Reviews of The Riviera Theatre. (Other) in Chicago (Illinois).

The Riviera Theatre

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302 Comments

Other

Concert hall

4746 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

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Information of The Riviera Theatre, Other in Chicago (Illinois)

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Reviews of The Riviera Theatre

Kenneth Barkulis

Haven't been here in years. Recently reminded of it's existence. I've seen so many bands here throughout the 90's & 2000 that I've forgotten most of the shows. The balcony is a nice place of refuge for the less brave. Loud, fairly balanced sound quality. If the sound guy is good, the show is too. If memory serves me correctly, The Verve Northern Soul tour, way back when, they played acoustic encores and the sound was really good. I'm not sure if it was here or at the Vic though. It's a cool place to see shows, bottom line.

Jorge Zambrana

Amazing, intimate, Rock concert venue. The original decoration and vibe along with a live band make the whole place unique. The huge bar at the ground level is pretty cool as well. Easy access with the nearby L Uptown train station.

jared griffeth

Saw Phoenix with my son. Great show. Easy entry. Nice place to see a concert. We were front and center in general admission. Phoenix sounded great. Would love to see another show at the Riv. First time there.

A Spears

To review the Riviera is like giving a review about the glass you drink out of instead of the drink itself. It was the vessel which served me a live performance of my favorite band (Ween). Did it serve its purpose as a vessel? Absolutely! The lines were relatively quick, the acoustics were great, the staff made sure everybody had a good experience, and the venue didn't do anything to disrupt the experience, so in that way it has served its purpose. My only complaint is that it could use a little cleaning up. That, and the fact that they ran out of fountain drinks about half way thru the show. 🤷 Great place to see a show! I'll go there again.

Brandon Stalzer

Smaller venue.....about 2500 capacity. Great place though. We love the multiple tiered floor so more crowd can see. Bar in the back but still within good view of the stage. Busy traffic out front....with places to eat within walking distance across street. Highly recommend this concert spot!

Wuliao Hao

It seemed still under renovation, the restroom is like a construction site, all walls are wooden and thin. The sound effect of this place is not good either. Could have been a better theatre. Hopefully after the renovation it will be better.

Kirsten B

Really beautiful & historic small music venues. The architecture is stunning, I love the French renaissance style lol. Really cool that it’s by Aragon Ballroom as well. I saw Beach Bunny here & they really great. :)

Josh Levey

Nice multi level theater for live music with interesting architecture. Good sound, security line was efficient, bar lines were quick. Fun times at the Riv

chad svastisalee

The Riviera Theatre still pulls in the crowd on show days. Entertaining Chicago since 1917, over 100 years of gigs and still going strong. Capacity is limited and there's not a bad view in the place We came for OMD and caught a glimpse of In The Valley Below. Glad they stayed open despite COVid. Some refreshing tweaks to the interior, but not much has chnaged since the 60's. Staff was great and drinks are typical venue prices. Beers are $10/13, Cider and Seltzers $8, well pours $10. Sound was amazing and the concert goers we're enthusiastic to hear set from 40 years of OMD.

Deven Glackin

The staff, especially at the door are phenomenal! They really are responsible for me having the greatest experience at a show and having memories for a lifetime. I’m so grateful. They were so friendly and helpful. Cannot say enough nice things!

Decimo

Gorgeous venue. Could use a touch up, especially the bathrooms. The only real hangup was a smoking section they had to hold 15 people max at any given time. That's really odd for a venue this size but it is what it is. Chill and friendly bartenders and security.

Santana Adame

I love this venue! The floor gets pretty packed but you can always go upstairs and chill.

Seamus O'Halloran

Saw Fred again and it was a great layout. Sound system is marvelous and the crowd was chill.

Steve Gumble

Decent venue but get there early. Some awful site lines - flat floor (ga) on tier above floor in front of stage. If you are short you are screwed. Also it was unbearably hot. Not my favorite venue. $20 for a double gin & tonic.

Ryan Pickering

Very cool venue with decent sound throughout, tho some areas do produce an echo or muddled because you're too far back on the floor and under the balcony. I've never understood the placement of the bar of the main floor and I feel like they can oversell the venue for shows making it less fun. Most notable was Tenacious D. The upstairs balcony is nice if you can find a seat. People definitely show up long before doors so depending on where you want to go for viewing earlier is better than later.

Chandler Robles

Great intimate venue, within walking distance to several great restaurants as well. Definitely recommend getting there early if your GA though because the standing room fills up fast.

Pranav Kothari

My first experience at the Riviera was nothing short of spectacular. The energy the venue exudes is amazing.

Blake Butler

Cool architecture, could be repaired in places. Has that found relic feel like some homeless were squatting there then decided to turn it into a 5k capacity venue with little repair work. Shocked at how few places are opened after a show near here. We had to walk a mile south to find anything that was still open.

Jodi Remington

What a beautiful venue. Great space was perfect for intimate concert.

Tyler Rudzinski

Felt like a home town venue, small, yet there was probably 2k people there for a sold out show. Multiple levels for different viewing of the stage. Overall amazing venue. Will be happy to see more music there soon.

Todd Sorini

Such a great venue! Great sound & atmosphere!

Istvan Romhany González

Saw Muse here and it was a completely packed show. Entry happened fast and smoothly. The pit has two sections of different heights to allow everyone in the back to see better. Cool place to see shows.

Justin Bozarth

Great place to see a show, they got seats up in the balcony and standing on the main floor. Drinks aren't too overpriced considering it's a concert venue in Chicago. There's places to move around and get away if you get annoyed with the crowd.

Kevin Flynn

The music and the sound system and the security to get you in are all excellent. One major problem which I've noticed at multiple concerts at this venue, is that sometimes patrons I'm assuming accidentally spill drinks or drop drinks, and there are large puddles of water on the standing room only floor, this is general admission there are no seats on the main floor, and I've never once seen any staff going around to clean up these big puddles of water that are dangerous. The entire concert, multiple times, these dangerous large puddles of water and ice and drinks stay on the ground and there is literally not one staff member going around during the concert to check on anything. They get you in the door they sell you drinks, but there is no staff to go around and make sure that things are mapped up or cleaned up that I saw. The entire night these puddles of water and ice and slush on the floor just stayed there. They need to invest a little bit of money and stop being cheap, somebody's going to fall and break their neck one night.

Sarah Mayo

Saw THE SMILE here. Pretty decent venue. Really not the best, but I enjoyed the acoustics, though I was front row. Incredibly jam packed though. There are about 10 fire exists but when you leave everyone has to exit through 2 small doors. I almost feel like they're allowing too many people in here for the size of this place. The bathrooms were in the basement, down a creepy hallway. I took one look down the stairs and it just seemed like a bad idea and decided to hold it. The drinks were very small and seemed watered down. The water that came out at the bar was absolutely disgusting and had to throw away.

Xavier L-Bataille

Went for a music show. It was crowded, the sound was not very immersive and the show hardly lasted long enough for it to be enjoyed. The drinks were decently expensive and nothing more than canned beverages. Nothing wrong with the venue just not the best Chicago has to offer.

Kelli Brooker

Nice spacious venue. There is street parking around venue.

Ben Hobaugh

Very ornate old theater, overall nice, plenty of bars to get beverages and some food options, balcony seats have good sight lines. NOTE: the bathrooms are in the basement two long flights of stairs below the performance space, and very crowded.

Ana Velez

Bought tickets for the second floor but was able to sit on the 1st floor. Security was very polite and kind.

Matthew Luedke

It's a nice older venue. I would say being up front sounds better then being in the rear. Bathrooms are hidden downstairs in a dungeon. No coat check. Bar service in multiple locations.

Theron Boerner

Great theater. Great bands play here regularly. I've been to many theaters for live music in Chicago but this one the most by far. 10/10 would recommend.

Silent 920

Great venue but depending on who is preforming you may have to navigate through crowds of girls taking selfies to get to the entrance line. And if that happens prepare to deal with line cutters for drinks, protip: call em out make em wait.

Brian videgar

I have been seeing shows here 20+ years and it still delivers.

walter Thorne

The Riv is a wonderful place to see a show the staff is professional, the drinks are cold, the place is classic architecture. But most of all the music reverberates . If your in Chicago it a venue to know ND share.

Louis N

Acoustically superior to The Metro but if you don't get there early and are shorter than 6'5" in GA, don't expect to see the band. Much better venues in Chicago

Brian Strand

It's old, like... really old, which gives it great atmosphere but seems to be falling into disrepair. You're here to see a show though, so enjoy it. Friendly staff.

