Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op Review

Super relaxed, good music, great beer, and perfect ambiance. I can see why Capone himself came here

I would give this place no stars if I could. It's a overpriced, wanna be hipster joint, with sanitary issues... Where do I begin, it's a cash bar scam place, and they coincidentally have an ATM that will gladly rip you off with fees. They have mold on the beer tap, and I saw an employee digging (with their whole hand, wrist deep) into a cherry jar...ugh... I paid a 15 dollar cover charge to stand near the ATM in the corner, next to a mop bucket, with no view of the band and couldn't even talk to my friends.... WORST BAR I'VE EVER BEEN TO!!!!

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.

Had this bar recommended by our guide. The interior is very authentic for the 20s / 30s. You actually feel transported back in time. The music of a solo jazz musician was very pleasant.
Unfortunately the staff was very rude. We did not feel comfortable as tourists. The drinks (no cocktail menu) are quite expensive. I'm sure there are far better bars than the Green Mill.

Original settling, live jazz, cash only. One of the few magical places where you can really forget about the time you live in. Drinks were phenomenal too. A wonderful highlight to my trip.

Absolutely amazing place. Fantastic atmosphere. But 2 very rude staff. Firstly the doorman told us that there is cover charge, to which my brother replied no worries. The man didn't hear and leaned forward and down (as he was a huge man) and quite intimidating said "what!". The second rude staff member was a waiter with a huge beard, who when I asked if he could make non alcoholic cocktails, said "no". No explanation, no other words, just one word and ignored me. I then asked if he has got any juice and he mockingly said "non alcoholic" as if I had committed a crime that I didn't want an alcoholic drink. But the place still gets 5 stars because its just amazing!

Great jazz place. Been here four times. Not being allowed to talk was a bit strange at first but after getting into the various performances you could see why. I actually enjoy just going in after 5pm on Fridays and watching Chris Foreman perform without charge. (I'm sure you have to buy drinks.)

Follow in the footsteps of Al Capone and listen to some great jazz.

Amazing jazz bar to enjoy local performance. Come early to get seats in the front and this place is CASH ONLY! The door fee is 8$ and drinks is in the range of $5 to $12

ok place - the staff is fairly rude (apparently the "Shusher" is a regular occurrence) - drinks are ok priced.
I got the vibe of "you're not really welcome here unless you're one of the regular jazz hounds. Normal folk don't appreciate the art enough"

Great cocktails and awesome jazz live music. A must try if you are in Chicago.

I shouldn't need to convince anyone to go here: the best jazz in the city. Wednesday night has the incomparable "Alphonso Pontacelli and Swing Guitan", the best gypsy jazz in the city ( for $6!). Cash only, so be aware, but seriously a fantastic night.

The only thing I didn't like was it was a cash only place. In this day in age I mean cmon really! But I get it! It just sucks I haven't really carried cash since my drug dealing days lol! Our waitress was great! She had a great sense of humor and was very easy on the eyes. The band was awesome and the doorman Jason was very personable.

Nice spot, good vibes and drinks. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the bathroom locations. They're right next to the stage so you feel like you're walking on the stage to go to the bathroom.

One of my favorite live music venues in the city! Atmosphere is funky and perfect for a jazz club, and there's great live music every night. Poetry slams on Sundays are a treat too. Seats are a bit uncomfortable but not a big deal. Note that it's a cash-only bar. Fun fact: rumor has it that this was one of Al Capone's favorite spots.

That jason guy has joke that should be retired like him

Green Mill has a cool vibe and has great programming. Gets a little crowded though. Definitely a Chicago must.

Great, if you want to feel like a gangster it's the place for you !!

Where you forget to take videos
Gasm Everyday

Go. Just go every day.

Here is the deal. If you want to talk while musicians are playing, you have two choices. Go to just about every other bar in the world, where people who claim to like music spend most of the performance talking, or come to The Green Mill on Thursdays, Tuesdays, or after midnight on weekends. The rest of the time, the shows are non-talking and the staff will enforce that policy. It is a jazz club. If you are unable to listen politely without disrupting the experience of other customers who came to LISTEN, please do yourself a favor and attend on Thursdays or Tuesdays or late night on weekends. If your unable deal with this, go hang out with the other meatheads in Wrigleyville or River North or Wicker Park. If you are in town on a Thursday, there is no better place to be.

Excellent entertainment.
Get there early to get a good spot.
I think entry is free before a certain time too.
I sat at the bar, service was efficient, no nonsense style, quite funny after a while of hearing the guests getting 'sshhd'..but fair enough, no talking whilst the entertainment is on.
Characterful place.

Love this place and everyone from the host to the bartender was awesome!!

There's a cover to listen to the band on Saturday evenings, and probably most evenings. My friends and I just wanted to stop in and say that we had drinks at the same bar that Al Capone used to frequent--- I mistakenly said Al Pacino when telling my out of town friend, and he kindly did not point out my blunder.

The bartender confidently told us that he could make a meaner cocktail than anyone else in the city, ad when I asked for something good, he couldn't get a concrete answer out of me because I wanted whatever was most popular, which he said meant that I didn't know what I wanted. Anyway, my roomie and friend both got old-fashioneds and both said it was the best old-fashioneds that they've ever had. The concotion I got was just okay. I thought I could say that I wanted gin or rum and something sweet and that would be enough, but apparently not. So maybe after I get it figured out, I'll go back. Maybe I should have just ordered a gin and tonic.

Such a great historic club for jazz music. Loved every minute there. There is a cover, and everything is cash only as an FYI.

