I went to this venue for an intimate concert and it was a great experience. The venue is well maintained, had good service, a clean bathroom, great sound system and a good selection of no alcoholic drinks. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was my first time at this concert venue. I loved how small and intimate it is. Surprisingly, we were not packed liked sardines inside though it is a small venue. I will definitely be back :) read more

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First time at Lincoln Hall for a concert and I think I love how small and intimate it was. The acoustics in the building were amazing. It was like being immersed in the music with the artist. I also liked that we all weren't standing right on top of each other. We stood in the battery the top of the stairs and we had a great view of the stage. The bathrooms are small so ladies be prepared for a line. They have a bar outside and one inside the room. Street parking or if you don't mind walking like a block there's a few parking garages. read more

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The security needs to understand a fact of life. Respect isn't given. It's earned. If you are weird to me and treat me like I'm not wanted don't be surprised if I challenge that. Absolute garbage person governing the floor. The way they handle shit borders on harassment. I hope to hell an act I wanna see doesn't play here in the future. Bartenders are great. The people pretending to do anything SUCK. read more

This is really a great concert venue for intimate shows. There is only street parking but every time I've been I haven't had an issue finding parking with a few block radius. There is a bar and restaurant attached that has a great vibe if you want to get there early for drinks/food. The line to get in usually starts in the alley and every time I have been your name is on a list and you get a hand stamp. The place is so small you really can see from anywhere in most cases and I'm an average height woman. There is a bar area in the venue if you want to enjoy a drink or two. The sound is also pretty good, but depending where you stand can be loud so bring ear plugs if you want to save your hearing. :) read more

Lincoln Hall - Concert hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here a couple times now, both for I Fight Dragons concerts. Both times, I have been very impressed. The bar area up front is spacious and the bartenders are friendly. The main floor is behind some big doors, so the sound is pretty contained if you want to get out of it a little. The bathrooms are large and not overly crowded. Upstairs, there is a seating area with a good vier of the stage. The sound is great and not too loud. The last time I went, we were able to sit at a table the whole time and watch the show. I will be back here any time a band I like is playing. read more

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It's a decent place to see a show; good sound, and the bar in front is nice. They charge a 35% per ticket fee, even though they don't have tickets (will-call only). That is excessive considering they provide no convenience (like digital transfers, etc). read more

Service and ambiance are super! Trevor at the 1st floor bar did me solid with a detailed presentation of the array of NA bev's read more

A wonderful venue for an intimate show. Small enough to be able to make eye contact with the musicians, but big enough to pull in great talents. Well decorated, good sound, full bars downstairs and upstairs. read more

Lincoln Hall - a band performing on stage - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ahhh good ole' Lincoln Hall, the Lincoln Park mecca for random popular & up-and-coming musicians! I always keep an eye on the LH/Schubas calendars in case any Indie Pop musicians I know are coming through Chicago. I think they tend to focus on Indie music, but they definitely also offer a variety of rock, rap, alt and more. Whatever your choice, the space is perfect for medium-sized concerts, equipped with excellent lighting and acoustics! I dunno if it's my music taste or the proximity to DePaul University, but it seems like it's always packed with youngins! A lot of shows here are all ages, but don't fret if you're 21+... they have a pretty good selection of craft beers & dece cocktails. I love how they put up signs about upcoming shows, it definitely gets me excited to come back. I usually wait until week-of to buy tickets, because if the show sells out they're almost always being sold through the Facebook events (sometimes people will cut you a good deal, but tickets here are usually only 20-40 bucks so NBD to buy full price). I would definitely recommend LH for a chill concert night or even a lit night out- there's a bunch of good bars right around there! Enjoy some tunes and brews! read more

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It's been several years since I've been to Lincoln Hall but had a wonderful experience. The show was a bit delayed (the band had a flat tire) and the staff was fantastic. Great bartenders and pretty good sound. Nicely sized venue with an upstairs and downstairs - small enough of a venue that the show felt intimate. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Small and intimate venue. Convenient location that is really close to the brown line. Drinks are a bit expensive but what do you expect? I will be back. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A small venue, but staff are welcoming. I was here for a Moth Story Slam. It was a sold out event and I was running late as the doors opened an hour before the show and I arrived 10 minutes before it began. Moth fans know that the seats are first come, first served. I had pretty bad seats. read more

