House of Blues
Categories: Cajun/Creole, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: The Loop329 N Dearborn Street
(at Carroll Ave)
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 527-2583
- Nearest Transit:
Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express, Orange)
Lake (Red)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Valet
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Late Night
- Music: Live
- Best Nights: Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: Yes
120 Reviews for House of Blues
In the words of LOL Cats, "Do not want."
Its standing room only, which is annoying. I also had more alcohol spilled on me tonight, than in me entire life combined.
The people who were there for the show were annoying, and the drinks were $10 (for a mixed drink.)
Boo.
Awesome venue!! There are paintings of dogs everywhere, so that's a major plus for me. Maybe not second line of the review worthy, but whatevs.
Maybe my experience at House of Blues was a little different because I went with two of my friends who used to work here so everything was free. That definitely sweetened the deal for me, but in any event, I was really impressed with the place and I had a great time. If you are a high roller, there are also awesome rooms upstairs (you have to take a private elevator up there) with like golden buddas and stuff... if that's your speed.
I went on Monday and saw an Afrovibe group ( I don't know the name) and it was awesome. Everyone was groovin' and having a good time for a Monday night. Highly Recommended.
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I haven't seen a band here since high school when I saw the Misfits a few times. And those where good times!
But I do go for lunch every once and awhile. The food is decent, not great but good. I would recommended getting here before noon and placing your order quick. One of the biggest issues I have with the House of Blues is the slow service. Usually you should be able to be in and out with in 45 minutes which is perfect for lunch, but I have been here a few times when it has taken twice that.
I've been here twice within the last month and have enjoyed my experience both times. The first time, I saw Brad Paisley at a corporate sponsored party. I like some country music, but couldn't tell you what this guy sings. The performance was great - especially when he showed off his skills - guitar, that is. Too bad he's married. Sigh.
A couple of weeks ago I saw Two Live Crew - totally by accident - right place and time, I guess. Walked in when they were performing their famous, "hey... I want some p****" song. Even made it up to the front, but resisted the urge to join the hoochies on stage. Those days are definitely OVER for me!
Having recovered from flashbacks of my crazy 20's, I can say that I would definitely go back there when I have a hankerin' for live music. The sound and the atmosphere are great and they have a wide variety of artists that perform there. Definitely worth checking out!
I'm rating the brunch here, the rooms in the hotel were nice but small, it's been about 2 years since my last HOB brunch "too long" this is where me and my wife end our bi-yearly run away from our 3 children, we spend the night @ the W hotel lakeshore, party all night then HOB brunch then back home to spend the rest of the day with the family :) as someone else mentioned, the food is not the greatest, but there's plenty of it, my favorite part of the brunch is the energy of the choir, that to me was worth the price of admission, my only exposure to Gospel before here was Mettalica and U2 both using them in songs in the 90's, i'm actually going to book something for this weekend, the restaurant show is at McCormick next week anyways, good excuse to go.
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The sound quality at the HOB is among the best in Chicago for metal. I've seen many outstanding shows here. The venue - including the bathroom - is easily the cleanest and most well kept for this type of venue.
The staff can be surly which gives the corporate atmosphere at least some charm. For example, I overheard this conversation at the bar:
Patron: "I'll have a beer."
Bartender: "You have to get a wristband"
Patron: "I have an ID, I mean look at me" (the guy was old)
Bartender: "You have to get a wristband."
Patron: "Come on, man"
Bartender: "You can go home tonight and write yourself a nice little poem about what a bastard I am but right now you need a goddamn wristband."
Come on....how can you not love that?
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Good sound.
Good bands.
4 stars because I'm 5'4" and if you don't get there 2 hours in advance it's standing room only everywhere in the place, no matter what show you see. So regardless where I stand I can not see shit. I try to stand where I can see and I'm usually knocked around by someone carrying drinks and it's just not a win win situation for a shortie like me. And I don't have the patience to get there 2 hours early and listen to the crappy no name opening band. Other than that, I like the space and enjoy the shows!
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I've seen some great shows here: Common, The Roots, Talib Kweli. All have been great. If you're short get there early. If you plan on drinking, get a head start before you go.
I will revue the House of Blues as a music venue since that is the only way I know the place. As a music venue, you cannot do better than the HoB. It is the perfect combination of small intimate venue with huge, turn-it-to-11 rock sensibility. You get great bands with great sound and there are very few places in the building that don't have a great view. The last show I saw there was Taylor Hicks and he was phenomenal. The sound was perfect, the crowd was totally into it, and his bluesy style is exactly what the HoB is made for. I couldn't ask for more.
