Green Mill

Awesome atmosphere!!! Great live music!!! Staff is very friendly and drink prices are very reasonable. Cash only bar, so bring cash. There is an ATM inside if you want to pay a $ 2 surcharge. One of the best bars I have been to in Chicago. A lot of history in this place. Al Capone’s Bar.

A top notch place for jazz of all kinds with weekly regular acts as well as headliners on weekends from in town and out. Dark but not too dark.
Wait staff is amazingly on the ball considering it is often one maybe two for the whole place. Well stocked, well run bar. They allow outside food. Cover charge during the week is laughable how inexpensive.
Check out the old time jazz band The Fat Babies on Tuesdays; the band is great, and the patrons who dance are a major bonus to watch.
FREE (yes, free) parking in enclosed lot one block west on Lawrence.

This place is top notch for live music. If you want a table, come thirty minutes to an hour before the music starts. Everything is cash only but they do have an atm. The dance floor is pretty small so it gets filled up fast. The drinks are average so the greatest aspect of this place is really the live music and atmosphere.

Absolutely loved this place. I’ve never been to a Poetry Slam before and I was in complete awe with the talent I saw at the Green Mill. Come in on Sunday’s 7pm-​10pm and bring cash. You won’t regret it. 3.5 months later and I still talk about how great this place is.

Be ready to be transported to a simpler time of mobsters and big band swing. This place is frozen in time, but in the best possible way. I am not from Chicago but found myself at the Green Mill after recommendations from others. We attended on a weeknight for big band swing music. This is a cash only bar so be prepared. They do not serve food, but I believe you can bring your own. We arrived early for a show and were able to snag some seating. The bar quickly filled with people ready to dance until the wee morning hours. Huge kudos to our waitress. The bar was packed but we received the best service I have ever had at a busy bar environment. It was amazing the timeliness of our service and it was all done with a genuine smile. We hung out at the place for a number of hours, listening to music, dancing along and people watching. It was a lovely way to spend our evening while in Chi Town.

This place is so cool. Came here during the day, so it was pretty empty, but really just wanted to see the interior since I had recently seen it on Best Bars in America. A lot of history here, so it was totally worth it. Had my first shot of Malort ever here, so this will forever stay cemented in my brain… and taste buds.

Es un imperdible de Chicago. Conviene reservar antes de ir. Según el día es el tipo de actividad que hay.

WORLD CLASS! Not your «stop and grab» a few beers and some hip vibes spot… this is America’s music performed in a historic venue with very good drinks. EVERYTHING is cash only and they don’t serve food but we were told you were allowed to bring outside food or have some delivered. I have to say that the staff worked really hard to keep the drinks flowing so not a lot of chit chat there.
The first set hit at 8pm on a Saturday night so we settled in at the bar, the only seats available at 730.
Listening to the music is required, anyone speaking above a whisper that’s not cheering on the musicians WILL be shushed as a warning and then quickly booted if it continues. There is no talking during the sets so I don’t recommend as a «First Date (s)» spot if you don’t intend to listen to the music.
Of course during breaks you are free to talk and walk around.
Another quirk is the restrooms are practically on the stage so it’s also wise to wait until a break unless you don’t care who sees you making that grand entrance to the room from the loo.
The second set hits at 930. It was pretty much standing room only and we lost our view of the stage but we could hear perfectly (which is what we came to do anyway) The caliber of musicians was more than excellent and we ending up buying their CD.
This place is a must do for real Jazz lovers.

If you can tolerate the surly/​hostile service — you are in for a treat.
Truly gorgeous music in a beautiful setting.
Pro-​tips:
*don’t come if you want to chat with your pals.
*bring cash.
*come early for a seat.

