Liar's Club stands as one of Chicago's most authentic dive bars and punk rock venues, a place where the beer is cheap, the music is loud, and the atmosphere is unapologetically gritty. Located on Fullerton Avenue, the club has hosted countless bands and provided a haven for Chicago's alternative music scene for decades. But the building's current incarnation as a music venue masks a much darker past—it once served as a funeral home, a place where the dead were prepared for their final rest. According to numerous witnesses, some of those spirits never left. The combination of the building's funerary past and the intense energy of live music has created what paranormal investigators call a 'perfect storm' for supernatural activity. From shadowy figures to unexplained cold spots to equipment that moves on its own, Liar's Club offers evidence that the boundary between the living and the dead is thinner than most people realize.
Did you know?
- Liar's Club operates in a building that once served as a funeral home, with the main bar located in what was the embalming room.
- The basement, which now serves as storage and band preparation space, is where bodies were kept and prepared for burial.
- Staff members report that paranormal activity increases significantly during live music performances, as if the spirits are drawn to the energy.
- Multiple musicians have refused to return to the venue after experiencing unexplained phenomena while performing.
- The building's basement is considered so haunted that some employees refuse to go down there alone, even during daylight hours.
- Paranormal investigators have documented EVP recordings of voices saying 'get out' and 'leave' in areas of the building.
Paranormal Activity at Liar's Club
The Shadow People
The most frequently reported paranormal phenomenon at Liar's Club is the appearance of shadowy humanoid figures that witnesses describe as 'shadow people.' These dark forms are seen moving through the bar, particularly near the stage and in the corners of the room. Unlike typical shadows, these figures appear to have depth and substance, and they move independently of any light source. Patrons and staff report seeing these shadows out of the corner of their eye, and when they turn to look directly, the figures vanish. Some witnesses describe feeling intense unease or fear when the shadow people are present. Musicians performing on stage have reported seeing these figures watching them from the back of the room, and some claim to have felt a presence standing beside them during performances.
The Basement Entity
The basement of Liar's Club, which once served as the funeral home's morgue and embalming preparation area, is notorious for intense paranormal activity. Staff members and musicians report feeling an overwhelming sense of being watched when in the basement. Some describe feeling a malevolent presence that seems to resent their intrusion. Equipment stored in the basement is frequently found moved or tampered with, and band gear placed downstairs before shows is sometimes discovered in different locations. Multiple witnesses have reported hearing voices, footsteps, and what sounds like dragging noises coming from the basement when it's known to be empty. Several people have reported being touched or pushed by unseen hands in the basement, and a few have fled the space in terror after experiencing what they describe as an attack by an invisible force.
The Phantom Mourner
Several witnesses have reported seeing the apparition of an elderly woman dressed in black funeral attire, appearing in the bar area and near the entrance. She is described as solid and lifelike for several seconds before fading away. Some witnesses report that she appears sad or distressed, and a few have heard her weeping or sobbing. The prevailing theory is that she may have been a frequent visitor to the funeral home, someone who lost multiple loved ones and spent countless hours in the building mourning. Her spirit seems unable to move on from the place where she experienced such profound grief. The apparition is most commonly seen during quieter moments in the bar, as if loud noise drives her away.
Unexplained Phenomena
Beyond the identifiable spirits, Liar's Club experiences a wide range of unexplained phenomena. Glasses and bottles fall from shelves or bars when no one is nearby. Lights flicker and dim without electrical explanation, and equipment malfunctions are common. The jukebox occasionally plays on its own or skips songs in impossible ways. Doors lock and unlock themselves, and some areas of the building experience sudden, dramatic temperature drops. Staff members report hearing their names called when no one else is present. Patrons have captured numerous photographs showing orbs, mists, and unexplained light anomalies. The energy in the building can shift dramatically from welcoming to oppressive within moments, and sensitive individuals report feeling overwhelmed by the presence of spirits, particularly during crowded events when the living and the dead seem to occupy the same space.
Brief History of Liar's Club
The building that now houses Liar's Club was constructed in the early 20th century and served for many years as a funeral home. During this period, the building witnessed countless funerals, wakes, and viewings. The basement served as a morgue and embalming preparation area, while the main floor hosted services where families gathered to mourn their loved ones.
Funeral homes occupy a unique space in the spectrum of potentially haunted locations. They are places where grief, loss, and the physical presence of death converge. The intense emotions experienced by mourners, combined with the preparation and presence of countless bodies over decades, can leave what paranormal researchers call a 'psychic imprint' on a location.
The building's transition from funeral home to bar and music venue occurred in the 1970s when the space was converted into what would eventually become Liar's Club. The new owners transformed the somber funeral parlor into a lively dive bar, but they couldn't completely erase the building's past.
Liar's Club quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Chicago's punk rock and alternative music scene. The venue became known for its no-frills atmosphere, cheap drinks, and commitment to showcasing local bands. The club's name reflected its irreverent attitude—a place where tall tales and exaggeration were not just accepted but celebrated.
But almost from the beginning, strange occurrences were reported. Staff members experienced unexplained phenomena, and the building developed a reputation for being haunted. Musicians loading equipment in and out of the basement reported feeling watched and hearing unexplained sounds. Patrons began sharing stories of seeing shadowy figures and experiencing cold spots.
Over the decades, the reports of paranormal activity have only increased. The club's owners and staff have largely accepted the haunting as part of the venue's character. Some believe that the spirits of those who were mourned in the building remain attached to the space, while others theorize that the embalming chemicals and death energy in the basement created a portal or vortex for supernatural activity.
Paranormal investigators who have studied Liar's Club believe that the dramatic shift from funeral home to loud music venue may have disturbed spirits who were resting peacefully. The energy of live performances, the crowds, and the general chaos of a dive bar stand in stark contrast to the quiet, respectful atmosphere of a funeral home. Some spirits may resent this change, while others may be drawn to the life energy that now fills the space.
Today, Liar's Club continues to operate as a beloved fixture of Chicago's music scene, offering cheap drinks, great music, and an atmosphere that can't be replicated. The venue embraces its haunted reputation, recognizing that the ghosts are as much a part of the club's identity as the music and the crowd.
Visitor Information
Liar's Club is an active bar and live music venue, open to visitors who are 21 and over. The club features live music performances regularly, along with DJ nights and special events.
The atmosphere is decidedly divey and unpretentious—this is not a polished, upscale establishment, but rather an authentic Chicago dive bar with character and history. The staff is generally open to discussing the building's haunted reputation with interested patrons.
Visitors interested in the paranormal should be respectful of both the spirits and the living patrons. The club is a functioning business, not a tourist attraction.
Location
1665 W Fullerton Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
The former funeral home turned punk rock venue
The notorious basement where bodies were once prepared
