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The Salt Shed

4.0 (125 reviews)
ModerateMusic Venues

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Recommended Reviews - The Salt Shed

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Rebecca B.

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!!

Charcuterie from the Three top lounge
Becca L.

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!

Andrew U.

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.

Jason K.

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!

Random
Robin A.

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.

Turkey Sandwich
Ali M.

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!

GA floor from premium seats
Laura P.

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.

Alicia W.

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!

Jill G.

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.

Cute sign
Olyvia K.

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!

karina k.

It's now a music venue 4 years ago as it used to be a storage for salt until the wall fell down. Valet parking nearby. Very popular.

Merch booth
Lenel B.

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!

Alyssa C.

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!

Salt shed outside

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Ask the Community - The Salt Shed

Is there a coat check for winter shows?

Yes

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.

View All 5 Questions

Review Highlights - The Salt Shed

What a fantastic venue - clean, fairly priced cocktails and tickets, free water - I was shocked!

Mentioned in 8 reviews

Read more highlights

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City Winery Chicago

City Winery Chicago

3.4(1.4k reviews)
1.5 miWest Loop, Near West Side
$$
Live music
Full bar

I recently purchased tickets to a show and realized I purchased for the wrong time. I called…read morecustomer service and connected with Rayna, she was awesome! So polite and worked quickly to help me with acquiring the tickets for the timeline I wanted. Great customer service is hard to come by and she was excellent. thank you!

A very well oiled operation…read more Had a great time seeing Sons of the Silent Age here. The street in front of the space is cleared for valet parking, free if you are a member. Before the show you can eat in the dining room or on the patio, weather permitting. They have a great burger and wine special some weeknights, and the burger is fantastic. There are also happy hour specials. City Winery is a negociant, and I think most of the grapes it buys are from the West Coast. The wines I tried were by and large in the new world style, although one of the reds had some old world complexity. On the whole, passable but not memorable. The show was fantastic. Sons started at 8 on the dot and played a thrilling 90 minute set. It's a great place to see an act up close and actually see them - no one stands, there isn't room! We had seats in the second row that were labeled wheelchair accessible, but they were not quite that - City Winery packs everyone in quite tightly. Fortunately two seats next to us were empty, giving us the space we needed. I would not, under any circumstances, order dinner inside the music venue, City Winery's encouragement notwithstanding. The tables are far too small. Do yourself a solid and eat in the dining room beforehand. And become a member - between the free valet and waived fees, it pays for itself after 2-3 shows.

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City Winery Chicago
City Winery Chicago
City Winery Chicago

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The Bassment - Chicago - The Bathtub

The Bassment - Chicago

4.1(246 reviews)
1.6 miRiver North, Near North Side
$$

The Bassment in Chicago is a hidden gem that combines sophistication, style, and incredible live…read moremusic in one unforgettable experience. From the moment you descend into the intimate, speakeasy-style space, you're transported into a world of elegance and charm. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with dim lighting, plush seating, and a touch of vintage glamour that perfectly complements the lively energy of the performances. The musicians are top-notch, the cocktails are expertly crafted, and every detail -- from the décor to the acoustics -- is designed to create an exceptional night out. What truly makes The Bassment stand out is the seamless blend of entertainment and hospitality. The staff are attentive and personable, ensuring every guest feels welcome and well taken care of throughout the evening. Whether you're there for date night, a celebration, or just to unwind with great music and drinks, The Bassment delivers an experience that feels both exclusive and comfortable. It's one of those rare Chicago spots where the vibe, sound, and service all come together perfectly -- a must-visit for anyone who appreciates quality nightlife and unforgettable live performances.

Really happy to have found this spot for live music on a Saturday night. We arrived right around 8,…read morewhen doors open. Musics starts at 930ish so it's a bit of a wait if you get there that early, but potentially worth it to snag a lounge/table until reservations show up. Reservations are pricey, but with a group would be super fun and worth it. Workout having reservations, we gave up our seats and headed to the front to hang around the bar near the stage. Really awesome staff, and a coat check if you need it. The bar tenders were friendly and attentive. The music was fabulous. Fun crowd. The drink list was super fun with pop star nmes, the Taylor Swift was the fav, and not just bc I am a Swiftie. The bathtub drink is cute, get one for the photo and move on. The cream didn't work for me. Highly recommend for a fun live music experience and vibe.

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The Bassment - Chicago
The Bassment - Chicago
The Bassment - Chicago

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The Office

The Office

4.3(317 reviews)
1.4 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
$$$$

5 Resounding stars for excellent craft cocktails, an intimate setting, the best staff, and…read moreinventive bites. I got reservations here for my birthday as I've been to Aviary, but never had a chance to go to the speakeasy-style concept downstairs. Haley took care of us while we were sat at a prime spot on the small bar. She was truly such a breath of fresh air and didn't intimidate like some highly skilled mixologists can sometimes do. We got to try a few drinks, but I have to call out the Martini with mango (great, balanced martini with a twist!) and the Leche de Tigre (you know this peruana had to try it!). The leche de Tigre (think ceviche in a glass) was savory, tangy, and something I would order again and again. To snack, we got the pepperoni flavored popcorn (they have a vegetarian version) and it blew me away. I would never have guessed it was vegetarian if we hadn't requested that specifically. And you know the presentation was on point. Overall, a new favorite spot in the city!

