Metro Chicago is a 1,100-capacity concert hall at 3730 N Clark Street in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. Housed in a 1927 building that originally served as a Swedish Community Center, the venue opened in 1982 under owner Joe Shanahan, whose inaugural booking — R.E.M. at a $5 admission — immediately established Metro’s commitment to emerging and adventurous music.
Over four decades Metro earned a reputation as one of North America’s most storied mid-sized rooms. The Smashing Pumpkins performed both their first and last shows on its stage, Pearl Jam recorded a live album there in March 1992, and Jeff Buckley filmed his only concert DVD — Live in Chicago — within its walls. In October 2007 Shanahan received a Recording Academy Honors award recognizing Metro’s quarter-century of impact on the music industry.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 3730 N Clark St, Wrigleyville, Chicago, IL
- Opened: 1982
- Building: 1927 (originally a Swedish Community Center)
- Capacity: 1,100 (main floor and balcony)
- Smart Bar: 400-capacity basement dance club (opened 1982)
- Famous for: First and last Smashing Pumpkins shows; Pearl Jam’s 1992 live album; Jeff Buckley’s only concert DVD
Landmark Moments in Live Music History
Metro’s history is studded with nights that became cornerstones of rock history. Beyond the Pumpkins and Pearl Jam milestones, the club hosted one of Blind Melon’s final concerts with singer Shannon Hoon on September 27, 1995 — later released as a filmed document. Bob Dylan marked Metro’s 15th anniversary with two intimate shows, and Metallica and Chance the Rapper both appeared on the same stage as they climbed toward mainstream fame.
The venue was also central to Chicago’s early 1980s industrial music explosion, booking Cabaret Voltaire, KMFDM, and Einstürzende Neubauten when few other American clubs would. That willingness to champion boundary-pushing acts defined Metro’s identity and helped sustain entire scenes through their formative years.
Smart Bar and the Room That Keeps Artists Coming Back
Metro shares its 1927 building with Smart Bar, a 400-capacity dance club that opened in July 1982 in the basement. While Metro hosts live concerts on the main floor and balcony, Smart Bar has operated for decades as a destination for DJs and electronic music, making the Clark Street address a two-tiered hub for Chicago nightlife.
The building’s layout gives Metro a distinctive intimacy rarely found in a 1,100-person room: a standing main floor, a wraparound balcony, and sight lines that keep the crowd close to the stage. That quality is frequently cited as the reason artists continue to choose Metro for career-defining performances.
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Metro Chicago FAQs
Where is Metro Chicago located?
Metro Chicago is at 3730 N Clark Street in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, just steps from Wrigley Field.
What is Metro Chicago’s capacity?
The main venue holds around 1,100 people across the main floor and balcony. The basement Smart Bar accommodates an additional 400 guests.
Who founded Metro Chicago?
Joe Shanahan founded Metro and opened it in 1982. He remained its owner and in October 2007 received a Recording Academy Honors award recognizing Metro’s contributions to the music industry.
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Photo: Joi Ito / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.