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I had a great and wonderful time. It was definitely worth the trip from the south side. I was blown away how great the performances were. The music and atmosphere were incredible. Lights, visuals, and sound were outstanding. The staff were great and personable. The drinks were good. Chicago local brewers. This was my first time coming here and it won't be my last time. I'm coming back here again.
I visited the Salt Shed for a very special event- an Obama administration reunion that was full of joy and packed to the brim with attendees. If you're a short person in gen pop-standing only, try to be as close to the front as possible. My friend and I grabbed an Italian sausage Chicago dog and a slice of pizza from the vendors outside. Both were pretty decent and it came in clutch because we were so hungry.
I LOVE IT LOUD One of Chicago's newest music venues is an ear-splitting good time. My wife and I saw Alter Bridge + Filter perform at The Salt Shed on 5/6/26. It was our first time here and overall, it was a really positive experience. Parking lots are adjacent to the venue and prices can vary depending on the show but we paid $35-40. The outdoor space - called 'The Fairgrounds' - can seat up to 5,000 people and opened in August 2022. The indoor space - appropriately called 'The Shed' - seats a max of 3,600 people and opened six months later in February 2023. There aren't any aesthetics to speak of inside, just an open space with a cavernous black ceiling. Most (though not all) bands that come through here are alternative / indie rock. Due to the smaller crowd size, you won't ever see the likes of Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, or huge A-list acts performing here. The "biggest" bands who've taken The Salt Shed stage include Deathcab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, and The Postal Service. Yup, pretty niche. While neither my wife nor I bought drinks or food here, we did avail ourselves of the bathrooms and were happy to encounter a fast-moving line. There were plenty of stalls for dudes, and despite a huge throng of people I never felt like I had to wait too long. The crowd was well-behaved. Sound quality was good. No issues with the visuals; the graphics were fairly run-of-the-mill on a video board behind the band. Myles Kennedy (lead singer/guitarist for Alter Bridge) has an incredible voice and it definitely shone throughout their set. On the other hand, Filter's lead vocalist (Richard Patrick, whose brother Robert Patrick was the T-1000) sounded like shit, but maybe that's his thing? Industrial rock is mostly noise and trash cans, IMO. Kudos to the building planning team for having the foresight to include everything you'd need for a great time on the premises: an on-site restaurant (Goose Island Brewpub), 2nd floor arcade (Elston Electric), and dispensary (RISE). Everyone loves a 1-stop shop, and I'll definitely be back to check them out! * TL;DR * This indoor-outdoor entertainment space is more intimate than Northerly Island and easier to get to than the Aragon Ballroom. I always welcome the opportunity to try out a new arena, and you just can't beat live music. As one might expect, some rock concerts can get pretty damn loud (Filter's 'Hey Man Nice Shot' registered at 102dB on our phones), so earplugs aren't a bad idea. Damn, I nearly forgot to mention that this place used to be an actual storage shed for Morton Salt! They got rid of the mountains of sodium chloride but wisely kept the name Salt Shed. I'm holding out hope that someone opens up 'Pepper Palace' in a different part of the city (maybe they'll cater to EDM?)
I have seen two shows at the salt shed and had great experiences! The sound is very good, especially for an outdoor venue, and I love that it is outdoors! Even when attending a sold out show, it never felt too crowded and the lines for bathrooms and drinks go fast. If you want a seat, arrive early as there are some seats on the perimeter and in the back of the general admission area but not a ton. It is one of my favorite venues and I look forward to seeing more shows there!
Traveled a few hours to see Jack White who is a must see every time legacy artist for me. The Salt Shed in Chicago is a general admission floor concert venue with one drawback that appears early: the entry situation. After waiting in line outside for hours, it's a bit deflating when the main gate opens and it becomes a free for all situation to many more gates at many doors, making it such you lose the spot you worked so hard to hold. So instead of being a couple dozen deep in the line now lots of people are at the front of many gates. Four stars due to this. The Jack White mural was a great surprise outside and down the way, which made for a fun photo op to commemorate the event. I presume they change this for each headliner?! I will give credit that security responded quickly when a woman next to me went down from overwhelm/heat at the start of "Seven Nation Army". I read online there is a rooftop but because it was freezing in April and I had sweated through all of my clothes from the second row crowd and jumping for hours, I didn't stay to hang out. Sounds fun though so perhaps next time - I'll absolutely be back to see Jack White again.
Went in for happy hour at Elston Electric! This is such a fun place! Theres an arcade (entertainment) and the bar is pretty nice! I tried the 2hop2go and it was a delicious, loved the grapefruit! The service was quick and friendly! I definitely would go back and try something else next time!!
