Four Chicago Music Halls, From Lodge to Ballroom
These halls hold live music, comedy, festivals, and music lessons. A former fraternal venue, a 1917 movie house turned concert hall, a 1915 ballroom, and a concert hall known for its sound give this collection distinct settings for culture.
Color Club occupies a historic building at Elston and Hamlin avenues that once served the International Order of Vikings and the Chicago Latvian Association. The artist-run venue holds tool shops, a library, studios and a tavern, with live music and comedy in its second-floor ballroom.
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In Uptown, The Riviera Theatre at 4746 N Racine Ave was completed in 1917 by Rapp & Rapp as a Balaban & Katz movie house. Today the smaller-capacity hall hosts live performances beneath a French Renaissance style interior, with balcony seating and strong acoustics.
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Built in 1915 above Lula Cafe, Logan Square Auditorium fills a third-floor ballroom with high ceilings, moody lighting, and ornate period details. A vintage swing-dance atmosphere meets a modern sound system for live music, weddings, festivals, and community gatherings. The room welcomes all ages.
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At 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Gary & Laura Maurer Concert Hall pairs live performances with the Old Town School of Folk Music's hands-on lessons. The hall is known for its sound and welcoming volunteers, with lyric writing sessions and an on-site instrument shop.
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