Photo by Brennan Caughron, The Daily Illini
Champaign-Urbana contains a myriad of places fighting for students’ attention.
But to reach these destinations, students shouldn’t be intimidated when faced with using public transportation for the first time. Read More »
Photo by Ramzi Dreessen, The Daily Illini
Dining in University Housing is all well and good, but to get a true idea of the kinds of eats Champaign-Urbana has to offer, you’ll need to check out dining options outside the dorms.
For students looking to spend a weekend out with friends, check out some of the establishments along Green Street. The restaurants located in the heart of Campustown, many of which are between Neil Street and Sixth Street in Champaign, cater to students with all kinds of tastes.
For the fried food crowd, Geovanti’s (often shortened to Geo’s), Big Mouth’s, Legends, Murphy’s Pub and Firehaus Restaurant and Bar are just a few of the places students can find pizza, fries, chicken fingers and more. Read More »
Photo by Daryl Quitalig, The Daily Illini
The first year of college can be exciting, but being safe around campus is one of the most important things that students should know about. But with a little bit of cautious mind, everyone can be safe and have an exciting life on campus. Read More »
Photo by Brad Meyer, The Daily Illini
When students first arrive on college campuses all across the U.S., many look for an opportunity to become politically involved, as so many students have before them.
Luckily, the University of Illinois offers many options for students to become actively engaged in the political process within Champaign-Urbana, including active student-run groups for each of the two major political parties. Read More »
Each fall, Buzz magazine — a sister publication of The Daily Illini — polls students and Champaign-Urbana residents for their pick of the twin cities’ hot spots.
Although the categories vary a little from year to year, you’ll always find reader preferences for different cuisines, hair salons, bars and music venues.
To see last fall’s picks, head over to buzz’s web site and watch this October in buzz and online for your chance to vote for your new favorite places.
809 S. Wright Street, Champaign
The Illini Union Courtyard Café is everything it claims to be and more. By day, it is a friendly snack and study area. But by night, it can transform to become one of the most dynamic entertainment venues on campus. Other than hosting comedy shows, debates and other performances, the Courtyard Café stages several terrific musical acts.
The Mountain Goats plays at the Courtyard Café. Photo used with permission from the band
Welcoming student musicians and professional artists alike, the Courtyard Café hosts shows that range from low-key acoustic sets to crowd-raging concerts. While it is spacious, it can receive large crowds without losing a notable sense of intimacy. Its capacity of 449 creates a relatively quaint setting, but does set a limitation for booking certain artists.
Though most larger musical acts occur on the weekends, the Courtyard Café hosts free daytime shows as well. Every Thursday, musicians from the UI School of Jazz play a free lunchtime performance. As such, the courtyard can host seated performances in a friendly and relatively quiet environment.
While its stage is modest in size and stature, it has supported countless professional artists, as well. In recent years, the courtyard’s spotlight has shone upon groups such as The Hold Steady, Company of Thieves, Brighton, MA, Starfucker and Great Lake Swimmers. It has played a huge role in CU’s Pygmalion Festival since it began in 2005 and hosts shows of its own year round.
UI alumni, Matt Fender, claimed one of his fondest concert memories was seeing The Hold Steady at the Courtyard Café.
“The one and only time I ever crowd surfed was at the Hold Steady in the Courtyard Café,” Fender said. “I’ll never do it again, but it was incredible.”
Just last weekend, the Courtyard Café hosted local indie band Santa, along with Tigercity from Brooklyn and Wave Machines from Liverpool. No matter what your musical tastes may be, keep your eye out for more great musical performances to come.
708 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
One of the most well-known venues in CU is The Canopy Club, located at 708 Goodwin Ave. in Urbana. Seth Fein, talent buyer for Canopy, explained that it actually began as a movie theater in the 1960s called the “Thunderbird Theater” — the logo can still be seen on the outside of the building. It was in June 1998 that it officially became The Canopy Club and began putting on concerts.
Ever since then, Canopy has been a hot spot in the college music market.
