Green Mill

09/17/09

Why has the Green Mill fallen!

by Elle67 at Citysearch

The night started well enough, for a place that only takes cash and overcharges on drinks. The atmosphere was kind of somber, the tables were dirty, and the place lost its luster a long time ago. The manager came up to us; let us know that we should not be talking during the performance, trying to understand why he had picked us out in particular. He obviously felt that I was being loud trying to communicate with my cousin who has Down syndrome. I tried to communicate that to the Manager who insisted that it is the rules that people sit and listen without talking. I tried to explain that we were not being disruptive and that other people were talking too. The manager who stated his name and titled like he was the Vice President, this manager struck me to be intolerant of people with disabilities or just people trying to have a good time. The manager who insisted that he did not care that he might have been out of order and rude. So in this economy where people are trying to forget their worries and enjoy themselves should not have to face this type of intolerant yahoo. Avoid this piece of Chicago history if you can.

• Pros: Good Band
• Cons: Nasty, Intolerant, Angry Manager

11/17/08

The Green Mill is for real.

by domegreen at Citysearch

First off, for anyone who loves jazz, this is probably the best club in the country, not just Chicago. I find it funny some think it is pretentious of the owners to ask people to be quite during the music. There are decent breaks between shows and plenty of time for people to hang out, drink, and converse. If you are a musician you really appreciate the respect this club gives to musicians. If you are coming to have a drink and talk, there is plenty of room in the back to do that too. The thing about the Mill is that it is precisely NOT a church for jazz, but a real live jazz club where new and name bands are constantly experimenting. The history, the bar, the music and yes, the owners make this one of the hippest places anywhere.

• Pros: Best place to experience jazz in the country.
• Cons: not any come to mind

12/03/05

Surly and rude

by mgsc at Citysearch

Although the music is good, this is one of the most uncomfortable bars in town. The doormen, bartenders and servers act as if they are doing you a favor by allowing you to patronize their establishment. When national acts perform, the employees demand silence. This is a BAR, not a cathedral.

• Pros: music
• Cons: surly, arrogant staff

04/07/05

great late-night live jazz venue

by lurchl at Citysearch

This place is a classic! The interior is very cool, and the acts typically are top-notch. Not the place to go if you are a loud drunk, as the staff takes the entertainment very seriously.

01/23/04

A stop for all tourists

by kirbear1 at Citysearch

Well the woman who wrote about the shhhhh!ing incident obviously doesn't know the rules & regulations @ Green Mill. There is NO TALKING during performances, especially when top acts are in the house. The staff is more empathetic when regulars are playing.

This is the best place to listen to jazz in the city, if it was good enough for Capone it's good enough for me!

Don't forget ot rent High Fidelity to see John Cusack sitting across from the piano behind the bar!