I will admit that the drink prices are highway robbery, but the venue is so great that I look past it. If you need to get your drink on, then maybe some pregaming before a concert is called for.
The bummer is no cameras, and my sister had to check hers in. This is how she lost it the last time, but they seemed to be very reassuring and she did get it back after the concert. We were here to see Story of the Year, and it was pretty awesome. The sound was great, and the band was all over the place. The bouncers and security was very good about trying to break up the crowd diving and mosh pits. They let one of the members of the group jump on top of the bar and play his guitar. I've been here for lunch before and the food is really good. If you get a chance to dine here for an event, catering or what not in particular I hear it's phenomenal! There really isn't seating, but hopefully the music of whomever you are coming to hear gets you up from your seat anyways.
We went here for a concert and overall I liked the place - it has a weird eclectic decor and it seems like a nice concert venue (for a smaller more intimate concert) and nice bathrooms. I was completely envious of the people up in the balcony that got to enjoy the music and have a view without getting knocked into by some frat boy screaming "We love you Geoff! You're so awesome!!"
Drinks were about what I expected though I think they need to re-word their "domestic" and "imported" beer labels since Samuel Adams is clearly NOT imported but they charge that extra $1 just because. Don't like the plastic cups they make you carry around - I understand why they don't let you have the bottle but the beer spills much more out of that cup when some jerk knocks into you.
Wouldn't recommend going to the House of Blues for a hard rock concert because the acoustics just aren't made for bands like Queensryche (and yes I'm still bitter that they didn't play Silent Lucidity at their concert - you have ONE hit song - play it for those of us that tag along because their boyfriends still enjoy your music!!! P.S. your new stuff sucks).
I'd probably be back for a more mellow concert.
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I had lunch here the other week with a friend. We probably wouldn't have gone here had it not been comped by our hotel. Nothing personal - just too many great independent places in Chicago to spend a meal at a chain.
That being said, I enjoyed it. The food was good, it actually seems southern (and I've spent considerable time living in Texas as well as the Deep South), and the corn bread is great. The art is also awesome and I like the architecture of the building, too.
I really, really hate the House of Blues.
The only real upside to the place is that the sound is almost always good. But I've had a number of bad experiences.
My main complaint is with the security people. They run a tight, tight ship. Too tight. In my experience, they are a bunch of stuck up assholes who like to herd people in and out (especially if you're under 21, which I sadly experienced once).
And then once I turned 21, I got to experience the majesty of absolutely crazy drink prices ($6 domestic macrobrews, yes!).
It takes a LOT to make me brave a House of Blues show, but I'll still do it from time to time (maybe once a year at most).
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I'm sorry but I do not understand what is so great about House of Blues. Maybe in other cities it's cool, or maybe just because it's a landmark like Hard Rock Cafe or something, but seriously, I think it's one of the worst concert venues other than it's convenient location and it's name .But, seriously, it's big, the sound isn't that great, and the drinks (I guess like any venue) are totally overpriced. I guess the one good thing I can say is it's clean, and it doesn't get INSANELY crowded if you go upstairs. But yeah, like I said, not my favorite concert venue, and honestly I am confused why it gets so much attention. I still go there, but for the musicians that are playing there, never really for the venue.
It is standing room only on the main level. I have not had the opportunity to venture out to the "VIP section" on the second level,so I have no idea about the seating situation there.
I'm only giving it 4 stars because I have never been to the restaurant part of this venue so I can not comment on that.
I went here on two separate occasions, both were concerts.
First concert was for "Saliva" and the second concert was for "Tantric" , great crowd, great sound and I like the intimate feel of the place. You can pretty much stand anywhere in the place and have a great view of the artist on the stage .. overall had a good time there.
I wasn't old enough to drink at the time so not sure about the prices for liquor.
The bathroom was clean and spacious, but just like at all the other downtown places, they have the "bathroom lady" that's always trying to get tips for using her stuff.
I love the convenience of taking the blue line to the Clark/Lake stop and it's just a short walk over the bridge.
Have not been back in about 5 years, so things might have changed by now.
Okay, good sound. I'll give them that.
Fairly good visibility. I'll give them that, too.
Pretty awesome booking. I'll even give them that.
But I can't stand the fact that I was almost turned away when I had a ticket for a license. As if I would fake that! As if I would also fake the [very old] student ID, the credit cards, the insurance cards, the book store membership cards...
Seriously. Was a supervisor really necessary?
Also, I don't like the crowd. If you want to sit, prepare yourself to have your back molested by countless people who then glare at you as if you're the one who touched them.
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This place looks great and clean and new and sounds great and is set up well. But man, you can spend an arm and a leg in there, its the safe alternative to the grungy indie venues. At other places you listen to bands trying to make their way up. Here the bands have already made it, or are cover bands. This place tends to catch national acts that can't fill up larger venues. Prices are high on drinks and tickets.
I went once for an 18 y/o+ show recently with my 27 year old boyfriend. The security guard stopped my boyfriend prior to entering and asked for ID. The guard stared ad his license for 30 seconds, asked him to take off his glasses, and stared at his face for 30 seconds. WTF. I understand if it were a 21+ show and my boyfriend looked 18, but WTF. He was just fucking with us, and it was obnoxious.
Aside from that, the sound is good and it's a nice size.
I saw Common's Benefit Concert here last night. Here's a recap:
The Good: Common, hangin' w/ my homegirl, helping Chicago Unified Schools.
The Bad: Everything else. We were packed together like sardines up in there, and even though my jeans are on the floor two rooms away, I can still smell the nasty funk of skunk, other people's B.O., and some dude's bud-light /redbull combo meal wafting thru my house. And riddle me this; why does my piss smell like nicotine when I don't smoke, did not score smoker ass, and there is a smoking ban at the HOBs? That is the question.*
* the answer is the asparagus I had in my omelet this mornin'. still, the house of blues is a pandora's box of stank.
** EDIT: 1/21/08 -- also, if you're older than 26, and at any hip-hop concert here, you will feel like an old-ass mother f*cker. based on last night's kweli concert, it's clear i've been aged-out of the program.
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Only reason i gave this place 3 stars is because I love the music space and they have great bands play here.
Food: i HATE eating here. Everything seems to have butter, bacon or beef in it. When I asked for a side of cauliflower, it was soaked in butter. When I asked for salmon, it was put on cream sauce. All their soups have a beef base. My boyfriend says they have the best jumbalaya in the world but i can't eat it (sausage).
Drinks: Ridiculously expensive. I feel like I get taken advantage of each time I see a concert here since cans of beer are over $5. And forget getting a real drink. At one point I ordered 3 drinks and it was more than $30. For TINY solo cups!
(Jerky security guys. No need to yell at people who walk 2 inches in the wrong direction.)
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Fun place, historic...
Did not eat here, just drank. The drinks were effective and the wait staff was not bad. I would love to go back for a show, I've only eaten the food at the Las Vegas location and it was mediocre.
It's a very nice place. I was at the lower level, yesterday night. Great stage, very good view while you eat.
I'd like to see the other levels, they said big bands play there.
Food is ok, I had a Poor Boy sandwich, my friends got ribs (they looked better than mine).
Prices are outrageous, as everybody else mentioned.
I just want to add not to use valet, since it's $25...
not even at Wrigley Field you pay that much. Rip off.
2 stars for that
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Interesting decor but MAN the music rocks!! Everyone's very nice! Lots of homebred Chicagoans as well as out of towners. Awesome acoustics... very pretty inside. Super expensive though so be careful.
I've been to a few shows here and I've always had a good time. The acoustics are good and the drinks are comparable to any other venue in Chicago. I've had the chance to party in the foundation room a couple times and it's really unique! The elevator on the way up looks like it's 40 years old and has endured a lot of wear and tear, when in reality it is only a couple years old. There was thought put into the design of every corner of The Foundation Room. There is a private lounge in the back which would be the ultimate party spot for about 10 people. The room is lined with couches, has candles burning all over the walls, and has a flat screen built into the wall. Knowing myself I would have hated it if it was over crowed.
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Not the best venue that I've ever been to in the city, but HOB is certainly interesting. I'm not sure what it was, but this place reminded me of VH1 concert series that were airing on VH1 in the early-to-mid 90s....probably because HOB presented many of them.
Saw Snoop Dogg here. While a concert like this should be packed, I was disappointed that there was really no place to stand that had a decent view. Also, I'm a crowd-goer...and I didn't even want to try and find my way to the floor because this place was seriously very crowded.
Hmmm...
I'd give HOB a second chance...maybe for a lower-profile show.
Hands down my favorite place to watch a good band. Afterall, it's stumbling distance from my apartment, which is awfully convenient :) HOWEVER, pack your wallet because the drink prices there are OUTRAGEOUS and the staff is less than to be desired. I guess I can understand that though, since they probably rarely receive a good tip on the pure gold it seems their pouring/charging. The room quality (e.g. sound) though...ahhh...love it! 'Nuff said.
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Came here to bowl. Consumed many adult beverages while waiting to bowl. I think we bowled and I think we conquered.
