Trip to Chicago - Need some suggestions for blues/jazz clubs?

Question

I am planning a trip to Chicago in the fall. The dates are still undecided, but it will be some time in October. I want to go to some of the local blues clubs, especially those "hole-in-the-wall" type places. Also need other "don't miss" and "definitely avoid" tips. Where are the centrally located and safe hotels for two women travelers.

Thanks

Answer 1

Rosa's is the place you need to see. It is just what you described.

http://www.rosaslounge.com/

Avoid the southside of downtown. It can be dangerous.

Kingston Mines is on Halsted (North of the city)

http://www.kingstonmines.com/flash/main.html

As for hotels, I have Pricelined 4 star hotels on Michigan Avenue routinely for $40 - $70 per night. Nice places too -- Hilton, Wyndham, Embassy Suites, Sheraton, Marriott.

You will love Chicago.

It is a great city.

Good question.

Answer 2

If you want to get a feel for the "real" city -- and, by definition, it's neighborhoods, I'd recommend staying at one of the Neighborhood Inns of Chicago: http://www.cityinns.com/. They're boutique hotels located in some of Chicago's more fun neighborhoods. No matter which one you stay at, you'll have excellent access to public transportation and taxis, so it'll be easy to get nearly anywhere.

Best Western Hawthorne Terrace is right in the heart of East Lakeview, a very safe neighborhood with great shopping, restaurants and nightlife: http://www.hawthorneterrace.com/

As a blues fan, if you'll be here on a Tuesday night, I'd say a don't miss is a trip to The Hideout to see Devil in a Woodpile. The Hideout is a great little hole in the wall that's a bit hard to get to, but well worth the effort.
http://www.devilinawoodpile.com/
http://www.hideoutchicago.com/

Another don't miss is a meal at Lao Sze Chuan in Chinatown. Go for lunch one day, when it'll be safer to take the Red Line there and back, or just take taxis round-trip.
http://www.laoszechuan.com/

And my final don't miss is a visit to Chicago's top two designer chocolate boutiques, Vosges Haut Chocolat and Ethel's Chocolate Lounge. Both of the shops have multiple locations in Chicago, and they're nearly adjacent to each other. If you're downtown, you can go to the North Bridge Mall at 520 N. Michigan Ave., where Ethel's is on the ground floor and Vosges is a couple floors up. Or, you can go to Lincoln Park, where the stores are at 819 W. Armitage and 951 W. Armitage.
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/
http://www.ethelschocolate.com/

Also, be sure to check out our free weekly paper The Chicago Reader for entertainment listings galore: http://www.chicagoreader.com/

Answer 3

Some suburban favorite places.

The Carlton Hotel in Oak Park is a neat hidden away upscale hotel with nightly blues/jazz in the lounge. Different accomplished artists each night. Excellent food and drinks in the dining room/lounge. Neighboring Forest Park has a hidden away basement jazz club under a top-notch Italian Restaurant...La Piazza. 20 blocks away is Fitzgerald's in Berwyn. They have a varied selection of nightly music.
Farther away in Evanston is Pete Miller Steakhouse. Great food. and music. Stay at the nearby Orrington Hotel.

All these places are excellent restaurants but have a bar for non eaters. No cover charge @ the Carlton or Pete Miller's. La Piazza has a cover and Fitzgerald's has tickets through Ticketmaster or at the door.

check out sites below

Answer 4

Well, I don't know about hotels but I know good blues/jazz places.
On North Halsted there two "holes-in-the-wall":
Kingston Mines
B.L.U.E.S.

Both are cool places, but Chicago allows smoking, so you have to endure smoke.

As far as Jazz there are:
Pops for Champagne
Green Dolphin Street

All are in pretty safe areas (except maybe Green Dolphin).
Talk to a travel agent, or some other resource for hotels, and "central locations". Can't really help you there.

Answer 5

For jazz, check out the new Velvet Lounge. Freddy Anderson's Place. The Green Mill is well known, but to houty touty for me.

And the Empty Bottle always has good jazz on Tuesdays.

Answer 6

Hilton Hotel in Downtown.
Chicago is an amazing city to live in, their's just sooo much to do.
you'll have an amazing time.

Answer 7

I would stay in the west suburbs.easy access to downtown Chicago by train park and ride the train. Eastern Du Page County is your best bet

Answer 8

Here is some good hotels, check it out!
Oh I send you an email too for some
suggestion.

Answer 9

THEIRS A JAZZ CLUB LOTS OF PEOPLE GO TO ON AUGUSTA BY CENTRAL PARK I BELIEVE!! IN CHGO.ILL

Answer 10

ONLY ONE ANSWER, Kingston Mines on Halsted ...... if the Stones are in town you may even see Mick