Music and Nightlife

Where the UIUC basketballs games are held, and also where many nationally touring bands come to play when they swing through town. Take a look at their website to see what’s coming up.

Just SE of One Main/Volition. Has live music some nights.

A great bar in downtown Champaign featuring cask-conditioned beer. They recently opened another set of doors—also downtown—to house a brewery.

One of the hottest spots in downtown Champaign. Open for dinner with an extensive drink menu, some of the best martinis around, and DJs spinning live music into the night.

Hookah bar also offering ethnic sandwiches, kebobs and drinks.

Featuring a full bar, spacious beer garden, occasional live music and a Mexican-themed menu, the Monkey is the place to be if you want to see and be seen.

Bar and restaurant located in downtown Urbana. Has excellent food and good beer selection. Has several pool tables and a foosball machine.

Information about upcoming events

Smaller bar featuring food and occasional live music.

Typical bar in downtown Champaign, with normal bar fare. Outdoor seating in the summer is really nice.

Located across the street from 1 Main Plaza. Outdoor seating, upperscale barfood, pool, and darts. Open for lunch.

Next to Jupiter’s. Live bands during the week and DJ’s and dancing on the weekend. Usually charges a cover after 9 or 10.

Sports bar located on Neil street between Kirby and Green streets. Has food and is a great place to watch games. Also has lots of pool tables, darts and video game arcade.

Neighborhood bar with large outdoor beer garden that stands as the best venue for live music in downtown Champaign. Also hosts improv on Monday nights.

Fairly big bar in downtown Urbana. Has good bar food, also large grad student population. Pool tables and real darts, too (not electronic).

An annual three-day music festival showcasing groundbreaking musical artists in a variety of genres. Past performers include of Montreal, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, ?uestlove, Mates of State, Ida Yeasayer, and Headlights.

Located on Springfield, between 1st and Neil streets. Has food, outdoor beer garden and a small game room.

An upscale club in downtown Champaign, right next to Volition’s building. Mind the dress code. Some of our employees can often be found dj’ing there on the weekends.

“(Providing) the Hip Hop Generation and the Post Hip Hop Generation with the tools, resources and opportunities to make social, economic and political change on a local, regional and national level. Hip Hop Congress is the product of a merger of artists and students, music and community.”