Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

I was just there for AEW Dynamite. This was my firs time at the venue. I have to say I was blown away by how beautiful it was. It was nice not being overwhelmed with too many people like in stadiums. The security was not bad like some people say. The bathrooms were clean. I also did not ever feel not safe like some say. It might be different for concerts, but for wrestling, it was perfect. I will plan a visit here again very soon! Also, the pizza was great! Also, just being there is making you a part of history. I highly recommend being in this amazing place just for the vibe of the amazing history that has walked within its walls.

I did not know what to expect for this place. I was absolutely blown away by the inside of the venue upstairs where the concert actually took place. It is as if you are outside in a courtyard of possibly Spanish village and there's a night sky with galaxies painted on the ceiling. This building is extremely unique and I would gladly go to another concert here. It was just awesome.

Really smooth and easy to get in. 4.5/5. Really large venue with good sound. Even squished among people, the high ceiling made it feel less cramped. Though, the alcohol prices are incredibly high.

Real nice, concession prices are not to be believed though. You'd think you were at Disney. $6.50 for a can of water, $12.00 for a box of popcorn. Both you could get at Family Dollar for $2.50. You expect to pay something more, but not $18.50.

The venue was easy to find as was adequate, nearby parking. The area was secure, we felt safe. That being said, the general admission, standing area was all one level. Being 5'3" tall, it was difficult to see, even though the stage is elevated. Some very nice people around us made a small clearing, so I could take a few photographs.

This is an amazing venue for a concert. I’ve been to a lot of venues in the United States and Canada. This is in the top 5 easy. You definitely have to check out these photos.

This place was rather unusual for me. They hold a lot of concerts. The first floor is entrance where they make sure you are not bringing any water, guns; the second floor is main floor for dancing and people to stand and there is the next floor for VIPs. There are plenty of bars on all the floors. The restrooms are huge on the first floor. The price for beverages was outrageous as we paid $80 for two cocktails.

Beautiful live music venue that feels right out of a fairy tale. Sound and sightlines are perfect, It never feels 'too' loud. The feeling you get going to shows here is one of a kind, theres nothing like it in the country. Hands down my favorite venue in the city. Plus side they have food, as well as some very expensive cocktails.

Ahhhh the Aragon! Rumor has it that their last show is Memorial Day weekend because there's no AC here... so they do not offer concerts in the hottest months of summer. Any time of year though, it's sweaty. My favorite spot to stand is on the edge of the step going onto the main floor. You're slightly above everyone else! I usually find street parking a few blocks away. The neighborhood can be sketchy but also very well lit and always traffic. Street meat vendors are always riiiiiight there. The women's bathrooms are THE BEST for selfies/usies. There's never ever a line for the bathrooms either- there's plenty of stalls! rock on

Attended a concert here and the staff were very helpful. The people working the lines were lovely. The staff guided me to the accessible area and were helpful all around.

VIP tables are a scam. The sound is terrible you can barely hear the singer. Couldn't see at all. Paid 160$ for an upgrade sitting at house left and I couldn't see AT ALL. not sure why they would sell these tix. I am short so I got the VIP so we could SEE. So I tried to sit on my knees in the seat so I could at least see a little and the security told me I wasn't allowed to. (There was nobody behind me) Definitely was so close to fighting for a refund. And almost ruined my favorite artist show.

The Aaragon Ballroom is a nice concert venue in Uptown, the inside is absolutely beautiful with the space ceiling with light up stars, a disco ball and the castle like balconies upstairs in the ballroom. I have seen a few concerts here over the years. This venue always gets pretty good concerts and there's plenty of parking available on the streets (for free and at your own risk) and paid parking lots available in the area. As much as I like the venue, I have to subtract 2 stars for the entry process to the venue/the security team at the doors. There is 0 organization for ticket types at the doors, despite security employees being at the doors and one usually outside by the line. It literally does not matter if you have VIP/Fast Lane/General Admission, they aren't checking it which is very frustrating to those that paid extra for first in the door. I'd recommend arriving 2-3 hours prior to the show time if you want front of the stage view. Very poor communication/organization with the security team, and when you get inside they're pretty rude as well. Despite the poor entry process/security team, it's a beautiful venue on the inside and is a medium size venue but still small enough for it to be an intimate concert experience.

My husband and I attended the Macklemore concert. It was really fun! The venue itself is HUGE and quite frankly, a little easy to get lost...lol. I've attended a few times in the past but I don't remember it being as big. The parking situation is limited to none. You can get lucky a few blocks down with pay to park along Lawrence or Broadway. I wouldn't recommend doing any spot heros as they turn out to be a little to far and a little too convoluted. I wasn't a fan of the venues noise level/bass. It was extremely too loud - to be fair I can't remember the last time I went to a concert where the sound/speakers were level and clean-if that makes sense. Very overpriced for less than decent drinks- $35 for two drinks-insanity-feels like Vegas.

