FitzGerald’s
6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL, 60402
FitzGerald’s Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Berwyn for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Berwyn for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Berwyn for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6615 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL, 60402 - Phone (708) 788-2118
- Website https://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
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Candice G.
Will I be the first reviewer to give Fitgerald's a less than stellar rating? Yes. Am I happy to do this? Not at all... but after the sad sack service, bad/incorrect drinks, and members of our group being assaulted/groped by someone who was either a staff member or friends of the bartender, 2 stars is all I can cough up. I'd love to splurge and give it 3 stars based off hearsay and the good time I know I could have had, but this past Saturday night, in the Sidebar portion of Fitzgerald's it was an NG (not good) sort of time. We ended up at the sidebar because there were was no way all 10 of the members of our group were going to pony up $12 cover to hear the end set of a band we'd never heard of when we just wanted some drinks after a rockin' little shin dig just a half block up at the amazing Horrorbles. We walked in and there were 5 people in the small bar area and the barkeep... aka the world's worst bartender. As soon as we got in he looked at us with a puzzled face like he wasn't expecting any customers that night. It took him a while to greet us but once he did it was with a "what's the occasion?"... like it was a total freak thing that people had actually come in. I told him that we'd just come from the store up the block and wanted to get some drinks. He said he hadn't heard of the store... even though it's seriously likes 150 paces West of Fitzgerald's... how can you be so unaware of your surroundings? Ah well, that really has nothing to do with this review. First I ask him what one of the *maybe* 8 beers they have on tap (Mighty Arrow) tastes likes, and he just replies "I don't know." I try to dig a little deeper and ask if it's a cider, or lager, or porter or just fish for any kind of descriptive word he can offer. He lets out a bunch of stressed erms and uhms and then says "I dunno. D'ya just wanna try it?". Sure! That would be way more helpful that you just telling me you don't know and blinking a buncha times. After trying the beer, I decided that is tasted a bit too metallic for my tastes and that a bar where the bartender knows NOTHING about the beer is prob a place you should just get a mixed drink in. I went with a peach vodka and soda and my girl Alicia B went with a citron and soda. At this time, these were the only 2 drinks the group had ordered. A few minutes passed and the bartender puts one drink on the bar in front of us and asks Alicia "what did you want again?". She repeats her order and he then turns to me and says "oh, then what did you order?". I repeat my order and he comes back a few minutes later with what is NOT what I ordered... I'm thinking it was just well vodka and soda. I discussed with Alicia and she agreed that her drink was also not what she had ordered... but we didn't bother trying to explain that to him since he never came back after we paid the $19 for the 2 short mystery vodka somethings and one Anchor Steam. He ignored us the rest of the time we were there, besides the few minutes he acknowledged my other friends (we were the only people in the bar at this point) when he humored us by telling us about the bar being in 'A league of their own" and a Bon Jovi video. I almost considered giving up a 3 star rating for this but then I remembered that we were trying to find a late night food option and asked if he knew of anything. He first said that he didn't know anything (reminiscent of when I asked him about the bar's beer selection) but then he replied that there was a great little Mexican food place open 24 hours up the street. The place was Awful (capital 'A' awful) and there was a disgusting hair in our food... I think he set us up. What really kicked this place into the 2 star category was the creepy guy who we *think* may have worked there as he kept going behind the bar, he went through a side door that only employees were using and would leave his little back pack thing over by us while he chatted behind the bar with the world's worst bartender. This guy continually pushed his way through our group of friends, even though the rest of the bar was empty and there was plenty of walking space to not have to push. He literally rammed my friend off his bar stool while he rampaged around the corner of the bar and then he didn't even turn around to acknowledge or apologize. Then, maybe a minute and half later, he pushes through again (even though there's a clear walk way and nothing he needs on our side of the bar) but this time he grabs/gropes Alicia's bare leg (it sort of seemed like he was trying to move her leg as to to uncross them... and she was wearing a skirt) and then creepily smirked. Gross. We decided to down our awful drinks, round up the group, and get the f*ck outta there. Not cool. I'll never go back to the Sidebar portion of Fitzgerald's but I would consider going to the main Fitzgerald's for a show, since based off the ravings of my friends and the other reviews, my experience was (thankfully) not a typical one.
(2)Digital M.
People really jam into this place for the live music. They have a sister restaurant attached that will deliver you New Orleans style grub. My suggestion is if you want a table arrive 30 mins before the band is scheduled to start. Very friendly staff and crowd and always great music.
(4)David G.
I've only lived in the area for a couple years, and I hadn't heard of Fitzgerald's till a friend invited me to come listed to his co-worker's husband's band (is that 3 or 4 degrees?). Anyway, the place was packed. The band wasn't for me, but I still had a pretty good time. I got there a bit late, so all the tables were filled, and the area surrounding the bar was pretty crowded. At first I was standing near the bar up front close to the stage; it was a bit awkward because I didn't want to be part of the show, and people sitting at the bar seemed to get a bit annoyed that we were standing at the bar semi-blocking their view (HELLO... IT"S A BAR!). I felt more comfortable once I was able to move a bit further toward the back of the bar. There was more room and fewer people sitting on a bar stool attempting to watch the band. My only bad experience other than the band's genre of music, was the lead singer's attitude. The bar runs from the side of the stage to the back of the room, and the lead singer of the band thought everyone should be giving him full attention. It's a great venue, but it's a bar, and good bands realize when they're playing in a bar, it's not going to be totally quiet; drinks are being made; orders are being given, etc. I would go back to see another band, as long as I knew the band or style of music in advance. The band's Smooth Jazz sound wasn't for me, but I'll definitely be going back to Fitzgerald's in the near future to give it another shot.
(3)Edward B.
What's not to like?? Great music, great venue, the owner has a spectacular attitude and approach.
(5)Meghan M.
Good spot to see rockabilly bands...when there is a rockabilly show going on, it's definitely rockabilly central! Swing dancing and PBR flowing
(4)Gerry A.
WONDERFUL almost Roadhouse feel. Excellent draft beers and specials. Small venue, very viewable stage, interesting accessable eats next door. Would give 5 stars but they are very lax on enforcing the NO-smoking policy. Went last night and they were allowing smoking in the connected tent clearly marked NO SMOKING (they turned the sign upside down). Really spoils it for people waiting to get signed CD's etc from the artists after the show. We just left so it costs them money too. Here is the Berwyn police number, (708) 795-5600, non-emergency, choose the communication officer and politely ask them to (low priority) stop by and enforce the law. The Berwyn police were very nice. Support the cops AND the Troops (bring em home). Pros: Small Venue, Reasonably priced entry, food and drinks, very viewable stage, sound ok+ Cons: NO-smoking Law abuse, very crowded, parking scarce.
(3)Katrina H.
Just rolled up on Fitzgeralds thinking that it was apart of Wishbones... Well ordered food and the Wishbone Staff actually brought the food to us inside of Fitzgeralds.. I hate that it cost $10 for my son to go with my BF but it was a spur of the moment. Reely Dan was there doing renditions to Steeley Dan ha ha. They were FANTASTIC!! with those Sistahs as back up singers Definitely something fun to do when you're bored.. I will go back
(4)Jeff A.
Saw The Blasters here a little while ago and it was a great night. I always loved them since I purchased the soundtrack to From Dusk Till Dawn as my first compact disc when I got my first CD player. ("Dark Night" was the first song they played!) One of the other reasons that I wanted to visit Fitzgerald's was that since I was a kid I've always loved and (still do) the film Adventures In Babysitting. It's a Chicago classic (even though most of it was filmed in Canada) and it was cool, my being a huge movie buff and all, to visit a place with some cinematic history. (Bits of A League Of Their Own and The Color Of Money were filmed there also.) I kept screaming "Nobody leaves here without singing the blues!" as loud as I could but it didn't seem to illicit any response and Elizabeth Shue was nowhere in sight lol but it was a cool place with great visibilty and sound which lends to being able to interact with the performers. You probably won't recognize it from the movies (Hollywood set designers have always done a number on it) but it's a great gem of a joint for some smokin' music and a great time. I avoided their parent chow joint Wishbone mostly because everything on their menu sounded gross but the actual place and the side bar are cool and classy. Drop in even if you don't know the night's performers.
(5)Vanessa P.
Great small venue to check out both established and up-coming bands. Drinks aren't as pricey as the city and their festivals are all great! They don't call this place the "Best Little Roadhouse in the Midwest" for nothing!
(5)Justin R.
This is a great local venue. The shows I've seen here are always great. THey cater to an older audience (30+) but sometimes you can find a show that might transcend the usual audience.
(5)Aleksandra S.
favorite live music venue in/around the city!
(5)Jenny I.
Great music, and an all around friendly neighborhood bar. Makes me wish I lived in Berwyn. Hey, did you hear the Latino population in Berwyn has soared from 8% to almost 40% in the last fifteen years! Wow.
(4)Adam M.
i was here on Friday for Anthony Gomes. although i am not a fan of his the sound was good. its allot smaller then i thought it would be, it has been in movies like Adventures in Babysitting when the go into the bar that albert collins is playing in . the drink prices are ok. the one bad thing is if you sit and a table there will most likely be some one standing on the dance floor in front of you,
(3)Allison K.
I had a great time at Fitzgerald's, I saw a live show here with cheep drinks. I definitely want to check out this place again soon =)
(4)Mike K.
Fitzgerald's is more of a roadhouse than a pub. I believe you can get food here, but this is a music venue more than anything else. Caught a show here for a Haiti benefit recently. One of the warm up bands was Velvet Jimis. They're kind of a funky band with a modern twist on the whole Sly and the Family Stone vibe, with a rock/funk/soul vibe. I highly recommend checking these guys out. I wish they would come play in the city. The main act was a zydeco guy called Terrance Simien. He evidently won a Grammy and held it up for the crowd to see. That guy played his heart out. Good stuff. If I lived out in the burbs I'd come to this place more often for shows.
(4)Patrick S.
You can't beat this place for real Americana! The American Music Fest is my favorite part of Summer. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem. We are lucky to have such a great venue so close to home!
(5)Steve W.
This year's American music fest had one glaring deficiency-------fully 50% of the seating had been removed. Therefore only those with the stamina to stand long hours in the heat should bother with this festival next 4th of July weekend. Find another venue!
(2)Krystyna B.
Where's the holy water, yo? My nostrils were assaulted with the scent of frankincense and myrrh, the moment I stepped foot into this dive-y music venue. If not for the raucous Latin sounds enervating the crowd, I would have guessed I stumbled into church by mistake. Yes, my olfactory sense is that strong and those smells so ingrained from sitting through weekly mass. Fitzgerald's hosts great musical acts. I heard Del Castillo play here, and have had many friends come back raving after blues shows in this Oak Park dive. Buddy Guy or Doyle Bramhall, anyone? Be sure to check out the Events calendar ( fitzgeraldsnightclub.com… ): you can hear anything from country to jazz to the aforementioned blues. Ambiance - think Rose's in Lincoln Park, but larger, much larger. Drinks - not bad. Harp on tap set me back $5. For the hipsters among our Yelping masses, FitzGerald's carries PBR bottles for $3.50. So much classier than cans, don't you think? Getting there - Public transportation is nearby. For those who want to drive and worry about parking. Don't. Even with construction all along Roosevelt, I easily found a spot to deposit mi coche less than half a block away.
(4)Maria S.
I can't figure out if the sound was wrong or the crowd was too loud when we went. I mean, when I go to see a show I wanna hear the show, not other folks' yapping. We had to move around the room several times. Maybe it was an off night? Good beers on tap.
(3)Elizabeth H.
If you want to see great live music of the folk genre, this is your place. They host great music festivals and bring out a lot of good names. They have a great beer selection and between the main bar and the sidebar there is never a huge wait even when the place is packed. They also like to host political events with the Democratic Party of OP, which always prove to be a great time.
(5)Lidia S.
I'm not sure if it's the bar or the amazing shows that I've seen at this venue. Well, I know it's the Red Elvises show, but I think the FitzGerald's bar added to the overall experience. The bar is old and bit up and it gives it a very homey feel, the drinks are cheap and the service is fast. The two times I've been there the place was not overly crowded although it felt full. I think it's easy to find a table or a bar stool if you be there early enough. The sound in this place is great and I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking to see an amazing live show!
(5)Andy M.
Fially a music place that those mature people can go (ok older) to. The place is just right for good quality music that is not hard or rock. Most of your good blues and Jazz options are usually in the city so this is why suburbaites should cater and go to if you hate the city. This place has been here a long time and hopefully will continue with a diverse music cts that will not harm your ears. It is filled with classy people and it's nice to go to a bar and not have to worry about fights breaking a=out because somebody looks at somebody's girlfriend. Like i said it has an older audience which in this day in age is so refreshing. The owners are great and you get goofd service even when it is crowded in here.
(4)Rick V.
Came here for a Red Elvises show. Dinner at Wishbone and drinks and free wifi at Sidebar while waiting for the main club to open, as there was another show before the Elvises. I must say that Fitzgerald's truly has all the bases covered. My friend even found an amazing parking space.
(4)amy c.
better than raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens - Fitzgeralds is seriously one of my favorite things!!
(5)Nicole B.
Saw a great show here on Saturday. It's so small, so there is a great intimate setting. The sound was perfect and there seemed to be a decent amount of seating. Added bonus, it's a smoke free venue. I was the designated driver so I can't comment on the price of drinks, but all in all, a great place.
(5)Ren H.
This is a pretty chill place to hang out! Its an Irish pub atmosphere and they frequently have bands of a variety of genres entertaining .. the drinks are reasonably priced because its far out of the downtown/touristy area and there's usually a great crowd here! They've got a huge outdoor patio too which is nice when its warm
(4)Sonny P.
no cover with a killer zydeco band. drinks affordable and a good vibe by all that were there. great sound system too. I like it here a lot!
(4)Nada R.
Wow, the sound inside is surprisingly good. I guess they put new speakers under the stage, somewhat recently? Highly recommended.
(4)David T.
Little bit of a dump but GREAT live music. One of my great memories is dancing to Clifton Chenier here til 4 in the morning, back when he was squeezing the box on this earth.
(5)Scott R.
I've been going to Fitzgeralds for so long I can't remember. It's a comfortable place to hear great music from Beausoleil to Joe Ely, the Iguanas to Webb Wilder, Big Band, blues, Anna Fermin, Marcia Ball and many, many others. Now with Wishbone Restaurant next door, you can enjoy a full evening. The crowd is cool though (like me) a little older than at many other music venues. There's usually a little room in back to dance. Don't miss the July 4 festival; I still have my tee shirt from 1988.
