SPACE

Very cool SPACE here with a romantic dining atmosphere in the restaurant up front that leads to the cool hangout and stage in the back. The dishes at the restaurant are not huge; however, if you’re planning on eating there and then drinking a few drinks at SPACE, your belly will definitely get full that way. Shows are very popular in the back so get there early to find a seat! Otherwise you may have to stand for the entirety of the show. The musicians chosen to perform are quality artists and you will not be disappointed at the entertainment.

First off RESERVE a table, standing room is great but to fully enjoy I would say sitting would be far better than holding your coat. The sound system is really good, so you will have no problem FEELING the music during a set. The pizza in the restaurant is also not half bad. My one actual disappointment is that at the later set, the bar in the stage area was out of a lot of things to make the drinks they had listed on the board. One would think that those are the drinks people are going to ask for the most, so having the basics there on hand always would be priority. Other than that, totally enjoyed the show! The lighting went every well with the piece playing, so whoever is in charge of the light direction TWO THUMBS UP from the former theater light designer/​board op!

The space is so cozy and the acoustics were just perfect for the Crystal Bowersox show. Sitting that close to the performers truly enhances the experience for her kind of music. There were some people in the room who thought it was too cold (I did feel the occasional breeze too) and put their jackets on, but I thought it was just fine. I’ll come back for similar artists. Even Crystal mentioned how great it is to perform there and the friendliness of the staff.

What a great place to see a band. Drinks are reasonable and sound is great. Bartenders are friendly as well as the servers. If you haven’t been here, you must check it out.

What a great venue! Small and intimate, perfect for an acoustic show. Great sound and no matter how short you are (I’m 5’2″) you can still manage to see. Nice cocktail list and you can bring pizza from next door. First date spot. YEP!

What a fantastic venue. I absolutely love the smaller intimate spaces. There is no bad view… well except when you’re 5’3 & a 6’2 man decides to park himself in front of you. That’s just bad luck. Solid bar, but lines can be long bc it’s the only bar available. Waitress service available too. We saw Andersen East who I’m crushing on more after seeing him at Space! Will definitely be back… probably numerous times!

We saw a fantastic performance last night (2÷13÷2016) from Ronnie Baker Brooks and his band. What a night! Everyone had so much fun, including the band. It was our first time there, so I was a little worried about parking, our seats (GA Seated), and the acoustics, but it turned out to be a perfect night.
PARKING and CTA — There is metered street parking on Chicago and Dempster, which (hallelujah!) doesn’t need to be paid after 6:00 PM. Evanston rocks! We lucked out and got a spot right around the corner. If you decide to take the train, the Purple Line stop is nearby.
WAITING IN LINE and BATHROOMS — You enter the same door for Union Pizzeria and SPACE. The restaurant is to the left and the line for SPACE is straight ahead. When the doors open you stop at the hostess stand to show your ID and get your hand stamped. Down the hallway to the left are six unisex bathrooms. We got there twenty minutes before the doors opened at 7:00 PM for the 8:00 PM show, and there were already about twenty people in line ahead of us, but we snagged two great seats at the front to the right of the first row of tables. By showtime, every seat was filled and people were packed into the space along the back.
VENUE — The sound was amazing. As you can see from the pictures the space is intimate, which we prefer over larger clubs because you get up close and personal with the band. Size-​wise we estimated the room held about a hundred and fifty people sitting and standing last night, and no matter where you are located the sight-​lines are fantastic. Even standing at the very back of the room, you’ll only be about twenty-​five feet from the stage.
FOOD and DRINK — We didn’t eat, but you can order pizza from Union and bring it into the show. Note that if you are standing, though, there is no room to set down the tray or box, so you’ll be juggling it in your hands as you eat. Drinks were reasonably priced and the waitresses were very attentive to everyone’s needs all night.
The show went on for over three hours with a short break between sets, and for the encore, the great guitarist Dave Specter, one of the co-​owners of SPACE, got up on stage to play with the band. Yes, the drive from Wicker Park in the bitter February cold was definitely worth it, and we’ll be returning to see The Subdudes on March 25^th.

We saw Mason Jennings here. It is a great venue just a little awkward because everyone is so quiet. Don’t go here if you plan on talking to the people you’re with. We felt like we couldn’t enjoy our company. However other than that, the acoustics and layout were great!

What is it about live music that makes one’s worries melt away? While there is a time and a place for large concert halls with all sorts of fireworks and sparkles, nothing beats a small, intimate venue where you feel like you’ve been invited to a private show by the artist with a few of your closest «friends.»
Perhaps the best part about this SPACE is the low-​key, relaxed vibe from everyone — from the people working the doors, to the servers and more importantly, the patrons — everyone just had this understanding and appreciation for what it takes to have an enjoyable show. Many thanks to the young guy (sorry we didn’t catch your name) who was working at the front door who explained and helped us out with our seating since it was our first time. Talk about taking care of your guests!
You can choose to reserve a table, general seating or standing room but there really isn’t a bad seat in the room. If you need to grab a bite, you can come in a little early and have a wonderful meal at Union Pizzeria, which is located inside the same area or bring in a box of pizza to enjoy with the live music. All sorts of craft and imported beers can also be brought in from Union Pizzeria or ordered from the bar located inside SPACE. You know what I’m gonna do after finishing this review? I’m gonna look up my next opportunity to visit SPACE again!

Space is an intimate music venue with reasonably priced tickets. The Zydeco Blues band we saw Sunday night was amazing. We will definitely be back for another show. Didn’t get a chance to try the pizza at Union in the adjoining space, but will get there early next time.

