Went to Thalia Hall for the first time for wave to earth's lollapalooza after show and had an…read moreamazing experience! This is a small, intimate avenue in Chicago that hosts concerts, opera, and plays. There really isn't a bad seat in the venue! We were able to snag one of the larger opera boxes, which I highly recommend, especially if you're going with friends. Ours was on the left side and perfectly angled toward the stage, so we were incredibly close. The box seats up to six people and they even provide water for you, which was a nice touch. The venue also has a bar area and a balcony. For this show, the balcony was general admission. There are four large balcony boxes and two smaller two-person boxes, which would be super cute for a date or going with a friend. The staff were extremely friendly, and parking was surprisingly easy! We found street parking within about five minutes. They do serve food and drinks, though we didn't get any this time. Overall, the show was intimate, fun, and such a great experience. If I come back for another concert at Thalia Hall, I'll definitely try to get an opera box again.

Fantastic venue in an old, vintage building. Loved the coffered ceilings and the intimate setting…read more We saw a string quartet play tribute to Metallica and even the balcony seats were great. Bathrooms are all genders with multiple stalls, so pee with all your friends. There are no urinals in that bathroom. Just private stalls They have a bar. Heavy pours. Need I say more?

When I heard Low Groves (my nephew) was performing in Chicago ,I had to make a drive into the city…read moreon a Monday night. This is your Classic Chicago Neighborhood Dive Bar offering indoor and outdoor seating with a back area with a stage for live musical performances. They don't serve food but they do have a nice draft beer selection. Street parking is available and there is a cover charge to see most of their live music performances. Definitely a Chicago Icon.

Great people here at a true Chicago dive bar. I finally got to see Low Groves (my nephew from…read moreAsheville, NC perform along with Orillia and Conor Lynch. The sound quality in this intimate setting was really good. It's so fun to see original music performed by singer/songwriters and the Low Groves cover of a Wilco tune was a perfect nod to his hometown. Be sure to come here and support musicians.

Such a unique place, phenomenal atmosphere. Live bands, great staff and a pool table…read more What more could you ask for? Even had an old style Photo Booth! How cool.

Kari's Rating 8/10…read more Came on a Monday for some free music and got there around 8:15pm. I thought it was relatively busy as the bouncer checked my ID and gave me a stamp. I walked into the bar area and was trying to grab a drink and it was pretty crowded. Since I don't really drink anymore, a friend bought me a Matcha soda and two of the Monday night specials for three dollars each Overall, the place seemed relatively divey and a little bit dark. I don't really think of this venue somewhere you would take a first date. And the decor was a lot of sharpie doodles in the bathrooms as well as stickers galore. It was a really fun intimate stage. As the first band started, it only got more packed-but the air conditioning was well dispersed and I never overheated. I thought the acoustics were OK in the room, but the bands themselves are relatively loud and their pronunciation was a little difficult to hear the lyrics. I hadn't really heard of the bands that were playing, but when I left around 10:15pm there was a massive line-I think there were still two more bands that were going to play and I'm glad I left when I did!

Just wanted a place to stop in for drinks for an hour or so. It's setup like a speakeasy so there's…read morea cool way to enter the place. Great service! Great atmosphere. Good drinks. The only thing negative is they charged us a cover fee for entrance on a Friday during Happy Hour which we later discovered should have been free admission based on the advertisement on the bar's flat screens.

I came here on a late Saturday night after attending another event; this served as the groups…read morenightcap before we ended the night. I'm so glad that I happened upon this place because it's one of the best late night live music spots that you can come across. I'm not sure if there was an established band that was on stage beforehand, but while I was there, it seemed like there were a lot of local acts and just super talented folks who were there jamming on stage. I loved every minute of it. There's a small bar there which I could imagine could get easily packed and overrun during a busy night but overall the drinks were fine. They do have seating areas, low chairs like the speakeasy vibe to enjoy the entertainment, but they also have a lot of space to dance and stand if you need to. I'll be back for sure, but you should also check it out.

We had drinks and that's it. Service was fine. Ambiance is what you go for. Sheryl Youngblood was…read morethere. She was amazing. Well worth it.

