THERE’S A LIGHT ON IN CHICAGO
Ranking Chicago's Best Venues of 2025!
Ricky Sutton / Lisa Kaczmarek
Edited by: Amanda Valdivieso
Photo cred: Lisa Kaczmarek
Photo cred: Lisa Kaczmarek
Chicago, the “Epicenter of the Midwest,” is home to many staples of American culture, - deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and Barack Obama - but what many people may not know is that it is home to some of the best music venues in the country. A myriad of artists have graced the stages of “The Windy City,” and some of our NAPNET crew and Chicago natives, Ricky and Lisa, are here to give you their ranking of the top 5 Chicago music venues in 2025. Let’s take a look at their love letter to Chicago.
Photo Cred: Ricky Sutton
5. The Subterranean
You will have the most fun at this venue! Located on North Avenue at the “six corners” of North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenues in Wicker Park, .The Subterranean or Sub T has a 400-person capacity with not one bad spot in the house! Don’t come for food or fancy drinks but stay for the vibes and Malort!
Ricky’s Take - I highly suggest the balcony or back by sound booth which isn't far from the stage. Some of my favorite memories of Sub T are from theSemi Precious Weapons, Hit The Lights or Sueco Lolla After Party 2023 shows. This was also where I had my first shot of Malort for $1.50 and got a high five from the bartender!
Lisa’s Take - I was able to see Brand New play here in 2009. I know we aren’t supposed to talk about that band but to think thatThe Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me era -Brand New played here? Let that sink in. It isn’t just the main touring acts though. This venue helps so many local bands cut their teeth at playing a live show.
The only reason this venue ranks at the bottom of the list is the fact that we have all had to make the trek to the entrance up very narrow steps. Imagine an Ampeg 8x 10 bass cab going up that death trap. This venue is also not completely wheelchair accessible. Only the downstairs portion is, making it difficult for people with mobility issues to see a band if the band is playing upstairs.
Regardless of its shortcomings, this venue holds such a special place in the heart of Chicago, and there is a good reason for that.
Photo Cred: Kevin Singleton
4. The Bottom Lounge-
The Bottom Lounge is where industry meets the west loop. Intimate, quaint, and located off of , this 700-capacity venue offers a variety of A and B-list artist events. Everything about this venue is geared towards the fan from the transportation logistics and full kitchen and bar to some of the easiest load-ins for bands. The thing that stands out the most about the Bottom Lounge, however, is the separation between the stage area and the main bar r by a thick wall with a door perfect for taking a breather and getting some fresh air after moshing with hundreds of other sweaty people. Typically, one of the most difficult aspects of any venue can be parking, but not at the Bottom Lounge. This one has a lot of FREE parking, which has been Lisa-approved (due to her lack of parallel parking skills these days).
Lisa’s Take - One of my favorite shows here was with Touchè Amorè and Mewithoutyou because of how close I was able to get to the stage.
Ricky’s Take - . My favorite memory here was playing shows with The Audition and Madina Lake. This venue also has my favorite staff with wonderful hardworking people like Kevin Singleton of Night Spice.
The great thing about the Bottom Lounge, much like the other venues on this list, that is worth repeating is that there truly isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you go see a show here, come early and grab a drink and a big Bavarian pretzel; you won’t be disappointed .
Photo Cred: Zak P
3. The Beat Kitchen
The best bang for your buck, this 250-capacity venue, located off of iconic Belmont St., still from time to time gets the best artists in the city!
The Beat Kitchen not only makes you feel like a person but still has a classic dive bar Chicago vibe that makes you feel like eating a classic Italian beef dipped while shouting” Daaa Bears!” If you want a venue that gives you a basement feel, this is it!
Just recently, Diva Bleach graced the stage as well as the teenage dirtbags themselves, Wheatus! Both shows were under or around $25 a ticket, which in 2025 is a rarity. One huge perk about the Beat Kitchen is it has some of the best wheelchair accessibility features at a venue. However, the parking can get tricky (especially for opening bands). It is surrounded by residential parking with some free public and pay-to- park options curbside. It also doesn’t hurt to mention there isn’t a bad seat in the house! (are you catching our theme?)
