The night started well enough, for a place that only takes cash and overcharges on drinks. The atmosphere was kind of somber, the tables were dirty, and the place lost its luster a long time ago.... More

The night started well enough, for a place that only takes cash and overcharges on drinks. The atmosphere was kind of somber, the tables were dirty, and the place lost its luster a long time ago. The manager came up to us; let us know that we should not be talking during the performance, trying to understand why he had picked us out in particular. He obviously felt that I was being loud trying to communicate with my cousin who has Down syndrome. I tried to communicate that to the Manager who insisted that it is the rules that people sit and listen without talking. I tried to explain that we were not being disruptive and that other people were talking too. The manager who stated his name and titled like he was the Vice President, this manager struck me to be intolerant of people with disabilities or just people trying to have a good time. The manager who insisted that he did not care that he might have been out of order and rude. So in this economy where people are trying to forget their worries and enjoy themselves should not have to face this type of intolerant yahoo. Avoid this piece of Chicago history if you can. Pros: Good Band Cons: Nasty, Intolerant, Angry Manager
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Go to the Green Mill on Sunday afternoons for the world-famous poetry slam. You'll see poets dancing, jumping, rapping, leaping onto tables and baring their souls for the chance to win applause and... More

Go to the Green Mill on Sunday afternoons for the world-famous poetry slam. You'll see poets dancing, jumping, rapping, leaping onto tables and baring their souls for the chance to win applause and -- just maybe -- five bucks. It's an experience not to be missed.
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First off, for anyone who loves jazz, this is probably the best club in the country, not just Chicago. I find it funny some think it is pretentious of the owners to ask people to be quite during... More

First off, for anyone who loves jazz, this is probably the best club in the country, not just Chicago. I find it funny some think it is pretentious of the owners to ask people to be quite during the music. There are decent breaks between shows and plenty of time for people to hang out, drink, and converse. If you are a musician you really appreciate the respect this club gives to musicians. If you are coming to have a drink and talk, there is plenty of room in the back to do that too. The thing about the Mill is that it is precisely NOT a church for jazz, but a real live jazz club where new and name bands are constantly experimenting. The history, the bar, the music and yes, the owners make this one of the hippest places anywhere. Pros: Best place to experience jazz in the country. Cons: not any come to mind
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Walking into the Green Mill brings you back in time to the 1920s. The Green Mill is one of notorious gangster Al Capone's former speakeasies from the Prohibition-era. The club has kept the... More

Walking into the Green Mill brings you back in time to the 1920s. The Green Mill is one of notorious gangster Al Capone's former speakeasies from the Prohibition-era. The club has kept the original look and feel, and there are great jazz bands and poetry slams weekly. Check out the late night jam sessions!
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I have only gone here once, but that one time was enough. There was a jazz band playing, which was great. But my problem was that people shush you when you talk, even at a reasonable level. So next... More

I have only gone here once, but that one time was enough. There was a jazz band playing, which was great. But my problem was that people shush you when you talk, even at a reasonable level. So next time you want to go out for a drink with friends to have some laughs, this is probably not the place. But if want to listen to some jazz this is most definitely where you should go.
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Although the music is good, this is one of the most uncomfortable bars in town. The doormen, bartenders and servers act as if they are doing you a favor by allowing you to patronize their... More

Although the music is good, this is one of the most uncomfortable bars in town. The doormen, bartenders and servers act as if they are doing you a favor by allowing you to patronize their establishment. When national acts perform, the employees demand silence. This is a BAR, not a cathedral. Pros: music Cons: surly, arrogant staff
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This is great spot for some late night music! This is an old style lounge where Al Capone supposedly hung out at. It's a very intimate setting and they feature the greatest local artists and bands.... More

This is great spot for some late night music! This is an old style lounge where Al Capone supposedly hung out at. It's a very intimate setting and they feature the greatest local artists and bands. They also have poetry slams. It gets crowded and people hang out until 3 or 4 am. Definitely get there early. There's usually a minimum cover charge at the door.
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This place is a classic! The interior is very cool, and the acts typically are top-notch. Not the place to go if you are a loud drunk, as the staff takes the entertainment very seriously.

This place is a classic! The interior is very cool, and the acts typically are top-notch. Not the place to go if you are a loud drunk, as the staff takes the entertainment very seriously.
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Well the woman who wrote about the shhhhh!ing incident obviously doesn't know the rules & regulations @ Green Mill. There is NO TALKING during performances, especially when top acts are in the... More

Well the woman who wrote about the shhhhh!ing incident obviously doesn't know the rules & regulations @ Green Mill. There is NO TALKING during performances, especially when top acts are in the house. The staff is more empathetic when regulars are playing. This is the best place to listen to jazz in the city, if it was good enough for Capone it's good enough for me! Don't forget ot rent High Fidelity to see John Cusack sitting across from the piano behind the bar!
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went to see oscar brown jr. and the show was incredible. he fit the atmosphere of this classic jazz venue. if you have never gone , go and give it a try. Pros: inexpensive, good crowd Cons: ... More

went to see oscar brown jr. and the show was incredible. he fit the atmosphere of this classic jazz venue. if you have never gone , go and give it a try. Pros: inexpensive, good crowd Cons: seating, crowded
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