Mein Herz schlägt fest, tief, intensiv. Der Beat in der ersten Reihe haut mich um.
UnfassBar. Wo bin ich hier gelandet? Pssssst. Please be quiet. Nicht lauter als die Band. Ok. Voller Genuss voraus!
Ich bin im 7. Jazz Himmel? Der 70 jährige junge Mann am Kontrabass pustet mit seinen Lippen lustig fröhlich vor sich hin. Hätte ich keinen Ton — der Anblick an sich wäre schon jeden Cent wert.
6 USD Eintritt — man, jedem Cent wert.
Chicago du unfassbares Ding. Die Perfektion des amerikanischen Traums.
5min später…
Circa 40 – 50 Polizeiwagen sperren vor der Tür den kompletten Block. Opa pustet unbeirrt weiter am Kontrabass weiter vor sich hin.
Am Tag danach stellte sich heraus, dass eine Verfolgungsjagd quer durch die Stadt die Ursache für den Trubel vor der Tür war.
Ja Chicago du bist Amerika wie man sich das so vorstellt.
Schöné Fassaden, Hauseingänge wie man sie aus der Bill Cosby Show kennt — und eben Jazz wie hier. Live, verrückt, mit Niveau.
Green Mill verkörperte an diesem Abend alles was ich mit diesem neu entdeckten Amerika verbinde. Danke Chicago, dass du mich überrascht hast.

The worst place that I knew in Chicago. Never more!
The music is very cool for who like jazz, but the service is terrible and the staff is absolutely unprepared.
Not friendly way, mainly the manager, that told that I «still» a chair.
Everybody says that is a place that you need to know in Chicago, but I don’t think like that.
Education is necessary in every country and every place.

It’s hard to put into words what the Green Mill has to offer but here it goes. GM has been on my to-​do list for a few years. Be sure to read about the history of this place before you set foot in the door, so that you can enjoy many of its highlights. Yeah, they’ve filmed movies here and they’ve hosted every great musician of the genre for over 100 yrs, but it’s the nooks and crannies from the Al Capone days that add unique flavor.
I enjoy live big band, jazz, blues and swing orchestra music and there aren’t many places to get it this authentically. On Thursday’s they feature the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra from 9pm-​1am. We arrived before 8pm and an open table wasn’t to be had so we cozied up to the back end of the bar. The band plays on the back end bandstand and there aren’t many tables back here, so if you want one… arrive early and be prepared to sit awhile. We ran into some extremely good luck via a conversation with the manager. He invited my wife and I to join him at his personal table off to the side which was the best seat in the house. As for the band, this was a phenomenal treat. The orchestra features about a dozen members and a few singers, each with their own distinctive style. The orchestra also has an ‘announcer’ or sorts who does color commentary in between songs as if he was part of an original 40’s radio broadcast. It’s funny and entertaining to say the least. The dance floor adjacent to the bandstand is small but weekly regulars come ready to dance, and they put on one hell of a show. These cats have instrumental feet and put a sweet cherry on an already awesome night. Two final comments, I want to thank the manager here for his kind offer and conversation. The guy is a total stitch and just talking to him made my evening. Lastly, the lady serving drinks to the entire back end is a great gal. Drinks come with a smile and she works the floor like no other.
Folks, the Green Mill is a bucket location that you have to visit. You might not be a fan of their music but show up here on a Thursday night and you won’t deny how special it really is. Cheers!

Al Capones favorite hang out! That alone should inspire you to come check this spot out. The Green Mill is a classy joint with great jazz performances and classic drinks for dirt cheap specially if you compare it to Nyc.
PRO TIP: when the music is on, shhhh.
Location: uptown
Per person: $ 30 – 40 inexpensive

TRUE CHICAGO FEEL! Awesome champagne selection and great vibe — can’t wait to go back for more live music and great times!

I came here on a Thursday night around 9pm-​ish when the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra usually plays. There’s free parking only 1 block away from 6pm to 6am. The cover was only $ 6 (what a steal) and the place was packed, nearly standing room only. So if you’re claustrophobic, this is not the place for you. It’s more of a place to hang out and chat, so bring your friends!
There’s a small dance floor and I had a great time meeting new people and swing dancing. Most people knew how to dance already, although there was one young couple that had no concept of dance etiquette (please don’t be one of them!). The music was swinging for sure, drawing mostly from the Big Band greats, including Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey. I have to say that the announcer between each song has a great voice that really brings you back in time, a time when radio was the medium that brought people together.

