Andy's Jazz Club

When a friend told me that one of the places I must see in Chicago was Andy's Jazz Club, I was a little hesitant at first. One because to me it seemed like if you weren't a Jazz enthusiast you wouldn't have a good time, and more so that you would stick out like a sore thumb. This couldn't be further from the truth! Even if you don't typically listen to Jazz, it doesn't matter because you will have a blast anyways. All the members of the bands that play are incredible musicians, and being so close to the music (my girlfriend and I sat a mere inches away from the stage), really makes you feel like you are a part of the band. Ive gone back 4 times since my first visit a few months ago, and all the bands were more amazing than the last. One thing that I noticed about Andy's is that although it is a "Jazz Club", it's actually more than that. It's an experience. Fine dining, great menu (with a savory New York Strip that will have you jump out of your pants) , excellent customer service, all with an eloquent feel. The walls are littered with photographs of Andy's history, and the place is laid out so your eyes are never bored looking at the same thing. The bar section is great, serving a wide array of drinks from cocktails to an impressive beer selection. You may want to call ahead for a reservation, because it is a popular spot, especially on a Friday night. But once you're in, you'll know what the commotion is all about. If you are looking for great food, great music, and a fun atmosphere look no further than Andy's Jazz Club. After you leave, you will walk out of this place singing "My Kind of Town" by Sinatra. Well, at least thats what I did.

Andy's is a great place to get a colorful live jazz experience. Located in the midst of one of the most restaurant-dense Chicago neighborhoods (also a great place to get swanky, chic pieces of furniture), River North never fails to impress both the local resident and tourist. The music acts are typically well-versed in playing a wide array of different instruments. The players range from amateur to experienced; some stick to well-known songs, while others free flow to the music. I've been to the club at least 5 times, and have enjoyed every act. If you wish to dine in, I would suggest setting a reservation, especially on the weekends. I wasn't a huge fan of the various dishes I ordered. Some of the meat preparations were too salty, and the vegetables were too dry. On the other hand, the bar is well-stocked and the specialty drinks were incredible. Andy's Jazz Club is a great place for a casual date-night and/or getting acquainted with jazz music. I rate the club 2.5 stars simply because the food was a tad bit sub par to my liking. However, Andy's is definitely a bucket-list worthy experience for everyone to enjoy.

Andy’s Jazz Club is a very nice jazz music venue in Chicago. They have a great lineup of local and national jazz acts, and they draw a decent crowd for some of the bigger names and on weekends. I happened to go earlier in the evening on a weeknight, so there weren’t a lot of people. However, the performer (a female blues singer with a backing band) was really lovely, and the bar served up some delicious martinis. I noticed quite a few people filtering in over time and claiming the best seats so they could eat dinner and then enjoy the later performance. This place is nice and has some great music, but the demographic tends to be a bit older, so I probably wouldn’t pick this as my jazz venue of choice.

Andy's has been around for a long time--one of my parents lived in Chicago for years before I was born and this was one of her favorite places to go as a young person. So when she introduced me to Andy's, I had high hopes, and for the most part these hopes were satisfied. The clientele has aged along with the venue (there seem to have been plenty of regulars), but the music hasn't gone downhill at all. Andy's manages to get some pretty big names in the jazz scene (international, national, and local), and the open jam sessions on Sundays are pretty fun too. As for the venue itself, it feels smokey, but there's no smoke. The stage is tiny, but it never feels crowded. And the food ain't bad either. Nights there can be a bit expensive ($10 cover plus a two drink minimum; if you've got a sweet tooth then I highly recommend the pie), but you're paying for the ambiance of a true Chicago jazz hotspot. I definitely recommend it.

River North District, Chicago– A harmonic symbol of historic Chicago, Andy’s Jazz club echoes the sound of a time when the streets were rich with swing and the blues branded Chicago culture. Legendary jazz and blues figures paint the walls of this Hubbard street hotspot. Since 1951, Andy’s has housed a number of world-renowned artists and now invites local music hopefuls to graze the stage in Swing, Fusion, Bop, Traditional, Latin, and Afro-Pop subgenres. Experience the decadent tastes of Chicago while listening to Jazz at 5 or stop in for pre-party cocktails during Jazz at 9. More sophisticated crowds dominate this dimly lit music box hidden within a host of other neighborhood bars and clubs. Andy’s Jazz club finds its heart in young professionals and passer-by jazz dwellers that stop in for a taste of intimate Chicago jazz. Couples crowd the petite stage, sitting at cozy tables, as if they are apart of the act. The laid-back, smoky atmosphere of this trendy hub leaves nothing to be desired for bop-loving familiars and jazz virgins alike.