Mere steps from DePaul, this is one of those pristine college act bars. Never heard of who's playing, take a number. Up and coming is what it's all about. Are we rocking gastro pub decor? You betcha. They have you covered on the back bar and tap. A literal Goldilocks of venues, not too big, not too small, but JUST right. I would totally go back to LH to see a show. Come out to refresh your drink after the opener? Guess what, the opener is standing right there at the merch booth to meet you greet you. Yes it's that kind of venue. Are you the oldest person in the joint?! If you are over 30, yes! Relish it! You still think you're cool! lol Came to see Manequin Pussy with Slothrust and it was magnificent. The all gender restrooms seemed to be a proof of concept the night I was there. What I witnessed were genders still respecting the pre-designated areas. Whoops! LOL read more

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Lovely concert venue that fits a good amount of people but also feels cozy and intimate. I came here for a Mereba (a GODDESS) concert and transcended just a bit. There's a bar in the concert area as well as the entrance area, and you can stand by the stage or sit up on the balcony. Basically a good view from any spot and great acoustics, especially when listening to the voice of an angel! read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Alex and Stewart are so kind and helpful!!! I think they are so personable that they will make anyone come back.

How does a venue in a city with unpredictable weather like Chicago not have coat check?! I was fortunate to get a spot toward the front at a not-too-crowded show to be able to put down a small bag and rain jacket, but it was a bit annoying to have to do that and keep an eye on it throughout the show. I like the size of the place and how easy it is to get a good spot with view of the stage, but enough room to dance. Unfortunately, the sound could use work. The singer of the band I was seeing, Yumi Zouma, has a soft voice, but it shouldn't be almost impossible to hear her on even the quieter songs. The bar area is a bit cramped to navigate out to and back in between sets, but the drinks are surprisingly cheap ($10 - $11) for a music venue. read more

It's been years since my last concert and I've been itching to see a live show. Many opportunities have come and gone over the years; but I told myself this was the year. As it happens, Lollapallooza 2017 was in town. I briefly considered attending (very briefly) however I wasn't willing to shell out a ridiculous amount of cash to be standing outside for several hours in unpredictable weather. Nor did I have the inclination to be packed in like a sardine next to sweaty people, ankle deep in mud. Or get hit on. Or get groped. Nina doesn't play that. August weather in Chicago can be a hit or miss. Actually, I take that back. Anytime in Chicago is a hit or miss! Having considered all that, I looked into the Lolla after-shows and lo and behold, Pham was performing. He was opening up for Crystal Castles at Lincoln Hall and I was totally stoked! I begged my husband to join me and when he agreed; we booked our tickets and counted the days until that night. Lincoln Hall is a small venue which, as anyone knows, is a great place to see a live performance. What they lack in size, they make up for in quality. The acoustics are terrific, the furnishings are modern, and the facilities are clean and well kept. All this is accentuated by the doormen who act as greeters instead of gatekeepers (highly unusual for a small club.) Arrive at least 30-45 minutes prior to show time. They open their doors an hour prior. This window should allow you enough time to grab a quick drink and scope out a spot. As we were grabbing a drink by the bar, guess who decides to show up? Pham! I was 5 feet away from him and as he was passing through, I shook my husband and said, "Oh my god, that's Pham!" I was overcome by excitement and wanted to approach him to take a picture. Unfortunately, I was a bit was star stuck and couldn't move. My lack of initiative left me feeling like a complete wuss. By the time I was about to go over to him, he had already walked away. See folks? Small venues are worth visiting, especially if your chances of meeting a performer are highly likely! Shaking off the moment, we moved upstairs to the 2nd floor balcony and managed to get seats in the center. There was a bar on the second floor, so grabbing a drink was convenient. Overall, the high energy concert was amazing. I bought tickets to see Pham but Crystal Castles was freaking amazing too! Ben, who's never heard of Pham or Crystal Castles enjoyed both of their sets! Parking is free on the streets for night shows and most of all, tickets will not cost you and arm and a leg. Check Lincoln Hall's calendar of shows because sometimes they offer free concerts on select nights! I would come back here for future concerts and Pham, if you're reading this; I hope you come back to Chicago! Maybe this time I'll say hi! read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been to a number of shows at Lincoln Hall and have really enjoyed my experience each time. The space is great, the staff is great, and they get great performers. The venue isn't huge, but is the perfect size for up and coming performers. Standing room only downstairs, and there is some seating upstairs in the balcony. Solid visibility throughout. Very easy to navigate. Bars and water available upstairs, downstairs, and in the lobby. Staff is super kind and helpful. Very easy to get in and out. Lincoln Hall is quickly becoming one of my favorites! read more

