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Chicago Music Live - Chicago Concert Scene

Author: Dee Fabbricatore




Choose from hundreds of live music shows to check out during your time in Chicago; a wide range of genres produce plenty of choice when it comes to what your ears are going to absorb musically of a given night.


Chicago Jazz

Jazz has always found a home in Chicago , and always will. Here's a look at the best spots to catch live jazz in Chicago.

Blues Music in Chicago 

From Chicago Blues legends to a slew of younger musicians, here's your guide to discovering the Blues in Chicago.

Chicago Rock Venues 

Rock ‘n' roll is a lot of things to a lot of people, and is a diverse enough genre to appease even a totally fractious America . Here's a look at Chicago 's rock and indie music scene. 

nearby places of interest

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Casual dining and live jazz, Andy's has  been designated as a Concierge favorite. 

Angels & Mariachis
1721 W. Divison St, Chicago, IL 60622

Angels & Mariachis brings Mexico to Wicker Park; this eclectic, lively restaurant serves up all of your Mexican favorites and a wide variety of cocktails.

Hard Rock Cafe
63 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60610

The casual American menu offers choices like the legendary burgers, baby back ribs and blackened chicken pasta, plus lighter fare like salads and sandwiches.

Howl at the Moon
26 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Howl at the Moon is home to an energy-charged rock'n'roll dueling piano show. Highly talented entertainers tickle the ivories all night while playing the best music, from the 70's to today. Audience participation is a must, so get ready to clap, sing and laugh all night long!

Joe's Sports Bar
940 W. Weed St., Chicago, IL 60622

Joe's Sports Bar is a sports bar featuring live music, good food, and its very own beer garden.  

People Lounge
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

This Spanish tapas restaurant and music lounge also has a happening bar scene.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
3258 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60657

A fun beer-and-a-shot spot on the city's North Side, Schoolyard is a good bar to begin your North Side evening...not far from Wrigley Field!

Tavern on Rush
1031 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611

This upscale, two-story lounge and steakhouse features a dramatic lower-level lounge with a gorgeous bar and a clubby restaurant upstairs.

The Beer Garden at Navy Pier
700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

The Beer Garden at Chicago's Navy Pier offers visitors a unique combination: a massive collection of the city's finest brews and the unbeatable environment and views of Navy Pier.  

Drinks Over Dearborn
650 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60654

This boutique beer, wine and spirits shop carries an inventory carefully selected by Kyle McHugh, a food and wine professional with years of experience in the restaurant and nightlife industries. Not just a shop, Drinks Over Dearborn will also offer a wide range of special events and tastings, including the "Rare & Luxurious Room." Sounds fun.

Andy's Jazz Club
11 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Casual dining and live jazz, Andy's has  been designated as a Concierge favorite. 

B.L.U.E.S
2519 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

Chicago blues house features local artists every night at 9:30 p.m. Cover varies.

Blue Chicago
536 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Sample the sounds of the sultry saxophone, the bold bass, the thundering trumpet and the  daring drum beats at Blue Chicago, one of Chicago's best blues clubs. Open seven nights a week, Blue Chicago features some of the best names in blues and jazz.

Buddy Guy's Legends
754 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

World-renowned and local Chicago blues artists are the draw at this club owned by blues legend, Buddy Guy, as is the soul-ful Cajun food and major music paraphenalia also on display here.

Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60613

This top Wrigleyville-area sports bar is a no-brainer to visit if you're visiting the home of the Chicago Cubs, but is a year-round home to sports fanatics and just fans, too.  

Chi Bar
301 East North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Created by renowned designer, Jeffrey Beers, Chi Bar boasts innovative cocktails, shareabledelights, and sleek ambiance.

English
444 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610

From the Eat Well, Drink Better group, comes a new gastropub known as English. Located in the beautiful River North area, English serves good food and offers a wide variety of liquor choices as well as the favored beers and ales.  

Fizz Bar & Grill
3220 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Enjoy any of the multiple Chicago nightlife scenes available at this popular North Side bar. The basics are all in place here and it's good for a solo night at the bar or any kind of group event you can dream up  

Harlem Avenue Lounge
3701 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402

Blues fills the air every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Harlem Avenue Lounge.  

