Making like their Schlitz-tied house refurbishing roots, the brothers behind Schubas, Mike and Chris, double their live music power with the five-year-in-the-making flip of Lincoln Park's century-old 3 Penny Cinema. The new place features their signature mix of tasteful burgeoning acts and clear-view intimacy that you're used to at Schubas, but with triple the capacity at near 500 sets of eyes.

A clone of Schubas it may seem, with the tag-along of Harmony Grill chef Rafael Lopez and his pseudo-bistro lineup of wraps, sammies and salads. Boasting an interchangeable calendar and the same Delirium Tremens-deep beer list, the architecture alone – a walk-around balcony, a horizontal floor (no tippie-toeing!), and an even more living room-warmth integration of the cafe – give it a serious Schubas 2.0 slickness.

Throw in 7,000 feet of fresh-stained poplar wood paneling and more than a dozen of Wilco's old monitors, and you've got yourself a neglected predecessor.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul