21 Chicago Music Venues You Should Visit

Chicago’s relationship with music goes all the way back to the 20th century, when poor black workers from Southern America to industrial cities in the North, with Chicago being a preferred hotspot for many. Bringing with them vibrant cultures and sounds, these migrants went on to produce their own genre of music, and continue to influence Chicagoan’s relationships with music to this day.

Since then, Chicago music venues have exploded onto the scene, with new ones opening their doors every year. It’s predicted that there where as many as 225 incredible Chicago music venues in 2017, and we’re sure the number has only continued to grow since.

While this is great news for the music scene in Chicago, it does leave Chicagoans and visiting tourists asking themselves where the best music venues in Chicago are. Perhaps this is where you’re at currently, researching to see if you can find an ultimate list of venues.

This is where we come to help. Having browsed through a number of different listings for Chicago music venues, we have come up with a comprehensive list that perfectly encapsulates the music scene locals and tourists alike have grown to love.

Our list of 21 different Chicago music venues, listed below, will take you on a journey across genres and locations, allowing you to experiment with new tastes and expand your musical interests.