The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago's top live jazz music...
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Chicago's Best Live Jazz Experience About.com Rating From
Visit Their Website The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, celebrated as Chicago’s finest live jazz venue, caters to music lovers until early dawn seven days a week. Jazz styles range from traditional to big band orchestra and the club's cover charge -- while always reasonable -- varies, depending on the artist performing. Pros: Superior jazz talent Warm ambiance that harkens back to the 1920s Excellent sound engineering Well-heeled patrons passionate about jazz Reasonable cover charge ($5-$12, depending on act) Cons: Crowded, especially on weekends Limited seating and standing room space The “shhhhhh”-factor thus the minus half star rating Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Basics: Located at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood Conveniently close to the Red Line subway stop at Lawrence Phone: 773-878-5552 Music Genre: Jazz Hours: Mon-Fri, noon – 4 a.m.; Sat, noon - 5 a.m.; Sun, 11 a.m. - 4 a.m. Full bar service Credit cards accepted First Impressions You didn’t arrive at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge by chance. Either you knew where the best live jazz is played in Chicago through research or an in-the-know friend took you to the city’s crown jewel jazz club. It’s immediately clear you’re about to experience something special as you approach the establishment. Perhaps it’s the “Quiet: Show In Progress” sign taped to the large plate-glass window that tipped you off. Welcome to the Green Mill,
Upon entry, you’re nearly transported back in time by proprietor Dave Chicago's top jazz club. Jemilo's vision to restore and sustain the seductive ambiance of this former 1920s speakeasy. Soft yellow lights glow within ornamentally carved wooden lamp shades strategically affixed to the ceiling as well
© Tom Wagner
as artfully framed frescoes illuminating a Dutch seaside and other old European motifs along the walls. The warmth of the lighting, the red walls and hundreds of other patrons quietly and civilly indulging in their passion for jazz sets the tone. Jazz fills the intimate space where the stage is the centerpiece. Even the sweeping, curved wooden bar bows to the muse; it actually stores a Hammond organ behind it, when not in play. In fact, if you came here for anything other than jazz -- some quality, well-priced (and poured) drinks and very sporadic conversation -- you will feel the tension immediately; strident ”shhhhhhhh”-birds often nest here, almost as if to betray their own sanctuary. The History The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge is steeped in history and lore. While the club was originally established in 1907, the Green Mill unwittingly secured its infamy when “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn -- a key lieutenant in Al Capone’s Chicago Mob -- was offered 25% ownership in
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The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Chicago's top live jazz music...
http://gi296.about.com/od/livemusicvenues/fr/Green-Mill-Cockt...
exchange for his services to convince jazz singer Joe E. Lewis to return to the Green Mill after being lured away by a competing jazz establishment. Perhaps lacking power of persuasion, McGurn allegedly incentivized Lewis by slitting his throat and cutting off part of his tongue. Miraculously, Lewis recovered and did return to the Green Mill, but had to carry on his performing life as a comedian since his voice curiously lost its luster. Images of Capone and McGurn still adorn the walls of the Green Mill Lounge and patrons sitting in the last booth at the end of the bar will quickly learn that this is where Al Capone and his cohorts stationed themselves, as it offers line-of-sight to the front and side doors of the club. Like many successful speakeasies of the day, the Green Mill had a trap door leading to underground tunnels and rooms used for smuggling in alcohol, gambling and other illicit mob-related affairs. Though the tunnels have been sealed, the trap door still provides access to the room below, which serves as a storage facility for the bar. With all the lore, speakeasy vibe and a trap door painting images of Prohibition-era mob celebrities, the Green Mill offers a unique, historical Chicago experience. The Music Yet, in the end, the Green Mill is all about the music, and what amazing music it houses. Jazz in myriad forms -- bebop, big band, contemporary, progressive and traditional -- resonate throughout this community-cherished venue until nearly dawn every day. Having played host to jazz legends such as Eddie Cantor, Billie Holiday and Al Jolson, the Green Mill continues to showcase internationally acclaimed jazz musicians of note each month. Today, jazz contemporaries such as Astral Project, Henry Butler and Kermit Ruffins grace center stage as the world’s best musicians extend the legacy of what many consider to be the greatest jazz club on Earth.
The Green Mill's speakeasy-era trap door behind the bar. © Tom Wagner
If you love music, and especially if you’re interested in any form of jazz, the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge is a "Must Do" on your Chicago travel schedule. You’ll be forever thankful you made the effort to head to Chicago’s Uptown district, an easy Red Line subway ride from Chicago’s downtown. Visit Their Website
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