One of the best music venues in the city and here's why. Great bands: I've seen a bunch of bands start off here like Florence and the Machine, Chvrches, Wilco etc that are headlining major festivals. This is a proving ground. Great space: It's a small room with a lovely balcony. The floor is standing room only. Even the back of the main floor is only 20 people back so it's very small and intimate. For the caliber of acts it's quite impressive to get up close to some of the best in music. Sound: The sound is great throughout the venue, the best sound though is in the balcony. You are even with the speakers and it's incredible. Get there when doors open to snag a seat! Enjoy the show! read more

This venue is amazing! Like many have said, it creates a special atmosphere about it. I was there visiting for the Emily Brandt/AUDIODREAM/Early June/Down Vega/Vesper concert and for less than $20 I was "chuffed to bits". And the Old Style beer cost $3, wow! I already want to come back! read more

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A friend and I came to see "Mortified" a few weeks ago. The performances themselves were hilarious (though why was the final performer allowed to be heckled by a drunk girl from the audience? Management should have gotten rid of that chick...) Seating in this small venue was a forest of folding chairs, packed tight, and you will be sliding across people's laps to get out if you're not on an end. I also learned to push my foot against the chair in front of me since the woman in it (who got up about every ten minutes) cracked me in the knee twice by pushing back her chair as if she was pushing away from a table :/ We would certainly come back for "Mortified" again! read more

Avoid this venue if you can. Staff were extremely rude. They're constantly watching you to see if you do anything they don't like. Very strict on rules. We got kicked out before the show started. The venue wasn't too bad. Just a little small. read more

I came here to see an up-and-coming artist play a small set and everything was just fine. The space is small, but cozy, there is a bar both up front (outside of the venue area) and on the "floor" of the venue. There is good lighting, acoustics, and all the staff was friendly. I didn't stay too long, so I don't have too much to say (as I also didn't drink, etc.), but I liked what I experienced while there. Here's hoping for a return visit soon! read more

One of my absolute favorite venues in the city. It's intimate yet not so small that it feels overwhelming crammed with people. Acoustics are great in the space & I like a lot of the bands that end up playing here. Whenever I'm in Chicago I try to make it a point to come here & see a show if I can. read more

Cozy venue, great sound & acoustics!! Love this place, hope it remains as awesome as it is. Nice staff - security, bartenders, an awesome place to see a show. Great sight lines if you decide to stay downstairs on the floor. Balcony upstairs has seating. read more

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Lincoln Hall, like sister venue Schuba's, is an intimate music venue with great acoustics. I recently saw Sara Bareilles here for a long overdue tour. Tickets are always will-call only with your photo ID, which I'm assuming is to avoid scalpers, which is annoying but works. When tickets went on sale for this show they sold out within 5 minutes, it was very stressful. I think the venue holds a max of 500 people. The main floor is standing room only, and if you want to get front and center for popular shows I'd say you'd probably have to line up 2-3 hours before the show depending on the artist. (This show started at 8pm, doors open at 7pm, and I saw some insta-stories of people lined up at 5pm. Yikes.) There's also a balcony with some tables that you can reserve by calling their number, I think there's like a $25 minimum of food/drink. Oh and there's usually two lines, make sure you get in the right one (alphabetically based on last name of ticket holder) instead of getting in the one closest to where your Uber dropped you off and waiting in it for a good half hour before the announcement came to make sure you're in the right line *cry* But, overall, great venue for good music. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Awesome venue with easy access from the train station Fullerton. I love that even when it's cold out, walking from the train isn't miserable because of proximity (it's prob like 4 blocks?) but also safe bc of de Paul. It also has surrounding food restaurants that are amazing, check out Allende! The actual venue does a great job of managing capacity, creating a warm environment that feels safe and fun, the staff are friendly, and the venue feels professional. It has 2 levels where the top level has seating and tables and overlooks the dance floor/GA show area. The sound and audio work are well produced and well done and it's overall a great Venue that is affordable and intimate. I love that the size isn't massive and the crowd is really attentive to the performers and the fellow audience members. read more

