Where to hear live music in the Tri-Cities most weeks

Want live music on a weeknight without driving into Chicago? The Tri-Cities have more of it than most people realize. Here are the spots that book music on a regular schedule, based on each venue's own calendar as of Oct. 22, 2026. Lineups change, so check the venue page before you head out.

Batavia: Sidecar Supper Club & Beer Garden

Sidecar sits at 12 North River Street, on the shared street along the river downtown. Its website lists live shows every Friday and Saturday, songwriters on Tuesday and bluegrass every Sunday. The tavern is in a building that dates to the 1880s, and it does not take reservations, so seating is first come, first served. The full lineup is on the Sidecar events page.

St. Charles: ROX at Hotel Baker

The martini lounge inside Hotel Baker posts a month-by-month entertainment schedule. The hotel lists live music Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11 p.m., and the November calendar also shows piano and vocal sets on several Thursdays. There is no live music on Thanksgiving night, Nov. 26. The hotel notes dates can change and suggests calling ahead at 630-845-5800.

St. Charles: the Arcada and its smaller rooms

The Arcada Theatre at 105 E. Main St. is the big room for touring and tribute acts. The same address also hosts smaller sets at Rock 'N Ravioli and Club Arcada, which show up on the weekly St. Charles lineup too. Tickets and dates are on the Arcada site.

St. Charles: taprooms and pubs along the river

Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling at 106 S. Riverside Ave. runs a music program it calls Pollyanna Music, which it says is only at its St. Charles taproom. Down the block, The House Pub at 16 S. Riverside Ave. regularly shows up on the weekly lineup with bands and an open mic.

The easiest way to see who is playing where is the St. Charles Business Alliance weekly live music page. A late-October list included 93 Octane Brewery, Brother Chimp Brewing, Riverlands Brewing, The Wine Exchange and McNally's Irish Pub along with the venues above, with addresses and set times for each.

Geneva: EvenFlow Music & Spirits

EvenFlow, at 302 W. State St., is a restaurant and music room. Its site says live music starts at 6 p.m., and many shows are ticketed through the site. Its calendar lists Live Band Karaoke on the first and third Thursday of each month from Nov. 5 through Dec. 17.

Geneva: Preservation's heated patio

Preservation, at 513 S. Third St., books musicians on its covered, all-weather patio. The restaurant says it added more insulation for the colder months, and its calendar lists evening sets several nights a week. Each listing has a calendar file you can save to your phone.

Before you go

• Cover charges and ticket prices vary by show. Check the venue's own listing.
• Many of these spots are restaurants first. Calling ahead for a table on a busy weekend is a good idea where reservations are offered.
• Set times move. The venue calendar is the final word.