(5)Angie M.
"Hey Ang. Wanna go see Rhett Miller at FitzGerald's in Berwyn?" Ummm... Two questions. 1. Who is Rhett Miller and 2. Why would I want to go to Berwyn? Answer to question one would be that Rhett Miller is the incredibly charismatic lead singer of the Old 97s who also has a few solo records out. If you haven't seen him, check it out. He's tops. Answer to question two? Even though FitzGerald's is geographically undesirable for a city girl like me, it's AWESOME. Let me explain: FitzGerald's is a phenomenal place to see a live show. The sound is amazing, not too loud, no shrieking speakers and perfect tone. You can get a word in to your neighbor if you're so inclined without straining your voice, but the volume is high enough to get into the groove and feel the music. Drinks? Criminally cheap. I paid $18 (not including tip) for 2 shots and 2 Effen vodka drinks. And the mixed drinks? Not small. Heavy pour. Tasty. Excellent. Mmmm! The bartenders were friendly and service behind the bar is super-quick. So quick that I never waited more than 30 seconds for a bartender to approach me to get my drink order. Lightening quick is key. The clientele is a bit of a mixed bag. My friend actually said, "There's a lot of old balls in here," but I think it really depends on who is playing at the bar. Old balls or not, I found it to be some of the best people watching around from the guy in light wash Levi's with a button-down tucked in who was foot-tappin' the whole time to the awkward swayers in front of me to the cute guys in plaid shirts sippin' their brews. The bar itself is cute, too. I got a vaguely country vibe, probably due to the overabundance of wood paneling, but again, I'm sure the atmosphere changes depending on the band playing. If you're over standing in the venue area, you can walk outside for a cigarette or slip into another bar room with lots of cafeteria type tables where you can pop a squat and rest your tired toesies. Now I'll NEVER scoff at heading to Berwyn on a Saturday night!!!
(5)Joy S.
I have boycotted FitzGerald's for years because of the way I was treated by one of the owners. A friend and I were looking for a place to hang out and have some drinks, so we went over to FitzGerald's. It wasn't very late at night, only around 9 or 10p on a weeknight. It wasn't busy, so you'd think they would be happy to have some paying customers. We tried to order drinks, but the woman behind the bar very rudely told us they were closed. So why were the doors unlocked? And why are their hours posted as open until 2am? When I asked why they were closing early, she told me because she felt like it. When I asked to speak to a manager, she told me she's the owner. Turns out she's one of the owners, and the others aren't much better. This is supposed to be the "it" spot in the near west burbs for live music, but if you're a musician from Berwyn, you get snubbed and can't get a gig there. Even some of my musician friends who live in the area and are very popular and gig quite a bit, and fit their folk-rock vibe, just can't get a gig. They get a "local? no thanks" attitude. Really, FitzGerald's, you're in Berwyn. Get over yourself. p.s. the parking also sucks
(1)Lori H.
I have to say I've never seen a bad show at Fitzgeralds. They bring in a great variety of top acts in the area. And, their drinks are inexpensive, great waitresses (who will bring you a water with no attitude), lots of seating, comfy nightclub/with a few bars. Always feels homey. Frequently, you'll see the singers-- after their show--go join an act in an adjoining place....like you're in New Orleans or something and they jam. Where else would that happen? They have 3 possible performance places-Sidebar, Main Bar, and another side bar area that is next to Sidebar. They also frequently set up heated tents (nice ones) for events. Street parking but usually you can find a space. Capri Restaurant next door is great and you can bring food in since Fitzgeralds does not serve food. I like it--a great value and the owner is frequently present.
(5)Shanti N.
Coming as I did from the city it was quite a trek to get here on the Blue Line. This was more than redeemed by the top-notch experience that I had at FitzGerald's for the launch of Tony Fitzpatrick's collected columns and artwork, Dime Stories. Organized by Curbside Splendour Publishing, the Sunday (funday) afternoon blowout included hot dogs by Hot Dougs, book signings and a chance to schmooze with the author, and live jazz. Not only that, but wine and beer were on the house, courtesy of the author. The service was friendly and there is even an outdoor patio area in addition to the traditional setup indoors. The seating is plentiful and the venue feels less like a nightclub or lounge and more like a rec room or friend's home that just happens to feature musical entertainment and a well-stocked bar. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and will remember this venue favorably for the next time an event is held here.
(4)Jean S.
My first time there. I went to see a show. The American music festival. The show was in the tent. I'm glad it wasn't too hot out. The sound was good. The drinrks were pricey for the size and strength. You know it's weak when you can't taste any gin! I would go back under the right conditions. Bring Sarah Potenza back soon!!
(4)Valerie W.
FitzGerald's got me all nostalgic with the fact that the "Suds Bucket" scene from A League of Their Own was filmed there. I was really excited to head out to see my oldest friend perform in their monthly "Singer Spotlight." We were able to easily find a parking spot on Roosevelt. The entrance was a bit tricky, we ended up in the "bar" and not the "nightclub." A few things about FitzGerald's: 1. You can't tell that A League of Their Own was filmed there. Still cool though. 2. They do not serve food. 3. That's about it. Nothing to write home about, but I was excited to be out celebrating and cheering on a friend!
(3)Alan P.
I had the pleasure of going to Fitzgerald's last week for their open mike night in the, "Club". What a great time! Some of the musicians were just outstanding. The audience was polite and cordial. The staff was great, and the sound guy was phenomenal! Even better, was that the owners had no problem at all letting us video our performance! What a riot! Thanks Fitzgerald's, I can't wait to come back !!!!
(5)Trina J.
What a great place! I stopped in to check out trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. $25 cover, 9pm show. The venue is standing room only with a House of Blues type feel. It would comfortably hold 250 people but I suspect it was closer to 350 in there. It was packed but a ton of fun. For anyone who has heard his music, you know he is an awesome entertainer. He plays songs he has written but he throws in songs he may have heard on the radio that day, songs by other artist and even impersonates playing styles of other Nola jazz musicians. When he played "Hey Now" a New Orleans classic & Mardi Gras fav, the crowd went wild. He also played the The HBO series Treme theme song. The melody makes you move. Kermit also brought on Nayo Jones, a singer originally from Chicago but currently living in New Orleans. Nayo sang Living My Life Likes Its Golden, Funny Valentine and At Last. Her voice was amazing and selections covered the spectrum. If that wasn't enough, the drummer also led a few hits which got the crowd pretty hype. The show was 3 hours long with only one 20 minute break. The bar carried everything, but most importantly, Angry Orchard. Can beers were $3 which is pretty cheap by my standards. The bartenders were attentive and quick on their feet. If you needed a break or space, there's an outside patio with chairs and tables. And in front, a guy was grilling sausage and barbecue. I am so happy I gave this place a try. I had a blast and will definitely return.
(5)Mike G.
If you are a fan of well made classic cocktails, definitely check out Side Bar on Wednesdays. I believe they offer their classic cocktails most nights but Wednesdays encompasses classic cocktails and some pretty awesome Jazz. The staff is awesome and the bar is normally populated with friendly people and quiet ambiance.
(5)Thomas C.
After all these years (17) my first time inside Fitzgerald's was for a school fundraiser, but it will not be another 17 years until my next visit. The staff here is great and I do mean great. The Bartenders the manager, had occasion to interact with all of them and they are ... great. But the draw to this place is the bands they pull in and the great music they offer. I'm a fan.
(4)Cristina B.
The acts at this venue are usually very talented and the sound is great. You can order in your own food from local take out places. There's a bit of an older crowd here...definitely not a city club. (Although I did spot a few hipsters here once...guess it depends on the act.)
(3)JJ R.
Long time local customers and plan on never going back. Bottom line were sick and tired of getting tickets only to find that at the last minute they pulled all the seating and tables out. Many of the groups we see are geared for the 50 up crowd. They never mention that on there webpage and I have seen more then one couple only to walk in and see nothing to sit on. We were just there last weekend and a older couple was really in pain just leaning against the wall that is nuts! When you ask the help you get the typical so what, or you should of called? What kind of BS answer is that especially when you buy your tickets in advance. Its insane that the expect you to stand from 7 on till the group comes on usually at 9 or so till the group is over. Service is bad if you want the food from next door stay away from there as its also not good. To us the highlights of Fitzgerald's is there clean washrooms and that is it. The Music Venue is pretty well run down and really in need of a makeover! From now on were plan to frequent Wire up the street, that has options of buying a ticket that guarantees you a seat if you wish. Plus a very courteous waitstaff and spotless venue
(1)Dean R.
I've been here once to see a pretty popular surf guitar act and the place was pretty cool. Parking wasn't too bad but from what I here it can be rough sometimes.
(4)Jen M.
My husband and I saw one of our favorite musicians play here. He is a small, independent artist from Arizona and he did an acoustic show with his drummer. The stage was pretty big for such a small venue, every seat in the house had a great view, the standing area was fairly large, and the acoustics were good! The service was: meh. For two entire songs my husband stood at the bar and watched the bartender take orders for 5 other people who came after he did. My husband is 6'5 - hard to miss! I would probably give it another shot, and cannot comment on the food or the environment on any regular night.
(3)Montrew N.
I had my husband's 50th birthday at Fitzgeralds! The two rooms, the Sidebar bar and party room were perfect. We had about 50 on a friday night. It was an intimate space with a little rock vibe. We played our own music with a simple ipod plug into their sound system. Josie the party planner was amazing. She took care of everything and had great advice. Very flexible and accommodating. She was there that night and was very helpful. Oscar and Emma, the bartender and waitress were friendly and fabulous. We got food from Capri next door and it was so GOOD! Everyone had a blast. Would highly recommend.
(5)Kristine S.
I've been a Berwyn resident for many years and have been in once or twice before. In the past, my experience was nothing stellar but nothing poor prior to this weekend. As a person in the performing industry myself, I can really appreciate any bar that supports musicians. And my friends/family and myself are all passionate about supporting other artists. That's why my husband and I thought this would be a great place to take our friends and family out to in our neighborhood last weekend. But Fitzgeralds MAJORLY disappointed. Not only was the service incredibly slow but the cover was quite high for later in the evening when we had missed most of the entertainment. And by later in the evening, I mean 9:30 pm. Because that's when the place starts winding down on a Saturday night. But worst of all, it felt like an exclusive club that outsiders were unwelcome too. The evening ended on a very sour note with one of the owners (in my opinion) discriminating against one of the members of our group for being a little too joyous due to an incident. I spoke with him and explained that not only was the incident an accident, but that we've lived in the area for many years and are mostly artists ourselves who are passionate about supporting places like his. I did not want to leave a venue like that feeling so upset. But he LITERALLY shrugged his shoulders at me and said our friend needed to leave and proceeded to tell me that he didn't care if any of us returned to his establishment. SO...1) a warning to other artists out there. Beware. I can't imagine that an owner who treats his patrons that way is going to treat his artists any better. 2) If you are under the age of 50 and/or of any "different" type of demographic, be prepared to be treated poorly and have to wait a very long time for service. The owner doesn't have to worry about us returning because we won't. I'm not sure how they hope to continue growing their business if all young people and anyone who may be deemed as "different" are treated poorly or less deserving of service. I won't support an establishment run by someone like that. Really disappointing...
(1)Greg R.
Visited FitzGerald's over the weekend to attend their music festival. First reaction entering the venue is it is much nicer than what I had expected. I don't know what I had in mind, but old dive bar is what I expected. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their face and I thought service was very good. The one disappointment I had was with the size of the crowd. I was there from 8pm to after midnight on saturday and although there was a decent size crowd, it thinned out significantly after 9:30-10pm. I don't know if it was the $30 cover..which i thought was steep for the caliber bands they had or the 'older' demograhpic of the crowd but it never reach fun festival vibe for me. I would recommend going to FitzGerald;s if there is a band you know is playing but otherwise I would pass on a random Friday or Saturday night.
(3)Kevin B.
We came here on a Sunday to hear the Chicago Grandstand Big Band. The venue is old and classic. No food. Only drinks and music, and that's what we came for. They allow you to bring in food from local shops which is nice.
(4)Donna G.
Love this place! Adding it to my list of favorite venues. Fitzgeralds, as far as I am concerned is a concert venue on par with SPACE in Evanston and City Winery. Fun, clean and great acts. May not be as posh as City Winery but who needs posh when the artists and sound quality are so good. Bonus: Really clean bathrooms.
(4)Comensal A.
I've been hearing about FitzGerald's for years, but have never gotten around to visiting.I finally made the trip and attended Robbie Fulks' annual year in review show there this past weekend. For me, it was not a pleasant experience. I attend quite a few concerts around town, and have come to favor the Old Town School of Folk Music for its pristine sound, comfortable seating and great sight lines. I also like Evanston SPACE for the same reasons, and Lincoln Hall is pretty good, too. FitzGerald's? Not so much. To start on the plus side, the sound is decent and the staff is courteous. But comfort? No. Sight lines? Ehh. My sense is that there may be two kinds of music fans: 1) those who like to sit comfortably in a good room (maybe with a table on which to set beverages), and 2) those who like to stand for a loooong time with 300 of their very best friends, elbow to elbow, belly to bum, craning their necks to see the stage. I am not in group 2. There were also some operational issues I didn't much care for. I noticed a seating disclaimer when I bought the tix online, so I called the venue the week before to inquire about the likely seating configuration. I was told that the show would probably be a sellout, so there would be some barstools against the wall around the perimeter of the room, and that if I wanted to try for one, I needed to get there early, say about 7:30 or sooner for the 8:00 show. Fine. I showed up at 7:20, but the stools were long gone. Sigh. So I'd have to stand around for 40 minutes waiting for the show that I would have stand through. Except that the show didn't start until about 8:55. No announcement as to why (was it a technical issue? Was it a performer problem? Was the venue just selling more drinks?). So I got to stand for 90 minutes waiting for a show I'd have to stand through. Another nice touch was the coat check with a mandatory fee, which attendees were advised to use because "it will be hot in there," which it would, of course, since there were no chairs upon which to hang coats. Oy. I really enjoy Robbie -- he's a great writer and performer, and a superb musician. This venue detracted from the performance for me, though. I stuck it out for the first set, but couldn't hang in there for the second. Bummer. I guess I'm not in the FitzGerald's target demographic. I did check it out, though, and now I don't have to go back.
(2)Melanie S.
