Martyrs'

There's a dancing Internet meme sweeping the world that apparently everybody knows about- The Harlem Shake. I don't know much about trends or dances but Martyrs is a good place to feel hip and get your dance on.

They have very reasonable cover charges.  I believe for the earlier shows it might be all ages with wristband for the over 21. The beer list isn't big but has some craft beers and good options. The cocktails are well made. My Cape Codders (cranberry vodkas) were big. There's not that many stools but we got lucky and found 2 and put our stuff down.

I talked about dancing. There's eclectic talent and generally a bunch of different groups in a row. Some of them are really creative and good musicians. Even I got into the music and boogied for a few songs. It was fun!

Two criticisms: the doorman was gruff and mangled my hands taking my bracelet from the left and stamping the right (I have a bruise) and we left our leftovers on the bar in front of our stools, beers, stuff, and they were gone when where gone when we got back (there was a sandwich in there!).

This is my favorite music venue in all of Chicago.  I've been here for many sold-out shows and this place just seems to make people nice.  The sound is quality and the space is laid out really well for dancing or just sitting at the bar.  It never feels overly packed.  The stage leads right to the floor, creating a real connection between performers and concert-goers.  I find the staff (from the door to the bar) to be uniquely kind and genuine, and performing musicians will attest to the same.  No hassels, they just want things to run smoothly.   Even the restrooms are not as particularly gross as most bars at the end of the night.  

My only gripe is that while they have a nice selection of draught beers, their prices for a pint are standard ($5-8) but they under-serve you in small plastic cups.  Robbed at the tap!  Martyrs', I already shelled out $20 at the door.  Can you fix the beer problem and earn all five stars?

Disclaimer: I'll be sure to update this review after seeing the show I bought tickets for, which I'm sure will be great, but I wanted to comment on/ask about the process of buying tickets online.

I saw that The Ragbirds, a wonderful folk band, is playing at Martyrs soon, so I wanted to buy tickets online.  There was also the incentive of tickets being $10 online rather than $12 at the door.  Except--oh wait--they tack on a $4 "service fee" for buying the tickets online.  REALLY?  I'm giving you my money up-front because I for sure want to see the show and I'd like to ensure I have my tickets, so I'm penalized for that?  I know it's not a lot of money, and obviously I still bought them, but I think maybe Martyrs should reconsider their online ticketing policy for added user-friendliness as well as plain old common courtesy for those of us who commit to coming to the show beforehand.