CrowdMateChicago · Venue
Bookclub
Chicago’s Bookclub pairs a basement stage with a ground-floor Digital Balcony for a two-level show experience.
- Upcoming shows
- 30
- Capacity
- 300
- Address
- 2871 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
- Next show
- Tue, 29 Sept 2026
About Bookclub
Bookclub is a Lakeview, Chicago, live-music venue with a listed maximum standing capacity of 300 across its multi-floor setup. Its defining feature sits above the stage room: Club Soda, the ground-floor bar, carries a live feed from the basement onto a 10-foot LED “Digital Balcony” screen, giving guests a second way to follow the set.
A DIY beginning, then a return to Lincoln Avenue
Bookclub began in 2021, when its founders found a small stage and built a DIY series that ran at a secret location through 2023. The group purchased 2871 North Lincoln Avenue in 2024 and moved into a fully licensed venue and bar; the new space officially opened in January 2025. Its project is a direct continuation of a building with deep club history, though the programming and production have been recast for a newer generation of performers.
The prior tenant, Elbo Room, opened at this address in 1989. In November 2019, longtime owners David Cooke and Mick Kallis announced a December 9 ownership change after 22 years running the room, while the building’s future as a music venue remained uncertain. Elbo Room’s 30-year run ended that year. Bookclub’s arrival brought a basement performance space back to the six-corner intersection after several quiet years.
The room today
Bookclub’s programming makes room for local and emerging artists alongside independent touring acts, with punk, pop, hip-hop, electronic laptop sets, jazz, soul, rock and DJ-oriented bills in the mix. Most concerts use a general-admission standing floor downstairs; select comedy, theater and alternative events can shift to seated layouts. The basement holds the stage and bar, while the upstairs Digital Balcony provides seating, audio and a live video view. Guests should plan for stair access into this 100-plus-year-old building and down to the venue floor.
Sources
- About — Bookclub
- As Longtime Elbo Room Owner Say Goodbye, Bands And Fans Mourn Loss Of A Venue That Supported Local Musicians — Block Club Chicago
- New Chicago venue Bookclub opens in former Elbo Room building — Resident Advisor
- Bookclub | Chicago Venue — PartySlate
- Frequently Asked Questions — Bookclub
Next 15 shows
- Tue, 29 Sept 2026 · 19:00 OPEN MIC: FEMMES + THEMS EDITION 002 View in the CrowdMate app
- Wed, 30 Sept 2026 · 19:30 SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL + BEFORE THE FALL, WITCHHAMMER View in the CrowdMate app
- Thu, 1 Oct 2026 · 19:30 RICKY LIONTONES + SATIN BANSHEE, HIGHDIVER View in the CrowdMate app
- Fri, 2 Oct 2026 · 16:00 SOLINO AND THE SUNS + MAMA’S FUNK PALACE, GIMMEASEC View in the CrowdMate app
- Sat, 3 Oct 2026 · 12:00 SUPA BWE + XO PARIS, 7000 View in the CrowdMate app
- Tue, 6 Oct 2026 · 19:00 OPEN MIC 036 View in the CrowdMate app
- Wed, 7 Oct 2026 · 17:00 THE INVITEjust announced View in the CrowdMate app
- Thu, 8 Oct 2026 · 19:00 FROM KID TO PUNK View in the CrowdMate app
- Fri, 9 Oct 2026 · 16:00 JANKY CHANDELIER + BEESAX, HEZEKIAHjust announced View in the CrowdMate app
- Fri, 9 Oct 2026 · 23:00 DIVAS AND ANGELS View in the CrowdMate app
- Sat, 10 Oct 2026 · 12:00 FOUNDATIONSjust announced View in the CrowdMate app
- Sat, 10 Oct 2026 · 19:00 PRINCE OF EDEN + NOLEN DURHAM, DAMON GROEN View in the CrowdMate app
- Wed, 14 Oct 2026 · 19:00 DAMAG3 + FILM AND GENDER, CONNOR CRISTI View in the CrowdMate app
- Thu, 15 Oct 2026 · 17:00 SUPER POP PARTY View in the CrowdMate app
- Sat, 17 Oct 2026 · 15:00 JESS WRITE LIVE IN CONCERT ALONG + PTA View in the CrowdMate app
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Recent past shows
- Sun, 6 Sept 2026 · 18:00 MOURNING STAR + SILENT NO MORE, GODCHAIN
- Sat, 5 Sept 2026 · 19:00 90’S RADIO + FAUX ENNEMI
- Mon, 31 Aug 2026 · 19:00 SMOOIE + MELIODAS, CAMILA ISABEL