After all these years of hearing how I simply *must* check out a show at Fitzgerald's (and me scoffing at the thought of driving to Berwyn), I finally did just that. I never really saw much of a reason to drive to the 'burbs to see a music show; I mean, the City has a ton of great places, right? Well, a recent Tributosaurus show that was a must-see for me that was only playing at Fitzgerald's was as good a reason as any. I've foolishly always had it in my head that any place in the suburbs takes at least an hour to drive to, so we arrived at Fitzgerald's a half hour before the show was to start. Apparently Berwyn isn't as far away as I've led myself to believe. Who knew? I really ended up liking Fitzgerald's. Maybe it was the show itself, but I thought the crowd was quite diverse --not a bunch of old fogeys, but also not a bunch of young'uns. And even though this place is not small, it felt quite intimate. Now I'm certainly no expert, but I thought the acoustics were fantastic. Even while the show was going on, you could still talk to your neighbor without shouting above the din. Drinks are fairly priced and the service is friendly to boot. Street parking was easy enough as well. Now that I know how convenient Fitz's is, I will never turn my nose up again at seeing a show here, and since it's a pretty regular venue for my favorite band, I'm sure I'll be back sooner rather than later.
(4)Cheryl D.
As a former Chicagoan, for the past 20 years when I return to Chicago I always make it to Fitzgerald's (about twice a year). It is a great place to get up close and personal with the music and they feature some really wonderful bands! I have always had a great time and have been surrounded by happy like-minded music fans! FUN!!!! FUN!!!! FUN!!!!! Great atmosphere, great bartenders lots of great music! I have attended the American Music Festival many times and have always enjoyed myself. I do have a problem with the food at the festival---it is not vegetarian friendly.....everything had some type of animal fat in it....at least when Wishbone was there they offered, corn muffins, watermelon lemonade, cupcakes and rice and beans..... I don't go to the festival for the food but if you are there for 8 hours you need something other than a lime peel or an olive!....and not everyone wants pizza...although I would have gladly eaten it but all they had left was meat topped slices... :( Even when I asked if something was vegetarian I was told yes and then they gave me something with bacon...come on! Vegetarians are not outer space aliens.... Don't get me wrong this is my favorite music venue in Chicago----I am just offering some suggestions to make the festival even better.... .
(4)Eric S.
Awesome place to catch a show, and a surprisingly good beer list. Definitely a gem off the beaten path. The only shows I've seen there have been standing room only (with a few tallboy tables scattered around the perimeter) so don't go and expect to sit at a table every time. My only complaint is that bartenders are split 50/50 on incredibly friendly and attentive, and an attitude of they were doing me a favor by serving me. If some of the latter staff had a better attitude, this is five stars!
(4)Linda S.
I'll say it...we are 68 and this is one of the few places we still go after a lifetime of concert going in Chicago.... because of the atmosphere. Our friends love it. We can sit and hear the music. The audience is respectful for a listening type concert, and dancing is joyous when the dance floor is open in front of the stage. The acts are a wide range of styles, but the talent is always excellent. The price is actually too low.... Frekonomics would say charge more to keep some of the crowds down a bit. If you want a seat go early, order food from next door, get your drinks and relax. If you are there to dance, come anytime. I don't want to be a crank, but I really want to hear a singer-song writer and not have the audience yacking through the songs. At Fitzgerald's that has NEVER happened, and I think if it did they would clear the idiots out. Sets start at a reasonable time and are often straight through so you leave at a reasonable time. Drink prices are practically free. There may be no better music value in all of Chicago.
(5)Cheryl V.
I saw Buckwheat Zydeco here awhile back. I've been here for CD release parties, the Vanessa Davis Band and a host of other groups. It's definitely a super casual neighborhood spot, and I do mean casual, glamour girls. There's a woodsey feel to the place, it seats, holds about 150 for live music. Bartenders are always friendly and there's usually a place to sit and/or stand. In the summertime there's a tented outdoor area for dining al fresco if you're having dinner at Wishbone beforehand. Always a good time to be had at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. Be sure to check their calendar before dropping in because they book everything from rockabilly to blues and rock and roll.
(4)Laurie R.
I have been coming to Berwyn to FitzGerald's for about 20 years. They get great musical acts in all my favorite genres--rockabilly, country, zydeco, surf and rock. When I lived in Chicago, it was pretty easy to get to. Now I moved to Berwyn (coincidence?). Friendly staff, great sound, clean bathrooms, and a good beer selection--what more could a girl ask for?! Oh yeah. Food. Capri (and previously Wishbone) right next door can provide dinner to accompany your music.
(5)Jelena Z.
FitzGerald's is kind of like my friend Phil-- everyone likes him! Last week, we came here to see Austin-based Latin rock band Del Castillo. Not only is this band Phil-approved, but both Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez (two of my favorite film directors) love these guys and have used a few tracks in their movies. And that's more than enough endorsement for me! The insides are very cabin-esque... wood everywhere and you'll even notice a mounted deer's head. Super casual, my friends. The staff is just as laid back and very welcoming. There's plenty of tables so you can comfortably lounge and the best part? A fine selection of beer on tap. Affordable, too! The sound is great-- crisp and not overly loud. And FitzGerald's is only 6 blocks from the Blue Line, city dwellers!
(4)Jillian H.
They have been around for along time and have a great history. We go here several times a year and have seen some really great bands over the years. My personal favorite was "The Knitters". It's a nice small music venue that is general admission with a generous amount of seating. They have the usual domestic beers and a few craft beers. It's a fairly affordable night out.
(4)alicia b.
I dont know if we walked into Fitzgeralds on the wrong night or what? Everyone else seems to enjoy this place. But whatever the case maybe I wasnt happy at all. The bartender was oober weird he didnt want to serve drinks! Usually thats the point of a bartender but this guy had a mixed up idea of his job description.After finally getting him to pour a gosh damn drink,turns out he didnt even give us the right vodka. Leashy gets made when she doesnt get her vodka so I was no sweet pea. Nobody was in the place either, except a couple cronnies of the faux bartender, and another perverted employee. We plopped it down right next to a sweet ass collection of Cds.Yup Cds not exactly sure of why they were all there.I wonder if you could pick one and ask if they could put it in the boom box eh? Maybe next time
(2)Megan G.
Have you taken my advice and been to FItzgerald's yet? Upon further inspection, I absolutely love Fitzgerald's even more than previously mentioned. They have so many bars I can get lost, an adorable twinkling patio covered in tiny white lights, plentiful restrooms and the nicest staff I've encountered in awhile. They have folk, country, blues, jazz, rock, euchre nights, open mics etc. Right up my honky tonk ally. It's worth the trip to Berwyn x10000!
(5)Sofia D.
Checked out a show here a few months back and it was a great time. I felt comfortable standing towards the front of the crowd for the first half of the performance and even had enough room to do a weird shuffle that awkward, insecure people do that resembles a dance, kind of. It was a little hard to get a drink at first but the bartender made sure to acknowledge my presence which I loved... being ignored is the worst. The last half of the show I made my way to the back of the crowd where I figured all the cool people hung out, much like they did on my bus en route to middle school. I had plenty of space to dance here as well which means I had a good time. It's nice to be surrounded by a lot of music-lovin' folks without a hint of arrogance or sense of entitlement to them opposed to the crowd at some other bars. I can't wait for the next show here.
(4)Pritesh P.
I grew up in the NW 'burbs and lived many years on and off in Chicago, and I hate to say it, but I'm not a fan of the nightlife. Sure you can occasionally find a hole-in-the-wall bar that is a nice place to just enjoy a few beers with friends, but I haven't been impressed with what that region of Illinois has to offer. There's a lack of ...I guess I would call it...authenticity? However, this place is perfect. I saw the Ike Reilly Assassination perform here and it was glorious. The main part is just a wood-paneled room with a deer head mounted on the wall. If that alone doesn't convince you of the sheer awesomeness of Fitzgeralds then read on you stubborn fool: The staff was super friendly when I was there (from what I remember at least, admittedly the night gets a bit hazy towards the end). But I do recall ordering another pint from the bartender because "this one tastes like sewage"... I think the sewage I was referring to was a draft called 'Burning River', and the bartender poured me a nice Stella draft and didn't charge me for it! She says to me, she says "you already paid for a beer" (I had taken only a few sips of the sewage beer). That kind of service and understanding is hard to find these days. They had plenty of drafts to choose from. My redneck friend was a little disappointed they didn't serve any Budweiser products. I'm not saying he's redneck because he wanted a Bud Light, the guy literally has a red neck, and face. It kind of glows really. Anywho, they had some sort of a tent set up outside, not quite sure what the deal with that was. It looked cold. They also had a "side room" where you could grab a seat at another bar and watch the flat-screen. I think the side room had many more drafts to choose from than the main attraction did. As for serving as music venue, Fitzgerald's pulled it off really well. I didn't find myself with a lost voice at the end of the night from yelling at my friends just so they could hear me, but at the same time I had my face rocked off by I.R.A. I never would have thought Berwyn, IL would have this gem to offer to the world. I think I just have an aversion to the name "Berwyn"... probably, no, wait, definitely because of the ghetto area surrounding the Berwyn stop on the Red Line of the L.
(4)Michael N.
Attended the 33rd American Music Festival and had a great time quaffing Blue Moon wheat ales and wolfing down a Po Boy Andouille Sausage sandwich, which was excellent. When I am back in the area, I am going to back for some more fun.
(4)Pete D.
Still love Fitzgerald's, sure do miss the Wishbone being part of the Fitzcomplex. They still could do better with the local brew, they need to ditch Blue Moon, a Coors product.
(3)Christina R.
If you're not from the area you might not realize this little venue hosts some of the biggest names in folk, rockabilly, and even international music. Their annual American Music Festival held on the 4th of July sells out every year. There are two bars in the lodgy venue room and waitresses. If a larger crowd is expected the tables are removed. The venue holds 300, but the side bar and outdoor seating add an extra 200 to the capacity. Nonetheless, I've never had problems getting a drink or feeling overwhelmed by the crowd. I attended a high school reunion here with my bf a couple years ago and was impressed with the food from Wishbone and with how smoothly the entire event went, especially considering there was a sold-out show in the concert venue - The Red Elvises, an added treat. An extra three cheers to Tom Fitzgerald for bring the Chicago Reader to the suburbs!
(4)George A.
For being a square room the acoustics are great. The volume of the bands is never too loud.
(4)Digital M.
People really jam into this place for the live music. They have a sister restaurant attached that will deliver you New Orleans style grub. My suggestion is if you want a table arrive 30 mins before the band is scheduled to start. Very friendly staff and crowd and always great music.
(4)Teri G.
Easily my favorite club for live music. Decent sight lines, fantastic booking and the drinks are reasonable. They recently forged a relationship with Wishbone who sells food on occasion. Music choices range from jazz to twang with a lot of New Orleans and Texas-based artists, as well as local faves. On occasion it can get a little nutty (St Patty's Day, anyone) but that adds to the fun. Best music fest in the area takes place for 4 days (typically) right around the 4th of July, with stages indoors and out. Audience tends to be people 25-55, music lovers who pay attention to the performers. Good mix of singles as well as couples, depending on who's playing.
(4)kb j.
We went here to attend the American Music Festival on a weekend afternoon. Thus, this review is based on that experience as opposed to the experience that would be experienced during the rest of the year. We were attracted by the music line-up for the festival. The festival is held outside in a tent filling what I believe is the parking lot and there is also a smaller venue inside as well. The place had a nice feel too it and had Bell's Oberon on tap. Great experience for a sunny Summer afternoon.
(4)Andy M.
Fially a music place that those mature people can go (ok older) to. The place is just right for good quality music that is not hard or rock. Most of your good blues and Jazz options are usually in the city so this is why suburbaites should cater and go to if you hate the city. This place has been here a long time and hopefully will continue with a diverse music cts that will not harm your ears. It is filled with classy people and it's nice to go to a bar and not have to worry about fights breaking a=out because somebody looks at somebody's girlfriend. Like i said it has an older audience which in this day in age is so refreshing. The owners are great and you get goofd service even when it is crowded in here.
(4)Rick V.
Came here for a Red Elvises show. Dinner at Wishbone and drinks and free wifi at Sidebar while waiting for the main club to open, as there was another show before the Elvises. I must say that Fitzgerald's truly has all the bases covered. My friend even found an amazing parking space.
(4)amy c.
better than raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens - Fitzgeralds is seriously one of my favorite things!!
(5)Nicole B.
Saw a great show here on Saturday. It's so small, so there is a great intimate setting. The sound was perfect and there seemed to be a decent amount of seating. Added bonus, it's a smoke free venue. I was the designated driver so I can't comment on the price of drinks, but all in all, a great place.
(5)Ren H.
This is a pretty chill place to hang out! Its an Irish pub atmosphere and they frequently have bands of a variety of genres entertaining .. the drinks are reasonably priced because its far out of the downtown/touristy area and there's usually a great crowd here! They've got a huge outdoor patio too which is nice when its warm
(4)Sonny P.
no cover with a killer zydeco band. drinks affordable and a good vibe by all that were there. great sound system too. I like it here a lot!
(4)Nada R.
Wow, the sound inside is surprisingly good. I guess they put new speakers under the stage, somewhat recently? Highly recommended.
(4)David T.
Little bit of a dump but GREAT live music. One of my great memories is dancing to Clifton Chenier here til 4 in the morning, back when he was squeezing the box on this earth.
(5)Scott R.
I've been going to Fitzgeralds for so long I can't remember. It's a comfortable place to hear great music from Beausoleil to Joe Ely, the Iguanas to Webb Wilder, Big Band, blues, Anna Fermin, Marcia Ball and many, many others. Now with Wishbone Restaurant next door, you can enjoy a full evening. The crowd is cool though (like me) a little older than at many other music venues. There's usually a little room in back to dance. Don't miss the July 4 festival; I still have my tee shirt from 1988.
(5)Trina J.
What a great place! I stopped in to check out trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. $25 cover, 9pm show. The venue is standing room only with a House of Blues type feel. It would comfortably hold 250 people but I suspect it was closer to 350 in there. It was packed but a ton of fun. For anyone who has heard his music, you know he is an awesome entertainer. He plays songs he has written but he throws in songs he may have heard on the radio that day, songs by other artist and even impersonates playing styles of other Nola jazz musicians. When he played "Hey Now" a New Orleans classic & Mardi Gras fav, the crowd went wild. He also played the The HBO series Treme theme song. The melody makes you move. Kermit also brought on Nayo Jones, a singer originally from Chicago but currently living in New Orleans. Nayo sang Living My Life Likes Its Golden, Funny Valentine and At Last. Her voice was amazing and selections covered the spectrum. If that wasn't enough, the drummer also led a few hits which got the crowd pretty hype. The show was 3 hours long with only one 20 minute break. The bar carried everything, but most importantly, Angry Orchard. Can beers were $3 which is pretty cheap by my standards. The bartenders were attentive and quick on their feet. If you needed a break or space, there's an outside patio with chairs and tables. And in front, a guy was grilling sausage and barbecue. I am so happy I gave this place a try. I had a blast and will definitely return.