“Because of where we are located, we get a lot of filler dates on national major tours,” Fein said.
The Canopy Club draws a variety of musical acts from across the country to the Champaign-Urbana area. Photo by Brad Thorp
The venue has two rooms: the void room (with a 150 person capacity) and the theater (which can hold 750), both of which give a great intimate feel to any show.
As a concert go-er, the Canopy Club will offer you a number of benefits. To begin with, it is right on campus. While many of the other venues in the area are in downtown Champaign or Urbana, Canopy is a block from the quad. Also, because it is in Urbana, the age requirement is 18, allowing freshman with late birthdays to fall in love with the venue early.
And there is good reason to fall in love: The Canopy Club is one of the most sought after venues in its market for various acts. In the past, they have had performances that range from Dierks Bentley to Nas, The Arcade Fire and The Avett Brothers. But at the same time, Canopy is a great patron of the local scene.
As Fein puts it, “As long as a local band is functioning, performing and practicing, they will always be able to get a show here.”
So if you are looking for a good place to see great music, both local and national, The Canopy Club is always a great destination for everyone.
“I think that the name ‘The Canopy Club’ is kind of telling in that it’s supposed to be this umbrella, this canopy, over all genres of music,” said Fein.
120 S. Race St., Urbana
Nestled in downtown Urbana is a cozy little — but not too little — bar known as The Iron Post, where the music is as plentiful as the beer. The floor lined with red carpet and the walls decorated with black and white freeze-frames of jazz greats sets the mood for the style of music that floods the venue.
The Iron Post features a variety of musical acts ranging from blues to pop-rock to acoustic sets with regular jazz performances. With near-nightly performances, the Post continues to have something new to see and hear.
The Iron Post is also where many past and present students of the University’s School of Music call home. The school’s jazz combo performs at The Post every Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m during the fall and spring semesters.
“The owner there has been great about having jazz groups there,” said Charles McNeil, Chair of Jazz Studies. “He supports all kinds of music.”
Priding itself on being a neighborhood bar, The Iron Post offers live music, a full menu and an outdoor patio, making it desirable throughout the year.
It’s not difficult to see that this is the home of many jazz and blues shows. The Iron Post also presents a variety of genres ranging from acoustic to bluegrass. Artists such as Charlie Sizemore and the Ken Smith Jazz Combo have showcased their talent at the bar, making it one of the top places to hear live music in downtown Urbana.
1209 W. Oregon St., Urbana
Beneath the University of Illinois lies a treasure to the campus scene: The Red Herring, adorned by brick walls, four columns enveloped by a myriad of vibrant patterns and populated by some of the most creative minds of the University. Located at the basement level of the Channing-Murray Foundation next to the east side of the Quad, the 42-year-old Red Herring has not only gained notoriety as a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, but also its wonderfully intimate performance space for artists of all kinds.
“We want to encourage individuals to express themselves through various forms,” said Doug Jones, Director of Outreach and Development at the Channing-Murray Foundation.
During the day, the Red Herring will occasionally have local musicians play during the lunch hour, but often, performances take place during their coffeehouse hours: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, they have “Open Stage” from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
They host a wide range of activities, from sketch comedy to poetry slams.
Famous actors like John Belushi started out at The Red Herring, and currently, local bands such as The Duke of Uke tend to draw a large crowd. Jones himself especially enjoys the acoustic, less amplified acts that arrive at the Herring.
Their emphasis on originality and creative expression is not the only thing that sets the Red Herring apart. “I also believe that being a non-alcoholic, non-smoking venue provides a safe, clean environment for people to perform and to listen to performances,” Jones said.
Additionally, The Red Herring is also known for their congenial staff. “We are not-for-profit, more focused on the service aspects than on the business model,” Jones said. Both the coffeehouse and the restaurant are volunteer-run and almost anybody can help out.
Check out the Red Herring on Saturday, April 10, when a gaggle of performances from locals benefit the venue.