Tickets to Krewella's Sweatbox Tour at Lincoln Hall and did not know what expect from the venue. The sisters Yousaf, I knew they would be great and they did not disappoint, amazing small venue show. Neither did Lincoln Hall, great job all the way around, quick entry, multiple bars on both floors with a good selection of beer on tap and mixed drinks, friendly bartenders and where were seated/standing a waitress who took our food and drink orders. She did a great job and the bar food was surprisingly good Plenty of bathrooms. Security was very chill and a polite reminder to keep my drink inside the railing Great evening ! read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Hall isn't at all as intimidating as I thought it might be. Since I am not much of a, "What do you wanna do with your life? ... I WANNA ROCK!"-type, I didn't know how well I would fit in here. Well, I am pleased to say that I found LH to be much more James Taylor/Ray LaMontagne than Twisted Sister (just a note: that video gave me nightmares when I was a kid). The chief element responsible for the laid-back chill vibe: the intimacy. Even though it's a 2-story venue with bars on both levels, I never once felt like I was swallowed up by the music hall. I felt invited, comfortable and welcomed. It's big enough that if you want to wander up, down and all around, you can. But, it's intimate enough that you can sit in one of the back booths on the upper level and see and hear what's happening on stage almost as well as you could from being on the first level. And, if you're in the stage area, you can, likely, see up someone's nose you will be so close. For everyone who mentioned that this is a grown up place to see a show (or, do anything else), spot on. I doubt this is the spot to get wasted or have big fun with The Wretched. But, if you want to sip on a craft beer and enjoy an afternoon or evening in a laid-back environment whilst seeing a show or otherwise being entertained, you may have found a spot at which you'd like to stay for a bit. read more

I've been here several times over the years and have always had a good time. The layout is fantastic - front bar area with TVs showing what's happening on stage (so you don't feel like you're missing out), a few tables with food service, and the back music room that seems small at first but fits a lot of people and always sounds so good. My only complaint is the fact that there is not very much seating available. You can head upstairs to snag a balcony seat if you get there early enough, but otherwise, you have to order food if you're sitting at a table near the bar. I think I'm getting old and the idea of standing for 3 hours just doesn't sound appealing :) Not sure how this one can be helped, though, since it's pretty packed as it is and they can fit more people and sell more tickets at standing shows. All in all, this is one of the best places in the city to catch a concert. I love that I can step outside of the music room for a break and still feel like I'm watching the show and know what's going on. read more

Lincoln Hall gets major love from me!! Last weekend was my first time coming here for The Limousines show, but it's now officially one of my favorite concert venues. When you walk in, there's a bar area with some tables as well and it's spacious, so you don't have to rub elbows with strangers. Then, there's a back room which is where all the music takes place. There's also an upstairs balcony but we didn't get a chance to check that out. I was happily surprised at their beer selection. Sometimes you're stuck with the choice of Miller or Bud, but not here. I went with a Angry Orchard Cider and my husband went with one of the Revolutions (can't remember which one.) Not only was the selection good and the prices fair, but the bartenders were extra nice. Sometimes they can be a little on edge when the bar gets crowded, but they handled it like pros. It's also imperative to note that the security guys were really welcoming too. Not only can you expect great service, but you can expect to have a great concert experience. The stage is up pretty high so you can ACTUALLY see the band, even if you're a measly 5'5 and there are tall people in front of you. The acoustics sounded phenomenal for all 3 bands. Dresses was up first which had a bad ass chick rocking your ears off. We sat at the bar for Dresses since there was a TV at the bar so you could still watch and hear everything. Mona was up next. To me, they were only average but my hubby liked them. We watched part of it from the bar area and part of it in the venue. The Limousines kicked ass and did their electronica/rock shit and tore it all up. All in all, it was a pretty awesome show and I'm glad we went. Tickets were pretty cheap too! read more

Lincoln Hall - The Limousines! Yay - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love this venue. Small and intimate, the sound is very good, the shows are really a bargain for how close you can get. They consistently get a wide variety of great acts. Drinks are decently priced and easily available during the show. Word of caution, if you smoke inside they will toss you. So don't. read more

Lincoln Hall - The Weeknd - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Flashback time! This used to be the Threepenny Theater, serving budget movies in a shabby, yet comforting atmosphere. Fast forward to 2011 (or, well, when I was here this week) and it's a music venue! It's also right near the ghost of Lounge Ax! Ahhh, my 20's . . . The bartender was cute and charming. And v. amused at my glee that a Schlitz beer ($4.50 budget time!) came with coordinating pilsner glass. Frugal fashionistas notice the details. Since Schubas (who owns LH) is one of the few remaining Schiltz taverns, they're all about the Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous at this joint. This info is courtesy of the adorable bartender. Anyway, enough about the beverages. It's a bar. You get that. It's also a music venue. A really great music venue. It's basically a bare room with a big stage - and not a bad vantage point in the house. Great sound, and not so giant that it would get uncomfortably crowded. I still love live music. And though I'm *erhem* nowhere near my 20's anymore . . . I'm twice as good as 20! read more