From what I remember, a fun albeit expensive bowling trip.
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I went to the Pink Floyd Laser Light Spectacular show there, given my state anything I looked at was pretty awesome. This includes the decor with the great lights all over and glow in the dark stars. I also smelled ribs. This is what my thoughts were:
"Oooh, glowing stars."
"I smell ribs."
"Where's my beer? $6 for a beer?"
"Oooh, great laser."
"I smell ribs."
"Can we get McDonald's after this?"
"I smell ribs."
"That black light is great."
There were also a plethora of high schoolers there smoking joints in the audience. Once girl took a hit and I noticed her pink barrette and Paul Frank sweatshirt. Going again next year, but hitting up the midnight show so I don't feel like a fogie.
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this place sucks, Spencer and I got waaaaasted on a blue line train here to go see a motorhead show (an entire bottle of crown royal between the two of us). They were playing with Zeke and COC. I was excited and having seen zeke a few times before I thought it would be more than appropriate to start a mosh pit during their set. Apparently not, I remember being hauled into a weird back room with what seemed like 50 bald dudes yelling at me to stop running into people. They let me back out, I tried to chill out for a bit but then got excited by the amazing punk rock of Zeke and I jumped over a balcony and knocked over a good amount of beer bottles. This time I wasnt assaulted by bald men, but the fact that no one wanted to get rowdy just killed my buzz.. I ended up smoking a J with some dude who looked like slash, then demanded we leave, never to return
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HOB used to be awesome ... wait, no it didn't.
F*ck you for charging $9 for a weak drink in a plastic cup.
Hey, awesome job booking bands like Stryper and Will Hoge.
Eat me.
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I had no idea what to expect when a friend of mine suggested the House of Blues Sunday brunch. However, I was only in Chicago for the weekend and willing to give it a try. We arrived at about a quarter to ten for a ten o'clock brunch, retrieved our tickets from will call and patiently waited in line to be seated. Our tickets were $45, which I thought was a bit expensive for a sub-par buffet and a free mimosa. The music was engaging and the performers had a great deal of energy, however. The three stars I awarded this place was strictly based on decor and entertainment. This is not a great place to dine.
Positives and negatives on Chicago's installment of the House of Blues...
Good: The upstairs main stage has nice sightlines pretty much anywhere, and the floor area in front of the stage is small and intimate (if you can score a spot in the crowd). Good drinks and friendly bartenders. Best of all - no smoking allowed. It's so refreshing to go to a concert and be able to leave with clean-smelling clothes.
Mediocre: the sound system. Good but not great. I don't know if this has anything to do with it... but I was standing right behind the sound booth at a recent show and the tech guy was practically asleep in his chair!
Bad and Ugly: The corporate atmosphere - Steve C. said it perfectly: it's like Walmart-meets-live-music. The camera policy is absolutely ridiculous - you have to pay $5 to "check in" your camera, and another $5 to check in your coat - and nope, you can't just put your camera in your coat and check them in together. They actually stop you to make sure you have a camera check ticket before letting you in the main stage. It's way over the top.
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95% of my good times in chicago are because of the foundation room and the staff ( you know who are you are) running it. i love you hob!
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The House Of Blues is to live music what Wal-Mart is to local neighborhood shopping.
I understand the need for venue security, but they run the venue like a prison more than a concert venue, and generally give the impression they hate their jobs and the House Of Blues as much as I do.
Whoever designed the concert hall had probably never been to a concert; if you're not on the main floor or at the front of any particular section, you probably won't see much of anything, simply because unlike places like the Park West or the Vic, it isn't designed to give everyone a good view of the stage.
The true corporate bullshit nature of the place comes out in the "if you're rich enough to eat at our mediocre restaurant, you can get in ahead of everyone else." So if you're someone like me who really loves being in the front, prepare to add another $15 or so for a very average meal to the cost of your ticket.
Then there's the start times...I went to a show there in 2005 on a Tuesday, and the headlining band started at 11:30. You know, because none of us work or go to class on Wednesdays. Rock & roll isn't supposed to be in bed by 10 but that was just absurd, and the late start was only so they could have two local mediocre opening bands, who didn't even start till 9. And it wasn't just this show...a friend went to see Eric Johnson there and only saw about half of his set because he didn't hit the stage until well after 11 on a weekday. I've never seen any other major venue do this for a rock show. Just ridiculous.
With great similarly-sized, less corporate, better sounding venues like the Vic and Park West in this town, why do bands keep playing here? The only reason I can think of is with their huge corporate backing, they can offer bands better rates, which is really unfortunate since it's a pretty soulless place to see an intimate show.