Andrew Sean

We came here for a concert and were not sure what to expect, as we are not familiar with the area. We were impressed with the classic look of the theatre and the elegant wooden decor. The space was ample for the show, and the staff were very friendly when we interacted with them. Overall, this was a great place for a concert and would probably be a good location for a play or any other such event as well.

Jacob Duquennne

Smaller Venue. Great place to see your favorite performers up close. Full service bar. No bad seats.

Yani A

Very nice concert and sound. Venue could be improved and add some bathrooms in the first floor.

terryfunku

Great sound, great staff, but filthy restroom and the theatre floor was stickier than a taffy factory (even at doors).

Eric Zmuda

Probably one of my least favorite small venues in Chicago but it's fine. Only beer there is Goose Island and Bud which was disappointing. Check out Fat Cat if you need a place to eat before a show but remember to make a reservation.

Omar Zamora-Viera

I love the auditorium feel of this hall, giving a small glimpse into the old Uptown entertainment district heydays. It’s definitely “intimate,” I recommend trying to get a spot above the main floor to see above the tall guys who like to stand up front. Use caution taking the stairs down to the bathrooms, especially with there being a beverage window down there (convenient but also can make it a bit slippery/sticky.)

Richard Belman

It's nice but the building could use a renovation. Saw the biscuits there for NYE and some dust kept coming out of the ceiling

John Kim

This is a theater that was built in 1918. The interior is so antique and cool. I was here for Mac Demarco’s show, and I had a pleasant time. This place has a good sound system and lighting system as well. I would come again if there are more shows held here that I am intetested.

adam suljic

Great venue! Pricing for drinks isn't too bad compared to others.

Christopher Graham

Ministry was a GREAT show. Always love going to shows at the Riv!

Merrell Wood

This is a serious architectural gem and incredible venue to see some solid bands that come through Chicago. Get there early if you want to get up front! The back bar is a great place to chill and watch the show with a great view, the balcony was open but I didn’t have a chance to check it out! Also smokers, tough luck! No smoking section and no re-entry!

Alison Yuhas

We saw an Andrew McMahon concert here on a Saturday night, and it was LONG concert so we were exhausted by the time it was done (there aren't any seats besides in the balcony), but it's a super cool venue! It's a bit hard to get to from most places in the city, and we took an Uber back home afterwards, but that didn't take away from the night. Make sure that you scope out all of the bars before committing to a drink - we found that some of the ones closer to the stage had different drinks than the one right by the door. Oh, and coat check is downstairs and a bit crammed, but after the concert, things were orderly and we were able to get our jackets pretty quickly!

Mya

Every time one of my favorite artists say they’re coming here I get upset. It has nice sound yes but the aesthetics are bad the walls are barely painted and the bathroom just gross!! I leave out so fast when the artist is done.

Jinx

i hadn’t been to a concert since 2019 it was pretty alright. i was there seeing PUP and the mosh pit was crazy. not complaining tho. there were a lot of people drinking/spilling beer. security after the concert was kind of rude and loud to the people in the merch line. the bathrooms were not terribly dirty which was better than i expected. overall it was a great experience.

LAUREN MCCARTHY

I saw Lord Huron here and the venue was perfect! They have a server come around to get more drinks so if you’ve got a good spot (we were right on the fence) and really need a second drink but can’t leave, they can bring it for you! Also, the show was amazing.

Angelina Echols

One of my favorite venues

Jeff Jensen

I've been to The Riv on numerous occasions and have had a great experience each and every time. The venue is old, but has a lot of character. The architecture is really cool as well. The acoustics are really really good, but, I must say it can be deafeningly loud sometimes, depending on where you are standing/sitting. I go to a lot of shows and typically bring ear plugs, but forgot them last week and was regretting it for a few days until the ringing stopped. They have a balcony section as well which you can access with your GA ticket, at least you can for every concert that I've been to there. This truly is one of my favorite venues in Chicagoland.

chad schott

Very nice concert Venue. This happens to me regularly so if you look homely, which I do, for my own comfort, you will be ignored by the bar tenders. This is typical treatment to folks who don't dress up. Other than that it is a nice music venue.

Jeff Cheney

Great venue! had a blast watching the flaming lips 🔥👄 …

Richard Glazewski

Great show, great venue!

Evan Siegel

Great venue! If you are the type of people who don’t like to stand for a long time, get there early and go up stairs for great stadium seating with still an awesome view! We will be back.

Mike R

This is one my all time favorite venues to see a concert in the city. It’s beautiful, retro, and you can often see mid-tier to emerging artists here or even sometimes big name artists. The tickets are electronic or printed making entrance easy, and the size of the venue makes getting in and out fairly painless. Once you’re inside the lobby is pretty small and seating has two tiers that include seating. Make sure to look up and enjoy the beautiful chandeliers and architecture. If you’re contemplating seeing a show here, do it! Little no parking in the immediate area, there are some lots on Lawrence, free street parking west of broadway including in the neighborhoods. There are a number of bars and restaurant walking distance or a short cab away, so you don’t have to go to far before or after the show.

Deirdre Thompson

I'm pretty biased because I like old architecture. It was being utilized for a film job at the time I was there. I really liked their bathroom, though...

Linda Loera

Fantastic acoustics. Great venue with a lot of history. I can't wait to go back

Chad Halper

Definitely one of the better venues I've been too. They have seating up top and an open pit down down below by the stage where its standing room only. It is first come, first serve, so get there early to get the better views. The seats were comfortable but not enough leg space in my opinion, the servers come to your seat to take your drink orders which was nice. Will definitely be back.

Sara Beeshop

Really needed some kind of seating but the concert was good and I liked the size of the venue

Ally Smith

If you can get the tickets cheap it's worth it. The theatre itself is pretty run down. The seats are all very old and you have to search for a while to find one that's halfway comfortable. You should get there when doors open or earlier if you want a good seat. Balcony seats were good. Ultimately it's the act that will make or break the show. If you're going to a good performer the theatre itself won't really matter much.

Edward Lerma

Great old theater for a concert. Main floor is standing only, but the balcony has seating that has a great view of the stage.

Tyiesha

The Riviera is certainly older but it gives it a very charming feel. The smaller theater size let's you get up close and personal with whoever you came to see-saw Jay Park here and I've never been to a concert that was so much of a party. Drinks are expensive but they're always expensive at concerts, what else is new. I had a wonderful time!

Teresa S.

They get a lot of the acts that I like to see perform so I go there a couple of times a year, but the actual facilities are not that great. The bathrooms are in the basement and the ladies room is in serious need of repairs and a fresh coat of paint. The woman that is the bathroom attendant rocks and deserves a raise. Seats are comfortable enough and the sight lines are good from the balcony.

David Kiesel

Great old theater. Had a blast. Many good shows stop here. Drink service seat side in the balcony. This place was built in 1917 so a lot of history. As I sat there I was imagining all the people that had been there probably watching silent movies or something. The restrooms are in the lower level (basement). Train station across the street was currently closed. Watch out for the ride share drivers disguised as cabs. Ask the price before getting in the car. A real cab cost $18 from Navy Pier and the ride share cost $45 to get back.

Rebecca Galbreath

I attended the Mat Kearney show here Mar 9th. I had VIP, so I was in the very front row and had an awesome view! The whole place is beautiful and I had so much fun. Great venue. Not a bad seat in the house.

Alex B

Great venue. Close to the red line or plenty of parking near by. Many bars inside or places to go eat within a few blocks. Sound was little muddy but speakers not completely blown. Go see something LIVE!

Shari Stiglic

Just saw Fitz and the trantrums there. Amazing concert. The venue is great for seeing acts up close. But it really needs a facelift.

Trevor Vogler

Very beautiful theater with a good amount of standing room. Great for both moshing up front but also chilling in back with a good view. Coat check in the wintertime was definitely worthwhile; each item was $3 and it was very close to the entrance. Upper floors have a good view as well. Easily accessible by the red line.

Madeline Perkins

All of staff was so helpful! It’s definitely old and pretty run-down but I still enjoyed the show!

