We stopped in around 5 for happy hour. The $8 deal counts for a 16oz lager, a well shot and a piece of pizza demo pizza friendly pizza next door. I got the pepperoni basil slice and my friend got the potato pesto slice. Both were less than mediocre. They weren't fresh; cheese was congealed. The potato itself wasn't cooked enough, the crust was partly oily and soggy. I guess for the cheap price of cheap ingredients it's ok, but I do not recommend. Also, live music isn't supposed to start until 9pm, but the band loudly and consistently starts practicing at 630-7pm and it's so damn loud you can't have a conversation. The band tonight was also just horrible. Not toned and had a lot of very loud squeaky sounds. We didn't stay long after the noise started, but can't imagine it got too much better. read more

See all

I loved Empty Bottle! It's a small venue, but there was still plenty of room. I enjoyed my cucumber Collins from the bar, and loved my mushroom miso pizza. It was $13 to get in. Shows start at 9pm and doors open at 8pm. A perfect spot to see live music read more

This place might be slept on or unassuming but as far as I'm concerned it's a Chicago landmark! Great venue acoustics, great event calendar (taste in music), great place to see any artist you love or discover a new one! read more

I'm a local musician. Been playing in Chicago for ten years, and I've played here a handful of times. I used to think it was a privilege to play this popular venue. It's somewhat of a rite of passage for local musicians. That being said, it's perceived importance it's likely the cause for its current issues. For all its notoriety and charm, the staff itself can be extremely toxic. I wouldn't dismiss the entire staff in good faith, but certain bartenders and sound technicians are outright bullies. We've been subjected to sexual harassment and cyber bullying for over a year now. This abuse has gone unchecked and has been ignored by the venue and staff at large. I want people to be careful when they pass through. This is, in no way, a safe space. read more

A co-worker told me about the Empty Bottle so I came to see a show by Pillow Queens. They were great, but their opening was not. Anyways, cool local space. Enough room for everywhere. If I weren't so tired, I would've enjoyed myself more. Would definitely come back for drinks. The only thing that got me was... well, I don't know if this is because of the band playing or not... the lack of diversity in the crowd. read more

The Empty Bottle - a stage with purple lighting - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a unique place, phenomenal atmosphere. Live bands, great staff and a pool table. What more could you ask for? Even had an old style Photo Booth! How cool. read more

Excellent spot for Friday night after work to hang out with friends . Like the drinks and friendly ambiance!

I've heard of this place for years but didn't go to my first event here until last week. Went to see Lomelda perform. It was a good show. It's the kind of a venue where most people stand and sway. Temperature of the room was good too. They don't accept cards for payment but have some ATMs. Glad I pregamed the show at the EZ inn up the street. Bathroom is nothing pretty. It's divey but it's very much the aesthetic/ vibe of the place. read more

See all

Love the vintage atmosphere of this bar, plus awesome live music (Death Valley Girls) read more

The Empty Bottle - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Okay, I'm biased now. For the second year in a row my band has had the greatest time playing the Annual Alex Chilton Birthday Bash! Sure, it's only three cover songs by the Man who penned "Thirteen", "the Letter", and "In the Streets"...but the cameraderie of the night can't be beat! We always meet and hear such great bands, it's always a blast! Dec. 28, mark your calendars! A week later I walk into the bar and the place is still buzzing from the show! I was greeted like Norm from Cheers, if Norm played in a band and Cheers was full of day drinking bands and sexy brunchers! One of the bands we played with was hanging out and everyone's in a killer mood from homemade Bloody Marys, Lagunitas IPA and just good vibes. I handed out the last of mom's Christmas cookies to a hungry, appreciative bunch. The bartender is favoring Neil Young on a day that I almost brought my Neil disc in from the car, but thought it rude... What's the word for the kind of a day when things are just going your way? Kismet? Flow? All thanks to the Empty Bottle...for creating a laid back place where drinking is cheep (sic- remember their old matchbooks?), the resident black cat is a sweetie, there's pool and a photobooth, bartenders are laid back but not lazy, good music abounds- live or otherwise, and everyone's always glad you came! read more

I had a lot of fun here, but there's always so many roaches in the girls bathroom. They're hoarding in clusters and scatter whenever someone closes the stall. It's honestly HORRIFIC! read more