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House of Blues is a watered-down venue, but I guess that is to be expected for its just-north-of-the-Loop location. I've seen a few heavy rock shows here and it's just not as gritty as I'd like it to be. To me, it's kind of off-putting when a venue gives you an electronically printed receipt for every drink purchase and strictly prohibits smoking anywhere on the premises. C'mon, we're there to see a concert - lighten up a bit.
I think the sound quality, however, is really good. They don't jack the volume up to excruciatingly painful levels, as if hearing what's being played is actually more important that ravaging every eardrum in the building, for once.
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I despise going to shows here and go whenever I absolutely have to. It's uncomfortably tall and I'm not into the whole "bigger than life" atmosphere with the asshole security guards. The only time I enjoyed this place was when I was lucky enough to get backstage passes, the view from the luxury boxes is pretty sweet and the dressing rooms were very nice.
Fantastic in all aspects and great place for bands...not concerts. What did disappoint me was that the food did not live up to its name. The food was slightly greasy and overly seasoned. They had awesome kiddy cocktails...but i mean who cant make that? Am i right?!
All i have to say is stay for the music and atmosphere run when the food hits the table! I've got the blues for that place.
I went here for a private party recently and I sort of came up with the same pros and cons weighing system that others have shown. Overall, it was ok, but I won't be hustling back there.
Get there and security is tight, which is great from a logistical standpoint, but from a personality standpoint, they suck ass. Rude. Next was the coat check. I was standing 4 feet from the counter when a woman behind the counter SCREAMED at me, "Do NOT STUFF YOUR SCARF INTO YOUR COAT!!" Again, rude. Politely asked one of the security people where the women's restroom was and I got a blank stare before, "I dunno. Go over there," complete with dismissive wave. WTF? You work security and you can't tell me where the restroom is? RUDE. Irritated, I went to the bar and was pleasantly surprised they they do a fair pour - not too strong, and not at all watered down. And the barkeep was not rude. Sat down and enjoyed the live band for the music, but the volume was just ear-splitting.
After about an hour, the food started trickling out. Kinda thought that was strange, what with a few hundred people getting nice n liquored up at the open bar with nothing in their stomachs. Only opened the door for some VERY bad dancing to begin much earlier in the evening than it should have. The cufflinks were OFF.
Looking at the setup, I can see how attending a show here could suck. Big huge floor, limited lines of sight, and for as big as this place is, it's sort of narrow - I felt like I was side-stepping a lot. So despite the fact that the party really was pretty good, the bad setup and general rudeness of most of the employees there means I won't be hurrying back. At least not until the next party.
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This is a review for HOB as a music venue, not as a place to get a drink--for some reason or another, I've never actually ordered a drink here (and thus haven't experienced the exorbitant prices).
As a music venue, HOB is good, but not totally amazing. It's a nice space, definitely more comfortable than a hipster bar, though most of the audience still stands to watch bands play. It's a reasonably large space, but it's not overwhelming. "Intimate" isn't quite a description I'd agree with though--something about the space works against that for me. The concerts I've seen have been packed, so arrive early and stake out a place near the stage--if you're in the wrong spot, you won't see that much of what's going on. They do book some fantastic acts though, so it's a good place to keep an eye on.
I signed up just to tell people how much this place sucks, with the exception of the music that I saw. I've been here 4 times, all bad experiences. I'll never go back, even if Jimi Hendrix came back to life and they paid me to sit in a leather recliner on the stage.
The security people who make $10/hour might be the biggest group of tools on the planet. They are rude for no reason. They were the guys who got made fun of and beat up in High School, and now they're taking it out on people who want to relax and see live music. They are aspiring to be police officers one day I'm sure. I got yelled at for standing on the stairs for 3 seconds while I was waiting for my friend to finish getting searched with a metal detector. I knew from past experiences to keep my mouth closed because if I said anything, the guy would have thrown me out in a heartbeat, because he is so tough, being a HOB security guard and all. I wanted to see the show, so I just asked why I couldn't wait for my friend, he said it was a fire hazard. He really was just trying to be an A-Hole, and he was very successful. If there was a fire, I certainly wouldn't just stand on the wood stairs, that's not very smart. I would run outside to avoid getting caught on fire. Maybe the guy was just a moron, yes he was, because his job is a security guard at the House of Blues.
So all in all, the staff sucks, the food sucks and is overpriced, the drinks are way overpriced, and I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. GOOD LUCK AT THE POLICE ACADEMY HOUSE OF BLUES SECURITY!!!!
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