Hipsters and Indie Rockers delight.

The Empty Bottle is apparently famous for hosting famous bands - before they were famous. Native Chicagoans seem have lots of "I remember when I saw them at the Empty Bottle way back when" stories.

That's not to say that this is a fancy club. It looks like any other local joint - exposed brick, beat up bar, pool table in the front room and of course Chicago's favourite swill, Old Style Beer. It just happens full of young hipsters and some really good bands.

Monday nights are free and from my experience worth the admission at twice the price (wink, wink)

Other nights there is a cover charge - but if you are really into good new music with an indie rock flair and looking for the hip local place where the kids hang out, don't miss this spot.

Maybe you'll come away with your very own "I remember when I saw them before they were famous" story to tell someday.

For concert calendars, hours and to purchase tickets ahead of time see www.emptybottle.com

Although you might hear jazz, honky-tonk, or funk at the Empty Bottle, this venue is best known as a mecca for indie rock bands, both local and touring. This place is not very fancy - just a pool table, jukebox, and some couches in the front with the bar, the stage, and black walls pasted with stickers and flyers in the main space further inside. Occasionally, Radley the cat strolls in and wanders among the hipster kids in the audience. Clouds of cigarette smoke grow quickly and the heat rises from the bodies swarming in front of the stage. The Empty Bottle is just a cool place to rock out and have fun to good music. And with tickets almost always at $15 or less (some shows are even free), it is worth checking out.

To get to the Empty Bottle in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, take the blue line train to Western and take the 49 Western bus (regular or express) south to Division Street. Walk south along Western Avenue three blocks to Cortez Street. Or just take a cab.

The Empty Bottle's website: www.emptybottle.com