I happened to visit Empty Bottle on a Monday and lucky me there was no cover. Show started around 8:45-9ish and I got to see 3 diff bands play. Each one had their own style.. the beginning one playing almost hypnotic music with an epilepsy inducing light show. I really liked it!! The last one had fog machine, cool theatrics, transporting in a way. Space is limited and it doesn't stay as empty as it's name suggests so I advice coming around 9. Moreover, you'd want to enjoy all the bands, for you never know which new fav you might discover. Drinks are super cheap, I think I got a whiskey drink for $4. Only cash tho. ATM inside. Overall, super hipster joint, don't go on the looks from outside building & watch out for the baby doll head wall. Lol read more

Bring ear plugs for the concert. Awesome venue if you're there for the artists.

great spot to see music- good food and booze/ you might even get a sculpy dragon- yeah yea

Classic iconic Chicago music venue....hole in the wall, grungy place with a stage and a bar....bar had great service...very attentive (even brought us old geezers ear plugs) and bands were on time and loud as heck!! We went on a Sunday night and the last singer was like watching an out of body experience...she was so into it and summoning up her strength to scremo her music out...heehee...it was interesting!! Would go back...but def for a younger crowd, or a fan of the band playing! read more

Ah the ol' Empty. Not empty enough right now, if you know what I'm sayin'. Ohh, I kid. But seriously, it is pretty dang crowded. So , there are so many positives to this place. You'll just have to see it for yourself I guess. Also my home fry is clearly rather sick of me "pausing for the cause" to write a review. Sheesh, We need a little respect for the creative process. Am I right? Well, moving right along, I'll get to the point. What's the point? I often wonder. But seriously, I lurv this place. Oh and they have consistently great musical acts and great food next door at Bite Cafe. read more

The Empty Bottle - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I love smaller venues much more than the bigger ones and The Empty Bottle is tiny! I went to check out The Black Lips at this awesome little music venue that I had never been to previously. It was pretty much mosh on from the beginning of the set. And when band member Cole Alexander pulled his cawk out to relieve himself, I saw it. That's when my friend J Jeezy moved far back away from the stage. The crowd was fantastic! We was hopping about through most of the set and when O Katrina! came on we hopped our minds out. It was much different when I saw them at Thalia Hall, a bit more bigger venue. Peeps were standing there lifeless. read more

If you really want to see great bands before they hit the big league in a small venue, you must go to Empty Bottle. This is it for Chicago. The people who book this place know what's cutting edge. It's divey, hipster and cheap as well. I have seen so many amazing bands over the years. The posters on the walls of the bands who have been through here are a who's who of alternative, metal and punk rock. Highly recommended. read more

The Empty Bottle - The most intimate moments with the most obscure, upcoming bands - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The BEST place to see live music in Chicago. Every time I see a band here, I can get right up front. If I want to. I can hang back and still see. I can quaff $2.50 PBRs. They sell earplugs for a couple of bucks - obviously not making a profit on those, and it's a nice touch that tells me they care about their patrons. They have free/cheap nights here, and even big acts like MAN OR ASTRO MAN ticket prices are cheeeep. Just fantastic. I will always be a dirty rock girl in this dirty rock club . . . at least until I'm a really old dirty rock chick. read more

The Empty Bottle is my phantom limb. I lived around the corner for 5 years. I saw so many good bands. I drank so many cheap drinks. I saw so many shitty bands. Everything from namby-pamby indie rock to the metalest of metal. I befriended the servers. I danced with Mucca Pazza cheerleaders. I saw musicians puke on stage. I went to shows by myself almost as often as I went with friends. For the last three years I've lived in the middle of nowhere and then in the epicenter of everywhere. Nothing compares to the Bottle, though. There's a thick sense of community and other bullshit I can't really articulate except to say that having not been there in a minute, I feel like something's missing. And R.I.P. Radley read more

The Empty Bottle - Bonde Do Role - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Hands down one of my favorite venues to see a show. Out of all the venues in Chicago Empty Bottle seems to consistently assemble great shows with some of my favorite artists. I am real short and have yet to experience any issues with getting a good view of the stage. They have these stairs to the left of the stage you can also stand on(or sit, depends on the show I suppose) which is in my opinion the best spot for watching the band perform. Bar staff is always on their a game and generally don't have to wait long for a drink despite how packed the place usually is. The prices for beer are very reasonable so no complaints there; it is cash only so come prepared. *if you neglected to bring cash they have an atm* I should mention as soon as you walk into the venue you are welcomed with some pinball machines, a pool table, claw machine as well as a photo booth. They also have a Pac Man arcade game which is located in another area of the venue. read more

