Jazz Showcase

A must visit for live jazz music when visiting Chicago. I learned there is much history at this establishment. Many jazz greats have played at the Jazz Showcase establishment. Tonight's show, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, was no different. Amazing experience! Families with children who love jazz are welcome too. Full bar service is available. Although no kitchen service, the establishment allows patrons to bring small outside food. We brought some chips, nuts and cheese, grapes. Paired nicely with wine and specialty cocktails they served here. Super clean venue. Was lucky enough to meet the owner who was very welcoming.

​Caught a show at Jazz Showcase in the South Loop and had a fantastic time. Dropped about $25 for the cover on a Friday night, which is pretty standard for a spot with this kind of history. The venue's intimate setup means there's not a bad seat in the house, and the acoustics are spot on. They don't serve food, but you're welcome to bring your own snacks, which is a nice touch. The bar offers a solid selection of drinks at reasonable prices!

Such a great place. The two bartenders were very kind and one even moved me closer during the second set (arrived late to the first and was seated in one of the open seats in the back). Excellent sound guy and the Manhattan I had was pretty good too. A touch pricey, depending on who you see, but certainly well worth it. :)

Quintessential Chicago Jazz club that has top flight musicians in an intimate venue. Seats are close enough to make it feel like you’re listening in your living room (ask to be seated in one of the sofas that’s part of the VIP section).

Elegant and classy experience with great service and even better music. My partner and I went for a Friday evening performance, and were seated in a fantastic spot, even without VIP tickets. Dimly lit and cozy space, without being overly intimate. I'd recommend getting there 15-20 minutes before the performance starts just to get settled in, enjoy the decor and maybe get a drink ☺️ Alcoholic and NA drinks are served, but no food so just plan accordingly. The 2 of us got 4 mixed drinks, totalling $65, before tip 🥂 Smoke and sour was my fav - they also do classics like Manhattan, Martini, etc

I went to see countless shows here, most recently Keyon Harold. He plays the trumpet and is a musical genius. I went to the Friday show and immediately started to think how can I make it to an added day because it was such a melodically beautiful set. The place is photo worthy and the vibe is smooth as piano keys. Historically, the Jazz Showcase is an important jazz institution in Chicago. They’ve been there for decades, they always have excellent shows. Many of the greatest of all time played here. I hope they stay in business forever. Check it out you won’t regret it.

Had an incredible experience here. I was there on valentines weekend. The band playing was spectacular and the venue was cozy and intimate with reasonable prices. Would love to come back one day.

The house of Jazz in Chicago for 78 years! Simply amazing! If you love jazz, that’s your place in Chicago

My husband and I stumbled upon this goldmine whiling staying in a near by hotel. We have been attending minimum once a year for the last 12 years. The ambiance is sweet with low lighting, a variety of casual sitting along with a VIP section immediately to the left of the stage. The price is worth the talents that embrace the stage. A winner after a quiet meal in the Windy City.

Great times to unwind the mind listening jazz along with sipping your favourite drink. They have bar but no food, you're welcome to bring bites with you. People working there are friendly and do their duty very good. Check out this place and soak with some real jazz.

I've been a long time attendee of the Jazz Showcase. Saw countless shows there when it was located at the Blackstone, as well as when it moved to Illinois Street. The most recent location, on South Plymouth Court since 2008, is a wonderful place to take in a show. Its got great acoustics, good sight lines, a great stage for the performers, all in a large, balanced, and controlled room that offers both an intimate and shared musical experience for the listeners. Definitely one of the best rooms the city has for music. As far as the staff go, there is nothing but friendliness and appreciation for you being there. We were greeted with smiles and thanks, which made the whole experience even better! When it came time to take our drink order, they were attentive and prompt on delivery; as a group of 5 we placed our order and got our drinks before the music started, instead of in the middle of a song or set. We didn't have any food, so I can't really comment on that. If there was a downside to our experience, I'd say it was the fact that we were charged an additional $2.00 for having ice in our drinks. WTF?! To put it in perspective, I ordered an Old Fashion and my girlfriend ordered a Manhattan. Both are drinks which are traditionally made with ice. Now, you can go to just about any gas station and buy a whole bag of ice for the same price. So, the idea of charging someone an additional fee for an element that constitutes the drink itself is ridiculous. Again, perspective is everything. Going out to see music is incredibly important to me, especially when were talking about Jazz, and keeping the art alive. I know it sounds like I'm being petty when I criticize the Jazz Showcase for this dumb charge, but here's the thing, if you go to the website for the Jazz Showcase, it doesn't provide you with any posting of prices for drinks or food. So the only way to find out is when you get billed for your order. Now it's clear management has gone to great lengths to hire the right people, and then create a great environment for experiencing live Jazz music, but they shoot themselves in the foot when they do foolish things like adding additional charges like this to the patrons. I say this because as much as I want to continue to support Jazz and the places that feature it, petty charges like this don't make me or my guests want to linger, and make an entire evening of sitting and listening to music ... and buying more drinks.

