Lincoln Hall Chicago

Lincoln Hall is a concert hall at 2424 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, Illinois that plays host to emerging bands and musicians. Lincoln Hall was first opened in 2009. The capacity is 507, divided between the main floor and the balcony.^[1] The concert venue was opened by brothers Chris and Mike Schuba, who co-own Schubas, a top music club on Southport Avenue. Schubas helped launch the careers of Dave Matthews, Modest Mouse, Feist, and My Morning Jacket, to name a few. The Schuba brothers intended for Lincoln Hall to serve as a larger version of their club Schubas and to continue their success by booking popular artists, having great sound, and providing an intimate atmosphere.^[2]

History

The building which now houses Lincoln Hall first opened as the Fullerton Theatre in 1912. The building has held a garage and machine shop, the Crest Theatre and, most recently, the 3 Penny Cinema. Lincoln Hall is about three times the size of Schubas. The property, which is 4,400 square feet (410 m²), was bought last September for 2.7 million dollars. In 1934, FBI sharpshooters were placed atop the building to prevent John Dillinger's escape from the Biograph Theater across the street on the night he was killed.^[3] The owners of Schuba's Tavern in Chicago were looking to open a larger music venue to continue booking acts as they get bigger.^[4]

Lincoln Hall opened on October 16, 2009 with a performance by Mike Doughty, though the official "Grand Opening" was a week later when Ted Leo and the Pharmacists played.^[5]

Venue design and layout

The bi-level design of Lincoln Hall works well, providing an intimate space for concerts. Near the bar in the center part of the balcony, there are several tables and a booth. There is additional seating around the side of the horseshoe-shaped balcony, with the right portion designated as VIP seating. There is standing room on the ground level, allowing concertgoers to stand against the stage. The tall curtains and sound-absorbing panels help mitigate potential sound reverberation issues.^[6]

Restaurant

The kitchen hours at Lincoln Hall vary depending on the night. Their menu can be found online and features an assortment of small plates, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, salads and sides. Their small plates include Schubas' famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese. They also have a selection of weekly specials.

References

External links

• Lincoln Hall Web Page
• Schubas Tavern