(5)Mike G.
If you are a fan of well made classic cocktails, definitely check out Side Bar on Wednesdays. I believe they offer their classic cocktails most nights but Wednesdays encompasses classic cocktails and some pretty awesome Jazz. The staff is awesome and the bar is normally populated with friendly people and quiet ambiance.
(5)Thomas C.
After all these years (17) my first time inside Fitzgerald's was for a school fundraiser, but it will not be another 17 years until my next visit. The staff here is great and I do mean great. The Bartenders the manager, had occasion to interact with all of them and they are ... great. But the draw to this place is the bands they pull in and the great music they offer. I'm a fan.
(4)JJ R.
Long time local customers and plan on never going back. Bottom line were sick and tired of getting tickets only to find that at the last minute they pulled all the seating and tables out. Many of the groups we see are geared for the 50 up crowd. They never mention that on there webpage and I have seen more then one couple only to walk in and see nothing to sit on. We were just there last weekend and a older couple was really in pain just leaning against the wall that is nuts! When you ask the help you get the typical so what, or you should of called? What kind of BS answer is that especially when you buy your tickets in advance. Its insane that the expect you to stand from 7 on till the group comes on usually at 9 or so till the group is over. Service is bad if you want the food from next door stay away from there as its also not good. To us the highlights of Fitzgerald's is there clean washrooms and that is it. The Music Venue is pretty well run down and really in need of a makeover! From now on were plan to frequent Wire up the street, that has options of buying a ticket that guarantees you a seat if you wish. Plus a very courteous waitstaff and spotless venue
(1)Comensal A.
I've been hearing about FitzGerald's for years, but have never gotten around to visiting.I finally made the trip and attended Robbie Fulks' annual year in review show there this past weekend. For me, it was not a pleasant experience. I attend quite a few concerts around town, and have come to favor the Old Town School of Folk Music for its pristine sound, comfortable seating and great sight lines. I also like Evanston SPACE for the same reasons, and Lincoln Hall is pretty good, too. FitzGerald's? Not so much. To start on the plus side, the sound is decent and the staff is courteous. But comfort? No. Sight lines? Ehh. My sense is that there may be two kinds of music fans: 1) those who like to sit comfortably in a good room (maybe with a table on which to set beverages), and 2) those who like to stand for a loooong time with 300 of their very best friends, elbow to elbow, belly to bum, craning their necks to see the stage. I am not in group 2. There were also some operational issues I didn't much care for. I noticed a seating disclaimer when I bought the tix online, so I called the venue the week before to inquire about the likely seating configuration. I was told that the show would probably be a sellout, so there would be some barstools against the wall around the perimeter of the room, and that if I wanted to try for one, I needed to get there early, say about 7:30 or sooner for the 8:00 show. Fine. I showed up at 7:20, but the stools were long gone. Sigh. So I'd have to stand around for 40 minutes waiting for the show that I would have stand through. Except that the show didn't start until about 8:55. No announcement as to why (was it a technical issue? Was it a performer problem? Was the venue just selling more drinks?). So I got to stand for 90 minutes waiting for a show I'd have to stand through. Another nice touch was the coat check with a mandatory fee, which attendees were advised to use because "it will be hot in there," which it would, of course, since there were no chairs upon which to hang coats. Oy. I really enjoy Robbie -- he's a great writer and performer, and a superb musician. This venue detracted from the performance for me, though. I stuck it out for the first set, but couldn't hang in there for the second. Bummer. I guess I'm not in the FitzGerald's target demographic. I did check it out, though, and now I don't have to go back.
(2)Melanie S.
After all these years of hearing how I simply *must* check out a show at Fitzgerald's (and me scoffing at the thought of driving to Berwyn), I finally did just that. I never really saw much of a reason to drive to the 'burbs to see a music show; I mean, the City has a ton of great places, right? Well, a recent Tributosaurus show that was a must-see for me that was only playing at Fitzgerald's was as good a reason as any. I've foolishly always had it in my head that any place in the suburbs takes at least an hour to drive to, so we arrived at Fitzgerald's a half hour before the show was to start. Apparently Berwyn isn't as far away as I've led myself to believe. Who knew? I really ended up liking Fitzgerald's. Maybe it was the show itself, but I thought the crowd was quite diverse --not a bunch of old fogeys, but also not a bunch of young'uns. And even though this place is not small, it felt quite intimate. Now I'm certainly no expert, but I thought the acoustics were fantastic. Even while the show was going on, you could still talk to your neighbor without shouting above the din. Drinks are fairly priced and the service is friendly to boot. Street parking was easy enough as well. Now that I know how convenient Fitz's is, I will never turn my nose up again at seeing a show here, and since it's a pretty regular venue for my favorite band, I'm sure I'll be back sooner rather than later.
(4)Lori H.
I have to say I've never seen a bad show at Fitzgeralds. They bring in a great variety of top acts in the area. And, their drinks are inexpensive, great waitresses (who will bring you a water with no attitude), lots of seating, comfy nightclub/with a few bars. Always feels homey. Frequently, you'll see the singers-- after their show--go join an act in an adjoining place....like you're in New Orleans or something and they jam. Where else would that happen? They have 3 possible performance places-Sidebar, Main Bar, and another side bar area that is next to Sidebar. They also frequently set up heated tents (nice ones) for events. Street parking but usually you can find a space. Capri Restaurant next door is great and you can bring food in since Fitzgeralds does not serve food. I like it--a great value and the owner is frequently present.
(5)Dean R.
I've been here once to see a pretty popular surf guitar act and the place was pretty cool. Parking wasn't too bad but from what I here it can be rough sometimes.
(4)Laurie R.
I have been coming to Berwyn to FitzGerald's for about 20 years. They get great musical acts in all my favorite genres--rockabilly, country, zydeco, surf and rock. When I lived in Chicago, it was pretty easy to get to. Now I moved to Berwyn (coincidence?). Friendly staff, great sound, clean bathrooms, and a good beer selection--what more could a girl ask for?! Oh yeah. Food. Capri (and previously Wishbone) right next door can provide dinner to accompany your music.
(5)Megan G.
Have you taken my advice and been to FItzgerald's yet? Upon further inspection, I absolutely love Fitzgerald's even more than previously mentioned. They have so many bars I can get lost, an adorable twinkling patio covered in tiny white lights, plentiful restrooms and the nicest staff I've encountered in awhile. They have folk, country, blues, jazz, rock, euchre nights, open mics etc. Right up my honky tonk ally. It's worth the trip to Berwyn x10000!
(5)Maria S.
I can't figure out if the sound was wrong or the crowd was too loud when we went. I mean, when I go to see a show I wanna hear the show, not other folks' yapping. We had to move around the room several times. Maybe it was an off night? Good beers on tap.
(3)Elizabeth H.
If you want to see great live music of the folk genre, this is your place. They host great music festivals and bring out a lot of good names. They have a great beer selection and between the main bar and the sidebar there is never a huge wait even when the place is packed. They also like to host political events with the Democratic Party of OP, which always prove to be a great time.
(5)Katrina H.
Just rolled up on Fitzgeralds thinking that it was apart of Wishbones... Well ordered food and the Wishbone Staff actually brought the food to us inside of Fitzgeralds.. I hate that it cost $10 for my son to go with my BF but it was a spur of the moment. Reely Dan was there doing renditions to Steeley Dan ha ha. They were FANTASTIC!! with those Sistahs as back up singers Definitely something fun to do when you're bored.. I will go back
(4)Patrick S.
You can't beat this place for real Americana! The American Music Fest is my favorite part of Summer. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem. We are lucky to have such a great venue so close to home!
(5)Krystyna B.
Where's the holy water, yo? My nostrils were assaulted with the scent of frankincense and myrrh, the moment I stepped foot into this dive-y music venue. If not for the raucous Latin sounds enervating the crowd, I would have guessed I stumbled into church by mistake. Yes, my olfactory sense is that strong and those smells so ingrained from sitting through weekly mass. Fitzgerald's hosts great musical acts. I heard Del Castillo play here, and have had many friends come back raving after blues shows in this Oak Park dive. Buddy Guy or Doyle Bramhall, anyone? Be sure to check out the Events calendar ( fitzgeraldsnightclub.com… ): you can hear anything from country to jazz to the aforementioned blues. Ambiance - think Rose's in Lincoln Park, but larger, much larger. Drinks - not bad. Harp on tap set me back $5. For the hipsters among our Yelping masses, FitzGerald's carries PBR bottles for $3.50. So much classier than cans, don't you think? Getting there - Public transportation is nearby. For those who want to drive and worry about parking. Don't. Even with construction all along Roosevelt, I easily found a spot to deposit mi coche less than half a block away.
(4)Cheryl V.
I saw Buckwheat Zydeco here awhile back. I've been here for CD release parties, the Vanessa Davis Band and a host of other groups. It's definitely a super casual neighborhood spot, and I do mean casual, glamour girls. There's a woodsey feel to the place, it seats, holds about 150 for live music. Bartenders are always friendly and there's usually a place to sit and/or stand. In the summertime there's a tented outdoor area for dining al fresco if you're having dinner at Wishbone beforehand. Always a good time to be had at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. Be sure to check their calendar before dropping in because they book everything from rockabilly to blues and rock and roll.
(4)Lidia S.
I'm not sure if it's the bar or the amazing shows that I've seen at this venue. Well, I know it's the Red Elvises show, but I think the FitzGerald's bar added to the overall experience. The bar is old and bit up and it gives it a very homey feel, the drinks are cheap and the service is fast. The two times I've been there the place was not overly crowded although it felt full. I think it's easy to find a table or a bar stool if you be there early enough. The sound in this place is great and I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking to see an amazing live show!
(5)Teri G.
Easily my favorite club for live music. Decent sight lines, fantastic booking and the drinks are reasonable. They recently forged a relationship with Wishbone who sells food on occasion. Music choices range from jazz to twang with a lot of New Orleans and Texas-based artists, as well as local faves. On occasion it can get a little nutty (St Patty's Day, anyone) but that adds to the fun. Best music fest in the area takes place for 4 days (typically) right around the 4th of July, with stages indoors and out. Audience tends to be people 25-55, music lovers who pay attention to the performers. Good mix of singles as well as couples, depending on who's playing.
(4)kb j.
We went here to attend the American Music Festival on a weekend afternoon. Thus, this review is based on that experience as opposed to the experience that would be experienced during the rest of the year. We were attracted by the music line-up for the festival. The festival is held outside in a tent filling what I believe is the parking lot and there is also a smaller venue inside as well. The place had a nice feel too it and had Bell's Oberon on tap. Great experience for a sunny Summer afternoon.
(4)Shanti N.
Coming as I did from the city it was quite a trek to get here on the Blue Line. This was more than redeemed by the top-notch experience that I had at FitzGerald's for the launch of Tony Fitzpatrick's collected columns and artwork, Dime Stories. Organized by Curbside Splendour Publishing, the Sunday (funday) afternoon blowout included hot dogs by Hot Dougs, book signings and a chance to schmooze with the author, and live jazz. Not only that, but wine and beer were on the house, courtesy of the author. The service was friendly and there is even an outdoor patio area in addition to the traditional setup indoors. The seating is plentiful and the venue feels less like a nightclub or lounge and more like a rec room or friend's home that just happens to feature musical entertainment and a well-stocked bar. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and will remember this venue favorably for the next time an event is held here.
(4)Jean S.
My first time there. I went to see a show. The American music festival. The show was in the tent. I'm glad it wasn't too hot out. The sound was good. The drinrks were pricey for the size and strength. You know it's weak when you can't taste any gin! I would go back under the right conditions. Bring Sarah Potenza back soon!!
(4)Valerie W.
FitzGerald's got me all nostalgic with the fact that the "Suds Bucket" scene from A League of Their Own was filmed there. I was really excited to head out to see my oldest friend perform in their monthly "Singer Spotlight." We were able to easily find a parking spot on Roosevelt. The entrance was a bit tricky, we ended up in the "bar" and not the "nightclub." A few things about FitzGerald's: 1. You can't tell that A League of Their Own was filmed there. Still cool though. 2. They do not serve food. 3. That's about it. Nothing to write home about, but I was excited to be out celebrating and cheering on a friend!
(3)Alan P.
I had the pleasure of going to Fitzgerald's last week for their open mike night in the, "Club". What a great time! Some of the musicians were just outstanding. The audience was polite and cordial. The staff was great, and the sound guy was phenomenal! Even better, was that the owners had no problem at all letting us video our performance! What a riot! Thanks Fitzgerald's, I can't wait to come back !!!!
(5)Kevin B.
We came here on a Sunday to hear the Chicago Grandstand Big Band. The venue is old and classic. No food. Only drinks and music, and that's what we came for. They allow you to bring in food from local shops which is nice.
(4)Donna G.
Love this place! Adding it to my list of favorite venues. Fitzgeralds, as far as I am concerned is a concert venue on par with SPACE in Evanston and City Winery. Fun, clean and great acts. May not be as posh as City Winery but who needs posh when the artists and sound quality are so good. Bonus: Really clean bathrooms.
(4)Kristine S.
I've been a Berwyn resident for many years and have been in once or twice before. In the past, my experience was nothing stellar but nothing poor prior to this weekend. As a person in the performing industry myself, I can really appreciate any bar that supports musicians. And my friends/family and myself are all passionate about supporting other artists. That's why my husband and I thought this would be a great place to take our friends and family out to in our neighborhood last weekend. But Fitzgeralds MAJORLY disappointed. Not only was the service incredibly slow but the cover was quite high for later in the evening when we had missed most of the entertainment. And by later in the evening, I mean 9:30 pm. Because that's when the place starts winding down on a Saturday night. But worst of all, it felt like an exclusive club that outsiders were unwelcome too. The evening ended on a very sour note with one of the owners (in my opinion) discriminating against one of the members of our group for being a little too joyous due to an incident. I spoke with him and explained that not only was the incident an accident, but that we've lived in the area for many years and are mostly artists ourselves who are passionate about supporting places like his. I did not want to leave a venue like that feeling so upset. But he LITERALLY shrugged his shoulders at me and said our friend needed to leave and proceeded to tell me that he didn't care if any of us returned to his establishment. SO...1) a warning to other artists out there. Beware. I can't imagine that an owner who treats his patrons that way is going to treat his artists any better. 2) If you are under the age of 50 and/or of any "different" type of demographic, be prepared to be treated poorly and have to wait a very long time for service. The owner doesn't have to worry about us returning because we won't. I'm not sure how they hope to continue growing their business if all young people and anyone who may be deemed as "different" are treated poorly or less deserving of service. I won't support an establishment run by someone like that. Really disappointing...