Recently saw a concert here, first time at The Salt Shed, and I can't imagine a better experience! We opted to pay a little extra for the Three Top Lounge seating and it was WORTH IT. The small bites were incredible and having bar and nice bathroom access with a Birds Eye view of the concert felt luxurious even though this was still a pretty adorable option. When it rained a bit, we had an awning to move under and then scooted our table back out once the rain stopped! Ideal concert experience. Would definitely go back and buy the lounge access again. The down side to the lounge is you are further back, but we were fine with this and enjoyed having more space, bar access, and good food. For those who want a more traditional concert experience, the general admission seemed well organized and the venue is along the river. Great city views too!
This is quickly becoming my favorite music venue in Chicago. During the summer they have most shows outside in the fairgrounds and during the cold months, they move the shows indoors. They have a wide variety of food available in the fairgrounds along with any beverage you can think of. As far as viewing options, it's mostly general admission in the fairgrounds and if you get there early enough you might be able to get stadium seating. Indoors it's all general admission on the main floor and you can purchase seats. Enjoy the show!
Yesterday I went to the salt shed to see Dj diesel perform and I have to say it was a great event. The security was easy a quick to get through and there were lockers available that you could rent for $10 to be able to place your jackets in during these cold winter times. The venue space was pretty big and there were seats on all three floors to provide people with space if they didn't want to be on the ground level. The only downside was the long water and drink lines due to the number of people in the venue.
Awesome venue for a show. Super clean and not crowded. Great drink options and tons of restrooms (the cleanest and nicest). Great staff. Easy in and out with a designated Lyft area on Magnolia. A must see and listen. Goose Island, right next door, is a great spot to eat before a show.
WONDERFUL! We drove in for a concert and the venue is stunning. There is food and libations inside as well as picnic style seating around the food vendors. Security was tight without being over bearing which was nice. We attended a concert outside and talk about huge!! We had a great time seeing Wetleg and we will be back.
The Salt Shed is everything you want and need in a music venue. Entry is always seamless, and I have never experienced a long queue. Bathrooms are huge and there is never a line. Both indoor and outdoor spaces help to accommodate weather changes and differences in attendance. Food is always excellent for what it is, and accommodates many diets. Sound is great. Staff is always helpful and kind. Parking could be worse. Always a great time at the Shed!
This is the best place to see a show in Chicago - so clean, nice staff and a great sound system. It's also nice that they have the Three Top Lounge open now with gorgeous views and good cocktails. I've seen quite a few show here in GA, Grands, and Premium and have always had a great time.
Consider what happens when you merge two Chicago icons into one experience. On one hand, you have the Salt Shed, a venue built from the historic Morton Salt Warehouse, a Chicago landmark dating back to 1929. On the other, you have the Silver Room Block Party, an event that has spent more than twenty years marking what feels like the true peak of a Chicago summer. When I heard the block party was moving to the Salt Shed this year, I was honestly a little worried. I've been to the Salt Shed several times and have enjoyed it every visit. It's spacious, thoughtfully designed, and gives you multiple ways to experience the venue without ever feeling repetitive. My concern was whether the spirit of the Silver Room Block Party would translate to such a large space. I went with friends to celebrate what I consider the height of a Chicago summer. Around this time of year, the city becomes a giant dartboard. No matter where you throw a dart, you'll find something happening. Festivals, music, food, art, neighborhood events. Chicago is alive in every direction. The Silver Room Block Party has grown, contracted, and evolved over the years, but through dedication and the community's continued support, it has endured. That's part of what makes it special. I'm happy to say my concerns were completely unfounded. The Salt Shed didn't just accommodate the event, it elevated it. Three different musical genres were happening simultaneously, yet the layout allowed people to move freely, connect, and enjoy each space without ever feeling cramped. One minute I was listening to one of my favorite MCs. Less than a hundred feet away I was dancing to house music. A short walk later, I found myself enjoying current hip-hop. Somehow it all worked. I still haven't convinced myself to spend the money on the upper-level experience, although it certainly looks tempting. Honestly, the community spaces on the main level were more than enough to make the day memorable. I also grabbed a spicy margarita, which was surprisingly good and reasonably priced in my opinion. So bravo, Chicago. Once again, you've managed to remind everyone why summertime here is unlike anywhere else. This event and this venue turned out to be a perfect match. read more
4 days ago
1 month ago
