Rocco
Jazz is one of the greatest American music genres in history.
While it originated in the deep south from a fusion of African and European music traditions, jazz blossomed into its glorious art form in major cities.
One of the most iconic jazz cities is Chicago, the largest midwestern metropolis.
Home to jazz greats like Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver, the Chicago jazz scene continues to flourish.
Below, you can explore a list of the best jazz clubs in Chicago to enjoy musical stylings while you sip a craft cocktail.
Jazz Showcase
806 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 360-0234
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Jazz Showcase is a funky, old-school jazz bar in South Loop with a legendary history that dates back to 1947.
Joe Segal founded the club, passing it down to his son, Wayne Segal.
The cream of the crop of famous jazz musicians have all played sets at Jazz Showcase and the legacy continues.
Shows are from 8-10 pm daily, accompanied by a full cocktail bar with beer and wine.
Winter’s Jazz Club
465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 344-1270
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Located in an intimate, industrial-chic space with candlelit tables in Streeterville, Winter’s Jazz Club is a blues and jazz venue.
The elegant atmosphere offers an up-close-and-personal listening experience with amazing acoustics.
They have a great happy hour in their lounge and bar area with half-off drinks.
Each show requires you to spend a minimum of $10 per set on a cocktail, beer, or wine of your choice.
The Green Mill
4802 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 878-5552
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Featured as a premier jazz club in Thrillist, Atlas Obscura, and Hyperlocal, The Green Mill is a trendy, jazz lounge in Uptown Chicago.
The Green Mill has a speakeasy feel with lavish oil paintings in elaborate frames lining the walls and large booths wrapped around small, round, white-clothed tables.
They’re a cash-only bar, with nightly jazz shows from 8 pm-12 am. They serve classic cocktails with no-nonsense presentations.
Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
11 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 642-6805
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Located in River North, a block from the Chicago Riverwalk, Andy’s Jazz Club and restaurant is a longstanding supper club and dinner theater.
Opened in 1951 by Andy Rizzuto, Andy’s has been an important fixture in the jazz scene operating for decades.
There are live jazz shows at 5 and 9 pm every day to serenade a full drinking and dining experience inside a really cool industrial warehouse space.
The food menu is a decadent array of New American fare from Caribbean Salmon to homemade lobster and portobello-stuffed ravioli.
Constellation
3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
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Founded by Chicago drummer and jazz composer Mike Reed in 2013, Constellation is a new jazz club built inside a shuttered jazz club called the Velvet Lounge in Roscoe Village.
As per Reed’s passion, Constellation offers a more avant-garde jazz experience.
The space is sleek and minimalist, designed to create the best sound possible.
They offer a full cocktail bar to accompany a truly unique listening experience.
Rosa’s Lounge
3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 342-0452
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Rosa’s Lounge is an artsy, old-school blues club and cocktail lounge in Logan Square.
Italian immigrant Tony Manguillo opened the club in 1978 after meeting blues icons Jr. Wells and buddy Guy in his native Milan.
He named the club after his mother, Rosa.
Today, there’s a house band and a steady lineup of jazz and blues greats to enjoy with a tasty cocktail in hand.
The cocktail menu changes each month.
Kingston Mines
2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 477-4646
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Located just north of Lincoln Park in Wrightwood Neighbors, Kingston Mines is a funky old jazz and blues club that opened in 1968.
They have live blues and jazz from Thursday through Saturday along with delicious cocktails and a full dinner menu of tasty soul food.
The bar has a selection of domestic and imported beers, ciders, hard seltzers, cocktails, champagne, and wine.
The food menu has everything from nachos to catfish and red beans and rice.
Blue Chicago
536 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 661-0100
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Another River North haunt, Blue Chicago has been delivering electric jazz and blues in a cozy, welcoming environment since 1985.
Chicago blues is a specific type of blues music that Blue Chicago focuses on and draws inspiration from.
There’s a different lineup every night from Wednesday through Sunday. Blue Chicago offers beer, spirits, cocktails, and wine.
Buddy Guy’s Legends
700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 427-1190
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Overlooking the lovely Grant Park in Printer’s Row, Buddy Guy’s Legends is a classy Cajun supper club with jazz and blues music owned by Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy.
The dinner menu includes po’boys, gumbo, sandwiches, fried chicken, and cornbread.
There’s a full bar to pair with a comforting dinner while you listen to live music playing jazz and blues.
Final Thoughts
For jazz and blues enthusiasts, Chicago is a must-visit.
You can see all the jazz greats in historic and iconic jazz clubs in Chicago, serenading your trip to the windy city each night.
Let me know which jazz club you liked best in the comments below.
Best Jazz Clubs in Chicago
- Jazz Showcase
- Winter’s Jazz Club
- The Green Mill
- Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
- Constellation
- Rosa’s Lounge
- Kingston Mines
- Blue Chicago
- Buddy Guy’s Legends
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