Metro Theater, Chicago, Guia do visitante e o que fazer por perto

Metro is a live music venue at 3730 N Clark Street in Chicago, a short walk north of Wrigley Field. Opened in 1982, it is one of the city's best-known rock clubs and a landmark of its indie music scene. Beneath it sits a second club, Smart Bar, long tied to Chicago's electronic and house music world.

The story behind it

Metro opened in 1982 and quickly became a place where touring bands and local acts shared the same small stage. Over the decades it has hosted big names in alternative rock, including Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins, in a room where the crowd stands close to the performers. That closeness is a large part of its reputation.

The club occupies a building from the 1920s, and its worn, intimate feel suits the music played inside. Downstairs, Smart Bar gives the address a second identity as a hub for dance music in Chicago. Together the two spaces have made this corner of Lakeview a reference point for anyone interested in the city's music history.

What to look for

• The street-facing front of the building and its signage, which look like a working rock club rather than a polished concert hall.
• Posters and listings for upcoming shows, which show how much the programme changes from week to week.
• The crowds gathering outside on a show night, a good sign of the venue's loyal following.
• The nearby bulk of Wrigley Field, which shows how close music and baseball sit side by side in this neighbourhood.

Tips for your visit

• You can see the exterior in a few minutes, so it pairs well with a longer walk around Wrigleyville and Lakeview.
• To go inside you generally need a ticket for a show or event, so check the current listings before you plan around it.
• The street is liveliest on show nights and on Cubs game days, so expect crowds and pick your timing to match what you want to see.
• Wrigley Field and the surrounding bars and cafes are close by, which makes this an easy stop on a day out in the area.

See it on a quest

Playing Captured Cubs Player in Chicago: a Ken Clever Mystery is a good way to see Metro and its surroundings. You reach the venue on foot as one stop of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. With its Cubs theme, the quest suits a visit to this part of the city. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.