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PHOTOS: Peaches And Amanda Blank At Metro
Same story, different magazine.
The July issue of Paste Magazine contains a list of what readers have deemed the country's best music venues. When Playboy had their say back in January, the editorial powers-that-be decided The Empty Bottle was in the top 10 best venues in the entire country. However, the readers of Paste beg to differ and have chosen Schubas as one of the best music venues in the Midwest. The list, which is broken up into regions, also includes usual suspects such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, The Bowery Ballroom in New York and Stubb's in Austin, so Schubas is definitely in good company.
Chicagoist is definitely a fan of the venue. In fact, we even threw a party there. The fact that the club is built with a moderately sized stage and music room, attached to a separate, full bar and an upstairs perfect for DJ sets and dancing, makes it on the top of our list. Plus, talent buyer Matt Rucins has been booking consistently high-quality bills, and the owners keep the ticket prices fair. However, we don't want to get too caught up in our own drool-fest. We love the sound quality at Subterranean, the openness of The Empty Bottle, the size of the Abbey Pub ... We generally just love going to shows.
Anyway, did Paste get it right? Is Schubas better than The Empty Bottle? Is it the best venue in the city?
Hand stamp photo via wrestlingentropy.
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I prefer the vibe at Empty Bottle, but the sound at Schuba's. It depends on the show, really. Both are nice venues.
You love the sound at Subterranean? Really? I think it has just about the worst acoustics around.
I have been a fan of Schuba's for years, it's got good sound, good sightlines, all in all a quality place to see a show.
For me, Schubas just scores better in every category. Typically outstanding sound, good size, decent stage view from every corner of the room, and, for me, most of all, great crowd. I've found the people at shows at Schubas, more often than not, are less likely to chat up the room during sets than the scenesters that have a greater tendency to show up for buzz bands at SubT and the Bottle (though as I understand it, even those are way better than venues in other cities).
I agree with Lulu. Great sound at Subterranean? Really? I'm glad they are booking better bands these days, but I'm not a fan of the sound.
Love the sound at Schubas, best in the city. Great layout too with the separate bar and upstairs. Empty Bottle is indeed a great little place too basically because of their booking, good but not great sound. Too many great bands going on at 1 a.m. on weeknights!
I find myself at Metro more than other places. I know it's not a "small club", they just seem to have more of the acts I like (Ted Leo, LCD Soundsystem, Sloan, The National).
Another factor that can't be overstated: It's much easier to grab a quick beer in mid-show at Schuba's.
absolutely. Schubas is my favorite venue to see a show. I love the intimate atmosphere, and the sound is great.
am i alone in not liking shuba's? i actually cringe when i see that a band i like is playing there. just a horrible overall vibe to that place.
I really hate Schubas, but it's only because I went to an all ages show there and the bouncer was such a prick. It's happened a couple times and I know its happened to other people. It's funny how a simple thing like trying to get into a show can get screwed up so badly.
Schuba's loses out to me for being pretty far out of my way and in an area I tend to avoid. Otherwise a very nice space and having a separate bar's a big plus for some of those poorly matched line ups. Tim Russert hangs out at Schuba's..........
I'm quite surprised actually, I really don't like the layout of schubas at all. Its like a barn. And that bouncer is a dick.
Praise allah that I'm not the only one to find the staff at Shuba's lacking.
I never go to Empty Bottle but I love Schubas. Besides being simply a great venue with good sound, and being small enough to still be intimate, and occasionally even having cocktail tables with seats! (my knees at 26 don't like standing for long shows any more), Schubas is in a great location, with easy transit access and is a short walk from my house. Empty Bottle is annoying to get to and the crowd tends to be overly hipstery. Schubas also gets points for hosting some of my favorites (like the Lucksmiths), and introducing me to some of my new favorites (such as Pas/Cal).
yay schubas. no thanks to the empty bottle.
I like Cal's and the Underground Lounge