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What to do and see in Illinois, United States: The Best Blues Clubs & Bars
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Lee's Unleaded Blues, Rosa's Lounge, Bobbers Tap, Buddy Guy's Legends, Blue Chicago, Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., Checker Board Lounge, Liquid Blues, Elbo Room.
Restaurants in Illinois
1. Lee's Unleaded Blues
2. Rosa's Lounge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Rosa's Lounge operates in the hallowed tradition of Chicago blues lounges, family owned and operated by an Italian immigrant who came to Chicago three decades ago.
Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States
Rosa's is doing a fabulous job of bringing live music to the fans while keeping you safe in these COVID times. Temperature check and questionnaire at the front door; masks required to enter and while walking within and while talking to anyone but your immediate party. Tables are socially distanced. Even the musicians, except those singing or playing an instrument by mouth, are required to mask up! And if this is the only way to experience live music during these times, then we are happy to mask up here!! And the music was awesome...Tom Holland and the Shuffle Kings!! Thanks for a fun evening!!
3. Bobbers Tap
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Bobber's Tap is very unique. It is an outdoor bar located right along the banks of the Pecatonica river in Winslow, IL. Easy going, fun, friendly, - if you don't know someone when you arrive you will have made many friends by the time you leave! Odd, unique items fill the outdoor area. A private enclosed bar is available with outdoor deck seating for special event rental (receptions, birthdays, graduations, etc... at very reasonable prices. Frequent stop for bus tours due to the uniqueness of the place. Live music on most weekends.
4. Buddy Guy's Legends
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 861 reviews
Buddy Guy's Legends include his own reputation, plus the amazing array of local and national blues performers drawn to this music hotspot.
Reviewed By Lwoodweil - Chicago, United States
Disclaimer: I have been to this joint several times. We went to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary on Monday night because: a) it was our anniversary b) the Buddy Guy's Legends Monday night jam is the best music value I have seen anywhere in the US. $10 gets you in the door to see Brother John Kattke lead the Legends House Band for a 60+ minute set, followed by local musicians. This is a continuation of the Checker Board Lounge's Monday Blues Jam from back in the day. Last night was a Fat Tuesday New Orleans blues evening, but about 80 minus into it, the MC, Robert, introduces the owner of the establishment, Buddy Guy, who comes on and performs with Brother John for another 30 minutes!!! Pictures, social media posts, autographs, drinks for the house, you are damn right it was Buddy Guy! Half the audience was from South America.
5. Blue Chicago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 542 reviews
Reviewed By adamparks - Port Saint Lucie, United States
Found Blue Chicago with a group of friends that were in town for a business event. Spent a few hours at the bar listening to some great blues performances. The places gets crowded wall-to-wall, but the sound is good from anywhere in the place. The live act on stage was great and really had the crowd engaged the entire set. Impressive and really enjoyed the night there.
6. Kingston Mines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 833 reviews
Kingston Mines is a blues music nightclub with 2 rooms, 2 stages and 2 bands & live music all night, 365 nights/year. We're the home of Doc's Rib Joint with ribs, wings & more right in the heart of beautiful Lincoln Park, on Chicago's North Side. Looking for a venue to host your next party or get together? Kingston Mines is the perfect venue for large or small groups alike! Ask about our party plans.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Truth be told, I can't tell jazz from blues from rock 'n roll from Mozart from Sousa. It's all music to me, all of it, anytime, anywhere. For blues, the place to be is Kingston Mines, the oldest and largest continuously operating blues nightclub in Chicago. Located at 2548 North Halsted Street, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, it has been showcasing the most celebrated blues musicians since 1982...nonstop blues action seven nights a week, 365 days a year, two separate bands every night on two stages, from Delta blues to Memphis blues to Chicago blues. Over the years, it has hosted such blues legends as Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Carl Weathersby, Magic Slim, Junior Wells, Sugar Blue, Billy Branch, Ronnie Hicks, Mike Wheeler, Peaches Staten, Eddie Shaw, Linsey Alexander and Joanna Connor. If you have a taste for some Southern-style food, you can indulge in some ribs, buffalo wings, Caribbean-style jerk wings, catfish, red beans and rice, home-made nachos, Po'boy sandwiches, shrimp, chicken, bread pudding or pecan pie at Doc's Rib Joint, located in the back of the room and open right up to the last call at 3 a.m. Sunday through Friday and 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.
7. B.L.U.E.S.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Popular Blues club located in Chicago's North Side has hosted such great musicians as Sunnyland Slim and Pinetop Perkins.
Reviewed By justnotherjoe
Small, but just what you would expect. Now, granted this isn't the Checkerboard Lounge or Wise Fools Pub of yesteryear. This North side, doing South side best as it can.
8. Checker Board Lounge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
The small, always-crowded Checker Board Lounge is one of Chicago's legendary blues clubs.
Reviewed By Lwoodweil - Chicago, United States
Amazing voyage to the heyday of Chicago Blues. I felt Muddy calling Mick Jagger up on stage, and yelling out "Where's Keith? Where's Keith". Buddy Guy looks about 35 and as usual very stylish. You walk on hallowed ground at Checker Board. Menu has not changed in years, and the prices seem to be from 15 years ago.
9. Liquid Blues
10. Elbo Room
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
The Elbo Room prides itself on presenting diverse live shows seven nights and week. Numerous bands, such as John Butler Trio, Wild Belle, Cage The Elephant, Amos Lee, The Walkmen, James Mercer from The Shins, Mundy, The Crystal Ark, Smoking Popes, Hoobastank, Butch Walker, Liquid Soul, Joss Stone, Filter, The Alarm, Local H, Ratt, Scott Weiland, Soul Coughing, I Fight Dragons, and many more have graced its stage. The Elbo Room is renown for its great ambiance, exceptional sound, and continuing effort to showcase top local and national acts from a multitude of artistic genres.
