The Den Theatre

In just the span of a few years, this Wicker Park space has become a vital three-story hub both for its own productions, resident companies including Irish Theatre of Chicago, Haven Theatre and the New Colony and for rising young troupes like Jackalope, Akvavit Theatre and First Floor Theater. At any given moment the Den may be hosting six different productions. It's also one of the few theaters where you might really want to stick around after the show; on one recent visit, we stepped out post-curtain to find a jazz singer and pianist entertaining a crowd in the cozy, well-equipped lobby bar.