Chicago Beyond The Blues: Rock and Jazz Venues

As to be expected from a city of its size, Chicago has a vibrant rock music scene. That's the good news. The flip side is that these venues are shattered about the town and some aren't convenient to downtown or public transportation. Nevertheless, rock fans will find a wide range of places and styles to explore.

Chicago's jazz scene took a big hit with the closing of the long-running Jazz Showcase but there is still a decent amount of high quantity jazz to be found. The revival of the venerable Hothouse is especially good news for people with adventurous tastes. Here are some of the best known rock and jazz venues that Chicago has to offer.   

Large and Mid-sized Rock Venues

Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue, located outside the Chicago city limits, that presents the full spectrum of musical genres in a terrific setting. There is a 3,200 seat covered pavilion and an expansive lawn where you can picnic while listening to the performances. Getting there is not a problem. There are special trains that leave various points in the city and drop you off right outside the front gate for $5 round trip.

Chicago Theatre (175 N. State St.) This opulent theater, built in the French Baroque style, is Chicago's finest live performance venue. Pop and rock acts, film, dance, and comedy are all booked on a regular basis. The hour long tour of the theater for $5 is a pretty good deal, especially Saturday tours (3rd Saturday of each month) which include a demonstration of the Wurlitzer organ when possible. Saturday times are 11am and 12pm. Weekday tours take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 12pm (through September 30).

House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn St) Don’t be fooled by the name, HOB presents acts from across the musical spectrum.

Vic Theatre (3145 N. Sheffield in Lakeview ) is an ornate former vaudeville house and is an excellent place to see a show. Books a wide assortment of upcoming and mid level acts.

Small Clubs and  Bars

The Hothouse is Chicago’s most interesting music club by virtue of a wildly diverse programming philosophy that covers the range of the performance acts. This is not the place to go to hear classic or alternative rock, but it will interest those whose taste in music falls outside of the mainstream. The Hothouse states on their website that "we choose to position ourselves at  the margin of the mainstream, and seek to promote the widening of  the cultural market place in Chicago".  Update: The Hothouse lost its location in the Loop and starting in April 2008 will be presenting shows at the Viaduct Theater. See website for more information.

Metro (3730 N. Clark) is Chicago’s top venue for local and national alt-rock acts. Acts from Nirvana in the 90’s to the White Strips and the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s have played here over the course of its almost 25 year run.  Located in Lakeview, it is easily reached by Metro.

The Abbey Pub (3420 W. Grace at Elston) is an Irish pub that presents a wide variety of music in a separate concert room and is a favorite among Chicago’s live music supporters. Books mostly local bands but mixes in national acts such as Pitchfork approved tapes n tapes and classic rocker Carl Palmer.

The Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Ave) is one of Chicago's more interesting small rock clubs. According to their website they book "everything from Anti-pop Consortium to Trans Am, the indie-rock, electronic, experimental, jazz; post-this and pre-that".

Hideout  (1354 W. Wabansia Ave) is a favorite hangout Chicago’s alt music-scenesters that books interesting local musicians. Depending on the night, you can hear everything from avant-jazz to Bloodshot Records type country or something in-between.  Not easily accessible by public transportation, you’ll need to take a cab to get here.

Listings

The Chicago Reader is the best alt-weekly in town and has useful listings for all music happenings. Check out "The Treatment" for staff picks of the week.

Jazz Venues

Chicago's best Jazz club was The Jazz Showcase which booked nationally known acts for sixty years until closing in early 2007. This was supposed to be temporary but the website has not been updated in over a year. However, there are still a number of good jazz rooms in town. Here are some:

Andy’s (11 E. Hubbard St) This is an informal downtown bar with casual dining that offers local talent at reasonable cover charges. It has recently picked up some of the slack from the Jazz Showcase by booking nationally known acts. There is a free noontime performance and the 5:00 PM dinner show is an excellent place to start a night of music bar hopping. There is also a late  (9:00 PM) show as well.
Getting there: These clubs are within walking distance of all downtown hotels in the Near North entertainment district or take the Red line to Grand.

The Hothouse  Update: The Hothouse lost its location in the Loop and starting in April 2008 will be presenting shows at the Viaduct Theater.
This is Chicago’s most interesting music club by virtue of a wildly diverse programming philosophy that covers the range of the performance acts, including jazz. The club will appeal to those whose taste in jazz falls outside of the mainstream.  The Hothouse states on their website that "we choose to position ourselves at  the margin of the mainstream, and seek to promote the widening of  the cultural market place in Chicago".
Getting there:  See website

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (4802 Broadway St) Located a fairly good distance from downtown, The Green Mill presents local talent seven nights a week, and is well worth the effort to search out.  The club has a fascinating history - it opened as a roadhouse in 1907 - and has retained its speakeasy era charm. A not-to-be-missed stop on any Chicago music tour. 
Getting there: One block from the Brown Line's  Lawrence stop

Velvet Lounge (67  E. Cermak Rd) The Velvet is an excellent place to hear adventurous jazz. Owned by local musician Fred Anderson, the club has reopened after being forced to move from its previous location.
Getting there: The club is a good distance from the Loop but is easily reached via the Red Line to Cermack-Chinatown. Turn left at the bottom of the steps and cross the street.

Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Ave) Home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, It also has an excellent jazz program. Dianne Reeves, Mc Coy Tyner Septet, Branford Marsalis, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Pat Metheny,  and Brad Mehldav were highlights of the 2007 season.