This Little Italy spot boasts a tagline of "the Italian Countryside meets the American farmhouse...in Keith Richards' basement bar." Loud music is pumped through the speakers during service and live music (blues, rockabilly, rock) is often played. A recent comment by a customer on Trip Advisor complained of the loud rock music, proving the adage that, if it's too loud, you're probably too old.

This insanely popular taqueria's roots lie in the central California honky tonks of the 40s and 50s. Merle Haggard and Buck Owens ruled then and they rule now. Parties have been thrown here in honor of Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Think of it as the antithesis of the big hair/glitzy country belched out of Nashville.The managers and a few of the staff bring in and pick out the records played. The bar has amassed a sizable collection of records (purchased from all over the country) since opening. Paul Kahan even donated a couple of his speakers to the place when they opened.You'll hear everyone from Buck Owens, the Louvin Brothers, Ernest Tubb and classic country artists, to Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Lighting Hopkins on the blues spectrum, to American rockers like ZZ Top, the James Gang and Jim Ford while you're wolfing down tacos and slammin' back bourbon here.

He's been in a rock band, he curates Chow Town at Lollapalooza, hung out and worked with The Roots' Questlove — was there any doubt that one of Graham Elliot's restaurants would make this map? From the man himself: "Music was one of the main reasons we opened the Graham Elliot Bistro. The host stand is a Marshall half stack, the check presenters are records (7"), there are saint candles featuring musicians, etc. It only made sense to show off the relationship of food and music." The playlist changes nightly based on whatever the team and Elliot are into at any given moment. You'll hear an eclectic mix of "punk, emo, indie, classic, rock, 80's college rock. Bands such as Zeppelin, Pixies, Prince, Jawbreaker, The Get Up Kids, Passion Pit..."

Probably the most unique aspect of the music at Au Cheval is how it's played: on reel-to-reel tapes. The playlists are created by Scottie McNiece of Uncanned Music and the music is all over the place (from Cass McCombs to De La Soul).The music selection is pretty nostalgic collection and the volume it's played at is crucial to service.

"It's about time I was asked about the music. I'm a bit bored with talking about sausage!," jokes owner Doug Sohn, the man behind both the counter taking your order and curating the tunes. The music, he says, is "a reflection of what I like. And, on a personal note, it is a great source of energy for me in what is generally a long hard day working in a restaurant." Focusing on "power pop recorded from about 1974 to 1984, the high school and college years where most music preferences are formed. Having said that, we will play pretty much everything, excluding free-form jazz and jam bands. If it's catchy, I'll play it."

Positioned near music venues Double Door and Subterranean, this Wicker Park eatery is deeply influenced by its artists and musicians. You'll hear a wild mix of contemporary and classic music. From White Lies to New Order, Chromeo to the Cure, Grimes to Leonard Cohen, the playlist is a collaboration between the partners and the chef. Operating Partner/Marketing Director Claudia Gassel and Partner Steve Harris are also owners of Debonair Social Club, giving more heft to the restaurants musical roots.Sample Playlist:White Lies: Bigger Than Us, New Order: Thieves Like Us, David Bowie: Fashion, Yaz: Bad Connection, Joy Division: She's Lost Control, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, The Knife: Deep Cuts and The Cure: Fascination Street

Heavy Metal and burgers come together to form an unholy union here at Kuma's Corner. Be prepared for blaring metal turned up "to 11" here. The restaurant hosts album listening parties every now and then as well. Look for burgers named after the known and the unknown metal gods, like "Lair of the Minotaur" next to "Mastodon" next to "Slayer." The streets will flow with the blood of the non-believers, indeed.

Longman & Eagle owner Peter Toalson curates the music here with some help from the more musically "astute" staffers. Toalson, owner of music mecca the Empty Bottle, comes with a deep pedigree in knowing music that will fit the Logan Square restaurant, for sure. Featuring artists as varied as Black Flag, Cheveu, Colette Magny, Furry Lewis, Hank Thompson, J.Dilla, Joe McPhee, Irma Thomas, Lee Fields, Mack Allen, Meade Lux Lewis, Motorhead and The Swan Silvertones, the music program is a "critical component of the overall experience."

Bill Kim wants the music at bellyQ to be the same as the food: unexpected, like a "punch in the mouth." Kim cites Earth, Wind and Fire (a favorite of Kim's wife), his love of salsa (Willie Colon, Eddie Santiago or Hector Lavoe), newer artists like Anthony Hamilton or some reggae (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh) as making the rounds on the restaurant's speakers.

Nellcôte may be on here more for its inspiration and for the musicians who have hung out here than for the actual music it plays. The entire restaurant is built to resemble and in honor of the legendary French mansion that the Rolling Stones recorded the bulk of their classic 1972 album "Exile on Main Street." The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, the Fray and Edward Sharpe (of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), Florence & the Machine, Gary Clark Jr., and Lollapalooza founder / Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell have all stopped by at one point or another.

Matching the social, high-energy environment, the music at Mercadito emphasizes the guests desire to have a good time with great food. New Wave/Alternative icons New Order, Tears for Fears and the Killers get regular spins courtesy of the restaurant's general manager.

Fans of Chris Curren know his passion for music. At the late, great Blue 13, Curren and staff would throw "Rock 'n Roll Dinners." Now that the Executive Chef is at Homestead, he's bringing his love for music with him. "...we wanted that specific take on farm-to-table to go into our mix of music which is a lot of folk-y and rock songs that are not 'in your face.' Music dictates feeling. We want everyone to feel comfortable with the music we're playing," Curren says."I put the playlist together by myself. I'm constantly adding songs and taking songs out of our playlist to fit the changing mood and seasonality of the restaurant."Here's a sampling of the folk and rock artists heard at Homestead:Mumford & SonsManchester OrchestraThe LumineersThe New AmsterdamsAlabama ShakesPhillip PhillipsWe Are AugustinesThe Lone BellowThe NationalWe Were Promised JetpacksThe Civil WarsBrand NewMatt & KimJack White