Category: Entertainment

Whether folks plan on going as a group to hit the Midnight showing of Rocky Horror (with or without full regalia!), a couple wanting to get all snuggly like while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s or perhaps good friends just want to relive their youth by seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen again, the Music Box Theatre is the place to go for a fun and enchanting evening.

While the musty seats can be downright uncomfortable, the sound is very sub par by today’s standards and the carpeting is in serious need of a rehab, that taste of real butter on the popcorn and all those wonderful independent and foreign films more than make up for it. The twinkling lights above and the large organ playing before the shows can stir up some nostalgia no place else can even come close. Classic cartoon festivals, and Grease and Monty Python sing alongs are equally as entertaining. RKO and John Hughes films duke it out for screen time, as do classic Japanese monster movies and cult classics.

There is a second, smaller theatre inside that is even more cozy than the main screen, which many folks say is more akin to being seated in a very large living room. That can be inferred as either good or bad, depending on who‘s being asked. Even so, the magic of the big screen is still highlighted and captured here, making it an experience no soul should pass before leaving.

Those wanting to avoid the family and kid crowds need to take in a later film, just like anyplace else. Unlike the Brew and View, no alcohol is served here, so hitting up the local pubs beforehand or afterwards is a good idea. Also, parking in the surrounding area can be really tight, especially on weekends, so taking advantage of the nearby trains or cabs is highly suggested.

Lordy, Lordy, look at all those brews on the chalk board! They're currently standing at 267 varieties to choose from, hailing from all parts of the world, and maybe even other galaxies! What is this, a geography lesson? Drafts change regularly, featuring stuff most people probably never heard of but fun to try out. Hey: with a name like that, they had BETTER have enough to drink!

Quencher's is a local hot spot for hipsters, locals and even lap tops that features great local acts almost every night of the week, with free popcorn to make folks even more thirsty. They even have a photo booth to capture that sweet, sweet drunken lapse of reasoning! And with the band area spaced out far enough away from the front, folks who want to just hang out and shoot the breeze can do so without blowing out their buddy's ear drum in the process.

Located smack dab on the corner of Fullerton and Western and away from most of the other scene sites, Quencher's plays hosts to some of the most eclectic crowds in town who go out of their way to get there, and hey, they serve up some darn good eatin' pub grub food as well. (Tater tots just plain rock!) Daylight hours tend to be on the mellow side, where the back room takes on a flair more like a coffee house than a bar, but at night and especially on weekends, this place can get really hopping with crowds from all walks of life.

What makes this place cool is the fact that anyone is truly welcome, even people pushing 40 and who sometimes may beg to get carded. Bar flies shackled to the stools are more than welcome here, and yes, the bar keep actually know their regulars' names. Of course, ample youthage on a scene night out are also prevalent, along with all those beer snobs this place just may have been built for.

So hey, come on down and try out something that's hard to pronounce, check out a band and chill out with some new friends. Just remember to bring a small wad of cash, because the only card that's accepted here is a driver's license.

Joe's on Weed Street is almost synonymous with live bands, since they book a lot of happening, traveling acts of different styles and has that fun, vibrant atmosphere everyone loves for both dancing and rocking out. Then again, sports fans will argue this is their place, due to the five rooms filled with 120 TV's plus 14 ten-foot screens hooked up to the satellite to catch the game du jour. Whoever wants to claim it is fine by the owners, just as long as the people keep coming back for more!

Besides the bands and shows, what brings folks in droves are all the beer specials on off nights. How can anyone go wrong with $2 pitchers and half priced pizzas? However, be sure to stick with the beer, because the drinks are really weak on the liquor, making those Sour Jack's awful sour. Also, make sure to pull a double check on their band schedule before heading out, because folks who are not interested in checking out the bands in the back area might get charged a cover charge after a certain time or be set up on a drink minimum. It's also a good idea to bring cash, as busy wait staff may not bring back a credit card as quickly as one would like. As far as the food goes, stick with the pizza, or perhaps the pork sandwich.

No mistaking, this place is huge and can get very crowded on the weekends or when an important game or killer act is playing. The back bar can get really warm and loud as well. The rest of the time, the setup is pretty flexible and casual, making for a decent place to kick back and hang out up front, either for catching a game or an acoustic set.

So yep, Joe's patronage is fairly polarized, depending on what people are going there to do. When it's good, it's great, but when it's bad, it's well… it is what it is.

Off Broadway meets Blue Collar Wedding: that’s the general synopsis of Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding, but tattoo’s even begin to describe the two and a half hours of non stop laughs! The accents are thick, the makeup is gaudy, the hair is big, the clothes are tacky and the cast of characters are bigger than life - the perfect recipe for disaster… or in this case, happily ever after!

No two shows are alike, as each one depends on the audience participation, so guests are encouraged to truly be themselves and let the cast feed off it! The entire show is set up as an actual Italian wedding, complete with a complete reception banquet dinner and wedding cake. Door ushers greet the audience as though they are invite of the bride and groom, and it goes from there, with performers chatting and interacting with the crowd as their own. The scenario is very blue collar on the groom’s side, while the bride’s family is a little more on the up and coming level, setting the stage for some good in fighting throughout the show.

The wedding is hysterical in its own right, especially the boisterous hollering back and forth during the ceremony. Cast members include a drug addict and a pregnant bride’s maid, marking two of the audience’s favorites. However, it’s the reception afterwards that most folks really enjoy. While the all you can eat buffet is only so-so and is served on Styrofoam plates, it’s the conga lines and bunny hopping that makes it a very memorable experience. The characters encourage folks to get up and dance with them, who are all equally talented in getting even the most meek into joining in the act.

This ad lib performance is an absolute must see for engaged and married couples alike, especially for those who love to live it up while praying they never have to deal with such a beautiful catastrophe in real life.

The Green Mill just oozes with history, with Jazz enthusiasts from ALL walks of life, from homeless talent to urban hipsters and just about everyone else, all congregating at this landmark lounge. Pass the thresholds and enter into a bygone era of bebop and jazz that was once a speakeasy for Al Capone and has hosted some of the world's most influential artists.

Jazz bands perform nightly, with Friday nights featuring the house band that allows folks to come on up and join in, many times famous notables in the scene. Amateurs are more than welcome to join in, but just be sure to get down there early to register. In fact, it is well advised to get down there before 8pm to ensure a great seat up front by the stage. Sunday nights also host the famous Poetry Slam The Green Mill invented, driving in folks from all over to speak their minds about current events and more.

The bar staff is well versed in classic drinks like Manhattans and Martinis, as well as more contemporary concoctions. In spite of the fact spots near the bar are hard to come by, the staff are very good about getting orders out quickly, which is a rare talent! Patrons are very friendly, so striking up a conversation with complete strangers is easy and relaxed, as bar trolls are kept at bay.

Be advised to avoid running a tab here, as the only card they take is American Express. Non smokers are also forewarned the place is usually very packed, especially later in the evening, and almost all of the patrons are heavy smokers. Another word of caution involves the cardinal sin at this establishment: guests seated up front who speak or even whisper to each other during a performance, be it a band set or slam. It is no secret management will publicly correct these infractions, as it is seen as a major sign of disrespect to the artists. Therefore, folks are well advised to keep their thoughts to themselves and to turn the cell phones completely off. Just keep that in mind and enjoy the experience!

The Double Door gets its name from the two entrances it has (the main on Damen, the other on Milwaukee) and By far, this is probably the best place to catch a small show in Chicago! They feature promising up and comers all the way up to the likes of the Rolling Stones, and therefore is undoubtedly a highly sought after venue by local acts and traveling musicians alike.

Due to its direct proximity to the Blue Line train and tons of great hangouts just steps away, folks tend to pack this intimate venue on Friday and Saturday nights no matter who's on the bill. The stage is decently elevated, allowing just about everyone to catch a good view of the bands no matter where they happen to hang out, and the long bar allows for the drinks to pour without missing a beat. Even on extremely crowded nights, folks can find an escape by hitting the smaller bar downstairs below the stage, and is where the bands tend to congregate after their gigs.

What's nice about The Double Door is the large variety of acts they book, offering up an eclectic mix of music that attracts folks from all corners, be it Alternative or Metal, Hip Hop or Funk, and just about anything else folks could want to hear. The scene is dark and gritty, which most people find to be the perfect element for concert going, leaving the pompous arenas to eat their dust.

Concert goes should take note that parking in the vicinity can be pretty hard to come by at night, especially on the weekends. Also the traffic in that immediate area can get really tight, due to folks bar hopping and darting in and out of traffic. So do like the locals do and either hoof it a few blocks or take advantage of the all night train running overhead! Folks driving in just need to be wary of the permit only parking on many of the side streets to avoid getting ticketed or towed.

Probably the most popular Irish bar in all of Chicago and sponsors of the St. Patrick's Day parade and the annual Celtic Fest downtown. The Abbey Pub is also host to live entertainment with a nicely risen stage and a good shot from just about any vantage point. The sound is fairly decent as well, with a low ceiling, wrap around balcony that allows guests to enjoy traditional Irish fare while catching a show.

The decor in the venue area is very charming, with large rounded picture windows that take up both floors and exposed brick walls, helping to justify its namesake. Couples may want to venture upstairs during crowded shows, where the dim lighting and sense of relative spaciousness will allow for a more intimate experience. In spite of the big screen TV's and other sports bar regalia, this place has a classic homey feel to it. Service can be a little on the slow side with the wait staff, but with so much going on, only seriously hungry patrons will notice. The bars however are manned by squadrons of staff, ensuring everyone gets their pints in a timely manner.

As far as the food is concerned, this place really knows how to serve up some fantastic, authentic Irish fare. Go for the fish and chips - a huge, hearty portion that is also on the all you can eat special Friday nights. The shepherd's pie is undoubtedly the best in the city, and where else would anyone want to order up corned beef and cabbage on Saint Paddy's Day? An interesting addition is the curry fries, which is covered in a wonderful gravy. Of course, standard bar grub is also available and very tasty, like burgers, cheese sticks and hot wings, but it seems almost sinful to order that sort of thing here!