Ricky’s Take- My biggest take about The Beat Kitchen is that it has the best sound system you will ever hear in a small wall-to-wall venue ever.
Lisa’s Take- Going to The Beat Kitchen is a must regardless who is playing, and it doesn't hurt your wallet. It has some of the best food as well! We all know we want the after show snack and this is one of the best places to do that all in one place.
From the early days of Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, and Andrew McMahon to so many up and coming artists, the Beat Kitchen is truly a special place for music.
Photo cred: Corey Svoboda
2. The Salt Shed -
The Salt Shed was once a warehouse, converted into a concert venue in 2022. Located along the Chicago river, it offers a beautiful view of the Chicago Skyline. It has food trucks scattered around the venue, water bottle fillers, and free cups! Of course they sell water, but I feel it is a no brainer to have free and accessible water for everyone at the venue.
There are both indoor and outdoor sections of the venue that do not sacrifice the sound quality, which his amazing for a primarily outdoor venue. Trust me, I've been in venues where that is compromised. If you ask anyone that has attended a show they can agree the sound quality is unmatched.
Beyond concerts they also offer non-music fares such as holiday markets, food events and more! I think it’s really important to have the idea of community in Chicago, and this venue creates that .
One of the biggest gripes with The Salt Shed is that the seats in the indoor section are far from the stage so viewing can be an issue. To me, this does offer comfort and sound quality, and for someone that is getting older , I am all about comfort! Also, between being able to enjoy the Chicago skyline and a good show, what more do you need? This venue is also easily accessible by public transportation with The Division/Milwaukee blue line stops and North/Clybourn red line stops close by and bus routes. If you hate parking in the city and want to attend a show here, having public transportation is vital.
Photo cred: Lisa Kaczmarek
1. The Metro -
Where Quality matches History you have 3730 N Clark Street, The Mecca, The Church, The Great Bambino! The Metro Chicago and Smart Bar! With a capacity of 1,100 and a balcony area, if the walls could talk they would tell you of a young Kurt Cobain, or a wild and reckless Metallica , or how Guns n Roses lived above them for a month during some of their most turbulent years. The Metro is the history of punk culture, emo culture. Where it's totally normal to casually see Smashing Pumpkins raising money for a member of the community. Where the Foo Fighters played one of their favorite iconic Halloween shows ever.
Lisa’s Take - From Seeing Fall Out Boy play countless times early on in their career, and watching my beloved Smashing Pumpkins grace the stage, to numerous Alkaline Trio residencies, The Metro is my home away from home and holds a special place in my heart.
Ricky’s Take- The Metro will always be my number one. Some of my favorite memories include watching Pete Wentz collaborate with Gym Class Heroes on Taxi Driver and seeing Stiff Little Fingers and Bouncing Souls for the first time. The Metro is the perfect size venue with the best sound system, and a community second floor with a view that is more intimate than its floor. The Metro is untouchable and second place is far and away. With the Metro being so close to Wrigley Field, sometimes the Cubs fans outside suck, but sometimes they are cool so just plan ahead if attending a show during baseball season.
If you attend The Metro you must attend the local bar next door, The Gingerman Tavern, or to the locals, The G Man, and get a “Chicago Handshake” shot. Trust us. The Metro is number one for a reason for so many people, and anyone that has walked through those doors understands how special this venue is to people. Don’t just take our word for it. Buy the tickets!
Our Honorable Mentions
Ricky :
Reggies keeps on grinding and expanding, now offering a beachfront extended location, this venue offers a rooftop like no other, has two stages, a food list that Food Network rated as one of the best. The main stage has an amazing concrete decline that is truly a miracle for short people in the back. Seeing Dillinger Escape Plan climb the chain link fence, playing basketball with Crucial Conflict or singing Sublime with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in the green room are some of my favorite memories.
The VIC, The Riviera, The Empty Bottle, Lincoln Hall, Schuba’s, Aragon Ballroom, and Thalia Hall.
Lisa
Thalia Hall, The Aragon and the Riv! All great places, and I truly believe Chicago has some of the best venues. As someone that has moved to New Jersey, I am always wanting to go back to these venues and judge the venues based off of them. Chicago is an amazing place to see a show, and it’s forever a special place if you attend a show at any of these iconic venues.
