Concert halls Chicago

Really a place like no other! To get there you have to go to a laundry and nothing, absolutely nothing else, indicates that you are at the right address. You really have to go into the laundry and push the back door and here you are at the entrance of a magic show room... And it's indeed magical from the moment you enter: dimmed lights, cosy room and stage with a big red curtain do the rest. Various magicians will parade by while you dine comfortably seated. Between two shows, artists play live. A superb address!

The Gene Siskel Film Center is part of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and as such has been presenting a nonprofit program of independent and international films since 1972. Recognized as the best independent cinema in Chicago, it often screens French films. Note that to the right of the Gene Siskel Film Center are the ABC Chicago studios. You can see, through the glass windows, the set of the newspaper. Stop by during news time if you want to catch a glimpse of the Windy City's star anchors.

A large dark room and a large stage for the musicians, a beautiful bar, a space to dance, a calm and relaxed crowd, there is everything you need to spend a good evening at Martyr's. Bands can play rockabilly, blues, swing, funk or rock... Opening onto the street, bay windows create a neighbourhood bar atmosphere. Martyr's is also a restaurant, where sandwiches, pizzas, salads, etc. are served on tables decorated in memory of great musicians like Jim Morrison. A very good address to discover.

Still relatively unknown to tourists, Rosa's Lounge is reputed to be one of the most pleasant places to listen to good music, played by local artists. This small venue was opened by Tony Mangiullo, an Italian who dreamed of opening his own blues club, until his mother, Mama Rosa, who runs the bar, moved to Chicago. You have to come as soon as it opens if you want to get seats opposite the musicians. In our opinion, this is one of the best places to hear real blues.

Pops for Champagne is one of Chicago's newest and most elegant jazz clubs. It is located in the heart of the city, which does not spoil anything. The first floor with its bar in the centre and its large windows become the place of meeting "after work" where you start with a champagne cup or a glass of wine. A little later (five times a week), we go to the basement from 21 h to attend a jazz concert. The room is rather intimate and is in the spirit of the old clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Près.

This independent cinema, which opened its doors in 1929, presents foreign and independent films, silent films as well as great films from the 1980s. The place: an old theatre that has undergone few changes since its creation. It is framed by red velvet curtains in accordance with tradition. Its dark blue ceiling and its eight hundred seat hall are worth the detour... It is also famous for its organ that resounds on weekends. It is said that this cinema is haunted by Whitey, the first owner of the place...

This outdoor theatre is located in Lincoln Park, a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. It presents, at affordable prices, shows as varied as musicals, one-man shows... Most events take place in the summer. The Chicago Summer Theatre is organized there and, in 2019, all performances were free. You can also dine there, all year round! The site celebrated its sixty-third season in 2015. Built in 1913 in the Prairie style, it offers a unique setting with majestic views of Lake Michigan.

More than the establishments in the Loop district, it's Steppenwolf that gives Chicago its reputation as a city of theaters. Founded in 1974 by actors Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise in a Highland Park church basement, the group has welcomed newcomers from the University of Illinois to become today a company of thirty-six actors, directors, scriptwriters and adapters. John Malkovich is one of the theater's permanent members and has directed many of the plays performed there.

If you're looking to go out on a budget, but still want to get off the beaten track, Sleeping Village is the place to go. It's also a social venue, organizing events outside the concerts. Beer, cider, coffee, live music - that's how they sum up their credo. A huge plus of this place is the $1-a-beer evening, organized from time to time and communicated on the facebook page. Saturday nights are devoted to techno, with live DJ sets. In short, an affordable, good-natured and highly eclectic venue.

The city in background, daylight, fresh lakeside air... and your favorite artist right in front of you! That's the panorama offered by this venue, ideal for the warm weather. But before that, the path is strewn with pitfalls: they don't respect their bag size policy, so unless you have a transparent one, you'll have to pay US$10 for the locker. In summer 2022, the Pavilion welcomed major artists such as Alicia Keys and Norah Jones.

Located behind the Pritzker Pavilion, this theater hosts many artistic performances, especially dance shows. It is home to the Hubbard Street Company. The building that houses the Harris Theater is a thousand miles away from the Chicago Theatre and the many historic theaters in the city: rather modern, it was built in 2003, and is distinguished by its glass facade through which the beautiful lobby can be seen from outside. It can accommodate nearly 1,500 spectators.

Far from fearing the shadow of its famous elder Second City, Up Comedy Club produces excellent improv and one-man shows. Get there early if you want a good table. Beware, as is often the case in this kind of place, the audience can be taken to task! Avoid the first two rows if you don't want the comedian(s) to start a conversation with you. You can eat on the spot, but the food is decent without being extraordinary. In any case, it is rather difficult to chew when you are laughing out loud!

This beautiful building, opened just before the 1893 World's Fair, housed a movie theater for years. When the movie theater closed, the place sat empty for 40 years. It was in 2013 that it was purchased and renovated by a group of Chicago restaurateurs. It is now a concert hall with an eclectic lineup that will delight music lovers. The venue also hosts shows and performances. There's something going on almost every night! In the basement is the Punch House bar and John Dusek's Tavern.

The Hideout isn't just an indie music venue, it's also a place where poets, comedians and political apprentices gather to debate current affairs. It's one of the favorite bars and concert halls of Chicago's youth. Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Guided by Voices, The New Pornographers, Wilco, The Flaming Lips have all taken their first steps in this legendary venue. The stage is as small as the venue itself, but that's part of The Hideout's charm, and it's easy to appreciate its intimate feel.

Located in the Water Tower, this theater was founded by Northwestern University students, including David Schwimmer, best known for playing Ross in the cult series Friends. Looking Glass Theatre Company aims to be at the forefront of American experimental theater. The mission of this small 270-seat theater is to encourage collaboration and artistic invention among its participants. Alice in Wonderland and The Arabian Nights have been reinvented here.

This theater, in the middle of the Navy Pier, is the only theater in Chicago that offers primarily Shakespeare performances. The great classics of the British playwright, such as Macbeth, answer the call, as well as some of his lesser known works. But also plays related to his world such as Red Velvet, dedicated to Ira Aldridge who was the first African-American actor to play the role of Othello in Shakespeare's eponymous tragedy.

Perhaps less well known than Buddy Guy's or Andy's, this establishment has an excellent blues and jazz program, and has the advantage of not being very touristy. Opened by Joe Segal in 1947, this club is particularly cherished by Chicagoans for its authenticity and the passion it conveys. Despite various moves around the city, Jazz Showcase has not lost its clientele, perhaps also because, even when there are people around, no one is ever turned away. Be patient, the concerts are really worth the detour.

The Metro is a legendary venue on the Chicago scene, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022. In the early days, it was mainly a venue for local artists, before its growth attracted a number of headliners over the years: Iggy Pop, James Brown, The Whites Stripes... The venue is relatively small, seating around 1,000 - but that's part of its charm - and prices are affordable. What's more, the Metro is one of the venues hosting Lollapalooza's OFF festival, with Green Day performing in July 2022.