BTS Band was phenomenal. Every musician was impressive and top notch! Shirley Johnson was a lovely…read moresinger although it is clear her vocal power has been stronger in her younger years. Arrive by 8:30 to get a seat. Venue was packed by 9:30. Cash only.

DIvey spot we hit up for a drink and a spot to catch an uber after Riot Fest. They had some great…read moremusic playing on the juke box, but it was also competing with the rock band playing in the other room! It was really hot and steaming in here and didn't have the freshest smell in the world in the air. Service took a while, like a long while, as it was super busy and only one bartender behind the bar at 9pm on a Saturday? Oops.. Maybe I was just in a bad mood cause I just got attacked by a branch while trying to walk and look at my phone at the same time! Not horrible but not a spot you would probably want to hang in for ever either.

Of course it's not for everyone, hidden on the corner of Western. I can't say I am a fan of course,…read morebut it was fun for what it was. Co workers wanted a "cheap" drink, and let me tell you it was far from it. A hard liquor glass was almost $9 and for a place like this that is just, well: A DIVE, that shouldn't of been the case. I was rather surprised but at the same time I thought maybe its becuase we were dressed rather conservative and this place seems to cater to a less dressed crowd. Water Hole, hmmmm we should've really thought of that before entering do rained libations. But on the plus side, they serve a hell of a great fried chicken wing! Of course you have to order the food and really know what southern fried chicken is, yes they don't play when it comes to the fried chicken. It's been one of the least known spots to have it made this way. But again, is the bar part of this joint what I would keep coming back to? Nope.

The Cobra Lounge essentially has three spaces: the former brewery's bar space (still feels like a…read morebrewery), the lounge, and the music venue. They all deliver a top-notch experience! Having read reviews and menus for All Rise Brewing Co. online, we headed in for beers and dinner, then quickly realized the brewery was no more. No complaints, though--what we found was a laid-back, welcoming bar with plenty of local beer on tap and a menu full of interesting pizzas. We tried some beers, and split a Clam Bake Pizza--that was pretty awesome. Classic cult movies playing on the screens (I hadn't seen Buckaroo Banzai in awhile!) gave the place a little added atmosphere. Our bartender was super cool & helpful. The room got close to full as showtime neared, but was always comfortable. Patrons likely vary depending on what music's playing; this night was shoegaze/goth and the multi-generational crowd looked like fans of those genres. We ended up staying for the night's live show, which was a lineup of four bands (one touring and three local, I think) for a very reasonable price. We could take our drinks from the bar into the venue and/or order more in the lounge space. I wasn't alone, but would've felt safe and comfortable on my own there. The venue's an elevated stage with two sets of steps. There doesn't appear to be any back room; gear and cases were piled in an alcove. The sound and lights were good. Bathrooms were just fine. No seats in the venue, but it's cool to come and go to hang out in the lounge or bar. Cobra Lounge has a small, well-lit parking lot and there's plenty of street parking available too.

Drinks were a decent price. Food looked good but I didn't order anything. They do not accept tap to…read morepay and recommend leaving a card for an open tab. The show space was nicely ventilated. The bathrooms were okay, the stall doors were huge which was really nice.