(1)Cristina B.
The acts at this venue are usually very talented and the sound is great. You can order in your own food from local take out places. There's a bit of an older crowd here...definitely not a city club. (Although I did spot a few hipsters here once...guess it depends on the act.)
(3)Greg R.
Visited FitzGerald's over the weekend to attend their music festival. First reaction entering the venue is it is much nicer than what I had expected. I don't know what I had in mind, but old dive bar is what I expected. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their face and I thought service was very good. The one disappointment I had was with the size of the crowd. I was there from 8pm to after midnight on saturday and although there was a decent size crowd, it thinned out significantly after 9:30-10pm. I don't know if it was the $30 cover..which i thought was steep for the caliber bands they had or the 'older' demograhpic of the crowd but it never reach fun festival vibe for me. I would recommend going to FitzGerald;s if there is a band you know is playing but otherwise I would pass on a random Friday or Saturday night.
(3)Cheryl D.
As a former Chicagoan, for the past 20 years when I return to Chicago I always make it to Fitzgerald's (about twice a year). It is a great place to get up close and personal with the music and they feature some really wonderful bands! I have always had a great time and have been surrounded by happy like-minded music fans! FUN!!!! FUN!!!! FUN!!!!! Great atmosphere, great bartenders lots of great music! I have attended the American Music Festival many times and have always enjoyed myself. I do have a problem with the food at the festival---it is not vegetarian friendly.....everything had some type of animal fat in it....at least when Wishbone was there they offered, corn muffins, watermelon lemonade, cupcakes and rice and beans..... I don't go to the festival for the food but if you are there for 8 hours you need something other than a lime peel or an olive!....and not everyone wants pizza...although I would have gladly eaten it but all they had left was meat topped slices... :( Even when I asked if something was vegetarian I was told yes and then they gave me something with bacon...come on! Vegetarians are not outer space aliens.... Don't get me wrong this is my favorite music venue in Chicago----I am just offering some suggestions to make the festival even better.... .
(4)Eric S.
Awesome place to catch a show, and a surprisingly good beer list. Definitely a gem off the beaten path. The only shows I've seen there have been standing room only (with a few tallboy tables scattered around the perimeter) so don't go and expect to sit at a table every time. My only complaint is that bartenders are split 50/50 on incredibly friendly and attentive, and an attitude of they were doing me a favor by serving me. If some of the latter staff had a better attitude, this is five stars!
(4)Angie M.
"Hey Ang. Wanna go see Rhett Miller at FitzGerald's in Berwyn?" Ummm... Two questions. 1. Who is Rhett Miller and 2. Why would I want to go to Berwyn? Answer to question one would be that Rhett Miller is the incredibly charismatic lead singer of the Old 97s who also has a few solo records out. If you haven't seen him, check it out. He's tops. Answer to question two? Even though FitzGerald's is geographically undesirable for a city girl like me, it's AWESOME. Let me explain: FitzGerald's is a phenomenal place to see a live show. The sound is amazing, not too loud, no shrieking speakers and perfect tone. You can get a word in to your neighbor if you're so inclined without straining your voice, but the volume is high enough to get into the groove and feel the music. Drinks? Criminally cheap. I paid $18 (not including tip) for 2 shots and 2 Effen vodka drinks. And the mixed drinks? Not small. Heavy pour. Tasty. Excellent. Mmmm! The bartenders were friendly and service behind the bar is super-quick. So quick that I never waited more than 30 seconds for a bartender to approach me to get my drink order. Lightening quick is key. The clientele is a bit of a mixed bag. My friend actually said, "There's a lot of old balls in here," but I think it really depends on who is playing at the bar. Old balls or not, I found it to be some of the best people watching around from the guy in light wash Levi's with a button-down tucked in who was foot-tappin' the whole time to the awkward swayers in front of me to the cute guys in plaid shirts sippin' their brews. The bar itself is cute, too. I got a vaguely country vibe, probably due to the overabundance of wood paneling, but again, I'm sure the atmosphere changes depending on the band playing. If you're over standing in the venue area, you can walk outside for a cigarette or slip into another bar room with lots of cafeteria type tables where you can pop a squat and rest your tired toesies. Now I'll NEVER scoff at heading to Berwyn on a Saturday night!!!
(5)Joy S.
I have boycotted FitzGerald's for years because of the way I was treated by one of the owners. A friend and I were looking for a place to hang out and have some drinks, so we went over to FitzGerald's. It wasn't very late at night, only around 9 or 10p on a weeknight. It wasn't busy, so you'd think they would be happy to have some paying customers. We tried to order drinks, but the woman behind the bar very rudely told us they were closed. So why were the doors unlocked? And why are their hours posted as open until 2am? When I asked why they were closing early, she told me because she felt like it. When I asked to speak to a manager, she told me she's the owner. Turns out she's one of the owners, and the others aren't much better. This is supposed to be the "it" spot in the near west burbs for live music, but if you're a musician from Berwyn, you get snubbed and can't get a gig there. Even some of my musician friends who live in the area and are very popular and gig quite a bit, and fit their folk-rock vibe, just can't get a gig. They get a "local? no thanks" attitude. Really, FitzGerald's, you're in Berwyn. Get over yourself. p.s. the parking also sucks
(1)Linda S.
I'll say it...we are 68 and this is one of the few places we still go after a lifetime of concert going in Chicago.... because of the atmosphere. Our friends love it. We can sit and hear the music. The audience is respectful for a listening type concert, and dancing is joyous when the dance floor is open in front of the stage. The acts are a wide range of styles, but the talent is always excellent. The price is actually too low.... Frekonomics would say charge more to keep some of the crowds down a bit. If you want a seat go early, order food from next door, get your drinks and relax. If you are there to dance, come anytime. I don't want to be a crank, but I really want to hear a singer-song writer and not have the audience yacking through the songs. At Fitzgerald's that has NEVER happened, and I think if it did they would clear the idiots out. Sets start at a reasonable time and are often straight through so you leave at a reasonable time. Drink prices are practically free. There may be no better music value in all of Chicago.
(5)Jen M.
My husband and I saw one of our favorite musicians play here. He is a small, independent artist from Arizona and he did an acoustic show with his drummer. The stage was pretty big for such a small venue, every seat in the house had a great view, the standing area was fairly large, and the acoustics were good! The service was: meh. For two entire songs my husband stood at the bar and watched the bartender take orders for 5 other people who came after he did. My husband is 6'5 - hard to miss! I would probably give it another shot, and cannot comment on the food or the environment on any regular night.
(3)Jelena Z.
FitzGerald's is kind of like my friend Phil-- everyone likes him! Last week, we came here to see Austin-based Latin rock band Del Castillo. Not only is this band Phil-approved, but both Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez (two of my favorite film directors) love these guys and have used a few tracks in their movies. And that's more than enough endorsement for me! The insides are very cabin-esque... wood everywhere and you'll even notice a mounted deer's head. Super casual, my friends. The staff is just as laid back and very welcoming. There's plenty of tables so you can comfortably lounge and the best part? A fine selection of beer on tap. Affordable, too! The sound is great-- crisp and not overly loud. And FitzGerald's is only 6 blocks from the Blue Line, city dwellers!
(4)alicia b.
I dont know if we walked into Fitzgeralds on the wrong night or what? Everyone else seems to enjoy this place. But whatever the case maybe I wasnt happy at all. The bartender was oober weird he didnt want to serve drinks! Usually thats the point of a bartender but this guy had a mixed up idea of his job description.After finally getting him to pour a gosh damn drink,turns out he didnt even give us the right vodka. Leashy gets made when she doesnt get her vodka so I was no sweet pea. Nobody was in the place either, except a couple cronnies of the faux bartender, and another perverted employee. We plopped it down right next to a sweet ass collection of Cds.Yup Cds not exactly sure of why they were all there.I wonder if you could pick one and ask if they could put it in the boom box eh? Maybe next time
(2)Montrew N.
I had my husband's 50th birthday at Fitzgeralds! The two rooms, the Sidebar bar and party room were perfect. We had about 50 on a friday night. It was an intimate space with a little rock vibe. We played our own music with a simple ipod plug into their sound system. Josie the party planner was amazing. She took care of everything and had great advice. Very flexible and accommodating. She was there that night and was very helpful. Oscar and Emma, the bartender and waitress were friendly and fabulous. We got food from Capri next door and it was so GOOD! Everyone had a blast. Would highly recommend.
(5)Mike K.
Fitzgerald's is more of a roadhouse than a pub. I believe you can get food here, but this is a music venue more than anything else. Caught a show here for a Haiti benefit recently. One of the warm up bands was Velvet Jimis. They're kind of a funky band with a modern twist on the whole Sly and the Family Stone vibe, with a rock/funk/soul vibe. I highly recommend checking these guys out. I wish they would come play in the city. The main act was a zydeco guy called Terrance Simien. He evidently won a Grammy and held it up for the crowd to see. That guy played his heart out. Good stuff. If I lived out in the burbs I'd come to this place more often for shows.
(4)Steve W.
This year's American music fest had one glaring deficiency-------fully 50% of the seating had been removed. Therefore only those with the stamina to stand long hours in the heat should bother with this festival next 4th of July weekend. Find another venue!
(2)Jillian H.
They have been around for along time and have a great history. We go here several times a year and have seen some really great bands over the years. My personal favorite was "The Knitters". It's a nice small music venue that is general admission with a generous amount of seating. They have the usual domestic beers and a few craft beers. It's a fairly affordable night out.
(4)Sofia D.
Checked out a show here a few months back and it was a great time. I felt comfortable standing towards the front of the crowd for the first half of the performance and even had enough room to do a weird shuffle that awkward, insecure people do that resembles a dance, kind of. It was a little hard to get a drink at first but the bartender made sure to acknowledge my presence which I loved... being ignored is the worst. The last half of the show I made my way to the back of the crowd where I figured all the cool people hung out, much like they did on my bus en route to middle school. I had plenty of space to dance here as well which means I had a good time. It's nice to be surrounded by a lot of music-lovin' folks without a hint of arrogance or sense of entitlement to them opposed to the crowd at some other bars. I can't wait for the next show here.
(4)Michael N.
Attended the 33rd American Music Festival and had a great time quaffing Blue Moon wheat ales and wolfing down a Po Boy Andouille Sausage sandwich, which was excellent. When I am back in the area, I am going to back for some more fun.
(4)Pete D.
Still love Fitzgerald's, sure do miss the Wishbone being part of the Fitzcomplex. They still could do better with the local brew, they need to ditch Blue Moon, a Coors product.
(3)Candice G.
Will I be the first reviewer to give Fitgerald's a less than stellar rating? Yes. Am I happy to do this? Not at all... but after the sad sack service, bad/incorrect drinks, and members of our group being assaulted/groped by someone who was either a staff member or friends of the bartender, 2 stars is all I can cough up. I'd love to splurge and give it 3 stars based off hearsay and the good time I know I could have had, but this past Saturday night, in the Sidebar portion of Fitzgerald's it was an NG (not good) sort of time. We ended up at the sidebar because there were was no way all 10 of the members of our group were going to pony up $12 cover to hear the end set of a band we'd never heard of when we just wanted some drinks after a rockin' little shin dig just a half block up at the amazing Horrorbles. We walked in and there were 5 people in the small bar area and the barkeep... aka the world's worst bartender. As soon as we got in he looked at us with a puzzled face like he wasn't expecting any customers that night. It took him a while to greet us but once he did it was with a "what's the occasion?"... like it was a total freak thing that people had actually come in. I told him that we'd just come from the store up the block and wanted to get some drinks. He said he hadn't heard of the store... even though it's seriously likes 150 paces West of Fitzgerald's... how can you be so unaware of your surroundings? Ah well, that really has nothing to do with this review. First I ask him what one of the *maybe* 8 beers they have on tap (Mighty Arrow) tastes likes, and he just replies "I don't know." I try to dig a little deeper and ask if it's a cider, or lager, or porter or just fish for any kind of descriptive word he can offer. He lets out a bunch of stressed erms and uhms and then says "I dunno. D'ya just wanna try it?". Sure! That would be way more helpful that you just telling me you don't know and blinking a buncha times. After trying the beer, I decided that is tasted a bit too metallic for my tastes and that a bar where the bartender knows NOTHING about the beer is prob a place you should just get a mixed drink in. I went with a peach vodka and soda and my girl Alicia B went with a citron and soda. At this time, these were the only 2 drinks the group had ordered. A few minutes passed and the bartender puts one drink on the bar in front of us and asks Alicia "what did you want again?". She repeats her order and he then turns to me and says "oh, then what did you order?". I repeat my order and he comes back a few minutes later with what is NOT what I ordered... I'm thinking it was just well vodka and soda. I discussed with Alicia and she agreed that her drink was also not what she had ordered... but we didn't bother trying to explain that to him since he never came back after we paid the $19 for the 2 short mystery vodka somethings and one Anchor Steam. He ignored us the rest of the time we were there, besides the few minutes he acknowledged my other friends (we were the only people in the bar at this point) when he humored us by telling us about the bar being in 'A league of their own" and a Bon Jovi video. I almost considered giving up a 3 star rating for this but then I remembered that we were trying to find a late night food option and asked if he knew of anything. He first said that he didn't know anything (reminiscent of when I asked him about the bar's beer selection) but then he replied that there was a great little Mexican food place open 24 hours up the street. The place was Awful (capital 'A' awful) and there was a disgusting hair in our food... I think he set us up. What really kicked this place into the 2 star category was the creepy guy who we *think* may have worked there as he kept going behind the bar, he went through a side door that only employees were using and would leave his little back pack thing over by us while he chatted behind the bar with the world's worst bartender. This guy continually pushed his way through our group of friends, even though the rest of the bar was empty and there was plenty of walking space to not have to push. He literally rammed my friend off his bar stool while he rampaged around the corner of the bar and then he didn't even turn around to acknowledge or apologize. Then, maybe a minute and half later, he pushes through again (even though there's a clear walk way and nothing he needs on our side of the bar) but this time he grabs/gropes Alicia's bare leg (it sort of seemed like he was trying to move her leg as to to uncross them... and she was wearing a skirt) and then creepily smirked. Gross. We decided to down our awful drinks, round up the group, and get the f*ck outta there. Not cool. I'll never go back to the Sidebar portion of Fitzgerald's but I would consider going to the main Fitzgerald's for a show, since based off the ravings of my friends and the other reviews, my experience was (thankfully) not a typical one.
