Schubas To Open Larger Companion Venue

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 5, 2009 4:20PM

Greg Kot broke the news that Schubas is opening a new mid-size venue, Lincoln Hall, in Lincoln Park to compliment their existing intimately sized room. The venue is located at 2424 N Lincoln, right down the street from the old Lounge Ax, and Kot notes the venue is a "soundproofed, two-level concert space," perhaps as a nod to one particular neighbor's complaints about noise in years past?

We are of two minds about this news. On one hand, Schubas consistently books solid acts and hasn't seemed to suffer the malaise the economy has set upon many of the music venues in the city. Talent buyer Matt Rucins has longtime relationships with many acts that could easily fill room many times Schubas' size, and this has helped maintain the high quality of the club's bookings, and the subsequent healthy attendance numbers.

On the other hand, the larger venues the new Lincoln Hall will be competing against -- primarily Double Door, Empty Bottle, and Bottom Lounge -- have caused a glut in the mid-sized market, leading to a number of free shows in an effort just to get folks in the door. Part of this is due to incresased competition to draw marquee acts, which then increases the clubs' expenses. If Lincoln Hall is able to continue booking the acts that have outgrown Schubas, and maintains the high level of sonic quality while transporting the cozy Schubas vibe to a larger space, the venue may be able to sidestep this problem, but it's certainly something that remains to be seen.