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From nightclubs to supper clubs, soul to salsa, there’s no shortage of hot places to hang out, dance, and get into the music that beats throughout every neighborhood in Chicago. And don’t forget, this is the home of the blues where you can see legends like Buddy Guy perform live and still hear the echoes of Muddy Waters in blues clubs throughout Chicago.

Rock, Pop & Hip-Hop

Beat Kitchen - This “hard-to-define” venue features local and national punk, indie, and hard rock acts, and even Monday night sing-alongs. Over 30 kinds of beer, upscale bar food, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere await you.
2100 W. Belmont

The Chicago Theatre - Built in 1921, The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America. This magnificent space has evolved into one of the city’s most exciting venues for concerts, live theatre, dance and special events.
175 N. State

Elbo Room - A Lincoln Park staple, the Elbo Room offers one of the city’s best venues for live music. Bands range in style from alternative rock to reggae to funk. An up-close-and-personal place, it fills up fast on weekends with a laid-back and welcoming crowd.
2871 N. Lincoln

Empty Bottle - Known throughout the city for its extreme devotion to the local and indie scenes, the Empty Bottle is an ideal venue for a personal concert. Featuring established and underground acts on a full-size stage, the music is consistently first-rate.
1035 N. Western

Metro - For 25 years, the Metro has been paving the way for emerging artists and new music genres. Legendary bands like the Ramones, the Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M. and Nirvana played here early in their careers, and the rest was history. The Metro is still a number one spot for alternative rock acts, definitely still proving that “music matters.”
3730 N. Clark

Schubas - From local punk bands and hip hop acts to singer-songwriters who perform nightly in the intimate back room, Schubas’ cozy, friendly atmosphere continues to attract talented musicians. Comfort food is available nearby at the adjoining Harmony Grill.
3159 N. Southport

The Redhead Piano Bar - This is the perfect night spot for fantasic upbeat music, lively conversation and meeting people. The walls are lined with sheet music and the
famous stars of yesteryear.
16 W. Ontario

Andy’s Jazz Club - A premier venue featuring mainstream, bebop and swing jazz, Andy’s is one of Chicago’s most respected jazz establishments. Founded in 1951, this onetime newspaper pub has evolved into a full-service music mecca. They also serve lunch and dinner.
11 E. Hubbard

Blue Chicago - A roomy, ’20s-style club featuring local bluesmen and —women; one paid admission gets you into Blue Chicago and its sister club, Blue Chicago on Clark. The booths are roomy and the vibe is still the best in the neighborhood. By the way, dancing is greatly encouraged.
736 N. Clark/536 N. Clark

B.L.U.E.S. - Veterans of the blues circuit have been performing here since 1979. Experience blues the way it should be: up-close and no-nonsense, with plenty of drinks and a friendly crowd.
2519 N. Halsted

Buddy Guy’s Legends - Distinguished for its innovative blues acts from around the world, the stage at Legends has been graced by talented musicians of virtually every genre. From The Rolling Stones and Van Morrison to Junior Wells, David Bowie and John Mayer, the club continues to play host to the A list. It’s also a major archive of blues memorabilia, including rare photos, Grammys, and a stellar guitar collection. Open seven nights a week.
754 S. Wabash

Green Dolphin Street - Terrific steaks, seafood and an outstanding wine list make Green Dolphin Street more than an amazing jazz destination. Indulge, because dinner buys you free admission to the club (there’s also a bar menu). The music ranges from big band and bebop to Latin jazz. You can even take a salsa lesson.
2200 N. Ashland

Green Mill - Dixieland, bebop, traditional, progressive — the broad spectrum of jazz is played by both legendary and up-and-coming performers in this authentic 1940s-era club. Deep, smoky jazz sounds fill the space until 4AM on Saturdays. The Green Mill’s a true Chicago gem.
4802 N. Broadway

House of Blues - One of the most diverse entertainment venues in the city, this juke-joint inspired restaurant and club offers pop, jazz, R&B, country, rock and late-night blues seven nights a week. Its world-famous gospel brunch shouldn’t be missed.
329 N. Dearborn

Kingston Mines - One of Chicago’s most notable blues clubs, this no-frills music house has two stages large enough to accommodate full bands but small enough to keep the musicians connected to the audience.
2648 N. Halsted

M Lounge - Look for signature martinis, an excellent wine selection and a terrific mix of traditional and modern jazz. M Lounge boasts fuzzy throws, soft candlelight, and even a flat-screen TV that projects performances from the main stage up front.
1520 S. Wabash

Pops for Champagne - The nation’s most acclaimed champagne bar (over 100 labels) features veteran jazz pianists. The perfect spot to sip, listen, and relax by firelight.
601 N. State

DeLa Costa - This 12,000-square-foot winding space is designed like a Latin theatre complete with masks and puppets hanging from the walls. Well-heeled clubsters sip signature “poptails” and enjoy the very original ceviche bar. It’s A-list all the way.
465 E. Illinois

Nacional 27 - An amazing restaurant featuring thrilling Latin American favorites (from all 27 Latin countries) turns into an after-hours nightclub featuring the spicy grooves of salsa, merengue and quebradita. This is one of the hippest clubs in town.
325 W. Huron

Rumba - The glitz and glamour of pre-revolutionary Havana come alive at this trendy dinner and dance destination. Rumba offers Latin American fusion cuisine, an in-house humidor and live Latin sounds from cha-cha to Afro-Cuban.
351 W. Hubbard

Crobar - The first “alternative” club in Chicago, Crobar has been going strong since 1992. Having evolved into a plush upscale nightclub, it’s one of the best parties in town — a shrine to dancing with a DJ booth that rises up like an altar. Open weekends only.
1543 N. Kingsbury

Excalibur - Located in Chicago’s hot River North neighborhood, this granite castle houses four floors of dancing, live music, and entertainment, as well as a restaurant, a billiards hall and a game arcade.
632 N. Dearborn

The Hangge Uppe - Located in the popular Rush and Division Street area, the Hangge-Uppe’s the perfect place to dance the night away to five decades of music on two separate floors. Downstairs, oldies from the 50s through the 70s are featured, while upstairs is devoted to Top 40 tunes from the 80s and 90s. The Hangge-Uppe even offers six bars for you to choose from.
11 W. Elm

Sound-bar - Stainless steel, smoked glass and custom furniture create a great vibe at this stylish, ultra-modern club. It’s got state-of-the-art sound, a 4,000-square-foot dance floor (with fog machines and rotating lights!) and international DJs spinning music throughout. Sound-bar also has three separate lounge areas and a hip VIP room.
226 W. Ontario

Transit - Just west of hip Randolph Street, Transit is a 10,000-square-foot warehouse-like space featuring metal staircases and hip minimalist furniture, a large dance floor, a state-of-the-art sound system, and DJs spinning everything from hiphop and R&B to house, dance anthems and reggae.
1431 W. Lake