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(formerly "The Citizen Lunchbox Punk Rock Travel Guide")

Punk rock bars & live shows in Chicago

Here are some places to hang out, see live shows, get drunk, dance, or do all of the above, plus other things i guess. Use your imagination.

Be sure to check the bulletin board for upcoming events!
sort by: [name] . ['hood] . [addy] show: [nearest el stops] . [grid info]

Flavor Guide: metal = metal rave = rave bondage = bondage goth = goth punk = punk

LAKE VIEW

Bottom Lounge 3206 N. Wilton 773.975.0505 metal rave punk 10/05
The good news is, The Bottom Lounge is a great place to see live punk bands. The bad news is, the CTA decided to widen the El platform into the space previously occupied by their lovely 100-year-old building. :P They'll be reopening in the West Loop in February 2006; more details will be added when i know them.
Metro 3730 N. Clark 773.349.3604 metal rave bond goth punk 10/05
They don't really have punk shows as a rule, but every now & then they have some really good bands there. Many of their shows are 18 & over, with wristbands available for those over 21 who want to drink. Check their web site or the events board to see if there're any good shows going on.
Smart Bar 3730 N. Clark 773.549.4140 rave bond goth 10/05
They're open 7 nights a week from 10 'til 4 ('til 5 on Saturdays). Their format varies from night to night, so call ahead; Tuesday is goth night ("Nocturna") with Scary Lady Sarah; cover is $2.

LINCOLN PARK

Delilah's 2771 N. Lincoln 773.472.2771 metal bond punk 10/05
Good music, good drinks, a pool table (upstairs), and little or no attitude. The mood is pretty friendly and laid back, so it's an excellent spot for the traveling punk rocker. Open 'til 2 every day except Saturday, when they're open 'til 3.
Lincoln Park Zoo 2200 N. Cannon Dr. 312.742.2000 10/05
What could be more punk rock than goin' to the zoo? ... well, lots of things, actually. How about going to the zoo without paying!?! You don't have to tell your friends it's because Lincoln Park Zoo doesn't charge people to come in. It'll be our secret. For the record, this isn't one of the places you can get drunk or see live shows, but you could probably dance if you really wanted to.
Neo 2350 N. Clark 773.528.2622 rave goth 10/05
I haven't been there forever so i don't know what it's like anymore. Do your own sodding research. PUNK ROCK!!!

MAYFAIR

Memories Bar 4358 N. Cicero 773.286.8640 goth punk 11/04
I've never been there, but i stumbled on this writeup when a guy i met on the train sent me an event to post on my events board & i needed to find the street address. According to Centerstage.net:
Tuesday = "a mixture of your basic hard alternative, punk and gothic"
Wednesday = "early punk night"
Thursday, Friday, Saturday = hard alternative, punk, gothic mix
Sunday = goth night
(closed Monday)

RIVER NORTH

Blue Frog 676 N. Lasalle 312.943.8900 10/05
This place is not punk rock at all. But i really like it cuz they have all these board games you can play, like Life and Chutes & Ladders and stuff. It's in the middle of the neighborhood called River North where all those horrible touristy places like Hard Rock Café are; so if you're stuck in that area you should stop by the Blue Frog. They're open 10 am 'til 2 am every day except Saturday (when they stay open 'til 3) and Sunday (when they're closed).

WICKER PARK

Club Foot 1824 W. Augusta 773.489.0379 metal punk 10/05
The atmosphere is not all that punk, but they do play punk music now & then, and i hear it's owned by Chuck of The Defoliants (who used to own Club Dreamerz). Also the guy i talked to on the phone when i checked their hours said it's "kind of a punk rock bar." The DJ will play just about anything you request, and they have a pool table. They're open 8-2 Sunday through Friday, 8-3 Saturday.
Double Door 1572 N. Milwaukee 773.489.3160 metal rave punk 10/05
I've only been there once, but i guess they have a lot of bands there, some of them even worth seeing.
Exit 1315 W. North Ave. 312.395.2700 metal bond punk 10/05
This is like THE punk rock nightclub. It's big, dark, and loud, and you'll probably run into some serious attitude there, but it's the beacon of punk rockness that you seek so you should go. Sometimes they have bondage events & stuff. They're open 24/7/365!
Flavor Guide: metal = metal rave = rave bondage = bondage goth = goth punk = punk

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