One of the top EDM venues in the city! Came for Wankdat north coast afters (crankdat b2b wooli) which is always an insane production! Lasers are INSANE here and it's truly the best place for full visuals. Sound quality is good, plenty of free water available, and staff is nice and helpful throughout the venue. My only gripe is ingress! Line gets soooo long and staff doesn't do anything about cutting and doesn't put up bike rack or stanchions. The signage was also wrong so there was an entire lane not being used that they wanted people to use? The only employee "managing" the line was behind a fence just hootin and hollerin from a distance LOL. As someone who works in live events as a career, I was shocked to see how bad it was! Once we were in, we had a great time so not a big deal but definitely a rough start read more
I had a great and wonderful time. It was definitely worth the trip from the south side. I was blown away how great the performances were. The music and atmosphere were incredible. Lights, visuals, and sound were outstanding. The staff were great and personable. The drinks were good. Chicago local brewers. This was my first time coming here and it won't be my last time. I'm coming back here again. read more
I visited the Salt Shed for a very special event- an Obama administration reunion that was full of joy and packed to the brim with attendees. If you're a short person in gen pop-standing only, try to be as close to the front as possible. My friend and I grabbed an Italian sausage Chicago dog and a slice of pizza from the vendors outside. Both were pretty decent and it came in clutch because we were so hungry. read more
I LOVE IT LOUD One of Chicago's newest music venues is an ear-splitting good time. My wife and I saw Alter Bridge + Filter perform at The Salt Shed on 5/6/26. It was our first time here and overall, it was a really positive experience. Parking lots are adjacent to the venue and prices can vary depending on the show but we paid $35-40. The outdoor space - called 'The Fairgrounds' - can seat up to 5,000 people and opened in August 2022. The indoor space - appropriately called 'The Shed' - seats a max of 3,600 people and opened six months later in February 2023. There aren't any aesthetics to speak of inside, just an open space with a cavernous black ceiling. Most (though not all) bands that come through here are alternative / indie rock. Due to the smaller crowd size, you won't ever see the likes of Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, or huge A-list acts performing here. The "biggest" bands who've taken The Salt Shed stage include Deathcab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, and The Postal Service. Yup, pretty niche. While neither my wife nor I bought drinks or food here, we did avail ourselves of the bathrooms and were happy to encounter a fast-moving line. There were plenty of stalls for dudes, and despite a huge throng of people I never felt like I had to wait too long. The crowd was well-behaved. Sound quality was good. No issues with the visuals; the graphics were fairly run-of-the-mill on a video board behind the band. Myles Kennedy (lead singer/guitarist for Alter Bridge) has an incredible voice and it definitely shone throughout their set. On the other hand, Filter's lead vocalist (Richard Patrick, whose brother Robert Patrick was the T-1000) sounded like shit, but maybe that's his thing? Industrial rock is mostly noise and trash cans, IMO. Kudos to the building planning team for having the foresight to include everything you'd need for a great time on the premises: an on-site restaurant (Goose Island Brewpub), 2nd floor arcade (Elston Electric), and dispensary (RISE). Everyone loves a 1-stop shop, and I'll definitely be back to check them out! * TL;DR * This indoor-outdoor entertainment space is more intimate than Northerly Island and easier to get to than the Aragon Ballroom. I always welcome the opportunity to try out a new arena, and you just can't beat live music. As one might expect, some rock concerts can get pretty damn loud (Filter's 'Hey Man Nice Shot' registered at 102dB on our phones), so earplugs aren't a bad idea. Damn, I nearly forgot to mention that this place used to be an actual storage shed for Morton Salt! They got rid of the mountains of sodium chloride but wisely kept the name Salt Shed. I'm holding out hope that someone opens up 'Pepper Palace' in a different part of the city (maybe they'll cater to EDM?) read more
I have seen two shows at the salt shed and had great experiences! The sound is very good, especially for an outdoor venue, and I love that it is outdoors! Even when attending a sold out show, it never felt too crowded and the lines for bathrooms and drinks go fast. If you want a seat, arrive early as there are some seats on the perimeter and in the back of the general admission area but not a ton. It is one of my favorite venues and I look forward to seeing more shows there! read more
11 months ago
Traveled a few hours to see Jack White who is a must see every time legacy artist for me. The Salt Shed in Chicago is a general admission floor concert venue with one drawback that appears early: the entry situation. After waiting in line outside for hours, it's a bit deflating when the main gate opens and it becomes a free for all situation to many more gates at many doors, making it such you lose the spot you worked so hard to hold. So instead of being a couple dozen deep in the line now lots of people are at the front of many gates. Four stars due to this. The Jack White mural was a great surprise outside and down the way, which made for a fun photo op to commemorate the event. I presume they change this for each headliner?! I will give credit that security responded quickly when a woman next to me went down from overwhelm/heat at the start of "Seven Nation Army". I read online there is a rooftop but because it was freezing in April and I had sweated through all of my clothes from the second row crowd and jumping for hours, I didn't stay to hang out. Sounds fun though so perhaps next time - I'll absolutely be back to see Jack White again. read more
