Chicago - Windy City Hot Spots?

[SWTroopers]

It looks like I'll be making a trip to Chicago for work in mid-August. It's a Saturday/Sunday stay, but I'm thinking about heading out a few days early to spend some time enjoying the night life. I'm a jazz buff, and I hear this is a great town for jazz clubs. Right now the one place on my list is the Green Mill. Any other must-see clubs? How about the best place for classic cocktails?

Thanks in advance Loungers!

Marc

 

[beaucaillou]

Absolutely the Green Mill. Possibly more than once. Tuesdays are wonderful. Deep Blue Organ Trio plays.

For classic cocktails:
* The Drake Hotel of course... Coq d'Or, 140 E Walton Pl. - Can't beat it.
* A favorite bar of mine, The Matchbox, 770 N Milwaukee Ave.
* Pop's for Champagne, 601 N. State Street at Ohio - A wonderful place for all your classy, Champagne needs. What's more classic than bubbly? Full bar of course too.
* And my favorite bar in the world... still: Webster's Wine Bar, 1480 West Webster Street. Entirely understated, entirely classy, and wholly down to earth. Dark wood, books, wine, liquor, the greatest bartenders, jazz, blues, Waits, or Dylan playing... It really is the perfect spot.

For cutting edge Mixology/cocktails by Kentucky Colonel & Advanced Sommelier Adam Seger: Nacional 27 on Orleans at Huron.

Another great bar, The California Clipper:
http://www.californiaclipper.com/

And of course,
The Charleston:
http://www.charlestonchicago.com/

 

[Tomasso]

For Jazz, I'd add Andy's and Wonderbar. And, stop at the Pumproom for a cocktail and a bit of nostalgia.

 

[Chanfan]

I'll vote for just general recommendations - looks like I'll be there for a quick overnight, but might have an afternoon to kill.

 

[jake431]

Absolutely the Green Mill. Possibly more than once. Tuesdays are wonderful. Deep Blue Organ Trio plays.

For classic cocktails:
* The Drake Hotel of course... Coq d'Or, 140 E Walton Pl. - Can't beat it.
* A favorite bar of mine, The Matchbox, 770 N Milwaukee Ave.
* Pop's for Champagne, 601 N. State Street at Ohio - A wonderful place for all your classy, Champagne needs. What's more classic than bubbly? Full bar of course too.
* And my favorite bar in the world... still: Webster's Wine Bar, 1480 West Webster Street. Entirely understated, entirely classy, and wholly down to earth. Dark wood, books, wine, liquor, the greatest bartenders, jazz, blues, Waits, or Dylan playing... It really is the perfect spot.

For cutting edge Mixology/cocktails by Kentucky Colonel & Advanced Sommelier Adam Seger: Nacional 27 on Orleans at Huron.

Another great bar, The California Clipper:
http://www.californiaclipper.com/

And of course,
The Charleston:
http://www.charlestonchicago.com/

The Matchbox is a great place, but T I N Y - so if you're going to go there, pick a time before the rush. It's a well named bar.

-Jake

 

[SpitfireXIV]

august, eh? you might want to check and see if you can catch this while you're in town:

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedule-wof.htm

i know the 94th aero squadron is a bit hokey, but imagine dining with a B-24, B-17 & B-25 for "ambience."

 

[SWTroopers]

Thanks everybody for the great input!

Especially you beaucaillou. Webster's sounds like just my kind of place. I'll be imbibing there for sure.

Marc

 

[SWTroopers]

august, eh? you might want to check and see if you can catch this while you're in town:

http://www.collingsfoundation.org/cf_schedule-wof.htm

i know the 94th aero squadron is a bit hokey, but imagine dining with a B-24, B-17 & B-25 for "ambience."

Not a bad idea. I'm going to probably stay in the city, but who knows? Thanks.

 

[SpitfireXIV]

Not a bad idea. I'm going to probably stay in the city, but who knows? Thanks.

it's only 30 minutes from downtown, so it's not that bad.