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Jazz Showcase
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Jazz Showcase

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Jazz Showcase
4.5
191 reviews
#5 of 470 Nightlife in Chicago
Jazz Bars
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4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
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About
Jazz Showcase is the most historic jazz club in Chicago, founded in 1947 by Joe Segal, and now owned and operated by Wayne Segal (Joe's son). Segal's national and international honors include being declared a "Master of Jazz" by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). "It is a great honor to be placed in the same company with so many of the wonderful artists I have presented all of these years!" Joe Segal, 88. The greatest names in jazz have played at Jazz Showcase including the likes of Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, and Art Blakey. Having changed location numerous times since its founding, the club relocated again in 2008 to Dearborn Station, in Chicago, Illinois. Today, Jazz Showcase continues to thrive and bring in top local, national, and international talent. Jazz Showcase presents live music 7 nights a week. Our famous 4 pm Sunday Matinee is geared towards families (Free admission for kids 12 and under). The 170-seat venue is available for group outings during any of our live performances and for private events during the day.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
  • Harrison • 4 min walk
  • Roosevelt • 7 min walk
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571 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
191 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
31
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jason S
Reedsburg, WI701 contributions
Awesome live music experience
Mar 2022
Great place to get a live music experience. It was my son's first live jazz experience, and he enjoyed every minute of it. I was glad that we got to see Greg Abate as he is a very talented on the saxophone and flute. The staff were all exceptional. The welcomed us, took us to our seats. The waitress bringing drinks was also great and friendly. Speaking of drinks, they are priced lower than most places in the area. It was great to be able to get a couple drinks without needing a second mortgage on the house.

Overall, this was a great experience and I would recommend anyone that wants to experience some live jazz in the area, this is the place to go.
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mwrtar
Cape Girardeau, MO3 contributions
CJSC featuring Dee Alexander = Good Vibe Goosebumps!
Aug 2021
My 17 year old son and I purchased VIP tickets to the Jazz Showcase for 8/4/2021 and it was amazing! Chicago Soul Jazz Collective featuring Dee Alexander played the night we attended. They were fabulous and extremely talented musicians. I had goosebumps on every song! My teen son also enjoyed it so much that he was smiling the whole evening!

This club is a part of Jazz history in Chicago and has an outstanding vintage vibe and decor yet is very clean. The restrooms were super clean! The drinks were great! For the price we paid, this was one of the best money we spent during an entire week in Chicago! We will definitely return and fingers crossed that Chicago Jazz Soul Collective with Dee Alexander is there!
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel574
Cypress, TX151 contributions
Wonderfull place for a drink and live Jazz
Dec 2018 • Couples
We were looking for a good place in Chicago to listen to live Jazz and the Jazz Showcase was highly recommended. Went here for a late 10:00 PM show and just had a great night listening to some really good music and a couple of drinks before calling it a night. The tickets were cash only but the bar does accept credit cards. They serve no food here but I was told you can bring food - not 100% sure so I would confirm. You step back in time here as the place has the feel of a 1940’s Jazz nightclub. It’s been here since 1947 and is noted as the premier place for Jazz in Chicago. We saw the Carmen Lundy Quartet and they were just over the top good. Great vocals and musicianship. Really cool place and cannot wait to return.
Written December 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debmink
Kenosha, WI313 contributions
Musicians and their breaks
Mar 2022 • Couples
We went to hear the legendary jazz bassist Chuck Israels. First set forty-five minutes—fine. Second set started almost an HOUR later! To me, that is a slap in the face to an audience. Major inconsideration.
Written March 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maryjane b
Indianapolis, IN2 contributions
Roy Hargrove Quintet
Dec 2015 • Family
We just left the 8:00 show of Roy Hargrove Quintet having watched a man in the grips of drug addiction. Roy could barely enter the stage let alone stand there. What is most disappointing is that the band supports this man by playing with him instead of refusing to when he is that high. Are these friends? Furthermore, we have enjoyed many shows at the Jazz Showcase, but what is a full house worth? Roy is a shadow of his former self in physique and abilities and is gripped by the savages of drug addiction. The Jazz Showcase would do a greater service to Roy to discontinue the show and tell him they won't ask him back until he is clean and deserves the stage to play. We are supporting someone's demise attending the show, and as an audience member, I struggled through the whole show.
Written December 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AryanaToronto
Chicago, IL184 contributions
Beat jazz club in chicago
May 2018 • Couples
Hands down the best ambiance and music. Highly recommended!
We have been to multiple jazz venues in chicago and this was a great find.
Written May 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1w1w
Thornhill, Canada126 contributions
Great visit
Mar 2018 • Couples
Place is amazing! We are highly recommend to visit to all jazz lovers! Very cozy warm atmosphere, no food, drinks only.
Written April 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ville M
Kaarina, Finland51 contributions
Where the jazz really lives in Chicago
Dec 2017 • Friends
Jazz Showcase is, as their slogan says, where the jazz lives in Chicago. The owner, older gentleman, who has run the club decades, will most propably welcome you at the ticket desk. Note that only cash or online orders are accepted.

After you are guided to your table (or sofa or seat), waitress come to take your drink orders. The owner will say some preliminary words and introduce the artist of the night. Drink prices are affordable and table service works smoothly throughout the gig. After the show, you should really take a look around as the walls are covered with both photos and posters from many jazz legends. Most likely you will meet the tonight's artist also at the bar after the show.

If you came to the 8 pm gig, you are able to stay for 10 pm too if there is space. It's of course polite to give front seats & sofas for new guests and move to back of the room.

In case you visit Chicago and must see only one jazz club gig, this is really THE place.
Written December 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JazzShowcase
Thank you so much for visiting our musical home the Jazz Showcase and supporting this great music we love called Jazz. Hope to see you again soon. Thank you, WAyne
Written December 10, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DonQ_55
Chicago, IL128 contributions
If you only go to one jazz club in Chicago, make it this one.
May 2016 • Friends
The Jazz Showcase has been operating in various places in Chicago since 1947, and its current location is the best one yet. The owner, Joe Segal, recently was given an NEA Jazz Master Award for his work in jazz over the past seven decades, and his son manages the place. The sight lines are terrific, the sound is great, and the music is consistently first rate. They book national artists for the weekend starting on Thursday, but keep Mon-Tues-Wed for local talent, of which Chicago overflows with richness. If you splurge on VIP you'll sit close to the stage, but there is a clear view from everywhere. It's a listening room, which means exactly that: Respect the music, keep your chatting for between sets, and listen. And enjoy!
Written May 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daniel c
Orchard Park, NY1 contribution
The Jazz Showcase never fails to deliver.
Nov 2014 • Family
Periodically, I travel from Buffalo, NY to Chicago to visit my son and catch whoever is playing at the Jazz Showcase.

The place is what a jazz club should be. You are warmly welcomed at the door, wait staff is attentive but not pushy, all prices [tickets, drinks] are reasonable and the setting is intimate. There are no bad seats.

The musicians presented range from local talent to legends. The sound system is above average.

If you plan a visit to Chicago and want to listen to jazz, put the Jazz Showcase on your list. You won't be disappointed.
Written August 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Jazz Showcase (Chicago) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Jazz Showcase
Jazz Showcase is open:
  • Sun - Sun 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Mon - Sat 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM