Mainstream pop, indie rock, hip hop, punk, blues, or jazz — no matter your musical taste, you’ll find it live in Chicago any night of the week.
The city’s legendary live music scene includes everything from free summer music festivals to iconic venues ranging from intimate neighborhood clubs to historic music halls.
And as the birthplace of everything from house music to Chicago-style jazz and amplified blues, it’s a city that should be on every music lover’s bucket list. The city was even named one of the best music cities in the country by Rolling Stone.
Here are just 30 of the must-visit music venues in Chicago.
The Hideout
You’ll feel right at home at The Hideout, a beloved Chicago institution inside a century-old house. Tucked away in an industrial corridor, The Hideout was once the domain of Prohibition-era bootleggers. Today, you’ll find concert-goers spilling out into the front yard during nightly concerts spanning punk rock, alt-country, indie-rock, and more.
The Empty Bottle
This unassuming storefront on busy Western Avenue in West Town is one of the city’s premier indie rock clubs. The Empty Bottle is known for affordable shows showcasing local and lesser-known acts, while cheap drinks, solid programming, and a resident bar cat bring a faithful following of regulars. Their signature event is Music Frozen Dancing, a free music festival held outside in the dead of winter.
Thalia Hall
Thalia Hall is a landmark concert venue in Chicago’s hip Pilsen neighborhood. Designed after the Prague opera house, Thalia Hall first opened in 1892 as an arts and entertainment space for the community.
Today, the concert hall hosts shows by well-known musical acts, up-and-coming local names, touring comedians, and more. The venue also houses a retro cocktail lounge, a piano bar, and a modern Mexican seafood restaurant.
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
The Green Mill is a staple of Chicago’s famed jazz scene. This former speakeasy in the bustling Uptown neighborhood dates back to 1907 — making it one of the oldest continuously operating jazz clubs in the country. Slip into one of the glamorous curved booths (you can even request Al Capone’s favorite spot) for a stellar lineup of live jazz every night, from sultry singers to big band and bebop.
The Salt Shed
One of Chicago’s newest concert venues, The Salt Shed has already established itself as the place for can’t-miss concerts all year round. Located inside the former Morton Salt building, The Shed is located along the Chicago River and boasts indoor and outdoor concert space. Come in the summer to see a show on the riverfront with the Chicago skyline as the backdrop.
Blue Chicago
Looking for authentic Chicago-style blues? Blue Chicago has hosted an array of blues masters since opening their doors in 1985, including Koko Taylor, Bonnie Lee, Magic Slim, and more. The magic continues today, with nightly blues shows in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Jazz Showcase
One of the oldest jazz clubs in Chicago, Jazz Showcase has been hosting top local and visiting musicians since its inception in 1947. The polished space in the South Loop neighborhood has been visited by jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, and more. Jazz fans will find a line-up of national and homegrown talent every night of the week.
Schubas
A public house for Schlitz Brewery is now a beloved neighborhood music venue and corner bar in the Lakeview community. Schubas is an intimate music hall known for its relaxed atmosphere, great acoustics, and quality lineups of indie rock, honky-tonk, folk, and country. The attached restaurant, Tied House, boasts a new American menu, cozy patio, and excellent cocktails.
Epiphany Center for the Arts
Housed in a restored church, Epiphany Center for the Arts is a cultural hub celebrating art, music, and entertainment. The stunning venue has quickly become a hot spot for live music in the West Loop neighborhood. You’ll find an eclectic selection of performances nearly daily, including jazz, blues, rock, pop, house, soul, and beyond.
Andy’s Jazz Club
With a prime location just two blocks from The Magnificent Mile, Andy’s Jazz Club is one of the city’s most well-known and respected jazz venues. The downtown spot hosts nightly sets and jam sessions featuring top names in jazz. Make a reservation for dinner or come early to secure seats — the intimate space has good views from all around the stage.
