The best jazz clubs in Chicago

Al Capone and other gangsters used to hang here in the 1920s, but these days it’s all about the music. Owner Dave Jemilo, who returned the club to its original luster in the 1980s, books smart bebop and free jazz with a discriminating ear. Local favorites Andy Brown and Alfonso Ponticelli both maintain residencies throughout the year and the music often goes as late as 1:11am (2am on Fridays and Saturdays). Arrive early, grab a cocktail and settle in for a long evening.

Long heralded as Chicago’s leading jazz venue, the venerable club is the oldest jazz spot in the city and has been forced to relocate more than once since its inception in 1947. Since moving to swankier digs in 2008, the Showcase has easily reestablished its reputation for bringing in top-shelf talent, including acts like the Bad Plus and Miguel Zenón. Stop by every Sunday at 4pm for a family-friendly jazz matinee, with free admission for kids 12 and under. 

Located in the former home of the Viaduct Theater, this nondescript building houses some of the city's most progressive jazz, contemporary classical and improvised music. Founded by local drummer and Pitchfork Music Festival talent buyer Mike Reed, Constellation boasts two performance spaces and a bar offering reasonably priced beer and cocktails. From local jazz groups to touring avant-garde performers, the venue is Chicago's destination for any music that's deemed "too weird" for the rock clubs.

This mainstream jazz haven runs regular, low-key residencies with some of Chicago’s most respected scene elders, Marques Carroll and Thaddeus Tukes among them. It’s a comfortable, intimate space where you can drop by for a cocktail, or make an evening of it by ordering something from the restaurant's respectable menu. 

After closing suddenly in 2014, the Hungry Brain was resurrected by Mike Reed, who also owns and books the nearby, experimental-leaning Constellation. Visitors can expect to find cheap beer, a jukebox filled with deep cuts and regular performances from members of Chicago's thriving jazz scene, such as Joel Paterson.

One step inside this sleek, cool and narrow South Loop bar and you'll be convinced that the M stands for mellow. Plush velvet chairs, slick leather couches, a soft jazz soundtrack and easygoing cocktails like the Cucumber Like Cosmo attract only the coolest and swankiest of locals (make sure you're in accordance with M Lounge's dress code before planning your visit).

Just a short walk from Navy Pier, this jazz club brings straight-ahead and classic jazz performers to the stage five nights a week. The 125-seat listening room is intimate and comes with a strict no-talking policy during each set—so don't come here to chat over a saxophone solo. If you're looking for a classy night of timeless jazz in a setting that places the focus firmly on the music, you've come to the right spot.

Located off the Morse Red Line station, this cozy Rogers Park lounge transports guests to Paris with live jazz, antique furnishings and classic libations. Each night offers something different, from Brazilian Latin jazz to retro jazz—featuring artists from all around the world. The centerpiece of the space is, as the name suggests, a Yamaha Conservatory Grand Piano, while the food is much more than an afterthought. Grab a booth, order a round and get ready for an intimate evening full of tunes.

In the midst of Wicker Park’s vibrant nightlife quarter, Davenport’s specializes in old-fashioned cabaret reinterpreted by younger, hipper performers. The venue itself is colorful and modern, a far cry from what you might expect given the lineups. If your idea of jazz is more in line with the music depicted in La La Land, you'll have a blast singing along to the standards that get belted out here.

After a two-year hiatus, this ’30s-era cocktail bar returned under new ownership in 2022, and it’s still wonderfully low-key with live music, a jukebox and glowing red lights—but now with a new sound system and lounge area. Jazz rules the calendar, with regular appearances from the likes of Leroy Bach and Dan Bitney, but you can also stop by for open jam nights and drag shows each month.

Delicious epicurean cocktails might be this Logan Square bar’s forte, but the tiny room hosts more and more delightful underground pop shows and art exhibits. The crowd can’t reach triple digits, so intimacy with both the musicians and your neighbor’s elbows is inevitable. The Whistler's weekly Relax Attack Jazz Series is one of its main attractions, but make sure to check out their calendar for new weekly and monthly events.

Perhaps one of the most active and random stages in the city can be found at this eclectic, art-filled corner tavern, where nightly performances range from poetry readings to jam bands. Mondays are jazz nights, putting the spotlight on ensembles performing swing, bebop, improv and more. The drink menu leans on local craft beers from the likes of Maplewood, Pipeworks and Burnt City.

This not-for-profit, all-ages spot has quickly become one of the premier venues in the city for free jazz, electronic and other left-of-the-dial music. You'll usually find interesting art on the walls, cheap beer at the bar and something on the calendar to bring you back in the coming weeks. The crowd ranges from hipsters to older jazz fans to the curious and uninitiated, but there’s no intimidation factor—it’s always friendly.

Perhaps Chicago’s premier roots music showcase, this homey haunt out in Berwyn is best known for an array of folk, zydeco, country, rockabilly and blues acts. It's also one of the few remaining outposts for big-band jazz, hosting a lineup of local ensembles on Sundays. Guests can also head next door on Wednesdays to attend one of the SideBar shows, which pairs acoustic jazz performances with classic cocktails. Hungry? Grab a bite to eat beforehand at Babygold Barbecue—the restaurant attached to FitzGerald's.