Whereas Chicagoans would possibly consider The Salt Shed primarily as a music venue, there’s loads to do on the leisure campus on the (more and more uncommon) days when there aren’t live shows.
The Morton Salt warehouse advanced opened on the financial institution of the Chicago River in 1930. The advanced’s most distinguished constructing is the big barn-like manufacturing shed. Its sloped roof is emblazoned with the identify Morton Salt, the slogan “when it rains, it pours,” and the picture of the long-lasting Morton Salt Lady holding an umbrella. It is the kind of landmark that provides Chicago character. I am unable to assist however smile each time I catch a glimpse of it from the Kennedy. It is so uniquely Chicago.
When Morton Salt closed the warehouse facility in 2015, Chicagoans have been curious and hopeful that the world could possibly be redeveloped with out destroying the distinctive salt shed and the portray of the Morton Salt Lady. When the manufacturing unit closed, the salt was relocated, the property was bought, and an software for Metropolis of Chicago landmark standing was accepted.
Chicagoans did not anticipate the outdated salt shed, a reminder of our metropolis’s industrial previous, would change into our metropolis’s most unusual live performance venue. Native hospitality group 16″ on Middle remodeled the warehouse advanced into The Salt Shed, a live performance venue and leisure advanced. The Salt Shed opened in 2022 and has been celebrated as a inventive and profitable instance of adapting a historic construction for a brand new function.
This wasn’t the primary time 16″ on Middle reimagined a Chicago landmark. They’ve turned an outdated submit workplace right into a Meals Corridor and an deserted public corridor right into a music venue/bar/restaurant.
A Full Information to Chicago’s Salt Shed:
The most important takeaway is that there’s loads to do at Salt Shed even for those who aren’t seeing a present.
It is Two Stay Music Venues in One
Salt Shed has two levels: one exterior and one inside.
The summer time live performance lineup contains The Alabama Shakes, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, Lord Huron, and Jack’s Model.
The Shed
The Shed is the Salt Shed’s indoor live performance venue, positioned contained in the outdated salt manufacturing shed. The capability is 3,500 individuals.
The Shed Ticket Choices
There are three tiers of tickets for inside exhibits: Basic Admission, Grands, and Premium.
Basic Admission
Basic Admission tickets are standing room tickets in entrance of the stage.
Grands
The Grands is a big elevated stadium-style seating space positioned behind the Basic Admission space. You’ll be able to reserve particular seats on this part.
Premium
Premium ticket holders have entry to expedited entry, the balconies on the aspect of the salt shed, and a premium bar. The views from this space are glorious. I discovered the loos to be nicer than at different music venues, and there was no line.
These seats are usually not assigned, however my pal and I had no hassle getting nice seats on this part after we attended a live performance.
The Fairgrounds
The Fairgrounds is the Salt Shed’s outside music venue, with a capability of 5,500 individuals. Notice: Fairgrounds exhibits are weather-permitting and are usually not moved inside in case of dangerous climate.
The Fairgrounds Ticket Choices
There are two ticket choices for outside live shows.
Basic Admission
Basic Admission ticket holders have entry to a big open area with standing room and an elevated grandstand.
Premium
Premium ticket holders achieve entry to an elevated balcony and platforms with skyline views, premium bars, lounge areas, and separate loos. Expedited entry can be provided.
Salt Shed Hosts a Number of Occasions
Pizza Fest, outside markets, meals fests, vacation markets, and even the World’s Largest Karaoke Social gathering have been hosted on the Salt Shed.
Extra Issues to Do at Salt Shed
Elston Electrical
Elston Electrical is a big all-ages arcade and tavern that occupies an area that when housed the salt manufacturing unit’s boiler.
There’s a formidable number of over 100 video games, together with traditional pinball, shoot-em-up zombie video games, digital actuality video games, pop a shot, air hockey, skee ball, and video video games.
Meals choices embody slices from Pizza Pleasant Pizza, taquitos, and sizzling canine. There’s a full bar—and even negroni Jell-O pictures.
Notice: after 10pm Elston Electrical is 21 plus.
Umbrella Classic
Discover a mixture of classic males’s and ladies’s clothes, plus decor and different treasures from the Forties – Nineties at Umbrella Classic.
Loud Pizza Information
Store for vinyl and attire at this document store.
Fret 12
Store for guitars, attire, paintings, and residential items right here. On live performance nights, you do want a ticket to enter the store. They’ll maintain purchases for you in the course of the present, or ship them.
RISE
A hashish dispensary that’s open throughout occasions and exhibits at Salt Shed.
The place to Eat and Drink at The Salt Shed
Whether or not you’re attending a live performance or not, The Salt Shed presents a number of foods and drinks choices.
Three High Lounge
This rooftop cocktail lounge with unbelievable skyline views is open for each Salt Shed present. As well as, Three High Lounge hosts its personal occasions, starting from DJ units to magic exhibits. These occasions are ticketed – tickets could be bought upfront on-line or on the door, if out there.
Along with providing a full bar, the Three High Lounge serves some small bites.
The hours of Three High Lounge fluctuate based mostly on the Salt Shed occasion schedule, however they share weekly updates on Instagram.
Goose Island Salt Shed Pub
Situated on the riverbank, with beautiful Chicago skyline views, this massive brewery has one of many metropolis’s finest patios. It does get very busy earlier than live shows, and also you would possibly need to arrive early and/or make a reservation for those who plan to dine right here earlier than a present.
The menu features a smash burger, fried rooster, sloppy joe, fish & chips, and several other shareable snacks.
The pub is subsequent to the Salt Shed advanced—it is not accessible from the live performance areas. It’s open till 12am on live performance nights (however it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Brewery excursions can be found and could be booked on-line.
Mariscos San Pedro
An offshoot of the Pilsen restaurant Mariscos San Pedro serves up meals on fairgrounds present nights.
Pizza Pleasant Pizza
This pizzeria serves up Sicilian-style slices.
Elston Electrical
The Salt Shed’s arcade has a menu that features snacks, big taquitos, sizzling canine, and pizza by the slice.
Attending to Salt Shed
Attending to Salt Shed is straightforward. It’s positioned at 1357 North Elston Avenue, on the intersection of Elston and Blackhawk.
By Prepare
Salt Shed is 0.7 miles from the Division Blue Line CTA cease. The Crimson Line North/Clybourn cease is 0.9 miles from Salt Shed.
By Bus
The Division (70), North (72), and Ashland (9) all cease inside a mile of Salt Shed.
By River
This summer time, Salt Shed can be including docks.
By Automobile
There’s a designated rideshare pick-up space, plus free avenue parking, and paid parking.