Always a great night at the Jazz Showcase featuring live jazz, seven nights a week in the heart of Chicago. The Jazz Showcase is a Chicago treasure and institution going back 75 years. It is a listening room so you can be sure people who go there come to listen and not converse during the performance. I highly recommend this iconic venue to anyone. It remains a main jazz club in Chicago, and they welcome young adults, kids and children. Sunday matinee kids are free. Parking behind the club is reasonable. The ambience in the Jazz Showcase is spectacular. It's like walking into a jazz museum. The staff works hard and they are friendly.

This place was everything I dreamed of it to be. I was trying to find something to do for post Valentine's Day dinner and decided to come here because of its historical significance and value it holds in the city. Basically, it's legit. It's been here since 1947. The performance was very good and very much set the mood filling the atmosphere with smooth jazz. Also, the drinks are reasonably priced which is a huge plus. Make sure to get your tickets online ahead of time and come early to get a nice seat closer to the stage!

It has been a few years since I visited. I'm as impressed as I was when I first saw all the old photos on the wall of the great Chicago jazz musicians. It is pretty casual and lay back. We attended the early 8pm show on Thursday, but the show didn't start till 8:30pm. Get a drink and chill and it gets you more relaxed for jazz. I just realized that they have shows 7 days a week, so very accessible. The microphone near the piano didn't work for 5mins so that was a little disruptive. It might be time for some new sound system updates.

Didn't try the food so can't comment on that. During a rainy night to my old hometown, thought about looking up jazz venues and came across the Jazz Showcase. I hadn't known of nor been before but ventured out for my beau's bday weekend. The late show was half full and they offered us the couch but I would fall asleep if the music was smooth so we stayed in the chairs. I enjoyed the ensemble with the lead sax and the women singer. They were truly talented! The drinks were less than stellar and now I know why most had beer or wine. So that will be the choice next time.

We opted for this place last minute after dinner and I'm glad we found it! My mom was in town and wanted to stop by. They have 2 shows and I recommend going to the early show, as it might run over into the second set. Which means you'll be out a little longer than expected unless you leave early. Full bar but it'll take you a bit to figure out who is the wait staff. Took a bit for them to clean a table for us to be seated comfortably. FYI- Set was instrumental only, no singers. Check their website for artists and schedule.

The music was amazing and full of life. The room roared with applause anytime there was a break in the music. Seating was great and comfortable. Buying a bottle was a bit much but that's what you pay for convenience. I will be going back. My first jazz bar experience ever, loved it. Everyone working there looked very well dressed and professional. We walked in the SECOND they opened the door and couldn't believe how cordial everyone was. Bathrooms were also nice

What a phenomenal show. 1.5 of jazz, great drinks and the jazziest ambiance. It was a night that transported us to the Jazz Era. Highly recommend. There is no food served just drinks. We went after dinner and the drinks were great.

Always enjoyed coming to the jazz showcase especially on a Christmas Eve or day show. Super intimate and quaint. The show never fails. It's tight quarters but that's the joy of it. A nice little gem! Nice strong drinks.

After a misunderstanding about a ticket purchase, Jonathan was able to straighten it all out for us! We were able to enjoy the show, on our much needed girl's trip! We loved the show!

