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We pick the best Chicago jazz clubs for every occasion.

Sunday Apr 12, 2009.     By Stacy Warden

Music Feed

Chicago may not always take the lead when stacked against other big cities. Its bistros, for one, are no match for those clustered on a Parisian side street and its vineyards will never conquer the grapes of the West Coast. But when stripped down to its gritty jazz roots, our city comes in second to none. Vocalists, bassists and trumpeters from all over the map flock to these neighborhood hot-spots to find inspiration in the city. Lucky for you, these Chicago jazz clubs require little more than leaving the house.

Best for Foodies

Katerina's
The crowd at Katerina's is a hungry one, and rightfully so, after such energetic sets of bopping, scatting and dancing. Fortunately, Katerina knows how to please her music-lovin' guests with carefully-crafted Mediterranean fare. The menu's list of orektika (greek for appetizers) has just the thing to curb your appetite before the next round of drinks and beats. Small plates include baked eggplant, grilled calamari and tiropitakia, a flakey phillo shell filled with ricotta, feta and goat cheese and served with amaretto-cinnamon oranges. Food is served until 1 a.m. and cover charge varies, typically between $5 and $10.
Upcoming events at Katerina's.

Runner-up: Green Dolphin Street

Best With a Date

Pops for Champagne
This Parisian-themed jazz club will have you swooning for more than just your date with its exposed stone walls and intimate lounge seating. Start the evening with a little bubbly on the bar's main level, where champagne-inspired chandeliers and an onyx bar provide an elegant atmosphere. The Pops drink list boasts over 160 varieties of champagne and sparkling wine; order up a few flutes and it won't take much to lure your date downstairs for some sultry tunes. Past acts have included pianist Dan Trudell, vocalist Tammy McCann and saxophonist Chris Greene. It costs $8 on Thursdays, while Friday and Saturday shows will run you $15 a person.
Upcoming events at Pops for Champagne.

Runner-up: Back Room

Best for Jazz Novices

Checkerboard Lounge
Newcomers to the jazz scene will love this unpretentious South Side spot. In collaboration with the Hyde Park Jazz Society, the Checkerboard Lounge hosts Checker Jazz every Sunday from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Themed nights like "Sax in the City" have highlighted Chicago's contemporary saxophone players, while other artists have included multi-reedist Ari Brown, trumpeter Pharez Whitted and bassist Frank Russell. The Hyde Park Jazz Society will also be hosting their second annual jazz fest this year on Sept. 27. Checkerboard Lounge offers a full bar and welcomes outside food. Admission is $10, and $5 for students with IDs.
Upcoming events at Checkerboard Lounge.

Best Downtown Beats

Andy's
The jazz at this downtown spot only ceases when the staff needs some shut-eye. In a single week you can catch 15 different acts at Andy's. Be sure to pick the appropriate time slot though: Stopping in during rush hour will find you in the throes of downtown's post-work boozin' crowd, while the later hours are reserved for a more subdued, sultry-eyed group. Whether the sun is rising or setting outside Andy's, the stellar beats are always belting inside. Most of the acts here lean toward mainstream jazz with an emphasis on bebop and swing. Cover prices vary and there’s typically a two-drink minimum.
Upcoming events at Andy's.

Runners-up: Close Up 2, Jazz Showcase

Best for Seasoned Cats

Green Mill
OK, so we're stating the obvious here. But you try to find a jazz club that trumps the Mill and then we'll talk. There's a reason this speakeasy spot has been home away from home for many serious artists and enthusiasts. The hip locale was, after all, once frequented by Capone and his henchman. Even Sinatra checked out the spot after catching wind of its mobster appeal. You might not find any gangsters lurking about the bar these days, but you'll certainly be in the company of some of Chicago's finest jazz musicians.
Upcoming events at Green Mill.

Runner-up: Jazz Showcase

Best for Experimental Explorers

Velvet Lounge
If straightahead bop is too boring for you, Fred Anderson's club should give you the spontaneous solos and complex improvisation you crave. While it lost a bit of its broke-down charm when it moves to its new South Side digs in 2006, the place still offers great sightlines, affordable covers ($5-$20) and, most importantly, talented musicians night after night - including the tenor sax-wielding owner himself.
Upcoming events at Velvet Lounge.

Runners-up: Elastic Arts Foundation (Improvised Music Series), Hungry Brain (Transmission Series), Hideout (Immediate Sound Series), Brown Rice