless - you could eat of the floor. Or, you could eat at the bar area...seriously, that is plus. If you've had enough of a show, you can cozy up to the bar in the entrance and have a pizza and a beer. Try to get a spot along the upper balcony if you ever go here, that will make it a 5-star experience. I was here recently for Jovanotti - a sold out show. We stayed on the floor and it got really crowded; no room to move at all. I'm no stranger to packed houses, but Lincoln Hall's floor isn't nearly as big as the Aragon or Congress. Thus, you might feel a bit squeezed. The sound system is really great as well. Perfectly clear with no distortion, even right up against the stage. read more

This is an excellent venue, especially for smaller acts/shows. The sound is good and you can see the stage from any vantage point. Lincoln Hall has some great architecture and design to it and is overall very pleasing to the eye. I've seen two shows: Atlast Sound and Phantogram/The Antlers. Both great shows with strong turnouts. I am continually impressed by the artists coming through to play at LH. Reasonably priced shows that offer an intimate setting to see some of the best acts in music right now. read more

Before I start getting hate mail for this review I would like to preface it that I am not a music buff and I am not afraid to admit I like Justin Beiber. Came here to see BBU with a few musical ladies, first off they are awesome, second off Lincoln Hall is amazing ! Owned by the same people as Shuba's but a much different atmosphere, and by different I mean CLEANER and PRETTIER. We started upstairs where you can sit at tables or you can chill around the edge of the balcony and watch the band below, which in our case ended up being watching all the crazy dancing below ! Yes its $10 cover, but even if you don't know the band, its totally worth it, you get double the entertainment ! The best part was that it wasn't crowded, no one pushed you, you weren't jammed against other patrons, I am sure that crowd changes with the entertainment but this was the perfect mix, the venue was like 1/4 full though the people that were there had tons of energy and personality ! Check it out even if you don't know who's playing that night, you'll have a blast !! read more

My new favorite place to see a show. It could be because I saw Mucca Pazza and they put on an AMAZINGLY fun show. The place is really clean, including the bathroom. Good sign. Another good sign is that they show the Bears playoff games here for free on their 220" HD Projector Screen! In fact I can't believe kirk s. only gave it 3 stars. Its a 5 star place for sure. read more

Great place for a venue...cheers to Kellen & me and his first show! Not to mention the fab-o follow up by Portugal the Man. Love that its half bar, half venue. Its nothing spectacular, however, its just right. There also is an upstairs for VIP people that look down on the stage. There are adequate bars placed throughout so you dont have to leave the venue to get yourself a tasty beverage. Cant wait to check out more new, fun bands :) read more

One of the best music venues I have been to in years. Everything is great about this place...from the look and feel (very clean and modern) to availability of drinks (bar in lobby and concert floor, to sight lines and sound. The kinda place that I am now looking for bands to go see at more to see a band at the venue than I am in seeing the band themselves. read more

Far and away the best venue to see music in Chicago. The sound is fantastic, the space is well-ventilated, classy, and comfortable, and the artists that come have routinely put on some of the best shows I've seen. Unlike most other places in Chicago, there are very few deadzones from which you can't get a decent view of the stage. Oh, and did I mention they don't gouge you on bottled water? Don't change a thing, Lincoln Hall. You rock. read more

No tickets? Interesting. The way Lincoln Hall works is after you purchase your "tickets" your name is put on a list and then they check that before you get in. I dig this b/c sometimes I wait until last minute to see a show and don't want to hope there are tickets left when I get to the box office. I watched the show from the balcony and recommend that. It's less crowded, has a fully stacked bar, and if you're early enough you can grab a seat right by the rails for an unobstructed view. The sound was great and the servers were nice. Look forward to seeing more stuff here. read more

Good food, good beer and great small venue to see a band! Went here for the I Fight Dragons concert last Saturday and was impressed with everything at this place! Had dinner before we went in to watch the opening bands. Found it surprising and cool that the concert was streamed through the TVs and stereo of the bar! This allowed us to finish our dinner without rushing into the concert hall. Service was good both from the waiter and the bartenders. We had a coupon for 15% off our whole tab for checking in via foursquare, that was nice! Concert was good, I really enjoyed my whole experience here. I'd go back for another concert! read more

Amazing place to see a show -- and what an awesome bartender--ran out of my favourite beer half way through the pour - gave me and my husband a beer on the house to alleviate our "disappointment" -- we were there December 30 to see Cracker -- loved the acoustics and the intimate vibe--I didn't feel overcrowded either - considering it was a sold out show-- that's impressive!! read more

My new favorite concert venue! I've been here twice now, to see the White Rabbits and Mucca Pazza and both shows were absolutely fantastic. Staff at the doors were nice and attentive, and the inside is great. The downstairs part of the concert hall was not too crowded, and easy to get around with the aisles on the sides. There was a bar in the inside of the concert hall as well as the outside. If you're short like me, try to get on the aisle along the left side as it slopes a bit there. They also have an upstairs balcony where you can see the show and there is a bar on that floor. They've had some great bands playing here. Mucca Pazza was absolutely amazing. Can't wait to go back for Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears in March (or hopefully sooner!). Haven't yet tried the food, but everything else is great. read more

My favorite new venue to see bands. The sound is great, and the space is super clean. They have great beers on tap in the room and everyone working there was professional and nice. I'd definitely see another show there anytime. My faith in Chicago concert venues has been restored. Thanks Lincoln Hall! read more

Here's the deal. I came here for a beer and some food and I left very happy. They have a pretty good selection of beers on tap. The bartender was nice and let us sample whatever beer we wanted to try. We ordered the burger and it was the best well seasoned hamburger I have had since moving to Chicago. The traditional flatbread was fantastic as well. I am looking forward to returning and watching a show. The bands play in a room behind the bar. From what I could tell from sitting at the bar, the venue seemed great- especially the acoustics. You've just been yelped in. read more

This place is quickly becoming a favorite for me. My first visit to LH had its ups and downs, as did the more recent one. The first time, it was April and I was seeing Rogue Wave. They were excellent (as always), but the place was Riviera/Vic/Aragon Ballroom-style crowded. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate those venues for what they are, but when I come to a smaller place like Lincoln Hall or Schubas, I expect a different kind of experience. And I was getting hit by people's elbows and having beer spilled on my shoes too much for it to be all that different. Granted, this was a Saturday night, and my displeasure was more with the crowd than the place itself. More recently (late September), I saw Laura Veirs & the Hall of Flames here with the Watson Twins. This time, I chose to find a seat upstairs rather than hanging out on the main floor, and I was really glad I did. I had a great view of the stage, and the overall experience was incredible. It was intimate, and there was nothing distracting me from the raw talent being showcased below. (That was such a dramatic sentence. Somewhere, my college English professors are stroking their beards with glee). The Laura Veirs/Watson Twins show happened on a Monday night, which could have accounted for the difference, and one complaint I have is that they were showing the Bears game out in the lounge and didn't turn off the piped-in sound until halfway through the show. Um, gross. Nothing ruins alt-folk music like FOOTBALL. And yes, I am always that crabby about sports. read more

I regret missing out on my first chance to catch a show here. Back near the beginning of the year, I bought a ticket to a concert and a friends was planning to join me. The friend backed out at the last minute and I would've gone to the show by myself. I ended up wasting my money by not going as originally planned because I was worried about being there by myself. Fast forward to earlier this month when a friend and I saw a show. This was a chance for me to redeem myself! I was very surprised by the small yet open space which, when full, wasn't packed. My friend and I scoped out the balcony for some seating but to no avail (hint to self and others, arrive early for this prime location). We ended up standing off stage right on the ramp along the railing. To us, this was the next best spot in the venue as we still had a clear view of the stage, we could lean on the railing for support, and since the ramp was on an incline, we didn't have to worry about others standing on the floor in front of us to possibly block out view! One thing I was a big bugged about was the management of security. The good thing was that I always caught sight of a member of security so even though this particular concert wasn't going to involve any planned roughhousing, they were around in case anything happened. The bad thing was that their enforcement of the "no flash photography/no video recording" rule was so inconsistent! I know that may not seem like anything, but imagine being well aware of the rules and then seeing security vigilantly stopping patrons from breaking these rules, but not all the time. Then the one time you take a picture and accidentally leave the flash on, they are on you like a lion on prey. Other than that, I'll totally be back and ready to rock with a camera that will enhance dark lighting. read more

OK - this is a great spot for live music! I ventured here to see the Fela band and I'm pleased to say that the overwhelmingly positive reviews are on point. The bar at the entry way is fully stocked and there's lots of seating - easy to meet up with friends here. In the concert hall, there is another bar with a limited assortment of liquor and beer - so there is no need to venture to the main bar during the concert. And finally, there is seating in the upstairs area. There was a really cool vibe to the crowd - as we waited for the band on the main floor, a 'Soul Train' line started, and we got our dance on before the concert started! Love the diversity of the crowd. You will have fun! read more

I love this venue. super cozy, friendly, clean, the food looked good, the drinks were reasonably priced, and the sound quality and setting was great for a concert with the homies. read more

I love this place! I've been here a bunch of times for concerts with my best friend, and I like how cozy and intimate the inside is. The concerts we usually go for are R&B/soul type of music, so it's the perfect atmosphere and vibes! The floor level nice and the upper level has a good view of the front area. Me and my best friend had ordered a plate of food - burger and fries to share and it was decent. Food menu is limited but has something for everyone. Drinks are good though. Overall, this is one of my favorite concert venues! read more

Some friends and I went to lincoln hall last friday for a show. I had never been to lincoln hall, but did get to see pictures of the inside when it first opened. I thought the sound was good, the people were friendly, and the various bars on the first and second floors were very convenient. The bar overall is very nice, and the bathrooms were very clean. You had the option to stay upstairs where there are tables, or go downstairs to dance. I'm told there is good food during the day with lots of vegetarian options...I'll have to review again when I try it out. Was a little annoyed by the lighting upstairs. The show lights flash in your eyes and if you wear glasses, there is a strange glare. read more

Lincoln Hall is a great venue. The sound is amazingly crisp and the techs keep on top of their shit. I saw Tortoise and Lichens here on Saturday, and Tortoise played like demons. The crowd was civil and sophisticated, and the place was super clean. The size is perfect, too. Enough of a crowd to get into it, but small enough to get close to the band. Once again, let me emphasize how great the sound is. Great. But... I don't think it's really my scene. The lights were always up a little too much in the crowd and I felt like I was being watched. The beer is expensive. Waitresses push through the crowd to serve drinks, and it gets distracting. That totally doesn't work in a standing room only venue. I got the impression that a lot of people had showed up for the venue instead of the music, which rubs me the wrong way when the act is as rockin' fab as Tortoise. read more

I've been to a lot of venues and rarely do I experience one in which the sound is amazing and there isn't a bad place to stand to see the bands :) I mean, I can't pretend to know about sound systems or anything like that, I just know that the bands I've seen here...sounded the best! Also, the drinks are well-priced. There ya go...drink up! There are plenty of places to hang out depending on your dedication to the music. You can stand on the main floor and rock out with the bands, sit in the upper level for a more intimate feel, or stay in the bar area and chat with friends. No matter what, it's a win! read more

I've been here for 2 shows...1 was a NKOTB member's sold-out show (I'm not ashamed to be a blockhead!) and the other was an independent singer/songwriter's show. At the sold-out show, it was hard to get a feel for the venue. I basically couldn't move from my spot...there were WAY too many people there, and the crowd was a little pushy down on the floor (I mean, Joey Joe WAS on stage, so who can blame them, right?). The staff members were rude and yelled at unnecessary times, but did nothing to control the crowd. A few months later, I saw another artist at Lincoln Hall and it was a much better experience. I had a chance to try the food (the menu is weird and I wasn't really impressed with what I ate...or the price). I also had a chance to check-out the upstairs area, which provided a good view of the stage. Overall, this hall is just "okay". The acoustics aren't that good, the sound levels were WAY off during the second show, but it was clean, parking was easy and only $6 in the Children's Memorial lot and there were no major complaints. I'm hoping my favorite singers continue to pick SPACE in Evanston over LH....but I'll come here if I have to. Edit: I'm bumping this up a star. I've been to a few more shows here and the staff are incredibly nice....edging them up to 4*. read more

I heard the folks who owned Schuba's opened another venue, Lincoln Hall - so I had to check it out. I saw Phantogram here on a Sunday night and had a great concert experience. The room was large without losing intimacy, the sound was wonderful, and ther air circulation was stellar - I hate shitty stuffy sweatbox venues. Great. Fabulous. Awesome. I can't wait to come for another show. read more

This is my absolute favorite place to see a show. Reasons for its greatness include: 1.The sound is incredible. 2. You can pretty much see the stage wherever you are. This is coming from a short girl. 3. Great selection of beer!! Really, this is the only club I like to drink beer at. I'm sorry, but I am so over PBR or equivalent in a can. But I think they have that for those of you who are not over it. 4. They post set times. Big deal for me. Schubas, of course, does this as well. 5. Free water. Wow, what a humane concept. 6. They have many awesome bands come through. Summary: If a band you like plays here, go see them. The sound quality alone is worth the cheap entrance fee. read more

I went to Lincoln Hall for the first time earlier this month to see Architecture in Helsinki. The first thing that I liked about Lincoln Hall was how painless entry is for shows; split between two doors depending on your last name, and checked on the list. Standing room area is spacious enough but also has a decent view of the stage from wherever you may be in the venue. Showed up way too early, and ended up sitting in an empty room for a while. You can probably come as late as like 10 minutes prior and still get a good spot. I didn't feel crunched in or claustrophobic at all while I was there, and it was a sold out show. Seemed like everyone on the balconies had enough space to themselves as well. I would definitely go back to Lincoln Hall for more shows. While I can appreciate the ease of doing the will-call only list method, I do like having a physical ticket for memorabilia purposes; a printed confirmation email really doesn't do much for me. That's my only real gripe though. read more

I absolutely love concerts at lincoln hall! Although, I have only been here two times, the place is soo much! It is small and cozy. I love small venues and feeling like you are getting your own private show. The first time I was here was a year ago for The My Small Package Tour with All Time Low and A Rocket to the Moon. I had SOOO fun. I recently saw forever the sickest kids here for free! There was only about 20 people there which was fantastic. I just wish more bands like the maine and the summer set would play here instead of the house of blues because of its intimacy. It is also across the street from my place which is a big plus! read more

We saw Mortified, which is a comedy showcase of people who share their diaries, poems, and stories from childhood. It was hilarious and sad at the same time, but made for a great show. Nothing like telling your inner-most secrets in front of a bunch of strangers. The School of Rock performed 2 songs before the show, and they were awesome. The venue is incredible, especially the acoustics. We showed up 30 min before showtime and got 2nd row seats. It's a small venue, so there's not really a bad seat in the house, but sitting up close was better than back corner or standing room. The balcony seating seems cool too. The bar was surprisingly affordable and they have food too, which we didn't try. The show was on the earlier side, so we got out in time to have a nice dinner. Definitely buy tickets in advance because the shows will sell out. Loved the experience and we hope to come back for some live music. read more

Located in a great neighborhood with several great restaurants in walking distance. The venue was intimate with awesome sound! We had a good laugh over the fact that they have coat hooks next to the stage that everyone seemed comfortable using. Another bonus was clean washrooms - hooray! read more

We drove in from out of town to see a concert for one of my favorite artist. The space is amazing, super intimate with nice acoustics. The staff on the other hand is extremely rude. When we arrived we were asked to give our IDs, the man proceed to take our IDs and walked away, with no explanation. When we followed him inside of the bar we watched as he went in and out of several different rooms without explaining to us what he was doing with our IDs. He then came up to us and stated that he would not be giving them back because "they were fakes". supposedly they have several fakes from the state that we are from. We then requested to see the manager where we promptly showed several other forms of identification and successfully proved that our IDs were in fact authentic. He did not apologize or acknowledge how poorly that situation was handled. Instead he walked over got us 21 and over wristbands and walked away. read more

The sound at Lincoln Hall is the best you'll find in Chicago. It's outstanding. Plus, it has a solid beer selection at reasonable prices, good food and a great atmosphere. The management is friendly too. I've played at and seen bands at just about every music venue in the city, and Lincoln Hall is hands-down my favorite. read more

Nice venue, friendly staff, and I really like that they start exactly on time...I saw the line up with times next to the bar. The show was scheduled to start at 9:43...and it started at 9:43! The only thing I thought was weird was the will-call process. BTW, they love the fog. read more

Saw a show this weekend and I must say, I loved it. The venue is small (just the right size of small not double door small) and very clean. Most importantly the sound is amazing. It's a breathe of fresh air from the uncleanliness that is the Metro, Congress etc... If you love live music def. try and catch a show here! read more

Went to Russian Circles last Friday and every time I am here I grow to love Lincoln Hall more and more. This has become my favorite mid size venue in Chicago. They always book great acts and keep the their ticket prices very modest. Their beer prices are decent and have a great selection for a music venue. The place was immaculately clean as usual including the bathrooms. Seems like their is rarely a line to get in unless the show is sold out. Unlike many of the other venues in Chicago, the door men and security are always very friendly. FYI, if you are coming to a concert on either Friday or Saturday night show up a little early because finding parking can be a bit tricky. Also when it says on the ticket that the show starts at 10pm the first band will start promptly at 10pm. Generally the headliners go on at 11:45 at an 18 and up Friday or Saturday evening concert. Great venue!!! read more