Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Information
If you’re looking for a memorable night out on the town in Chicago, don’t miss out on the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom. This 1920s Chicago landmark is home to some of the most exciting concerts in the nation, and it’s the perfect place to host your next meeting, party, or corporate event.
Getting married? You’ll love hosting your reception at the Aragon Ballroom thanks to its breathtaking Spanish-style architecture, plush seating, wide-open spaces for dancing, and intimate mood lighting.
With a standing and seating capacity of more than 4,000, the Aragon Ballroom has more than enough space for your next event. The balcony and VIP Lounge have ADA-accessible seating.
The venue proudly partners with KultureCity to ensure that it is accessible to those with sensory impairments. Staff are trained to assist guests with special sensory needs. The venue also provides strobe-blocking glasses, fidget tools, and headphones.
Need a bite to eat while enjoying the show? Drop by one of the venue’s bars for food and drink. You’ll find a delicious selection of cocktails and snacks waiting for you.
Although on-site parking isn’t available for the Aragon Ballroom, the venue is accessible via public transportation and close to major bus stops. It’s also close to many of Chicago’s finest restaurants, hotels, and attractions.
Whether you are a long-time local or planning your vacation in Chicago, you’ll find plenty to love about the Aragon Ballroom. Learn everything you need to know to plan your trip below for an unforgettable experience.
About the Venue
The Aragon Ballroom is largely known for its pop and rock concerts and the occasional boxing event. At this historic venue, you can enjoy live music from performers such as:
» Ice Spice
» Forrest Frank
» Joshua Bassett
» Marilyn Manson
» Pulp
» Kehlani
» Fletcher
» TEMS
» Jane’s Addiction
» Danny Ocean
» Dayglow
» Nothing but Thieves
» Diplo
» The Garden
In addition to Chicago concerts, the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom is also perfect for:
Corporate gatherings: Who says corporate events have to be boring? Liven up your next company meeting or presentation with the gorgeous architecture of the Aragon Ballroom as your backdrop.
Special events: Want to host a birthday or holiday party that will wow your guests? The Aragon Ballroom is the place to be. You can enjoy personalized entertainment, attractive decor, and custom menus.
Weddings: The Aragon Ballroom is one of the finest places to say “I do” in Chicago. After the ceremony, enjoy dancing in the generously sized ballroom and dine on freshly prepared snacks and sweets. The venue has wedding specialists available to make your big day unforgettable.
Private dining: When you want to go above and beyond for guests, book the Aragon Ballroom for a private dining session. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and custom menus to suit your tastes.
Private concerts: Not up for sharing the ballroom with thousands of other guests? If you’re in the mood for something cozier and more intimate, why not book your private concert at the Aragon Ballroom?
Food and Drinks
The Aragon Ballroom features a full bar in the lobby and several bars in the balcony area. Snacks include:
» Connie’s pizza
» Skinny Dipped almonds
» Good Crisps potato chips
» Tony’s Chocolonely chocolate bars
» Partake chocolate chip cookies
Beverages include:
» Domestic, premium, and craft beer
» Wine by the glass or bottle
» Shots
» Liquid Death canned water
» Seltzers
» Red Bull
» Virgin cocktails
» Shaker cup cocktails (Wildberry Mojito, Prickly Pear Margarita, Cherry Bourbon Lemonade, Strawberry Vodka Lemonade)
Accessibility
This concert hall is fully ADA accessible. The building features an elevator and disability-friendly seating in the balcony. Staff can also arrange for an interpreter if you’re hard of hearing (contact the venue at least one month prior to your event).
The venue offers noise-blocking headphones, strobe-blocking glasses, and fidget tools for those with sensory impairments.
VIP Membership
If you’re a frequent flier at the Aragon Ballroom, why not invest in VIP Season Ticket Membership? Your membership includes:
» VIP Lounge access
» Premium seating
» Private restrooms
» Private venue entrance
» Dedicated customer support staff
You can also upgrade to VIP for a single show if you’re not interested in the Season Ticket Membership.
Reputation
Since its construction in 1926, the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom has developed a reputation as a world-class entertainment venue, and for good reason. It has been frequented by major performers such as Metallica and Aerosmith, features superb customer service, and mesmerizes guests with its retro-inspired Spanish-themed decor.
Here’s what guests praise about the Aragon Ballroom:
» Staff walk the entrance lines before admittance to check tickets and hand out wristbands to those over 21.
» The sound system is able to reach all areas of the venue, including spots in the back of the general admission area and balcony seating.
» The coat check makes it convenient to stash items you’d rather not hold on to during the event.
» The architecture and decor make for a truly unforgettable experience you’ll look back on fondly.
Common issues reported with the venue include:
» There is no on-site parking, and street parking fills up quickly, so you must plan accordingly.
» The venue can get hot during summer.
» Restrooms are only located downstairs unless you’ve purchased a VIP Membership, which comes with private restroom access.
» Drink prices are on the high side.
Venue History
In 1922, brothers William and Andrew Karzas built Chicago’s famous Trianon Ballroom with the help of legendary architects Rapp & Rapp. Hoping to replicate the success of their first project, the brothers built the Aragon Ballroom four years later, in 1926. A renowned movie theater builder, John Eberson, replicated the look and feel of a Moorish castle in the ballroom’s interior. Architects Hill and Huszagh designed the exterior in the Spanish Baroque style.
The Aragon Ballroom was an instant success thanks to a bevy of popular acts and easy access to the Chicago L train. During its heyday, more than 18,000 guests visited the venue each week. In the evenings, radio station WGN broadcast a program from the venue to listeners in the U.S. and Canada, further boosting its popularity.
Like any historical building, the Aragon Ballroom has been the subject of exciting rumors and speculation. It’s believed that the nearby Green Mill Bar, which features underground tunnels where the infamous Al Capone used to hide from the law, connected to the venue’s basement. It’s unclear whether this story is true, but it certainly adds an air of mystery and allure to the ballroom.
The Aragon Ballroom enjoyed unprecedented success for many years until, in 1958, a fire at the cocktail lounge next door forced the venue to shutter its doors for months. After that, crowds dwindled, and the venue decided to end ballroom dancing in 1964. New owners later purchased the ballroom, using it as a discotheque, boxing venue, and even a roller skating rink.
In 1973, Jose Palomar and Willy Miranda became the new owners of the Aragon Ballroom. They promptly collaborated with promoters Jerry Mickelson and Arny Granat, who transformed the venue into a famed location for rock concerts.
In the late 90s, Mercedes Fernandez, Ivan Fernandez, and Luis Rossi took ownership of the Aragon Ballroom. The hall continued to host rock concerts and Vietnamese and Spanish events.
The venue was used for the filming of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2015.
In 2017, Live Nation became the new owner of the venue. It continues to host a variety of pop and rock concerts, attracting huge crowds of music lovers every year.
Over the years, the Aragon Ballroom has been the site of several live recordings. The following are some of the most notable from the venue’s history:
» 1978: Aerosmith, “Lord of the Thighs” and “Sweet Emotion”
» 1984: R.E.M., Reckoning album
» 1986: Metallica, Master of Puppets album
» 1993: Nirvana, “You Know You’re Right”
» 1994: Green Day, “MTV Jaded in Chicago”
» 1995: Soul Asylum, “Broken Promises”
» 2004: Primus, Hallucino-Genetics
» 2009: Mastodon, Live at the Aragon
More Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom information:
Ticket Policies:
Policies and authenticity guarantee regarding tickets from our recommended ticket marketplace.
Seating Chart:
View the standard Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom seating map and read about different seating options.
Parking Information:
Information about the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom parking options.