Ring in the New Year with the Blues!

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

December 31, 2013

by Linda Cain

photos: Jennifer Noble

CLICK ON THE CLUB’S NAME TO SEE ITS WEBSITE

BLUE CHICAGO

Neighborhood: River North

536 N. Clark (at Ohio)

Chicago, IL

312-661-0100

Tenry Johns Blues Band w/ Claudette Miller

Cover: $20, includes champagne toast at midnight and party favors.

Seating: first come, first serve

Hours: 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

This longtime River North club, located in an historic building, is conveniently located to all the action. The intimate venue is very tourist friendly and provides a warm atmosphere with female vocalists singing good-time blues.

B.L.U.E.S.

Neighborhood: North Side/Lincoln Park

2519 N. Halsted, Chicago

773-528-1012 

Jimmy Johnson Blues Band

Cover:  $20 advance /$25 door, 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.

BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS

Neighborhood: South Loop

700 S. Wabash, Chicago

312-427-1190

Mike Wheeler (10:30 p.m.), NuBlu Band (9 p.m.), Eddie Taylor, Jr. (6 – 8 p.m.)

Cover: $30, includes champagne toast at midnight, party favors.

Seating: Limited

Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.

The club’s namesake won’t be playing there until he begins his annual month-long residency in January.  But this legendary blues club, full service restaurant and bar has a great lineup for New Year’s Eve. Advance tickets are available at eTix  or via the club’s website. There is limited seating so get there early and settle in.

DICK’S LAST RESORT

Neighborhood: River North

315 N. Dearborn, Chicago

312-836-7870 

Rockin’ Johnny Band

It’s not a blues bar, it’s Dick’s – where the food is served in buckets by a wait staff with attitude. The atmosphere is frat house party, but the music is always top-shelf.

INTERCONTINENTAL CHICAGO O’HARE

5300 N. River Road, Rosemont

847-544-5300 (hotel) 847-447-4130 (NY eve info) 

J.C. Brooks/ photo: Dianne Dunklau

J.C. Brooks & Uptown Sound, Cracker, Modern Day Romeos, Rod Tuffcurls & The Benchpress, Dance DJs

For the polar opposite experience of Dick’s, this posh hotel near O’Hare boasts a real New Year’s Eve extravaganza. All manner of packages are available, some include dinner and a hotel room. Tickets for just the shows and open bar are $85. Visit: http://www.nye.icohare.com/

KINGSTON MINES

Neighborhood: North Side/Lincoln Park

2548 N. Halsted, Chicago

773-477-4646

Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang, Carl Weathersby Band Joanna Connor (acoustic at 7:30 p.m.)

Cover: $40, includes party favors. Advance tickets are available at the club’s website, at www.ticketweb.com   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.”  With two

stages, the music never stops.

NICK’S BEER GARDEN
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Note: roots bands, blues, R&B, rock
1516 N. Milwaukee
773-252-1155

Sharon Lewis & Texas Fire

Nick’s is Wicker Park’s party central. Never a cover charge for excellent bands and a vast selection of beer. Need we say more?

ROSA’S BLUES LOUNGE

Neighborhood: West Side

3420 W. Armitage, Chicago

773-342-0452

Billy Branch and Sons of the Blues

Cover: $25 advance/$30 door, includes party favors, champagne toast at midnight. 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” truly lives up to its name and they always has a stellar lineup.

SHAW’S CRABHOUSE

Neighborhood: Downtown

21 E. Hubbard St., Chicago

312-527-2722

Fabulous Fish Heads (Dave Specter, Mark Wydra, Harlan Terson, Jon Hiller) on New Year’s Eve

SHAW’S SCHAUMBURG

Neighborhood: NW suburbs

1900 E. Higgins Rd, Schaumburg, IL

847-517-2722

Marty Big Dog Mercer & Andrew Diehl on New Year’s Eve

Matt Stedman Band on New Year’s Day Brunch

Lettuce Entertain You’s premier seafood and steakhouse has two locations for you to ring in the New Year with the blues and fine dining.  Call for showtimes and reservations. There are a variety of options to choose from.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CHICAGO BLUES GUIDE!!! 

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