Chicagoist: Second Verse, Same as the First

Cal

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:09:07 -0600

I like Cal's and the Underground Lounge

smussyolay

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:34:57 -0600

yay schubas. no thanks to the empty bottle.

lee

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:31:15 -0600

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).

thundercougarfalconbird

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:50:14 -0600

Praise allah that I'm not the only one to find the staff at Shuba's lacking.

mark

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:19:45 -0600

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.

navin

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:53:56 -0600

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..........

Marty

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:30:42 -0600

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.

marquee

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:19:19 -0600

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.

mich

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:10:59 -0600

absolutely. Schubas is my favorite venue to see a show. I love the intimate atmosphere, and the sound is great.

mike

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:33:03 -0600

Another factor that can't be overstated: It's much easier to grab a quick beer in mid-show at Schuba's.

Bill V

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:42:33 -0600

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).

Linus

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:34:45 -0600

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).

Lulu

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:31:51 -0600

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.

mike

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:49:28 -0600

I prefer the vibe at Empty Bottle, but the sound at Schuba's. It depends on the show, really. Both are nice venues.