Whoopsie. I made the mistake of leading my date to believe that we would be eating at the show. Except that's a lot more complicated than I expected. Suffice it to say, you should plan to eat ahead of time.
First of all, you need to divide and compartmentalize Union Pizzeria and SPACE (music venue). There are two listening rooms in Space, one is referred to just as "SPACE" and the other is "The Studios @ Space" (though there's just one, as far as I can tell).
To visit the music venues, you'll proceed through the front door, down a corridor that opens into a large, beautiful room with tables, chairs and a dedicated bar - everything about this room is gorgeous, including the acoustics. The only food allowed in this room is pizza. Â
If you're here for a "studio" show, you keep walking through a door on the other side of this room, into another small corridor, and through a series of three VERY HEAVY doors to the left. This room (well, two conjoined rooms, one with the console, one with the mics) looks like the exact opposite of every dark, musty, hole-in-the-wall recording studio I've ever been in. It's super posh and extra-carpety -- in hindsight, I totally get why it's a no-food-allowed scene back there.
Aside from the extra roars produced by a pair of empty stomachs, this is a great place to catch a show. The Studio shows are very intimate while the larger room is cavernous with a wide stage. Sound in both rooms is great - my main complaint at most venues (I'm looking at you Beat Kitchen, Metro...) is when the crank the speakers up beyond the point of clarity, and that wasn't a problem here.
We stopped at the dedicated bar and got a pair of G&Ts. That was when we discovered that the house gin is the locally distilled Letherbee Gin, which we agreed is out of this world. And just $7. You know you've lived in Chicago for over a decade when you start saying things like, "...and my cocktail was only $8!" - this city has screwed my sense of bargain drinking.
The Union kitchen starts to shut down at 10pm, leaving the pizza menu available until 11pm so you can grab a quick bite in the lounge/bar area of the restaurant afterwards. When we looked a little forlorn about our options, a nice guy recommended Prairie Moon which is just three blocks away and has a full, delicious menu until midnight, and a killer beer list.
I saw Mason Jennings here on 4/13 and loved the venue. Â It was intimate but classy and the sound was great. Â I believe every seat in the house was a good one and the bar alongside one wall was a nice touch. Â The only downside was when I walked in on some dude peeing in the unisex bathrooms but I blame the guy who never learned to lock a door rather than the people at Space. Â Can't wait to go back!
Review Source:I have seen several shows at Space and there is much to admire here. Â It is a great location, the Pizza sold in the front is first rate, the setting is intimate, they get some quality acts, prices are reasonable. Â On the negative front, the acoustics are very challenging for full bands at loud volumes. Â I have seen singer/songwriters perform there that sounded fine. Â This all changes when multiple instruments compete for the limited acoustic capabilities of the space (sorry for the pun). Â It makes matters much worse when the volumes increase. Â I see 30+ concerts a year and would love to see more at Space if they would improve this one deficiency (well, they could also upgrade the wine list but that is for another review :-)
Review Source:On Friday, I went to see Matthew Santos perform in a small studio (which we were seated in). The show was recorded and links to hear/download the mp3s were sent to us a few days later.
On our way to the studio, we saw a big[ger] space with tables and chairs. There was a band playing on stage and it just looked like an awesome good time.
I liked everything about this place. The food in the restaurant up front smelled and looked so good. I can't wait to come back!
i just came from space and hot damn even thou its out of my city territory its o so easy to get to and well worth the drive
it reminds me of a slightly more spacious yet still intimate old school mtv unplugged vibe...with a bar...that serves actual cocktails...too bad i was the one driving :(
the look is a spot on mix of class and funk and the acoustics are great
my only gripes had to do with lighting (i kept getting blinded by lights shining off of guitars) and seating...the chairs SUCK...good god are they uncomfortable, i also think that the GA seats could be arranged in a slightly better manner
u better bet ill be keeping my eye out for more appealing shows (preservation hall is stomping my name)
in fact, id like to work here...are u guys hiring?! Â :P
I was looking for something to do on a Thursday night and decided to check out Jon Mclaughlin. SPACE is located on the corner of Dempster/Chicago Ave. There is street parking that don't require meter payment after 6pm.
Union Pizzeria and Space are in the same building. Once you walk in the pizzeria is to the left of the host stand and SPACE is straight ahead. My brother and I bought tickets, ordered 2 pizzas, and stood in line as General Admission for this event was first come first serve with seating. Shrimp/Bacon + Lamb sausage pizza ($15 each) were ready in approximately 10 minutes.
