South Loop

The South Loop runs the gamut of nightlife options, with legendary jazz clubs and blues clubs, plus options for punk and hip-hop. The neighborhood's anchor is Buddy Guy's Legends, opened in 1989 by blues musician Buddy Guy, who still owns the club and performs a month of shows each January. The venue features live performances by local, national, and international artists five nights a week, alongside southern Cajun soul food and a museum-like collection of blues memorabilia. It was the site for recordings including Guy's Live at Legends and Junior Wells: Live at Buddy Guy's Legends, and each year it hosts the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame induction celebration. Jazz Showcase has been Chicago's home base for jazz since 1947, with a 170-seat room featuring top jazz acts. Reggies, in the south end of the neighborhood, is a three-in-one hybrid of music venue, record store, and restaurant/bar; its Rock Club side draws metal, rock, and rap acts. The venue also has an intimate stage and a rooftop deck, with walls covered in memorabilia and graffiti art, hosting nightly performances spanning rock, metal, punk, jazz, blues, folk, and hip-hop. BASSLINE || 2239 sits on Chicago's historic Record Row, in a loft space atop a recording studio. Programming includes reggae nights and sets by local artists. Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation occupies the former Chess Records building nearby, preserving the blues legacy that defines much of the neighborhood's musical identity.

Venues6

BASSLINE || 22392239 S Michigan Ave
Buddy Guy's Legends700 S Wabash Ave
Fine Arts Building410 S Michigan Ave
Jazz Showcase806 S Plymouth Ct
Reggies2105 S State St
Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation2120 S Michigan Ave

South Loop

Venues6

Upcoming shows108

Tomorrow · Wednesday, September 2 · 2 shows

JIMMY BURNS – Host The Jam

Kevin King Quartet feat. Bobby Broom

Thursday, September 3 · 3 shows

KENT BURNSIDE

After Fest Jam Session hosted by Bobby Watson

Larry And His Flask

Friday, September 4 · 3 shows

BRANDON SANTINI

After Fest Jam Session hosted by Bobby Watson

Dogs With Hats

Saturday, September 5 · 3 shows

JOHN PRIMER

After Fest Jam Session hosted by Bobby Watson

The Obsessed

Sunday, September 6 · 3 shows

Reggae Sundays!

After Fest Jam Session hosted by Bobby Watson

October Noir

Monday, September 7 · 1 show

Christian Dillingham Quartet

Tuesday, September 8 · 3 shows

Diego Rodriguez Big Band

MR. BLOTTO

Reggies 19th Anniversary Bash

Wednesday, September 9 · 2 shows

BROTHER JOHN – Host The Jam

Soul Message Trio

Thursday, September 10 · 4 shows

CHRIS O'LEARY

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Clark Sommers W'Ba(SH)

Volumes

Friday, September 11 · 3 shows

MIKE DANGEROUX

Second Fridays

Clark Sommers W'Ba(SH)

Saturday, September 12 · 4 shows

IVAN SINGH

Clark Sommers W'Ba(SH)

All Shall Perish

The Waco Brothers

Sunday, September 13 · 3 shows

Reggae Sundays!

MIXX COMPANY

Clark Sommers W'Ba(SH)

Monday, September 14 · 1 show

Dan Kaufman Trio

Tuesday, September 15 · 1 show

Petra's Recession Seven

Wednesday, September 16 · 2 shows

JIMMY BURNS – Host The Jam

Bethany Pickens

Thursday, September 17 · 4 shows

WINN NOLL

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Paul Marinaro Quartet

Black Flag

Friday, September 18 · 3 shows

MISSISSIPPI HEAT

Paul Marinaro Quartet

Mariachi El Bronx

Saturday, September 19 · 3 shows

KEESHEA PRATT

The Umbilical Brothers: The Distraction

Paul Marinaro Quartet

Sunday, September 20 · 3 shows

Reggae Sundays!

WILLIE BUCK

Paul Marinaro Quartet

Monday, September 21 · 1 show

Al Jarreau Tribute feat. Vocalist Bruce Henry

Tuesday, September 22 · 2 shows

CHRIS O’LEARY

Jeremiah Hunt Quintet

Wednesday, September 23 · 2 shows

BROTHER JOHN – Host The Jam