Chicago Live Music, from Barroom to Folk Hall
Catch a performance as part of a sociable bar visit, or settle in for focused listening at a community arts institution. The school’s concerts welcome all ages, and its teaching offers another way to take part.
Chicago Neighborhood Stages
Late Drinks in Lincoln Park
aliveOne has two distinct rooms on North Halsted Street. The relaxed front room has pool tables and space for conversation. A back room hosts live music and DJs. Bartenders can mix custom mocktails on request. On Saturdays, the bar stays open until 3:00 AM the following morning. Check the performance schedule before choosing an evening around a particular act, or settle into the front for a game.
Folk Traditions Across Generations
Old Town School of Folk Music pairs intimate concerts with group classes and private lessons in Lincoln Square. The campus spans East and West Buildings along Lincoln Avenue and contains two concert halls. The school welcomes audiences of all ages at its concerts. Wednesday concerts are free. Consult individual concert listings for performance times. The published campus hours are 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
Two Distinct Approaches to Local Sound
At aliveOne in Lincoln Park, music shares space with conversation and pool, with live acts and DJs in a separate back room. Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square puts intimate concerts alongside group classes and private lessons. The contrast is in how each place brings people together, a neighborhood bar built around casual company, and a community arts institution centered on listening and learning. Both connect live performance with a broader social setting.
