Incredible experience at the Green Mill. Felt it hasn't changed since the 30s. Big band night (Thursday) was incredible for the quality of music and dance floor.
Staff misinterpreted a drinks order and were very apologetic and quick to rectify the mistake.
On a road trip from LA to Boston this has been a highlight of the trip so far. I just wish a big band night was so easy stumble upon back home in the UK.
The place for live jazz and poetry at select evening
Hipster jazz bar, cash only. Complete with vintage registers
This is the jewel of Chicago in my humble opinion. Dave was working the door and the crowd and couldn t have been more charming. Great service, great Jazz and a great crowd. Get there early! Especially as Covid restrictions are still in place.
Very nice place to spend evenings. Not so much space though.
Great open mic set!! The owner and house band were exceptional
I came here very late on a Thursday after a show at the Aragon. The big band that was playing had already finished but they were still playing that era music through the speakers. This place is amazing. I love old school vibes and this place has it. When I saw the outside I immediately thought - Frank Sinatra. Everything about it is so cool. Definitely recommend checking it out. I cant wait to do it again and catch the band!
Very memorable place with fantastic musicians, great drinks and history! Definitely recommend to all music lovers and night owls.
Overpriced and crowded. The dance floor is too small. Great music though and a great history. I'd like to try this out on a less busy night...
The staff is great and the ambiance is soothing and smooth. No riff raft here. There's a great house act with a hammond b3 organ that plays every Sunday at 11:30 pm. There's a $5 cover before 1:30 am. Definitely a place to be, ANY night of the week and the late hours and very reasonable drink prices make this a "go to" spot.
This is one of the place that you have to visit before downtown!
Good drinks, I recommend whiskey sour! Beautiful weather, good jazz, historical place. What else?
Went in a Sunday with a friend and his dad to have a few afternoon drinks. It's an interesting interior with plenty of drink options. Not sure if it's every Subaru but when we went they had people doing pretty funny stand-up. Hannibal Buress came out at the end and did a surprise set and really made it a memorable afternoon.
Wow!!! Beyond amazing music and a great place to go for amazing vibe. No food :-( not even bar snacks. (The Green Mill could totally make more $ offering soft pretzels, humus and pita or other simple snacks.) Very limited seating for live music, get there early for a seat. Love this place, would enjoy going again.
Enjoyable music. Great for Swing/Balboa/Shag Dance, especially on the Tuesday nights.
Not the most comfortable place for a drink, seats can be hard to find. Worth trying out at least once though.
I like the green mill. I really do. However, the staff can be unnecessarily aggressive in hushing people. I even saw them sternly warn people who weren't talking.
That aside, you should go here for the vintage ambience and the performances.
Very great place to see and enjoy the great Patricia Barber. Amazing!
A Chicago hideout. Must visit to get a taste of authentic Chicago jazz culture.
It's that kind of places where you feel like you are in the 1950th.. It takes you back 70 years.. Playing jazz, dancing and it is a CASH only payment
A local institution. Remember to shut the hell up when the band is playing!
Epic jazz establishment that is on all the must do lists for visiting Chicago. Be prepared to be shushed and to shhhhhhh others - this is part of the experience but really out of respect to performers and also because it s recorded quite often. Cash only, but no worries- there s an atm inside.
The server was a good communicator to provide us with delicious gluten free meal
Horrible experience. The staff was rude and the show itself was pointless. The only good thing about the show and establishment was leaving the place. I will say the place did look nice. Save yourself the time and agony of confusion and go somewhere else.
Incedible music!
Passionate owner!
I can't believe I hadn't visited this place sooner, it's such and awesome place! The stage area in the back is beautiful. Definitely check out a live show if you can!
lot's of history surrounding good pub food. kind of out off the beaten path though.
Awesome, historic jazz venue. Just show up and you'll have a great time.
Need something to do after a romantic dinner? I d suggest taking your date to the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. It was once a known hangout of the infamous Al Capone, but you ll find a less dangerous crowd hanging out in modern times. Enjoy delicious cocktails, a seemingly never-ending events calendar and live jazz!
Cool place but the staff were a little unfriendly. Fun evening out though.
What can I say? Only that I'm incredibly grateful to an old coworker and friend for inviting me to this legit space/crowd.
I was there to see the Paper Machete, which turned out to be a huge blast. Funny, funny, did I mention, funny!
Bring cash, cash bar only, but it's worth it. I had two glasses of a rich red wine and it was delicious. Go, relax, laugh and definitely, get your drink on. The space begs for it. I'll definitely be returning.
Always a fun little local gem. If you get in close with someone there, they'll tell you about it being Capone's speakeasy and the tunnel for booze running is still there. They just might show you. Good luck and stay classy.
Such an amazing show. Got to sit right in the front row too!
Excellent Bar Restaurant in the style of the thirties of the hub of justice is super scoring
Loving this place. I didn't realize it is cash only but at least there are ATMs nearby
The Green Mill is a famous jazz club and other music venue & bar and a anchor of Uptown, Chicago history. Great music, great drinks. Get there early and grab a booth, you ll be transported in time! One can envision Al Capone using the trap door behind the bar area floor that leads all the way across Broadway. Used for smuggling booze during the prohibition days most likely. No need for that anymore as you can order a classy beverage legally now while listening to some great live music!
Really BAD attention. Nice place but attention sks spetially the grandma...only cash sks too...i will never come back
one of the highlights of my recent trip to the windy city
An absolute treasure for jazz and world music with a national and international reputation
Best place in town for live Jazz. Get there early for a seat.
A Chicago staple. I take guests when they are in town. The music is always great. Smitty is the best.