Absolutely adore this place, it was such an amazing experience. I loved how kind and welcoming everyone was. Monte Carlo's was incredible.

Visiting Jazz Showcase was one of my highlights when visiting Chicago. LOVED my visit here! I was a little sad that I didn't get another opportunity to visit Jazz Showcase. I only visited once. However, my first visit was a memorable one. There is a $15 admission fee to get in. It's well worth the money in my opinion. If you love jazz and are visiting Chicago, this should be a must stop! There is a lot of history in this place. It was established in 1947 and the greatest names in jazz have played here. Go to their website to the impressive long list of performers. I recommend checking the calendar on their website to see who is playing when you visit. The Chico Freeman group performed on the evening I visited. They were great! Chico Freeman was fantastic playing the sax. This place has an overall nice feel to it. They serve various alcoholic beverages but heads up on the prices. Plan to pay a good buck if you have more than 1-2 drinks. Staff is friendly here too. The doorman allowed me to stay for both sets this evening. Chico Freeman played two sets. The lounge area cleared out a lot after the first set. It was nice to sit closer to the band after many patrons left. During the first set I sat at a table at the back of the lounge with a nice view of the stage. A young man joined me at this table. We both enjoyed the music thoroughly. This is what I love about music so much, that it transcends barriers and brings people together. I had an opportunity to engage in conversation with this young man after the first set. We had a great conversation! So, good place to unwind, listen to music and meet new people. There are also plenty of places to sit here. It's not as crowded as one would think. I would absolutely visit here again, if I ever return to Chicago. I would definitely make this a must stop on a future return. I highly recommend this place! Experience a piece of history with a lovely place. Hope you enjoy and walk away with good memories as I have.

A cool, true jazz, club. Intimate and authentic. Went to the Sunday matinee show and was not disappointed. Extremely talented artists. All ages so my 19 year old could join (big plus!). Also a few other other younger people there which is a rare treat to bring them to see great talents in jazz. They don't serve food but have great cocktails and staff. Why only 4 stars? It was hot and at points super loud (unbalanced) but overall a great joint.

Great Jazz and ambiance! Most historic Chicago Jazz house in town. Fantastic customer service.

Wow! Superb venue to sit and listen/watch some amazing jazz artists. Tonight is a benefit - the place is full and the music is fantastic. The servers are busy but super friendly and efficient. Highly recommend!!!

The music is impeccable. The atmosphere is great, the servers very attentive and frequently checks that you have water and drinks. Love to go there for good entertainment and affordability , will not break your bank. Seats could be more comfortable, but overall an amazing nite for live entertainment.

We came for a show on Friday night. Would consider coming again but I would recommend playing music when the doors open or having an opening band or set prior to the main event. Paying $30 for a band to only play 1 hour seems a bit high. The set stated it would be from 8pm to 9:30pm but they were late and it was more like 8:30 to 9:30pm. And the next set was starting at 10pm which meant you had to leave so that the next group of people could sit where you were sitting. It would be nice to stay and drink once you pay that charge. The inside of the venue is older and kind of homie feeling with older sofa's for parties of 3 or more. And then tight seating for parties of 2 or 3 some with a small table. Our server was kind and the drinks seem a little overpriced.

Yes totally worth your attention!! A must go to club for jazz. Great set up no such thing as a bad seat in the house. Staff works super hard to get your drinks while a fantastic performance happens. My very first time in Chicago and wanted a jazz experience like a local not tourist. This is the place! Saw Chuchito Jazz trio. Chu was a dynamite as I got goose bumps listening to his song choices. Great experience and so so kewl.

One of our favorite places for Jazz music: Very comfortable seating, great sound system and always great acts. Good drinks, too!

The most authentic jazz club with excellent service and remarkably low prices on drinks.

