Chicago's Empty Bottle Celebrates 33 & 1/3 Years as a Hub for Local Music Community
When the Empty Bottle first opened in 1992, it was already gaining a reputation as a "cat-ridden hole-in-the-wall bar." But over the years, the venue has transformed into something more than just a cheap drinks and a house cat. It's become a launching pad for future stars and other live music venues in the city.
The Bottle has played host to some of the biggest names in music, including Lady Gaga, The Strokes, The White Stripes, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Jack White himself has spoken about how the venue helped shape his early career. And while it's still a beloved fixture in Chicago's live music scene, Empty Bottle is also celebrating its impact on the community.
To mark this milestone, the venue will be hosting an 11-day run of concerts featuring some of the best local and national acts. From indie rockers like Whitney to the experimental Osees, there's something for everyone at the Bottle's 33 & 1/3 celebration.
For Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkelman, this anniversary is a chance to reflect on what he's accomplished. "This is an opportunity for us to put a stick in the ground and say we're celebrating this moment from this period on and drawing some attention to the fact that we're extremely proud of what we do," he said.
Finkelman has always put community at the forefront of his business model, welcoming artists and music fans alike into the Bottle's intimate 400-capacity room. And it's worked: Empty Bottle has become a beloved institution in Chicago, providing a space for local bands to hone their craft and connect with fans.
But Finkelman knows that there are still challenges ahead. With the rise of larger venues and live music festivals, independent clubs like his own face stiff competition for attention. That's why he's committed to supporting local artists and keeping Empty Bottle at the forefront of Chicago's live music scene.
"We're not just a club, we're a community," Finkelman said. "We welcome creative people and give them a space to try out their new material. We introduce them to fans who might not be able to spend that cover charge."
And it's working: Empty Bottle has long been a leader in Chicago's live music scene, hosting everything from free Monday nights for local bands to full-on festival productions.
As Finkelman looks to the future, he's excited about what's next for the Bottle and its sister venues. With plans to expand into neighboring territory at Salt Shed, the possibilities are endless.
"We're not done yet," Finkelman said. "We're always looking for ways to maximize what we do and bring more culture to this city."
With its 33 & 1/3 anniversary celebration underway, Empty Bottle is once again proving why it's one of Chicago's most beloved live music venues. Come check out the show – and experience a piece of local music history for yourself.
When the Empty Bottle first opened in 1992, it was already gaining a reputation as a "cat-ridden hole-in-the-wall bar." But over the years, the venue has transformed into something more than just a cheap drinks and a house cat. It's become a launching pad for future stars and other live music venues in the city.
The Bottle has played host to some of the biggest names in music, including Lady Gaga, The Strokes, The White Stripes, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Jack White himself has spoken about how the venue helped shape his early career. And while it's still a beloved fixture in Chicago's live music scene, Empty Bottle is also celebrating its impact on the community.
To mark this milestone, the venue will be hosting an 11-day run of concerts featuring some of the best local and national acts. From indie rockers like Whitney to the experimental Osees, there's something for everyone at the Bottle's 33 & 1/3 celebration.
For Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkelman, this anniversary is a chance to reflect on what he's accomplished. "This is an opportunity for us to put a stick in the ground and say we're celebrating this moment from this period on and drawing some attention to the fact that we're extremely proud of what we do," he said.
Finkelman has always put community at the forefront of his business model, welcoming artists and music fans alike into the Bottle's intimate 400-capacity room. And it's worked: Empty Bottle has become a beloved institution in Chicago, providing a space for local bands to hone their craft and connect with fans.
But Finkelman knows that there are still challenges ahead. With the rise of larger venues and live music festivals, independent clubs like his own face stiff competition for attention. That's why he's committed to supporting local artists and keeping Empty Bottle at the forefront of Chicago's live music scene.
"We're not just a club, we're a community," Finkelman said. "We welcome creative people and give them a space to try out their new material. We introduce them to fans who might not be able to spend that cover charge."
And it's working: Empty Bottle has long been a leader in Chicago's live music scene, hosting everything from free Monday nights for local bands to full-on festival productions.
As Finkelman looks to the future, he's excited about what's next for the Bottle and its sister venues. With plans to expand into neighboring territory at Salt Shed, the possibilities are endless.
"We're not done yet," Finkelman said. "We're always looking for ways to maximize what we do and bring more culture to this city."
With its 33 & 1/3 anniversary celebration underway, Empty Bottle is once again proving why it's one of Chicago's most beloved live music venues. Come check out the show – and experience a piece of local music history for yourself.
! its like, they've got this crazy amount of history and still keep it super chill 
. i mean, lady gaga played there!! can u imagine what that was like for the artists back then? 
bruce finkelman is def a hero for keeping the community vibe going and supporting local bands 
. and now they're expanding into new territory at salt shed - yessss, more culture in chicago is always a good thing 
I'm loving how Empty Bottle has been able to adapt over the years while still maintaining that special vibe 
. They've become this hub for not just new artists but also established ones like Jack White, which is insane! 
It's all about creating a space where people can come together and appreciate live music, you know? And it's amazing how Bruce Finkelman has prioritized the community aspect of his business model – it really shows in everything they do 
. Can't wait to see what they have planned for the future! 
bruce finkelman seems like an amazing dude for putting community first and supporting local artists 
the fact that they're celebrating their 33 & 1/3 anniversary is super exciting, can't wait to check out the concerts 
So I'm thinking about this Empty Bottle place in Chicago and how they've been around for 33 & 1/3 years... that's crazy! They started off as just a bar with a house cat, but now it's like a launching pad for famous musicians and a community hub for local artists. 
... it's like, whoa! 
... it's so cool to see how the community has grown around the venue 
... I'm so down for this 11-day run of concerts – can't wait to discover new tunes 
... and yeah, it's a little bittersweet seeing how the live music scene has changed since the Bottle first opened 
... but hey, here's to many more years of Empty Bottle being the hub of all things Chicago music 
)
its like they forgot where their roots were but at the same time i can understand why they had to adapt to stay alive 
and now its amazing to see them celebrate 33 & 1/3 years of bringing music to the community 
especially with all these sick local acts performing 
I mean, 33 & 1/3 years is cute but has anyone else noticed that most 'indie' bands are just older bands playing at the same venues they did 10 yrs ago? 
and have seen some legendary acts pass through those doors. like who cares about the White Stripes when you can see Whitney live in an intimate setting though 
. The Bottle's ability to strike a balance between providing a space for local bands to hone their craft and drawing in bigger acts is truly impressive 
. As the music landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Empty Bottle adapts and expands into neighboring territory 
. For now, let's raise a glass (or two) to this beloved institution and its continued contributions to Chicago's vibrant cultural scene! 
. Glad to see local artists gettin' the love 
. Now let's see those bigger venues step up their game 
. but finkelman's response to that is really inspiring – he's focused on supporting local artists and giving them a space to showcase their talents. it's a reminder that even in a crowded industry, there's still room for innovation and community-driven initiatives 
I mean can you even believe how fast time flies?! It feels like just yesterday we were all sipping on cheap beers at that hole-in-the-wall bar 
It's like, Empty Bottle needs to keep pushing the boundaries and making it happen in their own way 
to becoming a launching pad for future stars and a staple of the Chicago live music scene. Bruce Finkelman is such a champion of the local community, always putting artists and fans first 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that they're hosting a 11-day run of concerts featuring some amazing acts? 
!
. But what really gets me is how Bruce Finkelman puts his community at the forefront of everything he does