(2)Pritesh P.
I grew up in the NW 'burbs and lived many years on and off in Chicago, and I hate to say it, but I'm not a fan of the nightlife. Sure you can occasionally find a hole-in-the-wall bar that is a nice place to just enjoy a few beers with friends, but I haven't been impressed with what that region of Illinois has to offer. There's a lack of ...I guess I would call it...authenticity? However, this place is perfect. I saw the Ike Reilly Assassination perform here and it was glorious. The main part is just a wood-paneled room with a deer head mounted on the wall. If that alone doesn't convince you of the sheer awesomeness of Fitzgeralds then read on you stubborn fool: The staff was super friendly when I was there (from what I remember at least, admittedly the night gets a bit hazy towards the end). But I do recall ordering another pint from the bartender because "this one tastes like sewage"... I think the sewage I was referring to was a draft called 'Burning River', and the bartender poured me a nice Stella draft and didn't charge me for it! She says to me, she says "you already paid for a beer" (I had taken only a few sips of the sewage beer). That kind of service and understanding is hard to find these days. They had plenty of drafts to choose from. My redneck friend was a little disappointed they didn't serve any Budweiser products. I'm not saying he's redneck because he wanted a Bud Light, the guy literally has a red neck, and face. It kind of glows really. Anywho, they had some sort of a tent set up outside, not quite sure what the deal with that was. It looked cold. They also had a "side room" where you could grab a seat at another bar and watch the flat-screen. I think the side room had many more drafts to choose from than the main attraction did. As for serving as music venue, Fitzgerald's pulled it off really well. I didn't find myself with a lost voice at the end of the night from yelling at my friends just so they could hear me, but at the same time I had my face rocked off by I.R.A. I never would have thought Berwyn, IL would have this gem to offer to the world. I think I just have an aversion to the name "Berwyn"... probably, no, wait, definitely because of the ghetto area surrounding the Berwyn stop on the Red Line of the L.
(4)Christina R.
If you're not from the area you might not realize this little venue hosts some of the biggest names in folk, rockabilly, and even international music. Their annual American Music Festival held on the 4th of July sells out every year. There are two bars in the lodgy venue room and waitresses. If a larger crowd is expected the tables are removed. The venue holds 300, but the side bar and outdoor seating add an extra 200 to the capacity. Nonetheless, I've never had problems getting a drink or feeling overwhelmed by the crowd. I attended a high school reunion here with my bf a couple years ago and was impressed with the food from Wishbone and with how smoothly the entire event went, especially considering there was a sold-out show in the concert venue - The Red Elvises, an added treat. An extra three cheers to Tom Fitzgerald for bring the Chicago Reader to the suburbs!
(4)George A.
For being a square room the acoustics are great. The volume of the bands is never too loud.
(4)David G.
I've only lived in the area for a couple years, and I hadn't heard of Fitzgerald's till a friend invited me to come listed to his co-worker's husband's band (is that 3 or 4 degrees?). Anyway, the place was packed. The band wasn't for me, but I still had a pretty good time. I got there a bit late, so all the tables were filled, and the area surrounding the bar was pretty crowded. At first I was standing near the bar up front close to the stage; it was a bit awkward because I didn't want to be part of the show, and people sitting at the bar seemed to get a bit annoyed that we were standing at the bar semi-blocking their view (HELLO... IT"S A BAR!). I felt more comfortable once I was able to move a bit further toward the back of the bar. There was more room and fewer people sitting on a bar stool attempting to watch the band. My only bad experience other than the band's genre of music, was the lead singer's attitude. The bar runs from the side of the stage to the back of the room, and the lead singer of the band thought everyone should be giving him full attention. It's a great venue, but it's a bar, and good bands realize when they're playing in a bar, it's not going to be totally quiet; drinks are being made; orders are being given, etc. I would go back to see another band, as long as I knew the band or style of music in advance. The band's Smooth Jazz sound wasn't for me, but I'll definitely be going back to Fitzgerald's in the near future to give it another shot.
(3)Edward B.
What's not to like?? Great music, great venue, the owner has a spectacular attitude and approach.
(5)Meghan M.
Good spot to see rockabilly bands...when there is a rockabilly show going on, it's definitely rockabilly central! Swing dancing and PBR flowing
(4)Gerry A.
WONDERFUL almost Roadhouse feel. Excellent draft beers and specials. Small venue, very viewable stage, interesting accessable eats next door. Would give 5 stars but they are very lax on enforcing the NO-smoking policy. Went last night and they were allowing smoking in the connected tent clearly marked NO SMOKING (they turned the sign upside down). Really spoils it for people waiting to get signed CD's etc from the artists after the show. We just left so it costs them money too. Here is the Berwyn police number, (708) 795-5600, non-emergency, choose the communication officer and politely ask them to (low priority) stop by and enforce the law. The Berwyn police were very nice. Support the cops AND the Troops (bring em home). Pros: Small Venue, Reasonably priced entry, food and drinks, very viewable stage, sound ok+ Cons: NO-smoking Law abuse, very crowded, parking scarce.
(3)Jeff A.
Saw The Blasters here a little while ago and it was a great night. I always loved them since I purchased the soundtrack to From Dusk Till Dawn as my first compact disc when I got my first CD player. ("Dark Night" was the first song they played!) One of the other reasons that I wanted to visit Fitzgerald's was that since I was a kid I've always loved and (still do) the film Adventures In Babysitting. It's a Chicago classic (even though most of it was filmed in Canada) and it was cool, my being a huge movie buff and all, to visit a place with some cinematic history. (Bits of A League Of Their Own and The Color Of Money were filmed there also.) I kept screaming "Nobody leaves here without singing the blues!" as loud as I could but it didn't seem to illicit any response and Elizabeth Shue was nowhere in sight lol but it was a cool place with great visibilty and sound which lends to being able to interact with the performers. You probably won't recognize it from the movies (Hollywood set designers have always done a number on it) but it's a great gem of a joint for some smokin' music and a great time. I avoided their parent chow joint Wishbone mostly because everything on their menu sounded gross but the actual place and the side bar are cool and classy. Drop in even if you don't know the night's performers.
(5)Vanessa P.
Great small venue to check out both established and up-coming bands. Drinks aren't as pricey as the city and their festivals are all great! They don't call this place the "Best Little Roadhouse in the Midwest" for nothing!
(5)Justin R.
This is a great local venue. The shows I've seen here are always great. THey cater to an older audience (30+) but sometimes you can find a show that might transcend the usual audience.
(5)Aleksandra S.
favorite live music venue in/around the city!
(5)Jenny I.
Great music, and an all around friendly neighborhood bar. Makes me wish I lived in Berwyn. Hey, did you hear the Latino population in Berwyn has soared from 8% to almost 40% in the last fifteen years! Wow.
(4)Adam M.
i was here on Friday for Anthony Gomes. although i am not a fan of his the sound was good. its allot smaller then i thought it would be, it has been in movies like Adventures in Babysitting when the go into the bar that albert collins is playing in . the drink prices are ok. the one bad thing is if you sit and a table there will most likely be some one standing on the dance floor in front of you,
(3)Allison K.
I had a great time at Fitzgerald's, I saw a live show here with cheep drinks. I definitely want to check out this place again soon =)
(4)Donna G.
Love this place! Adding it to my list of favorite venues. Fitzgeralds, as far as I am concerned is a concert venue on par with SPACE in Evanston and City Winery. Fun, clean and great acts. May not be as posh as City Winery but who needs posh when the artists and sound quality are so good. Bonus: Really clean bathrooms.
(4)Dean R.
I've been here once to see a pretty popular surf guitar act and the place was pretty cool. Parking wasn't too bad but from what I here it can be rough sometimes.
(4)Lori H.
I have to say I've never seen a bad show at Fitzgeralds. They bring in a great variety of top acts in the area. And, their drinks are inexpensive, great waitresses (who will bring you a water with no attitude), lots of seating, comfy nightclub/with a few bars. Always feels homey. Frequently, you'll see the singers-- after their show--go join an act in an adjoining place....like you're in New Orleans or something and they jam. Where else would that happen? They have 3 possible performance places-Sidebar, Main Bar, and another side bar area that is next to Sidebar. They also frequently set up heated tents (nice ones) for events. Street parking but usually you can find a space. Capri Restaurant next door is great and you can bring food in since Fitzgeralds does not serve food. I like it--a great value and the owner is frequently present.
(5)Shanti N.
Coming as I did from the city it was quite a trek to get here on the Blue Line. This was more than redeemed by the top-notch experience that I had at FitzGerald's for the launch of Tony Fitzpatrick's collected columns and artwork, Dime Stories. Organized by Curbside Splendour Publishing, the Sunday (funday) afternoon blowout included hot dogs by Hot Dougs, book signings and a chance to schmooze with the author, and live jazz. Not only that, but wine and beer were on the house, courtesy of the author. The service was friendly and there is even an outdoor patio area in addition to the traditional setup indoors. The seating is plentiful and the venue feels less like a nightclub or lounge and more like a rec room or friend's home that just happens to feature musical entertainment and a well-stocked bar. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and will remember this venue favorably for the next time an event is held here.
(4)Jean S.
My first time there. I went to see a show. The American music festival. The show was in the tent. I'm glad it wasn't too hot out. The sound was good. The drinrks were pricey for the size and strength. You know it's weak when you can't taste any gin! I would go back under the right conditions. Bring Sarah Potenza back soon!!
(4)Valerie W.
FitzGerald's got me all nostalgic with the fact that the "Suds Bucket" scene from A League of Their Own was filmed there. I was really excited to head out to see my oldest friend perform in their monthly "Singer Spotlight." We were able to easily find a parking spot on Roosevelt. The entrance was a bit tricky, we ended up in the "bar" and not the "nightclub." A few things about FitzGerald's: 1. You can't tell that A League of Their Own was filmed there. Still cool though. 2. They do not serve food. 3. That's about it. Nothing to write home about, but I was excited to be out celebrating and cheering on a friend!
(3)Alan P.
I had the pleasure of going to Fitzgerald's last week for their open mike night in the, "Club". What a great time! Some of the musicians were just outstanding. The audience was polite and cordial. The staff was great, and the sound guy was phenomenal! Even better, was that the owners had no problem at all letting us video our performance! What a riot! Thanks Fitzgerald's, I can't wait to come back !!!!
(5)Montrew N.
I had my husband's 50th birthday at Fitzgeralds! The two rooms, the Sidebar bar and party room were perfect. We had about 50 on a friday night. It was an intimate space with a little rock vibe. We played our own music with a simple ipod plug into their sound system. Josie the party planner was amazing. She took care of everything and had great advice. Very flexible and accommodating. She was there that night and was very helpful. Oscar and Emma, the bartender and waitress were friendly and fabulous. We got food from Capri next door and it was so GOOD! Everyone had a blast. Would highly recommend.
(5)Trina J.
What a great place! I stopped in to check out trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers. $25 cover, 9pm show. The venue is standing room only with a House of Blues type feel. It would comfortably hold 250 people but I suspect it was closer to 350 in there. It was packed but a ton of fun. For anyone who has heard his music, you know he is an awesome entertainer. He plays songs he has written but he throws in songs he may have heard on the radio that day, songs by other artist and even impersonates playing styles of other Nola jazz musicians. When he played "Hey Now" a New Orleans classic & Mardi Gras fav, the crowd went wild. He also played the The HBO series Treme theme song. The melody makes you move. Kermit also brought on Nayo Jones, a singer originally from Chicago but currently living in New Orleans. Nayo sang Living My Life Likes Its Golden, Funny Valentine and At Last. Her voice was amazing and selections covered the spectrum. If that wasn't enough, the drummer also led a few hits which got the crowd pretty hype. The show was 3 hours long with only one 20 minute break. The bar carried everything, but most importantly, Angry Orchard. Can beers were $3 which is pretty cheap by my standards. The bartenders were attentive and quick on their feet. If you needed a break or space, there's an outside patio with chairs and tables. And in front, a guy was grilling sausage and barbecue. I am so happy I gave this place a try. I had a blast and will definitely return.
(5)Mike G.
If you are a fan of well made classic cocktails, definitely check out Side Bar on Wednesdays. I believe they offer their classic cocktails most nights but Wednesdays encompasses classic cocktails and some pretty awesome Jazz. The staff is awesome and the bar is normally populated with friendly people and quiet ambiance.
(5)Thomas C.
After all these years (17) my first time inside Fitzgerald's was for a school fundraiser, but it will not be another 17 years until my next visit. The staff here is great and I do mean great. The Bartenders the manager, had occasion to interact with all of them and they are ... great. But the draw to this place is the bands they pull in and the great music they offer. I'm a fan.
(4)JJ R.
Long time local customers and plan on never going back. Bottom line were sick and tired of getting tickets only to find that at the last minute they pulled all the seating and tables out. Many of the groups we see are geared for the 50 up crowd. They never mention that on there webpage and I have seen more then one couple only to walk in and see nothing to sit on. We were just there last weekend and a older couple was really in pain just leaning against the wall that is nuts! When you ask the help you get the typical so what, or you should of called? What kind of BS answer is that especially when you buy your tickets in advance. Its insane that the expect you to stand from 7 on till the group comes on usually at 9 or so till the group is over. Service is bad if you want the food from next door stay away from there as its also not good. To us the highlights of Fitzgerald's is there clean washrooms and that is it. The Music Venue is pretty well run down and really in need of a makeover! From now on were plan to frequent Wire up the street, that has options of buying a ticket that guarantees you a seat if you wish. Plus a very courteous waitstaff and spotless venue
(1)Kristine S.