Attended R&B Only an 18 + event so the ages ranged from young to older! No issues whatsoever Parking: just Uber or get dropped off parking is nearly nonexistent...save yourself the trouble Ambiance: huge and nice decor Standing room only on main floor so dress comfortably..standing and dancing for more than 4 hours will not be fun in heels...thank me later! Service: staff were very nice from security to bar staff! Food: street taco vendors available from start of show until end(not affiliated with venue I'm sure but it's an option) The only downside: PEOPLE SMOKING was so distracting and it wasn't just cigarettes...not sure why it was allowed! Overall great place for a concert...left pleased!

I would say, this place needs love in terms of some sort of restoration. I get it's a landmark, but entering and looking around not much care is given to the space. There are some small details that have been covered in dust over time, tiles that could be replaced. It's a great spot for a venue, certain maintains the ballroom essence and feeling. Drinks were watered down, or offered as a tall boy. Which I didn't complain, all the drinkers who were standing quickly made space for me to move forward toward the stage.

I love the bands that performed there but there were some issues. The speaker for Dethklok was perfect. However, when Babymetal came on it seemed like the middle speaker wasn't working properly. It wasn't as loud. Upon arrival, there was a huge line just to get in, even after doors opened and the opening act was almost done. Getting downstairs after the show ended was painstakingly slow, I feel like there should be a more efficient way of directing the crowd. I know the venue is old but at least fix the sound system.

So Much Musical Legend has performed here. I do and do recommend taking a taxi or uber or limo to the "ARAGON BALLROOM. The CTA (train line), has a stop near by. They have split bathrooms. Serve Alcohol.

I just recently had major spinal surgery and asked the F&B Director Karen Johannesen about ADA accessibility and seating before seeing Orville Peck last night and she directed me to guest services. The staff at the guest services had already talked to Karen by the time I had gotten there and Michelle P., Berenice, Patty, and Gabe gladly and efficiently accommodated my needs in a way that went well above and beyond any expectations I might have had. My wife and I had an incredible first experience at The Aragon seeing Orville Peck due to the amazing staff. I will be telling everyone about how well The Aragon treated me and how wonderful the space is and how stellar the staff are. We'll definitely be back.

It sucks its mostly standing room only, but, all the times I've been, never been disappointed. Great restaurants and pubs nearby to eat drink and then go to the venue to be merry.

Five of us from out of town attended a concert on July 20. It was the first time we at Aragon Ballroom. We ran into Tim & Sarah while walking around the venue. I think they worked for Live Nation. They were very helpful in providing a recommendation on where to eat and what time we needed to be back to get into the show on time. The venue was a classic place. They told us it will be 100 years old next year. Hopefully, we can get back to enjoy another show at this Great venue!

We saw All Time Low here with Gym Class Heroes. Neither my husband or I were impressed with the sound quality at the venue. That's the #1 most important quality in a concert venue as far as I'm concerned. We started by standing on the right hand side when facing the stage. The drums were overpowering on that side and we could barely hear the band. We moved over to the left side, which made it easier to hear the guitar and vocals, but there was still so much reverb that it was hard to understand the vocals. The actual venue has a very large women's restroom that made it so I did it have to wait in line, and then plenty of bars/food areas. The sound was terrible though, so I'd pass on this venue next time.

Went to see Jungle last night at this location. The line went around the building however the line went very quickly. If you ever been to the Metro it's kind of set up the same way inside but I think Aragon is larger. There are levels and a main floor. It's pretty huge and I wasn't cramped. The only thing I didn't like about this place was the sound sometimes seemed far off. The medical staff was pretty much on top of things ppl were passing out as if this was a Micheal Jackson concert. I swear people can't hold their liquor. I think the staff overall managed the spot well. As I stated I hated the sound and I came for music not the staff. Parking didn't seem good I took an Uber which sucked because after the concert Uber and Lyft surge prices. I paid $57 to get home YUCK!! Overall I enjoyed myself though.

I need to shout out the woman from guest services who worked the evening of 8/5 for Fred Again's after show. Maybe 5'6, with black hair. A friend of mine flew in from Florida for Lollapalooza and on day 3, while dancing in the mud, slipped and fractured his ankle. My friend was treated, booted, and sent off to rest in the hotel with crutches. When the festival ended, I met him up with expectations that we'd be selling our tickets to the show but he was determined to not miss it! So we arrived to the venue around 11:45pm. This woman, along with medical staff on site, made it their mission to assist us with ADA accommodations. I'm super grateful to her and my friend. We had an amazing time! Thank you!!!!!!

Somehow this was my first show at the Aragon Ballroom, but we came for the Evanescence The Nights We Stole Christmas show. I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was super friendly and helpful, the lines weren't too bad getting into the venue or for the vendors/merch inside. The actual ballroom is such a cool looking place with a painted ceiling and walls that look like a palace. There was fake snow that really helped add to the Christmassy feel of it. Masks weren't enforced once you made it through the front door, which was a bummer. The sound quality was pretty good, and we were able to see the stage well even though we were hanging to the back. Lyft didn't have an issue dropping us off, or picking us up after it was over. Perhaps my favorite part of the evening were the dudes out front selling bootleg shirts for bands that hadn't even played. I'd come back here again, and that's a good thing since I have another two concerts lined up in 2022.

We came here last year to watch Deadmau5 and the venue was changed last minute to the Aragon ballroom. We were kind of bothered that this was farther than the original venue location, but we were OK with it because public transportation is really good and it was going to rain (the venue was changed from an outdoor to indoor location). When we got to the venue, I couldn't help but notice how it looks like the Excalibur hotel from Las Vegas. It looks dated in there and it's just an awkward open venue. I didn't like how there were lights lit up around the venue as well - I get that it's for emergencies and walkways, but there can be another way to have this without it distracting an eventgoer from the show. The show was great, the DJ's hosted a great performance for each set and everyone was super friendly and gave their space - it didn't feel crowded at all. Traveling back to our airbnb was not an issue either - getting a lyft was pretty quick and easy.

Sound is awful. No option to not pay for water. Everything is over priced. My least favorite venue.

A beautiful vintage venue with striking architecture. Feels like this place would be wonderful as an actual ballroom, used for holiday dances and such (and im sure they do that sometimes!). As a concert venue, it's alright. I was here for CHVRCHES on 11.19.21, right up at the barricade. Entry was very easy with COVID and a quick security search. Sound system was loud, but lost a bit of clarity on more complex songs. Stage provides a nice marquee for the show, but I feel like it's way too high up. Maybe for DJ shows this works great, but it made the band feel like they were far away even right up front. Security was solid, no annoyances and no bullying. Biggest gripe is exiting the venue: with only one stairway for all to use, be ready to wait 20-30 mins if you're up front.

As very, very cool place for a concert... great ambiance with the ceiling and balconies... makes you feel like your at Some Exotic location in the world ... will definitely be going back as soon as we can!

This is a super cool music venue - it's big, but not overwhelmingly so, and still feels very intimate. There are TONS of bathrooms - which I really appreciated not having to wait in a line and never missed much of the show. For GA, it is standing room only; there may be some ticketed areas that have seats, but it seemed limited at best. My only complaint with the venue is a 1-step from the bathroom/concession area to the floor of the area where you watch the show. It wasn't well marked and I noticed quite a few people stumbling or spilling their drink over that surprise stair. Otherwise, this is a really cool place to see a show and conveniently located to public transit.

Beautiful indoor venue! The security staff were very intense, which is a good and bad thing. Good because we felt safe, bad because they touched all of us very thoroughly and almost invasively in some cases. The show was amazing and the indoor details are incredible.

My partner and I came here with my friend to see Lewis Capaldi yesterday. It's a standing room only venue, and you get to pick where you stand based on first come first serve. I called the venues' automated line the night before to find out what time the doors open, and the system said 7pm. I arrived and stood in line around 6:45pm, and the line was already wrapped around into the parking lot where the nail supply is located. However, the line moved quickly and there were plenty of staff working and were able to get everyone in efficiently and effectively. I'd recommend having a clear crossbody bag to make life a lot easier. They asked for ID and the concert ticket upon entry, and I had to unzip my bag for them to check. As soon as I entered, I found the merch stand and was able to get what I was looking for. You then go up the stairs to the stage. I was in the middle of the venue, and when it's a lot of people next to you, it gets really hot and claustrophobic. There was a girl in front of me who literally fell onto the ground, she's thankfully ok but nearly passed out which is so scary. I'm standing there with my friend and my partner, and we're all sweating. I can only imagine what it's like for Lewis because he had to exert himself. Lewis Capaldi couldn't finish his last song because the heat was so bad, he had to keep pausing for water and it didn't help his Tourette's. It's also amazing that everyone at the venue sang the last song in his honor. I think that Aragon Ballroom can do better with the ventilation overall -- maybe fans or ceiling fans or AC can help combat this issue. It's only April, and I can only imagine a summer concert in there. This concert was sold out, so it was literally packed like a can of sardines. They also have a bar that sells cocktails, spirits, beers, water, and they have pizza brought to you by Connie's. It's also a cashless place, and if you only have cash they'll convert it to a card without any fees which is pretty cool. I'd only come here if my favorite artist sends me here, it's not terrible, but definitely not my first choice because it's indoors, standing room only, and poor ventilation. I had to make sure I had a can of water with me that's cold to make sure I will be good.

This is the worst venue in Chicago. They will take your vape. There will be a line even after the headliner starts. The line will be 2 blocks long. The sound will be muddy. It's a historic place but they need to overhaul their management.

Can we start a GoFundMe to get this place some fans? Holy cow, there is ZERO airflow in here. It was so overwhelmingly hot, everyone was drenched in sweat and clothes were soaked. In November! If you're tall, you'll have the privilege of breathing some fresh air... otherwise, you're stuck in the humid cloud of breath and sweat. It's stifling. Other than that... the venue is really cool and unique. It looks like a castle with a galaxy painted in the ceiling. There are a million bathrooms which is especially awesome for the women! Can't speak to the service or drinks, didn't get any Most other reviews mention the rough security, for this show we just walked through a metal detector. Didn't even have to put our keys in a basket. So I'm glad we didn't get molested like everyone else?

I had such a great time at the live concert here. The line wrapped around the building but it moved fast. The sound was great and we had a great view despite being on the side of the stage away from the crowd and it being standing room only.