Tiny, loud, dirty and either completely empty or insanely crowded. If you like watching your beer get elbowed across your date's blouse and being able to see the toenails and unibrow of every band member in every local act in town, this is the place to be. E.B. is a proving ground. If a new band can get its gear together and play in spite of the 10,000 people packed into this living room sized venue, then they've got their act together and can handle anything! Respect for the 5 star reviews. This is just one geezer's opinion so don't be offended. Fans of E.B. relish the ability to say "I saw that band before they were famous". If you don't care, it's a waste of time. If you do care, welcome to your velvet goldmine. read more

Came to Empty Bottle for the first time last Saturday night with a friend simply because we had never been here. Place was easy to find, parking was easy to find. Upon entering, I thought, "Man, looks dirty and small and dark. Let's see how this night unfolds." Looks dirty, but surprisingly the bathroom is okay. The toilets are clean. It is dark and small, but dark and small like intimate, not like it lacks oxygen. The staff is friendly. Really, everyone is friendly. No one bumped into me purposely or rudely and if someone did touch me, he or she always apologized. The drinks are cheap. The live music is awesome. Everyone looks interesting. You should go. Oh wait. Be forewarned. The smells of some of the people in this place are not pleasant all the time (phantom pepperoni). Still, I'd go back. read more

The Empty Bottle - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Review for musicians who gig: If you're in a touring band of a certain level of success and cred, this is easily the best venue to play in Chicago. In fact, I'd say if you've been around long enough and haven't played EB, there's something wrong with your band. They've been so consistently excellent, the vision for the club consistently high, and the music policy solid for so many years, they have, IMO, an unimpeachable reputation as one of the premier places to play in Chicago. Add to that excellent ticket prices and cheap beers (so your friends and fans will be happy), an easy place to set up merch, and really fair and upfront booking policies, EB is tops for bands and DJs. You'll load in through the corner entrance, so double park on Cortez near the entrance if you can. No dedicated parking lot, so you'll be fighting for space for that tour van. Honestly, shouldn't be much of a problem - if you get there early enough to check there'll be space on Western Ave for you to park your fleet. Sound guys have been good over the years, and the crew working is helpful between bands. Bar staff is great, among my favorites. You'll have to store your gear along the south wall or in the back where the light guy sits. A few recent upgrades: new carpeting on the stage, and they carpeted the back area where the sound and light guy are found. I don't like the latter, as it was a great place to twist around and still get a good view of the band or DJ. Wish they had kept that wood floor. You've lost a good portion of secret dancefloor space. Green room is downstairs, door is at the back near the light guy. A new lock with keypad will keep unwanted groupies away. There's a bathroom back there as well. 3 couches downstairs, lots of band graf, and you can probably tuck gear away too if needed. They'll usually bring down a tub of beer. The Bottle's Bite Cafe is next door for food, or head down to Chicago Ave for cheap pizza from Village or Bacci. Check the vintage photobooth for killer pics for your next 7" Playing the Empty Bottle? Congrats my friend. If I could only play one venue in Chicago, this would be it. read more

Great bar - went on a night they had a live show with Scientists reviewing their current research projects - WAY more interesting than I expected! Also have great / different beers on tap. read more

As I lay here writing my 600th review on Yelp, my hearing is about 80% back to normal, if it ever gets there---word to the hearing-sensitive-wise, bring earplugs. I used to live right by here but never went--a shame since this appears to be a fun quintessential hipster hangout with an interesting experimental music scene. I maybe stuck out like a sore bum but it's never too late. What brought me here was Matmos, and experimental electronic musical duo/life couple that really caught my ear after hearing about their unique sound sampling (in many cases including medical sounds such as plastic surgery noises). There were here on a tour promoting their new album. They have worked and toured with Bjork and one of them is an English professor at Hopkins, so they really have this smart/fun vibe and a big variety in their music which is really fun to explore. One number was fully improvised with samples from playing with a balloon and making every noise possible. Working with samples they also throw in a lot of little instruments and sounds like blowing in water, bells, and variable types of singing ranging from droll absurd phrases to punk level screaming. Get their albums! Opening act that had to be endured was some chick moaning into a voice altering microphone and playing a synthesizer with l lots of background noise, so very painful. Matmos brought a Just Intonation boy band with them that was quite good, doing all kinds of Glass-ian riffs on meter (albeit much less complicated), I loved to see some minimalism work its way into the late night bar scene. The fellow audience was a venture with one guy flipping out and throwing his drink all over everyone while he had a floppy mosh dance--promptly kicked out while people threw their drinks on HIM (classic), some dude showing us how fast he could rotate his lumbar spine back and forth for hours, and lots and lots of baaad B.O. (I thought the basement of Jackhammer was the only place that smelled this bad). Bar service was nice, cheaper range of beers. The decor is very decrepit-old-bar look with banged up, graffiti-ed, poster covered stuff everywhere, very old beer ads. read more

