Category: Entertainment

The very first thing most people notice about LSA is the fact this place looks strikingly similar to their high school gymnasiums, from institutional stair cases to the waxy hard wood floors, right down to the caged, high ceiling windows. In fact, the only thing missing

is the caged wall clock to protect it from ricocheting dodge balls! And, since it hosts all ages shows, the floors tend to be scattered with kids squatting on the floor with their friends in a circular fashion, almost in a surreal Duck, Duck, Goose! scenario.

The large stage set against the far back wall is somewhat risen with a very good sound and lighting system to counter act the natural, echoey acoustics and also offers a decent vantage point from just about everywhere. And, when the place is at least half full, the sound somehow fills the room fairly well, with notable exception to the tiny, pricey bar area and puny, dingy bathrooms, which all seem to have been built as an after thought.

Most of the booking is done by the Empty Bottle for acts and show cases that demand a larger venue (LSA has a 700 capacity). As such, the bands booked are just as varied, but are generally of a higher caliper, though door prices are just as reasonable. Bands set up their

merch along the right side of the entrance, leaving the left side open for those who want to scale the wall a bit for an even better vantage point or for copping a squat between sets. There is a mezzanine seating section above, though the stairway is typically roped off for band members and their entourage.

While parking can be a challenge closer to show time, the Blue Line Logan Square stop is directly across the street, and a decent amount of cabs and all night buses are nearby. The neighborhood is pretty safe, so finding non permit parking a couple blocks into the residential areas is pretty secure. Just remember to keep everything of value out of sight. Also, remember to bring cash, as no cards are accepted. Food is non existent, but in and out is perfectly fine, so feel free to head outside to Johnny's Grill, Lula Cafe or Dunlay's around the corner. Also, the bar in Lula's sells cheap PBRs!

One thing that I really don't like about this place, other than the parking issue and the pricey beer, is the security guys they use. It's rumored that many are off duty cops who take their jobs way too seriously, bouncing kids like rag dolls for even the most minor of offenses. If that one issue can be rectified, I would be a very happy camper.

Now here is a place you can go to any night of the week and, even if all the bands were worse than disappointing, you can guarantee you will have a good time. There are so many pluses to the Bottle that the few negatives that is has can be far out weighed.

First off, there is that no cover Monday night deal, where while the bands can be varied and inherently hit or miss, the drink prices are more than fair, and there's a little tucked away game room nook that allows you to escape from the occasional suckiness. When the bands are good, the place can get really crowded. Either way, take advantage of the game room to catch a breather, and don't forget to buy some merch! Also, not many places can boast of being able to offer change back for a fin, including tip, of which the servers more than deserve.

Since the bands booked at the Bottle can swing from one direction to another, it's a good idea to check ahead for their lineup. Quite a few great bands have played here right before they struck it big, so if you have even an inkling of wanting to check something out, you really should!

Parking and public trans are definite issues, and people not from the area can find the neighborhood to be a little on the scary side. The mirror in the women's bathroom is kind of a non point, since the graffiti all but covers it, rendering it useless. Then again, who really goes to a place like this to powder their noses? And yes, the Bottle has its fair share of douche bags, but they're at least the kind that regular folks can associate with, just as long as they don't talk over the bands performing.

Be sure to bring cash to this cardless bar, as the cash machine bears a sign warning users it is truly the World's Slowest ATM, if it's even working that night. There's a pool table, classic arcade games and a photo booth too, which are a whole lotta fun! Then there's that black cat people sometimes come across by the merch booths, though I personally have yet to see it. Non human residents are cool, okay, and trying to spy such a mythical creature makes for a fabulous, drunken quest between sets!

This is a spot that definitely has its ups and downs, depending on your perspective. The bar has really earned its name due to its small capacity, and the upstairs verses the downstairs seem to be two completely different bars altogether.

