Golden Dagger

Built in 1894, this spot began its life as a tavern with a brothel upstairs. Recently shedding the Tonic Room name in favor of a new name, Golden Dagger, pays homage to the building’s history by combining “the Golden Dawn” — a secret society that met in the building’s basement in the early 1900s — with “dagger” in a nod to the large knife found within the building’s walls by the previous owner during a remodel of the basement.

Though most often frequented by students of the nearby DePaul University, it’s a favorite of many across Lincoln Park. Coming off of a thoughtful renovation during shutdown, Golden Dagger is one of the most artist-friendly music venues in the city. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, both indoors and out on the patio. It’s a coffee shop too, so you can come back after the previous night for more fun.