500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
Many students at Illinois know Krannert Center for the Performing Arts primarily as that large, oddly shaped building on the block between ISR and the Espresso Royale on Goodwin. Dance and theatre majors spend half their lives in its hallways, but Krannert is much more than a classroom; it’s one of the premier music venues on campus.
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors in 1969 and celebrated its 40th anniversary last season. Public Information Director Bridget Lee-Calfas explained that part of Krannert’s secret is the quality space it has to work with. Krannert has a great “flexibility of space and art,” Calfas said. The Center is able to host “a variety of art forms at a variety of price ranges, from the Chicago Symphony [Orchestra] to indie rock groups to modern dance and classic ballet.”
When booking acts, Calfas said Krannert strive “to add to the cultural life of the community, and is always trying to create the richest mix possible.”
One of the largest recent collaborations was with Pygmalion Music Festival. This past September, Iron and Wine, The Books and Ra Ra Riot performed in the Tyron Festival Theatre.
The Ellnora Guitar Festival, named after Center founder Ellnora Krannert, is now in its third year. This September’s lineup featured the likes of Ani DiFranco, the Keb’ Mo’ Band, The National and University of Illinois alum and blues guitarist Laurie Morvan.
Krannert is a busy and vibrant environment that embraces both student and professional work. The Center is known for cherishing the artistry of the past while encouraging new developments. Krannert often “helps support an artist as they develop and then gets to showcase world premiere events,” Calfas said.
This place is pushing the envelope on creative expansion, helping the field of arts move forward, and it’s all going on right in our backyard.
1800 S. First St., Champaign
Offering a smattering of genres from classic country to hip-hop, Assembly Hall has a show to accommodate nearly every musical taste.
Assembly Hall’s unique design — rumored to have been given a failing grade when the architecture student submitted it for a course — offers more than an aesthetically curious conversation piece.
N.E.R.D performs at Assembly Hall Thursday, November 12, 2009. Photo by Wallo Villacorta.
The design allows for the intimacy of a small venue while simultaneously having the capacity of a large venue.
The hall seats around 16,000 people, give or take. The balconies are always reserved seating, but the floor can range from “festival seating” (see: mosh pit) to general admission.
One of the main advantages of Assembly Hall is that it is convenient.
“[It] sure beats driving to Chicago and St. Louis (to see a show),” said Kevin Ullestad, director of the facility. He also pointed out that Assembly Hall is generally cheaper than other venues in larger cities. Furthermore, the venue is easily accessible by car and parking is afforable.
Perhaps the biggest perk is that almost every show offers a student discount, from a few dollars off some shows to others offering tickets as low as $10 for UI students.
Drawbacks of the facility relate mostly to its age, such as a limited number of bathrooms which can lead to long lines at popular events. Also, when the building was constructed in 1963, air conditioning was not installed; while there are no shows during the summer months, it can get a little warm during late spring and early autumn. Renovations are tentatively planned to address these issues.
With previous acts ranging from Elvis to Lord of the Dance to T-Pain to Death Cab for Cutie, just about any musical desire can be met in a comfortable, intimate setting by seeing a show at Assembly Hall.
211 N. Neil St., Champaign
If the phrase “baby leg door handles” is not enough to drive out crowds in droves, then perhaps the delectable food and drink menu, eclectic atmosphere and interesting mix of music is enough to bring people to Boltini.
Situated on the west side of a one way street near downtown Champaign, a funky little spot all by its lonesome, Boltini’s place in the community – both physically and figuratively speaking – is totally unique.
The venue, which is technically a lounge, but also embodies so many characteristics that it is difficult to classify, has been open for nearly a decade. During that time, and still today, there is a little of something to whet the appetite of myriad creative desires.
Boltini features both one-of-a-kind annual events – like the Black Party, a leather-fetish and house music extravaganza – as well as weekly nights of various types of fun. There is trivia night, Rockstar Karaoke night, and the DJs spin everything from hiphop to funk to dubstep to everything in between.
