Metro

Yes, it's in Wrigleyville. Yes, the floors are sticky. Yes, the crowd can be hit or really, rather miss.

BUT, I like the Metro. I like the multiple levels that make sure that I can see from somewhere. I like the general worn-in vibe. I like that it's pretty affordable. I like going to a spot that has had such awesome acts for the past few decades. And most importantly, I like that it still gets some pretty sweet shows.

I attend a good number of shows, and of all the Chicago concert venues I have visited, the Metro may be my favorite. The shows are generally affordable, the place is small enough that there really isn't a bad spot in the house, and the acoustics are are good enough. Sure it's a little grimy, but what venue isn't? And can you even call The Metro grimy while the Congress Theater still stands? Most shows are 18+, which keeps out the kids, and that's fine by me. Also: very convenient location that is steps off of the Addison Red Line stop.

Word to the wise: I wish someone made this more clear to me  before I was 18--the security is very thorough. No ID, no concert.

TOURIST REVIEW*
Music goers from Seattle, you might find this helpful

Pros:
-Great Acoustics
-Beautiful Venue
-The stage is elevated enough that even a shorty like me didn't have much trouble
-They have an actual merch shop, not just a table in the hall

Cons:
-Apparently only one person on the security team has seen an enhanced drivers license.  I had to wait like an underage kid while they got a 2nd opinion on my ID, than they went on to show other people on the staff this ID and how to verify it.  It was pretty embarrassing considering I have been of legal age for a while now.  I honestly have never had trouble with an out of state license before.
-The best beer they had on tap was Samuel Adams.  I admit, I'm spoiled and live in a city  where even shitty venues have a decent beer selection if not a few good microwbrews.
-Though having a merch shop is nice, it caused a line of people making it take forever for us to get out of the venue
-Adding to the mech line, apparently people like to wait by the stairs to get a glimpse of artist as they leave.  Causing even more of a hold up.
-Though we didn't coat check, the coat check caused more backup
-It's in a douchey neighborhood.  Lots of meat market bars (if you're from Seattle, think Pioneer Square)

Something else to note which is totally on Chicago as a city and not the Metro is that underage kids have a curfew.  So all ages Saturday shows, like the one I went to had to be over by 10pm because kids aren't allowed on the street after 11pm.  So the show I went to was 7pm-10pm.  It was really quite odd.  At 10pm the band was encoring and said they could only do one song because they were running late.  

Also, it seems that a person under the age of 21 is allowed to be around served alcohol, so you're allowed to bring your beer into the crowd with the underage crowd.  They also have a waitress going through and taking orders.  If I actually enjoyed the beer this would of been nice since most venues in Seattle corral drinkers away from the stage, and I like to be as close to the stage as possible (which means I typically forgo drinking at shows)