Located in Chicago's Uptown community. If the Green Mill is not one of the best jazz clubs, it certainly has the most unique Chicago history. Opened in 1907, it is said that Charlie Chaplin would come in after a days shooting at close by Essanay Studios. Al Capone's Henchman "Machine Gun" McGurn once owned a 25% share in the Mill, which was frequented by Capone himself as well as stars like Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra. Truly a Chicago original.

It became a hangout for gangsters and a speakeasy during prohibition. One of the gangsters leasing the Green Mill was Vincenzo DeMora, AKA Jack "Machine Gun" McGurn. McGurn, who had Joe E. Louis's throat cut, because Louis wanted to take a singing job downtown for more pay, was eventually gunned down. This story of Joe E. Louis and this incident are portrayed in a 1957 King Vidor film, starring Frank Sinatra and Mitzi Gaynor. It was also a favorite hangout for Al Capone whose favorite song was "Rhapsody in Blue." Some of the past notables that honored the Green Mill were Billie Holiday, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Al Jolson. Some of the films shot at this historic location include "The Untouchables" and the visually stunning Michael Mann film "Thief."

As the Uptown area went downhill in the 1960s and 70s, so did the Green Mill. Fortunately for the city of Chicago, the Green Mill was revived by the current owner in the mid 80s, and to his credit he did not make any attempts to modernize it. It is still as Al Capone would have seen it. Is any of this information important to listening to jazz, perhaps not, but it sure enriches the experience.

The Green Mill offers great music in very comfortable surroundings. It features local and national artists. Some of the local talent that made the Green Mill their home have achieved national fame, such as Patricia Barber and Kurt Elling. If jazz is not your cup of tea, try the Sunday night poetry slam. Thin rap came out of nowhere, the art of the spoken word is alive and well at the Green Mill.

The Perfect Place For: Date, no date, group of friends, no friends. Enjoy jazz in comfortable surroundings