We came here in February to see timmy trumpet and Steve aoki. From reading prior reviews, I was prepared for it to be very hot and stuffy, along with rude service. But I wasn't coming for the venue, I was coming for the music. Doors opened at 8, we got there at 8:40 and there were only a few people ahead of us in line. I didn't have any problem getting in. All I had on me was my ID and cell phone. We also had coats and they had a coat check, $5/coat. There were multiple bars all over so it was easy to get drinks. Very expensive but that's expected. The concert started at about 9. It probably started getting crowded around 10. I didn't think it was that hot, but we were there in the winter. I was wearing a tank top and workout pants, and was comfortable. I was there for timmy trumpet. I thought he did great and I had a lot fun. We left at 1 am and Steve Aoki was still performing. Since the show was still going on, we were able to get a lyft without having to wait. I was not disappointed.

I'm kind of shocked to see lower ratings of the Aragon Ballroom! I've had nothing but fun and exciting times here over the years, and it's definitely one of my favorite concert venues in the city. Aragons holds a good size crowd, but the space feels intimate with the main floor being standing room only. I've been close up to the stage and towards the back, and I really feel like there is not a bad view! It's basically one giant crowd though, so if you aren't a fan of that I would avoid the general admissions tickets. I haven't been since COVID, so I'm not sure how they've handled that. There are multiple bars throughout the venue, so I've never waited in too long of a line for a drink. Beverages are overpriced, but it's hard to find a concert venue where they aren't. The venue itself is so beautiful. I love the sky painting on the ceiling and the twinkling lights too. Gives you the feeling you're under a starry night sky! The interior has lovely details all throughout it. I was shocked to find out it was built in the 20s. The sound quality is always good, but above all it's just a fun time! If you leave in Chicago, you have to see a show at the Aragon!

I had never been to The Aragon before, but was pretty excited to check it out for The Killers show (Dec 2021). The whole place seems like a fire hazard, sadly. We're bottlenecked going in and out of the building. (If you've been to The Chicago Theater you've seen how many exits there are). Our vertically challenged friend wasn't having any luck on the main floor so we bolted upstairs when it opened to non-VIP ticket holders. We found a really good spot just left of the stage with a great view. Sadly, the VIPs ahead of us (with seats) chose to stand about 75% of the time, leaving the two of us under 6' with only views of their backs. Upgrade your tickets you might say. Totally! Next time I'll know that. But, if you're looking at this before your first time I feel it's good info to have. Pros: no line for the bathroom. Lots of bars/places to buy a drink. Cons: hard to see if not in VIP. Very long line for cost check. Not a good place to be if a fire broke out. Very crowded (a strong consideration in today's pandemic-stricken world). Not the best place to see a show if you're in GA (unless you line up early and run to the front). I'd love to see some funds invested into this landmark theater to offer some ticket level options. Perhaps more seats? Maybe I'm just too old for rock 'n roll. Oh! We parked essentially in the neighborhood behind the theater for free on the street. Score!

Went here for a couple of shows and it's been fun. Bartenders were nice to me even when dealing with so many people. I liked standing underneath an arc because there's a step and it makes me tall enough to see the stage. I'm too short for shows. You have to take stairs up to the main floor and it gets congested when it's the end of the night when everyone is leaving. The only problem is people don't wear their masks and we are in close quarters. I was able to find some cheap SpotHero parking though. It's a madhouse if you want to use a ride share to get home after a show though.

terrible vibes. trust me, not a chill place. the staff is very loud and intense. I was expecting a "woohoo good time" but that was not the case. would not recommend.

Y'all have got to try the ARAGON BALLROOM as a VIP! It is so INSANELY LIT! Man I am never getting floor tickets unless I absolutely have to. Once you go VIP, you can never go back! My bf and I took a trip to Chicago for Spring Break in March (pre-COVID pandemic shutdown). I already planned a show, NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me but was still dying for a music concert to go to. Lo behold, I did a little Googling and saw that GALANTIS was playing in town that same weekend! Floor tickets were already $60+ and I was like a hawk on Stubhub hoping to get cheaper prices. Boy did the prices fluctuate but there was never a lack of tickets at any given moment. That's when I got lucky, super lucky, like my bf and I always have good luck while traveling kind of luck. The type of good luck you get from saving a black cat from walking across the mirror while rubbing Buddha's belly on the way out with a four-leaf clover in your pocket. The best seats, Loge Boxes Row A Seat 1, 2 were selling for $38 EACH! $38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38$38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38 $38. These tix were probably worth $hundreds each. Thank you Saint Mary Joseph Jesus. Sorry not sorry for the obnoxious copy and paste, but hot diggity dog, I thought about it for a hot second and bought those baby tickets in a flash. It was the best spontaneous decision I made during the trip. The sale went through smoothly and we were sent the VIP tix. We had our OWN entrance on the side with NO wait and a smooth security patdown. Then we were escorted up to our Loge Box where it was on the second floor right in the middle of the U-shaped arrangement. The whole Aragon Ballroom was truly gorgeous in its Arabianesque interior decoration and architecture. It felt vintage yet not gaudy or tacky. The VIP area had its own bar and was immaculately clean (the bathrooms were a godsend), can't say that about the downstairs ;) My bf and I were literally staring straight ahead at Galantis with the whole view of the floor. The box had 4 chairs, a small table, and our OWN SERVER! We were shortly joined by two others (there are 4 seats in a box), but for some wondrous miracle, they decided to jet out and go somewhere else and never returned!! It was so chill upstairs, once they know who you are and you got in, it was almost no big deal to move around upstairs. My bf and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole night dancing by ourselves in our own VIP box while sipping on our Coke and Red Bull! Galantis totally killed it with their animations, drum playing, crowd-pleasing antics while playing their great ol' hits and new songs. Definitely almost on par with Kygo and maybe even better than Kaskade?! EDM can be enjoyed in a sea of sweat and booty bumping if you're in your 20s going with a group of friends. But typically I like going with my bf to concerts and events and with the privacy and luxury of VIP, I am just gonna keep rolling the dice to get lucky again and again from now on.

