Chicago After Dark - Chicago - page 161

St.). & 312/266 - 7761. www.undergroundwonderbar.com. Cover $8-$15. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Chicago.
ROCK (BASICALLY)
In the early 1990s, Chicago's burgeoning alternative-rock scene pro-
duced such national names as the Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair,
Veruca Salt, Urge Overkill, and Material Issue. Although the city's
moment of pop hipness quickly faded (as did most of the aforemen-
tioned artists), the live music scene has continued to thrive. Scan the
Reader, New City, or Time Out Chicago to see who's playing where.
Here are some bars and clubs that book live music most nights of
the week.
Double Door This club has capitalized on the Wicker
Park/Bucktown neighborhood's ascendance as a breeding ground for
rock and alternative music. Owned by the proprietors of Metro (see
below), the club has some of the better acoustics and sightlines in the
city and attracts buzz bands and unknowns to its stage. When you
need to escape the noise, there's a lounge-type area with pool tables
in the basement. 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave. (at North Ave.). & 773/489 - 3160.
www.doubledoor.com. Tickets $5-$20. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
House of Blues The largest location in a national chain of music
venues, the House of Blues could more appropriately be called the
House of Pop. Although it's decorated with Mississippi Delta folk
art, the bands that play here tend to be rock groups, '80s novelty
acts, and the occasional hip-hop or reggae performer. This is a great
place to see a show—concerts are in a theater that re-creates a gilded
European opera house (minus the seats), and the stage views are
pretty good no matter where you stand. 329 N. Dearborn St. (at Kinzie St.).
& 312/923 - 2000 for general information, or 312/923 - 2020 for concert informa-
tion. www.hob.com. Tickets usually $15-$45. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.
Metro Metro is located in an old auditorium and is Chicago's
premier venue for live alternative and rock acts on the verge of break-
ing into the big time. There's not much in the way of atmosphere—
it's basically a big black room with a stage—but the place has an
impressive history. Everybody who is anybody played here when they
were starting out, including REM, Pearl Jam, and local heroes the
Smashing Pumpkins. Newer “alternative” bands that are getting
attention from MTV and radio stations show up at Metro eventu-
ally. Some shows are all-ages, but most require concertgoers to be at
least 21. Tickets are sold in person through the adjoining Metro

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