Amidst the DJ scene, Boltini can easily be considered the pinnacle of success for the Champaign-Urbana community.
According to Brian Mertz, resident DJ whose beats can be enjoyed on Saturday nights, “Even though we don’t have the dance floor and we don’t have the size of, like Soma, it’s the creative freedom that’s been driving DJs there for years.”
One potential drawback to the venue is its strict enforcement of the 21-and-older rule, which tends to put the average age of their crowd a bit older than a lot of city venues, especially those on campus.
Somehow Boltini manages to strike a balance between being cool and laid back while never being stale or stagnant.
“At one moment you have a cocktail hour, and then the next you have the roller derby team chugging beers at the bar,” Mertz said.
51 E. Main St., Champaign
Since opening in July 1999, The Highdive has hosted its fair share of well-known musical acts. Located in downtown Champaign, the venue has brought in the likes of The Flaming Lips, Black Eyed Peas, Death Cab For Cutie, and Sufjan Stevens to entertain local music lovers. In recent years, The Highdive has built upon the tradition of live performances, with an expanding repertoire of music.
Booking agent Ward Gollings has worked at The Highdive since its beginning and embraces the changes that the venue has seen throughout the past decade.
“Recently, it has evolved more into a dance club,” Gollings said. “It’s constantly evolving.”
With a layout and atmosphere conducive to both musicians and DJs, the club hosts weekly ‘80s nights, supports local bands and gives attention to touring acts, as evidenced by recent visits from State Radio, Band of Heathens and The Tossers. Each night has its own distinct vibe, but Gollings indicates that every performer and concertgoer finds a way to fill the building with excitement.
“I’d say it’s somewhere in the middle but leaning towards crazy,” Gollings said of Highdive’s typical concert ambiance. “There’s usually a good aura of energy floating around, and of course that’s enhanced by the music.”
Paintings and mosaics — created mostly by local artists — decorate the interior of the club, adding compelling visuals and vivid colors to the captivating Highdive experience. The setting is spacious enough for a crowd of 400 people and is characterized by a horseshoe-shaped bar, sufficient number of tables and ample standing room on both the ground floor and raised lofts.
During the coming weeks, The Highdive will host indie band St. Vincent March 30, garage rock band Japandroids April 7, and blues/country musician Paul Thorn April 29, among others, while DJ Mingram will continue to spin for the ‘80s dance parties every Monday night.
202 S. Broadway, Urbana
Housed in the old brick post office in downtown Urbana, the Independent Media Center (IMC) has been a part of the local media community for almost ten years. The Urbana-Champaign IMC is one of many IMCs that were created in reaction to the 1999 Battle in Seattle, a fight between police and protesters during the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference. The IMCs purpose of creation was to give the story that wasn’t told to the people of their respective communities. The venue prides itself on being a do-it-yourself music and art venue that is completely volunteer-based.
The IMC has a group of people who organizes concerts, mostly on the weekends. This group of people is ever-changing, so shows there feature a variety of genres. “For a few months we might only put on punk music and then for the next only folk,” said Katy Vizdal, the performance venue coordinator. Although the people who put on shows change, their strong attitude and passion toward music stay the same. Some more famous, recent shows include Kimya Dawson and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.
The IMC gives everyone a chance to display his or her talents, providing performers an opportunity that they might not have otherwise. “We want to share the talents of these musicians and artists at an accessible price in an accessible space,” Vizdal said. “We’re all volunteers and are just glad we can contribute to our music scene.” Besides shows, the venue houses its own radio station (104.5 FM), visual art space, library, and much more.
This community venue has a bright and fruitful future ahead of itself — a future that anyone could be a part of. To learn more about the center or how to volunteer, visit: http://www.ucimc.org/.
6 Taylor St., Champaign
However ridiculous or outrageous or fantastic its name is, Cowboy Monkey is the place to be.
Spacious and classy, this bar/restaurant hosts a variety of different musical performances every day of the week and brings so many different people together.
