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Clubs
Plan a club crawl to points east, west, north and south.
south side clubs
Watch the cityscape go by on the road to Artis’ Lounge. This South Side neighborhood bar showcases local blues entertainment. Travel through an old railroad crossing, now a sparsely populated stretch between Cottage Grove and Stony Island avenues, to Lee’s Unleaded Blues where local blues musicians give visitors a taste of the real deal.
Tip: Make a night of it! Just a stone’s throw away, Get Ready, a musical about an all-male 1950s soul group preparing for a comeback is playing at eta Creative Arts Foundation.
Hyde Park Clubs
No blues tour would be complete without a trip to the Checkerboard—at least according to Prince and the Rolling Stones Keith Richards, who were known to pop in there for late-night jam sessions. Now in Hyde Park, the club features regular blues sets.
Tip: Day-trippers will revel in Hyde Park’s other riches as well, such as the Museum of Science of Industry, Hyde Park Art Center, Smart Museum of Art, the Oriental Institute, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, DuSable Museum, and the popular restaurants in and around Harper Court. Walking shoes recommended.
While you’re in the area, check out a South Side favorite, Linda’s Place, offering live blues every Monday.
Downtown clubs
Just south and west of the Hilton Chicago, downtown sidewalks lead you to a world away from the business district at Buddy Guy’s Legends, where you can hear the blues at lunchtime or at night. Local and international legends such as Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones and when not on tour, the man himself, grace the stage. Mouthwatering comfort food and blues memorabilia such as John Lee Hooker’s guitar complete the atmosphere.
Cross the river at State Street for nightly concerts featuring a variety of music at the House of Blues Chicago. Be sure to catch the acoustic blues set on the Back Porch stage, complemented by a Southern-inspired menu and more blues memorabilia on the walls.
Tip: Track down the sound that evolved from the blues at the House of Blues’ Gospel Brunch on Sundays.
Mark Blue Chicago on your map; comprising two clubs two blocks away from one another, Blue Chicago offers plenty of live music and a nearby shop filled with blues memorabilia.
north side clubs
Mount a northbound expedition to the ever-popular Kingston Mines featuring live blues by two bands on two stages 7 nights a week. Local acts perform on weekdays, with touring acts taking the main stage on weekends. Its late hours, regular acoustic blues sets, all-night kitchen, and vibrant neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, and other entertainment recommend this club as a top blues destination.
Move on down the road for another find; B.L.U.E.S. features live music nightly.
west side clubs
Or trek a bit further off the beaten path to Rosa’s Lounge in Logan Square. This welcoming hangout, with its authentic neighborhood vibe, presents renowned local and national bands five nights a week.
Feeling inspired?
Express your own love of the blues. Eight-week classes in Chicago Blues Harp Harmonica, for both novices and advanced players, are offered seasonally at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
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Key Information
Artis’ Lounge
Sundays 8:30 pm–2:30 am, Mondays 9:30 pm–2 am
1249 E. 87th Street
773.734.0491
21+ w/ID
(no drink minimum)
Lee’s Unleaded Blues
Fridays 9 pm–2 am, Saturdays 10 pm –3 am, Sundays 9:30 pm–2 am
7401 S. South Chicago Avenue
773.493.3477
21+ w/ID
(2-drink minimum)
New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues ’n’ Jazz
Fridays 8:30 pm–1 am, Saturdays 9 pm–3 am
5201 S. Harper Court
773.684.1472
www.checkerjazz.org
21+ w/ID
$ vary (2-drink minimum)
Linda’s Place
Mondays 9:30 pm–2 am
1044 W. 51st Street
773.373.2351
21+ w/ID
(1-drink minimum)
Buddy Guy’s Legends
Mondays–Fridays 11 am–2 am FREE (live music at lunchtime)
Saturdays 5 pm–3 am, Sundays 6 pm–2 am
754 S. Wabash Avenue
312.427.0333
www.buddyguys.com
21+ w/ID after 8 pm: Sundays–Thursdays $10; Fridays–Saturdays $15; (no drink minimum)
House of Blues
Back Porch Stage acoustic blues set, Tuesdays – Saturdays 7 pm (more live music 10 pm)
329 N. Dearborn Street
312.923.2000
House of Blues
21+ w/ID $ vary (no drink minimum)
Blue Chicago
Live music Tuesdays – Sundays 8 pm–2 am (Saturdays 3 am)
536 N. Clark Street
312.661.0100; Live music Mondays – Fridays, 8 pm–2 am, Saturdays 8 pm–3 am
736 N. Clark Street 312.642.6261
www.bluechicago.com
21+ w/ID; $8–$10 per person
Kingston Mines
Nightly 8 pm–4 am (Saturdays 5 am); acoustic set Thursdays–Saturdays 8 pm; regular programming 9:30 pm– 3:30 am (Saturdays 4:30 am)
2548 N. Halsted Street
773.477.4646 kingstonmines.com
21+ w/ID
tickets $12–$15; college students/faculty: Sundays – Wednesdays, FREE w/valid college ID
B.L.U.E.S.
Nightly 8 pm–2 am (Saturdays 3 am), live music 9:30 pm
2519 N. Halsted Street
773.528.1012 chicagobluesbar.com
$ vary (FREE parking Sundays– Thursdays at Children’s Memorial Parking Garage w/paid admission and validation)
Rosa’s Lounge
Live music Tuesdays – Saturdays 9:30 or 10 pm – 2 am approximately
3420 W. Armitage Avenue
773.342.0452 www.rosaslounge.com
21+ w/ID $5–$15 per person (street parking only)
Other resources
Hyde Park Museums
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Smart Museum of Art
- Oriental Institute
- Robie House
- DuSable Museum
