These 12 on the map
The 12 shows on this page, pinned where they actually are. Tap a marker to see which one it is — all 30 are on the map in the Whosly app.
12 of the 30
South Loop 2
Buddy Guy's Legends
South LoopBlues club$$Buddy Guy's own club in the South Loop since 1989: blues nightly, Cajun food, and his January residency. Buy tickets ahead for big nights.
Reggies
South LoopRock club & record store$A former auto-bumper shop in the South Loop, open since 2007 as a rock club, a smaller stage, a record store and a rooftop deck, plus open-mic comedy and karaoke nights. Its own bus runs fans to games and concerts.
Goose Island 1
The Salt Shed
Goose IslandThe old Morton Salt warehouse on the river, sign still on the roof, now a shed and an outdoor lawn stage run by the Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall team. Buy early; big shows sell out.
Lincoln Park 1
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Park$$Running since 1968 and billed as the city's biggest, longest-running blues club, with two stages trading sets late into the night, every night of the week. There's food, so settle in.
North Branch 1
The Hideout
North Branch$$An old frame house in an industrial yard, a legal bar since 1934, booking music, comedy and talks most nights. Check the calendar before you go; dance nights fill up.
Old Town 1
The Second City
Old TownSketch and improv since 1959, the stage behind Belushi, Murray, Fey and Colbert. A second revue plays the smaller stage next door most nights.
Pilsen 1
Thalia Hall
PilsenAn 1892 Pilsen hall modeled on Prague's opera house, restored as a mid-size music room. Eat at Dusek's downstairs before the show; the box office opens with the doors.
Printer's Row 1
Jazz Showcase
Printer's Row$$Joe Segal founded it in 1947 and booked Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and Bill Evans; after several moves it sits on Plymouth Court by Dearborn Station, its walls papered in old posters. The Sunday 4 p.m. matinee is free for kids 12 and under.
Ukrainian Village 1
Empty Bottle
Ukrainian Village$The Ukrainian Village rock club since 1992, where plenty of touring bands play their first Chicago date. Bring cash for tickets at the door (there's an ATM inside); watch the calendar for free Monday shows.
Uptown 1
The Green Mill
Uptown$$Uptown's 1907 jazz lounge, a Capone-era hangout with music every night. Sunday's Uptown Poetry Slam started here, and late jam sessions run past 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
West Loop 1
Bottom Lounge
West Loop$$A 700-capacity venue under the Green Line on Lake Street from the Delilah's crew, with a bar and kitchen up front, pinball, and a rooftop deck facing the skyline.
Wrigleyville 1
Metro
Wrigleyville$$Joe Shanahan's rock club since 1982, in a 1927 Swedish hall two blocks from Wrigley, where the Smashing Pumpkins and Chance the Rapper came up; Smartbar downstairs runs dance nights late.
The other 18
The 30 are spread across 21 neighborhoods. Lakeview (3), Uptown (3), Lincoln Park (2), Logan Square (2), Old Town (2) and Roscoe Village (2) have the most; the other 15 have 1 to 2 each.
+18 more in the app
Two Southport rooms, a club in an old post office, three grand Uptown and Lakeview halls, a stand-up club on Wells since 1978, and more.
Add all 30 to your Whosly mapEvery one lands on your own map in a tap — save them, rate them, plan around them. City Packs are included with Planner Pro.
Or search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs” on the App Store
Common questions
Where can I see live jazz in Chicago?
What is the best blues club in Chicago?
Where can I see comedy in Chicago?
Which Chicago neighborhood is best for music and comedy venues?
What are the best music and comedy venues in downtown Chicago?
Where can I see all 30?
All 30, on your own map
This page is 12 of them. The Chicago Live Music & Comedy pack in Whosly has all 30 — add it and every one drops onto your map, ready to save, rate and turn into a plan your friends RSVP to from a text, no app needed to answer. The pack is included with Planner Pro.
Get Whosly — free on iPhoneOr search “Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs” on the App Store
“Whosly: Plans, Places & RSVPs”.
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