“We like having anything that’s entertaining,” said Ward Gollings, booking agent and entertainment manager for Cowboy Monkey and The Highdive. “If the music’s good and the stools are filled, people just groove — even if they don’t know the music — and that’s just great.”
Cowboy Monkey was born eight years ago when the owners of The Highdive decided that it was evolving into more of a dance club and there needed to be a place more focused on live music with its own particular spicy feel.
The walls are soaked a desert sand yellow; hardwood floor flows smoothly, and tables with black stools line the sides of the walls. The stage looms in the back with its rippling red curtains and an old jukebox lights up the corner, waiting for quarters to drop into its slot and for the music to play. And come mid-April, the outdoor tables as well as Cowboy Monkey’s Mexican style restaurant will be open for extra seating. And right by all that, a magnificent horse sculpture leaps toward the bar with its cowboy monkey companion.
But as always, it is the music and performances that complete Cowboy Monkey’s atmosphere. Cowboy Monkey hosts a series of regular events such as open mics on Mondays, salsa/tango nights on Wednesdays and blues jams every other Thursdays, and bring in a whole range of performances and special events featuring many different kinds of music.
With a quaint alleyway in the front, there is no place quite like it.Ages: 19+
105 N. Market St., Champaign
Mike ‘n’ Molly’s is a relaxed and welcoming bar located in downtown Champaign. For the past ten years, Mike ‘n’ Molly’s has been a 21-and-over bar, catering to the non-college crowd.
From the outside, this bar looks like a traditional Irish pub; don’t come looking for a dance club, because you wont find it here. The friendly, relaxed atmosphere makes for a versatile bar experience. Patrons can choose to just sit down to drink and converse with friends or see some great music on one of the two indoor stages. During the warmer months, be sure to check out the beer garden, which doubles as an outdoor music space. A fenced-in patio, small stage and tables for patrons make for an intimate yet lively show.
This venue primarily books indie rock bands, but you can find the occasional punk rock or acoustic singer-songwriter gig. The relatively new booking staff has brought a new attitude to Mike ‘n’ Molly’s live music in the past few months.
Isaac Burgess and Joe Smyth, who book most of the shows, bring performers from all over the Midwest.
“Our focus is on bringing bands in from out of town and putting them with local bands,” said Smyth.
Patrons should expect to see a good mix of bands from the local area as well as musicians from Chicago, Detroit or even Minneapolis. Past performers include JigGsaw, John Hoeffleur, and You & Yourn, among many others. Mike ‘n’ Molly’s is the place for a smaller show and a few rounds of drinks with some friends.
709 S. Matthews Ave., Urbana
Andrew Bird performs at Foellinger Auditorium. Photo by Wallo Villacorta
It’s hard to miss the colossal, dome-shaped structure that is Foellinger Auditorium. Whether hosting a guest speaker or sleeping students in an economics lecture, Foellinger is one of the signature buildings on campus. Dedicated in 1907, Foellinger hosts an array of student activities, including professional concerts put together by the Star Course organization.
Star Course is a student-run organization funded by Assembly Hall. The hardworking members of this team bring big name acts to the University for affordable prices. Since 1892 , Star Course has offered CU a wide range of musical performances including the Rolling Stones, U2, John Mayer and Lil Wayne. The Star Course workers do what they can to make sure any acts they book will be able to fill a majority of the 1,936 available seats.
“Anytime Jeff Tweedy comes, he does really well at Foellinger; we’ve had him twice in the past four years,” said Senior Star Course Manager Brian Houze. “Ben Folds does well here too, and a couple of years ago we had Lupe Fiasco, which was a really fun show.”
Foellinger stands at the heart of campus with tall, white columns and decorative doors on the outside, as well as an expansive stage with ground level and balcony seating inside. Various technological and structural renovations have been made over the years to ensure that this establishment is more than capable of hosting a great show. Foellinger also hosts orchestras and a cappella groups. With relatively low ticket prices and a convenient location on the Quad, Foellinger is a venue worth checking out.