Friends asked me to come to this place and hear some jazz music. It was not worth the $20 cover charge. You're all the way in the back can I hear the musicians it was so packed there was only standing room only. There wasn't even enough room to walk to the bathroom. It is a cash only place. Also everything is way too overpriced.

Chicago landmark and definitely a must visit. Beware of their cash-only policy before going.

Excellent Jazz , I caught Patricia Barber's show and it's one of the best there is.

What a great bar and music venue. Went on Wednesday night and it was packed. The wait staff were always checking in on me and the drinks were well mixed. The music was the best part. The jazz was easy to listen to and the songs were classic hits. All of the musicians knew how to play and their solos were experimental and well done. I am glad I popped in for a few drinks and some good music.

Drinks are over priced at this place, however I loved the atmosphere and the live music. I didn't like that I was getting shushed every few minutes lol. It's not a social place. Just be mindful of that. People go there to watch the performances.

A fun, good old, gritty, night club with great music

Only cash. But it deserves a visit. Good music, good moods, and good beer.

One of the Chicago classic bars.. Thursday's is the best day to go for me..

In a word: ICONIC. A genuine, Prohibition-era speakeasy, where nothing changes but the nightly jazz bill. And even that is a rotation of regulars--world-renowned regulars--, as well as a Sunday night Poetry Slam. Get there early if you want a booth, on time if you want a rickety folding chair, or roll in any time to perch/stand at the bar. Free parking, 6PM-6AM, one block west. City smarts recommended. 21+

This place is gross. The odd man who guards the place wears some kind of disgusting pedobondage-type of outfit that just screams "I'm unbalanced!".
Nah.

Idiots. Talking horribly about the patrons since the minute we walked in. Don't go here.

Pretty low key authentic vibe with top notch music. A couple of smart-assed bartenders but mostly good staff.

It s unbelievable to hear big band music on a Thursday night.

Best, good old fashioned live music in this category, in the country. The crowd is there to have a good time. The Thursday swing is my favorite. It s like you re transported back in time.

I ll be honest I never go to places like this, so my expectations for the Green Mill were somewhat low. I ended up staying hours longer than I anticipated and had a great time. The performers were mindblowingly talented, the atmosphere was really relaxed and inviting, and the value for what you get here was unmatched. Definitely a unique experience I look forward to revisiting next time I m in Chicago.

Another excellent stop on our Chicago tour. Music was perfect and the atmosphere just what you want from a club first opened in 1904. Mixed drink was a bit questionable, but not enough to dampen a great night.

Went for paper machete on a Saturday. Arrive around 230pm to ensure good seats. Had a blast. Cash only.

Smells like a pair of unwashed feet! Al Capone was there once upon a time, still it s not taking the odour away!

We wanted to see Paper Machete, which started at 3:00. We arrived at 3:05 & the line was down the block. Cudos to Gree Mill for enforcing occupancy limits. Bad on us, we never got in.

Reference jazz club. Chicago's oldest jazz club. They say that Al Capone always had a reserved table from where you could see all the exits from the premises. Great jazz artists have passed and continue to visit this venue. It is worth taking the blue line and approaching this legendary club.

You can catch local jazz artists every night till 1:00 am and 5:00 am on The weekends. World renowned jazz artists on tour frequent the mill.
Check out the online calendar.

Cool place w/decently priced drinks. Interesting music.

First time here and I enjoyed myself, I can appreciate the fact they request if you were to speak it be at a whisper once the show starts. Very nostalgic feel, you almost feel as if your in a completely different era. I recommend everybody go ateast one time. Oh BTW it is cash only.

Friendly staff even though the kitchen was closing got to enjoy and share an awesome pretzel and beers!

Place and music was nice but Service of Bartender was so terrible, his bad mood he transfer to me and my guest

Service is good. Bartender was really cool and gave us some history lessons. Def visit here and see where Al Capone hung out.

Hmm. Iconic. Great music. Annoying staff. Did I say great music?? Great music.

Such a great environment at the Green Mill. If you can come here during one of the afternoons they have The Paper Machete hosting a speaking, you will not regret it. Great entertainment, and a friendly environment filled with lots of creative folks.

Hands down the best place to go listen to jazz in Chicago. Funky atmosphere, fantastic jazz groups playing every night. Go early on Fridays and Saturdays. Open until 4 AM on weekends.

If you love Chicago history...you will love this place.

Rude bartenders, complaining all the time about people talking during the band's performance. It's ok ask for quiet conversation, but there are many different ways to do that, even in a place full of people, with no space to walk or even stand comfortably to apreciate the music.
In spite of trying to get better, they complain about the costumers, there and on internet.

My friends and I went there las night. The live band was amazing but the staff (specifically the waitress and the managment lady) treated us horribly and ended up kicking my friend out, probably because we were dancing but we still really don t know. We left inmediately of course. It was really sad because the music was great.

Lots of fun, usually a cover of $5-10 for the live music/entertainment

During the live jazz and swing dancers, this place is enchanting.

Place is historical indeed and you will feel the vibe - but also smells like beer and has little filthy touch to it... combined with weekend cover charge not sure if I want to come back but it is not for me to say since never experienced a life concert there which might be unforgettable fun and a great experience ... just for a beer I would go somewhere else... (btw. I don't drink ;)

My favorite place for late night jazz, head to the Green Mill on Saturdays for the sounds of Sabertooth from Midnight to 4am! Get there early to snag a table, and stay late because you'll never know what other cool cats will be there. This former Al Capone hangout is a Chicago institution, and it's virtually unchanged from olden days. Great service, great music and a really authentic Chicago experience.