I saw the Spits there and the show was great, but I truly feel that it is the responsibility of the proprietor to disclose that they have an aggressive zero tolerance policy against stage diving because they claim they aren't a "punk" bar. Well you were certainly punk enough to collect all that money from a sold out show. These people were like the terminator picking off young enthusiastic attendees for simply diving from a low two foot stage. One poor fella was thrown out after just one infraction while his friends and ride, and most importantly, his jacket was inside. The staff was too busy being hyper vigilant to even care that someone who paid good money to enjoy a night of punk rock only to be ejected into the cold streets of Chicago without even letting him take his coat. It's not posted anywhere that they even have this arbitrary policy, they just enforce it without explanation. So if you're going to see a PUNK show at a not punk bar, as this place claims, don't EVER, for the love of dog even think of stage diving because you might freeze to death outside with no jacket and no ride home. read more

Great venue! Saw the Glories there recently. Nice selection of beers, attentive bar staff. Women's restroom was clean. The crowd was a wide range of folks and I witnessed none of the drama that seems typical at most rock and roll shows! Bar is cash only...there is an ATM inside if you come unprepared. I recommend buying your tickets in advance as the venue is not that large and the show I saw sold out quickly. Not much street parking so I also recommend taking lyft or uber there to make it easy. Lockdown is a good burger joint kitty corner from the venue to grab a bite or a beer before the show but you must like loud heavy metal music :) read more

The Empty Bottle - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Legit good music goes down here!! Snuck over to this spot on a Sunday night and enjoyed myself a ton. Music got me in the door and the cheap drinks got me out of my seat. They have beer and a shot combos for $6. They change each day so you can get drunk with a little variety in your life. I like that!! It's a great divey looking joint with decent music and awesome drink specials. Just don't forget to wear your flannel. I was the only one in there not rocking the hipster uniform thus people noticed me. All good. I enjoyed this place a bunch. read more

Great venue, the shows here feel really intimate. Seeing Xiu Xiu and Thurston Moore here were unforgettable. The photo booth is really cute (pictures come out in a set of 1 black and white and one in color, with that old school background curtain you can change to red or blue like in Buffalo 66). read more

Divey and friendly, we went to this bar last night for some bands. The second band was SCOTTISH and amazing. The last band, Eternal Summers, sounded just blissfully beautiful. Venue-wise, I found the vertical stage a bit cramped for the band, but plenty of room for dancing or bobbing your head along to the music. The bartenders are a bit standoffish (mine ran away after serving my drink...I even complimented the punch, but she just offered a halfhearted smile before dashing off) but perfectly friendly. (Perhaps I should tip better?) Try their house specials, they do beautiful mixes. Very hipster. Very, very. Saw many twenty and thirty somethings sporting tight skinny jeans, beanies and bold frame glasses. The crowd was a bit quiet, but chill. Quick note for dancers - I LOVE THEIR FLOOR. Not sticky at all, a nice wood floor. I'm thinking that blues and jazz bands should come here so us swing dancers can make a night of it. Beautiful floor, great venue. read more

Came here with some friends last night to check out a band I had not previously heard of Mr. Gnome. The parking was not too bad, but it was also a Thursday night. Empty Bottle usually charges an $8 to $12 cover charge, but since we e-mailed ahead of time we were put on an RSVP list for free cover. The sound was good and as other reviewers have mentioned there really is not a bad spot in the joint. They also have a bunch of really good beer drink specials. As a non beer drinker, they had one drink special... Peaches and Scream. I had two of these, but the different bartenders made it differently. One used just vodka and peach fuze, and another added grenadine... which was even better! The bathrooms were kinda gross, and the entire bar was a bit dirty... especially the stained couch by the pool table. I would go back here to see a band play... but I would not return as a bar to hang out and have a drink in. read more

Cool on Monday's! It's free. $3 Hamms. Park by is all free over here too and it's pretty much right off 290.

