Premier Rock Forum

What is your favorite Chicago institution, which I’m defining as something that’s been around for a century (or close to it) and has operated more or less continuously the whole time?

Feel free to list others.

My first instinct was to say the John Hancock Center but that doesn't meet the century criteria.

Favorites of those listed include The Chicago Theatre and Wrigley Field.

The Auditorium Theatre ain't shabby, either.

jfv wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 1:19 pm The Auditorium Theatre ain't shabby, either.

Argh, I *knew* I forgot an obvious one.

Another argh: that should say the Green Door,
not the Green Room.

might be biased because I worked there for a decade, and not sure if it his as hard as it used to but the Chicago Cultural Center hosts so much free arts programming it is high in the ranking for me. Music, theater, film, dance, exhibits... they do it all. all free.

I've lived in Chicago my entire life and have never heard of Rainbow Cone until today. Weird! Is it better than Margie's or totally different?

Out of the choices given I'm going with the Brawlroom. Saw many good performances there starting with Metallica.

The Art Institute has That Which I Should Have Done, I Did Not Do, so there it is.

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 2:19 pm I've lived in Chicago my entire life and have never heard of Rainbow Cone until today. Weird! Is it better than Margie's or totally different?

Never been there either! Same goes for the Green Door.

Wood Goblin wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 2:31 pm Never been there either! Same goes for the Green Door.

Never heard of Green Door either. Where have I been?

Wish Soul Queen or Army and Lou's was still around. Still got Lem's!

rsmurphy wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 2:57 pm Still got Lem's!

Totally beautiful building, too. They’re 30 years short of a century but will certainly make it.

Of my own choices, I’m stuck between the Music Box and the Green Mill. Berghoff is kinda meh. Central Camera is finally working to return to something like its pre-fire spirit.

In a slightly different direction I can never get enough Garfield Park Conservatory (and its historic L station too).