North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is a dynamic two-theater complex in Skokie, IL. The facility includes the 867-seat Center Theatre and the 318-seat convertible North Theatre. The North Shore Center presents entertainment spanning numerous genres and styles as well as its Youtheatre educational program. The Center is also home to Northlight Theatre, Music Theater Works, Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque and numerous other cultural organizations. The Center Theatre, North Theatre, Grand Lobby, Rice Rehearsal Room, and two conference rooms are available for rent. ...

Smokey Jo’s Scratch Kitchen & Ale house in Crete, IL, is known for live music and great barbecue. ...

Cole’s Bar is a music venue and Logan Square neighborhood tavern, that features live entertainment such as bands performing original music, stand up comedy, and other events. ...

The Bassment is a live music cocktail lounge located in the River North neighborhood of Chicago below The Hampton Social. Guests enter through a secret door and into a welcoming greeting room. The Bassment’s design includes gold accents throughout, brick walls, a mixture of uniquely designed velvet and leather couches and a full stage. ...

Gorton Center is a community gathering place in Lake Forest, IL, that houses the John & Nancy Hughes Theater, the Children’s Learning Center, resident nonprofits, and multiple event spaces. Gorton Center offers exceptional arts and culture to all generations; from classes, dance, film and performing arts, to daycare and summer camps. The 309-capacity, state-of-the-art John & Nancy Hughes Theater boasts professional sound, light, video, and digital cinema technology. The theater is the perfect venue for lectures, presentations, films, and performances. ...

Starved Rock State Park and Lodge offers seasonal live music on the veranda music tribute shows at the lodge’s Great Hall. ...

Established in 2011, Rozz-Tox is a small community space, performance space, hi-fi record bar, and cafe in downtown Rock Island, IL. Rozz-Tox features live acts, DJs, film screenings, and readings. ...

World-renowned Blue Chicago has been presenting the best in authentic Chicago Blues in a warm and friendly atmosphere since 1985. Located in the heart of the River North entertainment district, Chicagoans and blues fans from all over the world pack the house nightly. ...

Evanston S.P.A.C.E. is a small concert hall and recording, and podcast production facility located in Evanston, IL. Evanston SPACE has over the years played host to the Western World’s most renowned folk music artists. The venue seats about 250, has state-of-the-art as well as vintage gear, and boasts one of the most extensive lists of in-house backline available in the area. S.P.A.C.E. is an acronym for the Society for the Preservation of Art and Culture in Evanston. ...

The Salt Shed is an indoor/outdoor music venue and community space located on the riverfront in Chicago’s Salt District. The Salt Shed outdoor summer shows take place at the “Fairgrounds,” a festival-style communal space. Indoor the former Morton Salt warehouse, The Shed holds 3,600. ...

Harold Washington Cultural Center is located in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side. HWCC is a state-of-the-art performing arts and education facility. The center is a nonprofit owned by Tobacco Road, Inc. ...

The Riviera Theatre is a premier concert and special events venue located in the historic Uptown Theatre District in Chicago, IL. ...

Hot Pockets Sports Bar in Palatine, IL, offers entertainment for everyone; twelve pool tables, four dart boards, twelve draft lines, two Golden Tees, and over forty-five TVs to cheer on your favorite team. The bar hosts live music on Wednesdays plus karaoke, DJs, live Pay-Per-View events and more. ...

Madcats is a community-focused restaurant, bar, and live music venue in downtown Palatine, IL. The venue hosts bands every Friday and Saturday, open mic every Tuesday, bingo on Wednesdays, karaoke on Thursdays, plus a blues and jazz jams on two Sundays each month. Madcats has rock, blues, country, jazz and everything in between. ...

Cobra Lounge in Chicago is a music venue, restaurant, brewery, and bar. Since 2006, Cobra Lounge has been Chicago’s best kept secret for showcasing regional underground and emerging music talent. National touring bands choose to play Cobra Lounge for its dynamic sound, intimate feel, and unpretentious attitude. ...

Located on Broadway in Uptown Chicago, IL, the Green Mill jazz club and cocktail lounge hosts live music seven nights a week. Have a drink and listen to some good music, comedy, or poetry. The Uptown Poetry Slam take place the third Sunday of every month. Green Mill is cash only. ...

Club Arcada is one of the most exclusive entertainment experiences in the Midwest. Located on the third floor of the historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, Club Arcada Speakeasy & Restaurant features Prohibition-era cocktails, gourmet dining, flapper-girl floor shows, period music, comedy, jazz and blues. The main showroom, the Fred & Ginger Room, has a professional dance floor and a stage where some of the finest entertainers in the world perform for an intimate audience. ...