I've been a Berwyn resident for many years and have been in once or twice before. In the past, my experience was nothing stellar but nothing poor prior to this weekend. As a person in the performing industry myself, I can really appreciate any bar that supports musicians. And my friends/family and myself are all passionate about supporting other artists. That's why my husband and I thought this would be a great place to take our friends and family out to in our neighborhood last weekend. But Fitzgeralds MAJORLY disappointed. Not only was the service incredibly slow but the cover was quite high for later in the evening when we had missed most of the entertainment. And by later in the evening, I mean 9:30 pm. Because that's when the place starts winding down on a Saturday night. But worst of all, it felt like an exclusive club that outsiders were unwelcome too. The evening ended on a very sour note with one of the owners (in my opinion) discriminating against one of the members of our group for being a little too joyous due to an incident. I spoke with him and explained that not only was the incident an accident, but that we've lived in the area for many years and are mostly artists ourselves who are passionate about supporting places like his. I did not want to leave a venue like that feeling so upset. But he LITERALLY shrugged his shoulders at me and said our friend needed to leave and proceeded to tell me that he didn't care if any of us returned to his establishment. SO...1) a warning to other artists out there. Beware. I can't imagine that an owner who treats his patrons that way is going to treat his artists any better. 2) If you are under the age of 50 and/or of any "different" type of demographic, be prepared to be treated poorly and have to wait a very long time for service. The owner doesn't have to worry about us returning because we won't. I'm not sure how they hope to continue growing their business if all young people and anyone who may be deemed as "different" are treated poorly or less deserving of service. I won't support an establishment run by someone like that. Really disappointing...
(1)Cristina B.
The acts at this venue are usually very talented and the sound is great. You can order in your own food from local take out places. There's a bit of an older crowd here...definitely not a city club. (Although I did spot a few hipsters here once...guess it depends on the act.)
(3)Greg R.
Visited FitzGerald's over the weekend to attend their music festival. First reaction entering the venue is it is much nicer than what I had expected. I don't know what I had in mind, but old dive bar is what I expected. Everyone seemed to have a smile on their face and I thought service was very good. The one disappointment I had was with the size of the crowd. I was there from 8pm to after midnight on saturday and although there was a decent size crowd, it thinned out significantly after 9:30-10pm. I don't know if it was the $30 cover..which i thought was steep for the caliber bands they had or the 'older' demograhpic of the crowd but it never reach fun festival vibe for me. I would recommend going to FitzGerald;s if there is a band you know is playing but otherwise I would pass on a random Friday or Saturday night.
(3)Angie M.
"Hey Ang. Wanna go see Rhett Miller at FitzGerald's in Berwyn?" Ummm... Two questions. 1. Who is Rhett Miller and 2. Why would I want to go to Berwyn? Answer to question one would be that Rhett Miller is the incredibly charismatic lead singer of the Old 97s who also has a few solo records out. If you haven't seen him, check it out. He's tops. Answer to question two? Even though FitzGerald's is geographically undesirable for a city girl like me, it's AWESOME. Let me explain: FitzGerald's is a phenomenal place to see a live show. The sound is amazing, not too loud, no shrieking speakers and perfect tone. You can get a word in to your neighbor if you're so inclined without straining your voice, but the volume is high enough to get into the groove and feel the music. Drinks? Criminally cheap. I paid $18 (not including tip) for 2 shots and 2 Effen vodka drinks. And the mixed drinks? Not small. Heavy pour. Tasty. Excellent. Mmmm! The bartenders were friendly and service behind the bar is super-quick. So quick that I never waited more than 30 seconds for a bartender to approach me to get my drink order. Lightening quick is key. The clientele is a bit of a mixed bag. My friend actually said, "There's a lot of old balls in here," but I think it really depends on who is playing at the bar. Old balls or not, I found it to be some of the best people watching around from the guy in light wash Levi's with a button-down tucked in who was foot-tappin' the whole time to the awkward swayers in front of me to the cute guys in plaid shirts sippin' their brews. The bar itself is cute, too. I got a vaguely country vibe, probably due to the overabundance of wood paneling, but again, I'm sure the atmosphere changes depending on the band playing. If you're over standing in the venue area, you can walk outside for a cigarette or slip into another bar room with lots of cafeteria type tables where you can pop a squat and rest your tired toesies. Now I'll NEVER scoff at heading to Berwyn on a Saturday night!!!
(5)Joy S.
I have boycotted FitzGerald's for years because of the way I was treated by one of the owners. A friend and I were looking for a place to hang out and have some drinks, so we went over to FitzGerald's. It wasn't very late at night, only around 9 or 10p on a weeknight. It wasn't busy, so you'd think they would be happy to have some paying customers. We tried to order drinks, but the woman behind the bar very rudely told us they were closed. So why were the doors unlocked? And why are their hours posted as open until 2am? When I asked why they were closing early, she told me because she felt like it. When I asked to speak to a manager, she told me she's the owner. Turns out she's one of the owners, and the others aren't much better. This is supposed to be the "it" spot in the near west burbs for live music, but if you're a musician from Berwyn, you get snubbed and can't get a gig there. Even some of my musician friends who live in the area and are very popular and gig quite a bit, and fit their folk-rock vibe, just can't get a gig. They get a "local? no thanks" attitude. Really, FitzGerald's, you're in Berwyn. Get over yourself. p.s. the parking also sucks
(1)David T.
Little bit of a dump but GREAT live music. One of my great memories is dancing to Clifton Chenier here til 4 in the morning, back when he was squeezing the box on this earth.
(5)Scott R.
I've been going to Fitzgeralds for so long I can't remember. It's a comfortable place to hear great music from Beausoleil to Joe Ely, the Iguanas to Webb Wilder, Big Band, blues, Anna Fermin, Marcia Ball and many, many others. Now with Wishbone Restaurant next door, you can enjoy a full evening. The crowd is cool though (like me) a little older than at many other music venues. There's usually a little room in back to dance. Don't miss the July 4 festival; I still have my tee shirt from 1988.
(5)Digital M.
People really jam into this place for the live music. They have a sister restaurant attached that will deliver you New Orleans style grub. My suggestion is if you want a table arrive 30 mins before the band is scheduled to start. Very friendly staff and crowd and always great music.
(4)Teri G.
Easily my favorite club for live music. Decent sight lines, fantastic booking and the drinks are reasonable. They recently forged a relationship with Wishbone who sells food on occasion. Music choices range from jazz to twang with a lot of New Orleans and Texas-based artists, as well as local faves. On occasion it can get a little nutty (St Patty's Day, anyone) but that adds to the fun. Best music fest in the area takes place for 4 days (typically) right around the 4th of July, with stages indoors and out. Audience tends to be people 25-55, music lovers who pay attention to the performers. Good mix of singles as well as couples, depending on who's playing.
(4)alicia b.
I dont know if we walked into Fitzgeralds on the wrong night or what? Everyone else seems to enjoy this place. But whatever the case maybe I wasnt happy at all. The bartender was oober weird he didnt want to serve drinks! Usually thats the point of a bartender but this guy had a mixed up idea of his job description.After finally getting him to pour a gosh damn drink,turns out he didnt even give us the right vodka. Leashy gets made when she doesnt get her vodka so I was no sweet pea. Nobody was in the place either, except a couple cronnies of the faux bartender, and another perverted employee. We plopped it down right next to a sweet ass collection of Cds.Yup Cds not exactly sure of why they were all there.I wonder if you could pick one and ask if they could put it in the boom box eh? Maybe next time
(2)Megan G.
Have you taken my advice and been to FItzgerald's yet? Upon further inspection, I absolutely love Fitzgerald's even more than previously mentioned. They have so many bars I can get lost, an adorable twinkling patio covered in tiny white lights, plentiful restrooms and the nicest staff I've encountered in awhile. They have folk, country, blues, jazz, rock, euchre nights, open mics etc. Right up my honky tonk ally. It's worth the trip to Berwyn x10000!
(5)Pritesh P.
I grew up in the NW 'burbs and lived many years on and off in Chicago, and I hate to say it, but I'm not a fan of the nightlife. Sure you can occasionally find a hole-in-the-wall bar that is a nice place to just enjoy a few beers with friends, but I haven't been impressed with what that region of Illinois has to offer. There's a lack of ...I guess I would call it...authenticity? However, this place is perfect. I saw the Ike Reilly Assassination perform here and it was glorious. The main part is just a wood-paneled room with a deer head mounted on the wall. If that alone doesn't convince you of the sheer awesomeness of Fitzgeralds then read on you stubborn fool: The staff was super friendly when I was there (from what I remember at least, admittedly the night gets a bit hazy towards the end). But I do recall ordering another pint from the bartender because "this one tastes like sewage"... I think the sewage I was referring to was a draft called 'Burning River', and the bartender poured me a nice Stella draft and didn't charge me for it! She says to me, she says "you already paid for a beer" (I had taken only a few sips of the sewage beer). That kind of service and understanding is hard to find these days. They had plenty of drafts to choose from. My redneck friend was a little disappointed they didn't serve any Budweiser products. I'm not saying he's redneck because he wanted a Bud Light, the guy literally has a red neck, and face. It kind of glows really. Anywho, they had some sort of a tent set up outside, not quite sure what the deal with that was. It looked cold. They also had a "side room" where you could grab a seat at another bar and watch the flat-screen. I think the side room had many more drafts to choose from than the main attraction did. As for serving as music venue, Fitzgerald's pulled it off really well. I didn't find myself with a lost voice at the end of the night from yelling at my friends just so they could hear me, but at the same time I had my face rocked off by I.R.A. I never would have thought Berwyn, IL would have this gem to offer to the world. I think I just have an aversion to the name "Berwyn"... probably, no, wait, definitely because of the ghetto area surrounding the Berwyn stop on the Red Line of the L.
(4)Rick V.
Came here for a Red Elvises show. Dinner at Wishbone and drinks and free wifi at Sidebar while waiting for the main club to open, as there was another show before the Elvises. I must say that Fitzgerald's truly has all the bases covered. My friend even found an amazing parking space.
(4)amy c.
better than raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens - Fitzgeralds is seriously one of my favorite things!!
(5)Nicole B.
Saw a great show here on Saturday. It's so small, so there is a great intimate setting. The sound was perfect and there seemed to be a decent amount of seating. Added bonus, it's a smoke free venue. I was the designated driver so I can't comment on the price of drinks, but all in all, a great place.
(5)Ren H.
This is a pretty chill place to hang out! Its an Irish pub atmosphere and they frequently have bands of a variety of genres entertaining .. the drinks are reasonably priced because its far out of the downtown/touristy area and there's usually a great crowd here! They've got a huge outdoor patio too which is nice when its warm
(4)Sonny P.
no cover with a killer zydeco band. drinks affordable and a good vibe by all that were there. great sound system too. I like it here a lot!
(4)Nada R.
Wow, the sound inside is surprisingly good. I guess they put new speakers under the stage, somewhat recently? Highly recommended.
(4)Kevin B.
We came here on a Sunday to hear the Chicago Grandstand Big Band. The venue is old and classic. No food. Only drinks and music, and that's what we came for. They allow you to bring in food from local shops which is nice.
(4)Cheryl D.
As a former Chicagoan, for the past 20 years when I return to Chicago I always make it to Fitzgerald's (about twice a year). It is a great place to get up close and personal with the music and they feature some really wonderful bands! I have always had a great time and have been surrounded by happy like-minded music fans! FUN!!!! FUN!!!! FUN!!!!! Great atmosphere, great bartenders lots of great music! I have attended the American Music Festival many times and have always enjoyed myself. I do have a problem with the food at the festival---it is not vegetarian friendly.....everything had some type of animal fat in it....at least when Wishbone was there they offered, corn muffins, watermelon lemonade, cupcakes and rice and beans..... I don't go to the festival for the food but if you are there for 8 hours you need something other than a lime peel or an olive!....and not everyone wants pizza...although I would have gladly eaten it but all they had left was meat topped slices... :( Even when I asked if something was vegetarian I was told yes and then they gave me something with bacon...come on! Vegetarians are not outer space aliens.... Don't get me wrong this is my favorite music venue in Chicago----I am just offering some suggestions to make the festival even better.... .
(4)Eric S.
Awesome place to catch a show, and a surprisingly good beer list. Definitely a gem off the beaten path. The only shows I've seen there have been standing room only (with a few tallboy tables scattered around the perimeter) so don't go and expect to sit at a table every time. My only complaint is that bartenders are split 50/50 on incredibly friendly and attentive, and an attitude of they were doing me a favor by serving me. If some of the latter staff had a better attitude, this is five stars!
(4)Comensal A.
I've been hearing about FitzGerald's for years, but have never gotten around to visiting.I finally made the trip and attended Robbie Fulks' annual year in review show there this past weekend. For me, it was not a pleasant experience. I attend quite a few concerts around town, and have come to favor the Old Town School of Folk Music for its pristine sound, comfortable seating and great sight lines. I also like Evanston SPACE for the same reasons, and Lincoln Hall is pretty good, too. FitzGerald's? Not so much. To start on the plus side, the sound is decent and the staff is courteous. But comfort? No. Sight lines? Ehh. My sense is that there may be two kinds of music fans: 1) those who like to sit comfortably in a good room (maybe with a table on which to set beverages), and 2) those who like to stand for a loooong time with 300 of their very best friends, elbow to elbow, belly to bum, craning their necks to see the stage. I am not in group 2. There were also some operational issues I didn't much care for. I noticed a seating disclaimer when I bought the tix online, so I called the venue the week before to inquire about the likely seating configuration. I was told that the show would probably be a sellout, so there would be some barstools against the wall around the perimeter of the room, and that if I wanted to try for one, I needed to get there early, say about 7:30 or sooner for the 8:00 show. Fine. I showed up at 7:20, but the stools were long gone. Sigh. So I'd have to stand around for 40 minutes waiting for the show that I would have stand through. Except that the show didn't start until about 8:55. No announcement as to why (was it a technical issue? Was it a performer problem? Was the venue just selling more drinks?). So I got to stand for 90 minutes waiting for a show I'd have to stand through. Another nice touch was the coat check with a mandatory fee, which attendees were advised to use because "it will be hot in there," which it would, of course, since there were no chairs upon which to hang coats. Oy. I really enjoy Robbie -- he's a great writer and performer, and a superb musician. This venue detracted from the performance for me, though. I stuck it out for the first set, but couldn't hang in there for the second. Bummer. I guess I'm not in the FitzGerald's target demographic. I did check it out, though, and now I don't have to go back.
(2)Melanie S.
After all these years of hearing how I simply *must* check out a show at Fitzgerald's (and me scoffing at the thought of driving to Berwyn), I finally did just that. I never really saw much of a reason to drive to the 'burbs to see a music show; I mean, the City has a ton of great places, right? Well, a recent Tributosaurus show that was a must-see for me that was only playing at Fitzgerald's was as good a reason as any. I've foolishly always had it in my head that any place in the suburbs takes at least an hour to drive to, so we arrived at Fitzgerald's a half hour before the show was to start. Apparently Berwyn isn't as far away as I've led myself to believe. Who knew? I really ended up liking Fitzgerald's. Maybe it was the show itself, but I thought the crowd was quite diverse --not a bunch of old fogeys, but also not a bunch of young'uns. And even though this place is not small, it felt quite intimate. Now I'm certainly no expert, but I thought the acoustics were fantastic. Even while the show was going on, you could still talk to your neighbor without shouting above the din. Drinks are fairly priced and the service is friendly to boot. Street parking was easy enough as well. Now that I know how convenient Fitz's is, I will never turn my nose up again at seeing a show here, and since it's a pretty regular venue for my favorite band, I'm sure I'll be back sooner rather than later.