I've only recently gotten into the jazz scene here in Chicago, but I've been to Jazz Showcase twice now and have had a fantastic experience both times. Tickets to a weekend show here range from $20-40. You can choose to purchase VIP tickets, which will get you a reserved seat closer to the stage and in comfier chairs, but honestly, no seat in the house is a bad seat. It's an intimate, cozy venue, and you can hear the music perfectly in from any spot in the crowd. Both times I have come here, the music was perfect. They have both local jazz musicians as well as those from out-of-town. The show was casual yet professional. The cocktails were great also, and the service was friendly and as attentive as they could be, given a live show was ongoing. The audience was a mixed group of young and older patrons alike. This is the perfect place for a date night, if you ask me. I highly recommend this venue, and I know I'll be coming back!

Great atmosphere. Very relaxing, comfy seats, parking available, all ages welcome, no pressure to buy a drink. Will definitely come back.

This was our capstone event of the evening - a visit to Jazz Showcase to watch trumpeter Victor Garcia! First off, when you enter this place (get tickets folks), it's hard not to be humbled by those who have stepped on that stage. The walls are covered with pictures of the jazz greats who have been there, and just to be there to see a show is a treat. Sound and lighting - Excellent! So, a little bit about Mr. Garcia - he plays trumpet with great enthusiasm and panache. We enjoyed his performance, and that of his band. Notably, the young lady from Spain that was signing and scatting was just incredible. Not so incredible to try to upstage Mr. Garcia, but it was a memorable performance that complimented him. The drinks were good, and water was available to help keep us hydrated. We just came from dinner. We enjoyed our visit. The place is well-run. If you are looking for Chilis, this isn't it. This place has history, panache, and gravitas that you don't get at a chain restaurant.

Really love this place, fantastic experience! The show is excellent , drink is good and the service is nice too! Will come here again and strongly recommend!

A great afternoon! We went to a matinée Billy Lewis Quintet & it was great! The service friendly and evenly paced through the show. The drinks were moderately priced. We went for the VIP tickets...was it worth the extra $15/ticket? We thought so - we got to pick front row or front side. The doors open pretty early and I suspect if you there 15/20 min before it starts you can get the seat you want (minus front row). The show didn't start until 4:15 (instead of 4) but went long, 5:45 (instead of 5:30) The facility was a little tired but kinda fits what we expected. Overall, good time!

Loved the show and the ambiance! It was a perfect way to spend an evening with my sisters!

Amazing! They are open during Covid. Safe practice and wearing masks! They are strict about it! No alcohol but there's pop sales. You can still bring in food from the outside. We caught Denise Thimes and I tell you! Must see! Must go! Her voice is sooo beautiful and at the end it keeps you wanting more! A great Jazz show especially during Covid!

LOVELY experience and I would 100% return. My boyfriend was coming in town just for 1 night (flights delayed/canceled for weather so the trip was cut a little short) and we wanted to do something relaxing and fun after having dinner at one of our favorites, Gilt Bar. I pre-purchased GA tickets for the Chico Freeman Quartet, I believe, and we got there at about 9:30 for the 10 PM show. The venue was still trickling out people from the 8 PM show, so we waited patiently. The man that was running the show at the door greeted us and showed us where to wait. He was extremely polite and cordial. When they began letting us in, he kindly guided us to some seating selections near the front and sat us down in a Reserved space. Though pretty busy, it was not a sold out show, so I am assuming they had the room to seat GA people at Reserved. The other reviews are true, there really is not a bad seat in the house. The primary difference, from what I could observe about the Reserved vs GA seating is that they are all interspersed in the same area, but Reserved seemed to be deep, cushiony velvet loveseats/couches. We were SO comfortable (almost too comfortable-- post dinner, dimly lit room, comfortable loveseat, calming music...zzz..... hehe). But it was SO pleasant. This place is no frills, definitely old, but that's what we loved about it. It has a certain quality/charm to it. The jazz quartet was brilliant- every instrument had a solo, each one more lovely than the last. I got a Southside (basically a mojito) and my boyfriend (sleepy) got a coffee. Our waitress was kind and attentive, and overall it was such a pleasant experience. I definitely enjoyed my night there and will be back!! :) Thank you Jazz Showcase for preserving quality music and creating an intimate, comfortable, relaxing environment for people to sway to good music!

