Ring in the New Year with the Blues!

Blues clubs offer deals that won’t give your wallet the blues

BLUE CHICAGO (two clubs)

Cover: $20 for both clubs. Includes champagne toast at midnight and party favors.

Seating: first come, first serve

Hours: 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

These two River North sister clubs, only two blocks apart , offer blues fans a great deal; two clubs with two bands on the weekend for only one cover charge.  These clubs are very tourist friendly and provide a warm atmosphere with female vocalists playing good-time blues.

New Year’s Eve 2009 will be last call for the larger of the two Blue Chicago venues. The spacious club at 736 N. Clark (at Superior) will close after they ring in the New Year on Dec. 31. The small club at 536 N. Clark (at Ohio) will remain open and will feature live blues music seven days a week starting January 2.  Be sure to visit the big Blue Chicago one last time and enjoy the comfy booths and the blues art display of original paintings of our hometown blues stars.

Blue Chicago

536 N. Clark (at Ohio)

Chicago, IL

312-661-0100

Linsey Alexander Blues Band with vocalist Patricia Scott

Blue Chicago (closing Jan. 1)

736 N. Clark (at Superior)

312-642-6261

Shirley Johnson Blues Band

B.L.U.E.S.

Neighborhood: North Side/Lincoln Park

2519 N. Halsted, Chicago

773-528-1012

Jimmy Johnson Blues Band, Rico McFarland, Big Ray

Cover:  $25, includes party favors

Seating: Limited, call for reservation

Hours:  8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

This cozy club, known as “Blues on Halsted,” has a great atmosphere where blues drips off the walls. The club seats about 100, with standing room for more. B.L.U.E.S. is accepting reservations for these limited seats, so call and make yours today. If you don’t reserve ahead, you can still get in to the show and be part of the dancing and standing crowd.

BLUES BAR

Neighborhood: NW suburbs

2 W. Busse

Mt. Prospect, IL

847-788-9977

Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials

Cover: $10, includes champagne toast at midnight

Seating: first come, first serve

Hours:  11 a.m. open for lunch. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. Cover starts at 8 p.m. Showtime is 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

This Blues Brothers themed restaurant/nightclub offers everything from steak and martinis to BBQ and brews. There will be no dinner reservations or packages and it is strictly first come first serve for this bargain New Year’s Eve event. There will be food and drink specials all night. Plus the club offers a deal on limo service so you won’t have to worry about a designated driver.

BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS

Neighborhood: South Loop

754 S. Wabash, Chicago

312-427-1190

Cover: $25, includes champagne toast at midnight.

Seating: Limited, get there early

Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.

The club’s namesake won’t be playing there until he begins his annual month-long run from January 7th – 30th.  But this legendary blues club, full service restaurant and bar has a great lineup for New Year’s Eve. ABC-TV/Ch. 7 news will film its countdown at the club this year, so you may be on TV if you’re there celebrating. It will be the last New Year’s Eve at Legends’ current location, since the club is moving up the street in early 2010. Advance tickets are available at eTix  or via the club’s website. There is limited seating so get there early and settle in.

6 p.m. -- Matt Hendricks

9 p.m. – John Primer

10:30 p.m. – Magic Slim & the Teardrops

FITZGERALD’S

Neighborhood: Near West suburb

6615 Roosevelt Rd.

Berwyn, IL

708-788-2118

Marcia Ball

Cover:  $35, advance tickets thru TicketWeb.com or $40 at the door. All tickets include red beans & rice, party favors, champagne toast at midnight.

Seating: limited seating, get there early

Hours:  8 p.m. - ?

FitzGerald’s roadhouse style atmosphere includes the main club and a smaller side bar, plus next door neighbor, the Wishbone, a casual dining spot serving Southern cuisine.

KINGSTON MINES

Neighborhood: North Side/Lincoln Park

2548 N. Halsted, Chicago

773-477-4646

Vance Kelly, Big James & the Chicago Playboys

Cover: $25, includes party favors. Advance tickets are available at the club’s website or over the phone.

Seating: there is seating in both rooms, but you’ll want to move around to see both bands.

Hours: 7 p.m. – 4 a.m.

Chicago’s longest running blues club, The Mines puts the “unk in the funk.”  Two stages, so the music never stops.

ROSA’S BLUES LOUNGE

Neighborhood: West Side

3420 W. Armitage, Chicago

773-342-0452

Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band

Cover: $25, includes party favors, champagne toast at midnight and a pass for free admission to your next visit to Rosa’s. Advance tickets are suggested. Buy them through the club’s website.

Hours: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Seating: first come, first serve, limited seating.

Rosa’s is a great place to hear and see the blues.  Chicago’s “friendliest blues bar” always has a stellar lineup.

 Copyright 2009: Chicago Blues Guide