Live Music in Chicago

November 4, 2006 1:08 PM

Where can I hear some decent live jazz/blues in Chicago?

TravelFilter: I'm going to be in Chicago next week for a conference and I'm interested in checking out some live jazz/blues while I'm there. I'm staying at the Westin by the river in downtown. Are there any places nearby? A caveat: they need to be wheelchair accessible.

I might also want to grab some Chinese or Italian while I'm there. Any suggestions on good restaurants that aren't too expensive and are close to where I'm staying?

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer.

posted by wintermute2_0 to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

Velvet Lounge.
posted by chillmost at 1:35 PM on November 4, 2006

Rosa's. You should make it a meetup.
posted by rbs at 3:26 PM on November 4, 2006

Take it from a lifelong Chicagoan:

Jazz: The Green Mill

Blues: Buddy Guy's Legends

nuff said.
posted by stevejensen at 3:49 PM on November 4, 2006

Green Mill for sure. Join us at the Meetup on the 13th and we can talk more about great music all over the city. :)
posted by FlamingBore at 5:28 PM on November 4, 2006

For Blues you can't beat Chicago B.L.U.E.S in Lincoln Park. You can also checkout Kingston Mines which is located right across the street.

For Italian, and especially pizza, my favorite is Pizano's. There's one not far from your hotel at State and Chestnut.
posted by cleve9 at 5:36 PM on November 4, 2006

Jazz Showcase
posted by lee at 7:27 PM on November 4, 2006

Kingston Mines on Halsted is great. 2 stages in adjoining rooms so there is constant music.
posted by Wallzatcha at 7:32 PM on November 4, 2006

Take it from a lifelong Chicagoan who knows that the blues was *not* invented by a bunch of frat boys and yuppies in Lincoln Park. Buddy Guy's Blues Legends, Chicago B.L.U.E.S, Kingston Mines all get top acts. But they are to the blues what Starbucks is to coffee. If you like your scene homogenized and white bread, by all means, that is the place to go.

If not, I'd suggest

Lee's Unleaded Blues

If you don't want to go that far south, at least go to Rosa's instead of one of the others mentioned.

Second the vote for the Green Mill. And if you want to have a really unique jazz experience, Chicago jazz legend Von Freeman plays the tiny New Apartment Lounge every Tuesday.
posted by centerweight at 10:51 PM on November 4, 2006

As for Chinese, it depends what you're looking for. If you're looking for a fancier restaurant, Opera is some of the best I've had in my entire life. Everything at the place is absolutely amazing.

If you're looking for a more authentic Chinese experience, I'd say that Lao Sze Chuan is about as good as it gets. Once you're, you're in the heart of Chinatown, so you can take a look around there if you'd like.

If you want to stick closer to your hotel, there's an excellent Asian fusion type place in the neighborhood, Vong's Thai Kitchen.
posted by atomly at 9:42 AM on November 5, 2006

Rosa's for blues if you don't want to travel to the southside. Those other Lincoln Park blues bars are...eh. I miss the Jazz Showcase being in its old location, the new location doesn't do it for me as much but Joe Segel can still spot talent. I tend to follow jazz acts around Chicago instead of going to the same spot over and over. I used to enjoy dropping by Star Bar, but I hear that it is no longer. Andy Distal is playing The Pump Room every Friday and Saturday now and I like him so much that I will go there to see him. Matt Lewis plays a mean trumpet at the Green Mill on Thursday nights. Mike Jeffers (drummer) is playing with Stephanie Browning at the Peninsula Hotel (open run) and he is worth catching.
posted by jeanmari at 7:40 PM on November 25, 2006