Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

12/03/2005 Posted 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

04/07/2005 Posted 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.

01/23/2004 Posted 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!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/06/2003 Posted 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

01/16/2003 Posted 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

11/08/2002 Posted 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-

07/29/2002 Posted 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

05/22/2002 Posted by MauraYork_Citysearch

To be fair, let me begin by saying that I haven't been to the Green Mill often, but that's partly because I'm not sure it's everything its rep says it is. I'm from New Orleans, so I agree that little bars with great, authentic jazz are gems, but there's something almost pretentious about this place. It is taken so seriously, that it almost sucks the pleasure right out of it. Bars and music are to be enjoyed, not revered -- lighten up, everyone!

05/20/2002 Posted by Chiguy

Lot's of history wrapped up in this old hang out, it's small and crowded get there early and see some terrific Jazz, make sure you order a schlitz.

05/17/2002 Posted by jpanderson_citysearch

If you're into jazz, this should be #1 on your list of places to visit in Chicago. It's a teeny, crowded place in a grubby neighborhood, worth braving the scary intersection of Broadway and Lawrence. You'll be lucky if you get a seat, but you'll be a happy camper regardless.