Venue Spotlight: Thalia Hall
(Thalia Hall, 08/22/24, taken by author)
In the great city of Chicago, no matter what neighborhood you are in, there is likely to be a music venue nearby, from The Metro in Wrigleyville, The Empty Bottle in Ukranian Village, or SPACE all the way up in Evanston. However just south of UIC in the Pilsen neighborhood at the corner of 18th and South Allport street sits Thalia Hall. lIke many of the buildings in the area, Thalia Hall can trace its roots all the way back to the late 1800s where it was first built by John Dusek to be used as an arts and entertainment space to be shared with everyone in the neighborhood. Today the mission is just the same. Each week Thalia Hall brings a wide variety of artists and events to the Pilsen neighborhood drawing in crowds of people from all over the city. Although the majority of the shows that I have attended fall under the alternative rock category, they host artists from all genres including kpop, rap, and jazz.
Thalia Hall was started by John Dusek as a way of sharing his Bohemian culture with those in the neighborhood. Beyond hosting all kinds of entertainment the hall also served as a central meeting ground for all in the neighborhood.
While Thalia Hall has been standing since 1892
it had been unused by the public from the 60s until it was brought back to life in 2013 by 16 on Center, the same people in charge of Space and Empty Bottle
Below the venue lies the newly opened Mariscos San Pedro, a Mexican seafood restaurant as well as Tack Room which serves as a piano lounge and Punch House bar. While I have not had a chance to visit Tack Room or Mariscos San Pedro, I can say that Punch House is a great spot to go to either before or after any concert you are attending or even to just go to with a group of friends. They carry a wide variety of punch themed cocktails on their menu and if you have a larger group I recommend ordering a bowl of your punch of choice and splitting it amongst the group.
(DIIV @ Thalia Hall, 07/30/2024, taken by author)
When attending a show at Thalia hall, you are immediately greeted by chalk art of the artist playing that evening. Then comes the climb up the winding staircase into the hall itself. Standard layout with plenty of standing room as well as stadium style seating on the upper level. I have attended both punk rock as well as folk style shows at Thalia Hall and I can say it really is a great spot for any genre of show, whether you want to be in the middle of a mosh pit or sit down and enjoy the tunes, the sound is going to be great and you are going to be comfortable for the duration of the set.
The inside of the Hall itself is beautifully decorated and kept the same original design and decoration from when it was first built. As it is modeled after the Prague Opera House it has a decadent styling that does not feel out of place even when crowd surfing.
I have the benefit of having a friend who grew up in Pilsen and now works at Thalia Hall, so here is a small interview to get a better understanding of what the venue and building itself really means for the people of the neighborhood.
(J) - What is it like to work at a historic landmark like Thalia, as a music venue?
(BC,NR @ Thalia Hall 9/13/23, taken by author)
(M) - The first time I went into the building it felt like I was in a castle. After a while you study most of the architecture and hidden components of the building. My favorite thing to tell guests is to look up at the ceiling and try to find the casted faces. We work with what the building is and focus on being an accommodating and fun space for all who come through our doors.
(J) - What do you think the building itself means to/for the neighborhood?
(M) - I’m not sure what the building means for the community. Our staff does what we can by volunteering at food pantries and hosting yearly shows for local dance recitals. But as a person from the neighborhood, it’s just a place where I work. I’ve never met someone who doesn’t have a fond memory of Thalia hall so that makes me happy.
(J) - What does not just the venue but the building mean to you as someone who grew up in Pilsen?
(Slaughter Beach, Dog @ Thalia Hall, 11/5/2023, taken by author)
(M) - The building is a second home for me personally. I didn’t know anything about it growing up nor had I entered the building until I had my first shift. Soon after, it became a beacon where I know I will always be greeted with kindness. I have built amazing friendships and connections through Thalia hall and met many people I would genuinely consider family. In that way it makes me feel more a part of the neighborhood in a way outside of my block.
(J) - Favorite show attended at Thalia?
(M) - My favorite show was Patrick Watson. I’ve seen some amazing shows like Andre3000, Corinne Bailey Rae, Yussef Dayes and Kamasi Washington, but the way Patrick Watson had magic in the air was something special I’ll never forget. You could sense a genuine love he had for his composing and he incorporated the audience in a beautiful way. It was truly an entrancing show that I wish I could have taken my Mom to.
So what more is there to say, Thalia Hall is still standing in Pilsen over 130 years after it was built. It has kept its roots in bringing not just entertainment to the neighborhood but also bringing people together. It stands as a reminder of those who first lived in the neighborhood and continues to serve its community however it can.
(Thalia Hall, 08/22/24, taken by author)