Located in Berwyn, IL, Harlem Avenue Lounge is a neighborhood blues bar with a juke joint atmosphere. Enjoy live blues on Fridays and Saturdays and the popular open mic blues jam on Thursday nights. The entrance to the lounge is at the rear of the building. ...

Established in 1995, Martyrs’ is a classic bar and intimate music venue in Chicago, IL. The musician-friendly room places a high priority on making a show look and sound good, but also a positive experience for the artist and crew. ...

Rookies RocHaus is a live music venue in downtown West Dundee, IL. The former movie theater presents mostly rock music on Friday and Saturday nights as well as comedy and open mic events. ...

Located in West Chicago, IL, The WC Social Club is an eatery and bar featuring a full live music venue and event space. The WC Social Club showcases some of the best local, national, and international talent. The entertainment facility boasts a diverse calendar, a spacious stage, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. ...

One of Chicago’s best known and most respected jazz establishments, Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant offers casually sophisticated dining with some of the best musicians from the midwest, Chicago, New York, New Orleans, and even musicians traveling from California. Andy’s presents four 75-minute shows nightly. There is a bar area, elevated back corner seating, and a main seating area. ...

The Chicago Cultural Center, opened in 1897, is a landmark building operated by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The center is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events. Event spaces include the 300-seat Claudia Cassidy Theater, the 700-capacity Preston Bradley Hall, the 550-capacity GAR Hall & Rotunda, and 800-capacity Sidney R. Yates Gallery. ...

The Forge Joliet is outfitted with state-of-the-art sound and lights as well as a food menu. The Forge presents shows of all age demographics. The music venue features a general admission main floor and balcony with limited reserved seating. ...

One T’s Corner Pocket is a neighborhood bar & grill, pool hall, and music venue in Champaign, IL. This local venue has great comfort food and cocktails, draft beers, seven pool tables, and a huge outdoor beer garden. Enjoy events like pool tournaments, karaoke, and live music on the weekends. ...

The Granada Theatre Mount Vernon is a historic downtown theater and performing arts venue able to seat up to 750 in theater style seating and up to 500 people in a cabaret style arrangement. The Granada Theatre is able to host weddings, concerts, vendor fairs and more. Amenities include a lobby and beautiful 1930s-style bar, Humphrey’s. It comes with two full service bars, professional sound and light systems, a large, retractable screen and projector, ...

Occupying a former Quad Cities manufacturing plant, The Rust Belt is a unique venue right along the Mississippi River in East Moline, IL. The brick warehouse space accommodates up to 3,500 people and presents a variety of diverse acts including musicians, comedians, and other artists. ...

Located in the southwest corner of the Fox Valley Mall, the PIAZZA Aurora is a vast, industrial-style sports bar with a wall of TVs, outdoor sand volleyball, Club Hawthorne off-track horse racing, two 36′ laser screens, Salerno’s pizza and more. The PIAZZA Live is Chicagoland’s premier entertainment venue featuring state-of-the-art concert lighting and sound. The multi-tiered facility ensures that there’s not a bad seat in the house for concerts ranging from national acts, local bands, tribute bands, acoustic shows, and more. ...

Nightshop is a live music venue and restaurant in Bloomington, IL, with craft cocktails, local beers and a diverse menu with vegetarian/vegan options, and a large, partially covered patio. Entertainment includes live music multiple nights per week, darts, four pinball machines, and TouchTunes. ...

The Rialto is a historic beautiful venue for concerts, touring productions, and community events in Joliet, IL. The Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority was created in 1978 to own and operate the Rialto Square Theatre complex and surrounding properties. ...

Located a mile offshore on Grass Lake, Blarney Island has been a mainstay for tourists and local music lovers since 1901. Live music is featured seasonally including local, regional and national acts. There are docks for up to 300 private boats, a helipad, and a boat shuttle service that runs two 40 passenger shuttle boats to/from the island. ...

Dorian’s Chicago is an intimate cocktail bar with live performances and vinyl DJ sets from local and national acts. Dorian’s offers Midwestern fare and is hidden behind a record shop in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. ...

Bass Station is a live music venue located at the Lakehurst Center in Waukegan, IL. The venue focuses on electronic music but also hosts metal and rock shows. ...

The legendary Friendly Tap bar is the place to catch live, local music in Berwyn, IL. The Friendly Music Community also includes The Friendly Coffee Lounge and The Friendly School of Folk Music. ...