| Venue name: | Empty Bottle | Contact: |
|---|---|
| Address: |
1035 N Western Ave Chicago |
Cross street: | at Cortez St |
| Opening hours: | Mon–Wed 5pm–2am; Thu, Fri 3pm–2am; Sat noon–3am; Sun noon–2am |
| Transport: | Bus: 49, 66, 70. |
| Price: | Average beer: $4 |
| Do you own this business? |
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MusicLocal H
A mainstay of the Chicago rock circuit for more than a quarter century, the, er, local duo is returning to the Empty Bottle's stage to celebrate the venue's 25th anniverary. Expect frontman (and noted cinefile) Scott Lucas and drummer Ryan Harding to...
Rock and indie Saturday May 27 2017 -
MusicPeter Brötzmann + Heather Leigh
European free jazz saxophonist and clarinetist Peter Brötzmann has played at the Bottle 14 times since 1997, and he's coming back to blow minds (and reeds) in celebration of the venue's 25th anniversary. Since releasing his first album, For Adolphe Sax,...
Jazz Friday June 9 2017 -
MusicThe Hold Steady
Fronted by Midwestern-raised singer-songwriter Craig Finn, the Hold Steady has always worn its flyover state origins on its sleeve. The group's seminal 2006 release Boys and Girls in America was a Bruce Springsteen-inspired suite of songs about people...
Rock and indie Thursday June 15 2017 - Saturday June 17 2017 -
MusicThe Mountain Goats
Mountain Goats frontman John Darnielle wrote the forward to last year's Empty Bottle book, so he clearly appreciates the lasting influence of the Chicago rock club. Here, the group plays a special show at a venue they long ago outgrew, debuting tracks...
Folk, country and blues Monday July 3 2017 -
MusicWoods + John Andrews & the Yawns
Recorded in the months after the 2016 election, Brooklyn folk-rockers Woods' new album, Love is Love, doesn't wallow in anger and defeat. Instead, the group gets lost in psychedelic guitar riffs and brass-driven melodies throughout a collection of songs...
Rock and indie Monday July 10 2017
Average User Rating
4.2 / 5
Rating Breakdown
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Still one of the best places in Chicago to see a show. Grab some preshow food at Bite, next door (BYOB but get booze from the Bottle and bring it over!), head over to the Bottle and see well curated, well mixed rock from all over the country and world. No nonsense, gritty, dark, just like Chicago used to be.
The Bottle is a legendary Chicago rock joint. Local and touring bands alike have cut their teeth on its stage, and its intimate space makes for a killer show.
The Empty Bottle is a great dive. I love coming here to catch local bands and touring acts too. The bar is cash only, the music is loud, the crowd is great, and it's always a fun night.
More than just a dive bar, Empty Bottle is a true unpolished gem of Ukrainian Village. Their awning boasts “MUSIC FRIENDLY DANCING,” a motto every bar should undertake. They have free concerts on most Monday nights and great concerts almost every night. Aside from concerts, the EB has some arcade games, a pool table, great markets, swaps, dance parties, and even a book club. The bathrooms have ever-changing graffiti, perfect for posting on snapchat and instagram. And if digital selfies ain’t your style, the photobooth was recently renovated, so you can memorialize your night out with a tangible photo strip. If you hear a purring whisper, make sure to say ‘fancy feast’ three times fast in the bathroom to see the ghost of the greatest venue cat in Chicago, Radley (RIP).
Empty Bottle is the perfect spot to catch local and on the rise acts, cheap booze and is always a good time. The venue is a bit less dive-y after remodeling last year, but it still has that low key, grunge-y vibe that is EB’s charm. They always have good drink specials at the bar and you can play a game of pool or pinball up front if the band onstage isn’t doing it for you. Grab dinner at Bite next door before a show, it’s got an excellent menu. And one of the best classic photo booths in the city!
As far as local venues go, The Empty Bottle isn't half bad. It’s basically a spacious bar with a stage that plays host to a laundry list of Chicago indie bands and a touring acts as well. The stage is a favorite of many regional heavy hitters and newcomers from across the country (and world) alike. The cover charges are typically pretty low, so that's always nice too.