So we walked in on a Monday at 11:00pm and stayed till about 12:30am. The place wasn’t too packed and there was a jazz band playing. The jazz band was good. Drinks are average price nothing outrageous.
Upon sitting at the bar I asked the bartender did Capone have a usual drink? This was the sole reason I rode a 25 minutes train from the city to the Green Mill for. I wanted to drink like a gangster. He responded with «no, what do you want.» So I ordered a beer. I figured there would be a sign or paper or anything that would show me what the mobsters liked. For crying out loud this guy could have recommended anything but chose the word «no» instead.
Had a few drinks and headed back into the city.
The place is authentic and they even use the original cash register (cash only) which is vintage and cool. But overall it was a very disappointing experience. One of the only things I did in my five days here that wasn’t worth the time.

One cool classy place with great music. It’s really hard to sit still when a quintet comes on stage and fills the entire place with that big band sound. Limited seating, but it’s worth it!
Now if only they had a dance floor… hint hint wink wink…

A historical place with sub par service. The doorman’s attitude was enough to make me want to turn away. Add the $ 30 cover and standing room only and I was not impressed. I went. Check it off the list. It wasn’t for me. I prefer a more upscale crowd. I was in Louboutins and someone else had on uggs. The music was cool, but I’ll stick to my sleek lounge scene from now on.

I have good memories from this place. Yes, we came because it is in every guidebook for tourists.
Music was good, letting your mind wander to various imaginary places like good music does.
Yes, you are supposed to «tip» the musicians quite often, so a bit pricey maybe, but good music rarely comes free.
Setting ok, feels very authentic. A bit on the outside of town — I remember the struggle to get there.

The history of this place alone gets 5 stars, but it’s really the vibe of this place that makes it an institution.
Very limited seating but great music, fair prices, and always a cool crowd.
Tips: You don’t need to be a jazz fan to love the music live. And, don’t expect a posh Lincoln Park joint… it’s old but awesome.

December 18^th, 2015.
The Paper Machete Christmas edition was bomb diggity good! We went in to the Green Mill not knowing what to expect out of a «live magazine» show, but based on a full house the gig must have been popular. The Green Mill is a cozy dimly lit tavern with a center and side stage where the acts switch back and forth.
Got luckily seated in the front row near the stage, and enjoy jokes range from Serena William’s «Black Excellence», white Jesus, Asian salamander political commentary to live band and soul singing. Highly recommend Paper Machete – best of all it’s free! Of course all donation proceedings are tax deductible. :)

Let me just echo what a lot of other reviewers have said: in a nutshell, the Green Mill is a wonderful, historic spot for music enthusiasts… that is also staffed by passive-​aggressive fascisti.
I have known about it and wanted to go for quite a while, as it features prominently in one of my all-​time favorite films, Michael Mann’s directorial debut «Thief» (1981) starring James Caan. And besides, it was Capone’s favorite haunt.
However, there was trouble from the get-​go. I tried to inject humor with the bouncer, and he’d have none of it. Not unusual, I suppose, but it was early and wasn’t even crowded yet.
But what really got me was the browncoat bartender who seemed to double as a sort of maître d’Mill, and who never asked if I needed a drink and did not acknowledge or make eye-​contact with us, despite our maybe four attempts to get his attention, before blowing up about how he had seen us, what the blank did we want him to do? Granted, it was busy, but at least say something if you had seen us.
The music was exquisite. I heard the Fat Babies, and, while simulatenously taking in the scenery, felt like I was traveling back in time between 1919 and 1935. These things more than made up for the unpleasantness.
So by all means, go to the Green Mill and enjoy… but be ready.

We came here around 3pm on Saturday to check out the bar where Al Capone used to hangout. To our surprise it was absolutely packed with a comedy show/​poetry slam going on. Barely even room to find somewhere to stand. We waited patiently at the bar to what seemed like forever for a drink, finally the waitress came and helped us, without a smile, sorry lady if you are having a bad day. NOTE: cash only!
Bar looks a little sketch, not much there, but it feels like a lot of history. Don’t expect it to be fancy.
Once the show was over, the bar emptied and we were able to get a booth. My boyfriend kept wondering what booth was capones so we asked the bartender who told us it was the one next to us, so we swooped up our belongings and jumped to the next booth so no one would take it. All of a sudden we start sitting and drinking like gangsters.

