I don't think that either venue will provide an experience that will make or break your enjoyment of Lungfish.

All things being equal, I'd prefer the Fireside Bowl. However, if you're up to the challenge of withstanding a withering collection of hipster doofuses, then I'd recommend that you go to the Empty Bottle show, but that's only because: (1) I like and recommend Taking Pictures and The Narrator, who will play on that bill; and (2) advance tickets for the Empty Bottle show are available through the Empty Bottle website, and you want to be certain to see the band that you love (and each venue is quite mindful of capacity issues).

A couple of other things:

- As far as the sound quality at each venue, there are other folks who can describe each venue's strengths and weaknesses in greater detail.
- There are many people who have real axes to grind with the Empty Bottle or truly love the man who books the Fireside Bowl. I expect that we will hear from them.
- Both venues are easily accessed via 90/94 and major arterial streets. Parking is less manageable at the Empty Bottle.
- Neither neighborhood is terribly unsafe. While each has its moments, you're named Hank, for God's sake, so you should have no problems.

I don't really know their music very well, but I have opinions about the clubs.

The Fireside Bowl is an all-ages venue. The cover will (probably) be cheap and the atmosphere a lot more fun. The sound is good and the stage is really close so you can probably (if you're lucky) get a good spot to watch the whole thing.

The Empty Bottle is 21 and over. The cover will probably be more expensive. The club usually draws (to me) an inexplicable amount of hipsters, so you may not have as good of a time. The sound can sometimes be terrible and the stage is up higher so you will definitely see the band from almost all points.

There is a thread somewhere on this forum about the Empty Bottle, if you're interested. I don't know how to post the link here, but it's under a conversation about another club in Chicago, the Cabaret Metro. For what it's worth, I would go with the Fireside. You'll have a better time.

Bradley R. Weissenberger wrote:- There are many people who have real axes to grind with the Empty Bottle or truly love the man who books the Fireside Bowl. I expect that we will hear from them.
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go to the fireside!

brian peterson RULES!

on a serious note, i would suggest the fireside...the sound tends to be better (in my opinion) - you can grab a drink from Hammer - the bottle tends to harbor crowds who can take away from your enjoyment of the show...

andyk

it's the best atmosphere!

I guess this will just be increasing your sample size.....

I say Fireside:
+the crowd will probably be exclusively interested in the band(s).
+very intimate.
+cheap.
-Sound can be hit or miss.
-Bands really play at eyelevel so they can be hidden.

Empty Bottle:
-Sound can be hit or miss.
-Scensters might talk a bit much and distract you from the band(s).
-Pricey-er
+You can play pool after the show.

Regards,
spoon