Andrew Winkler

Great, unique venue that was somewhat over sold. Despite the crowd, they handled it very well.

rob mulryan

This is a decent venue. Easily accessible by train. Of course, we were shamelessly gouged by the drink prices. You have to expect that, but there has to be a limit to the depravity. On a brighter note, we were there on 4/19 for Spoon/Margaret Glaspy, and the sound was amazing. If you don't mind standing for 4 hours (general admission) you can lean against the railing for the mezzanine and have the best seat (standing spot?) in the house.

Morgan Clarke

General admittance is OK for tall young people, if you are old or short get seats. The floor is always way to crowded and has a horrible veiw of the stage. The seats are pretty new and are not made from fabric so they can be sat in if you want. Even if you plan on standing get seats. It's not what you would call a nice or well kept venue but it's a venue that has been hosting rock show crowds for decades. If you grew up around Chicago you've seen at least a couple shows here.

Rafael Gutierrez

The building is absolutely beautiful. Built in 1917 and of the French renaissance revival architecture, one cannot stop admiring its ornate detail while inside. The bands and artists that play here are often big names that could book much larger venues but opt for the feel of this theater. I don’t blame them, the atmosphere while inside is memorable to say the least. The reason for rating this place so low is the service provided at the bar. I have never been to a concert hall that provided me with a cup of water with so much disdain than this place. To top it off the bartender filled the cup up half way and told me, “next time I’m gonna charge you for it”. I’m sure this would stay in anyone’s mind and unfortunately it left a negative impression for me.

Sunny Aldrich

My boyfriend, sister, and I came to see Still Woozy at this venue. First of all, he’s incredible in concert. We showed up before the doors opened and the line was long, but staff managed to get everyone in fairly quickly. I think we only waited about 30 minutes, which is impressive because they were checking vaccination cards with IDs in addition to their normal security measures. Our seats were great, we had an awesome view of the stage. Bathrooms are aaaaall the way downstairs which was kind of a hassle and not very accessible. Other than that though, 10/10 experience

Kristen Portland

Would've been Grand about 40 years ago. Bathrooms are only located in the basement and tend to clog. Lots of bars, good sound, and has seating up top, standing room on the floor. Always GA, convenient to the red line.

L M

Went here to see HER back in 2018/19 and it was such a great experience. Easily accessible via car, train, walking distance. Good experience and cheap drink prices.

Paul Friel

Nfg show was a blast greatest venue!!!!

Debra LaRocco

Chicago has so many good music venues. I like the Riv. You can get really smashed in on the main floor if you have general admission tickets. Personally, I think the railing just steps above the main floor is the best place to see a show. There's no one to block your view and it sounds great!

Chelsea M

Classic Chicago venue, staff was great and handed out water after the show!

Carrie Garrison

Haven't been to the Riv in years until tonight. I had heard they are doing renovations! Balcony seats were new and comfy, but bathrooms under construction. Bars on every level, but for tonight's sold out show the one bartender in the balcony had no hope if serving the 20 person line in front of me during the set break before the main headliner. Extra stairs, but no long wait at the well staffed ground floor bars. They take cards, but folks tip these hard working bartenders in cash! Thanks for a fun night and a great sounding show!

Emily Elkins

I went for a concert. The theatre itself was beautiful, but in desperate need of renovation and upkeep. The bathrooms were filthy and stunk. The chairs and couches were also filthy. They're probably doing the best they can with what they have, but I can't rate the place any higher.

CBBC/50shadesoftravel Jd Grey

The bartender here makes great drinks and the old venue is like a throwback to simpler times!!!

Emily Zahner

This venue was so cool. The ceiling was so pretty and eclectic. Very big, didn't have to bump into anyone to get anywhere. Wasn't a fan of having a bathroom attendant, that always makes me feel pressured to tip. Good bar selection too.

Shanti Keyz

Fantastic show and the theater had great seats for disabled and a disabled bathroom close by. The staff was great and very polite.

Devon Kelly

Perfect Venue to see Indie/lokey acts. Good acoustics. Classic Vibes. #TheBakedView.

Margaret Buckley

Beautiful old school theater, but needs some updating. They have waitstaff to bring beverages and snacks to your seat during some shows, but the only bathrooms are in the basement, this is a problem when you're at the top, and there is a full crowd. Lots of stairs and steep angle so that is also something to be considered before attending a show here, as well as some of the seating isn't in the best condition and needs repaired. Bathroom lines can sometimes take an hour for women especially. Food and drink lines move quickly at the bars set up too. Definitely would go back as the architecture is amazing, but could use some modernized accommodations.

Thomas Bock

Super cool concert theater vibe. Surprisingly good sound. Cool staff. Even when the place is packed to the hills, it still retains an intimate feel. Good area for after show eats and drinks.

Megan Wiedenfeld

NO LINES! Friendly staff! I had general admission tickets and it’s hard to see the stage if you’re not a giraffe but that’s okay! I’ll be back! Rock on!

Kevin Vandemark

Went once. Nice venue but bring ear plugs

Brit Schiesser

I didn't particularly care for it. The layout was obnoxious and the sound was not very good. Too few security people to get the huge line in quickly. Drink prices are crazy, and the bar was not very well stocked. Good show though.

car

Very nice venue, security was a bit lax on finding people in need of medical help and the performer had to point a few out to them. Other than that, I definitely had a fun time and the ticket gate line moves very quickly

Anguel Hristozov

I haven't been here in a long time, but I remember that the place was great. It's intimate and clean, and the sound quality was not too bad either. I had seen Marilyn Manson and was not dissapointed at all. It's got a sort of charm to it

Mee Moy

I went to a few shows there. It's a little worn down place but I love the acoustics. The music is amazing.

Daniel Kaput

The theater was affordable and we had great seats to see James Arthur. My only issue is that the seats are way too small, I'm a tall guy so my knees were pressing against the seat in front of me which made it extremely uncomfortable for me to sit. Luckily no was next to me so I could slide my body to the side and stretch. The bathrooms look horrible, please invest some money into your washrooms, looked like a dirty dump.

Brad A

Traditional Chicago music venue, locals feel, with fun shows at reasonable prices. Choose balcony seats if you don't want to be stuck in the crowd or looking over people's shoulders during the shows. Can always head back down for dancing when ready.

Brandon Ballard

Cool venue, great sound. Security pat down was thorough. Saw Phil Lesh and friends, what a show. Could do without the house lights shining down on the crowd, they are excessive. Whole place could use a new coat of paint and updating. Ushers were a bit in the face of those dancing in the isles, understandably I guess, but overbearing. Prices at bar are expected for concerts.

Erin Tapken

Lots of improvements since I was there last and still a great place to see a show.

Staci Todd

If you don't know.. you just don't know. This Chicago gem has the best acoustics. Better than the civic opera house. Theater seating keeps it... Toned down.

Alek Malesevic

If you go here to see your favorite band you won't be disappointed. Its antiquity is a blessing and a curse—it looks lovely, but the main audience floor is of course very easy to get overcrowded. I'm very glad I'm tall enough to see over everyone regardless!

Jennifer Rodriguez

Came here on September 21st, 2018 to see Hozier. For my first time coming here it wasn't too bad we got here early around 2pm and people had already started lining up. I got front row and there's also a barricade between the stage and the audience. The venue is pretty big and the security are OK. BTW THEY DO BOT ALLOW BOOKBAGS! When doors opened at 7pm they kicked some girls OUT OF line who have been waiting the security explained that they had to leave their book bag somewhere. The one thing I like about this theater was that there are lots of restaurants around so you can go eat if you are waiting.

Caty Gordon Hall

Great sound in this venue! The entire staff was super polite, nice and made the whole evening that much better by being helpful and cool! Checked vaccination cards before we entered, which made me feel much safer! The age of the venue shows in a charming, romantic, old Chicago way- I hope it never changes!

Jordan Cealey

Best concert venue in Chicago. Great seeing upstairs, and not a bad view on the main floor. There are 5+ bars for every show.

Ana M Nuñez F

This is a little piece of Chicago's history in Uptown. You can see the years and the lack of proper maintenance, but if you enjoy good old fashion architecture you should visit this place at least once.

Ralph M

Great place to see a band... Beautiful architecture from floor to ceiling!!!

Joey Freshwater

It’s truly impressive how rude, aggressive, and brash door staff is. They act as if they’ve been subjected to seeing the Double Doink on loop. As a venue, however, the Riv is a nice, intimate space and the tiers of floors can help for some sight lines and give you some extra chances at a railing spot if you’re short.

Neto San-sen

First time there. Had an amazing time!

Nicole Cooper

3 stars because the security guards were kind and helpful. The sound from the balcony is awful.