I know that I am going to come across as an entitled princess, but for real, this place is not friendly. I don't think I'm going back here again. It's sad because some of our favorite artists play here. Here are some of the highlights of our experience: The security at the door was confiscating cigarettes under the guise of rule enforcement, but stealing the confiscated items for themselves. One guy stole my friend's CBD cigarettes and pocketed them. Security and ushers were on ego trips and taking people's belongings throughout the entire venue, including IDs, vapes, etc. Our group was being harassed by an usher all night. The highlight of the night was the usher frantically searching for a security guard to escort my friend out for vaping right as the show was ending. The event itself was uncomfortable and unsafe. The temperature on the floor was hovering around 90 degrees and dangerous. Sweat was rolling down my back and the crowd was overwhelming. We headed upstairs to avoid the crowds and we were unable to see the stage because the front section was blocked off for VIPs or handicapped people, I think. There was very little opportunity to enjoy or see the show unless you were ok with sweltering heat surrounded by 1,000+ people. It was very frustrating and we felt like we couldn't enjoy the show between the crowds, rules, and staff. Then, we were charged $30.00 for a single drink served in a small plastic cup. When we left the venue, we were scolded and harassed by security to get away from the front door while waiting for our ride. I'm trying to think of one positive thing to say about this venue, but I can't think of any. We felt like prisoners trying to hide contraband from the guards

Thank you to the security and medic team! You all were super responsive, kind, and concerned when I experienced an unfortunate blood pressure drop at the Danzig concert. Thanks for making sure I was taken care of and checking in after the show!

I saw Måneskin at this venue yesterday and it had to be one of the worst concert experiences I've ever had. If not the worst. Lousy security, very unorganized, extremely hot. My friends and I were waiting in the freezing cold waiting for security to open the doors. They were about 20-30 minutes late so we were shivering and it seemed like security was just standing around doing nothing. My disabled friend has trouble standing for too long and when she tried to ask how long the wait was going to be, security rolled their eyes and said, "Soon." What the fuck? When we finally got inside, my friends and I were immediately being pushed around so people could make their way to the front of the ballroom. Security didn't seem to care that there was pushing and shoving going on. Really shitty on their part. Two people had already passed out before the show even began. It was unbelievably hot in there. They also had us waiting on the floor doing nothing for about an hour and a half, so our feet were already starting to hurt before the show even started. I don't know why they would tell us the show starts at 7 pm if it actually starts at 8:30 pm. Another thing that really pissed me off about this night specifically is the fact that we got wristbands to go onstage (something Måneskin does for their fans) and security was no help whatsoever. Telling us to "go left" one song before we were supposed to be onstage when we are trapped in a crowd of people who won't move is fucking ridiculous. Maybe help us get through. Maybe do your jobs. That experience tainted the whole night. We were so excited to be able to go up there and it was just ruined by security + the terrible audience. Never going here again.

Great concert venue overall. The music quality is really well done and it's a beautiful historic venue. My only complaint is the price of drinks. For $15 you can get yourself a tiny little vodka soda with one shot. Or for $15 you can get a tall boy bud light. Not to mention they charge $5 for room temperature bottles of water with no other way to get water. We tried asking for a cup so we could fill water in the sink and they said no. Sounds like a liability right there. Also not the safest neighborhoods. During the show a liquor store got robbed at gunpoint 0.4 miles away from us.

I went there to a CHVRCHES performance. The concert hall has great acoustics but the layout is not really well-thought - the floor is flat, without proper elevation so if you're not very tall, it's hard to see over the people in front. The decorations are quite unique (the balcony looks like castle walls). The hallway is beautiful too with paintings and fancy decor.

Came here for Hayley Kiyoko and I had an AMAZING time. The staff was kind and helpful. We had a M&G VIP experience and it went very smoothly. Right after, we were able to get front row. The size of the Ballroom is not too big and not to small, it's perfect. Only problem I have is that the building is a little dated and the ballroom itself looks like it's not really cleaned, but maybe there's a charm to that? Overall, great time.