This is my favorite venue in Chicago to see great local bands in an intimate and somewhat upscale setting. We were able to be part of a private party upstairs for Filligar which was ideal for watching the bands below. The downstairs area is generally standing room only in front of the stage, but you can reach out and touch the musicians (if you were a freak like that). The waitresses were really friendly and helpful. Sometimes waitresses can snub a group of girls, but at LH I found them very responsive and nice. The food is also really yummy! The flatbreads are particularly good. I really like the selection of wines in addition to beers which is part of what makes it a bit more upscale than the traditional live music venue. I also like that some shows are 18+ so I can bring my younger brother sometimes to see local bands - however this does not mean the place is reaming with youngsters. Important to note: Your ticket/reservation is tied directly to your name so you need your I.D. and can't give tickets to someone else in the event you can't attend read more

I have seen some great bands perform here. This place is clean and tidy and tries to keep it somewhat classy. The venue is not huge and feels rather cube shaped. There is a downstairs and an upstairs, but everything has that faux-Mahogany wood feel to it. So the colors seem to illicit some sort of "intellectual" vibe. Because of the bands I have seen here, I think the crowds have been pretty cool and chilled out. As far as I know the staff is friendly and it's a pretty straightforward down to earth venue. read more

Went to Lincoln Hall last night for the amazing Lissie (not just to see her cover of pursuit of happiness like most of the douchers there). Although the majority of the sold out crowd seemed to be afraid to actually dance or enjoy themselves at all, I had a great time. The venue is very clean and the staff was friendly. This is definitely a breath of fresh air in my opinion towards music venues in Chicago. The Metro is hot and dirty, Congress theater's sound is god awful, House of Blues and/or The Vic: the only good spot to stand will choke you with smoke machines, etc. Lincoln Hall has amazing sound, great viewing anywhere you stand, cheap entry. All the food that went past me looked amazing. I will definitely have to try it next time. The drinks were on the expensive side but they had a decent selection of craft beers. There is a balcony and an additional bar and seating up there. Even at a sold out show there was no line to get drinks and I didn't feel crammed. Definitely a great place to see live music! read more

I love Lincoln Hall!!!! There. We got that out of the way. First, let's talk about how small Lincoln Hall is. It is smallllllllll. This is very good. This pleases me. Why? Because you get to see amazing acts up close without the crush of thousands of people on your back. And I mean up close-if you are in the front, you could totally touch people's shoes on stage (don't do that). The sound is amazing, as well-and that's a biggie for me since I love attending concerts. I come for the music, and it's great that it doesn't sound like a garbled mess when I go to a concert. I'm a sucker for intimate venues, and this one is one of the best in the city. Before the show, you can chill in the bar area. Grab some food or drinks. This is nice too because you can even get inside a bit earlier, relax, and eat before getting down at the show. Lincoln Hall usually has a great selection of acts. I definitely appreciate the acts that come from over the pond to play here, too. Ok, I'm done. I love Lincoln Hall. Go, if you can. I hope I can attend quite a few more shows here as time goes on. read more

A bit of a smaller venue like everyone else states but honestly, it makes for a more intimate experience among the fans and attendees which makes it all the more special and personal in my opinion. My party and I arrived a bit late so we weren't able to get the greatest of seats, but we were able to be seated at the top where I could actually see the stage a lot better, however where I was seated I could feel the coldness of the a/c blasting on me every 15 minutes or so, during this time I had to put my jacket on every few times until the show ended. I was just praying I wouldn't catch a cold due to it being close to Winter at this time and it was pretty chilly outside earlier. Luckily, no cold to report and I still have fun. Best advice is to definitely come earlier. The only thing I will say is the toilet paper is so ridiculously low for the bathroom if I can remember. read more

Lincoln Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite music venue in Chicago, and I've been to quite a few. Most shows are very reasonably priced ($10-15), and give you more than your money's worth in enjoyment. The layout nicely offers you the ability to stand on the bottom floor if you're up for dancing or being close to the action. Or if you're not up for standing for a multi-hour show, there is an upstairs balcony with high top chairs (also a great option if you're short and normally have trouble seeing). There is food and multiple bars, including one that is outside the venue if you need a break from the music. Typically clean and with friendly waitstaff, it's definitely worth it for a night that can be fun, dance-y, and chill all in one. read more