What a lovely Gem with so much history.
Long story short, come here on Saturdays at 3pm for the weekly Paper Machete live magazine reading. Just do it. Part spoken word, part improv, so much fun, great way to spend an afternoon.
Drinks are decently priced. I believe there is jazz night right after.
Come early and grab a seat in one of the booths

I was excited when our friend Sammi S. asked if we wanted to stop by here. I had heard of it and I swore I had seen the massive lit up sign somewhere before.
Of course, this is the legendary Jazz club where Al Capone used to come and get loose.
Keeping with this tradition the place has not been touched up or anything, which gives it such a great old time feel.
$ 7 to get in, the place was full but we got the last three seats at the end of the bar.
We got hushed once as we got situated and were cool after that.
After some people left we upgraded to one of the booths.
We enjoyed some great Jazz music while sipping on Manhattans in this legendary establishment.
Would love to come by on a slow night and ask the bartenders for some stories on the place.

I had an okay experience at Green Mill. It may be because I got there at 1:00 am and I was already tired. But the band was spectacular. A quartet. They did not play any recognizeable songs however. which is strange for a jazz band. We stayed until 4 and not one standard was played. They had a wonderful way of connecting with the audience however. Each musician was highly skilled.
The venue itself is quite unique. I like the set up. And enjoy the décor. It’s actually quite hard to label the design style. There is a juxtaposition between white tablecloth covered tables mixed with saloon type bar area. Very soft and hard.
The bouncer here was no joke. If you even so much ad nodded off or stumbled in drunkenness, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re going to be thrown out!

Arrived late Sunday night/​Monday mourning, great jazz band behind the bar, great crowd, awesome cocktail waitress Amy, and cool bartender.
Had a Manhattan for the first time just because.
Historically everything seemed in tact.
Left around 3:30am satisfied and wanting to go back for more!!!
The Al Capone aspect of this bar makes it that much more appealing.
If ever in Chicago, definitely check this out. Probably one of the best bars on earth.
And this was all on a Sunday night.

Green Mill is considered a Chicago institution. Who am I to argue otherwise?
The high point is the music. Green Mill is best known as a jazz joint, but features an eclectic lineup that will entertain regardless. On my visit here, we headed straight over from a Bleachers concert at The Riv. The historicality (not a real word, natch) of both venues is significant, and though the music choices differ, neither is sub-​optimal.
To know, Green Mill does (a) charge cover and does (b) take reservations, so if you’re sneaking it ad hoc, chances are finding seating will be difficult. We nestled up at the bar on the stage end, which was plenty sufficient. We stuck with basics, beer and bourbon, so I’ve no opinion on drink quality other than price point, which was average.
For a low-​key, dressed-​up, impress your date evening, Green Mill is a great choice.

They know Jazz. Must go if you are in Chicago!
Pros:
1. Location: close to the train station. Parking may be a bit difficult, especially after 9pm.
2. Music: One of the best Jazz venues in Chitown. Al Capone did not frequent here for no reason!
3. Service: Great servers and bartenders.
Cons:
1. No food! But the Mexican restaurant next door has good food and you can bring in outside food.
2. Sometimes you may need to share your table with strangers.

Was there on a Sunday night around 8:30pm, there were a show going on.
Going to that place where Al Capone spent so many time was something fun! The interior of the lounge is really nice, the decoration reminds the 30s, even the phone and the cash register seemed to be from that time.
Nice vibe, I liked the place. We stayed inside for an hour, watching the show, drinking a few beers and glasses of wine… cool place to hangout!

