The Many Reasons to Love FitzGerald's

The Atmosphere

When people explore a new destination, they’re often chasing something more than food or entertainment. They’re looking for a feeling they can step into and remember later. That’s what FitzGerald’s does so well.

The building itself dates back to the early 1900s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a detail that becomes obvious the moment you walk inside. In its early days, it operated as a dancehall and nightclub, drawing crowds from across the region, and by the 1950s and ’60s it was known for big band music and jazz revival shows. The FitzGerald family purchased the property in 1980 and transformed it into the music-focused space locals now consider a staple. In 2020, Will Duncan and Jessica King took over stewardship of the venue, managing to refine the experience without erasing its history.

Nothing about the room feels manufactured.

The dark wood bar defines the space, with green lamps above it casting a familiar glow that seems rooted in Chicago’s past. The floors have a certain creak to them, and the stage carries the weight of decades of performances. It doesn’t feel like a new venue styled to look historic. It feels historic, because it is.

That sense of continuity creates an atmosphere difficult to replicate. When you step inside, you’re entering a space that already has its own momentum. The music takes center stage and you become part of something ongoing rather than something curated for show.

The Shows

The programming here spans genres: roots, Americana, country, blues, jazz, indie. Touring bands share the calendar with Chicago favorites, and emerging artists appear alongside legacy acts. You might buy tickets months in advance for a headliner, or you might walk in on a weeknight unfamiliar with the name on the marquee. Either way, the standard is consistent.

On some evenings, the main room is arranged for seated shows; on others, the floor opens up and the energy shifts toward something closer to a traditional dance hall, with people of all ages gathering near the stage.

FitzGerald’s extends beyond music as well. Storytelling events like The Moth and other special programming reinforce its role as a cultural anchor in Berwyn where community gatherings and live performances share the same stage.

And each summer, the American Music Festival reshapes the entire property for a long weekend. Multiple stages run across the main room, secondary space Sidebar, and the patio, while the sidewalks along Roosevelt Road fill with people moving between sets. For those days, the venue doesn’t just host the neighborhood; FitzGerald’s becomes it.

The Cocktails at Sidebar

It’s a smaller, more intimate bar on the property that serves a killer cocktail, and Sidebar is an essential part of what makes the FitzGerald’s experience complete. It also hosts free live music every night of the week, so you can drop in for a drink and catch a set even when there isn’t a ticketed show in the main room.

The drinks here are taken seriously. You’ll find the classics done right—a perfectly balanced old-fashioned, a martini that arrives cold and clean—but the house cocktails are where it gets interesting.

The Elanor, made with gin, Lillet Blanc, macadamia, and lime, leans nutty and citrusy. The Final Say blends reposado tequila, Bénédictine, aperitivo, and lemon for something peppery and herbal. And if you need to stay sharp for the headliner, the Press Kit—Luxardo espresso liqueur, cold brew, and vodka—lands squarely in espresso-tini territory.

There’s also a good whiskey selection and solid mezcal options, and if you ask, they’ll make you a mocktail that is just as delicious as everything else on the menu.

Sidebar works before a show, after a show, or on a night when you just want a drink and conversation without standing shoulder to shoulder in the main room. It’s where you meet friends before the doors open, or where you stay for just one more after the encore.

Plus, tucked away in the back is a retro photo booth that has become part of the ritual of a visit. Bands squeeze in between sets and friends pile in at the end of the night. Even on a first-time visit, it’s hard not to leave with a strip of black-and-white photos in your pocket.

The Patio

In warmer months, the patio brings the entire FitzGerald’s experience outside.

And no, it’s not just a few tables set off to the side. The space fully opens up with multiple seating areas and clear views of the outdoor stage, so you can sit with dinner or stand and dance while you digest. Earlier in the evening, you’ll see families eating while kids wander near the stage. And as it gets later, the crowd starts to shift when the string lights power up, and the patio starts to feel like your own backyard.

Live sets run regularly throughout the spring and summer. There’s something different about hearing a band outside, with people drifting among the bar, the Babygold Barbecue walk-up window, and the stage.

My personal favorite ritual is $5 burger night under the summer lights. It’s the perfect evening: just a solid burger, live music, and a patio full of neighbors who clearly know they’ve made the right plan. And while tipping the musicians isn’t mandatory, it’s always appreciated, and part of what keeps that energy going week after week. Cold beer, delicious cocktails, and plates of food passed across tables make the FitzGerald’s patio a never-ending block party.

In recent years, FitzGerald’s also added the Pavilion, a larger outdoor stage on the patio that makes it possible to host big headliner‑style shows in warm weather. The team now books larger touring artists who wouldn’t fit in the nightclub alone, with around a dozen Pavilion shows planned for this summer—many still yet to be announced.

Babygold Barbecue 

One of the reasons FitzGerald’s works so well as a full night out is Babygold.

It’s not a separate restaurant you have to drive to or plan around. It’s right there, folded into the property, with a dining room next to the club and a walk-up window that serves the patio. You can eat quickly before a show or sit down properly and make dinner part of the night.

And the food is anything but ordinary.

We’re talking brisket with real smoke and a proper bark, barbecue platters that can feed a table, char-grilled oysters, and what I would argue are some of the best full chicken wings in the area, served with Creole ranch. That Creole influence runs through the menu, giving classic sides like potatoes a Cajun kick.

There are shrimp po’boys done right, a pimento cheese mac that has no business being as good as it is, and even smoked barbecue cauliflower if you don’t eat meat. It’s serious barbecue without taking itself too seriously.

What I appreciate most is how easy it makes the night. You can start with dinner at Babygold, step into Sidebar for a drink, then head into the main room or out to the patio for the show without ever checking your watch or moving your car. On festival weekends, it becomes even more essential. You can eat well and move between stages without settling for something that’s forgettable.

It’s the final component of what makes FitzGerald’s complete.

Spend Time at FitzGerald’s

The combination of all these things is what ultimately sets FitzGerald’s apart. It’s a cornerstone of the near west suburbs, a fixture on Roosevelt Road, and a space that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

Every time I recommend it to someone new, I’m confident they’ll understand why. FitzGerald’s has earned its reputation not through flash but through consistency, community, and the simple act of opening its doors night after night to people who come ready to listen.