Park West Concert Venue / Theater

The Park West, a Lincoln Park music venue, opened as a vaudeville and movie theater in the 1920s. By the 1960s, it was an adult-movie and burlesque theater. It entered its current incarnation as a live music and special event venue in 1977. Concerts at the Park West have included many notable alternative and classic rock acts.

True to its upscale neighborhood, the Park West is more 1980s yuppie modern than the usual gritty cave. The theater’s small size lends itself to acoustic, roots, and blues acts, and the lounge set-up attracts stand-up comedians.

Unlike cavernous music venues, the intimate Park West space is set up lounge-style. Besides the standing-room area in front of the stage, there is seating on the main floor and balcony. Booths with tables can be reserved ahead of time; otherwise, the Park West has general seating. The Park West has multiple bars and can be rented out for private functions.