First time visitor review: Went to see Ty Segall, Ex-Cult, and Trin Tran. Ty was great, so was the Ex Cult. Trin Tran on the other hand, wthwt?! My friend had a buddy back out and I scooped the ticket. Ticket cost was way reasonable for these days. We took the train down, super easy. Entry was easy, hand stamp. Hamms beers were cheap at $2.50 I think. Show started on time. Ty did two shows that night, an early and a late which was cool because it enabled us to catch the early show and still get home at a decent hour. Food tip: If you need to eat, there are a couple food options directly nearby, lockdown, bite cafe. If you have more time, urban spoon has some places just south in the ukranian village (less than half mile) that rate fairly well. During Trin Tran's set, my friend and I went out to the lobby for more beer at the coat check, yes the coat check; and there in the flesh was Ty Segall at the merch stand checking out the goods. I am not as familiar with Ty and asked my buddy, "Hey, isn't that they guy we are here to see?" My friend was super tickled, like a little kid, he got Ty's sig, chatted with him, picked up some merch, and at the end of the show, Ty broke all the strings on his guitar, so I nabbed a guitar string for my friend. The venue was cozy, very small, intimate and a great place to catch a live show. I would definitely go back to see another show here, this venue gets it right. The crowd was mixed, given the show, younger, but everybody was very cool. read more

The location of my first Chicago show, and the location of many more. Including some of my friends' bands who often play here. The "venue" is a little oddly arranged, as the stage faces a wall/corner in which you enter. So stage left faces a deep area that leads towards the back where the bar is along one wall. Stage right faces a small series of steps with a platformed area. I usually stand about here, as it gives a pretty close up view of the stage and you can see over people. It's more about the environment of it being a small dive bar more than anything else. Don't be surprised if bands you love suddenly decide to play a show here. It's a nice place to go for those bands that you love but nobody else knows about yet... because once they do, the band starts to suck right? read more

If you are a fan of dive bars, cheap beer, and loud music, this is the place for you. This is probably one of the most underground, hipster bars I've ever been in; that is not a knock to this place either. I was invited here by a friend because they knew someone who performing that night. It's a really cool place for live performances, because it's an intimate environment but still big enough. The sound system sounded crystal clear, but the volume was really loud. I can't be the only person who can't enjoy music when it's blaring. Could've just been that night or that band, either way it wasn't a deal breaker. I would definitely stop by this place again for another performance! read more

The Empty Bottle is a great intimate setting to catch live music in Chicago! The stage here is about three feet off the ground and you can get really up-close and personal with the performers...like touching distance (don't actually do that, okay?)! And sometimes the crowds can get rowdy (read as: hope you're okay with people in your personal bubble). The drinks are cheap (CASH ONLY), the bathrooms are relatively clean, there's a pool table, and of course, the infamous babydoll head wall! The sound here is the a drawback, it's pretty hit or miss. For example, I've been to a show where the artist was constantly requesting that his mic be turned up because he was very muffled throughout the concert. Another con is that there is no easy way to reach the Empty Bottle via public transit. Despite these negatives, this is one of my favorite venues in the city! read more

Disclaimer: I went here for the first time this past weekend to see Tim & Eric (Awesome Tour, Great Job) and I don't think this was the best venue for a stage performance. The layout of the Empty Bottle covered 3 different areas, with a stage caddy corner in the back of the house. This made it very difficult to have a lot of people stand in front of the stage and a number of people had to flank to the right and left. I could see this being a good venue for smaller bands or just a night out drinking and having a good time. But for larger events I don't think the Empty Bottle is ideal. read more

See all

Went to Empty Bottle to check out the art sale they had going on by local merchants Sunday afternoon. It was very cool and they had a nice selection . Had a Shiner Bock and made a couple of purchases. Nice to support the artists. Can't wait to go back to see some bands again. Great place. I'm a little biased because it's walking distance from home. read more

The Empty Bottle - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

To enhance your Empty Bottle experience, I highly recommend my personal m.o. for getting off: going on an off night and seeing an off band and standing in an off corner while drinking an off brand of liquor. Once every few months, if good luck rubs off on you, you'll hit the jackpot and maybe an actor in exile who is off the clock and on the make will buy you a beer, tell you that you are exotic, and make you laugh. That's the worst that could happen... read more