320 N. Neil St., Champaign
Soma Ultralounge is a great place to go if dancing is on your agenda. The club is open Wednesday through Saturday evenings and features a different DJ each night. DJ Mingram spins the best hits from the ’90s on Wednesday nights, while Thursdays feature remixes of Top 40 hits. Resident DJ Tim Williams plays a mix of Top 40, house, hip-hop and even a little disco on Friday evenings; Saturday plays these genres in addition to funk, R&B and old school tracks. If it’s a DJ you’re looking for, then Soma’s your place.
But what separates Soma from other dance bars? Some say it’s the atmosphere.
“Soma is like an upscale club and the dancing takes place in their back room,” said UIUC alumnae Erin Sansone. “It’s darker, but the atmosphere is comfortable, casual, laid back and not too crowded.”
114 S. Race St., Urbana
Located on Race St. in Urbana, Red Star Liquors is open everyday 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Here, you can listen to the music brought to you by DJs — DJ Delayney and DJ Kosmo. Red Star Liquors invites you to spice up your Wednesday nights with something retro. Check out their old school hip-hop nights, fea turing music by J-Zay, Biggie and many other old and beloved music legends.
119 N. Walnut St., Champaign
Open until 2 a.m. seven days a week and known for having the largest alcohol selection in the area, Radio Maria offers different events, giving people with a variety of tastes something to enjoy. Every Friday and Saturday, there is a live DJ, and every Friday is “Grown Kids Funk” night, where students can release the weeks stress to some fun, old school music. On April first, Radio Maria is holding a three-day classic music festival. Start spring out by changing up the tempo for an evening and giving Radio Maria a try.
63 E. Chester St., Champaign
Chester Street Bar, better known as C-Street, is a great choice if you are looking to dance the night away. Best known for its alternative lifestyle-friendly atmosphere, C-Street is a top choice for groups of girls who want to avoid come-ons and sleezy pick-up lines. But what really draws the crowd at this bar is the music.
Two resident DJs spin the hits — from Top 40 to industrial/goth — on alternating nights. Their top priority is keeping the crowd happy, said C-Street bartender Amy Meyers.
“We play requests — last night we played country at a frat party,” Meyers said.
C-Street plays a wide variety of music to cater to the unique tastes of its crowd. Monday is industrial/goth night, Tuesday brings back Retro tunes and Saturday pumps club music; Top 40 hits are played on Wednesdays and Fridays. The bar hosts frat parties on Thursdays, which are typically all request, and drag shows on Sundays.
The drag performers pick their music playlists, but there is a 15 minute dance break halfway through the show and about an hour of “club play” immediately post-show.
“I think [C-Street] is completely different than any other bar. It has a different crowd and a different atmosphere,” Meyers said. “The DJ is the heartbeat of the club.”
214 W. Main St., Urbana
Opened in October 2009, Urbana’s tapas bar V. Picasso is a spot for drinking, dining and entertainment. With live music every day from Tuesday through Saturday, this unique venue offers a great Spanish-inspired atmosphere coupled with a variety of musical styles.
“We hope you can enjoy the music, but that it does not disturb your dinner,” said front-of-house manager Alisa Modica. The daytime and dinnertime atmosphere is more relaxed, but on Friday and Saturday nights it becomes more upbeat and fun for going out, she said.
V. Picasso features primarily jazz artists, but also different piano hits, eclectic mixes, blues, soft rock and more. Usually, the staff moves tables around 9 p.m. to make space for dancing, making it the only place in Urbana with dancing.
On the second Sunday of every month, the five-person band Tango Espejo brings live tango to V. Picasso. Salsa band Sandunga has headlined at the bar as well. Right now, they are trying to get Sandunga booked for salsa every Friday night starting around 9 or 10 p.m., Modica said, but nothing is official yet. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, jazz pianists from the U of I School of Music perform, as well.
The owner originally wanted live music every day, Modica said, and they are still trying to get more bands. Still, V. Picasso continues to serve up hefty musical helpings five days a week.