Lincoln Hall
Originally opened as a movie theatre, this 1912 building has had several lives over the years, including an auto garage and mechanic shop. It was also the spot where FBI agents took aim at John Dillinger, one of America’s most famous gangsters. Today, it houses Lincoln Hall and brings a reliable schedule of rock and pop acts to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
The Promontory
In the Hyde Park neighborhood, The Promontory honors the musical legacy of the city’s South Side. The venue boasts a modern design, great acoustics, and an exciting calendar of live music that includes R&B, jazz, gospel, international genres, and more. Come ready to dance.
Vic Theatre
Known among locals as “The Vic”, this Lakeview venue originally opened as “The Victoria Theater” in 1912 with vaudeville and touring stage shows. Inside, concert-goers will still find the original ornate wall sculptures and grand marble staircases. Over the years, The Vic has hosted icons like David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Coldplay, Elvis Costello, and more.
Buddy Guy’s Legends
In the South Loop neighborhood, Buddy Guy’s Legends is owned by the iconic Blues guitarist. This famed nightclub keeps the Chicago-style blues tradition alive with nightly shows by local, national, and international acts. If you’re lucky, you might even see the man himself playing a residency of sold-out shows each January.
Reggies
Reggies is an eclectic spot with something for every music fan, including a chill bar and grill with an intimate stage, an in-your-face rock club, and a relaxed rooftop deck. The walls are plastered in memorabilia and art by local graffiti artists, providing a backdrop for nightly performances spanning rock, metal, punk, jazz, blues, folk, and hip hop.
Constellation
Located on Chicago’s northwest side, Constellation presents progressive performances and forward-thinking music with a focus on jazz, improvisation, and contemporary classical. The intimate space is dedicated to fostering unique collaborations and providing a platform for innovative local artists.
Beat Kitchen
In the Roscoe Village neighborhood, Beat Kitchen has been serving up food, drinks, and live music since 1990. A local favorite, Beat Kitchen hosts regional and touring acts in an intimate setting almost every night of the week. Check their calendar for bluegrass brunch, comedy shows, and more.
California Clipper
This intimate cocktail bar and music venue is basically a Chicago landmark. TheCalifornia Clipper, with its signature red-hued glow and classic cocktails, has been a part of the local scene since the 1930s. The Clipper continues to draw in late-night crowds for the vintage vibes, mile-long menu of old-fashioned drinks, and stacked roster of musical acts.
Sleeping Village
Sleeping Village in the hip Avondale neighborhood is a bar and concert venue inside a former post office building. The bar area features sleek retro vibes and a robust beer menu, plus an adjoining patio. The venue space hosts an eclectic mix of concerts, talks, and events that feature local, national, and international talent.
Concord Music Hall
Concord Music Hall is one of the city’s premier independently owned music venues. This mid-size concert hall, situated between the Logan Square and Wicker Park neighborhoods, hosts a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, indie rock, punk, funk, metal, jazz, and everything in between.
Old Town School of Folk Music
Old Town School of Folk Music is so much more than a school. It’s also one of the city’s best off-the-beaten-path concert venues, spotlighting artists and styles from around the globe. From Brazilian tropicalia to Balkan dance and kid-friendly sing-alongs, you can discover it all in superb acoustical spaces.
Kingston Mines
For more than 50 years, Kingston Mines has been bringing the blues to Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Billed as the city’s largest and oldest continuously operating blues club, Kingston Mines is known for its two stages that bring non-stop music until late into the night. The space has been graced by the likes of Magic Slim, Koko Taylor, Sugar Blue, Billy Branch, Junior Wells, Joanna Connor, and more.
City Winery
In the buzzing West Loop, City Winery is both a working winery and a popular music venue. Order from a full menu of Mediterranean cuisine, sip on a glass of made-in-house wine, and enjoy intimate live performances. Acts represent a range of genres, including soul, Americana, folk, blues, jazz, and more.