Al Capone’s favorite hangout! Definitely does not disappoint!
We saw this place featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Chicago layover eposide, so we had to come here for a visit. We arrived at little after 8pm on a friday night and the place already had some people inside. The show started promptly at 9pm, but shortly after we arrived, the entire bar was filled up and progressively got more crowded. Luckily we got seats at the bar facing the stage and was able to sit for the entire duration of the show. That night they featured a 9 piece Jazz orchestra with 2 MC’s with funny voices. It was super cool show and absolutely hysterical. There’s a small dance floor in front of the stage and many folks were doing swing dancing. There’s a couple of regulars that were highly skilled dancers. Music was very upbeat and lots of fun.
Drinks were reasonable, parking was pretty easy on the street. Long line to get in after 10pm, so come early!

This is not the place to go if you just want a drink and to chat with friends. People come here for the music, and that’s about it.
Went there on a Friday when a band was playing. Cover was $ 15, cash only bar, and we got shushed when we tried to chat. Bartender doesn’t have ginger beer, so no mules.
I like jazz, but the night I went, I wasn’t a fan of the music. It was two guitarists, an upright bassist, and an accordion player. Honestly, I didn’t think the accordion playing was pleasant – all the «avant garde» honking was off-​putting.
Normally I would give this two stars, but I’m sure they have better bands on other days. That being said, the vibe isn’t for me, and I won’t be going back.

El bar de jazz histórico de Chicago. Es un viaje en el tiempo, increíble lugar, excelente atención, precios normales: una cerveza 5dol. La entrada sale 6dol y se maneja todo cash. Obligado para todo el que pase unos días en Chicago!

The music is 5 stars,
the venue is 1 star.
The music is legendary and should filling. I greatly enjoyed the show I saw and would see it again if not for the venue. The bathrooms had no door on the toilet stall, there was graffiti everywhere, the seating area was grimy and unclean, there were support beams blocking my view, and a standing section in front of our table. It needs to be renovated!!!

J’ai beaucoup entendu parler du Green Mill en cours d’anglais.
C’est comme celà que j’ai appris qu’il y a eu de grandes stars qui ont frequenter ce club de Jazz. (Charlie Chaplin ou Al capone !)
Je trouve ça cool de pouvoir s’exprimer en public (même étant amateur) devant des spectateurs (chose que je n’ai jamais vu en France.)
J’ai appris que c’était l’un des points de rencontre des premiers slammeurs & si un jour je vais à Chicago, c’est un club que j’aimerai visiter !
Je voulais vous faire part d’un element riche en culture de Chicago.

Le Green Mill est l’un des jazz clubs les plus anciens (1907) et plus célèbres de Chicago. Le nom de ce jazz club fut inspiré par le moulin rouge et lui aussi avait un joli moulin vert sur son toit.
Ce club a contribué à lancer la carrière de célébrités comme Helen Morgan, Billie Holliday, Anita O’Day. Il a compté parmi ses clients des pointures comme Al Capone ou bien Charlie Chaplin. Bref, une légende à né pas manquer à Chicago.
Né cherchez pas un club moderne, spacieux avec plein de tables disponibles, il est blindé !
Mais en revanche vous ferez un voyage dans le temps et écouterez de bons morceaux de jazz.
PS: Eviter la conversation avec le videur à l’entrée, il n’est pas du genre causant :-)
PS2: Ah oui, autant que vous le sachiez aussi, né garez pas votre voiture sur le parking du petit centre commercial en face, lisez bien les pancartes, ça vous evitera d’avoir à aller chercher comme moi votre voiture à la fourrière à 2h du mat.

Cool wie James Bond
In der Green Mill Bar in Chicago würde sich James Bond sicherlich wohl fühlen. Denn hier gibt es den besten Martini der Stadt. Al Capone, Frank Sinatra und Charlie Chaplin
sollen zu den prominenten Besuchern gehören. Seit fast hundert Jahren werden hier die Gäste mit Livemusik unterhalten. Der ganz im Stil der 20er-​Jahre gehaltene Club ist berühmt für hochklassigen Jazz. Allerdings sollte man rechtzeitig kommen, um einen Platz in der Nähe der Bühne zu ergattern.
Adresse:
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
4802 N. Broadway Ave.
IL 60 640 Chicago
USA