DK Travel : Chicago : Bars & Nightclubs

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Green Dolphin St.

This slick Northside jazz club offers some of the city’s best sightlines. Named for a jazz standard, Green Dolphin encompasses both a separate fine dining restaurant and an equally spacious showroom that also serves casual café fare. On the musical bill expect the sorts of ensembles that can audibly fill the space, such as big bands and Latin groups.
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

A former Prohibition era speak easy, Uptown’s landmark Green Mill is a vintage treasure with a sweeping curved bar, vinyl booths, fading murals, and an authentic air of Chicago’s gangster past. The city’s premier jazz talents like Kurt Elling and Patricia Barber regularly play gigs here and Uptown Poetry Slam feature every sunday. It’s out of the way but every cabbie knows how to get there.
Guthrie’s Tavern

Amid chitchat and free pretzels, boisterous patrons play board games. Come early for the best choice.
Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill

Try this sports bar for beer-fueled camaraderie and a genuine slice of Chicago fan zeal. A shuttle bus even delivers patrons to the United Center and Comiskey Park in season.
Hothouse

Not-for-profit Hothouse serves up a gumbo of music in art-filled digs. Acts range from jazz to Afropop, with a smattering of poetry readings and performance art.
House of Blues

Folk art and exotic architectural remnants festoon the funky House of Blues. The vast 1500-seat concert hall presents a variety of national touring acts from hard rock to hip hop in addition to blues. The Sunday gospel brunch with seatings from 9:30am to noon is a must.
Joe Segal’s Jazz Showcase

Those reverent about jazz appreciate the cabaret-style Jazz Showcase. There’s no smoking and a lot of shushing from the next table if you attempt to talk during a set. Consequently, musicians love the club, making this the spot to catch a date with Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, and other stars. As well as standard evening shows, the club offers Sunday matinees.
John Barleycorn Memorial Pub

Disguised as a laundry during Prohibition, this cozy pub has been dispensing beer and spirits for over a hundred years.
Keefer’s

A steakhouse that goes beyond the men’s club stereotype, also serving French specials and ample fish selections.
Kingston Mines

The largest of Chicago’s blues joints, Kingston Mines packs its Lincoln Park locale with students, young professionals, and a broader spectrum of tourists. Two stages provide non-stop musical entertainment from 8pm to near 4am (5am on Saturdays). Acts range from homegrown house bands to national touring headliners. The kitchen serves up beer-sopping barbecue.

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Restaurant price categories

Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, tax, and a 15–20%% tip.
- under $20
- $20–30
- $30–45
- $45–60
- over $60