Chicago Blues History
Historic Site of Illinois Central Depot, The Black Ellis Island is one of Chicago Blues History.

1. Historic Site of Illinois Central Depot, The Black Ellis Island

7.1
200 E Roosevelt Rd (at S Indiana Ave), Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · Grant Park · 4 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Two granite blocks mark the former spot of the Illinois Central Depot, or the Black Ellis Island, where 1000s of southern African Americans arrived to start new lives in Chicago - the Promised Land. Read more.

Location of Historic Maxwell Street Market is one of Chicago Blues History.

2. Location of Historic Maxwell Street Market

7.5
Maxwell St & Halsted, Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · University Village - Little Italy · 12 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Maxwell Street was once home to a bustling street market, and a place to hear many of the first great blues musicians, new arrivals from the South who would set up at a street corner and jam. Read more.

Historic Site of Vee-Jay Records is one of Chicago Blues History.

3. Historic Site of Vee-Jay Records

7.8
1449 S Michigan Ave (bt E 14th & 16th Sts), Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · South Loop · 7 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Situated on this stretch of the former ‘record row,’ Vee-Jay Records was the largest, most successful R&B label of its time, and recorded blues greats like Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker and others. Read more.

Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation, Historic Site of Chess Records is one of Chicago Blues History.

4. Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation, Historic Site of Chess Records

8.4
2120 S Michigan Ave (bt E 21st St & Cermak Av), Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · South Loop · 10 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: One of the most important sites in blues history, nearly every blues great passed through here when it was home to Chess Records. The building now houses the Blues Heaven Foundation. Read more.

Historic Site of State Street Stroll is one of Chicago Blues History.

5. Historic Site of State Street Stroll

8.1
(at Calumet Ave.), Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · 6 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: In the 1920’s, this is where you’d come strut your stuff as music poured from nightclubs. The Meyers Ace Hardware store used to be the Sunset Café, a legendary jazz club where Louis Armstrong played. Read more.

Chicago Blues District is one of Chicago Blues History.

6. Chicago Blues District

8.2
708 E 47th St, Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · Grand Boulevard · 11 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: This used to be the landmark 708 Club, one of the birthplaces of the Chicago blues. It was here that the instruments and style that defined the highly-charged electrified blues really came together. Read more.

Blues Brothers Mural / Shelly's Loan & Jewelry Co. is one of Chicago Blues History.

7. Blues Brothers Mural / Shelly's Loan & Jewelry Co.

8.7
300 E 47th St (47th & Prairie), Chicago, IL
Plaza · Grand Boulevard · 7 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: You might recognize this mural created for the filming of the original Blue Brothers movie, where Ray’s Music Exchange stood. It remains today as a testament to the blues’ Chicago roots. Read more.

Chess Records is one of Chicago Blues History.

8. Chess Records

7.3
S Cottage Grove Ave (at E 49th St. (NW Corner)), Chicago, IL
Historic and Protected Site · Grand Boulevard · 4 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Demo tapes were cleverly tested here at the original Chess Records offices by blaring music outdoors to folks waiting for the bus at the corner and seeing if they started grooving to the beat. Read more.

Muddy Waters' Home is one of Chicago Blues History.

9. Muddy Waters' Home

Chicago, IL
Home (private) · North Kenwood · 4 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Blues legend Muddy Waters bought this place where Howlin’ Wolf and other musicians used to stay. When it got too hot to play indoors, neighbors were often treated to a jam session on the front porch. Read more.

Darrin's is one of Chicago Blues History.

10. Darrin's

7.1
1249 E 87th St (btwn S Avalon Ave & S Kimbark Ave), Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · 21 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: This South Side neighborhood bar showcases local blues entertainment. Read more.

Blue Chicago is one of Chicago Blues History.

11. Blue Chicago

8.7
536 N Clark St (Bt W Grand Av & Ohio St.), Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · River North · 56 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Mark Blue Chicago on your map; comprising 2 clubs 2 blocks away from one another, Blue Chicago offers plenty of live music at a convenient downtown location.

B.L.U.E.S. is one of Chicago Blues History.

12. B.L.U.E.S.

2519 N Halsted St (at Lill Ave.), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · North Side · 43 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: This club on Chicago's North Side features live music on a nightly basis. Read more.

Buddy Guy's Legends is one of Chicago Blues History.

13. Buddy Guy's Legends

8.6
700 S Wabash Ave (at Balbo Dr.), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · South Loop · 140 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Local and international legends play here, and Buddy Guy himself graces the stage of his authentic blues club, where memorabilia like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker’s guitars complete the atmosphere. Read more.

Checkerboard Lounge is one of Chicago Blues History.

14. Checkerboard Lounge

5201 S Harper Ave (E. 52nd Street & S. Harper Ave.), Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · Hyde Park · 4 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: No blues tour would be complete without a trip to the Checkerboard--at least according to Prince and the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, who were known to pop in for late-night jam sessions. Read more.

Kingston Mines is one of Chicago Blues History.

15. Kingston Mines

9.1
2548 N Halsted St (at Wrightwood Ave), Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · Lincoln Park · 110 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Its late hours, regular acoustic blues sets, all-night kitchen, and vibrant neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, and other entertainment recommend this club as a top blues destination. Read more.

Lee's Unleaded Blues is one of Chicago Blues History.

16. Lee's Unleaded Blues

7401 S South Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
Jazz and Blues Venue · Grand Crossing · 5 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: Travel through an old railroad crossing to Lee's Unleaded Blues, where local blues musicians give visitors a taste of the real deal. Read more.

Rosa's Lounge is one of Chicago Blues History.

17. Rosa's Lounge

9.0
3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL
Rock Club · Logan Square · 18 tips and reviews

Explore ChicagoExplore Chicago: This welcoming neighborhood hangout in Logan Square presents renowned local and national bands 5 nights a week. Read more.