My Favourite Music Venues in Chicago

 

By Bob Glaze 

 

 

 

I like going to take heed to dwell music in Chicago, however I now desire to go to smaller venues somewhat than battle the crowds on the bigger ones. My high suggestions embrace:

Located alongside the Ogden Slip in River East is Winter’s Jazz Club at 465 N. McClurg Ct. It is downstairs alongside the water. They have a superb line-up of jazz performers from Wednesday to Sunday with two performances an evening. There are tickets for basic admission and for VIP seating that are affordable. There is a one drink minimal per set per particular person.  It is a small, intimate venue which options conventional jazz, swing, massive band, New Orleans-style jazz and Gypsy-jazz. I requested Scott the proprietor the place the title got here from. He mentioned Winter was his mom’s maiden title and that he acquired his love of jazz from her, so he named it in her honor!!! I extremely advocate performances by Spider Saloff, The Paul Marinaro Quintet, Patricia Barber, Jo Ann Daugherty and Jane Monheit.

I’ve gone twice to a efficiency of Cole Porter music by Spider Saloff that had been excellent! I used to be again final month and loved a night with The Paul Marinaro Quintet performing the music of Nat King Cole.

The Green Mill, a former prohibition-era speakeasy, is now host to nice jazz each evening of the week. You will love the nice and cozy environment. It is believed to be the oldest repeatedly run jazz membership within the US. “The Mill’s Jazz Age pedigree has no equal in Chicago. Newspaper accounts of the era tell a lively tale of the locals’ proclivities and personalities. Jack “Machine Gun” McGurn, a Capone affiliate, supposedly owned a part of the membership throughout Prohibition, when tunnels underneath the bar had been used to smuggle in booze, and stored a desk reserved for his boss (stroll into the bar, previous the cubicles on the north wall, and it’s the primary one you run into, positioned so you’ll be able to see each entrances).” Superstars up to now routinely carried out on the Mill, together with Billie Holiday and Al Jolson. 

Seating is first come, first served plus it’s money solely. There is parking within the lot behind the membership. 4802 N. Broadway.

Zebra Lounge: I loved going again to this basic Chicago piano bar after a few years. Located at 1220 N. State Pkwy, the bar options dwell piano gamers seven nights per week beginning at 9pm. It is a enjoyable spot with a zebra-themed design. I counsel going early to be sure to get a seat.

Celebrating its eighty fifth Anniversary this 12 months, the Zebra lounge has been in enterprise in Chicago since 1929 and holds the third oldest liquor license within the metropolis. The bar is positioned off the primary Division strip contained in the Canterbury Court condominium constructing. Known for secret movie star drop-ins over time, the bar is commonly full of an eclectic mixture of regulars and newcomers.

A enjoyable spot to attempt is Buddy Guy’s Legends, a basic blues membership at 700 S. Wabash. I went not too long ago for the primary time with a pal from Mexico who was on the town on enterprise. I wished him to expertise a real Chicago custom. They supply music nightly from Wednesday by way of Sunday together with New Orleans-inspired meals. I beloved the environment and the music!

The Club is the premier blues membership positioned in Chicago. It is owned and operated by the Grammy successful blues legend himself, Buddy Guy.

Located in River North is Andy’s Jazz Club that options two dwell jazz bands nightly in a conventional setting. Opened as a neighborhood bar in 1951 by Andy Rizzuto, it turned highly regarded with many within the newspaper enterprise who labored close by. He operated till 1975 when it was offered to the present possession group that later added jazz to the combination. Make positive so as to add this to your record of issues to do that winter. 11 E Hubbard St.

Thanks to a Prohibition Walking Tour I discovered The Drifter. It is within the basement of the Green Door Tavern and was the unique speakeasy house from the Nineteen Twenties. Today it’s a darkish, cozy house the place you’ll be able to have an incredible cocktail and see a enjoyable present. The performers may be singers, Burlesque dancers, magicians or different acts. They open at 5pm and don’t take reservations, so go early to make sure you get a desk. They are open Tuesday by way of Saturday. I extremely advocate it. 676-8 N. Orleans.

Located in Ravenswood is Borelli’s Pizzeria at 2124 W. Lawrence Ave. Opened in 2023, this can be a informal restaurant serving pizza and different Italian dishes. I went in July 2025 to have dinner with a pal and to listen to a efficiency, by Opera Inter Alia, of French music to commemorate Bastille Day. This is a gaggle of classically educated skilled singers who carry out there as soon as a month. Borelli’s additionally hosts different weekly music occasions. I loved my pappardelle pasta entree with beef and pork, the bruschetta and the cannoli for dessert. I like to recommend that you simply go to benefit from the expertise.

Thalia Hall is positioned in Pilsen at 1807 S Allport St. in an historic landmark. It was based by John Dusek on the flip of the century as a neighborhood institution. Dusek was a household man, a tavern proprietor, and a facilitator of the humanities.

They have three music venues Thalia Hall, the Tack Room and the Punch House with DJ’s. I’ve been up to now and loved the expertise. You can seize a chew earlier than your live performance upstairs at Mariscos San Pedro. It is superb.

The Black-owned Bronzeville Winery is positioned on the primary flooring of a residential constructing at 4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave. Headed by Silver Room proprietor Eric Williams and managing accomplice Cecilia Cuff, this restaurant, wine bar and cultural house focuses on wine and luxury meals corresponding to lobster macaroni and cheese and shrimp and grits. The wine record is curated by Anika Ellison, “one of the few Black women sommeliers” per their web site. It is an upscale restaurant with nice artwork, service and meals. I went for brunch on Sunday and loved the shrimp and grits.

It additionally has a cultural house, patio and dwell music. It now hosts DJs from Wednesday by way of Saturday, in addition to for Sunday brunch. They’re internet hosting extra dwell music as nicely. 

Located west of Lincoln Park close to Elston, Ave is The Hideout, which is a enjoyable native bar from 1934 positioned in a 100-year-old home. They supply music and leisure all through the week. 1354 W. Wabansia.

Hope you take pleasure in my suggestions. Let the music begin!!!

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