Ask Joyce

My family is arriving in Chicago Friday July 18 for some pre-wedding festivities (the wedding is the following weekend in Danville). Friday is also my eldest daughter’s birthday. Can you recommend a club with live blues that could accommodate about 10 people? A restaurant nearby? We would like to relax after a day of traveling (we’re from Florida) – nothing too fancy, but fun.

Thanks, Judy Hoyer

Hello Judy – there are some great blues clubs in the downtown area.

Blue Chicago – Two locations – River North, Buddy Guy’s Legends – South Loop, B.L.U.E.S. – Lincoln Park, Kingston Mines – Lincoln Park, House of Blues: The Back Porch – River North

I would recommend any of these as fun places to listen to live blues music.

While visiting Chicago, here are a few fun casual places to dine close to the blues clubs -

River North: Harry Caray’s – Italian, Ben Pao – Chinese, House of Blues – Southern American, Weber Grill Restaurant – American, Wildfire – American

South Loop: Eleven Street Diner, Grace O’Malley’s – Irish, Gioco – Italian, Zapatista – Mexican, Tamarind – Asian

Lincoln Park: Café Ba-Ba-Reeba – Tapas, Charlie’s Ale House, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

Have fun!

Joyce Fong, Ask Joyce