As you come in, you'll immediately notice the blessed amount of bench seating available, which is great when you come in a pack. Also, since most people go there to see a show, seating is fairly ample, even on Friday and Saturday nights. The bar staff up there are pretty friendly, accommodating and know a thing or two about making a mixer, and the prices are fair, though nothing to write home about. The bathrooms however are pretty dingy and strewn with graffiti, but hey – that just makes for good bowl reading! Just be sure to hover and squat!

Yes, the Elbo Room brings in its fair share of decent local bands, and yes, it's in a fair location when it comes to finding parking considering the area, but that downstairs stage really doesn't do a whole lot of favors for anyone. The stairway can make you feel claustrophobic with those loose, winding steps, the stage is small and on the floor, the sound is pretty bad, it's more like hanging out in your mom's low ceiling basement than at any kind of real venue and wow does it get HOT down there, even in the middle of a frigid Chicago winter! And because of the layout, set changes take an awful long time, since there just isn't enough room for bands to set up and tear down in the same amount of space. However, places like this do allow fans to get up close and personal with their favorite bands, which can be a big positive under the right set of circumstances. Also, its strange, angular layout has plenty of little nooks to hide out in, though the bar stools are rickety, not at all comfortable and are in very short supply.

Overall, the Elbo Room is probably a good place to go if your friend's band is playing, so go ahead and support them! If you stay upstairs, it also serves well for finding a place in the neighborhood to bring a group of friends. Other than that though, the place really doesn't have much to stand on its own.

Whiskey lovers unite! Even if you're not particularly fond of the overall punk scene, there really is no place like Delilah's when it comes to getting schooled from their massive selection of whiskey, neatly categorized on its own menu by type, country of origin and year. The bizarre, morbid artwork gracing the walls spiral in your head faster than the libations that go down oh so smoothly, and the edgy music in the darkened rooms add to that overall effect of transporting your hum drum life into something a little more rebellious.

This is a bar lover's bar, make no mistake, which is surprisingly unpretentious in comparison to just about every other bar in the area. Finally, a place where everyone can feel just as welcome as their money is! Big kudos for that alone. Many a liver has been replaced due to this place, but yet no one seems to care. The punkiness has calmed down somewhat from its heyday, but Delilah's still has its overall FTW attitude that very few places in town can claim. The juke box has a great selection of music, but if the staff don't like what you picked, they do have a tendency to knock down the volume while your selection is playing and kick it back up when they approve.

Every section of Delilah's is the place to be: the bar staff and the majority of the patrons are pretty cool, and even a wait in line for the surprisingly clean bathrooms can be a place to strike up a good conversation and make new friends. Even the bar stools are comfortable, and probably need to be! After all, there are just so many interesting conversation starters to choose from! Drink specials throughout the week keep people coming back for more, and even on its busiest nights, the place is big enough to support actual chit chat with your group, whether you came with them or formed your posse right there and then.

One special word of mention is that the proportions of liquor to mixer will vary, based on the particular server, but it can go for the better. Many times, that JB and 7 will be almost all JB, and when there's a special going on, a ten spot can really go a long way! Unless you go to a genuine “bum bar”, you're not going to be able to stretch your dollar like that, that's for sure!

Ah yes, the Cubby Bear, where the party is sure to continue whether the Cubs win or lose, the Miller runs $5 a can (though no one complains out loud), and it seems that everybody in there needs to have their ID's double checked, due to the overwhelmingly young crowd. Even with its frat boy and trixie flaws, this bar is a must do after the game and has been a local institution for decades, even way back in the day when Wrigleyville was far from a hip place to see and be seen. Nice big tvs dot the overhead landscape, so no matter where you are, you can be sure you can see the game, just in case you left the bleachers a couple innings early. The bar staff knows a thing or two about mixing a decent drink, but don't expect the service to be exceedingly swift. Even so, it still is a pretty cool sports bar overall.

The Cubby Bear is also legendary as hosting some great underground bands of all genres and calipers. The intimate stage allows folks to get up close and personal with their favorites. Now while I personally find it to be a badge of honor, it can get pretty loud in there, so be prepared to have that after show ringing going on in your ears after a show.

