Uptown's Old Music Halls on Foot
Trace the ordered route through a 1917 French Renaissance cinema, a 1926 high-ceilinged ballroom, and a 1972 rustic honky-tonk with touring hip-hop, electronic, metal and rock alongside local country sets and ticketed concerts.
Historic Music Rooms
Cinema's Uptown Afterlife
The Riviera stands at 4746 N Racine Ave. Architects Rapp & Rapp designed it as a Balaban & Katz movie house, completed in 1917. Its French Renaissance interior includes balcony seating, a feature retained from its cinema-era design. The hall also has strong acoustics. The theatre now hosts live music. The venue is cashless and accepts debit and credit cards. Children aged two and older require a regular-priced ticket. All ticket sales are final.
Lawrence Avenue Concert Hall
Aragon Ballroom operates as a strictly standing-room venue. Admission is paid. Expect to stay on your feet throughout the set. Major touring acts play here, with bills spanning hip-hop, electronic, metal, and rock. Check the current lineup for a sound that fits your night. The ballroom was built in 1926. High ceilings frame its grand interior. Find the venue at 1106 W Lawrence Ave in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood.
Clark Street After Midnight
Local bands play Carol's Pub. The rustic honky-tonk has operated since 1972. Country music, ticketed concerts, and late-night karaoke fill its calendar. The kitchen serves loaded Chicago dogs with fresh fries. Games also show on screen. Entry is restricted to guests aged 21 and older. On Saturdays, the pub stays open until four in the morning. The doors stay closed on Mondays. Check hours before visiting.
