09/17/09

Why has the Green Mill fallen!

by Elle67

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

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

01/03/06

Phenomenal home away from home for Chicago jazzheads.

by Contributor

The Scene
The Mill's notoriety dates back to Prohibition, when Chicago gangsters used the club as a headquarters. With only passing regard to the featured attraction, young hipsters crowd the club these days, with fervent jazz lovers squeezing into the spaces between. This joint is almost always jumping, with top Chicago jazz bands during the week, local stars and visiting dignitaries for the weekend showcases, followed by jam sessions that run till 4am and 5am (Friday and Saturday, respectively).

The Draw
Despite the seedy neighborhood, the Mill has become the Chicago home for annual appearances by such national artists as sax player David Liebman, vocalists Sheila Jordan and Mark Murphy, pianist Henry Butler, and the Either/Orchestra. To ensure that you can actually hear the music you came to enjoy, arrive for the first set Friday at 9pm, or even better, Saturday at 8pm.

12/03/05

Surly and rude

by mgsc

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

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

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!

03/06/03

incredible place

by CHILLIN2

went to see oscar brown jr. and the show was incredible. he fit the atmosphere of this classic jazz venue. if you have never gone , go and give it a try.

• Pros: inexpensive, good crowd
• Cons: seating, crowded

01/16/03

Good Jazz nites, but Poetry Slam's a gas

by dilip21

If you go to poetry slam on Sunday' get there atleast by 6:30 for a good seat. No guarantee's that all the poets will be great, but if you like interactive, this is it. There's a jeer if a woman starts crapping on men, and one for the women if some guys says something sexist, plus more.

Its the same guy running it that started it decades ago and he's got it down pat. Trying to keep everyone happy.

Get some guts and go up there and try it out.

Its open mike at the beginning, and the contest starts at 9pm - 11pm

• Pros: Good crowds, drinks inexpensive, very friendly people
• Cons: limited booth seating, can get crowded, cover for Poetry Slam

11/08/02

On a good night

by krisallison

I agree some of the patrons are pretentious and take it too seriously you should be able to talk in a quiet voice at a bar without being shushed! I recommend going when the music is more bluesy or when there are multiple pieces in the band that way you can at least talk to the people you go there with-

07/29/02

Mr. Kurt Elling

by BlueCritic

The Mill is everything they say - full of History and with a great club atmosphere. Drinks are priced just right and the sound is good. The best thing thought is Blue Note artist, Kurt Elling on Wed nights for only $5.00. He's hard to explain but the dozens of people I've taken to see him just go crazy. We call Kurt, "The Man." You'll see why.

• Pros: Inexpensive
• Cons: Not very much setting