76. Athenaeum Theatre
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (773) 935-6860
Address: 2936 N. Southport Ave.
Description: First built in 1911 by adjacent St. Alphonsus Church as a rec center replete with theater, gym, and bowling alley, the updated Lakeview building now features one main stage theater that can seat about 1,000, plus several smaller studio spaces. It rents space to local dance and theater companies, as well as cabaret acts and musical performers.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1300 S. Lynn White Dr.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 20 N. Wacker Dr.
79. The Dance Center Of Columbia College Chicago
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (312) 369-8330
Address: 1306 S. Michigan Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: This top-notch state-of-the-art performance space at art-centric Columbia College Chicago hosts a wide range of local, national, and international dance companies, with a bent toward the contemporary. Acts have included Reggie Wilson, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, The Seldoms, Joe Goode Performance Group, and the Lyon Opera Ballet.
80. Harris Theater For Music And Dance
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 205 E. Randolph Dr.
Insider Pick:
Description: Alan Cumming, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lang Lang, and Kathleen Battle have all headlined at this theater in Millennium Park. And it’s no wonder it’s trusted by such world-class talent: The outstanding sightlines of the 1,525-seat auditorium mean everyone feels part of the show; the high-caliber acoustics mean everyone can hear what they’re supposed to hear; and the convenient location surely can’t be beat. A family series opens up younger eyes and ears to some amazing musical and dance performances as well.
81. House Of Blues
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (312) 923-2000
Address: 329 N. Dearborn St.
Description: This national chain location owned by Live Nation has its fair share of faults (unexpected fees, delayed door times, hit-or-miss acoustics), but when all is said and done, this music mecca in Marina City has remained, since opening in 1996, a pretty cool space to take in a packed calendar of pop, indie rock, gospel, punk, rockabilly, and everything in between. The 55,000-square-foot, richly decorated interior is based on an opera house in Prague, and the 1,800-person capacity with mainly standing room makes this small River North hall a top venue. Seating options like private opera boxes go to the lucky or those willing to spend a bunch more (reserved minimum-drink seats, for example). Plus, every night of the week, the HOB’s 250-seat Back Porch restaurant features live music.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
83. Park West
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (773) 929-1322
Address: 322 W. Armitage Ave.
Description: This Jam Productions venue that opened in the 1920s now sports a funky 1970s logo and hosts all genres of bands, from Lucinda Williams to 1980s one-hit-wonder cover band Tributosaurus, to kids’ fave Ralph’s World. Concertgoers appreciate the intimate good-seats-all-around setting in the curved layout, and those in the know get here early to grab one of the candlelit tables to set down those drinks. Cocktail servers come around regularly, or just head back to the bar. Just beware the $20 minimum credit card policy.
84. Ruth Page Center For The Arts
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (312) 337-6543
Address: 1016 N. Dearborn St.
Description: A dance school, as well as an important incubator for emerging talent, this realized vision of the late American dance innovator Ruth Page subsidizes performances in its 200-seat theater, allowing companies to showcase their work without being overburdened by expenses. About 20 to 30 Illinois dance companies annually rent the space in the 1927 Gold Coast building.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 220 S. Michigan Ave.
86. Chicago A Cappella
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: Office phone: (773) 281-7820;
Description: This nine-person classical ensemble has been singing up a storm since its founding by Jonathan Miller in 1993. Its repertoire focuses on music composed in modern times, but also reaches back as far as the 9th century. Catch one of its four subscription series concerts for music that might include spirituals, jazz, or even the Beatles.
87. Chicago Chamber Choir
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: Tickets: (312) 409-6890
Description: Presenting several major concerts annually—including a joyful winter holiday show—this choir group of several dozen singers spreads its love of music by bringing choral performance to communities that lack live music in their lives, including inner-city schools and homeless shelters. Tickets for main performances are $18; students, children 12 and under, and groups of 10 or more $15.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
89. Chicago Sinfonietta
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (312) 236-3681
Description: A dearth of opportunities for minority classical musicians, composers, and soloists motivated Paul Freeman to form his own orchestra in 1987. Since then, the Chicago Sinfonietta has been driven by a goal of “musical excellence through diversity,” achieving raves wherever it plays and introducing new, underserved audiences to classical music through its outreach programs. In 2011, Mei-Ann Chen stepped into Maestro Freeman’s role as music director and continues to lead a subscription season at Symphony Center and a 4-concert season at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville (630-637-SHOW), as well as collaborations with other artistic companies including serving as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet. Ticket prices vary.
City: Chicago, IL
Category: Nightlife
Address: 220 S. Michigan Ave.