Chicago built its jazz reputation a century ago, and that legacy is still alive and well today. You don’t need to dig through archives or read history books to find it, just walk into the right room on any given night.
We’re the Ben Lalez Team, and we spend a lot of time in every corner of this city helping people find homes. A bunch of us are big music junkies, so we’ve learned where the jazz music lives in this city. It’s easy to find jazz clubs in every neighborhood, from Uptown to the South Loop. They range from historical speakeasies to small art spaces where experimental musicians take old sounds and mold them into new shapes.
This isn’t a complete catalog of every venue with a piano. We’re focusing on places where the music is legit good and where you’ll actually want to spend an evening. Some of these clubs have been around longer than most of us have been alive, while others opened recently but already feel essential to the scene.
If you’re looking to find some great jazz spots in Chicago, keep reading!
The Historic Clubs
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (Uptown)
The Green Mill has been open since 1907. Al Capone used to sit in a specific booth at this venue, and yes, people still try to claim it. You’ll hear live jazz play every night of the week, from 1930s swing to modern improvisation.
What we love about the Green Mill is the late-night jam sessions after midnight on weekends when working musicians finish their own gigs elsewhere and head over to play. The place has that old speakeasy feel because it actually was one.
Cover charges vary by night, usually between $5-$15, and you’re best to bring cash because it works better here than cards.
Jazz Showcase (South Loop)
This is Chicago’s oldest dedicated jazz club, founded in 1947. The venue has moved locations a few times over the decades, but right now you can find it in Printers Row. They bring in serious talent, national acts and local players who’ve been recording for years.
Jazz Showcase does two sets nightly at 8pm and 10pm, and you’ll find serious jazz fans showing up here.
We think the Sunday matinees are worth mentioning because they’re family-friendly, and kids under 12 get in free. Tickets usually run $25-$45, depending on who’s playing.
Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant (River North)
Andy’s Jazz Club opened in 1977 and runs like a supper club where the music is the main event. They serve full dinners with a solid cocktail menu, and run two to three sets of jazz every evening. Here you’ll find Chicago’s top-tier jazz musicians and respected touring acts.
Want to hear jazz during the day? Jazz at Lunch runs during weekday afternoons, and there’s a weekend Jazz Brunch where admission is free if you’re eating. Most clubs don’t do anything before dinner, so this fills a gap.
You’re close to the stage regardless of where you sit, and the sound is good because the space was built for this.
Winter’s Jazz Club (Streeterville)
Winter’s Jazz Club opened in 2016, which makes it fairly new compared to the other clubs on this list. However, it’s quickly earned a reputation by focusing on straight-ahead jazz and enforcing a no-talking policy during sets. This is a listening room, not a bar that happens to have music.
The club seats around 100-125 people, and plays five to six nights a week. You’ll hear swing, big band, vocal jazz, and sometimes New Orleans-style or gypsy jazz.
Winter’s is along the river in Streeterville, and we recommend making reservations because the room fills up. Tickets typically range from $20-$40.
Intimate Jazz Lounges
M Lounge (South Loop)
M Lounge has free live jazz every Tuesday and Wednesday night, featuring top Chicago musicians playing everything from straight-ahead jazz to occasional R&B or blues.
What we appreciate about M Lounge is that it’s been around for over a decade without charging admission. They make their money on craft cocktails, and you can actually have a conversation between sets without shouting.
Le Piano (Rogers Park)
Le Piano is in Rogers Park and has live jazz every night of the week. The programming varies, and you might hear Brazilian Latin jazz, swing standards, or cabaret-style vocals. Monday nights are jam sessions, Thursdays feature organ trios. Different nights showcase different styles.
Le Piano also serves dinner, so you can make an evening of it without leaving. You’ll be close to the performers no matter where you sit.
Progressive & Experimental Venues
Constellation (North Center)
Constellation was founded by drummer Mike Reed and exists specifically to support progressive, experimental, and improvisational music. The venue has two stages and a bar.
You’ll get to hear avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical, free improv, and music that doesn’t fit into standard categories. This is where musicians perform when traditional clubs won’t book them because the music is too experimental.
We think the programming isn’t for everyone, but if you want to hear what’s happening at the cutting edge of Chicago’s jazz scene (the stuff that might sound normal in 20 years but sounds strange now), this is where it happens. Flashback of Marty McFly shredding his guitar before it’s time at the Enchantment Under The Sea dance!
Hungry Brain (North Center/Roscoe Village)
The Hungry Brain is part dive bar, and part creative music venue. It closed briefly in 2014 but reopened under the same ownership as Constellation. You’ll find cheap beer alongside adventurous jazz programming.