1 year ago
Went in for happy hour at Elston Electric! This is such a fun place! Theres an arcade (entertainment) and the bar is pretty nice! I tried the 2hop2go and it was a delicious, loved the grapefruit! The service was quick and friendly! I definitely would go back and try something else next time!! read more
Recently saw a concert here, first time at The Salt Shed, and I can't imagine a better experience! We opted to pay a little extra for the Three Top Lounge seating and it was WORTH IT. The small bites were incredible and having bar and nice bathroom access with a Birds Eye view of the concert felt luxurious even though this was still a pretty adorable option. When it rained a bit, we had an awning to move under and then scooted our table back out once the rain stopped! Ideal concert experience. Would definitely go back and buy the lounge access again. The down side to the lounge is you are further back, but we were fine with this and enjoyed having more space, bar access, and good food. For those who want a more traditional concert experience, the general admission seemed well organized and the venue is along the river. Great city views too! read more
This is quickly becoming my favorite music venue in Chicago. During the summer they have most shows outside in the fairgrounds and during the cold months, they move the shows indoors. They have a wide variety of food available in the fairgrounds along with any beverage you can think of. As far as viewing options, it's mostly general admission in the fairgrounds and if you get there early enough you might be able to get stadium seating. Indoors it's all general admission on the main floor and you can purchase seats. Enjoy the show! read more
Yesterday I went to the salt shed to see Dj diesel perform and I have to say it was a great event. The security was easy a quick to get through and there were lockers available that you could rent for $10 to be able to place your jackets in during these cold winter times. The venue space was pretty big and there were seats on all three floors to provide people with space if they didn't want to be on the ground level. The only downside was the long water and drink lines due to the number of people in the venue. read more
18 days ago
18 days ago
7 months ago
Awesome venue for a show. Super clean and not crowded. Great drink options and tons of restrooms (the cleanest and nicest). Great staff. Easy in and out with a designated Lyft area on Magnolia. A must see and listen. Goose Island, right next door, is a great spot to eat before a show. read more
WONDERFUL! We drove in for a concert and the venue is stunning. There is food and libations inside as well as picnic style seating around the food vendors. Security was tight without being over bearing which was nice. We attended a concert outside and talk about huge!! We had a great time seeing Wetleg and we will be back. read more
The Salt Shed is everything you want and need in a music venue. Entry is always seamless, and I have never experienced a long queue. Bathrooms are huge and there is never a line. Both indoor and outdoor spaces help to accommodate weather changes and differences in attendance. Food is always excellent for what it is, and accommodates many diets. Sound is great. Staff is always helpful and kind. Parking could be worse. Always a great time at the Shed! read more
This is the best place to see a show in Chicago - so clean, nice staff and a great sound system. It's also nice that they have the Three Top Lounge open now with gorgeous views and good cocktails. I've seen quite a few show here in GA, Grands, and Premium and have always had a great time. read more
We came to The Salt Shed for the Mat Kearney and Ben Rector concert recently and had an awesome experience! This is a really cool and unique venue. We took the blue line and walked less than a mile from our stop to the venue entrance. The entrance process was smooth and quick, they had several different lanes open for security and ticket checks. Once inside, there are so many things to do! There is a food area that is essentially composed of several different food trucks. There are bars EVERYWHERE; if you want a drink, you will easily be able to get one without much of a wait. They even had free water refill stations in at least two different areas. You can go inside the building (like an old warehouse) to look around some shops, hang out at more bars, and even check out an arcade bar. The arcade bar (Elston Electric) was my favorite part, it has a very cool industrial vibe and leather seats. We hung out there and had a drink while we waited for the opener to come on stage. The main concert venue can be indoors or outdoors, but they had it set up outside for this concert. The tickets were primarily general admission for standing, with a small section of premium seats. There are some first-come first-serve seats in the general admission area as well as some benches along the side of the venue. The venue is right along the river, you could see boats driving past during the concert. You can see a view of downtown Chicago skyscrapers, too! I loved how open the general admission space was, it was large enough for tons of people to fit without being tightly packed and on top of each other. It felt like you had a good view of the stage no matter where you were! There is so much to do at this venue because of the spacious setup and combination of indoor + outdoor spaces. We loved having so many ways to occupy our time in between performers instead of just standing around or feeling like we had to secure our spot. Leaving the venue was pretty smooth too, there was no bottlenecking or being at a standstill. We had such a great time at The Salt Shed, I would absolutely return for another concert in the future! read more
