Four North Side Stages for a Night Out

4.4 (2,909)

Mon – Fri, 12:00 – 18:00; Sat, 10:00 – 16:00

3145 N Sheffield Ave

The Vic Theatre opened in Lakeview in 1912 as an alternative to downtown venues. Vaudeville and touring stage shows gave way to live music. Numbered folding chairs line the floor, with more seating in the balcony. Clear sightlines keep the stage in view throughout the room. No snacks are sold, so consider eating before the show.

4.5 (1,319)

Mon – Fri, 16:00 – 02:00 (+1); Sat – Sun, 11:00 – 02:00 (+1)

2100 W Belmont Ave

At 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Beat Kitchen puts touring indie acts and late-night DJ sets on its main stage in a compact room. Upstairs, a separate space hosts folk residencies, community programming and underground comedy. Its kitchen serves American bar fare, so music, comedy and a meal share one venue.

4.6 (774)

Tue – Wed, 16:00 – 02:00 (+1); Thu – Fri, 16:00 – 04:00 (+1); Sat – Sun, 12:00 – 04:00 (+1)

4659 N Clark St

Carol's Pub has operated on North Clark Street in Uptown since 1972. Local country bands play this rustic honky-tonk. The spacious room also hosts late-night karaoke. The pub serves loaded Chicago dogs with fresh fries. Entry is limited to guests 21 and older.

4.7 (273)

Wed, 12:00 – 17:00; Thu – Fri, 15:00 – 20:00; Sat, 12:00 – 20:00; Sun, 11:00 – 15:00

2550 N Lincoln Ave

In Lincoln Park, Apollo Theater Chicago pairs a 440-seat main auditorium with an upstairs 50-seat Studio Theater. The mainstage is designed with full wheelchair access, but the studio lacks it. Independent works and comedy use the smaller room, while an on-site bar serves drinks around intermissions.