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So, you’ve come to Chicago to put
your book together and the first thing you do is look for a good bar.
Well, OK, we’ll call it "research" and help you out so you don’t
end up at Ye Olde T.G.I.McGillicudy’s.
If you’re looking to see live music, the best thing
to do is pick up the Chicago Reader, a free weekly entertainment paper
that comes out every Thursday evening. Until you get one, here are some
pretty safe suggestions for almost any night of the week.
The Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine
The Metro, 3730 N. Clark
Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn
The Vic, 3145 N Sheffield
These places are right in the city and book most of the
well-known names touring, in addition to smaller bands that might get
huge in a year or so.
Here's four smaller venues that book a lot of local bands
and edgier out of towners. The Wild Hare is all reggae, all the time.
Schuba’s is connected to a good restaurant, the Harmony Grill, where
all the acts eat dinner before they perform. If you’re a really big
fan you can order exactly what they order.
The Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee
Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western
Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport
The Wild Hare, 3530 N. Clark
If you go to see a band you really like at any of the
next list, you’ll have an excellent time since they’re all pretty
cozy and you can swear that the bass player was trying to make eye contact
with you all night. The cover charges are just a few bucks so if the band
sucks you won’t feel bad about leaving. Check if the Vu still has
turtle races on Wednesday nights.
Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont
Big Horse Lounge, 1558 N. Milwaukee
The Cubby Bear, 1059 West Addison
Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln
Fireside Bowl, 2646 West Fullerton
Gunther Murphy’s, 1638 W. Belmont
Joe’s, 940 W. Weed Street
Lake View Links, 3206 N. Wilton
Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln
Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division
Chicago's a great place to be if you want to pout. If
you go to Legends and Buddy Guy isn’t playing, you’ll probably
see him at the bar. Die-hard Blues fans already know about Checkerboard.
B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted
Buddy Guy’s Legends, 754 S. Wabash
Checkerboard Lounge, 423 E. 43rd
Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted
Lilly’s, 2513 N. Lincoln
These places are a mix of neighborhood joints that sometimes
have live acts and usually have a DJ’s. If you want BBQ go to Brother
Jimmy’s, if you’re a Detroit Red Wing or MSU fan go to Hi Tops, if you want to take your bra off and have the bartender nail
it above the bar go to Weeds. And if you go to Club Foot, let me know
how it is. I’ve never been there but it’s got a great name.
Artful Dodger, 1734 W. Wabansia
Brother Jimmy's, 2909 N. Sheffield
Club Foot, 1824 W. Augusta
Delilah’s, 2771 N. Lincoln
Hi Tops, 2462 N. Lincoln
Liar's Club, 1665 N. Damen
Holiday Club, 1471 N. Milwaukee
Jub Jub Club, 2447 N. Halsted
Mad Bar, 1640 N. Damen
Mad River, 2909 N Sheffield
The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee
Red Dog, 1958 W. North
Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton
Wrightwood Tap, 1059 W. Wrightwood
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