Chicago is rife with underground clubs and venues, and there's always something to do — whether you're into goth, punk, or industrial, or just like to listen to good music and have fun. The following is a list of places to go when you want to get out. Be sure to check Demonic Doings for special or monthly events.
The Abbey | Beat Kitchen | Berlin | Bottom Lounge | Cafe Lura | Darkroom | Delilah's | Double Door | Exit | Holiday Club | Kinetic Playground | Late Bar | Liar's Club | Logan Square | Lucky Number Grill | Metro | Neo | Subterranean | Vic
Abbey Pub, 3420 W Grace (773) 478-4408
Not just an Irish Pub, the Abbey houses both a pub and a main room two-story live music venue. Mon-Thu 11am-2am; Fri 10am-2am; Sat and Sun 9:30am-2am. Age restrictions vary. Cover varies dependant on event.
Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont (773) 281-4444
This two-story venue houses a party room, pub, and separate room with stage. Sun-Fri 11:30am-2am; Sat 11:30am-3am. Age restrictions vary. Cover varies.
Berlin, 954 W Belmont (773) 348-4975
A GLBTQ-focused, straight-friendly, dance club located in the heart of the alternative shopping and entertainment district. Open 7 days/wk: Mon 8PM-4AM, Tue-Fri 5PM-4AM, Sat 5PM-5PM, Sun 8PM-4AM (DJ Starts btwn 10 and 11pm every night). 21+ w/ valid ID. Cover varies. Parking difficult.
The Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake (312) 666-6775
Now open in the "West Loop" area, The Bottom Lounge is a two-level multi-subcultural live music venue and bar. Age restrictions vary from all ages to 21 and over. Click here for hours info. Cover varies dependant on event.
Cafe Lura, 3184 N Milwaukee (773) 736-3033
Cafe Lura is a lovely 3-room Polish restaurant, bar and performance space. All kinds of music and other talent can be seen nightly at this goth-friendly venue. Many, now big-name, musicians have had their first stage appearance here. With old-country European decor, stone walls and iron sconces, updated with black-light wall paintings, plush couches in the restaurant and anteroom, a stage and dance floor in the mid-sized bar room, along with friendly staff, the ambience is undeniable. The authentic Polish food is good too, but the only downside is there's very little for a vegetarian or vegan to nibble on. Drinks are inexpensive and try the "OK" Polish beer! Cover varies. All ages for dinner if no event; 21+ for events and generally after 8PM. Sun–Fri 6pm–2am; Sat 6pm–3am.
Darkroom, 2210 W Chicago (773) 276-1411
Beautiful black and red interiored venue plays host to music of many genres with focus on local underground sound. Venue is goth-friendly. Live bands booked many Thursdays and Sundays. See description of venue here. 21 and over. Sun–Fri 8pm–2am; Sat 8pm–3am. DJs, live music.
Delilah's, 2771 N Lincoln Ave (773) 472-2771
Delilah's is a mid-sized, mostly punk bar, located in Lincoln Park. Sun-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat 4pm-3am. 21 and over. No cover usually. DJs, Pool, Movies, weekly events. Check their calendar.
Double Door, 1572 N Milwaukee Ave (773) 489-3160
This tri-level venue has become a staple for music and events of all genres. Sun-Fri 8pm-2am; Sat 8pm-3am. All shows 21+. Cover varies. Show tickets available at box office (with no service fee), open from 12pm til closing, Monday through Saturday, CASH ONLY.
Exit, 1315 W North Ave (773) 395-2700
Exit is a large, two-story, mostly punk/industrial club, located on the eastern edge of the Bucktown area. 21+. Sun-Fri 9pm-4am; Sat 9pm-5am. No cover Sunday-Thursday, $5 Friday and Saturday, daily drink specials. DJs, BDSM shows, bands occasionally, plus weekly and monthly events. See website for current calendar.
Holiday Club, 4000 N Sheridan Rd (773) 348-9600
The Holiday Club is a mid-sized, veggie-friendly, hipster restaurant and bar, located in Wrigleyville. Mon-Sun 6pm-2am. DJs, Food, Pool, weekly events. Of interest: Friday is Planet Claire w/ DJ Dave Roberts spinning New Wave and 80s Classics in the back room from 10pm-2am.
The Kinetic Playground, 1113 W Lawrence (773) 769-LIVE
They've finally removed the funky psychadelic exterior! Clear glass windows now make this place rather non-descript, but they host a huge variety of show styles, though sadly a lot of hip-hop or post-Aragon events. 544 capacity, newer venue located in Uptown. Large open space and nice stage plus lounge area. 21 and over. Cover varies dependant on event. Parking behind venue; steps from Lawrence Red Line El stop.
Late Bar, 3534 W Belmont Ave (773) 267-LATE
Late Bar is a newer (opened 2009) nightclub owned and operated by staple scene DJ's Dave & Kristine. 100% friendly to the dark alternative scene. Tu-Fr 9pm-4am, Sa 9pm-5am, clsd Su & Mo.; weekly events.
Liar's Club, 1665 W Fullerton Ave (773) 665-1110
The Liar's Club is a mid-sized, two-story, mostly hard rock and punk bar, located in Lincoln Park. 21+. No cover Sunday-Thursday; $5 cover Friday & Saturday. Sun-Fri 8pm-2am; Sat 8pm-3am.
Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N Kedzie (773) 252-6179
Larger concert venue in the Logan Square neighborhood. Age restrictions vary. Cover varies dependant on event. *Smokers beware: last we heard this venue does not allow re-entry.
Lucky Number Grill, 1931 N Milwaukee (773) 235-7761
Two story cafe and bar. Better than average pub food served on main level from 5PM on Tuesday-Saturday (kitchen is advertised as open "until close", but in reality they seem to stop serving around 11pm or midnight). 2nd floor is open 9PM-2AM Thursday-Saturday with bar and dance floor. The second floor is where the goth/industrial events occur.
The Metro, 3730 N Clark St (773) 549-0203
Metro is a large, three-story live music venue, located in Wrigleyville. Age restrictions vary from all ages to 21 and over. Cover varies dependant on event. Parking difficult.
Neo, 2350 N Clark St (773) 528-2622
Neo is a mid-sized, single floor, mostly goth/industrial club, located in Lincoln Park. 21 and over. Sun-Fri 10pm to 4am; Sat 10pm-5am. No cover Sunday-Wednesday; $5 Thursday-Saturday, but look for the free before 11pm coupons in the print edition of The Chicago Reader. DJs, BDSM shows, weekly and monthly events. The Neo website is updated frequently, so check it out for current info. Parking difficult.
Subterranean, 2011 North Ave (773) 278-6600
Three level Wicker Park mainstay for a variety of musical acts. The Lounge on the main floor serves food, drinks and a host of DJs. Upstairs is The Cabaret with stage and a balcony overlooking the main floor. The fancifully decorated venue serves many genres. Mon 7pm-2am; Tue-Fri 6pm-2am; Sat 7pm-3am; Sun 8pm-2am. 21+. Cover varies.
The Vic Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield Ave (773) 472-0449
The Vic Theatre is a large, three-story, multi-media theatre and bar, located in Lakeview. Age restrictions vary for concerts; Brew & View is 18 and over. Hours vary dependant on events; the Brew & View has shows at 8pm and 10pm daily, with additional 12m shows Friday and Saturday (except when there is a concert). Cover varies dependant on band; $5 cover for Brew & View. Concert tickets can be purchased at the box office, cash only, to avoid convenience fees. Parking difficult.
