Everything you need to know about visiting Thalia Hall (1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60605).
Housed in a historic bohemian public hall that dates back to 1892, Thalia Hall reopened in 2014 as a music venue with the help of the team behind local rock club the Empty Bottle. Bookings at the Pilsen concert hall range from Americana to psych rock bands, all presented in a room that retains its character (chipping paint on the walls, original molding around the stage) and sounds excellent. Whether you’re standing on the floor or sitting in the balcony that wraps around the room, you’ll feel like you’re experiencing one of your favorite bands playing in a bygone era of Chicago’s history.
Pre-game before the show
Thalia Hall shares a building with three different bars and restaurants perfect for pre-show refreshments. Dusek’s, the largest of the trio, serves a Juicy Lucy burger, beef fat frites and a formidable selection of craft beer. Downstairs, you’ll find Punch House, a cocktail bar that looks like your grandparent’s basement and specializes in spiked variations on the classic party drink. Next door, Tack Room serves classic cocktails with accompaniment from a piano player on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Come full circle
Bands play on Thalia Hall’s stage almost every night, but every so often the venue sets up a small stage in the middle of the floor and hosts a special “in the round” performance. At these shows, you’ll get up close and personal with bands as they come down to audience level to play amid a circle of attendees. Past “in the round” performers have included instrumental rockers Tortoise, electronic duo Mount Kimbie and Spanish indie pop group Hinds.
A night at the opera (box)
When Thalia Hall was built, it was designed to pay tribute to the ornate opera houses of Prague. The influence extended to the interior of the building, where four opera boxes were constructed overlooking the stage. These premium seats are still available during select concerts at the venue, but the great sightlines don’t come cheap—it costs a couple hundred bucks to reserve six private box seats for a show.
Our Chicago editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of Chicago at your fingertips. Thalia Hall was most recently updated with new tips on June 26, 2017.