6 Places to Enjoy Outdoor Live Music in Chicago
Live music is one of the most exciting and enjoyable ways to spend an evening, no matter where you travel in the world.
The Chicago area has always been a city dedicated to the arts, which means that opportunities to enjoy live music are everywhere. Culture and the performing arts are everywhere in the Chicago area, which means that you can find all sorts of musical entertainment to enjoy during your visit.
If you are looking for live music events and opportunities while you are visiting the Chicago area, we can help you to find the perfect venue or event to enjoy. There are so many ways to enjoy access to a live music experience in the Windy City, and music lovers deserve to know about them all!
Places to Enjoy Live Music in Chicago
1. Fox Pointe Amphitheater
This beautiful and fun venue is located in downtown Lansing, IL. You can head here for musical events of all shapes and sizes throughout most of the year. Fox Pointe Amphitheater draws huge crowds, and you will enjoy an experience that is not like any other when you come here to enjoy a free concert, free music festival, or other musical event. The venue is safe and family-friendly. Free Wednesday night concerts pay tribute to Elton John, Jimmy Buffet, ABBA, and Chris Stapleton. There is an annual free Blues Night, a free Cultural Celebration Day, and a free Woodstock Revival. Fox Pointe also hosts Mexico en el Corazon each year. The Northwest Indiana Symphony plays Fox Pointe every July, one of the few opportunities to see these musicians for free.
This is the kind of place where memories are made, and you will love the immersive nature of the venue. Amphitheaters offer some of the best acoustics around, which means that choosing to head to Fox Pointe ensures that you will get the best experience. Between the delicious concessions including local favorites Dragobobs and Pierogis at the Pointe, two full bars and the meticulously landscaped arena and lush lawn, you will feel pampered as you are treated to a show that you won’t soon forget.
2. Northman Beer and Cider Garden
Northman Beer and Cider Garden offers access to Blues music, as well as other local talent at a venue that serves delicious food and delightful brews. Their huge pretzels and many local brew options are as big a draw as the musical events themselves!
Since this is a bar that hosts musical events, you will need to be 21 or older to get access to the venue. They do not take reservations, so you need to show up early if you want to get a table. If you want to have a drink and enjoy authentic Blues music, there is no better place to head to during your visit to Chicago.
3. The Tack Room
The Tack Room is an indoor/ outdoor venue that offers cozy and intimate musical events that cater to one-man or one-woman shows. Enjoy excellent craft beers and cocktails that are made with love here while taking in shows that feel like they are being put on just for you. Their outdoor series is one of the most popular events in the summer in Chicago, and the venue often fills up to the gills as people flock to this venue to enjoy its unique vibes.
4. The Salt Shed
Opened in 2022, this indoor/outdoor music venue was built on the former Morton Salt factory complex. The building sat open for years after salt production and sales ended here, and this is the perfect solution to use the space for something that enriches local culture and offers something to the community.
You can count on all kinds of musical events taking place here during your time in the Windy City. Ticketing is usually first come, first served here, but there are some premium ticketing options if you want to enjoy balcony seating. You can check out their schedule of events during your trip dates and find out if this is going to be a place where you can enjoy musical talent of various kinds during your stay.
5. Archie’s Cafe
If you have ever wanted to enjoy musical events in the comfort of your own home, Archie’s Cafe is the musical venue for you! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, and add local artists and concert events to the menu as well. You can come here in your flip-flops or even your PJs and be seated with a friendly smile and offer excellent cocktails to accompany the show you are about to be treated to.
Be sure to check out the event nights on their schedule, as they offer pizza nights and other kinds of discounted themed days or evenings that can really add to the experience of taking in a show here.
6. Le Piano
Le Piano offers the perfect blend of patio seating and local Blues talent. You can enjoy beautiful weather, a yummy menu of beers and cocktails, and filling food while you listen to Blues artists performing just for you. This is another cozy and intimate locale that offers the right blend of high-class performers and delicious food and drinks served in a comfortable environment.
Whether you are looking for Blues performers or other local artists sharing their craft, or large traveling shows, you can find all of them here. Make sure to save room for their signature dishes like the lamb chop, and ask about their extensive wine menu if you want to be treated to something really special during your visit.
Chicago is a Great Place to Enjoy Live Music
Chicago is one of the best places on earth to head to if you enjoy live music and want to plan to see live shows during your trip. There are so many kinds of musical venues on offer in the Windy City, and you can find everything from local talent to major Blues artists to Broadway and musical theater on offer in Chicago.
Chicago is a really exciting place to head to if you want to enjoy cultural events and experiences of all kinds. You can plan to check out musical shows, enjoy delicious food, and spend hours or even days at the Field Museum. There is so much to love about Chicago, and the opportunities to enjoy live music are one of the best reasons to visit this city.