Setup for this event was table tickets in the middle and chairs for general admission to the left/right/sides of the stage. The crowd for Jon Mclaughlin ranged from NW students to 40+. There is a full bar with servers inside with drinks in the $6-9 range. It is an intimate space that does not have a bad seat in the house. The only distracting part was the drunk couple talking loudly throughout the concert who yelled at a lady that kindly asked them to quiet down. Come for a chill night if you want to actually want to listen to music. Go somewhere else if you want to talk with your friends.
Pizza was delicious
Great staff - professional, helpful, easy going
Fun/engaging performance by Jon Mclaughlin
Great intimate little venue (though I'm sure I'm not the first to say that). The tables in front of the stage are extra but the seats on the side are totally fine.
They hardly have people come through here that I'm interested in seeing....though I am by no means the most well read music fan. Saw Marc Broussard with the girlfriend and friends and had a really fun time though. I plan on keeping an eye out for others!!!
WOW! Â Love this place! Â Small, intimate venue for concerts (Michelle Shocked, Catie Curtis, BeauSoleil, The Jill & Julia Show....something for everyone....I could go there every night. Beautiful, warm, comfortable. Great wine list, full bar :-) AND they allow you to eat the adjoining restaurant's wood fired pizzas in space. YUM! Â Try this place......Not too far into Evanston and accessible by bus and red line so no excuses for those of us car-free city dwellers. You will NOT be disappointed!
And I always feel cool when I'm in the lounge area of Union and back at SPACE. Such a great night out!
Two shows thus far. Â Excellent sound, which is all I truly care about. Â Add that it's easy to get to the bar during a show, the crowd is pretty cordial, ticket prices aren't outrageous, and the band offerings are good, and we have a winner. Â Small space makes for good visuals. Â You will probably have the opportunity to talk to the musicians afterwards.
Review Source:Really lovely intimate venue with ample room, beautiful lighting and ambience, and no bad seat (or standing room) in the house. Long before actually hitting a concert there, I've been impressed by the consistent high quality, interesting performers they attract.
Recently saw a soul show here. The band was incredible and had a great groove. The singer was totally wasted, which really affected the show. I thought that was a bummer and could've been managed much better by the venue considering the $30 ticket price. I left feeling like it wasn't a good value--which is too bad considering how much I liked everything else.
As mentioned, the shared space with Union Pizzeria is a huge bonus. I will definitely come back.
This place is awesome! I really love the intimate setting. They have a lot of great quality musicians including our hometown favorites. Being able to reserve a table is a major bonus for me as a newer Mom who doesn't get to go out as much. It's really a beautiful place. I have been able to actually talk with some of my favorite performers after the show. The food is very good at the restaurant too. It is a great place to meet friends before a show for dinner & drinks.
I would highly recommend Space to music lovers.
I've been to almost every single venue in the Chicago area, and this is my favorite! The acoustics are amazing, you really can't get better sound quality than this place. It is located behind the Union Pizzeria, which makes it convenient to grab a bite then head into SPACE for the show. The concerts I have been to here haven't sold out, so the space is good without people bumping into me and what not. They get really good gems from time to time; I recently saw the Dodos here which was CRAZY-AWESOME. The lighting and everything is just really spot-on. I highly recommend this place!
Review Source:I've been to Space several times, and overall it's very good. Â It's intimate...you are up close and personal with the musicians. Â Even in the back of the room you're 50 feet away. Â Depending on the show and your preference, you can get a reserved table (with waitress service, which is nice) or be part of the standing crowd. Â And although the drinks aren't cheap (as others have noted), they have a pretty good beer and wine list for a music venue.
My one and only (but unfortunately recurring) complaint: Â the noise from others in the crowd talking during the shows can be so loud that it can be distracting--not only to people in the crowd, but even to the artists. Â I'm not sure if that's due to the size of the facility or the nature of the crowd, but in any event it's annoying. Â In fact, in 4 of the 5 shows I have attended, the artists have noticed the noise and tried to shush the audience with mixed effect (at one show, a large party in the center of the crowd was talking so loudly that they virtually ruined the show for everyone else). Â I'm not sure whether there's anything that the management can do, but it's the only weakness in an otherwise great facility/experience.
I have been to a couple dozen shows at SPACE since it has opened. Â I go see shows at lots of venues, but end up at SPACE more than any other. Â I love that the seating arrangement takes into account the act. Â I often buy standing or GA tickets if I know I will be on my feet anyway. Â Earlier this summer I went with a big group of friends to see the Soul Rebels. Â The whole room was up for grabs with most everyone dancing. Â Great time. Â For shows like this, they usually leave the whole middle open right up to the stage. Â For more mellow shows I like to reserve a table. Â Recently got a table for Aoife O'Donovan right up front. It was like having her in my living room. Â I have had great experience with the wait staff. Not sure how, but they seem to be able to work the room throughout the show without being distracting and taking away from the performance.
The greatest thing by far though is the quality of the music they book. Â I have taken a chance on many shows without ever having seen the band before and have been paid back in spades. Â I think the best show I saw this year was bluesman Lurrie Bell singing gospel with an acoustic guitar. Â Went to this show on a hunch and ended up texting 2 friends to meet me there immediately I was so impressed. Brought home the CD and it gets listened to constantly. Â Keep bringing the music and I will keep coming for more.
This is the only place to see show in Chicago. Â Small and intimate room with reserved seating they bring in some of the best established as well as up & coming artists in the country. Â I sometimes go there when we are in town without even checking who is playing. Â I have never been disappointed. Â Dave Specter does a series called "Adventures in Guitar". Â He brings in great artists and puts on a heck of a show. Â We just caught Dave with John Primer. Â Very nice! Â Union Pizza next door has a great menu too. Â
If you are a music lover do not miss SPACE!
Stopped in to SPACE for a great show the other night. The 2 performers were just amazing, and the acoustics are fantastic. They seem to bring in some really nice acts into an intimate space with tables and cozy wood beam rafters.
Past that, things get a little rocky.
I noticed right away that the seats were uncomfortable. And how the room is setup, you may have to crane your neck to the side for the entire show. After the second act was finished my tush was numb, my back was stiff and my neck had a crick. I probably should have just stood in the back of the room instead.
The worst part, however, were drink prices. 2 drinks cost $21. yep... $21, how embarrasing. And it was one cocktail off the menu and a simple pour of Jameson on ice... My wife didn't even really enjoy the cocktail, and they didn't have the whiskey that I asked for in the first place. I figure if you are going to charge outrageous prices, at least have an incredible selection. Top it off with one overworked server for a whole room of people, and you knock all sorts of stars off of a yelp review.
Should have been a 4, but my empty wallet gets a vote too. Most of my pals didn't even order drinks because it wasn't worth it.
Things I like about SPACE:
- sound is usually excellent
- I can reserve a table
- intimate, good sight-lines
- Union Pizzeria is right there
- free on-street parking
- staff is generally cordial
Things I don't like:
- the A/C can be chilly, and the fans dty my eyes
- lighting too dim for me pre-show and at intermission
- tables crowded, chairs uncomfortable
For me, the Old Town School of Folk Music is still tops: better sound, greater comfort, more reservable seats.
I have been here once before and had to remove my review from pressure from the owner of the establishment. Â
A second time around, my review stands. Â Meh, I have experienced better.
We drank at the bar and had pizza before which was great. Â The prices were fair as well as the service.
Inside this venue the crowd is overwhelmed with suburban couples quietly sitting at their tables, applauding pleasantly and at their best behavior.
Which may be exactly what you are looking for.
I however enjoy a bit more life and appreciation for the artist belting out her heart and soul to the audience.
the coup de grace of my evening at space, was the rude patron behind me who pushed me physically out of her way so that she could take a picture of the performer. Â I am totally turned off from this stale venue and uptight crowd.
you've been warned.
PS: the beer inside the venue goes up to $7 a pint....
I've been here for three concerts. Never the restaraunt/bar but it is ALWAYS packed there. Sometimes when you're in line for a show the line sneaks out the door, so during the winter it's awful if you're not super early to stand in line! When you get in the door finally and are still in line, it can be rather stuffy, but the entire venue is cozy to begin with. The concert room isn't huge, and for some shows they have several tables set up for reservations.
Personally the only reason I would get a table is if I was with maybe 3 other people and we wanted to comfortably eat pizza (out of a box, they're medium-small sized) and have drinks. Otherwise, I don't think it's really worth the extra money. Especially if you have a reserved table in the back.
Sometimes even with seated shows you'll need to stand if you're not early. I've personally always grabbed a seat toward the front on the aisle and it's been amazing. I saw Zoe Keating twice here and Dick Dale once. The Zoe Keating shows were two of my favorite of all time. the ambiance and dim lighting added to the experience so much, and the accent on the stage was beautiful.
For Dick Dale there were no tables, but still some seating. Nothing reserved. People were moving around and jamming to the surfer music and it was GREAT! Sitting on the side of the stage was comfortable and fun to see everyone on stage rocking out. Dick even played a little to either side of the stage for everyone's pleasure.
Drinks are pricier than other venues, and the pizza isn't cheap either (you also need to order at the front desk, and then run back up to get it. They don't bring it to you.) but being able to snack on something before a show is a nice touch.
I hope that we find something to see there again soon!
