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WICKER PARK — Ringing in 30 years as an independent music venue, Subterranean will be hosting The Tastemakers series Wednesday night for its #Subt30 anniversary celebration.
The free event is 6-9 p.m. at the iconic venue in the heart of Wicker Park and will feature dishes from Chef Victor Avelar of Bar Sol, paired with cocktails curated by Kentucky distillery Jeptha Creed Bourbon.
A gallery of concert posters chronicling the venue’s live music legacy over the past three decades will be showcased, accompanied by a deep-cut playlist celebrating the music that has defined Subterranean’s stage throughout the years.
Since opening in 1994, Subterranean has been integral to Chicago’s innovative live music scene. A bastion of Wicker Park nightlife, it remains one of the last standing at the six-way intersection at 2011 W. North Ave. — an authentic mainstay of the neighborhood’s grittier glory days.
The no-frills room has played host to a vibrant community of emerging artists from all over the city and the world. A landmark for generations, it remains an unwavering champion of up-and-coming acts and a place where both musicians and fans build upon a strong sense of community.
With live music seven nights a week, it’s still the kind of open room where anything can happen.
“For three decades, Subterranean has been more than a venue — it’s been a catalyst where careers are made, where artists break boundaries and where fans feel the pulse of live music at its core,” said founder Robert Gomez.
In keeping with the grassroots ethos of the night, Jeptha Creed Distillery will be pouring its finest line of “ground-to-glass” Kentucky bourbon, featuring its much anticipated Six-Year Wheated Bourbon. The family-run distillery based in Shelby County, Kentucky is looking forward to highlighting the night with a variety of their signature bourbons and cocktails.
“Partnering with Subterranean for The Tastemakers Series lets us bring that passion to Chicago, blending tradition and creativity for an unforgettable experience,” said Master Distiller Joyce Nethery.
Avelar will serve Latin-inspired dishes from Bar Sol, the Navy Pier restaurant that Gomez opened in 2022.
Beyond the list of iconic acts that have graced the stage at Sub-T over the years — including heavyweights Dinosaur Jr., Lizzo, Weekend Nachos, Tame Impala, Lee Scratch Perry, Pussy Riot, Alabama Shakes and many others — the venue also has a long-established tradition of hosting early all-ages shows as well as 17+ shows.
Playing at Sub-T has long been a rite of passage for generations of young musicians in and around the Chicago area. For many upcoming bands, getting that first gig on a major stage in the city can be life-changing experience.
Encompassing a variety of genres, the space is also home to two of Chicago’s longest-running music residencies: Reggae Gold and the 606 Open Mic.
The 606 Open Mic is the longest-running hip-hop open mic in the country, an unwavering Tuesday night classic where rappers like Vic Mensa and Chance had the opportunity to hone their MC skills in the spotlight over the years.
Both weekly shows continue to be vital fixtures of the city’s diverse music scene, open underground showcases where important new voices can be heard.
The two-story building dating to the 1890s also shares in a quintessential piece of Chicago history. It operated at various points into Prohibition as a brothel, a bathhouse and even a wire room for gambling operations.
The stripped-down cabaret charm remains intact and Chicago to the bone. The two-tier upstairs club houses a preserved Tiffany chandelier that hangs above the black-and-white checkered linoleum dance floor. Leaning over the balcony to watch a band play below is still one of the coolest and most intimate vantage points to catch a show in the city.
With a capacity of 400, it’s a sizable but intimate space where at a moment’s notice the floor can explode into a pit or break into a full-on dance party.
Laurels aside, Subterranean plans to keep going strong, Gomez said.
“This 30th anniversary isn’t about resting on our past achievements. It’s about pushing ahead, raising the bar and showing the next generation what live music should feel like,” said Gomez.
The Wednesday night event is free, and all are welcome. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity is reached, attendees will be asked to wait until space becomes available.
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