Pick Percussions

The Banks concert was awesome and the production staff was so professional. Show looked and sounded great!

Bill Jones

Exceptionally conscientious staff really made me feel like a guest. Great sound at the venue. I wouldn't hesitate to attend another concert there.

Janille M

I've been to several concerts here. I like the look, the sound is always good and bars are accessible. It's cool theater overall.

J. Anderson

Very old and unique. Needs some restoration to bring it back to its the greatness. Saw concert there and you can get very close.

Ryan Bince

Show up early if it's a popular performer, this place gets packed :)

Thomas Weber

Typical seatless arrangement. Three tiers of floor make visibility pretty good.

RAN SPEDITION INC

Super cool old place....a little regab would be nice but the place is a piece of Chicago history..

Matthew Kowal

They have an open floor space on ground level, and regular theater seating on the balcony if you want to just relax and enjoy the music.

Tom Coffin

Great venue! Joe Russo's almost dead was amazing!!

Michael Erickson

Great venue to see up and coming artists. Really good acoustics in this historic theatre.

Andrew Littrell

Place is a dump, but the perfect rock concert aesthetic.

J Foster

Beautiful place. The sound of the concert was great.

Lynn S

Always a great time at this venue. Tonight, Mastodon! Great sound and a phenomenal show. Riv staff was friendly and quick with drinks 🍻 …

Amy Volpert

Acoustics are amazing here but seats are in need of some repair. Staff are friendly, security lines are quick. Lots of places to get a drink! Bathrooms are mainly downstairs, but there are accessible bathrooms on first floor. Love the old theaters. I have been here for many concerts and you can't beat the intimacy smaller venues provide. Would recommend!

Kabilla (Kabbage)

This place is WILD. Sold out show had a line around the entire block to the entrance. Super nice and spacious venue, and the way the audience floor is set up to slant down towards the stage allows (almost) everyone to see it regardless of where you are

Dawn E

Have been here for several shows over the past few years. If you're in the area before it takes a few steps down to the pit you can't really see much. But there's plenty of space in the pit. The staff are pretty nice. There's a cool upstairs area. There is a coat check and bathrooms downstairs. Bathrooms are not the best but usable. Enjoy your concert here!

Jared Francoeur

Great venue. Cool looking too. Holds a good amount of people.

Rashoda Harris

Moneybagggggg it definitely was fun for the concert, next time I will get balcony seats because people were so rude with the pushing and lying about meeting there sister that doesn’t exists in the front. Lol I got my self to the front and didn’t have to lie to get there 😉 first time was decent. …

Julie Morrison

Love this venue. No re-entry, no smoking area. The sound is SUPER loud. Thankfully, they pass out earplugs.

Quinn West

EDITED: I attended another show and wanted to give the venue another chance since Jam USA was able to get an interpreting team for another venue. This time I had the email of the person to contact so it was easier to ask ahead of time. John was great and was able to set up a team and I had such a great night. Masks and vaccine cards were checked and enforced especially in the standing area where I was. This time I was able to be in on what was being said on stage, and able to understand what was happening. I am very thankful the team learned from last times mistake and I hope they continue to put accessibility as a priority. I hope they can create an easier way to contact their team for accessibility needs instead of having to go through lots of hoops to find someone to ask. Original review: Not good if you need any accommodations for disabilities. I’m Deaf, and was really looking forward to seeing an artist who I love. The theatre’s website didn’t have a spot to place a request for accessibility. It was “call, but only on show days”. I finally was able to find an email to contact someone of some sorts. They said they would place a request. I Followed up to ask if they got someone or not. No response. When I showed up and asked the manager apologized and offered a refund but I had traveled hours to get there. I wasn’t going to make my friend leave with me. Even though I was with a friend who knew sign, they aren’t trained to interpret these shows. They didn’t go to 4+ years of school for it. It just hurt to take off work & class, spend money for tickets, wait hours in line to get a good spot and not be able to get the same experience as everyone else. It hurt to look at the artist I absolutely adored and not being able to know what she was saying to us. But I spent loads of money when I could have stayed home and listened to her music with a good bass.

Bruks Ariza

Getting here early is a must. Older theater but very charming. Go to the second floor and grab those seats in the first row. Staff is very helpful and always helping. There is a VIP section on the second floor. Best seats for sure in the place. First floor is very crowded so if you like parties and dance that is the place to be. We were here for the Tove Lo concert and we love it. Drinks were a a little over price so make sure you start the party before getting here.

Trey Medina

It's a great venue saw Heilung here and it was amazing

Jason Klingler

Nice concert venue in the heart of Uptown. It is general admission so if you want to get close to the stage, arrive early.

Julia Frank

My bf surprised me with tickets to see “Surfaces” play. I was SO shocked and had such a blast!! They were such an amazing band and the theater was the perfect size. The concert felt very intimate. Loved this venue!

Randi Wargo

Been here for a few times and have enjoyed each show. There is floor GA but they also have balcony seating that still feels intimate and part of the show. Pretty neat that you can order a drink at your seat and they have a decent beer selection. Parking can sometimes be a pain, but overall I enjoy this venue.

Eric Alsandor (Spider00x)

Aging theatre but great sound, barstaff was fast and attentive

Meg Kozlowski

I came to the Riviera last Wednesday, 10/3, to see Ben Howard. It was an EPIC show. Loved seeing him perform live. I have been waiting years for BH to come to the states to play and was SO excited to see him but absolutely dreading coming to the Riviera. I honestly almost gave up my tickets because of the horrible reviews that I had read. Thankful that I didn't because it was an awesome experience. Was it warm inside? Yes. But, I was comfortable for the entire show. Were the drinks expensive? Yes. Of course they are, what is expected at ANY venue, especially in Chicago. The staff was professional and friendly, the bathrooms were clean and easy to get to/in and out of, and the sound/visuals were awesome. I hope that they can make some upgrades in the future and keep up with it's needs so that it doesn't fall to ruins someday. I love the history of these old theaters. Anyway, I will be back! So happy that we didn't miss out on an incredible night because of the previous reviews. I hope that others can enjoy the same experience that we did and give some more love to the Riv. :)

Peter Morrison

good venue for shows.

Bryan Shoemaker

The theater itself is a medium sized venue that has been around forever. It's a little run down compared to it's glory days but still a place that drips history when you walk in. The sound is good and ba service is plentiful and relatively priced. If your seeing a show that is exceptionally loud it may not be ideal but for most bands the place is a good home for the night.

Neri Diaz

The place is good, the acoustic to enjoy a concert it is also very good. Restrooms are bad.

April Fogleman

The Theatre itself was beautiful. The employees were very helpful and good at getting the line through. The line was very long. The price of the tickets ended up being ridiculous since we bought them online. We couldn't even see the stage to see the band. I am happy to say a very kind usher came across my son and I and he found us amazing seats to sit in. We could see everything. Turned out to be a great night. Made the trip from Nebraska worth it. Thank you! 😁

Charlotte

Had a fantastic time the venue however needs a makeover especially the bathroom. The bathroom was horrible

Denise Wertz

My daughters and I came in from Michigan to see Melanie Martinez. I was more than happy at the whole experience. We did miss the opening act because the line was so long but I wasn’t mad. I was super happy with the security and everyone was so nice and our seats were awesome. I love concerts in old buildings like that. Great job to everyone who worked Melanie Martinez. You all were awesome!

Marjorie Easley

The Riviera is a cool venue. They have a balcony with seating- so it's worth it to arrive early if you don't plan on standing un front of the stage. That is, if you want to wait in line to enter the venue. The VIP section is nice & slightly more comfortable than the other seating... There is a person who comes around and can take your drink order, there is also an app that you can download to order drinks from your seats. The sound is great and I had a lot of of fun. It is nice that it doesn't hold too many people- so the crowd is not that bad to navigate.

Gladys Georges

Perfect venue that has different levels of viewing. Absolutely appreciate the architecture and excellent indoor sound quality!

Archer McNeill

Music venue with GA standing room downstairs and GA seating on the balcony. Get here early if you want a decent seat.

