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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.
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3420 W Grace
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(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. |
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2100 W Belmont
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(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. |
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954 W Belmont
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(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. |
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1375 W Lake |
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| Relocated from the Lakeview neighborhood,
we expect this venue to reopen at the end of April, 2008. The Bottom
Lounge is a two-level multi-subcultural live music venue and bar. Age
restrictions vary from all ages to 21 and over. Sun-Sat
5pm-2am. Cover varies dependant on event. |
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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. |
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1824 W Augusta Blvd |
(773) 489-0379 |
| Club Foot is a smallish, one floor,
hipster/mod/punk bar, located in Wicker Park. 21 and over. Sun–Fri
8pm–2am;
Sat 8pm–3am. DJs, Pool, weekly events. |
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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. |
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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 |
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1572 N Milwaukee Ave
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(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. |
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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. |
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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/ DJs Dave Roberts
& Kristine spinning New Wave and 80s Classics in the back room. |
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1113 W Lawrence |
(773) 769-LIVE |
| Ignore the funky psychadelic exterior -
this place has a huge variety of show styles. 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. |
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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. |
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2539 N Kedzie |
(773) 252-6179 |
| Larger concert venue in the Logan Square
neighborhood. Age restrictions vary. Cover varies dependant on event. |
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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. |
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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. |
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2011 North Ave
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(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. |
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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. |
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Parking is notoriously difficult in the
Lakeview/Wrigleyville area, so we
recommend taking the CTA. However, there are plenty of pay lots nearby
and if you're lucky you could find street parking and most meters are
not enforced during late evening hours. Watch out for "Zoned" areas
where only those holding the appropriate residential zone parking
sticker are allowed to park, as well as the many valet and loading
areas with different posted effective times.
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