Sunday and Wednesday nights typically feature jazz, ranging from free improvisation to occasionally more traditional styles. The crowd includes musicians from other gigs who stopped by after finishing their own sets.
What we love most about Hungry Brain is that nobody’s trying to impress anyone. It’s simply musicians sharing what they love.
Elastic Arts (Logan Square/Avondale)
Elastic Arts is a non-profit, all-ages arts venue that hosts regular free jazz and experimental music series. The programming includes improvised music nights, electronic artists, and other acts that cross multiple genres.
The crowd ranges from college-age music fans to veteran jazz listeners who’ve been following experimental music for decades. There’s no pretension here, and drinks are affordable. Great spot to check out for something different.
Jazz In Bars And Cocktail Lounges
The Whistler (Logan Square)
The Whistler is a cocktail bar known for inventive drinks, but every Wednesday, they hold their “Relax Attack” Jazz Series.
There’s no cover charge, which means the room fills up quickly. The programming features modern jazz quartets, experimental duos, and emerging artists alongside established players. You can show up without knowing who’s performing and still enjoy great music over excellent drinks.
California Clipper (Humboldt Park)
The California Clipper originally opened in the 1930s, and after being closed for two years, it reopened in 2022 with a focus on jazz. Live music now fills the calendar with regular performances by local musicians like bassist Leroy Bach and drummer Dan Bitney.
The club also hosts open jam nights and occasionally throws themed events like drag jazz shows. We think the programming is eclectic but grounded in jazz.
Gallery Cabaret (Bucktown)
Gallery Cabaret is a neighborhood dive bar that features something different every night of the week. Mondays are dedicated to jazz, usually in a jam session format where local ensembles play swing, bebop, and improvisation.
Don’t expect a fancy listening room. You’ll find cheap drinks and a stage where musicians show up and play. If you want to hear up-and-coming players working through new material in a no-pressure environment, Monday nights at Gallery Cabaret might be your spot.
Fulton Street Collective (West Town)
Fulton Street Collective is an artist-run gallery and event space that hosts regular jazz performances, including their Jazz Record Art Collective series. These events pair live jazz with visual artists painting in real time.
The programming ranges from modern big bands to experimental combos. Events are often BYOB or donation-based, and what we appreciate is that the focus stays on community and creative expression.
Community Jazz Series
Hyde Park Jazz Society’s Sunday Night Jazz (Bronzeville)
This weekly jazz series has been running since 1995 and is operated entirely by volunteers. For years, it took place at Room 43 in Bronzeville, and despite venue challenges (including a fire), the series continues because the community supports it.
Sunday nights feature top South Side and citywide jazz talent. The audience includes longtime regulars and newcomers, and the admission prices stay reasonable. We think this series represents what community-driven jazz programming looks like when people care enough to keep it going.
Epiphany Center For The Arts (West Loop)
Epiphany Center runs Jazz Thursdays in its cafe with free performances by local ensembles. The venue also hosts ticketed jazz concerts in their restored chapel hall for special performances.
The Thursday night series is casual, grab a drink, sit down, and listen. The ticketed concerts bring in more established artists for formal performances.
Other Notable Venues
City Winery Chicago occasionally features jazz artists as part of their broader programming. It’s not a dedicated jazz club, but when they book jazz acts, they’re pretty decent.
Symphony Center brings in major jazz artists for special concerts throughout the year. These are seated, ticketed events featuring nationally recognized performers.
SPACE in Evanston, just north of Chicago, books progressive jazz and creative music alongside other genres. The venue has excellent sound and a seated theater setup.
What You Should Know
Most clubs operate on reservations, especially the established venues like Jazz Showcase and Winter’s, so call ahead or book online to avoid showing up to a sold-out room.
Cover charges vary widely depending on where you go. Historic clubs and venues booking national talent typically charge $20-$45, while smaller spots, bars, and community series often have low or no cover.
Many clubs do two sets per night, 8pm and 10pm is common, and arriving between sets means standing until the next break. Try to get there before the music starts if you want a good seat.
Dress codes aren’t strict anywhere, but some venues lean more formal than others. What we’ve noticed is that Winter’s and Jazz Showcase attract crowds that dress up more than you would for The Whistler or Hungry Brain.
Cash still works better than cards at several of these venues, particularly the older establishments, so you’re best to bring some if you’re unsure.
Wrapping Up
Chicago’s jazz scene is still strong, playing every night in rooms across the city. Some of these venues have survived for a century, while others opened recently and already feel essential.
We know finding the right neighborhood to live in matters, and the music scene is part of what makes each area distinctive. At the Ben Lalez Team, we’ve helped people find homes near the venues they actually want to visit. If you’re thinking about where to live in Chicago, or just want to talk about the city, reach out. We’re always up for a conversation!