We came here 2 weeks ago to see Tab Benoit. The venue is very small and stuffy once it is filled with people. There were only about 20 seats and those were taken by the first 20 people in there so everyone else had to stand which was a little uncomfortable since the place was packed. No where to set your drinks so you have to hold them the whole time. Kind of makes it had to clap, dance etc… If your short, your screwed. We couldn’t see anything but Tab sounded great.

I’ve been here three times and each time the floor layout was different. I prefer the GA floor the best, but I don’t mind the GA towards the back when the tables are there either. The sound here is definitely amazing. This venue feels like a younger «hipper» City Winery. More of an IPA crowd rather than Shiraz.
The bathrooms are right outside the venue and I love the «occupied» status on the doors.
Free street parking has been easy to find, and metered parking is also available.

Just saw Kasey Chambers. If for ANY reason you’re not happy with your experience there, just let someone know. They’re seriously concerned for all.

I came here last night to see Jim Adkins play, and I was impressed by the venue as soon as I walked in. It’s very small, and the stage is off the ground about a foot and a half, which is just about right for a venue this size. The drinks aren’t dirt cheap but are on par with other bar venues in the area (but of course much better pricing than places like House of Blues). There are five single-​stall unisex bathrooms, and though I went at the beginning of the evening, they were very clean– and I always appreciate when they have those locks that say «IN USE» so I don’t walk in on anyone using the facilities!
As soon as the opener, Al Scorch, got on stage, I was impressed with the sound. He plays with a banjo, and I don’t even particularly like banjos, but the sound in this place was AMAZING. Someone else reviewed that this is the perfect venue for music lovers, and I have to agree. It’s an intimate venue (40’X40’) When Jim Adkins played, he sounded amazing, too. I was worried that when he played the more «sing-​along» Jimmy Eat World songs, I wouldn’t be able to hear him, but I was still able to make him out very well.
I can’t tell if it was just the atmosphere of this show or the general atmosphere of the venue, but the audience was also incredibly well-​behaved. The website says «We also request that our patrons respect the experience of those around them and refrain from blocking anyone’s view or recording for extended periods of time.» I feel like it’s this vibe that made it so that everyone at the show was «in it together,» and while of course there was some phone recording, it was subtle enough that it never distracted me (well, there was one case where someone in the very front took a selfie in the middle of a song, but other than that). People were there for the music, which was great.
If I heard a band I enjoyed or even kinda liked was coming to the Space, I would not hesitate to go. One of the best music venues I’ve been to in Chicagoland!

At SPACE they feature either up and coming acts or very famous performers who are somewhat niche or have a cult following. Either way, you’ll see very talented players here. You will here every note. Every. Note. At SPACE they care about sound, lighting, and your overall music experience. If a performer you really love is coming through Chicago, SPACE is the place to see them. People here are music lovers who don’t talk throughout the show. SPACE is top notch.

One of the best live music venues in Chicago. Definitely the most family friendly and parking-​convenient. There’s a great pizza place attached to the club, so you can bring the kids (and feed the family without breaking the bank). Every show is all ages. Intimate setting with excellent sight lines and acoustics. Owned by Delmark recording artist and Chicago guitar veteran, Dave Specter. This is my new favorite place to see a live show! Period.

We went last night for the first time to see Deacon Blues (a Steely Dan tribute band). You enter the Union Pizza building, then either go straight down the hallway to the venue (in the back of the building) or go left into the bar and restaurant area.
We parked across the street in the brightly lit public parking lot. Free on Saturdays. There aren’t many spots but someone was pulling out as we pulled in. There is also street parking where you don’t have to feed the meter after 6, or the place also provides $ 7 valet.
We got to the place an hour before the music doors were going to open so we sat at the bar (instead of waiting for a table). We ordered drinks and a four cheese pizza. It was very good. At 7 we got in line in the hallway to enter the music venue. There were about 15 people ahead of us. When we got in there was an empty row of chairs in the back, so we picked two at the end (we didn’t reserve a table). The place is so small that any seat has a great view of the performers. It reminds me of the old Ivanhoe theater.
They have a bar in the room and servers running around to get you drinks if you prefer that.
It was a wonderful night of music. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

This is one of the best music venues I have ever been to. It’s intimate, classy, and the sound is perfect.
Go.
Even if there isn’t a specific artist that you want to see — everyone who plays here is oozing w talent.
We saw Junior Brown and it was a wonderful evening. Can’t wait to go again!

Despite having to drive to Evanston, this is probably one of my favorite places to see a show. It’s very small and intimate. The ambiance is dark and kind of romantic. The acoustics are good. The view seems to be decent whether you’re at a table, in the cheap seats or standing in back. The staff is nice enough. Parking can be hard to come by downtown, but at $ 7, I feel like the valet is worth it.
I can’t say they have a ton of shows that are of interest to me, but once per year or so there’s something that’s worth the hike to the North Shore. You can order pizza from the connecting restaurant (but they’ll give it to you in a pizza box, which makes you feel kinda like a douche sitting in the audience). There’s a full bar to take advantage of too. There are five or six single-​occupant bathrooms, which make for a long line when you gotta go.
The kind of people who come here are a little obnoxious. Think people holding up their phone and obnoxiously pinching the screen to zoom in (throughout the whole performance) or a group of people who think this place is their home and have no regard for other people nearby. But I guess that’s what you’ll find at most concerts :)
Overall, a cool spot. Definitely worth a visit.

I love SPACE for so many reasons.
The musicians that play at SPACE are wonderful, and their calendar reads a who’s who of musicians I want to see live. (My pocketbook often disagrees with the amount of times I come here, but it’s always wonderful.) The table seating does fill up fast, but it’s nice if you’re ordering pizza from Union. I have seen shows in both the main room and the studio. The studio is very intimate because of its’ size, but what amazed me is how intimate the main room feels as well.