Chicago's Empty Bottle celebrates its 33 1/3 anniversary with an 11-day run of concerts, marking a significant milestone in the venue's nearly three decades as a launching pad for future stars and a staple in the city's live music scene. The Bottle, which opened in 1992, has established itself as a haven for indie rockers, punk enthusiasts, and fans of local music.
For Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkelman, the anniversary celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the venue's enduring legacy and its role in fostering a sense of community among music lovers. "We're celebrating this moment from this period on and drawing attention to the fact that we're extremely proud of what we do," he said.
The Empty Bottle has played host to some of the biggest names in indie rock, including Lady Gaga, The Strokes, and The White Stripes. Jack White, one of the venue's most iconic performers, has spoken fondly of his time at the Bottle, describing it as a "cat-ridden hole-in-the-wall" that quickly earned its reputation as a hub for emerging talent.
In addition to its impressive lineup of national acts, the Empty Bottle has also become a platform for local musicians and artists. The venue's Free Monday series, which offers free admission to see local bands perform, has been a staple of the Chicago music scene for years.
Finkelman's commitment to supporting local music is deeply personal. He opened the original club location with less than $1,000 in his bank account and has carried it through an economic depression and the pandemic. Today, he works closely with talent buyers, managing partners, and longtime Empty Bottle Presents director Brent Heyl to ensure that the venue remains a launching pad for local artists.
The Empty Bottle's success is also attributed to its membership in the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), a nonprofit organization founded by Finkelman himself in 2018. CIVL aims to promote independent venues and provide critical funding during times of uncertainty, such as the pandemic.
According to a recent report from the National Independent Venue Association, Illinois' indie spaces have contributed $3.9 billion in total economic input for the state, producing more than 25,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in wages. Finkelman believes that venues like the Empty Bottle are essential to the city's cultural landscape, providing a space for artists to grow and connect with fans.
As the Empty Bottle celebrates its 33 1/3 anniversary, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of live music and the importance of supporting local talent. For Finkelman, it's imperative that Chicago venues continue to prioritize this ethos, helping artists grow professionally while also introducing their music to new audiences.
For Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkelman, the anniversary celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the venue's enduring legacy and its role in fostering a sense of community among music lovers. "We're celebrating this moment from this period on and drawing attention to the fact that we're extremely proud of what we do," he said.
The Empty Bottle has played host to some of the biggest names in indie rock, including Lady Gaga, The Strokes, and The White Stripes. Jack White, one of the venue's most iconic performers, has spoken fondly of his time at the Bottle, describing it as a "cat-ridden hole-in-the-wall" that quickly earned its reputation as a hub for emerging talent.
In addition to its impressive lineup of national acts, the Empty Bottle has also become a platform for local musicians and artists. The venue's Free Monday series, which offers free admission to see local bands perform, has been a staple of the Chicago music scene for years.
Finkelman's commitment to supporting local music is deeply personal. He opened the original club location with less than $1,000 in his bank account and has carried it through an economic depression and the pandemic. Today, he works closely with talent buyers, managing partners, and longtime Empty Bottle Presents director Brent Heyl to ensure that the venue remains a launching pad for local artists.
The Empty Bottle's success is also attributed to its membership in the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), a nonprofit organization founded by Finkelman himself in 2018. CIVL aims to promote independent venues and provide critical funding during times of uncertainty, such as the pandemic.
According to a recent report from the National Independent Venue Association, Illinois' indie spaces have contributed $3.9 billion in total economic input for the state, producing more than 25,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in wages. Finkelman believes that venues like the Empty Bottle are essential to the city's cultural landscape, providing a space for artists to grow and connect with fans.
As the Empty Bottle celebrates its 33 1/3 anniversary, it serves as a reminder of the enduring power of live music and the importance of supporting local talent. For Finkelman, it's imperative that Chicago venues continue to prioritize this ethos, helping artists grow professionally while also introducing their music to new audiences.
? Like, what makes the Empty Bottle and other independent venues so special? Is it the community vibe they got going on? People seem super passionate about local music and artists... I wanna know more! 
How do these venues make a profit with all the economic uncertainty? And don't get me wrong, $3.9 billion in economic input is pretty cool, but what does that really mean for the artists themselves? Are they getting fair pay or just a bunch of exposure? 
, been comin' here since I was a teenager and seein' some of the biggest names in indie rock perform live for the first time. It's crazy to think that it's been around for 33 years, that's like, forever 
. The fact that they're still goin' strong and supportin' local music is just amazing. I remember when Jack White used to play here and now he's a legend 
. Bruce Finkelman is doin' somethin' right, keepin' the spirit of independent venues alive and thrivin'. The fact that Chicago has some of the best indie spaces in the country is no surprise, we're talkin' about a city that knows its stuff when it comes to music 
. Long live the Empty Bottle!
that Bruce Finkelman is just proud of what he does & that's amazing 
its like, he went from less than $1k to a thriving venue during tough times, thats real talk 
. and it's awesome that they've got programs like Free Monday series that give local bands a chance to shine 
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. It's amazing that Bruce Finkelman was able to turn his passion into something so successful with less than $1,000 to start. And the fact that he’s still fighting for local artists is really inspiring 
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. Live music has this power to bring people together and make us feel something real. So yeah, let’s keep celebrating venues like the Empty Bottle and all that they do for our city 
. i've been trying to get into more indie rock lately but i keep getting distracted by cat videos on youtube 
. anyway, bruce finkelman seems super cool and i love how he's all about supporting local music