But the second question has many answers.

Even with sellout audiences, the Abbey is not too crowded. The club is much smaller than the Metro, Vic or Riv. It's predictable and clean. The wood and stone façade décor makes you look for a fireplace. It's like a concert venue for adults.

For instance, the only bar is to the back of the main area, meaning chatting drinkers are out of the way of band watchers.

Tables adorn the entire second level, and people can actually eat food there. The tables aren't just for decoration.

The crowds at the Abbey seem more cultured. Or, at least, they all have the community of the band on stage, whether it's a local band, Wilco, or Nickel Creek. There really is a closer feel than any other concert club in Chicago.

But though the 550-capacity Abbey has live music seven nights a week, there's more to it than music. The pub was established in 1973 and offers a full-service restaurant and catering specializing in traditional Irish entreès American food. Its RSVP catering can serve 10 to 300 people. The Abbey also hosts banquets in its Lambay dining room.

As for drinks, the Abbey has 12 drafts, including Guinness, Murphy's, Foster's and Bass. It has 13 bottled beers including Rolling Rock, Beck's and Corona and all the usuals. You can call the Abbey for weekly specials.

The Abbey also shows sports on its 15-foot big-screen TV and 14 monitors throughout the restaurant. It also touts itself as Chicago's No. 1 soccer bar, showing international games of rugby, soccer and more. During concerts, though, these TVs are not noticeable.

But the heart of the Abbey is its concert ambience. The unity I felt with the crowd, and intimacy I felt with each band I've seen at the Abbey is second to none in the city. I don't know why that is. I just know that the bands talk more to the crowd. They tell stories. They smile. And they don't show off.

Photo courtesy of Abbey Pub

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