A very intimate, cozy little music venue, tucked behind Union Pizzeria.
As soon as you walk in the entrance, you'll see the dim lit hallway that leads to the doors of S.P.A.C.E. The cutest thing about that hallway was a bunch of different decorative hooks hanging on the wall, very conveniently, to hold jackets and coats. Although, it made me a little nervous, so of course, I emptied my pockets before hanging my coat.
After checking in at will call, we entered the back-room, past two sets of doors. There is a little bar to the immediate left side and rows of small round tables directly in front of the stage. These tables are all reserved and require a purchased ticket that costs a bit more than the regular seating. Regular seats are lined up on the side of the stage. We stood the whole time next to the bar because the view was a little better than the view from the regular seats. There are also a couple round, high top tables in the back of the room, but with no seats.
Pretty decent beer selection, but they were out of the beer I wanted. The female bartender was friendly and attentive.
I'm pretty sure that if you order a beer from Union Pizzeria up front, they'll let you bring it back into S.P.A.C.E., but don't quote me on it. (Union has a better, more extensive beer selection).
The bands almost didn't need microphones because the sound travels through the room with no problem; it's a tiny venue.
I really like this place and appreciated the intimacy of it. I tend to go for the smaller venues because of the ability to achieve proximity to the bands and to even run into them after the show. I would gladly return to see another show.
I've always wanted to attend a concert here, and finally got the chance when me and my bf got tickets to see Jay Nash. What a beautiful venue. I love the hanging ceiling mushroom lights. I give props to Evanston, this place is beyond classy.
And water is $1/bottle. I'm used to places that try to rip you off for water, so space gets brownie points for this.
Went last night to see Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials. Â First time at Space and I have to say it will not be my last. Â The acoustics were great and I love the fact that you can reserve a table and get table service so you don't miss the performance. Â And I love the fact that you can take food in with you to the show. Â Next time we will do that instead of having dinner at Union.
The size of the room lends to an air of intimacy that makes it feels like the performers are giving a show just for you. Â Will definitely be going back to see other shows.
Concert in the suburbs? Â Meh. Â WRONG. Â
SPACE is a fantastic concert venue, dare I say my favorite??? Â It's intimate, inviting and grown up (no sticky floors here). Â There is seating along the wall and tables you can reserve in the center. Â The bar has a good variety of wine, microbrews and cocktails. Â The best part is the server who brings it to you, you don't have to miss a second of your show! Â Combine the fact that you can carry in pizza from Union, and you've got yourself a great night.
I saw the English Beat here a couple of weeks ago, one of my favorite bands. They don't get five stars anymore, but it's not about the music.
It's about the space, this glorious space. And the $3 PBRs.
This is a seriously great place to see live music. It's not overly large, so it's easy to see the band from most anyplace in the room, unless there are a lot of tall guys standing around. Good sound too, very well mixed.
There are a few tables up front, but I'm not a fan of those. When, inevitably people crowd around the stage (like me) to see the band, you can't see anything from the tables.
But otherwise, yeah. And they have some GOOD music here. And I was here with fellow Yelper and friend, Ellen M., and it doesn't get more five star than that, bitches.
Obviously the show you see here is going to affect the time you have here and we saw a great show, so I was of course super happy.
So you walk into a restaurant and down the hall that goes to the back is how you get to space. Â Yumm food, good. Â So you can buy your tickets in advance, which includes the option to reserve a table which costs a bit more. Â I highly recommend reserving a table. Â It's nice to have your group sitting all around each other and a place to rest your drinks or pizza if you order it. Â
The space. Â There is low lighting, which is perfect for an intimate venue like this. Â There is a small stage and then tables in front, then seats off to the sides. Â It's the perfect setup for non-rowdy type of show. Â We saw Paul Sanches and Davis Rogan perform, they were hilarious and the music was great. It was an awesome show.
Also, it should be noted that you can order pizza from the restaurant to have. Â The pizza is made quick so you won't miss the show and it tastes pretty darn good. Â My group of 4 got 2 pizzas mostly because I was hungry. Â
The bartender that we had was very nice, but somehow never stopped at our table to ask if we wanted drinks until the show was just about over, so we had to go up to the bar to order more during the break. Â Still, good service and a really nice time. Â
I can't wait to come back again.
I may be biased, having seen one of my favorite bands here recently, but I LOVE this venue.
Beautifully appointed, well designed, and the best acoustics I've heard this side of...well...anywhere.
The extra bucks spent on a table are well worth it and the drinks were (surprisingly) inexpensive considering the amount of money I've shelled out for cheap (in quality) beer at too many concerts to mention. Which reminds me, while they do indeed serve cheap beer (3 dollar PBR what?) everything else on their drinks list seemed to be at least comprable in cost to overpriced concert beers. If not cheaper.