Emily

The show itself was great, sound quality high, and I had a balcony seat so I didn't have any issues with an overpacked crowd or the view. However, more than a few security guards/staff members were absolutely awful and would glare you down if you met their eyes or be belligerent if you asked them a question. Drink prices were bad enough that I was willing to be dehydrated the whole time. If you go just be prepared for a few bumps in the road and you'll be fine

Brandon Ridner

Bathrooms weren't bad and there are plenty of bars to get a drink at. E tickets at the door went really smooth and we were in pretty quickly. However our event was over sold and the ability to see the stage was awful. Everything inside is on a very low slope so if you end up just off the main floor you're not seeing much. We came from out of town for this show. If we were in a similar situation again I would travel to another town before going to this venue again. Once again it's not a fault of services, everyone I met who worked there was really nice. It's just a really bad sight line to see the stage unless you're really close.

M Sandberg

Very intimate and historic venue. Worth the visit! Great little local cash only pancake place next door too.

Geoff Bashaw

This is a great venue. Somewhat intimate, friendly staff and good viewing angles. Complete with there seating up top if you want to relax. The decor is gorgeous and acoustics are pretty good. Recommend grabbing a show here!

Ben Farcus

Amazing place, but a word to the wise go early. We got there half an hour before the start of the show and didn't try getting a spot, mainly because the coat check was two people for a sold out show. But other than that great show and mixing was perfect. Coupled with great acoustics, I would see another show here.

Art Koudelka

Great venue! Sound quality is Assume! Staff is great!

Jessica Jacobs

Great venue! The inside looks like a Hobbit house and makes seeing shows really fun. The sound is really good (even in the balcony!) and the lines for drinks move very quickly. I have seen several shows here and am always excited to return!

Notmy “notmyrealname” realname

I've been coming here since 02 when I seen my first concert. I've seen to many people to name and loved every single show.

Ewan Dickson

Love the riv. Always a good time! Disco biscuits were amazing. I recommend seeing them on acid. 😂😂😂 …

Robert Piatt

Needs some work, but still a great venue for intimate concert experiences.

dane hites

all the security of the United center with the comfort of being close to home

Laura Feller

Very cool concert venue. The line to get in was the longest I’ve ever experienced but it was because they were using a metal detecting wand, searching bags, etc and it took a little longer. Beautiful decor and great sound.

Mark Huster

Really bad security and a really dirty place and they said they're rehabbing it I don't see it

David Kinsey

A pretty fun concert venue. Sight lines are not great from the first level, but standing room is staggered, so that's nice. Lots of bars around the venue help, but only 2 bathrooms (1 guy/1 girl) are a killer. I didn't get up to the balcony, but it was less crowded and looked like an excellent spot to take in the show if you didn't feel the need to be in with the crowd. Sound quality was good.

Katie Weidner

remodeled with a gothic edge! super space for intimate shows

Ray Es

I went here last week to attend a concert from 9pm to 2am. It was a blast! Upon entry, the security was friendlier than the security at the Congress Theater. The bathrooms were cleanier, but get dirty as the night goes on. What amazed me was that The Riv was almost an identical copy of the Congress Theater, except I think the Riv had more seating and an extra level. In total there are 3 viewing levels. There are 2 balconies, and of course the ground floor. On the ground floor, a bit further back are these 2 levels of elevated floors that give you probably a 6-8inch boost over ground floor. So there is a lot of floor space for people who want to dance. Drinks were kind of hefty, I didn't drink from the full bar, but only from the Beer bars on the left and right hand sides, a can of beer was going anywhere between $4 (Miller) - $7 (Blue Moon)!!! crazy! I think the sound was a little worse though, its not bad, don't get me wrong. But the highs were not high enough, but the lows were on point. This is a good place to see a show, I would not deny that.

Sophia Woods

It's old as eff, looks like the walls or the stairs may just cave on you, but you can see the beauty that was once within. I tried to think of every reason in the book to ditch the concert i had already paid for because I usually hate going north. Had to take all of it back. It's easy to get to, there is plenty of parking, we had decent seats and the crowd was super diverse (young, old, every ethnicity, we all loved Miguel❤)...everyone was having an amazing night! Although I said I wouldn't go again, for the right entertainment attraction, I am pretty sure I would take my chances😊

Sarah C.

This place can get really crowded depending on the particular show you go to - definitely not easy to see the stage unless you're right up front. All the pushing and shoving just to see the stage can make you vulnerable to pickpockets. I had my phone stolen here - I will say, though, that the when I approached the security guards about my missing phone they were actually SUPER helpful - they checked the building and took down my information, which I really appreciated.

Amaia

kinda hard to see the stage from the sides of the pit... beautiful theater though, saw rina sawayama live and she was amazing!

GigWrx

Great place to catch a show! I'm disabled and the staff goes out of their way to be sure I have seating. Sound is great and some first rate entertainment here. Be sure to buy tickets directly from their website and be careful, MANY sites have Riviera in their name. Save a lot of money buying directly from them. Kids can go to most shows, took my 8yr. old to Robert Plant. My wife and daughter were able to sit by me, behind handicap area and staff found stools for them! Really nice!

Steve Mascheri

Classic place to see great bands. Intimate yet not too crowded. The line to get in wrapped around the block but moved well once the doors opened. Place is run well by professionals. Decor is awesome and lives up to the hype.

Melanie Pandocchi

During the winter they open the side doors and depending on where you are it is very cold and even bottled water is overpriced but that's all places. Staff was mostly friendly though.

Eric Hurlburt

The Cult 7/11/22

RossianSpy

Pretty nice place to go for a concert with friends, it's fairly large so if you get there earlier you can get a nice spot upfront. Keep in mind that there isn't any place to sit unless you pay for a extra for it, so be prepared to stand the whole time. There's a bar and food that is available as well, but which concerts don't have that 😎 …

Joe R

It's a giant old theater to go see shows in. Sound is fine. Upstairs there is a balcony with seats. The dance floor will be nuts to butts crowded for a sold out show. They have a decent selection of local craft beers, prices for beer are inflated, but not nearly as bad as some venues. Only 1 set of bathrooms downstairs in the basement next to coat check. It's gets hot, sticky, and stinky down there. Not a great situation.

Andy H

Been to 3 shows here the last decade. Decent venue and the sound is okay.

Asmar M

Came to see Brittnay Howard's album release concert. Had never been and didn't know what to expect, our seats were in the balcony and was happy to find that the venue is not too large so most seats seem to be good seats. The sound was awesome and made the experience that much better!

Kaye Hodge

tthere's plenty seating in the balcony. i always appreciate seating. i also liked the drink servers

Tom DeLeon

Show was great, but the staff was abrasive.

Lele Smith

General admission venue... first come first serve on the seats...only seats in the balcony.... standing room only on first floor...i waited in line for two and a half hours for a sold out show and had a pick of our seats in the balcony... great view and sound... would definitely go back for the right show. Gave 4 stars due to it needing updates.

Carmen W

Fun venue, but the crowd experience varies by promoter and show. Also, the bathrooms are not great.

Robert Dennis

Average sound and limited sight lines make this an average venue. Drinks are overpriced but that goes for most live venues. Staff is nice. 2022 update-- sounds is better but my complaints above still remain.

Jake Rabska

Awesome venue setup and lines for drinks move nice and quickly while plenty of bars are available. Would it kill you to turn on the ac for your events thought? 86 degrees in the venue with 90% humidity is disgusting and saps the fun out of the experience.

Thyra Sandstrom

Saw Courtney Barnett here and it was phenomenal. It stinks that you can't stand on the stairs (best viewing from there) but I love that there is a balcony, upper and lower ground floor. Bar is accessible and good service, great shows here.

Z Z

I love the architecture inside this theatre. It's so neat and you know it was the spot for all the high rollers back in the 20s lol like Al Capone. Cool vibes from the looks of everything.The staff is nice. Bar moves really quick. Speaker system sounds much better from the balcony upstairs. First few rows, it's okay quality. Not too loud which is probably a good thing ha. Place is a obviously rundown and sticky floors but hey what do you expect, being as old as it is and all the fun that goes on there all the time, its worth iiiit!

Megan A. Krumwiede

Love the Riv. Just wish that pit GA was less obstructed. There's three levels to the venue- pit, tier 2 which is raised up a bit from pit, and tier 3 which is a balcony. The lower part seems so clusterd and claustrophobic as does the second level because the bar blocks that. The design is very inconvenient if you don't arrive thirty days to an hour early for the event. Other than that I love the joint. Very friendly staff and nice design. The best sound is through the oddly shaped oval that the second and third level make (near the bar)

Daisy Galan

It serves its purpose as a venue but the structure itself could be remodeled and kept up better. The security and employees working the venues have been really nice and friendly so far. Other than the look and feel of the actual physical place I have no complaints.