Two stars: 1: the ceiling. If you have the pleasure of looking up (because a Chicago is a look down, to the side, or straight ahead type culture), you'll notice a beautiful scenery of clouds, castles, stars and mystical fantasy. 2: the size. This is a place where many rock artists go. It's bigger than most of the other venues (that aren't the two stadiums in Chicago). The sound fills the room nicely. This place is god awful, however. The staff are extremely rude. From the security pat downs basically sexually assaulting you (be prepared, they actively feel your situation, guys and girls, and your upper area, ladies). You'll be interrogated about your prescriptions, despite having an id and your name matching on the bottle. Meanwhile so many people sneak in hard drugs (not just weed), it's a wonder why you got SAd in the first place... power trip? The bartenders not caring and trying to take your change as a tip. Charging for water, a basic human right. There is ONE set of bathrooms on the first floor and they always smell like pee. Coat check is in the basement and it's alright going In, it's a madhouse going out. Be sure to check if you have a hat or gloves or scarf, they routinely get lost or misplaced. Before the show, you'll be waiting outside in an alley and dirt lot. It takes 1-2 hours to get in, depending on the show. If it's winter season, you'll see teenagers in basically nothing, getting partial frostbite. The staff laugh and don't care to expedite the process. So you'll be in pants and a huge jacket but then you have to deal with the cost check process above. The stage is elevated so it's best to be in the back, you get a great view, when the show is over you can make a quick rush to the exit. Otherwise you'll be stuck in a packed crowd leaving, and on slippery stairs nonetheless (trip and slip hazard), with people shoving you as if you're in the front row of the show. Aragon is called the "brawlroom" for a reason. You can tell they are hurting for $, because they had to sell their name to Byline Bank 2-3y ago for that sponsorship cash infusion. Do I recommend going here? More than Riviera or Bottom Lounge, but not more than Concord or House of Blues. Parking here is scarce. There is a lot across the street that has gone up in price, but remained equally as unpaved and gravely in the 11y I've been going here. Used to be free, then $5, then $10, then $20... your car will get dinged and hit because they tell people to park so close together to fit more cars In, there are no lines on the ground. They'll also fill up the lot so much it takes over 1h to get out. No employee will be assertive (not aggressive) enough to direct traffic; I've actually had to do it myself, once, before I no longer parked here. Taking the red line here? It's the Lawrence stop. However, there are fights breaking out after shows and the CTA is a whole other beast of drug addicts and poor mismanagement.

Had a phenomenal experience last night at the Aragon Ballroom to see Dear Boy and James. We paid an extra $60 for VIP access as this is a General Admission no-seats venue, at least for the massive main floor, so we needed to get there early for accessibility reasons and to ensure we had a safe space to stand, as I have balance issues. We were lead in early and got to attend a 3-song sound check and band Q&A. I found a spot to stand next to the front barrier, could lean on it nicely. The guy behind me was vaping weed thru the show, but I won't fault the venue for that as security seemed to do a really good job, so I don't know how he fooled them. The smell was gross, but not a deal-breaker as I had the best view in the whole place, so I stayed there. Security was thorough and professional. Try to bring as little as possible to speed the entry process- which requires a metal detector, purse/pocket search, and pat-down. The concerts were fantastic- helped by beautiful sound, lights, temperature, and the huge stage that allowed for movement of the performers. The decor is gorgeous, like being in a medieval fairy tale. Bathroom was clean, large, and well-stocked. Point off for limited food for purchase (hot dogs, chips, chocolate chip cookies only) and non-alcoholic options. Diet Rite and RC cola. ick. I just got bottled water. And for some accessibility issues. It was hard to stand from 4:45-10:15! Some benches would help. I would definitely see another show here but I'd need to do early-entry as I had trouble navigating the massive crowd. The venue seemed to be at capacity and this is a big space. Wear comfortable shoes!

I love Jack White and was incredibly excited to finally see him live at the Aragon last night. He put on an epic show but...the Aragon? I hadn't been to the Aragon in about 6 months and now I won't go back. If you read my previous review, you'll note it gets hot as heck there (still true) but I liked the seating upstairs. Well, they no longer allow upstairs seating. We went that way and were told you had to have VIP tickets now to go upstairs. I asked when that started and they said 3 months ago. Well, downstairs is so incredibly crowded now since a very select few get to go up & that's it. Also, this didn't work at all for my friend who has back problems to stand for 4 hours. He needed a chair & Aragon changing this policy of not allowing GA upstairs just means we won't attend concerts there again. Having no air & extreme heat was terrible, but no seating for older people or those with medical issues is atrocious at such a big venue. I do still think Aragon is beautiful but it's in dire need of updating. Even Jack White said, 'Wow, This place hasn't been updated at all since I first played 20 yeas ago. Maybe I need to donate some money for some renovations?' he made me laugh. :) Also on this last visit, encountered some staff that was terrible. I went to a customer-less bar to buy some water and was ignored while staff chatted with each other, looked at me but then kept chatting. After waiting a few minutes, I went to the other side of the empty bar and a very nice bartender helped me out immediately. Sorry Aragon, we had a good run but your change in policy to not accommodate your patrons means my friends and I will not be back.

