03/27/08

Whos Playing? Nobody you ever heard of and No One you want to see....

by ascap

What the heck is the booking agent thinking? Who has ever heard of any of these bands?

Oh maybe its an old HASBEEN who broke up with his band 20 years ago... JEEZE

This place went downhill the minute they banned smoking.

Whats the matter JOe? Are your pockets empty? 20 years ago you would have paid off someone here in the great city of Chicago.

And whats with all the DANs in Smartbar? Your establishment is catering to gangstas in the wrong part of town. I guess fools are the only people left to spend their money in your lame clubs.

• Pros: Smells like sweat and Garlic
• Cons: Does not smell like teen spirit anymore....

09/29/07

discrimination at the metro

by notmial

I've been to the Metro a few times. I've always had an alright time. This past Friday night, however, left me thinking that I may not ever go back again. Why? Well, it was all about the door. Some co-workers decided to go out to see a free show at the Metro. I really wanted to check out Office. We were excited and up for having fun. Among the group was a 49-year-old Mexican citizen who's been working with some of his companions for multiple years. We arrived and joined a pretty decent sized line. When the girl infront of us reached the door, she admitted that she did not have a photo id on her. She did have a piece of paper with her DOB on it. Would that do? The doorman decided it would do fine. She looked about, I dunno, 19 years old. Our group was next. Flash id. Go in. Flash id. Go in. Wait! When our Mexican (almost 50 year old) friend reached the front of the line the doorman wouldn't let him in with his Mexican id.....TO AN 18 AND OVER SHOW! Not letting him in is one thing--one stupid thing. But, not letting him in after he just let in a baby-faced girl with a yelllow piece of paper...well, that's not right. This wasn't the decision of just one person; the second Metro employee at the door agreed. The Metro probably needs to be careful about who they employ, because it reflects on their venue. Really, I don't know if I would go back.

02/26/07

Favorite venue in Chi

by aeh5458

I had a great experience here. The way the place is layed out makes every spot feel close up to the band. The sound was great, the setting seemed intimate without really high ticket prices. The best venue I've been to in Chicago so far.

11/15/04

When they draw the rock music map of Chicago, this Lakeview club will be at dead center.

by Contributor

The Scene
The club has two levels, with an L-shaped bar tucked off to the right on the main floor. When the audience hits capacity, try to get to the wide, shallow area between the crush and mosh of the front and the free range of the back area, where columns hamper good viewing, and low ceilings muffle the sound.

The Draw
Metro has booked more than 5,000 bands from all over the rock spectrum since 1982, including "before the bandwagon" gigs by R.E.M. in 1982 and Nirvana in 1989, as well as shows by established superstars Bob Dylan (1998) and James Brown (1984). When Chicago was sold as the next alt-rock hot spot in 1993, breaking bands performed here, and some, like Liz Phair and the Smashing Pumpkins, practiced in the club's private top-floor performance space.

04/09/04

Will Never Return

by erock9600

Good bartenders, well-poured drinks, cool crowd, great sound system, and terrible gestapo bouncers. After paying a couple hundred on cover, drinks, tips, etc, and then get thrown out without apparent reason or explanation I will never return to this place or recommend it to anyone. A little respect and common courtesy is desperately needed here.

• Pros: Music
• Cons: Staff, Crowded

01/20/04

Lots of bang for the buck

by afireinside

I LOVE the Metro, not only is it one of the best venues to see a band play (all pending where you are), the acoustics are GREAT. As far as the staff is concerned, they are wonderful. I see a lot of people are complaining about the "Gestapo" security...why would you not want to be safe? As long as you are not blocking exits on the stairwells and not being drunken idiots...they leave you be. Beligerence and obstruction of fire safety is not tolerateted, but then again why should it be at ANY establishment?!?!? Also, you need to check show times to see whether or not it is an all-ages show. On the rare occassion, they have later shows (21+). I love the Metro, looking forward to more years seeing live shows there.

• Pros: Cheap addmission, Inexpensive drinks, Great acoustics
• Cons: Stage obstruction

06/18/03

Doesn't Live Up to Its Name

by ltrussell

Under 6 feet? Only the tallest need attend the Metro, that boasts an impressive and eclectic schedule of acts, otherwise bring a stool though if you plan on watching them. A full house can mean the worst concert-going experience of your life. The acoustics might cheer you up (with one of the better acts) but expect to leave hot and trodden upon.

12/15/02

The Metro

by Buttkrusty

The Metro is THE BEST venue in chicago. Its big enough to have a fun concert but small enough to make it fun for the whole crowd. I wished bands would go there instead of the aragon.

12/14/02

Good music, but soulless

by Costuminatrix

Sure, the Metro books good bands and has a fine sound system, and the staff is pretty decent. But it is also the most soulless, uncomfortable, annoying place to see bands in Chicago. The stage is so high that it's like watching the band play behind glass (and one night, the live act commented on how uncomfortable they felt being so "isolated" from their audience), there's no intimacy, and the crowds are undoubtedly the rudest, pushiest folk in any music venue in Chicago. So...if you want the feel of a stadium show without the stadium, go to the Metro. The best place to see bands in Chicago is the Empty Bottle, hands down, but of course it's far too small and unpretentious to rate a mention on a website that only gets votes for the most chi-chi and swank of locales.

07/29/02

metro

by bigums25

There is never a dull moment when I go to the "metro".It is by far the best place to see a band live ,and I have been to many venues.

• Pros: in the city, great sound system, great atmosphere
• Cons: all ages shows