This spot inside the aviary came highly recommended considering it is part of the Alinea group…read more Service was quick and we were told we could request for a bartenders choice cocktail if we provided some general guidelines. My first drink was average and full of ice - disappointing. I did talk to them and swap it out for a mezcal sour which turned out to be much better. They were understanding and accommodative and offered up an alternative drink as well. Overall service was good and cocktails were decent. The fanfare to book this spot and the very rigid booking policies made this seem like a much more exclusive and sought after spot. The drinks were good but not spectacular. A good spot for pre dinner drinks in that neighborhood.

Photos
The Office - Twas a combination of a black manhattan & a vieux carré  Delicious

Twas a combination of a black manhattan & a vieux carré Delicious

The Office - Basque cheesecake was delicious

Basque cheesecake was delicious

The Office - Collection

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Collection

Cobra Lounge - Bar: former brewery side

Cobra Lounge

3.8(375 reviews)
1.4 miNear West Side, West Loop
$$

The Cobra Lounge essentially has three spaces: the former brewery's bar space (still feels like a…read morebrewery), the lounge, and the music venue. They all deliver a top-notch experience! Having read reviews and menus for All Rise Brewing Co. online, we headed in for beers and dinner, then quickly realized the brewery was no more. No complaints, though--what we found was a laid-back, welcoming bar with plenty of local beer on tap and a menu full of interesting pizzas. We tried some beers, and split a Clam Bake Pizza--that was pretty awesome. Classic cult movies playing on the screens (I hadn't seen Buckaroo Banzai in awhile!) gave the place a little added atmosphere. Our bartender was super cool & helpful. The room got close to full as showtime neared, but was always comfortable. Patrons likely vary depending on what music's playing; this night was shoegaze/goth and the multi-generational crowd looked like fans of those genres. We ended up staying for the night's live show, which was a lineup of four bands (one touring and three local, I think) for a very reasonable price. We could take our drinks from the bar into the venue and/or order more in the lounge space. I wasn't alone, but would've felt safe and comfortable on my own there. The venue's an elevated stage with two sets of steps. There doesn't appear to be any back room; gear and cases were piled in an alcove. The sound and lights were good. Bathrooms were just fine. No seats in the venue, but it's cool to come and go to hang out in the lounge or bar. Cobra Lounge has a small, well-lit parking lot and there's plenty of street parking available too.

Been here twice Watching and enjoyed the music of this band…read morefrom Atlanta los pink cheese green goes rock, punk band singing in spanish Awesome also i get there early and order food Tomato spinach grill cheese sandwich ,churros and 312 Food took forever like 40 minutes each of it....... Also not enough bartenders ppl wait & wait to order beer...........

Photos
Cobra Lounge - Lounge area outside the music venue

Lounge area outside the music venue

Cobra Lounge - Cobra Lounge

Cobra Lounge

Cobra Lounge - $16

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$16

Gilt Bar - Chicken parmigiana

Gilt Bar

4.3(2.4k reviews)
1.7 miRiver North, Near North Side
$$$

exactly as I expected, gilt bar was phenomenal - the beef…read moretartare was the best I've ever had, it was so filled with flavor, every bite tasted like a beef salad. the egg was jammy and delicious adding a new layer of richness to the meal. the bread it came with was FRESH, hard crispy crust surrounding thick cuts of spongey bread - the truffle malfadine was perfectly cooked long chewy noodles with the perfect amount of a truffle pepper sauce over them. certain bites had full peppercorns, breaking through the slight creaminess. - I had high hopes for the burger and was picturing a bougie restaurant thick cut juicy burger. it was fascinating because it had the same juicy soft flavor, but it was more of a Smashburger style so you had a little bit of crisp on the outside and instead of a thick singular patty, it was two on top of each other. the fries were solid (not very salty which was divisive) but the aioli elevated the fries and burger to a new level, huge points - Guinness here is so cheap. my dirty martini was dirty as all hell and delicious. the service was so kind and attentive and brought out extra ice cream with hot fudge for my birthday. the carrot cake was incredibly moist and tasted like real carrots, nuts, and spices, not enough frosting for me tho hehe - this is literally such a stunning restaurant with a photo booth and a downstairs sultry bar, and an open standing space around the bar upstairs. I get why it is always booked. If I was to come back, I would do it all again except ...maybe instead of the burger... try something else hmm

Dinner at Gilt Bar felt like stepping into one of Gatsby's favorite haunts. The interior is…read morestunning , moody, golden, and effortlessly glamorous. The cocktails were beautifully crafted and worth the visit alone. The food was good, but not necessarily the star of the night. What really stood out was the atmosphere and the service, both absolutely incredible. One of those places you go for the vibe as much as the meal.

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Gilt Bar - Photo Booth

Photo Booth

Gilt Bar - Honey Peppered King Salmon

Honey Peppered King Salmon

Gilt Bar - Stairs going down to bathrooms

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Stairs going down to bathrooms

The Salt Shed - musicvenues - Updated May 2026

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