Great live music, is almost all that needs to be said about Kingston Mines. They have 2 stages and on busy nights they bounce back and forth so there's no break in the music. They have a huge bar on both sides. They have kitchen where you order in back and the waitress will bring it out when it's ready. In fact, I just happened to pick our food up, and the chef was there who had just made some spicy jerk sauce for the hot wings, and it was fantastic. Timing is everything. I highly recommend Kingston Mines for a great Chicago style night out. read more

Kingston Mines - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a big blues fan who needs food, so I appreciated their ribs while attending multiple concerts! I have never seen a band I didn't like here! My older sister was going here and I was finally old enough to go, but she said no - that's when the Rolling Stones showed up to play!! read more

This place is an absolutely awesome way to spend an evening listening to live music. The night we visited, Joanna Connors was tearing it up on one stage while another awesome blues group was getting set up on the other side - I wish I could remember their name because they were a ton of fun and their bass player was cracking me up with his animated performance. I can't speak to the food because I didn't eat here, but you might keep a couple of things in mind if you decide to go - get there early (this place gets more and more crowded the later it gets, so don't be surprised if you show up with your squad and it's standing room only). Bring cash- they take cards, of course, but again, it's crowded, and you might be best served by paying cash at the bar as opposed to being waited on. Be ready to dance, hang out, and listen to some good blues - it's loud (duh) so this isn't a place to come and make casual conversation unless you're looking to do that between sets. read more

Kingston Mines - Cool spot. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went here with coworkers on the advice of the owners son of the company I worked for in New Jersey. Dimmed lights and ass kicking Blues were being played on the stage. