Best venue in the city. I've seen three shows there, and the sound has been amazing at all of them. The drink prices are also very reasonable and the bartenders do a good job of helping you out quickly. Subterranean comes close, but Empty Bottle has been booking some amazing shows the past year, I love it man. read more

My favorite place in the country to catch a show, period. They tend to find some great up-and-coming talent and it encapsulates the Chicago scene. Sound quality can be disappointing at times, but you expect it and embrace it here. Catch something to eat at Bite before the show, enough vegetarian options to be legit. Also, its a hipster drag scene here so pull out your skinny jeans and over-sized knit caps. I still don't care, I love this place read more

Good staff, cheap drinks, but very small venue.

Probably one of my top 3 venues for an intimate concert. Great bar, decent bathrooms--- This venue can get a little cozy, so dress in layers. Parking in the neighborhood is tight, so take public trans... read more

Have you seen the French super-duo, Stereo Total, anywhere besides the Empty Bottle!? Neither have I.

Upside: good prices. Cans of beer starting at 2.5, and drafts at 5. Pretty cool place if you're in the mood for it. Older crowd, which is nice, at least the one time I went. Downside: there is one freaking place to sit, I was so tired standing. And the band we went to see started playing at midnight, waited 3 hours to see them, ahg -maybe this is how it always work. read more

Best Friday night happy hour in Chicago. Honky Tonk dancing and you get to sit back stage too. Two hours just isn't enough time.

Cool, divey, small venue, that apparently gets great acts (I'm not a local). Friendly bartenders, easy enough to get drinks, even when it is sold out, and a large enough selection. Slight demerits for the sound and sightlines - the stage is tilted with respect to the room, and it can be tough to worm your way into a good spot if you don't get there too early. read more

The Empty Bottle is so great that even the ''bad'' reviews explain what could potentially be awesome about this place. Its small and dim, completely unpretentious and neighboorhoodly. A Chicago staple for years, always featuring the best of local and touring bands of the Underground. Music Friendly Dancing. read more

This is a great place to see shows! I've seen popular bands and indie bands here, so there's a great mix. Great beer selection!

The Empty Bottle is THE best place in town to meet up with friends, have a drink, and catch a great show. There is great dive-y ambiance in this little venue and you'll be happy you went. read more

Monday nights are free shows, when advertised... Cheap beers. Wish they would start the Monday night shows a little earlier than 9pm. I would think that this would be good for them if they want to bring in people who have jobs that they have to go to in the morning and can afford something more than a $2 PBR. read more

I went here tonight to see Secret Colours. This was my first time at the Empty Bottle. I thought it was alright. Yes it's a little dirty but it's a rock club so I'm not going to complain about that. I don't drink so I can't comment on drink prices. The staff was friendly. And the show was free! I got a copy of the EP and they cover the Kinks. Nice! read more

Great beer. Cool people. Good music. !! Kara is great!

My friends at work had mentioned the Empty Bottle and since most twenty somethings like to rave a little they invited me to join them at the joint on a Friday evening. That said, it was love at first sight for me. Small and cozy, rather friendly entrance fee and wonderfully priced booze. There was a live show, well actually two, one early evening and the other around midnight. Those who enjoy a snack can head across the street for some chow but the drinks.... Anyway, I was blown out of this world with the atmosphere and what I liked most was the ability to engage in small talk with the live performer on break. The service is great; imagine a place with friendly bouncers, barmen and waiters. It packs a crowd though but I liked that too because it went with the mood. I am now a regular! read more

I've been right next to this place numerous times because I always visit Bite Cafe when I'm in Chicago. Finally had a chance to check out the venue and overall it was great. The place gives off a very intimate underground vibe. There's a pool table and a couch in the front room, an arcade corner, and the walls are lined with band posters. The stage is right next to the bar and fairly small but good sound quality. My only issue is that sometimes the speakers are way too loud. I've been to many concerts, standing near massive speaker systems, but this was so bad that I had to put in ear plugs (was lucky enough to bring someone along who had some). I felt like my ear drums were punctured even with them in and had to leave towards the end of the set with a headache. read more

There's nothing fancy about this place, but it's a good place to see a variety of music. They have a small stage with a quality sound system. The door cover is always reasonable and they have free shows on Mondays....but the bands are still top quality. The drink prices are pretty typical for the neighborhood, but you can usually find a variety of discount options. Overall, it's a good place for music, drinks, and the occasional game of pool (1 table in the side room). read more

Great place to see a show. I think they are booking the awesome shows that the Double Door used to book. Also you won't pay more than $10-$15 for a great indie band perform on the weekend. Cheap and pretty large beer list. The sound isn't the best for the concerts, but not bad for a small venue. read more

Great local music venue. The beer is cheap ($1.50 PBR on Mondays!) and the door price is always reasonable. If I've heard of the band playing that night I'm always willing to go. If I haven't, the price is right and it'll still make for a good evening. read more

Empty bottle is the best place to see your favorite touring bands-- anybody you want to see comes here! And people are never obnoxious and generally leave you alone. read more

It's so nice to be able to catch a great live show without having to pay $6 for a PBR. The last time I was there they had $3 Shiner Bocks and $2 shots of American Honey - way cheaper than you'll find at most regular bars, let alone a concert venue. Even better, near the end of the night the tamale guy came in! The sound is pretty good for a venue of that size - though if you're seeing a more popular band the main room can get to be pretty cramped. Overall, cheap tickets+cheap drinks = good times. read more

Good place to see a breaking band or just enjoy a fav passing thru . Relaxed crowd , good beer selection . Okay prices on booze and admission for shows . read more

The Bottle is the place for good emerging bands on tour to play, as well as an incubator for local bands of all genres. Recent highlights: Dum Dum Girls w/ Dirty Beaches, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (though dude's voice was a little shot, but still great). We go almost every Friday evening for hard country honky tonk with Hoyle Brothers. It's a great neighborhood vibe, very all ages. People getting a little twisted after work, dancing. There is a whole group of people who two-step in the great Texas dancehall style. Hoyles rip it up. Same goes for Windy City Soul Club once a month. Super fun night of dancing, DJs playing usually-obscure 45s. Drinks are always well-priced, and for $5.50 you get any of the daily combos, like shot of Beam + PBR. read more

Carefull!!! Its easy to pass up this hole in the wall. Look for a corner bar on Western Avenue with an awning which reads "Friendly Dancing." Well, inside you won't see much dancing (unless some overserved patrons engage in moshing in front of the stage) but the staff is certainly friendly. What you will find inside is a dirty, dark, poorly maintained facility which hosts the greatest variety of music in Chicago. The atmosphare may be lacking but its whats on stage thats important. And on that stage had stood a motly collection of the most innovative artists. They were all there, representing all varieties of musical innovation: Techno, Hip Hop, Industrial Noise, New Metal, Freak Folk and even some Honky Tonk. The well stocked bar is cheap and has a large selections of beers. If you get tired of the music then there is also a pool table and you can also hang out with the musicians after they are done playing (they are usually tabling their music in the other room). There is usually a cover charge except for Mondays. But be sure to check the website and you might be able to get in free if you RSVP. read more

Best venue in Chicago in my opinion. I love that they offer so much free/cheap shows! I have gotten to see such an awesome variety of bands that I wouldn't otherwise have been able to see due to my restricted college budget. Empty Bottle you literally rock. read more

I discovered this place during one of their free Mondays and I've been back probably ten times in the last month. I call it nerd rock but it's really good if you like a combination of guitars, drums, and voice. I really feel like it fulfills a need in my life. What's especially cool is how they program usually three bands so you get a substantial experience every time you go. read more

Great joint for live music. Tried to go in the wrong door, by the sign off the corner, that door is locked. 2 doors down security greets you in. It is a cash only location, bar and cover, but I think there is a mini ATM inside. Venue is cool has capacity of about 166. Band and DJs were great, sound was ok. Cheap beers on tap and bottle. They have Frogger and Mrs. Pac Man cabinets. Would go back anytime. read more

I love seeing bands and DJs here. this is one of the best places to see a show in Chicago. it is grimy and stale but the sound is great and they recruit very good talent. The atmosphere is half of what you are coming to enjoy. Cool place. read more

The best rock club to play in Chicago. They have great accommodations for artists (green room with fridge and lots of seating) and they always pat well. They ask artists to show up pretty early for soundcheck but they always make sure everything sounds good. Cheap drinks, a built-in crowd, and a Pac-Man machine. What more could you ask for? Also, the staff very clearly enjoy working there. That's a very important plus in my book. read more

Not sure how I got there. I remember seeing three very different bands but nothing specific. The bar tab ended up pretty decent. Sweet place to rock out. Next time I promise to at least arrive sober for a more articulate review. read more

does this place I.D. at the door? I am a youngster and many of the bands I like only will play this venue. Someone please help me out here?!? read more

Great venue, great bar...Small cozy space where the acoustics are great and the setup is perfect to see a great performance. Drinks are cheap 312 etc $3...point was like $2 when I was there last. Space reminded me of a CBGBs type bar, that assures you of good times. Highly suggest checking out a new band on a random wed night. read more

also...this is the only bar I have found in town that has bullet bourbon. my favorite!

Too smoky, but what are you gonna do? Also, sometimes way too trendy. I feel like I'm in class at Columbia. Maybe I should start making my own clothes so I can fit in with all the other "original" people at this place. Snarky comments aside, this place is a great place to see a show (especially if you get in the good sound spot...no I'm not giving the secret away!). Some of the best shows I've seen in Chicago have been here (Songs Ohia! Modest Mouse, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Our Dead, Crooked Fingers, shit, even OK go was enjoyable here!). The room definitely can make mediocre bands better, and great bands, well there's few places I'd rather see em at. I would not reccomend it for anything quiet, however. Staff is pleasant as well, and you can always escape to front room if the bands suck. Unfortunately, booking has gotten steadily worse over the years which loses it a star (think abstract too cool to move art rock of shitty IDM music), but there are still good bands coming through here. Can't wait til the smoking ban goes through! read more

The empty bottle services fans of indie rock culture. Since the closing of the Lounge axe, the Bottle has become the main stage for indie and DIY bands coming through Chicago. A Shangri la of hipster havens, the Bottle features an odd "L" shaped live room/bar area. The bar always has a decent drink special and they have a decent beer selection. The cover charge ranges from free to $15 on average. They also have a room with more of a common area appeal with a pool table and video games. The sound of the oddly shaped live room varies considerably depending on the location that you are standing. I often find that the stairs in front of the sound booth is the best place for a good audio mix. As I mentioned before, this place is a definite hipster haven, being happily un-hip to the eyes of the young'ns I've received a few looks from the clientele. Oh well. I do however feel awful for the poor bar cat that is trapped in there with the ear shattering music night after night. Overall, I'd say it's good rather than great. read more

Caught a bunch of shows while out in Chicago for Pitchfork Festival and all I could think was that I wished NYC had more similarly sized music venues that booked the same types of bands. Plus $2 PBRs and Old Styles?!?! what?!?!?! read more

I've been coming to this place for years - since Boo Radley was alive and spry! To me the Empty Bottle is very Chicago. The drinks are a good deal, the music and crowd is always diverse. I especially love ending the week (and starting the weekend!) by catching the Hoyle Brothers' free gig most Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30. They play a lot of my dad's country music which I didn't appreciate as a kid, but now find warm and wonderful. I smile through each set. read more

One of my favorite places to see a show. A few of the bands they book here are on the verge of breaking into mainstream, though most are just people who love music, much like the majority of the crowd. It may not be the best space, or have the best sound, but it has character and that counts for more in my book. read more

a good place to get your drink on while seeing a rock show. i've been here countless times and have seen a wide range of music, from indie pop to Nachtmystium [black metal]. there are cheap beers to be had and the shows are affordable most times. the sound system is good and loud, so bring earplugs. decent bartenders, crappy bathrooms. read more

This might be the best place to see live music after you turn the big two one. I'm not saying the acoustics are better than the Symphony Center, but the atmosphere can't be beat. The Bottle consistently has a calendar full of diverse musical acts, from rock and pop to jazz and african tribal groups. The small stage allows an intimacy that is only rivaled by that of the merchandise table in the front room, where the band often sells their own swag. Booze prices are cheap. I'm talking six bucks for a beer and a shot of Maker's Mark. The walls are usually covered with works from local artists, the covers for shows are reasonable (especially during their free Mondays) and the staff is pretty friendly for a rock club. If you're not into music and need some other drunk entertainment they have a couple retro arcade games (Ms. Pacman and Centipede) as well as a beat up pool table and a cat that lives on the couch or under the merch table. This is the perfect place for a night of rock. read more