Howl at the Moon
26 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Howl at the Moon is home to an energy-charged rock'n'roll dueling piano show. Highly talented entertainers tickle the ivories all night while playing the best music, from the 70's to today. Audience participation is a must, so get ready to clap, sing and laugh all night long!

Joe's Sports Bar
940 W. Weed St., Chicago, IL 60622

Joe's Sports Bar is a sports bar featuring live music, good food, and its very own beer garden.  

Lumen
839 W. Fulton Market , Chicago, IL 60607

Lumen is a contemporary lounge and bar environment designed with Chicago's sophisticated urban crowd in mind. With postmodern ambiance and local and international deejay talent, Lumen is an innovative socializing hot-spot.   

Ohm
1958 W. North Ave., Chicago , IL 60160

Ohm nightclub has a solid roster of guest deejays who mix electronic and Chicago house music for an authentic dance floor experience. The alley way entrance leads to a multi-level venue with a perfect after dark vibe.

Pops for Champagne
601 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60611

Live jazz, huge champagne list, and a fireplace create a memorable atmosphere.>

Redmoon
70 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60605

A sophisticated suburban Chicago night spot with guest DJs weekly, Redmoon delivers with a wide-ranging martini menu and other club features like the huge projection screens showing all kinds of footage.

Rednofive
440 N. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60622

Dance club with funky atmosphere, intriguing lighting, and an upper VIP level that has been relevant for years now with constantly changing music line-ups and promotions.

Religion
720 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

This reinvented Chicago club is now Religion and was part of Club 720, a top Latin dance spot. The new space rocks more of a DJ-induced sound, dancing and a cosmopolitan club experience without the pretensions.  

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Roscoe's Tavern
3356 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

This popular gay and lesbian spot includes six bars and a large dance floor en route to one of the wilder nightlife experiences in all of Chicago.

Schoolyard Tavern & Grill
3258 N. Southport, Chicago, IL 60657

A fun beer-and-a-shot spot on the city's North Side, Schoolyard is a good bar to begin your North Side evening...not far from Wrigley Field!

Schuba's Tavern
3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Intimate setting and great sound blend for great live music shows and a casual environment are all represented at this North Side bar.

Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657

This spacious club is appreciated for its highly social front piano and great people-watching that goes along with its location along one of the busiest boulevards in Boys Town.

Sonotheque
1444 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

No one comes to Sonotheque to sit and take in the scene; they (and you) are the scene--along with the music.  

The Redhead Piano Bar
16 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60610

Top-notch piano players make The Redhead Piano Bar a sought-after venue when it comes to sophisticated live music in Chicago. Gather around the piano, or head toward the back of the room for more intimate conversation.

The Underground
54 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60610

The Underground is late-night dance spot offering a constantly changing line-up of talent from DJ's to Hip Hop performers and you never know what. It's one of the likeliest spots to catch a high-toned celebrity in Chicago (from David Beckham to classic acts like the Sugar Hill Gang).The decor here recalls a futuristic underground bunker complex-like feel except that the steady wave of beautiful people lends a more positive note to the ambience.

Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort
2833 N. Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

7,000 square-foot tropical playground, complete with four bars and sandboxes. 

Blue Chicago
736 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60610

Sample the sounds of the sultry saxophone, the bold bass, the thundering trumpet and the  daring drum beats at Blue Chicago, one of Chicago's best blues clubs. Open seven nights a week, Blue Chicago features some of the best names in blues and jazz. 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the heartbeat of Chicago. The CSO has numerous concerts and special events throughout the year. See the full list at their website. Tickets range from $10 to $200.

Ravinia Festival
418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, IL 60035

A lineup of pop, classical, folk, jazz and other musical performances under the stars or an open-air pavilion. Concerts March through Sept.

Tommy Gun's Garage
2114 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60616

The whole family will enjoy this 1920s inspired interactive dinner theater complete with gangsters and flappers. Hidden away in this furtive speakeasy is a musical-comedy troupe that performs the hippest tunes, dances and jokes of the time when Al Capone ruled the streets of Chicagoland.

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Located on the Magnificent Mile, Wendella Boats are guided by expert staff.  

Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60631

Just a short shuttle ride from the O'Hare International Airport, the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel is a comfortable and affordable place to stay for business and leisure travelers alike.

Wendella Sightseeing Boats
400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

Located on the Magnificent Mile, Wendella Boats are guided by expert staff.