The staff were pleasant and attentive (one minor mistake but I can't imagine trying to take drink orders at a concert is easy). The pizza our table-neighbor got from Union (the restaurant that fronts SPACE) smelled divine. The opening bands were amazing and this was by far the best money I have ever spent.
I only wish I'd discovered it sooner.
I've been to three concerts at SPACE and am officially in love. I will definitely be going back, I'd like to go back every day if i could.
This is why:
1.) The acoustics are amazing, the artists sound seriously crazy amazing
2.) The artists are all about staying after for pictures/autographs, and i am all about that.
3.) It's the perfect sized venue, very intimate, honestly amazing
4.) The pizza... it's some of the best pizza i've ever had... fresh mozarella, omg.
5.) Service-the waiters/bartenders are so friendly and clearly love what they do
6.) location-evanston is great, we take the purple line and get off at dempster, its a block and a half away. We went to a bar after one of the concerts too, Tommy Nevin's... and for a monday night, it was pretty busy. they had great drink deals, it was really fun!
Honestly check it out, it's the best place to see a concert for sure!!!
I recommend staying away from here, NO REALLY STAY AWAY... I'd like to keep it all to myself!!
Located in the back part of Union Pizzeria, (which I wouldn't mind grabbing a slice from next time) SPACE brings it's own toppings. Opening back in February of 2008 SPACE has only grown in popularity with concert-goers as well as artists. It's the perfect little venue that can hold nearly 250 people but never feels packed. The 2,000 square ft room is made up of a small stage, a small bar, seating to the left and right of the stage, special reserved seating with tables, and standing room in the back. The sound alone is amazing and there is no obstructed view. Plenty of parking, friendly staff, and a great choice of different genres of music on different nights. SPACE will quickly become a favorite venue of mine.
But like I said YOU will HATE IT, so stay away... It's MINE!!
Greg Laswell & Chicagoan Rachele Eve you rock, great show!!
I went here for the performance of Black Violet, which was chamber music with a slideshow-version of a comic. Â I liked the show. Â I can't wait for the next installments. Â The only negative about that were the hipsters in the audience that kept laughing at parts that weren't even supposed to be funny. Â Kind of a pet peeve.
However, I thought the venue needed some improvement. Â First, they need a real box office. Â You're customers shouldn't feel like they have to pay $6 inconvenience fees in order to make sure they get a seat, even if they show up hours early. Â I mean, It's in the back of a restaurant, pay them half what you pay Ticketbastard and you'll be all set.
They also need to either invest in a credit card machine, an ATM, or a cardboard sign that says "CASH ONLY."  I asked before I got to the front of the line, and they guy told me to "go across the street to the laundromat and use the ATM."  He and I have vastly different definitions of  "across the street" or "laundromat."  I had been walking around the area, and never saw a laundromat earlier, and I didn't at this point either.  A block away I found a bank, and ran back, and had lost my spot in line, but got in.  The guy admitted that by "across the street" he meant "around the corner and down the street."
Inside it was nice. Â They had a few small tables for people who had paid a little more, a bar, and a merchandise table. Â Chairs were on the uncomfortable side, but okay. Next time I'll be prepared and I think everything will go a lot smoother.
Hey SPACE -
  Where were you when I was a bored, disgruntled Northwestern undergrad????? If there was a place like this there when I was in school, I would've been a happier camper that's for sure.
Zach and I get up there and we're like "where's the venue at?". I saw union pizza and was like, "I really want to try their pizza but it's good we already ate because look at the crowd in there! We would've been so late to the show!" Well, guess why the crowd was there?? SPACE is located in the back of the restaurant! It's like a secret club.
So modern inside. ST GERMAIN! BELL'S HOPSLAM IPA! BELL'S OBERON and AMBER ALE and PBR TALLBOYS inside the concert venue itself! I totally though I got hit by a bus en route here and this was what heaven looked like...until my 2 hour trip back to McKinley Park after the show. That's when I realized heaven's so far away.
We saw New Riders of The Purple Sage. Very cool seeing a hippie jam band in a small venue. Brought me back to my youth when I hung out with all the hippie bev-rats and went to Dave Matthews shows circa 1998. Smelled like nag champa everywhere and I have never seen so many old hippies in my life. We were by far the youngest people there. Who cares it was so worth it! We were right at the stage the whole time, and the guys in the band signed a set list for us. Best part? I had TWO people tell me that they have never seen anyone dance the whole time, martini glass in hand, and not spill my drink!! Professional drinker right here!
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