A historic Chicago music venue is making a comeback, and its new owners got their start in the local underground music scene. Under new leadership, the former Elbo Room space in Lakeview will once again host live music acts beginning next year.
Bookclub bets big on former Elbo Room space
According to a post shared on Instagram, the Elbo Room space at 2871 Lincoln Avenue has been purchased by the owners of Bookclub, a do-it-yourself venue in Uptown.
Bookclub has been a staple of Chicago’s underground music scene since its founding in 2021. The independently operated venue has served as a haven for local bands and a shining example of community arts outreach.
After several years as a grassroots institution, Bookclub is going legit, and bringing new life to one of Chicago’s historic venues in the process.
Reviving a piece of Chicago music history
The Elbo Room was initially founded in 1989 and grew a dedicated following as a uniquely intimate, community-focused venue.
Over the decades, the space hosted scores of local acts and big-name bands like Walk the Moon and Veruca Salt. The venue closed its doors in 2019 after its previous owners sold the building.
The Elbo Room’s closure marked a low point for the Chicago music scene and the loss of a cherished creative touchstone. With the pandemic following shortly after, many Chicago music venues struggled to maintain their footing.
In the years since the dawn of the pandemic, Chicago’s music landscape has slowly but surely begun to rebound. The revival of the former Elbo Room is a testament to the endurance of the city’s creative underbelly.
What’s in store for the new venue
According to the owners of Bookclub, their new location will allow them to expand their operations. The organizers aim to host bigger shows and add a bar and cafe to the space.
“Our new building was a once-famous venue beloved by Chicago music fans for nearly 30 years,” reads a statement on Bookclub’s site.
“We will breathe new life (and bring new fans) into the place in major fashion. It’s our hope that this place will bring together patrons and artists from across genres and generations for a truly diverse meeting place, creative collaboration space, and steadfast destination for music lovers on stage and off.”
While an exact timeline has not been established, Bookclub’s organizers shared on social media that they’re aiming for a 2025 opening.