Came here for the open house to explore all business & check out the grounds. We got a ticket stamped with a chance to win concert tickets. I loved the bar & views. Plenty of places to drink. I love Goose Island. Great food. Can't wait to go see a concert here. read more
9 months ago
An absolutely amazing outside venue and one of my favorites I have been to! Got waters here that were pretty expensive. But it is such a cool open smaller venue concert place. There were lots of bleachers you could sit in or you could stand (which I always opt for). There was some drama with some very intoxicated people shoving their way to the front, but security took care of them and told them they could not do that. (I was near the front and we waited for hours to be where we were). So I really appreciate them handling that situation. It was not the best organized as it took a long time to let us in and was past when we were supposed to be let in. That could definitely be improved upon. The lights and sound were amazing. It was incredible to see my favorite band Lord Huron here as they just started their tour for their newest album The Cosmic Selector Volume 1. I would definitely come back here to see another concert again! read more
First time visitor on a Tuesday night to see Vance Joy and had a great experience! Driving down from Milwaukee I leaned on their website for info on parking and carry-ins which was helpful. Once you approach the venue by car it becomes a cluster, parking was $50 at the closet lot to the venue, but we opted to drive around and ended up finding free street parking in return for a 20 minute walk--which ended up being worth it and avoided the headache of traffic following the concert. The security was thorough, yet swift with no issues. The bag policy is semi generous with size and they allow empty water bottles to be carried in. They have complimentary water bottle filling stations which I wish more venues would have! They had several food vendors selling food and plenty of stands for your choice of drinks/beer. Once you enter the building structure(the old Morton Salt Manufacture) you're greeted with a very cool industrial vibe mixed with modern amenities. There are several retail spaces and even a Salt Shed gift shop. The bar line inside was longer than the woman's bathroom line so that was delight! They had 3 rows of bathroom stalls and sinks, so it was very easy in and out! The tickets we purchased were general admission, so we could stand wherever we'd liked and the crowd was very respectful with no pushing and shoving, I also accredit that to the music act too. I'd definitely return for another concert! read more
Great staff! Great venue! I had an awesome time at The Salt Shed with my colleagues. We co-hosted a happy hour here. The admission and security check was quick and efficient. The drinks were flowing and the food was nicely presented. Great way to spend our night! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
They have it really planned out for rain events. The beers on tap are glorious. The outdoor space is huge. The service was wonderful. I really wish we could have seen the full Modest Mouse set but the mouse was modest because of thunder and lightning. Safety first kids. They already planned it out and it's amazing. read more
4 months ago
6 months ago
3 years ago
I went to Salt Shed with a friend to see the pop band Cigarettes After Sex, and I loved the venue! It's an open space with standing room and a sitting area in the back. Getting drinks was quick because the lines moved fast. The area is great, but it gets busy after concerts. Uber drivers suggest walking a block to avoid waiting in traffic. Overall, I had a good time there! read more
1 year ago
There were clean bathrooms inside with plenty of stalls, and multiple food vendors that provided vegan, vegetarian, standard options. The staff was also very friendly and helpful! It was my first time at this venue and now I wanna go back. read more
Saw Sammy Rae and Friends here. Great place to see a concert. The old Morton Salt warehouse, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Good acoustics, quick entry. A bit of a walk from rideshare drop off but nothing unmanageable. After the show they have the rideshare pickup in an area the is managed by staff. read more
We saw Wilco perform at the Salt Shed and was not disappointed. It is a great venue. This is an indoor/outdoor venue. For this concert it was outdoors. Upon arriving there is a security check point , that was quick and efficient. There are multiple bar and food vendors, and even though some lines looked long, they actually move quickly. There are water filling stations. There are some shops to peruse through before the concert. We had general admission tickets, which is most of the venue. The sound was excellent. The skyline views were stunning. We took a ride share to the concert and drop off was very easy and near the entrance. After we stopped in Goose Island and walked a few blocks and the fees were significantly less expensive. Looking forward to seeing another concert. read more
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More info about The Salt Shed
1357 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
Noble Square, West Town
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(708) 967-2168
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https://www.saltshedchicago.com
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Ask the Community - The Salt Shed
I want to attend a concert here in June 2023 but I'll be eight months pregnant at the time. Is it standing room only?
I wouldn't recommend it.
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