Empty Bottle
(773) 276-3600
1035 N Western Ave
Chicago,
IL
60622
41.9004
-87.6869
Neighborhoods: West Town, West Side
What People Are Saying About Empty Bottle
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
Empty Bottle's a destination for explorers of jazz and out-there rock from Chicago and beyond, plus dance/DJ fans; owner Bruce Finkelman has a reputation for gutsy programming. At this combination old-time corner tap and hipster hangout, concert posters festoon walls, and Christmas lights hang regardless of season. Sight lines in the small, L-shaped space are excellent. If music's not your thing, retreat to the anteroom and its shaggy seating, arcade games and pool table. The long, vintage wooden bar serves reasonably priced bottles of beer, as well as a nice selection of drafts and microbrews, wines by the glass or bottle and cocktails.
User Reviews
Anonymous
April 13, 2008
Ok, that's the best anagram for empty bottle I could come up with. Empty bottle has indie rock, cheap beer, cats and is occasionally free, and that spells RAD. Be too cool for school if you must, I will be only moderately cool and proclaim from my perch in the home room of Chicago life that although it's true that there's a lot of hipsters here (oh my g-d, hipsters at an indie rock show? NO!), Empty Bottle is the perfect-sized venue for indie shows, the mixing is consistently good, the people who work there are noncommittally surly (my fave), and they host some of the best shows in the city. Murder she wrote.
read full reviewAnonymous
April 12, 2008
I really appreciate that they have a spacious front room where you can just chill out and the music isn't as loud. The sound mixing here is usually very good and I don't think I've seen a single show here that I didn't like. Even when it's packed it still feels intimate, which is really nice. They also have free shows where you can see a lot of local bands, and not all of them suck. Plus they have cheap beer.
read full reviewAnonymous
March 11, 2008
You got to know what to expect when you go to Empty Bottle, which may depend on the night's performers. Usually, you'll be listening to some querky indie rockers, and chances are if you're going to Empty Bottle you already know the score. But if you don't and want to check out that band that's playing that you heard Wes Anderson talk about in an interview, be prepared for tons of irony including but not limited to: Charles Bronson mustaches, trucker hats, jeans so tight you see scrota, and generally a lot of un-showered hipsters. It's a shame that they actually do have a lot of good bands pass through.
read full reviewThe Details on Empty Bottle
Know Before You Go:
Most shows are in the $3-$10 range.
When to Go:
Since 1996, Wednesday nights have been dedicated to avant jazz and improvised music.
When to Go:
Since 1996, Wednesday nights have been dedicated to avant jazz and improvised music. Sundays are DJ nights.
What to Eat:
Grab appetizers, salads, sandwiches and pastas at the club's sibling, Bite, right next door.
Category:
Unclassified, Nightclubs, Taverns, Billiards Bars
Payment Methods:
Bar & Club Type of Music:
Alternative Rock, Jazz, Punk, Ska, Techno & Industrial, Rock & Pop, Electronica
Bar & Club Special Features:
Minimum Age:
21
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
Capacity:
400
