New Year?s Eve at Montrose Saloon with Steve Kessler & The Saturday June Band

A Chicago Rock New Year for Just $15 ? No Upcharges, Just Music, Community, and Celebration

If your ideal New Year?s Eve trades bottle-service sticker shock for real music, real Chicago spirit, and a room full of people who genuinely love live performance, Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose Ave.) is where the celebration is happening.

On Tuesday, December 31, the beloved neighborhood venue hosts Steve Kessler?the longtime Chicago singer/songwriter also known as Saturday June?with a full-band performance guaranteed to deliver melodic rock, harmony-rich storytelling, and the kind of communal energy only an intimate room can generate.

The price point is as refreshing as the atmosphere: $15 entry and a cash bar, no New Year?s Eve upcharges: just music, community, and a countdown filled with guitars rather than gimmicks. Montrose Saloon will provide guests with a complimentary glass of Champagne at midnight. The bar is open until 2 AM. Guests must be 21 years or older.

About the Night
Montrose Saloon has quietly become one of Chicago?s most authentic live-music havens?praised online for its ?welcoming, old-Chicago vibe,? ?excellent sound,? and ?big-hearted neighborhood crowd.? Known for championing local and touring independent musicians, the Saloon?s New Year?s lineup is one of its most anticipated of the year.

This year, they hand the stage to Steve Kessler & The Saturday June Band, a group with deep Chicago roots and a history of drawing enthusiastic crowds with a sound reminiscent of Todd Rundgren, Paul McCartney, the Beatles, classic power pop, and harmony-driven 1970s art-rock?infused with Kessler?s modern emotional lyricism.

Kessler is one of the city?s enduring rock voices, and the Montrose Saloon is the NYE place to catch him in full-band mode.

About Steve Kessler / Saturday June Band

A fixture in Chicago?s music landscape for decades, Steve Kessler has fronted the Saturday June Band, performing everywhere from neighborhood clubs to iconic stages across the Midwest. His career includes appearances at Chicagofest, Taste of Chicago, Arlington Park, Navy Pier, Park West, Ravinia, and university concerts at Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Marquette. He has performed for both the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls.
Kessler has shared stages with national acts including Steve Goodman, The Turtles, The Stranglers, X, The Outlaws, The Kings, The Beach Boys, The Smithereens, and English Beat, and opened at Ravinia for Johnny Rivers and Jimmy Webb.

He has also played with blues legend Hound Dog Taylor and recorded with acclaimed singer-songwriter Richie Havens.

His songwriting has been praised for craftsmanship and emotional resonance. Music writer Brad Spurgeon noted:

?I could hear instantly without knowing anything about him that Steve was a true song craftsman, with lots of experience.?
? BradSpurgeon.com, December 29, 2015

Kessler?s full background and discography appear in previous releases for his Uncommon Ground solo show, rescheduled to January 24 due to weather.

About Montrose Saloon

Located at the corner of Montrose & Richmond, Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose, Chicago) is a true independent music bar?warm, unpretentious, and committed to Chicago?s grassroots music culture. Google and Yelp reviewers consistently highlight:

• ?Fantastic local music seven nights a week.?
• ?A genuine Chicago neighborhood gem.?
• ?No attitude?just great bands and friendly people.?
• ?Small room, huge heart.?

The bar is known for:
? A welcoming regulars-and-musicians community
? Affordable drinks (cash bar)
? An intimate setting where every song feels close
? A stage that has become a launchpad for local and touring indie artists

For New Year?s Eve, the Saloon is keeping its tradition: No inflated prices. No VIP nonsense. Just a $15 cover to enjoy one of Chicago?s most seasoned rock performers ringing in 2026.

Why This NYE Is the One Chicago Music Lovers Should Choose
In a city packed with high-priced countdowns and preset dinner packages, Montrose Saloon is offering something different?a real night out.

A legendary Chicago rocker playing a full-band set
? $15 entry ? a fraction of typical NYE prices
? Cash bar ? no holiday upcharges
? *A room where you can actually see, hear, and feel the music
? A neighborhood vibe that feels like home even if it?s your first visit

This is the kind of New Year?s Eve people talk about later?the one where you discovered your new favorite song, make new friends, and remembered why live music matters.

Event Details
New Year?s Eve with Steve Kessler & The Saturday June Band
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2025
Time: Evening performances leading up to the midnight countdown
Location: Montrose Saloon, 2933 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago
Cover: $15 (cash bar; no NYE upcharges)
Venue Info: Facebook + Instagram for current event postings
Montrose Saloon: www.montrosesaloon.com; 21+ w/ID
Artist Info: www.saturdayjune.com