Thomas Sullivan

Got pic w Supa 🤧 …

Ken Cobb

Great smaller size venue

Kelly Casey

Looks a little nicer inside. Getting in the venue is still a major problem. The security line is still very slow. Unfair to miss part or all of an act because of waiting outside. They should open the doors 2 hours before shows that are at or close to sell outs. Be prepared to wait. Get there early and don't bother waiting in line. Many people don't and that contributes to the problem.

Aaron Young

Went to see Alter Bridge January 2017. The place is obviously very old, and could be really nice if they put a couple coats of paint inside. It looks run down, kind of a hole in the wall. It wouldn't take much to clean it up. The balcony upstairs had some pretty old seats, and the one just behind us was broken but it wasn't corded off or anything. The staff was friendly for the most part. They do give you the frisk treatment when you go in. It is Chicago, murder capital of the Midwest, if not the USA. Drinks are a bit pricey, but not more than you'd pay if you were at a ballpark. The coat check is in the basement, which was $3 per item, plus the obligatory tip. What was comical was the kind of nasty bathroom with a bathroom attendant. Seriously, there was a guy in the bathroom handing out brown paper towels from a big pile, as if I couldn't get it myself. He also had a bunch of candy bars and such for sale, like Snickers. I'm not about to buy some bathroom candy. If you like a fairly intimate concert experience are don't mind the run down facilities, this is a pretty good place. There is not a bad seat in the place, whether standing on the main floor or up in the balcony. Very loud. Old folks and those that care about their hearing may want ear plugs. For parking, we used the Parqex suggested on the Riviera website. Used their app, paid around $10. The app has a garage door opener that actually opens the door of the parking garage, so it is pretty secure. It's about 3 blocks to walk to the theater. Not bad for Chicago. Overall, I'd go here again. The tickets weren't too expensive. Not fancy, but adequate.

Mary Kate Mack

If you arrive late and have to stand in the back, you won't see the show. You can admire the artwork in the ceiling in the back, however. Really depends what kind of concert-goer you are. I didn't mind at a recent show, but the people next to me were so upset at the layout.

Gregg Miller

The place is easy to find and no problem getting in or out. The concert was lit and I was still vibing when I left.

Hannah Graham

loved seeing Dr. Dog here a couple years ago, and seeing The Flaming Lips!

Logan Brown

Warning: metal detector wielding security at front door. Will turn down those with vapes. Awesome sounding and beautiful venue. Tycho was a treat as well. Highly recommended (though $17 for a double jack and coke is a little ridiculous). Pack smart, pregame, and enjoy the show in a lovely building.

Julius Buzzard

Saw Andrew Belle and Mat Kearney here and had a fabulous show! It’s small enough that there’s not a bad spot, yet big enough for some good headliners. The staff were friendly enough and the space seemed clean. There were too many beer ads, but that is to be expected.

Justin King

Great concert venue! Lots of historical features but always a great sound and time. Found out that there’s additional seating on the upper floors. A little toasty but that comes w/ the territory.

Matthew Cooper

The Riv always has the best artists and it's a great small venue to see your favorite artists. The only problem is the floor layout. If you don't get there early and stakeout your spot, you're going to be stuck behind some tall Dutch dude and wont be able to see a thing. Make sure you verify the door opening time and get there 30 minutes before the show to make sure you get the best spot.

Kelly O'Dowd

Great sound quality- very crowded venue. There's not a good viewing spot unless you're in the front at a sold out show. The balcony seats were G.A. so that was a perk, but had to get there early to find a decent spot there too.

Ramchandra Apte

No water dispenser and bathrooms are old/run down.

Sabrina DeStefano

Artists were amazing, good sound quality and venue was beautiful. Only reason not 5 stars is because tickets were only will call option for the first people who bought them and amongst picking up tickets they shorted everyone who paid for 1+. Also, only had one guy working the will call pick up.

Peter Berbee

I traveled from out of town for a concert. Sound was good and I'm fussy about sound. We were searched at the door, but. the security was polite. It is an older theater with bathrooms downstairs. I found it interesting and comfortable with no functional issues that would interfere with enjoying a concert.

Darren McGavin, Jr.

Great room, great atmosphere/vibe!! Seen some legends here! Psychedelic Furs, PiL, Patti Smith, Pretenders, Foos!!! The sound? Meh.

Matt Robinson

Great venue. Solid sight lines from the balcony. Intimate. GA on ground floor good for energetic mosh pits or dancing. Only downside was bathrooms. Only 2 for whole place, in the basement. It flooded the night we were there for Good Charlotte in both the mens and womens, otherwise I'd have given it 5 stars. Solid venue.

Blake LaTurno

Fantastic venue with great sound quality and light show. Love the staggered heights of the sections so even short people can see the stage clearly. Also love the multiple bars.

Tim Witek

Seen a handful of shows here and plan to see more in the future. Venue is pretty run-down but what small concert venues aren't? Easy to access via the Red Line. One thing that sucks is that in the winter the coat check line backs up into the main entrance so getting out of the building is a mess. Otherwise, nothing too special but if a favorite artist is playing there I wouldn't avoid the place.

Robert Youman

Excellent venue to see a concert. Intimate, great accoustics. You can sit upstairs or dance on the main floor. Gets hot in there, leave your coat in the car.

Claudia Herrera

It always surprises me that most big name acts decide to play at this venue, not that it's not worthy, but there are certainly nicer venues in the city. This is definitely a place for the younger crowd, anything from the facade, to the bathrooms, give you that sense of grimy teenage nostalgia. It's a fun place to attend a show, but don't expect all the formalities of other places that cater to that "older crowd."

Robert Michaelson

Saw George Ezra on April 29. This was an All Ages event, so consider this when reading. After reading some reviews, I was reluctant to let my 17 yr old son and friend go alone. I can tell you that I would have no concerns with letting them go to a similar event in the future. The neighborhood is good and clean, entry was fast and easy, and the venue is old but clean. The mens' room was clean; can't speak to the womens' room. The concert started at 7:30 pm, doors opened at 6 pm; we got in line at 3 pm and was about 40-50th in line. Did not check our coats; it was in the basement and would be a chore at the end of the show. The pit was fun (4 back from the stage), but my 47-yr old back will take a 2nd level seat next time. The poor reviews are likely related to a different/angry genre or pissed people. Don't let the haters keep you away from this venue! Will go again!

Allan A

Cool venue, seats upstairs have a better view than the floor. The sound was better upstairs too. Seriously, just go sit upstairs, you're reading reviews on a venue you already bought tickets for, you're old, go sit down.

Scott Seaholm

+Cool place for a concert, nice sound. -Only one bathroom per gender and the place holds 2500. -Drinks are absurdly priced. -Bathrooms smell terrible. -place is just not taken care of - paint is chipping off ceiling, patches are clearly not painted.

Jared Davis

Had GA fix, 1st balcony. Sound was great! Seat (like the condition of it not location), condition of venue, temperature inside venue all reasons to never return...unless of course the Roots came back.

Brent Benson

The sound was good a real good show and not as hot as it usually is in the venue.

Robert Townsend

After twenty years, the Riviera is still an awesome place to party. Takes me back to the 90's house music parties and concerts. ♥️

Dan Wuthrich

Johnnyswim was great, a little warm in there but otherwise very nice old theater. 2022.3.30, another JohnnySwim cover, same place, general admission this time. They were great, The Riviera was not. There was a major discrepancy on masks. Their website says that they are not required, but the band playing has the right to ask everyone to wear masks, and to see the bands info on the Riviera website. On the Riviera page for JohnnySwim, masks were optional. The security at Riviera says that they were not optional, which then I had to walk back to the car to get a mask to gain entry. Once inside 95% of the people were not wearing masks anyway. The security at Riviera need to get their facts straight. Even after showing them where it said they were optional on the Rivirera website, they still forced everyone to put a mask on... for about 30 seconds.

Mark Sidler

Expensive drinks and an unbelievably horribly designed coatcheck (seriously it will take you an extra 45 minutes minimum to get out of there if you use it)... But overall a cool old venue with great visibility from the pit and balcony.

Alexx

Pretty sweet venue. Saw Mac DeMarco there.

Queen Baby Peach

Crowded, hot, and just not the best place for an AURORA concert. But it's a beautiful place

321 and me

I went to see the Growler's here in 2018. I was a good venue and security was good, but not overbearing. Arrive early to get front row viewing and to fully grasp the enchanted atmosphere. I would recommend upcoming shows at this venue. See my photos on Instagram: @captainlongwoolsilver

Nate

I've seen two concerts here. Both were Phantogram. It's super dark and and dingy inside, but I think that's what makes it so great. It's not some cookie cutter venue. You can feel the history on the walls when you walk in and that makes it awesome.

Baramee Chindavong

A little old and falling a part maybe, but a great venue for live music. The sound is good. The setting is intimate. There are 3 main view sections. The setting lends itself to old school charm.

Flo Perez

Venue is easy to find and to get to through CTA or car (paid parking lot is available near by). The venue its self is big enough to breathe but small enough to feel like an intimate show. Coat check, average of $8 beers, and nice staff. Overall and anwesome place to see concerts!

Charles Scates

Beautiful venue! Easy parking, great staff.

Matthew Kucharski

pppp and goose. Nice place for a show. Aging facility but they know how to manage the crowds

Parker Simensen

The riv is a classic Chicago music staple. Venue is definitely on the aging side, but still good. Don't get sucked into the bar near the main entrance, as they have a huge circular bar in the back of the main hall that is much quicker service and less crowded. My main issue is the bathrooms being in the basement always creates such headaches because the coat check is also down there so people never know if they are in a bathroom or coat check line and confusion leads to anger. People never seem to have issues with security.

Japaul Sumra

The hall was beautiful. Loved the concert.

Bill Neeb

Sound was good. The venue is in need of a lot of updates, it's pretty run down right now.

Paul Stegmaier

It wasn't a bad theatre. But sightlines are absolutely horrible. Unless you are up front, you basically can not see the majority of the stage. I am just over 6 feet tall, and I still had a hard time seeing most of what was happening on stage. Unless the artist was on a platform on stage. It was hot and stuffy at times, but still manageable. And I agree that stairs cases to the bathrooms are downright dangerous, they are solid but steep with a low ceiling.

Chuck Dunn

Four sweet bands may have left me biased, but the place is pretty nice. Only complaint: basement bathrooms appear to be the only ones, which is a bit of a pickle if you're on the third floor and only have a few minutes between sets.

Ann Frances Dawa

The place is old, but books some of the best gigs around 😎 It's sweltering hot most of the upstairs, but when you're there for the music, you can definitely look past that 😁 The waiters and waitresses are amazing and so are the bartenders, so it makes up for the condition of the building and the seating 😉 …

Malinda Sully

Beautiful Venue. Great Staff. Loved all the options of where to sit/ stand.

Christian Chico

Been here for 2 different shows. The theatre gets packed. It’s not very clear which levels you are allowed on. Bartender can be rude, but I don’t blame them for what they have to put up with.

Betsy Thompson

Can't go wrong with seeing a concert at the Riv. I've been going here since high school and it's still a fantastic venue for music. I appreciate the upstairs seating, as I'm not as young as I used to be and getting crazy in the crowded first level can be rough on a week night.

Anthony Molina

Beautiful venue (if distressed is your thing). Love the in-seat service, though it's a bit more expensive than the bar. Sound could be a bit better, but everyone working here send to enjoy themselves.

Shawn Meilicke

Really cool looking venue, but the sound guy must've been sleeping. Could hardly identify what song I was hearing. As per usual at bigger venues, it's also like $4+ for a cup of water, which really shouldn't be a thing.

Brooke H.

Really cool venue. The upstairs is absolutely gorgeous and the prices weren't too bad for being a venues in Chicago. I hope to see more shows pop up here. New year's was an absolute blast!!

Yess STL

Nice piece of architecture, beautiful sound resonance. This theater also has the option to eighther stand with the crowd or sit upstairs where they alsohave a vip area with respective balconies. They have staff who walk through the iles taking drink orders. They're customer service is ok. although one of theyre security guards is very rude and clearly hates his job.

andy M.S

Went here for the Tenacious D concert and had a great time. I loved the divided section. The front for people who want to be closer and the back for those who want to enjoy the show without being pushed or stepped on.

Ana Gaxiola

I always have fun when I go to concerts at this theater, however the place is not well maintained, the sound is not the best she the girl's bathrooms are bad. But if you don't care about all of that she just go there for the music, you should be ok.

Bob Richards

Nice venue. Line is cold as hell in the winter and people line up hours in advance. There is a Starbucks across the street, which helps take the chill off. Line wraps around the north side down the sidewalk. Our experience for a sold out show was 75th in line showing up three hours in advance. Venue is general admission, with a large open floor area and seats in the balcony. 75th in line got us two deep from the stage, as people there early split between front row stage and the front row of the balcony. Decent sound, much better sound than the Aragon. Pro tip: security lines are by gender. So if you are going to a show that attracts more women than men, the men get into the venue much faster.

Russell Easley

A great place to see live music in an historic venue. Security is more serious than smaller venues but the lines for entry move quickly. There are multiple bars throughout and waitstaff. The only major complaint is the bathrooms are all located downstais.

jamba1878

Depends on the talent of course but you can see some really good shows here and have a great time. I don’t mind standing - in fact would prefer it and I’m 6’4” so I find a spot where others are also standing and apologize to all that stand behind me. I love this place.

Eddie Moy

It's not the best concert hall in Chicago, nor is it the worst. I came here to see CHVRCHES and I had no issues with the sound quality which was fairly good. The bar is cash only and there's only one ATM in the venue. I'd come back without thinking twice for another show.

GuerillaManifesto

Great venue, very large space for how small it looks. Like all music venues, however, the drinks are so overpriced it's comedic. $6 for a small can of beer. Give me a break.

Max Hernandez

Been here a couple times over the years and have not had any bad experiences. Absolutely love coming here (:

Daniel VanTilburg

A uniquely inefficient trashy venue that has an unfortunately good location. Don't check your coat there and wear shoes you dont mind getting beer on. You should be fine if you follow those two rules.

Sébastien G.

I went there for Chelsea Wolfe + Ministry concert and it was awesome. The venue is good, sound was quite good too (bring ear plugs), and the staff is very friendly. One of my favorite venue so far.

Mark Lincoln

Amazing place! The architecture and the acoustics in the place are great. Only downside is if your a smoker then you will have to wait until the show is over.

Fernando CU

Favorite spot in Chicago, such a treasure in the Uptown area.

Lori Stromski

We have been to the Riviera twice and both experiences were great! We had no problems finding parking Both times on the street Free! The sound was great and the theatre is stunning! Service was great and everything was clean 🙌 …

David Rivera

This is a great venue, one of Chicago's best. I've seen Air, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Interpol, and Tame Impala at the Riv. The acoustics are dead-on perfect. I look forward to any show here because I know I'll have a good time.

Alix Sanchez Reedy

The theatre is beautiful! And the staff are very nice and helpful. Awesome place to catch a show. Plenty of space to dance and to sit and watch from the balcony.

Theresa Kettner (Lazermaker)

Was in the front row at the Opeth concert and some girl tapped me on the shoulder and said: "Not to be a b*!$@ but could you let your arms down." I have never been told/asked this at a metal show ever and I've been headbanging for years. Needless to say, I just turned around and looked at her, looked at my boyfriend and asked him if she really just said that, and then slowly turned back around and continued with my concerting. Later when we were by the bar some security guy grabbed us and asked if we wanted to go up to the balcony to see the show. It was awesome from there too 💀🙌

Laura Hill

Nice theater. Only allows small pursues, mini backpacks are not recommended.

Hector Juan Colón

Concert venue was great! Lots of seating and ample standing room. Drinks were never far since wait staff was up and about.

Jayce Mabry

Had a good time. Enjoyed the concert.

Nick Tejeda

If you go when it's not sold out, it's great. If you go when it's oversold it's somewhat brutal. Tough to get through the crowd and unless you're locked in the middle you'll have problems getting in and out of the dense crowds. It's not the steepest floors so it's tough to see over the folks in front of you. If you're late and trying to get to the first level, go to the far left side and use the ramp to get down. It'll take some work but you should be able to get into the lower level from the left.

Aaron Richard

I think the bar at the rear is a place for people to talk through the concert we paid to see. Very annoying. Maybe not the venues fault. They should close the bar during concerts or something. Maybe Chicago is just full of rude people who talk during concerts. Beautiful venue though.