Excellent place to listen to Jazz in Chicago, the historic place has a period spirit that remains intact. It is a little off the beaten track, but it is worth the trip !!
Great bar with a good atmosphere! You really feel like your in the true Chicago
Stunning architecture inside the building. Dark woods, warming service, and well crafted cocktails. If there's a show it'll be difficult to talk to others without shouting. Talented writers and musicians take to the stage reminding you of and inspiring one's dreams.
Not enough could be said about this establishment. They bring in renound artists from around the world to perform in their humble venue. Seats go all the way up to the stage to provide a very intimate experience.
The drinks are good and the music is so soulful. Just be sure to bring enough cash with you because they only take that and American Express.
A little piece of Chicago history with live music, cocktails and dancing
The early-evening jazz/blues organist was awesome, and the location is surprisingly easy to reach via CTA rapid transit. Love the exterior with the green neon signage, and entering through the door seems like going through a time portal!
Best live jazz experience I've ever had. Intimate atmosphere, fascinating history, and a wonderful insistence that everyone shuts up and listens while the musicians are performing.
Great experience to discover a typical Chicago jazz bar. Too bad people do not respect the instructions requested (be silent during the music)
The green mill is always fun. It is definitely a landmark in Chicago. They have different concerts from musicians all over theworld. Also you can enjoy after hours music, is open till 5am.
Make sure to being cash since they don't take credit cards.
It is shocking to me that I never knew all the history behind this strip of Chicago legendary nightlife. Like the Time Square of Chicago, Green Mill is so true to the 1940s era. It's like stepping back in time. Unfortunately, I wasn't there on an evening or during a time where any live music was going on, but there was an incredibly charming jukebox. I'd love to know more about the interior decor and how much of it is original. To be a fly on that wall!!!
I can't wait to go back and spend some serious time reflecting on all that has gone down in here. Seriously looking forward to getting back here.
The top of the list for places to visit in Chicago. Great bands, would recommend to check their calendar before going.
The barman with the beard and glasses (Patrick) was very rude from the start and was irritated when helping us. They didn't have either of the cocktails I wanted (even though they're both popular and it's a cocktail bar), nor a cocktail menu. When I asked him which cocktails he could make, he said "anything as long as we have the ingredients". I asked for anything sweet. He came with something that tasted like pure whiskey. We asked him to remake the drink as it was not sweet at all, to which he responded with "That's the one I already made" and he took my drink away. He ignored us the rest of the time without trying to fix it or make something else. We decided to leave because of the extremely bad service.
I was in the Jazz event live and there were too many people standing there you could not see anything, you can be more organized with that
Music was so good! Definitely a great late night spot and still has all the feels and atmosphere of the 40s. Not in the best area especially for late at night so just be cautious. Cash only so come prepared. Gets busy quick so get there early.
Al Capone's favorite hangout! Definitely does not disappoint!
We saw this place featured on Anthony Bourdain's Chicago layover eposide, so we had to come here for a visit. We arrived at little after 8pm on a friday night and the place already had some people inside. The show started promptly at 9pm, but shortly after we arrived, the entire bar was filled up and progressively got more crowded. Luckily we got seats at the bar facing the stage and was able to sit for the entire duration of the show. That night they featured a 9 piece Jazz orchestra with 2 MC's with funny voices. It was super cool show and absolutely hysterical. There's a small dance floor in front of the stage and many folks were doing swing dancing. There's a couple of regulars that were highly skilled dancers. Music was very upbeat and lots of fun.
Drinks were reasonable, parking was pretty easy on the street. Long line to get in after 10pm, so come early!
Capones old hangout. Straight up old school Chicago bar. Great live music.
Round-topped tables adorned with white table linens and a single centerpiece candle face the stage; leather-clad booths for a handful of people are located posterior, with diner-style booths filling the sides. The dimly lit, sensual room is saturated with velvet and deep red hues.
Before the show starts, the atmosphere is convivial and lively. Friends share jokes over drinks, families treasure their time together, and young love birds share in the romance.
As Dave picks up the microphone, a hush falls over the audience. The last few pictures are snapped, the phones are set to silence mode. Dave doesn't need to remind everyone to be quiet; we are all in the moment already. The band is ready to start the show.
The sultry, sexy notes of the saxophone fill the space. The piano kicks in with its lyrical genius. The drums maintain the beat. Let the improvisation begin.
For 4 hours, the Green Mill becomes our home away from home.
Stopped in for a glass of wine with the Mrs. Loved the neighborhood feel. A bit rundown but still has charm. The white wine we had was wonderfully chilled.
A magical place that takes you back to those years, I went in the late evening, amazing to see it, it was full, live music, beautiful .. To enjoy
Very nice place, been there many times during the live performances
Ok. Get there early to get a seat. If you sit at the bar people will stand in front of you. Bartender not super friendly. Cover charge!
This place definitely has something that I can do everyday, and that's listen to live music. The only downside is that if you dont have a reservation, you'll probally be standing shoulder to shoulder unless someone's willing to give up their seats for you. Also, it gets really hot in there... I was sweating bullets after 2 cocktails, praying my date notice lol Definitely making this a every Saturday night thing for myself :-)
The jazz is top notch and they also have swing dancing nights.
Great time! Friday has an early evening free show, featuring a soloist on electric organ, which was great. We also took in a later show that night, which was incredible. Obviously the acts change, but the atmosphere was incredible and the service was great. Our waitress was friendly and never too far away, keeping my table well hydrated through all three sets! Great historic venue, an absolute must-see in Chicago!
Large crowd for 2pm on a Saturday. Fast service and old school atmosphere.