Consider what happens when you merge two Chicago icons into one experience. On one hand, you have…read morethe Salt Shed, a venue built from the historic Morton Salt Warehouse, a Chicago landmark dating back to 1929. On the other, you have the Silver Room Block Party, an event that has spent more than twenty years marking what feels like the true peak of a Chicago summer. When I heard the block party was moving to the Salt Shed this year, I was honestly a little worried. I've been to the Salt Shed several times and have enjoyed it every visit. It's spacious, thoughtfully designed, and gives you multiple ways to experience the venue without ever feeling repetitive. My concern was whether the spirit of the Silver Room Block Party would translate to such a large space. I went with friends to celebrate what I consider the height of a Chicago summer. Around this time of year, the city becomes a giant dartboard. No matter where you throw a dart, you'll find something happening. Festivals, music, food, art, neighborhood events. Chicago is alive in every direction. The Silver Room Block Party has grown, contracted, and evolved over the years, but through dedication and the community's continued support, it has endured. That's part of what makes it special. I'm happy to say my concerns were completely unfounded. The Salt Shed didn't just accommodate the event, it elevated it. Three different musical genres were happening simultaneously, yet the layout allowed people to move freely, connect, and enjoy each space without ever feeling cramped. One minute I was listening to one of my favorite MCs. Less than a hundred feet away I was dancing to house music. A short walk later, I found myself enjoying current hip-hop. Somehow it all worked. I still haven't convinced myself to spend the money on the upper-level experience, although it certainly looks tempting. Honestly, the community spaces on the main level were more than enough to make the day memorable. I also grabbed a spicy margarita, which was surprisingly good and reasonably priced in my opinion. So bravo, Chicago. Once again, you've managed to remind everyone why summertime here is unlike anywhere else. This event and this venue turned out to be a perfect match.

I visited the Salt Shed for a very special event- an Obama administration reunion that was full of…read morejoy and packed to the brim with attendees. If you're a short person in gen pop-standing only, try to be as close to the front as possible. My friend and I grabbed an Italian sausage Chicago dog and a slice of pizza from the vendors outside. Both were pretty decent and it came in clutch because we were so hungry.

I love this jazz club! Established in 1947, it's the oldest jazz club in Chicago and the second…read moreoldest in the country. As soon as I walked in, I could feel I was somewhere truly special. The dark lighting and swanky vibe creates a lovely ambiance. A variety of seating options, including sofas. Attentive service and excellent cocktails and mocktails. The musicians are incredible!

This place has a magical feel IF you're into jazz. If you aren't a jazz lover, you just may become…read moreone here. Well, I love jazz and it's a great place to be. I came here for the first time knowing my grandparents started coming here in the 50's for date night jazz. This place was founded in 1947 and you can see they've preserved this place to keep that same feel with all the greats from the past... Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Lonnie Liston Smith, Hugh Masekela, Dexter Gordon, etc. (those are my favorites!). I saw the Kyle Swan Quartet. They were absolutely amazing. You see young and seasoned musicians that are so talented. I usually go to Birdland in NYC but this place, Jazz Showcase, is better to me because it feels more welcoming and like home here versus a production at a theater. We interact with the artists here-- well, they interact with us and make us feel like we are at home and like we are supposed to be there with them, not a performance transaction. $25+ for a show and booking online was a breeze. It's comfortable here, chairs are good and there's sofas in reserved areas but the whole seating area has a great view of the stage no matter where you're sitting. The staff seems gracious and kind of everyone who visits and genuinely wants you to have a great time. They see very selective in their talent that performs here... but why wouldn't they when they've been here for so long and had the best artists perform here?! I came the night that The only downside that may be for some people is they don't have food... only drinks. Me personally, I ate before and don't come for food, I come for the jazz... but they've got beer, cocktails, and other spirits. Macallan and Laphroaig for those who need a good whiskey. Come here if you're ready to relax and listen to great jazz with artists who know their craft. I'm coming back with friends... or even alone. Yeah, it's cool like that. ***Side note: the GPS may take you to the Main Street and you may not see the sign right away and actually have to turn the corner on Plymouth and walk down that side street to get to the end of the block (where the dead end/no outlet is).

Oh how I love the sultry vibes at Gilt. It is every bit speakeasy but way better food. Yes it's…read morealmost always busy... but there is a secret: from the time they first open until 5pm for bar seating and a happy hour menu of some of their top appetizers is worth checking out. Yelp tip: leave room for dessert. They have this hot butter ice cream that is an experience all of it's own. I know it sounds odd but you just have to try it and thank me later. Service is also stellar, I cannot say enough about how professional and kind everyone is. They never make you feel rushed and are very good about checking to see if you need anything more.

We came here for happy hour and it was great. Perfect for sitting outside during the summertime…read more Loved the variety of food options and the bone marrow was good. Their drink options are good and the service was great! Our waiter came out and checked up on us a couple of times. Absolutely loved how the view was sitting outside.