So head on down to the Abbey, grab a pint of the dark stuff and check out a great band!

One of the most beloved and notorious venues in Chicago, the infamous Aragon Ballroom hosts a large variety of concerts, sporting events, dance parties and performances, cloistered within a stunning layout unlike any other. While some of the facade may be a bit dated and well-admired, the brilliant scheme within the confines hearkens to a midlevel Spanish courtyard, as its original intention was for formal ballroom dancing.

Upon entering, guests are directed to climb the sweeping dual spiral staircases, leading up to the main level. At that point, early entrants are encouraged to climb one more set of stairs to the mezzanine, where a small amount of seating is usually available within the turrets gazing at the stage below. The imagery is absolutely breath taking, making folks feel as though they are actually standing outdoors on a warm, starlit evening, even in the harsh Chicago winters.

For quite a number of years, Uptown has been known to be a rather seedy part of town and is only now in the beginning of gentrification. Because many people were insecure about traveling to the location, it limited the styles of music that chose to perform at the Aragon. During the 80s especially, the majority of the performances were up and coming rock and metal bands, including METALLICA, ANTHRAX and SLAYER. It is because of those bands' (and others) rowdy audiences the Aragon earned the dubious moniker "The Scaragon Brawlroom", which still holds true today for many heavy acts.

Thanks to the neighborhood changing and the venue's restoration efforts, lots of different styles of music are making a comeback to the Aragon, bringing with it a large variance in audiences. There are a few rules to live by at this venue, no matter what performance people are there to see, so be sure to note the following:

No matter what time of year it is, this place can get HOT when it gets crowded. Use the coat check!

The seating and the mezzanine areas in general are highly coveted, especially later in the evening when folks start to wear down. Save that spot no matter what!

At the end of the show, everyone tends to herd like cattle down those winding stairs, meandering their way to the ground level. Folks who want to leave in a hurry really should skip the encores.

The bathrooms start out clean and shiny but end up filthy and disgusting by night’s end, in spite of the staff‘s best efforts. Just a forewarning.

People go there to see and be seen. It's certainly not for the acoustics!

Here's a movie theater everyone can agree on! Besides the fact guests get to kick back a few cold ones on huge comfy seats while checking out a favorite cult film, this place has incredible sound when the bands come into town! Five floors make up this early 20th century vaudeville, where some of its original brilliance still shines through. It's nice an dark here and extremely casual.

This is pretty much a movie theatre for people who like to treat the place like they are watching cable in their own homes, and that includes getting a little chatty and reclining back. It serves as a great alternative to staying in for the night, and guests get to mingle and meet new people, as the beer goes for a cool $1.50 and admittance for only $5.00. It is also ideal for new couples who may desire a dark scene but want to avoid a completely segregated area, especially those who want to put off seeing how the other half lives at the moment. This is casual at its finest. And by the way: the best seats are down in the front center, but pretty much anyplace is good!

Whether folks go there for a concert or a flick, The Vic is centrally located in a pretty great area for young couples of all breeds. The immediate neighborhood is very eclectic, from the punk and goth kids to the young socialites, all feeding from the same proverbial trough known as the intersection of Belmont & Clark. Shopping and dining are plentiful, as are cabs, trains and buses - a true feast for the eyes and lips! Just be very careful when parking anywhere in the area! Just about everything on the street not metered is permit only, with cops ticketing often, and store lots hire spotters to boot unauthorized vehicles. Using the pay lot or taking the train is a very wise idea!

Looking for someplace different than "just another bar" but is just as happening? Then head over to the Diversey Rock N' Bowl! While families and leagues tend to dominate the daylight and evening hours, party seeking couples will want to lace up their numbered shoes and hit the lanes at night, thumping along to some of rock's most legendary artists. Requests are taken by the DJ, so be sure to put them in right away! The place revvs up with a cool light show, setting the scene for a fun night out.

There's plenty to do while waiting for a lane to open up, so hit the arcade and bar! Brew connoisseurs will rejoice in finding both Guinness and Hacker Pschorr on tap, highlighting a dozen of the most cherished imports and domestics around, on top of two dozen other bottled varieties. The wine choices are meager at best, but top shelf liquors more than make up for it, ensuring that Cosmo can indeed be mixed with Grey Goose, and the Jaeger is well chilled! Big screens dominate the walls, for those wanting to go down while catching the big game.

One big thing that differentiates the Rock N' Bowl from other alleys is the surprisingly good food available through their adjoining Kegler's Pizzeria and Grille. Sure, bar food like wings and burgers are on the menu, but with entrees like succulent Shrimp Scampi and tender Beef Medallions listed, there is no mistaking these folks have really thought of everything. A large portion of the choices are vegetarian and even vegan, so those wanting to watch what they eat can easily place an order, with knowledgeable staff at the ready for requesting adjustments.

So take a pass on the standard scene and cruise on over to the Rock N' Bowl! If anything can be said, it's that this ain't your daddy's bowling alley!