Chicago Weekend Music, Up Close and After Dark
Folk concerts and neighborhood jazz fill intimate rooms across Lincoln Square and Belmont Avenue. Smoke & Mirrors opens at 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Its Saturday hours extend to 5 AM Sunday.
Old Town School of Folk Music pairs folk concerts with community music classes in Lincoln Square. Its two buildings house the Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall and Myron R. Szold Concert Hall. The intimate theater setting offers clear sightlines. Reviewers praise the acoustics. Campus hours are 9 AM to 10 PM daily, including weekends.
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Hungry Brain hosts jazz and improvised music in a low-lit bar on Belmont Avenue. Retro rec-room furnishings and arcade games give the room a relaxed feel. Many shows are free. Guests may bring their own food. Hours run from 7 PM to 2 AM Wednesday through Sunday. The venue admits guests aged 21 and over.
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An unmarked door near a Logan Square alley leads into The Meadowlark. The dim room has 30 seats and a vintage feel. Rotating cocktail menus include ingredient descriptions and glass illustrations. Bar seating accepts walk-ins only. Lounge reservations are available only for parties of four to six. Hours run from 5 PM to 1 AM daily, including weekends.
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Smoke & Mirrors hosts electronic club nights in a Logan Square basement. DJs play through a balanced sound system. The chill zone offers comfortable sofas for a break. Friday hours run from 10 PM to 4 AM the next morning. Saturday hours run from 10 PM to 5 AM the next morning. Entry is limited to guests aged 21 and over.
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