Prysm ★ 3.9
$$$$
River NorthFri 22:00-04:00, Sat 22:00-05:00, Sun 22:00-04:00. Closed Mon-Thu.
Prysm in Chicago took over the old Crobar warehouse on Kingsbury Street and runs a 1,400-capacity main room with LED ceiling and weekend EDM bookings.
TipFriday and Saturday open at 22:00 and close at 04:00 and 05:00 respectively. Table reservations through Discotech are the easier path past the line.
Subterranean ★ 4.3
$$$$
Wicker Park / BucktownMon-Tue varies by event, Wed-Fri 20:00-02:00, Sat 20:00-03:00, Sun varies by event.
Subterranean in Chicago has anchored Wicker Park's six-corners since 1994. Three floors host hip-hop showcases, indie nights and a Wednesday open mic.
TipDoors usually 20:00 with show at 21:00. The balcony has the clearest sight line over the floor; Wednesdays are free open mic on the main stage.
Decibel ★ 4.2
$$$$
Wrigleyville / LakeviewTue 17:00-00:00, Wed 22:00-04:00, Thu 17:00-02:00, Fri-Sat 22:00-04:00. Closed Mon/Sun.
Decibel in Chicago opened April 2026 in the old Berlin Nightclub space, flipping cocktail bar The Belmont into a late-night techno and throwback dance club after 22:00.
TipWednesday, Friday and Saturday after 22:00 the room becomes Decibel. Cover runs $5 to $10 at the door; earlier hours it stays the Belmont cocktail bar.
Metro ★ 4.8
$$$$
Wrigleyville / LakeviewMon-Wed varies by event, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by event.
Metro in Chicago opened with a R.E.M. show in 1982 and remains the 1,100-capacity beaux-arts indie room Joe Shanahan still books a block south of Wrigley Field.
TipDoors usually 19:00 with show at 20:00. Smartbar in the basement keeps going after Metro closes; the same wristband often gets you down.
Empty Bottle ★ 4.7
$$$$
Wicker Park / BucktownMon-Fri 17:00-02:00, Sat 17:00-03:00, Sun 17:00-02:00.
Empty Bottle on North Western has hosted indie, punk and experimental music in Ukrainian Village since 1992 and turned 33 in 2025, with free Monday night residencies that still anchor the calendar.
TipOpen daily 17:00-02:00, Saturday until 03:00. Monday's free residency is the easy walk-in entry to the scene. Pizza Friendly Pizza is next door.
Schubas Tavern ★ 4.6
$$$$
Wrigleyville / LakeviewMon 18:00-23:00, Tue-Wed 17:00-23:00, Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri 17:00-01:00, Sat 14:00-01:00, Sun 18:00-23:00.
Schubas Tavern in Chicago has run live music seven nights a week in the 1903 Schlitz tied-house on Southport since 1989, from honky-tonk to indie rock to Americana.
TipDoors usually 19:00, show at 20:00. The back room holds 165 standing; the front bar runs into the late hours after the night's show ends.