Music Venues

As one of the world’s great cities, Chicago embraces all kinds of music from every part of the globe. The city is home to a great many music venues of diverse orientations. Two standout venues that epitomize Chicago music are the Lyric Opera House and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Lyric is flamboyant, dark, and beautiful—everything that you would expect of a fine opera house. It is one of the most supported arts projects in the city, and boasts thousands of subscribers. Similarly, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has a great many enthusiastic patrons. It is the premier place to hear classical music in Chicago. Keep in mind that both of these venues are wildly popular, so it is a good idea to book tickets far in advance. Prices tend to be lower on weekdays, but the glamorous weekend crowd can be worth the steeper price.

Chicago is rightfully known as a city of great jazz musicians. Traces of this tradition are evidenced throughout the city, and there are many good places to hear jazz music on any day of the week. The most stylish of these venues is The Green Mill, located on Broadway Avenue on Chicago’s Northwest Side. While the cover charge is rarely expensive, the drinks are always good. The music, representing a spectrum of both local and national performers, is of the highest quality. Another popular venue is Jazz Showcase, a long-standing downtown jazz club. Weekdays tend to bring in fewer people, so if a sizable crowd is important to you, a Friday or Saturday night might be the optimal time to go.

Along different lines, the Old Town School of Folk Music is a respected institution with a rich history. Many performers stop through to give intimate concerts, but make sure that you book tickets early for popular acts. (The venue is quite small.) True to its name, it is a proper school and not just a concert venue; you can learn how to play almost any instrument by registering for classes, which are offered throughout the year. Plus, parents just adore their “wiggle worms” classes, essentially basic music instruction and play for the younger set.

Of course, these listings are only meant to be suggestions that highlight a few of the most popular venues in town. For a more comprehensive listing, you might want to consult The Chicago Reader, a weekly alternative newspaper that is widely distributed through the city and is free. It has an excellent arts section which regularly lists all types of performances, music and otherwise.