Rosalind Cummings-yeates 2020-01-22 03:20:48
Chicago is a top live music destination, celebrated in our many clubs and venues that showcase everything from live blues to jazz and rock. JAZZ An iconic spot that boasts a legendary Jazz Age pedigree, the historic Green Mill was a regular Prohibition-era hangout of notorious gangster Al Capone. The Green Mill is also the site of a popular poetry slam, which hits the stage every Sunday evening. Slide into the leather-and-suede seats and sip from a long list of martinis at the South Loop M Lounge. Live jazz, blues, and R&B are featured every Tuesday and Wednesday, while DJs pump house music on Fridays and Saturdays. A mainstay on the Chicago music scene since 1947, serious jazz fans flock to the 170-seat Jazz Showcase to hear the best national and local acts. The Sunday Matinee is geared toward families, with free admission for kids age 12 and under. Winter’s Jazz Club presents classic jazz in an intimate setting of cozy cabaret tables overlooking the waters of Ogden Slip. This elegant club takes its music seriously, with a no-talking policy during shows in reverence to its performers. BLUES Owned by the elder statesman of the Chicago blues, Buddy Guy’s Legends spotlights the biggest musicians of the genre, as well as promising up-and-comers. Buddy Guy himself performs at the club every January and can often be spied at the bar when he’s in town. Founded in 1968, Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park is famous for its two stages with non-stop music, making it the ultimate spot for late-night blues. The club is open till 4 a.m. every night of the week. A cozy space that focuses on local artists, B.L.U.E.S. allows for an up-close blues experience. Music lovers adore this place, and even blues musicians are known to hang out on their night off and mingle with fans. A welcoming family-owned bar, Rosa’s Lounge was founded in 1984 and is known for showcasing a well-curated range of blues performers. ROCK/ALTERNATIVE A stylish venue in a historic Pilsen landmark, Thalia Hall hosts regular indie concerts and live performances. Added bonuses are hip basement bar Punch House and gastropub Dusek’s Board & Beer in the same building. Two floors and a gritty vibe have made Metro the go-to place for underground and alternative music for more than 30 years. At the downstairs Smart Bar, DJs spin house and electronic dance music in a sleek basement space. Uptown’s historic Riviera Theatre and Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom each present a diverse range of alternative acts and rock bands. Cutting-edge performers, cheap drinks, and reasonable ticket prices have made The Empty Bottle a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The corner bar/music venue is located in the hip Ukrainian Village neighborhood. Hyde Park residents and University of Chicago students populate The Promontory, an industrial-chic restaurant and music venue. Listen to everything from live DJs to Afro fusion and hip-hop. YEAR OF CHICAGO MUSIC This year-long focus on music includes a new 18-day citywide celebration of music in May and June — and special events and programs celebrating Chicago’s dynamic and influential music scene. Learn more at yearofchicagomusic.org.
©Chicago. View All Articles.