Kyle Van Der Aa

The Riviera is pretty easy to get to with the red line just down the street. The beer at the show I was at was not terribly priced. The place is just so run down and gross. The bathrooms in the basement are disgusting. The building itself looks like it's in some serious need of repair - e.g. cracking concrete and paint. The venue itself is so-so. Line of sight is very restricted if you're not standing in the area immediately in front of the stage. The quality of sound was pretty good but that is expected in a small indoor venue.

Randy Kim

I have seen a few good shows there. Good history behind it with the uptown and aragon. Iconic in its day. They have had problems in the way they have treated its workers recently. Bathrooms could be better updated. Entrance and exit is very congested.

Bret Wilson

Absolutely loved seeing Andrew McMahon here! The theatre has so much potential for renovation as well. I work for a theatre from 1928 so it was awesome to see another historic theatre with character. Please take care of the riviera!

Zac Folkerts

The sound and ventilation are rather lackluster. Came from KC to see The The perform and was rather underwhelmed by the venue choice. The speaker columns were also setting on the stage rather than being suspended from the top of if. This place has potential but the execution is lacking.

Latawsha Maulson

I was there for the black coffee concert, I WAS ANGRY YELLING AND IRATE WHEN I SHOWED UP BECAUSE THEY WERE ASKING FOR PROOF OF VACCINATION NOT TICKETS. BUT THE SECURITY TEAM DID NOT FEED INTO THAT THEY STAYED OVER PROFESSIONAL,AND DELT WITH THE SITUATION, AND I STILL GOT IN (I DIDNT CURSE AT THEM OR MAKE THREATS ) GOD GOT ME INTO THAT CONCERT, I STAYED IN THE BALCONY DANCING THE WHOLE TIME...

Janelle Basa

It was my 2nd time here, and definitely my favorite!

Kellyn Kory

Expensive drinks. Great shows!

Nick Watt

Not my favorite concert venue to catch a show in Chicago but it's decent. The sight lines aren't great.

Ella Battistoni

The theater was pretty good things where really expensive but over i loved it!

Sviteknology Music

Great live venue!

Otaku Chan097

Giving this venue a three for now, I haven't been here yet, but am planning to show up for a concert around January 20 for Black Veil Brides(love em!), I also got myself a VIP meet and greet photo op included package(hope it is what it says it is). I'm so excited to meet them, I'm even planning on bringing them gifts. However after reading other reviews, i'm a bit scared to go now... after people constantly complaining about health, bathrooms, the staff, sight of the stage( I'm 5'8.5.... so hope won't be a problem), big crowds, and most importantly the temperature problems. This got me a bit worried because, I have bad anemia... meaning the fact that I black out/ pass out/ get dizzy very easily if it gets too hot for me... especially cause I am severely underweight as well. So I hope that they fix that before january 20! Do it for me, I beg of you! Because i want to have a great time, listening to the music and all. And not be that one person to miss out, and have to leave early cause i start to suddenly get sick from the heat/ smells. Hope that doesn't happen, and hope conditioning would be on by the time BVB comes there. I'll just pray everything will go as i hope. That's all for now.

Anthony Ramirez

Smaller than the Aragon that is almost right down the block. (and honestly better than Aragon I think) Right near the Lawrence red line stop. Its a great venue with a great location and easy to get to. Beer prices are what you would expect. Never had any issues with security or lines getting in. And have seen some great sold-out performances here. Can't wait to see Kraftwerk here in a couple of days. Also Pro Tip: They don't have a box office but you can buy tickets to shows at the Riv at the Vic box office and avoid those nasty service fees, assuming it doesn't sell out immediately in which case stick with the internets.

Dean Krueger

Its $10 a shot of titos, so wack yo! The mens bathroom was flooded after the show

Tracette White

The people that work here are amazing they were pleasant and helpful. When things went wrong they let us know what was going on and they were not mean about it. They handled a big crowd better than any venue I have seen. AMAZING STAFF!!!

Andrew Wiesbrock

Great place to hear a smaller-sized band. A little run-down, though. You could tell it used to be an immaculate and gorgeous venue, but time has not been kind. Still, it has a very unique feel to it and makes for a great evening.

Viiziionn

Great Experience Not a bad venue at all. Drinks are a little pricey. Only con is it gets very very hot in there. Besides that very solid place to see a show.

Shanecia “Pooh816”

I went to a concert and it was general admissions for seating. We sat wherever we wanted with no problems. The place looked like a haunted house but overall service was great!

Aaron Fogg

Chill venue, but pricey drinks.

Rick Pinkerton

The small venue but great time very good Acoustics very great sounding everything all right way around I recommend you get a chance to go see a show over there

Sarah Cano

Not the greatest venue. Its really old & nostalgic, but needs work done. Very hot inside too, even in the winter!! Seen Elle King there tho and she tore the house down, but even she complained about the heat!

Betty Griffin

I were impressed!! I had heard about it but had never visited. Large and spacious seating.I can see history. My seat was close so the viewing was good. Customer service was good

Eric Olson

Saw the black crows here, on the plus side they have fat tire at the bars so it's not all garbage beer. Downside is the lyrics get washed out of the song acoustically, I couldn't understand any of the words and my buddy who has seen a few shows at the Riv say it's about the same. Seats in the balcony standing room only on the floor.

stephanie huntley

Second floor is kinda meh. First floor is a great view from any angle.

Gregg Mccarty

Place is cool, really good acoustics, bars properly set up, lower level standing room, upper level seating, only complaint is last visit was an absolute sweat box/sauna.

Lucas DeClerck

Awesome venue.

Antonia Asimis

Love this place have been going here since I was young, you can catch great bands and see them in a pretty intimate space for little money and have a great time. beats huge arenas. highly suggest it.

Purl

Saw Tenacious D there last and it was phenomenal! Been coming here since the early 90s. I love the Riv! Always have and always will 😊❤️💜 …

J B

Old time fancy. Its a cool spot

Travis Slagle

They have some good shows! There are plenty of bars to grab a drink, and I actually really like sitting in the balcony. Cool place!

Shelley Torbik

Always a great place for a close feel for concerts.

Matt Sauro

Great venue, but make sure you get there early or you won't be able to see anything. Also, as most venues wont to be, the drinks are expensive.

Adam Hagg

What am awesome venue for an intimate concert! Really "old" feel but good ingress/egress layout and not a bad view in the house.

Zachary Taylor

Streetlight Manifesto show here was great. Sound could've used some improvement, but being able to sit in the balcony and order drink service without missing any part of the show was beyond stellar.

Brett Kho

Although the acoustics/soundstaging aren't the greatest, I really appreciate the staff here for being cool, humane, and generally stay out of your way without imposing too many rules. $4 for bottle of water.

Josh Stephens

They opened it up in there a lot, still kinda looks like its falling apart but it was fun

Tim Hogaboom

Smaller venue, awesome beer, easy to see the stage

Malik Purvis

Its shabby but makes for a lot of spacious concerts, just wish they had a place to hang jackets

Benjamin Tyler

Great venue. Good balcony seating makes concerts more enjoyable. Very cool interior decor, beautiful old building.

Jason Abdalla

Great venue, but the acoustics are aggressive. Bring ear plugs if you don't want your ears ringing for a couple days after.

Andrew Shaffer

I saw a hardcore/post rock show here. The sound wasn't good and the layout of the theater made it hard to get around when it was packed. Plenty of spots to get drinks at though!

Samuel Radford

Concert sounded great and there were plenty of spots were you could see the band. Drinks were way too pricey for how little they give you, even for a concert

elliot velez

This place is awesome. Love the venue. The drinks are a little pricey. Overall this place is pretty cool.

Jess Mean

A quintessential Chicago activity is to see a show at one of the many vintage theaters like The Riv, The Aragon or the Chicago Theater. I prefer the Riv because it's close to public transit, has decent acoustics, great people watching, and always gets great up-and-coming acts. Foster the People put on a great show here and I look forward to their return.

Sandya Kumar

Highly recommend anyone to come check out a concert here. We always sit up in the balcony, and the stage view is great!

Carter Mattig

One of the best places to see a show in Chicago; still a bit dated but easy to get a drink and easy to get close to the stage. And great views from the balcony!

Gigi Leveillee

Beautiful venue for a concert! The sound is incredible!

moe “Momo” farhan

Vary cool place, will deff be one of my places to go see a great show.

KrystiAna Disbrow

Great place to see a show. Feels more intimate than it is. Also, there is balcony seating available.

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