I go to a decent number of concerts in Chicago every year, despite living out of state. The city has a number of great venues - Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Metro, The Riv, Beat Kitchen, Bottom Lounge, Subterranean, etc. Aragon Ballroom is not one of them. I saw Nessa Barrett there on Monday night, and that Line Nation staff was, by no small margin, the absolute worst I've ever seen. I have never seen a group of such poorly trained, incompetent people working such a venue. If this is their standard, then patrons should legitimately fear for their safety at their events. First of all, I was turned away from the venue for bringing a small point and shoot in. An incredibly stupid policy for sure, but I walked several blocks back to my car, put it away, then walked back. Well, security definitely isn't on the same page because the girl standing next to me was using a similarly sized point and shoot the whole night. Whatever. But this is relatively minor stuff compared to the post show disaster. There was and absolute mess near the merch stand, where opener Isabel Larosa was meeting fans. Venue staff eventually responded by what they seemed to do best: Screaming at their customers. We were told to form a single file line with absolutely no instructions beyond. When we finally did, the line was so poorly organized that I stood absolutely still for 20 minutes as the worthless Line Nation staff continued to harass us about where we were standing whenever they'd arbitrarily decide it wasn't to their liking. Essentially this staff had two modes that I observed: 1) Stand around and chat with co-workers or stare into space or 2) Abruptly scream at paying customers when their own incompetence and inability to perform the most basic tasks of command and control blew up in their face. All aspects of rudeness aside, I've never seen such a poor grasp of a situation by any venue staff, and it was particularly jarring that that so many employees demonstrated having no clue what they were doing. The yelling and aggression didn't mask that nearly as effectively as they probably thought. Plenty of other fans who were there will echo a similar sentiment. I'm even hearing reports of further verbal and physical aggression, venue staff not honoring or implementing Fast Lane early entry after making fans pay something like $30-40 for them, and other odds and ends that seem right on par with everything I witnessed. None of this would even be forgivable if the venue was brand new, but this place has been in operation for nearly a century. If this type of behavior is par for the course on a nightly basis, I have to believe that formal complaints and potentially even legal action are inevitable.

The worst concert experience of my life. God awful wait times and bad communication with scheduling. Livenation said doors were at 9pm, and you only learn the REAL set times from the artist's social media hours before the show. The venue provided NO information on website, nobody answering phones, no automated system that tells you the times. Absolutely barbaric. So then you arrive after you've missed the first artist and half of the second artist, and the line is wrapped around the corner in freezing temperatures. The line takes 1 hour and when you get inside, the metal detectors are still a NIGHTMARE to get through. Add another 20 minutes. Now you are finally inside and you've missed part of the third artist, one of the main freaking acts. You dance and have some fun but then it's time to get a drink. Enjoy a 45 minute wait at the bar with idiots trying to cut you in line. Dreadfully long wait time and now you've missed the rest of the third artist and most of the last. I have been to many concerts at many venues. This was the worst concert experience I have ever had. I will never attend a show at Aragon Ballroom again. P.S. The venue itself is actually pretty cool in terms of architecture. It's huge and makes you feel like you are outdoors. Too bad their Operations f***** suck!

The BRAWLROOM as it's often referred to is an iconic Chicago music venue. The plus here is an older venue with great acoustics and an old rockNroll vibe. A standup ballroom on the first floor and a wraparound balcony on the second floor reserved for VIP tickets. You can sense all the iconic shows that have wailed thru these walls and beautifully starlit ceiling over the years and I've certainly been to my fair share. Still stands strong as a solid rock venue. What I don't like about it is the bathrooms are the worst. I don't understand why these places can't seem to put some of the money they rake in back into the establishment. Is it really that hard to update a stinking bathroom??? I'll answer for you... NO... NO ITS NOT!! Often flooded and clogged toilets, dirty and unkept facilities. I'll say it again the worst!! SO HAWTTT in HURR! This place is not Air-conditioned so dress accordingly. It's 20 degrees outside yet like 90 up in HURR. Can someone open a vent..a door..something?? Or here's an idea install AC. Drink prices are outrageous... they know they got you!! $14 for a basic beer is robbery.

They don't even sell Aragono. My fave spice. WHAT THE ACTUAL FALSE ADVERTISING F***. Pretty spectacular and beautiful old concert theater where a lot of major acts play because it's just so amazing. I'm a big fan of it and we'll definitely see more shows here and hopefully one day I will play here myself.

Enjoyed Weezer there recently. Enjoyed Nirvana there in 1993. Not much has changed, which is just fine. Long live the Aragon! Left off one star for the overly sketchy alley where the line awaits the show, but mostly for the god awful exiting after the show. Need to construct more exits (sides?). "Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes. Contestants in a suicidal race. " -Police

