Chicago Underground

Broke Ass Chicago kids often don't bother booking bars or cafes for their unconventional acts, preferring to hosts shows out of their own apartments and wacky warehouse spaces. This is the Chicago Underground. Not technically legal in most cases, and just as much a part of what makes the city what it is as similarly illegal street vendors. These spaces are generally invite only and hosted at secret locations.   The reasons for the secrecy are obvious- they don't want cops, press, or assholes wandering in randomly off the streets. With this in mind, the major rule of thumb in such places is to respect the space, at least if you want to be invited back. As a result of this and other factors, many are very homogeneous, an extended group of friends that know each other well. other times a space can represent integration and tearing down of old barriers, people coming together and building community.