Wow!!! Beyond amazing music and a great place to go for amazing vibe. No food :-( not even bar snacks. (The Green Mill could totally make more $ offering soft pretzels, humus and pita or other simple snacks.) Very limited seating for live music, get there early for a seat. Love this place, would enjoy going again.
One of the true hidden gems of Chicago. You can instantly tell the history and charm of a place that hasn't changed much over the last half decade. Cash only bar. But drinks are very reasonable and the jazz is good. Little bit more eclectic acts than other jazz bars, but very intimate setting. Come early to get good seating! Perfect for date night or to simply go back in time a little
The Green Mill is definitely a memorable place. According to my friend (jazz drummer) this is the best place for listening to live jazz. I came here while visiting Chicago in 2013 and again this year. Both times were amazing. I loved the music. This last time I saw one of the best saxophonists in the world. The place is old but it's ok because it feels you are going back in time. Drinks are reasonably priced. I had a glass of red wine for $8. My only complaint is that they only accept cash. Try to arrive early or after the first set (around 11 pm) because it gets crowded, even on Monday! This bar is a must if you like jazz. Don't expect a fancy place.
I must say I was not impressed. A $15 cover is pretty steep, but I've lived in New York, so I just shrugged it off and went in anyway. The inside of the bar is really cool and the band was awesome, but I could not get past the SHUSHing, my god! If you so much as say a WORD during a song people will literally shush you. I wasn't even being loud, just conversing like a normal person does at a BAR.
It's a bar for god's sake, not Carnegie Hall. I'll be looking for other places to go where I can enjoy the music and have a conversation while I'm listening.
Best jazz club in the country. Come for the second and third sets (usually after 10:30 or so), after the "respectable" people go home. You'll have great seating, sound, views, and a great time. Come Fridays for the after-hours sessions that last nearly until dawn. This is the kind of place that only a world-class city can offer. Life is short. Don't miss it.
Round-topped tables adorned with white table linens and a single centerpiece candle face the stage; leather-clad booths for a handful of people are located posterior, with diner-style booths filling the sides. The dimly lit, sensual room is saturated with velvet and deep red hues.
Before the show starts, the atmosphere is convivial and lively. Friends share jokes over drinks, families treasure their time together, and young love birds share in the romance.
As Dave picks up the microphone, a hush falls over the audience. The last few pictures are snapped, the phones are set to silence mode. Dave doesn't need to remind everyone to be quiet; we are all in the moment already. The band is ready to start the show.
The sultry, sexy notes of the saxophone fill the space. The piano kicks in with its lyrical genius. The drums maintain the beat. Let the improvisation begin.
For 4 hours, the Green Mill becomes our home away from home.
Great music, fun atmosphere, and beautiful decor. Awesome jazz club that first opened in 1907 under a different name. Al Capone loved this place. Howeverif you're looking for a swanky cocktailsearch elsewhere. Tasty beer selection though. Stays open until 4am most nights and they keep the coffee flowing after 1am.
This place is wicked awesome place to see and be seen. Epic ambiance, feels like you stepped back in time! A must see on any Chicago visit!
A true jazz bar. VERY old school, really feels like you're stepping back in time going in here. The place hasn't changed in decades, and still smells like cigars and cigarettes. Jason, the manager, is a bit rude to the customers and acts as though he knows he's the only game in town which is unfortunate, but if you can ignore him and his lack of professionalism, you'll have a fantastic time. I suggest getting there before 7:30 and catching some of the organ player (who really looks like Ray Charles!). He was a blast.
Great time! Friday has an early evening free show, featuring a soloist on electric organ, which was great. We also took in a later show that night, which was incredible. Obviously the acts change, but the atmosphere was incredible and the service was great. Our waitress was friendly and never too far away, keeping my table well hydrated through all three sets! Great historic venue, an absolute must-see in Chicago!
$15 cover per person and the management staff kept hushing and hissing at all the patrons. Not a good place to go if you want to socialize and talk with friends while enjoying the music as well. They want it as quiet as a library while the music plays. Was annoyed beyond belief. I don't expect it to be loud but don't expect not to be social at all either.
Really like this place. First time I went in I was just buzzed enough to fall in love with the seasonal menu and decided to drink my way through it. Wasn't disappointed. Found another page of the menu to sip through on my next visit. If you catch the bartender with the waxed statue unloading his bartender's case it's a trip. He's even got a wooden mallet.
They play a mix of music but seem to have good taste so will change it up if you suggest something better than the Mumford and Sons or the like that they sometimes play.