If you want to actually feel your legs and hold a decent conversation with your buds, stop by on an off season weekday. The food is nothing special, but the people in there will be a little more mature (on all levels!) and it really is a great sports bar. This is also one of the places in town that hosts live band karaoke on Wednesday nights, which really knocks up the rock star status a few notches for the daring few, and it tends to make mediocre singers sound a whole lot better.

So yes, make no mistake, they're definitely open year round, because the Cubby Bear does not believe in waiting 'til next year to have a good time.

Now here is a place that, yes, is in massive need of a rehab, because The Congress sure does look like it's ready to fall apart at any second when the lights are on. But when the lights are down and people are hopping, the flaws are hidden and its old school charm really shines through.

There are quite a few other pluses worthy of mention that cancels out the negatives and makes this place great to catch a show and shake your money maker! The high domed ceiling is a true piece of art which provides great sound when the place is full. The floor below is sloped at just the right degree, making any place you stand or dance not only comfortable but also a great spot to see the raised stage. The mezzanine theatre seating upstairs is first come, first served, so early arrivals who aren't there to mosh or dance can enjoy the show in comfort and provides a spectacular view of everyone below. And the bathrooms may not be the most tidy but the lines even to the women's rooms aren't all that bad.

Now while catching a cab on this stretch of Milwaukee is still a rarity, The Congress has really stepped up on the parking issue by utilizing the big lot down the street at the CVS, and it's only a few blocks away from the all night Blue Line, which is a couple short stops away from the happening Wicker Park scene. Also, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, El Cid, is right down the street, which provides free parking at that same CVS lot, so crafty show goers could go there first for great food and margaritas!

Now since the place is so much bigger than even the mighty Metro, big name bands have been venturing over to this venue instead of even the House of Blues downtown. That is really a blessing, because people who want to park on the street can do so within a few blocks. With any luck, the bigger shows will put some money into that rehab coffer and help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. Also, while beer may be on the pricey side here, the last time I was there, the guys were coming back from the bathroom with beer in hand, due to witty vendors selling two by two to guys waiting in the urinal lines. Now if that doesn't add to the convenience, than the cheap coat check available certainly does!

Humboldt Park is a neighborhood that is in a constant state of change, but there are some things that never will. One of its many main stays is the California Clipper, a place that has really rolled with it but firmly holds onto its roots. And hey – where else are you going to find a bar that has grape soda on the fountain gun and has a bingo night? Seriously! That cool grape goodness makes for some fun vodka and gin mixes!

This place screams retro, but it's really not, because all that vintage red decor and lighting has been around about as long as that rusty lighted sign out front. It's about as jazzy as the Green Mill but with a mix of rockabilly and other fun styles blended together to make for a fun night. This is one of the few places where you can order something from the way back machine like a Tom Collins or a bourbon mixer and the bartender can do it without dusting off a recipe book, and yet are equally talented to whip up a flirty Cosmo all the same. People who frequent the lounge come from all walks of life, from hipsters to And since its location is right by the huge park itself, those wanting to start off when the sun is still out can chill out there, too. Snack on some tamales or corn from the outdoor vendors beforehand and go with it.

Now yes, granted, Humboldt Park still has its very seedy side to it, so it's probably not a good idea to go wandering off California Avenue after dark, unless you travel in packs. Parking can be tricky later at night as well, but nowhere near as hard as around other popular hangouts. But fifteen years ago, locals said the same thing about neighboring Wicker Park and Bucktown, so the general synopsis states the trend towards a better neighborhood will definitely follow. I say, embrace that state of flux and revel in it while you still can!

Hands down, one of the most popular venues in the city is The Metro, and it's actually a terrific launch pad for some of the best up and coming acts for touring musicians. And, whether you want to mosh down in the pit or chill upstairs at one of the cocktail tables or bars, every single spot at the Metro is the spot to see and be seen. If you have one iota of doubt about catching a show here, just drop it! Get your tickets now before your favorite band ends up playing the Allstate next summer! And I really mean get those tickets right away, because this place sells out A LOT!