Showcase or listening room, this place is a great setting when you want to "listen" and "hear" jazz musicians create. It's just a great venue for your regular dose of jazz in Chicago. There's no bad seat in the house either. Parking is available next door. The location is fairly accessible by public transportation. Tickets to most shows, reviewable on their online calendar of events, are reasonably priced. Beverages are available from the bar or through the server

We enjoyed an amazing evening of Jazz last night. We were lucky to catch the show by the Chico Freeman Group. The atmosphere and the music were absolutely amazing. Great drinks and awesome service all around.

We arrived at the venue and were given a small bistro table with 4 stools. My friend and I were the only people in our party. As the place became more crowded, we were told we had to allow 2 more people to sit at our table because they were sold out and every seat was reserved. My friend told the man who seated us that we did not feel comfortable sitting with strangers. The man rudely said "we are all strangers here". She then said no where on the website does it say you will have to share a table. He then said we had 2 choices- allow strangers to sit at our table or get a refund. We decided to stay but were not happy about it. Then the waitress took our drink order. When she came back, my friend asked for separate checks. She said she couldn't do that because we were "together". She said she already put the order in the computer and couldn't take it out and separate it. Fine, whatever. The drinks were brought and my friend was happy with hers but mine tasted watered down. At that point I was done. The music was fantastic. The venue... not so much. So if you want to hear good music in an overly crowded venue, sitting with strangers and drinking overpriced watered down drinks then this is the place for you. There are better jazz clubs in Chicago.

This was my first visit to the venue. My daughter loves Jazz, and I was her guest for the evening. The ambiance, music and drinks were great, but the performers were unfriendly. Christian Dillingham performed with a guitarist, saxophonist and drummer - the saxophonist, Gary Ward, is a great performer and was the most friendly of the bunch. After all of our applauses and shouts of support, the other band members each walked to and from the bar, past our table several times and spoke ONLY to the white patrons. Shouldn't musicians be friendly to all of the patrons?

I was really excited to find this place just down the street from my hotel. $20 admission for last nights concert. Darkly lit with candles on the table. Perfect for date night although I was solo. It's an old fashion authentic jazz place. No special frills just great jazz music. If you want to drink, you need to go to the bar and order for yourself. They didn't have anyone waitressing the entire venue area. If you ask me.. big mistake for the businesses bottom line. As I noticed practically everyone's cocktails were empty halfway thru the show. No one wants to get up during a performance out of respect. One bartender? Seriously? On a Friday night? If you like Jazz and are visiting Chicago.. it's a good place to spend some time.

Excellent show tonight! Isaiah Collier and the chosen few can play like you can't believe! High energy and amazing! The Jazz Showcase is a very comfortable lounge and perfect jazz atmosphere exactly what I was hoping for when I went looking for a great jazz club! We were seated by Johnny and we sat on a comfy couch right up front. Our waitress was there right away to get us drinks! I love this place if I lived here in Chicago, I would live here!! Lol

One of my favorite spots in the city! Very spacious and beautiful ambience, and most importantly good music!!

Have you ever met an artist that can just illustrate the essence of the moment? Well Jonathan did that for me. Every drink he's made for me tonight has matched the ambiance and rhythm of the artists performing tonight. Great work, man!!

We saw Freddie Cole and his set was fabulous! That's why it isn't two stars. But, in an effort for the establishment to maximize how many customers can buy tickets, they sit four people at tiny tables. I didn't like that. No privacy and too close to strangers. Next time, we'll just sit in the back, because you can still hear the music in the bar area.

Super cool place that I had never been to before, even though this place has been here forever. Great music and comfy atmosphere for relaxing and listening to some beautiful music. We saw a 5 piece Jazz band with piano, trumpet, saxophone, upright bass, and drummer. Every player was super talented. Definitely buy tickets ahead of going to the show. We showed up for the 10pm show at 9:15. Understandably, they sat the folks with reservations first, then the walk ins. The 8pm show went a little long so we didn't sit until almost 10:30pm. Still a wonderful time. I didn't buy tickets ahead because we were not sure we would make it. I gave 4 stars only because the in/out procedures need some work. It's confusing and crowded. We will be back.