(4)Linda S.
I'll say it...we are 68 and this is one of the few places we still go after a lifetime of concert going in Chicago.... because of the atmosphere. Our friends love it. We can sit and hear the music. The audience is respectful for a listening type concert, and dancing is joyous when the dance floor is open in front of the stage. The acts are a wide range of styles, but the talent is always excellent. The price is actually too low.... Frekonomics would say charge more to keep some of the crowds down a bit. If you want a seat go early, order food from next door, get your drinks and relax. If you are there to dance, come anytime. I don't want to be a crank, but I really want to hear a singer-song writer and not have the audience yacking through the songs. At Fitzgerald's that has NEVER happened, and I think if it did they would clear the idiots out. Sets start at a reasonable time and are often straight through so you leave at a reasonable time. Drink prices are practically free. There may be no better music value in all of Chicago.
(5)Jen M.
My husband and I saw one of our favorite musicians play here. He is a small, independent artist from Arizona and he did an acoustic show with his drummer. The stage was pretty big for such a small venue, every seat in the house had a great view, the standing area was fairly large, and the acoustics were good! The service was: meh. For two entire songs my husband stood at the bar and watched the bartender take orders for 5 other people who came after he did. My husband is 6'5 - hard to miss! I would probably give it another shot, and cannot comment on the food or the environment on any regular night.
(3)Jelena Z.
FitzGerald's is kind of like my friend Phil-- everyone likes him! Last week, we came here to see Austin-based Latin rock band Del Castillo. Not only is this band Phil-approved, but both Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez (two of my favorite film directors) love these guys and have used a few tracks in their movies. And that's more than enough endorsement for me! The insides are very cabin-esque... wood everywhere and you'll even notice a mounted deer's head. Super casual, my friends. The staff is just as laid back and very welcoming. There's plenty of tables so you can comfortably lounge and the best part? A fine selection of beer on tap. Affordable, too! The sound is great-- crisp and not overly loud. And FitzGerald's is only 6 blocks from the Blue Line, city dwellers!
(4)Laurie R.
I have been coming to Berwyn to FitzGerald's for about 20 years. They get great musical acts in all my favorite genres--rockabilly, country, zydeco, surf and rock. When I lived in Chicago, it was pretty easy to get to. Now I moved to Berwyn (coincidence?). Friendly staff, great sound, clean bathrooms, and a good beer selection--what more could a girl ask for?! Oh yeah. Food. Capri (and previously Wishbone) right next door can provide dinner to accompany your music.
(5)Jillian H.
They have been around for along time and have a great history. We go here several times a year and have seen some really great bands over the years. My personal favorite was "The Knitters". It's a nice small music venue that is general admission with a generous amount of seating. They have the usual domestic beers and a few craft beers. It's a fairly affordable night out.
(4)Sofia D.
Checked out a show here a few months back and it was a great time. I felt comfortable standing towards the front of the crowd for the first half of the performance and even had enough room to do a weird shuffle that awkward, insecure people do that resembles a dance, kind of. It was a little hard to get a drink at first but the bartender made sure to acknowledge my presence which I loved... being ignored is the worst. The last half of the show I made my way to the back of the crowd where I figured all the cool people hung out, much like they did on my bus en route to middle school. I had plenty of space to dance here as well which means I had a good time. It's nice to be surrounded by a lot of music-lovin' folks without a hint of arrogance or sense of entitlement to them opposed to the crowd at some other bars. I can't wait for the next show here.
(4)Michael N.
Attended the 33rd American Music Festival and had a great time quaffing Blue Moon wheat ales and wolfing down a Po Boy Andouille Sausage sandwich, which was excellent. When I am back in the area, I am going to back for some more fun.
(4)Pete D.
Still love Fitzgerald's, sure do miss the Wishbone being part of the Fitzcomplex. They still could do better with the local brew, they need to ditch Blue Moon, a Coors product.
(3)Christina R.
If you're not from the area you might not realize this little venue hosts some of the biggest names in folk, rockabilly, and even international music. Their annual American Music Festival held on the 4th of July sells out every year. There are two bars in the lodgy venue room and waitresses. If a larger crowd is expected the tables are removed. The venue holds 300, but the side bar and outdoor seating add an extra 200 to the capacity. Nonetheless, I've never had problems getting a drink or feeling overwhelmed by the crowd. I attended a high school reunion here with my bf a couple years ago and was impressed with the food from Wishbone and with how smoothly the entire event went, especially considering there was a sold-out show in the concert venue - The Red Elvises, an added treat. An extra three cheers to Tom Fitzgerald for bring the Chicago Reader to the suburbs!
(4)George A.
For being a square room the acoustics are great. The volume of the bands is never too loud.
(4)Patrick S.
You can't beat this place for real Americana! The American Music Fest is my favorite part of Summer. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem. We are lucky to have such a great venue so close to home!
(5)Mike K.
Fitzgerald's is more of a roadhouse than a pub. I believe you can get food here, but this is a music venue more than anything else. Caught a show here for a Haiti benefit recently. One of the warm up bands was Velvet Jimis. They're kind of a funky band with a modern twist on the whole Sly and the Family Stone vibe, with a rock/funk/soul vibe. I highly recommend checking these guys out. I wish they would come play in the city. The main act was a zydeco guy called Terrance Simien. He evidently won a Grammy and held it up for the crowd to see. That guy played his heart out. Good stuff. If I lived out in the burbs I'd come to this place more often for shows.
(4)Krystyna B.
Where's the holy water, yo? My nostrils were assaulted with the scent of frankincense and myrrh, the moment I stepped foot into this dive-y music venue. If not for the raucous Latin sounds enervating the crowd, I would have guessed I stumbled into church by mistake. Yes, my olfactory sense is that strong and those smells so ingrained from sitting through weekly mass. Fitzgerald's hosts great musical acts. I heard Del Castillo play here, and have had many friends come back raving after blues shows in this Oak Park dive. Buddy Guy or Doyle Bramhall, anyone? Be sure to check out the Events calendar ( fitzgeraldsnightclub.com… ): you can hear anything from country to jazz to the aforementioned blues. Ambiance - think Rose's in Lincoln Park, but larger, much larger. Drinks - not bad. Harp on tap set me back $5. For the hipsters among our Yelping masses, FitzGerald's carries PBR bottles for $3.50. So much classier than cans, don't you think? Getting there - Public transportation is nearby. For those who want to drive and worry about parking. Don't. Even with construction all along Roosevelt, I easily found a spot to deposit mi coche less than half a block away.
(4)Cheryl V.
I saw Buckwheat Zydeco here awhile back. I've been here for CD release parties, the Vanessa Davis Band and a host of other groups. It's definitely a super casual neighborhood spot, and I do mean casual, glamour girls. There's a woodsey feel to the place, it seats, holds about 150 for live music. Bartenders are always friendly and there's usually a place to sit and/or stand. In the summertime there's a tented outdoor area for dining al fresco if you're having dinner at Wishbone beforehand. Always a good time to be had at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. Be sure to check their calendar before dropping in because they book everything from rockabilly to blues and rock and roll.
(4)Maria S.
I can't figure out if the sound was wrong or the crowd was too loud when we went. I mean, when I go to see a show I wanna hear the show, not other folks' yapping. We had to move around the room several times. Maybe it was an off night? Good beers on tap.
(3)Steve W.
This year's American music fest had one glaring deficiency-------fully 50% of the seating had been removed. Therefore only those with the stamina to stand long hours in the heat should bother with this festival next 4th of July weekend. Find another venue!
(2)Elizabeth H.
If you want to see great live music of the folk genre, this is your place. They host great music festivals and bring out a lot of good names. They have a great beer selection and between the main bar and the sidebar there is never a huge wait even when the place is packed. They also like to host political events with the Democratic Party of OP, which always prove to be a great time.
(5)Lidia S.
I'm not sure if it's the bar or the amazing shows that I've seen at this venue. Well, I know it's the Red Elvises show, but I think the FitzGerald's bar added to the overall experience. The bar is old and bit up and it gives it a very homey feel, the drinks are cheap and the service is fast. The two times I've been there the place was not overly crowded although it felt full. I think it's easy to find a table or a bar stool if you be there early enough. The sound in this place is great and I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking to see an amazing live show!
(5)David G.
I've only lived in the area for a couple years, and I hadn't heard of Fitzgerald's till a friend invited me to come listed to his co-worker's husband's band (is that 3 or 4 degrees?). Anyway, the place was packed. The band wasn't for me, but I still had a pretty good time. I got there a bit late, so all the tables were filled, and the area surrounding the bar was pretty crowded. At first I was standing near the bar up front close to the stage; it was a bit awkward because I didn't want to be part of the show, and people sitting at the bar seemed to get a bit annoyed that we were standing at the bar semi-blocking their view (HELLO... IT"S A BAR!). I felt more comfortable once I was able to move a bit further toward the back of the bar. There was more room and fewer people sitting on a bar stool attempting to watch the band. My only bad experience other than the band's genre of music, was the lead singer's attitude. The bar runs from the side of the stage to the back of the room, and the lead singer of the band thought everyone should be giving him full attention. It's a great venue, but it's a bar, and good bands realize when they're playing in a bar, it's not going to be totally quiet; drinks are being made; orders are being given, etc. I would go back to see another band, as long as I knew the band or style of music in advance. The band's Smooth Jazz sound wasn't for me, but I'll definitely be going back to Fitzgerald's in the near future to give it another shot.
(3)Edward B.
What's not to like?? Great music, great venue, the owner has a spectacular attitude and approach.
(5)Katrina H.
Just rolled up on Fitzgeralds thinking that it was apart of Wishbones... Well ordered food and the Wishbone Staff actually brought the food to us inside of Fitzgeralds.. I hate that it cost $10 for my son to go with my BF but it was a spur of the moment. Reely Dan was there doing renditions to Steeley Dan ha ha. They were FANTASTIC!! with those Sistahs as back up singers Definitely something fun to do when you're bored.. I will go back
(4)Meghan M.
Good spot to see rockabilly bands...when there is a rockabilly show going on, it's definitely rockabilly central! Swing dancing and PBR flowing
(4)Gerry A.
WONDERFUL almost Roadhouse feel. Excellent draft beers and specials. Small venue, very viewable stage, interesting accessable eats next door. Would give 5 stars but they are very lax on enforcing the NO-smoking policy. Went last night and they were allowing smoking in the connected tent clearly marked NO SMOKING (they turned the sign upside down). Really spoils it for people waiting to get signed CD's etc from the artists after the show. We just left so it costs them money too. Here is the Berwyn police number, (708) 795-5600, non-emergency, choose the communication officer and politely ask them to (low priority) stop by and enforce the law. The Berwyn police were very nice. Support the cops AND the Troops (bring em home). Pros: Small Venue, Reasonably priced entry, food and drinks, very viewable stage, sound ok+ Cons: NO-smoking Law abuse, very crowded, parking scarce.
(3)Andy M.
Fially a music place that those mature people can go (ok older) to. The place is just right for good quality music that is not hard or rock. Most of your good blues and Jazz options are usually in the city so this is why suburbaites should cater and go to if you hate the city. This place has been here a long time and hopefully will continue with a diverse music cts that will not harm your ears. It is filled with classy people and it's nice to go to a bar and not have to worry about fights breaking a=out because somebody looks at somebody's girlfriend. Like i said it has an older audience which in this day in age is so refreshing. The owners are great and you get goofd service even when it is crowded in here.
(4)Jeff A.
Saw The Blasters here a little while ago and it was a great night. I always loved them since I purchased the soundtrack to From Dusk Till Dawn as my first compact disc when I got my first CD player. ("Dark Night" was the first song they played!) One of the other reasons that I wanted to visit Fitzgerald's was that since I was a kid I've always loved and (still do) the film Adventures In Babysitting. It's a Chicago classic (even though most of it was filmed in Canada) and it was cool, my being a huge movie buff and all, to visit a place with some cinematic history. (Bits of A League Of Their Own and The Color Of Money were filmed there also.) I kept screaming "Nobody leaves here without singing the blues!" as loud as I could but it didn't seem to illicit any response and Elizabeth Shue was nowhere in sight lol but it was a cool place with great visibilty and sound which lends to being able to interact with the performers. You probably won't recognize it from the movies (Hollywood set designers have always done a number on it) but it's a great gem of a joint for some smokin' music and a great time. I avoided their parent chow joint Wishbone mostly because everything on their menu sounded gross but the actual place and the side bar are cool and classy. Drop in even if you don't know the night's performers.
(5)Vanessa P.
Great small venue to check out both established and up-coming bands. Drinks aren't as pricey as the city and their festivals are all great! They don't call this place the "Best Little Roadhouse in the Midwest" for nothing!
(5)Justin R.
This is a great local venue. The shows I've seen here are always great. THey cater to an older audience (30+) but sometimes you can find a show that might transcend the usual audience.
(5)Aleksandra S.
favorite live music venue in/around the city!
(5)Jenny I.
Great music, and an all around friendly neighborhood bar. Makes me wish I lived in Berwyn. Hey, did you hear the Latino population in Berwyn has soared from 8% to almost 40% in the last fifteen years! Wow.
(4)Adam M.
i was here on Friday for Anthony Gomes. although i am not a fan of his the sound was good. its allot smaller then i thought it would be, it has been in movies like Adventures in Babysitting when the go into the bar that albert collins is playing in . the drink prices are ok. the one bad thing is if you sit and a table there will most likely be some one standing on the dance floor in front of you,
(3)Allison K.
I had a great time at Fitzgerald's, I saw a live show here with cheep drinks. I definitely want to check out this place again soon =)
(4)kb j.
We went here to attend the American Music Festival on a weekend afternoon. Thus, this review is based on that experience as opposed to the experience that would be experienced during the rest of the year. We were attracted by the music line-up for the festival. The festival is held outside in a tent filling what I believe is the parking lot and there is also a smaller venue inside as well. The place had a nice feel too it and had Bell's Oberon on tap. Great experience for a sunny Summer afternoon.
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