I've had some really good times at Aragon Ballroom! I've only been to EDM shows here but both of them have been memorable with general admission tickets. My most recent visit was last November to see Steve Aoki. We've also seen Alesso here! Note: If you want your own space and no crowding, this place is not for you- ha! A couple things that stuck out to me was the the line outside to get in and the security. It was really cold for the concert we most recently went to and if you don't want to drag a coat along with you all night, you're going to freeze in the line. I brought a leather jacket and pulled the classic tie-my-jacket-around-my-waist move when I was in and it was fine. The security here is strict, which of course is a good thing at a crowded concert venue, but ladies take note! You are only allowed a small purse. I brought a small crossbody that fit my phone basically because I read of this online before and had no problems. I noticed other ladies that had to leave large purses/totes outside if they wanted to go in. Just don't bring anything big to avoid this! Besides the inevitable crowding, I think the interior is incredible. The ceiling in the main ballroom is a starry night sky and it gives the illusion you're outside. So cool! The main floor when you walk in has gorgeous colorful Spanish looking tiles and is spacious. The main area is where the bathrooms are located also and they are plenty which keeps the line moving-so greatly appreciated! I also recommend grabbing drinks here! They have bars set up on the sides and the lines are way shorter than inside the ballroom. Prices for drinks were reasonable. The beers are huge! The general admission standing room is fine but expect VERY close proximity to the people around you. It's one huge crowd, but that's what I expect with GA tickets and I don't mind. The special affects on the stage I thought were great as well as the sound quality for the ticket price. The sound really fills the ballroom. My favorite thing about this last concert I went to was the confetti ceiling drop at the end! I recommend coming here for a concert but just know your expectations if you buy GA. It's a good time!

Overall solid experience at Aragon ballroom. The location is really far up north, for those who live downtown, but very convenient since it is literally under a Red line stop. The venue is two floors, with the stage up the stairs and a large open lobby with bathrooms, coat check and merch stands right at the entrance. We arrived pretty late for our concert (about 1.5 hours in) so there was absolutely no line and basically no security / searching. We were allowed to bring in small crossbody purses. The venue is not too large, and there isn't a great vantage point if you are at the back since the stage is not quite raised. If the crowd spills out behind the main area into the pillars, it is very hard to get a view. The balcony was a pretty good option, although the large pillars made it hard to get a consistent view. For larger concerts they will sell the tables right against the balcony so it is harder to get a view behind the tables. The stage itself is pretty small, so the artists seem like they have smaller space to work with and everything feels compressed. Interior was sweaty and hot and the floor looked like it had just rained from the liquid / spilled beer on the floor. I wasn't in the main area but the people looked crammed inside. There are multiple bars across the stages and upstairs, although there was a line at all of them it never looked crazy. The building itself is beautiful and very distinctive. Coat check is rather pricey at $5 and they force you to pay per individual item instead of letting you hang all your outerwear on one hanger. Coming here next time, I would probably come a little later to avoid the initial crowd rush, since past the front row the view is equally meh across most of the stage.

Ok wanted to drop a recent review of this place since concerts are up and going again! Overall, I had a great experience here! The show was at 7pm and it was sold out, so I arrived at about 5pm and was able to park in the parking lot directly diagonal from the Ballroom. $20 for parking - which is a great price for quick access. When the show ended and I got back to my car I was out of the parking lot in 1 minute. Otherwise parking may be kinda tricky... There's supposedly 3 lots along Lawrence Ave but I didn't see any obvious ones. Plus I didn't really want to walk 0.5-1 mile to a parking lot after the show ended in the neighborhood. Nothing against the neighborhood but it's the simple fact it's Chicago and crime is everywhere. At 5pm (2hrs before) there was already a line for the show. Maybe 100-200 people long. Which wasn't bad since the venue holds 5,000 and it was a sold out show. Weirdly the line is two alleys down from the Aragon... It's right next to the train tracks and it's just a gravel alley in the sun. So it can be hot and tiresome to stand there a while. Doors opened an hour before at 6pm. Security is a bit of a cluster, as girls and guys split. Girls bags are checked and guys are lightly patted down. It moves fast. Look on the Live Nation website for what you can and can't bring inside. There were food and drink bars open inside. There were a few options for beer, but it's very pricey. Two Michelobs were $30! Once inside if you want food or a drink, I recommend getting a spot on the floor first and having a friend stand there as you go get a food or drink. That way if you have to get through the crowd it's not frowned upon if you already had a spot. People that show up late and push to the front aren't liked. Everyone on the GA floor was chill in overall. No shoving or pushing. Everyone minded their space as best as possible. Masks are not required currently and there is no checking for vaccine cards or anything like that. So just remember, if you are choosing to attend an event like this, attend at your own risk. If you feel comfortable wearing a mask than by all means wear one. There were people wearing them when I was there, but maybe 1 for every 50 people. Leaving the show was probably the most annoying part of the night. The side exits were not opened so everyone had to leave the same way they came in - through the back and down two staircases. It took maybe 10-15 minutes to make it outside from my spot at the front of the floor near the stage. Everyone was patient and there wasn't a ton of shoving or anything to get out. Just a lot of slow shuffling. So just be patient and again if you feel vulnerable maybe wear a mask since you'll really be passing by a large number of people leaving the show. Lastly, the show itself was fantastic! I had read other reviews complaining about the acoustics of Aragon, but I thought for my show they were great for the main performer! The two openers did have poorer acoustics, as the bass was too high on one and then the singer too quiet for another. But again, I could tell the main performer had been there doing the proper sound checks earlier that day because they sounded spot on! I'm also not an active concert goer so I can't speak to the fine details of the acoustics. But again, I think this is something that is performer dependent and they have to do their homework and sound checks to prepare.