Ring in the New Year with the Blues!!!

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

December 31, 2011

Otis Clay appears at S.P.A.C.E. in Evanston for a soulful New Year's Eve concert (scroll down for info) photo: Harvey Tillis

BLUE CHICAGO

Neighborhood: River North

536 N. Clark (at Ohio)

Chicago, IL

312-661-0100

Linsey Alexander Blues Band with vocalist Laretha Weathersby

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 with Mike Wheeler and Big Ray

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

Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

Cover: $25, includes champagne toast at midnight.

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.

6 p.m – Joanna Connor

9 p.m. – Eddie Taylor, Jr.

11 p.m. – Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

HOUSE OF BLUES

Neighborhood: River North

329 N. Dearborn

312-923-2000

Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues

Cover: $10

Seating: yes

Hours: 6-10 pm

House of Blues regularly hosts blues acts on its Back Porch stage, which has a full service restaurant, on the first floor. The concert hall is upstairs, where Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven will perform on 12/31. And for the morning after, if you’re in need of sustenance (both spiritual and physical), there’s the New Year’s Day Sunday Gospel Brunch

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, 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.

LEE’S UNLEADED BLUES

Neighborhood: South Side

7401 S. South Chicago Ave., Chicago

773-493-3477

Johnny Drummer & the Starliters

Cover: $5

Hours: 8 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.

Seating: limited

Lee’s has been a hot spot on the South Side for the blues since the ‘70s, when it was known as Queen Bee’s Lounge. Lee’s attracts blues fans and musicians from all over the world who make the pilgrimage to this friendly neighborhood music room.

ROSA’S BLUES LOUNGE

Neighborhood: West Side

3420 W. Armitage, Chicago

773-342-0452

Chicago Blues All-Stars

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” always has a stellar lineup.

S.P.A.C.E.

Neighborhood: Near North suburb

1245 Chicago Ave. (at Dempster)

Evanston, IL

847-492-8860

Otis Clay

Cover: $58 reserved seats/ $48 general seating/ $35 standing

Hours: 10 p.m. – until Otis quits singing.

Seating: limited, for table seats. The rest is general admission seats or standing room.

The North Shore’s hippest, most eclectic nightclub will ring in the New Year with award-winning legendary soul man Otis Clay.  Champagne toast at midnight for all.

WALNUT SPEAKEASY

Neighborhood: NW suburbs

214 Walnut Ave.

Elgin, IL

847-695-2420

Danny & The Devils

Cover: $45 advance/$50 door. Includes three hours of open bar for call liquor and draft beers. Champagne toast at 12 a.m., party favors, balloon drop.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Seating: limited

This friendly neighborhood sports bar and restaurant hosts blues, jazz and Americana bands weekly.  The Walnut has great food, specialty beers and service with a smile.  And they really know how to throw a party.

Here are even more ideas for your New Year’s Eve blues party:

Dave Herrero & The Hero Band with Felix Reyes at Nick’s Beer Garden, Chicago.

Guy King’s Little Big Band at Andy’s Jazz Club, Chicago.

Dawn O’Keefe Williams & the Lucky Dogs at Salt Creek Wine Bar, Brookfield, IL

Chicago Kingsnakes at Ed & Joe’s Pizzeria, Tinley Park, IL

Sanctified Grumblers at Uncommon Ground on Clark, Chicago, IL

Harry Garner Band w/ Rockin’ Johnny at Thipi Thai Restaurant, LaGrange, IL

Fabulous Fish Heads at Shaw’s Crabhouse, Chicago, IL

Matt Steadman at Shaw’s Crabhouse, Schaumburg, IL

James Hunter at the Mayne Stage, Chicago, IL

Neil Rose Band w/ Smilin’ Bobby at Chicago Prime Steakhouse, Schaumburg, IL

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CHICAGO BLUES GUIDE!!!

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