Just about every genre finds its way to the wonderful stage, be it indie, world, hip hop, rock, metal or whatever. One day, 14 year old punk kids can be lining up around the corner, and the next day can be a casual crowd of 40 something’s. Since the place is set up in mezzanine levels with standing only space at the bottom, there are quite a few good spots to catch the bands, with great sounds traveling throughout. Shows actually start on time around here, so you should be, too. Dress as lightly as possible, as things can get rather hot and sticky inside, even in early February.

The bad stuff: Be very aware the rentacops there are nowhere near cool, so do not, under any circumstances, give them a reason to mess with you. The regular staff, however, are pretty cool people and have a habit of breaking their own rules for people who give them a show of respect. Also, drink before you get there, because with Schlitz going at $3, you just know everything else is a little too pricey. Don't even bother getting a tap, because those lines haven't been cleaned in years! If a Cubs game is playing across the street, note that finding parking will be a nightmare. And yes finally, there is no smoking and no in and out: once you're in, you're in for the night, so chew some gum, you nic-fitters! But hey – you're there to see an awesome show, right? Then see the show and forget about the hassles!

Where oh where in Chicago can one take in a live performance featuring the likes of Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and John Mahoney and maybe even the incredible John Malkovich, all within an intimate, true theatre setting, where every seat is a great one? Steppenwolf Theatre, my dear!

Not only is this place fabulous for seeing true live theatre, but so many of the shows themselves are absolute treasures, with actors who have a knack for hitting the nail on the head when it comes to truly understanding the Chicago culture. Witty, thought provoking, powerful, and dare I say sensual and even bad ass! The Goodman will never get that description, I'm sure! While blue bloods are most certainly welcome to attend, regular Joes who may be leery of seeing a production will thank me profusely for sending them here! Hollywood will never be able to capture the pure energy that is Steppenwolf.

The production quality is beyond all expectations, many times leaving folks with their jaws agape at the sheer investments. Even so, these guys haven't forgotten who makes this place tick and thanks them in several ways, like providing a reasonably priced parking lot in an otherwise impossible area (including time for some grub afterwards!), and by offering tickets at half price an hour before the show. Since shows rarely sell out, scoring a seat can wind up costing as little as $10! If you're looking for the seriously edgy and raw, you may want to check out performances held in the Garage Theatre.

Of course, the Steppenwolf is more than just a place to catch some great performances by real actors, as it's also a performing arts school, again giving it credence as a theatre that truly nurtures its talent. After all, this is the birth place of some of the best Hollywood has to offer, so it's only right they keep up with that tradition.

So yes, yes, yes! Hit the box office and see what sparks your interest. And leave the formalwear in the back of the closet – save that for your cousin Bob's wedding.

From Indie to Metal, if it rocks on the south side, then Champ's is the place to go. Bands like Disturbed cut their teeth here, in which many speculate it was because of this small stage and the regulars who hang out here that made them what they are today. Many will remember their original location as being in a strip mall parking lot with very limited parking. Now that they've found a banquet hall to call home, the parking has gotten lots better and the floor space was gotten a whole lot wider. What has remained the same is the superior sound and the good, cold beer at their full bar.

On almost any given night, local regulars find their way in, no matter which bands take the stage, rarely ever giving them a hard time. The sound guys hired do an excellent job of taking care of them as well, which of course helps in delivering a fantastic show. On Thursdays, patrons can take advantage of that stage themselves ala karaoke.

As far as the bar itself, there are plenty of brews to choose from, and the fun and frolicy bar staff are more than eager to please, mixing up drinks with a sassy Cheshire grin. Food is also available, including some pretty good pizza that comes fairly recommended at a reasonable price. After all, if there's one thing Chicago is known for, it is good food for big appetites!

So, whether you're heading out with a date or your buddies, be sure to check the schedule to see who's playing at Champ's. Or not! Because no matter who's playing, everyone is guaranteed to have a good time!