Small venues, big sounds

In the mood to hear live music representing today’s scene — and just maybe see a rising band before it hits the big time? Try these intimate venues out

The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Since 1993, this Ukrainian Village spot has been a hip home to live music. Its unique corner stage creates interesting angles to see live shows, and the brick dungeon feel adds that “you’re seeing something special here” feeling. The Bottle boasts live music seven nights a week, sometimes free shows, but prices usually range from $7 to $15. This is the spot to catch some experimental groups, indie rock groups and local acts on the cusp. It’s our city’s inventive club, playing inventive music. And a can of Pabst is only $2. The Empty Bottle does present shows in other venues such as the Logan Square Auditorium, Beat Kitchen and Lake Shore Theatre as well. The phenomenal and quirky local act The Bitter Tears plays Dec. 18 and soon-to-be-playing-bigger-venues Brit-band Forward Russia plays Dec. 5.

Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport
My favorite bar in the city. The best bartender: Ben. The best crowd: void of uber-hip “vintage” folk and Clark Street Bears jerseys, just regular people. At the back of the bar, two doors open to the small, hallowed wooden hall that has been presenting live music nightly for 15 years. Sufjan Stevens played here first; Clap Your Hands did too. Many bands play here first before going to Metro and larger venues. It’s intimate and sounds great with tickets in that $10-to-$15 range. After shows, the bands always dip back into the bar to have drinks with fans. Try not to make them cry though (sorry Band of Horses). This is a special tavern and has the best in folk and indie rock. Nothing heavy or experimental here, but they’re going to be good if they’re playing here. Young buzz band Tokyo Police Club plays Nov. 29, but Schubas will always be home to young, and old, singer/songwriters too.

The Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont
The long narrow bar with hard-to-get comfy booths greets you as you enter. Order one of their 30 beer choices and then head in for the show. The venue room is shockingly bigger than you would think and has a harder, non-characteristic edge to it than you’d expect coming from the welcoming bar. It has more of a rock venue feel. The owners also own Subterranean. The Beat Kitchen lineup isn’t as trendy as that Wicker Park spot, but it scores alternative rock and indie acts from all over the country and largely from Chicago. The music definitely leans more toward an alt-vibe, which is unique compared to many of the smaller rooms in the city. And more than likely, you will not have heard of many bands playing here, meaning there’s a real chance of discovery. Upcoming examples of the venue’s music: record label Asthmatic Kitty’s Shapes and Sizes on Dec. 7 for that indie vibe, and for the more alt-sounding band, local act Wax on Radio plays Dec. 9.
— Dan Ochwat

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia
In the wake of the beloved but now defunct Lounge Ax and Fireside Bowl falls a distant cousin somewhere in the middle of the two, yet still way to the left of Mao Tse-Tung. The extant Hideout has earned the informal beat rank as the indie champ’s war room of choice and yet has managed to maintain its roots, charm and quirk. From the outside, it looks like a dwelling suitable for John Wayne Gacy to have spun his craft, except for, perhaps, the king-sized Old Style sign over the door (Gacy preferred chloroform over booze for anaesthetizing his houseguests). Here, patrons drink. On the inside, it’s the kind of dive you’d bring your mother to, replete with celebrity memorabilia, artsy posters and a chalkboard highlighting the beer selection, though why you’d veer from the two-buck PBR specials is beyond me. Two rooms, divvied up between the bar up front and the music section (known as the “Chinook Lounge”), can house about a hundred peeps, tops. No frills or pretension about the place whatsoever, in its New Orleans-esque, Christmas-lights-as-art witchery. It attracts some of the area’s — and for that matter, the country’s — best alt-country and folk acts such as Neko Case, Jeff Tweedy, weekly attraction Devil In a Woodpile and Califone, but rock (Tortoise, for instance), jazz (often on Wednesdays) and blues also make it their den. Catch synth-punk itinerants Them vs. Them (supported by piss ‘n’ vinegar Milwaukee rockers The Cocksmiths) on Dec. 8. Most shows are between $3 and $8, too, which is nice.

Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln
What’s not to like? Excellent beer and scotch selections, a kitchen that stays open late serving food you’d actually eat (try the smoked ham, fig and mozzarella pizza) and a very diverse crop of acts — most of them on the way up. Jack Johnson played there, as did Rufus Wainwright. So did Jeff Tweedy (and, slightly tongue in cheek, isn’t that just the earmark of a quality Chicago venue right there?). I’d mention the good parking, too, but I live three blocks away. How can such a small room feel so spacious? Go there, please, and explain it to me. In one respect, you’re right on top of the band (and the club’s potent PA system), but from another point of view, you definitely are not smashed. It’s a really nice room, the staff couldn’t be better and it’s eminently casual. Since you won’t be getting in to the Rachel Fuller and Pete Townshend show Dec. 9 — it’s way sold out — go get a beer down the street and come back for the late show, when the Omega Moos (members of Umphrey’s McGee and the New Deal) take the stage for the second of their two shows there.

Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave.
Sub-T has undergone changes — some not to the liking of even its ardent supporters — in recent years, but it remains an underground hotbed for a quality array of music, including hip hop. I had the pleasure of seeing Shellac there, and it has seen everyone from Gogol Bordello to Sugar Hill Gang and Grandmaster Flash grace its stage; what other club this size can boast that diversity? After it once was having trouble booking bands of note, I’d say that’s a statement. It offers the kind of beer-spilled-on-the-bass-player intimacy that draws you in one moment and has you squirming for fresh air and foot space the next. Best advice: Head to the balcony, which hovers the stage. And you have to love the history. The three-flat was both a brothel and a wire room for gambling, and Al Capone was said to be a regular. Sadly, his reported tunnels underneath are said to be boarded up. Check out instrumental heavyweights Pelican on Dec. 22 and Denver gypsy quartet DeVotchKa on Dec. 2, if for no other reason than to hear their spot-on covers of Siouxsie’s “The Last Beat of My Heart” and the Velvet Underground’s “Venus In Furs,” both on their recent EP. Another change: As of January, the club becomes all ages.
— Eric Edholm

Wise Fools Pub, 2270 N. Lincoln Ave.
I am partial to this Lincoln Park bar/music venue for many reasons: the $3 validated parking in the Children’s Memorial lot, the friendly waitstaff and owners and the decent drink prices and specials. But Wise Fools Pub rose to a new level when it tricked out its former dark-as-a-dungeon music room in 2004 into a bigger, spectator-friendly stage and dance floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a second bar and more room to stand, sit or party. The adjoining rooms are situated close enough so you can either check out the music while swilling at the main bar or head directly into where the magic happens. Hello Dave, 56 Hope Road, Bumpus, The Ghettobillies, Brother Lowdown, John Wasem, Mr. Blotto, Katie Todd Band and The Station are just a few of the many artists on Chicago’s music scene who have frequented the stage on one or more of WFP’s seven days of live music. The bar also books a variety of out-of-town talent. It certainly is one of my favorite scenes for grabbing a beer with friends and watching some great live acts.
— Kathryn Doi

Click here for more Features