Park West
Since opening in 1916, this former movie house has hosted everything from silent films to burlesque and vaudeville performances. Today, it’s known for booking some of the top names in contemporary music, including Patti Smith, John Prine, B.B. King, Tom Waits, Hall & Oates, and more. Park West features a multi-level space with a unique mix of cabaret-style seating and standing room.
The Metro & Smartbar
The Metro has earned a reputation for bringing in acts on the verge of making it big, platforming a mix of emerging musicians from Chicago and beyond. It’s also a favorite of national artists looking to play under-the-radar gigs.
The Metro’s landmark building is also home to the subterranean Smartbar, one of the best places in the city for house music.
House of Blues
House of Blues brings a dose of the Mississippi Delta to downtown Chicago. The unique space blends the welcoming atmosphere of a Southern juke joint with the soaring architecture of an opera house. The lineup includes plenty of live blues, plus national touring acts representing country, folk, jazz, world music, and beyond.
Riviera Theatre
The past and present collide at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago’s lively Uptown theatre district. This timeworn venue is a local staple, with its glitzy red marquee sporting rock and pop headliners that include chart-topping artists and up-and-coming local acts. The century-old building holds many of its original details, like the vintage ceiling frescoes and chandeliers.
Chicago Theatre
This iconic State Street theatre boasts what might be Chicago’s most iconic marquee. The Chicago Theatre, a gloriously restored auditorium in the heart of the city’s downtown, lines up superstar entertainers for shows that appeal to all ages and tastes, including David Byrne, The Monkees, Fleet Foxes, and Nicki Minaj. The soaring venue also hosts comedy shows, live podcast tapings, theatrical performances, and more.
Aragon Ballroom
Walking through the Aragon Ballroom is like stepping into a Spanish palace courtyard, complete with crystal chandeliers, terra-cotta ceilings, ornate balconies, and beautiful archways. The largest theatre in Uptown’s bustling entertainment district, the Aragon originally opened its doors in 1926. Over the decades, the stunning space has been a dance hall, roller rink, boxing venue, and has hosted musical acts ranging from Frank Sinatra to Nirvana.
Cobra Lounge
The unpretentious Cobra Lounge has showcased regional underground and emerging music talent since opening its doors in 2006. The laidback venue prides itself on its dynamic sound, intimate feel, and welcoming attitude. The space also holds an in-house brewery and serves their beers on tap for concert-goers.
Chop Shop
In a 100-year-old former auto body shop in Wicker Park, the Chop Shop is Chicago’s only sustainable butcher, deli, restaurant, bar, and concert venue. The rooftop patio is the perfect spot for dinner and a boozy slushie before heading to the industrial concert space to see indie, hip hop, and house acts.
Subterranean
Down the street from Chop Shop, Subterranean is a cornerstone of Chicago’s music and nightlife scene. The two-level venue hosts a variety of live entertainment, from musicians to DJs to burlesque dancers. Come for long-running weekly events, like reggae nights and a hip-hop open mic, or to see big names like Halsey, Lizzo, and Tame Impala — before they get big.
Radius
Previously an old steel factory in an industrial corner of the Pilsen neighborhood, Radius has been transformed into a modern music venue. The massive space is known for hosting top DJs and electronic artists.
The Auditorium
The Auditorium has played a pivotal role in Chicago’s event scene, with an illustrious history dating back more than 150 years. A National Historic Landmark, “The Aud” is known internationally for its perfect acoustics, innovative architecture, and stunning design. The breathtaking stage has hosted operas, ballets, and legendary performers like Aretha Franklin, Joan Baez, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, and more.
Chicago Cultural Center
A stunning showcase for the arts, this massive landmark building in the heart of downtown hosts free concerts and performances throughout the year. The Chicago Cultural Center‘s stunning interior makes for an unforgettable backdrop for classical, jazz, and blues acts. It’s also one of the venues for the annual Chicago World Music Festival.
