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Live music

Live music in Chicago

Room oriented around a stage.

Plan a live music night →

Example nights

Real Chicago venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Jul 20.

Games at Subterranean in West Town, then dinner at SWIG.

  • 01SubterraneanWest Town · $
  • 02SWIGWest Town · $
Plan your own →

Games at Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in Near North, then dinner at Orso's in Near North Side.

  • 01Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz PhilharmonicNear North · $$$
  • 02Orso'sNear North Side · $$
Plan your own →

Games at Bookclub Chicago in Lake View, then dinner at Parlay Lincoln Park in Sheffield & DePaul.

  • 01Bookclub ChicagoLake View · $$
  • 02Parlay Lincoln ParkSheffield & DePaul · $$
Plan your own →

Top 12 venues

  1. 01

    The Green Mill

    Uptown · $$

    Jazz nightly—1920s standards Tuesday through Thursday, cash only, tight squeeze on weekends. Dancing shoes recommended.

  2. 02

    Rosa's Lounge

    Logan Square · $$$

    Longtime blues club where locals and performers know each other by name. Shared tables, real Chicago sound, tickets at the door.

  3. 03

    Concord Music Hall

    Logan Square · $$

    Mid-size concert venue supporting a variety of genres, including hip-hop, indie rock & dub step.

  4. 04

    Candlelight Concerts

    Logan Square · $$$

  5. 05

    The Empty Bottle

    West Town · $$

    Small-room indie shows, cheap drinks, bar cat, raised floor — fits everyone in. Pool table doubles as art-sale surface.

  6. 06

    The Salt Shed

    West Town · $$

  7. 07

    Subterranean

    West Town · $

    Two floors, punk bands and burlesque, cheap tall boys, a pit downstairs and breathing room up. Chicago institution.

  8. 08

    Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant

    River North · $$

    $20 cover, live big band, close enough to hear the drums. Dinner, bar seating, reservations fill fast.

  9. 09

    Kingston Mines

    Sheffield & DePaul · $$

    Two stages, back-to-back blues all night — smashed burgers, fried catfish, and you'll lose track of time switching between rooms.

  10. 10

    Winter's Jazz Club

    Streeterville · $$

    Listening-room jazz 6 nights a week, top-tier musicians, cocktails named after famous artists — silence is encouraged, chatter is not.

  11. 11

    Jazz Showcase

    Chicago Loop · $$

    Live jazz nightly in a 170-seat room since 1947 — local and national acts, affordable drinks, reserve ahead for good seats.

  12. 12

    Buddy Guy's Legends

    Chicago Loop · $$

    Live blues seven nights, New Orleans food, bartenders who move like they're part of the show. Catfish, jumbalaya, a $15 cover — worth it for the music alone.