TL;DR - Great date night spot and a great night of Jazz. The Jazz - 5/5 - Saw the Bobby Lewis Quintet. They played a 75 minute set and each piece was very enjoyable. He interacted with the crowd between songs and that created a very laid back, intimate setting. Had a wonderful time listening and ended up buying a CD after the show. The Venue - 4.5 / 5 - We bought general admission tickets in advance. The internet says they open at 8, but we were able to get seated around 7:30. We had great seats right behind the VIP seating section. There is not a bad seat in the house, so even if you're standing in back or have a table in the corner, I don't think it would diminish the experience. Would recommend VIP if you want to be close up but not arrive super early. Drinks - 3/5 - Simple drinks that aren't a little diluted, but not crazily so. Service - 3.5 / 5 - I only saw one server. She did a great job and we didn't really have to wait long, but seems like other people kept trying to get eye contact with her. No food here, but I believe you can bring your own.

My Bestie invite me out to see Robert Glasper in concert. Amazing very low key and mature atmosphere. The whole experience was grown sexy and relaxing. I felt so relaxed after a long week at work. Nice music wine and awesome ambience. Well be back for another concert.

Jazz Showcase is an excellent jazz club in the South Loop. Unlike that jazz venue in River North, this is a place where people who love great jazz go to listen to the music. The sound is great, the audience respectful, and the artists are top notch. This isn't, perhaps, the cleanest and poshest place around, but the Jazz Showcase has that lived-in feeling that all great music clubs have. It's a comfortable and terrific place to hear great music. Since the club isn't too large, there really isn't a bad seat in the house, but get there early to snatch a seat closer to the stage. If you ride the L, the club is no more than 500 feet from the Polk Street entrance to the Harrison station on the Red Line.

Had a lovely evening. We attended on a Sunday night not much of a crowd Im guessing because people have to work Monday and possibly Covid attendance went down . On Saturday and Friday nights it's harder to get tickets anywhere. Service was great and music was lovely.

Rating is based on experience of the staff. Music itself was beautiful and recommend going for good jazz. First off, as previously mentioned, no food is served. Secondly, when we were seated we were told our server would be with us shortly. We arrived pretty early so the room was basically empty, and no server ever came. My husband tried going up to the bar to order drinks and was told rudely 'you will be served at your table!' Lots and lots more people arrived, they were promptly served, but the server never came to our table. We kept making direct eye contact, tried flagging her down, nothing. GM was very friendly and comped the one drink we were able to order at the end however.

I liked this little spot. It was very raw and organic but I didn't really appreciate the waitress. It's a $20 entry fee and then she hassles you to buy drinks. So I couldn't enjoy the experience and was feeling pressured to get a drink. For those who drink liquor that's cool, I don't drink liquor and told her twice and she still kept coming around. Their none alcoholic drinks were full of sugar, which I wasn't interested in. Maybe consider having sugar free options for people who are a bit more health aware.

Best jazz venue in the city. And tonight they sponsored a student jazz concert by the talented swinging musicians at the Chicago Academy of the Arts. They played straight ahead classics really well. Great music. Great student musicians. Great evening.

By far my favorite place to enjoy jazz in the whole of Chicago. It is casual yet captures that moody essence of a jazz club. I always bring out-of-towners here to show them a quintessential Chicago night. The place has a fully stocked bar with some creative cocktails to pair with the music. What's even better is that Jazz Showcase allows BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). Nearby, there's three pizzeria that offers both NY and Chicago pizza options. A little bit of history: Jazz Showcase is the oldest jazz club in Chicago, having housed many performances from the greats, and was Dizzy Gillespie's personal favorite club. Today, it still house daily music performances ranging from vocals to full on orchestra. My favorite routine when friends visit Chicago is to call the nearby Lou Malnati's, pick up some piping hot deep dish, then head over to Jazz Showcase a little bit earlier to snag the comfy center couch and finish my pizza by the time the lights go dark. Then wash down a delicious dinner with some cocktails and sweet Jazz. Try it for yourself :)

Wonderful jazz spot in the south loop. I would definitely come here again for a drink and a show. The atmosphere is very cozy, great service, and lively music.