Chicago Band Pays Tribute to Empty Music Venues and Bars in Moving Video

A Chicago band, Varaha, has released a moving tribute to the city’s music venues, all of which have been suffering through the social-distancing era brought on by the public health crisis. The ensemble created a video with footage from venues like Empty Bottle in Ukrainian Village, Reggie’s in South Loop, and Cole’s in Logan Square. Normally, these bars are packed with music lovers, but for now, they’re empty. The band says it was trying to “impact people on an emotional level” while bringing awareness to lobbying efforts like Save Our Stages.

Groups like the National Independent Venue Association have advocated for these bars and small venues, which haven’t been able to host concerts during the pandemic. These aren’t venues dominated by promoters like Live Nation; they’re places like the Hideout Inn (which was threatened by the Lincoln Yards development), Hungry Brain in Avondale, and family-owned Rosa’s Lounge in Logan Square. All are vital to the fabric of the city’s culture while also serving as a fun spot to have a shot of malort and a beer.

Varaha’s Fabio Brienza tells Brooklyn Vegan that visiting these venues felt “eerie and powerful.” Most music-oriented bars haven’t been helped much by patios. Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn has been an exception thanks to a large space for outdoor seating in the suburbs. Green Mill, the well-known jazz bar in Uptown is taking advantage of extended seating onto Broadway and has partnered with Fiesta Mexicana for food service, according to Block Club Chicago.

Altogether, there are 17 venues featured in the video. Check out the list below:

• Beat Kitchen
• Cafe Mustache
• Cole’s Bar
• Empty Bottle
• G-Man Tavern
• The Hideout Inn
• Hungry Brain
• Liar’s Club
• Lincoln Hall
• Live Wire
• Metro
• Reggie’s
• Rosa’s Lounge
• Sleeping Village
• Subterranean
• Schubas
• Thalia Hall

• Varaha promote #SaveOurStages with new video filmed at empty Chicago venues [Brooklyn Vegan]
• Broadway In Uptown Gets Expanded Outdoor Dining — With Live Music From The Green Mill [Block Club Chicago]
• Save Our Stages