Reader’s Choice The Hideout

Chicago is the best live-music city I’ve ever lived in or visited, and that has as much to do with venues as it does with artists. (The two have a symbiotic relationship, of course.) From the unbeatable divey ambience of Cal’s to the unbeatable acoustics of the Old Town School to the unbeatable bookings of the Empty Bottle, we just rule. (Note to City Council: any future attacks on this rich biodiversity will be seen as an act of hostile deforestation.) It’s hard to choose among them, and the choice will vary with the criteria used, but I’m going to stand by the Hideout for its combination of bookings, friendliness, comfort, price point, and community involvement—and the fact that the barflies more in love with the sound of their own voices than the sound of the band get a room to themselves with a door that closes. 1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433, hideoutchicago.com. —Monica Kendrick

Readers’ Choice Metro

3730 N. Clark, 773-549-0203 metrochicago.com.

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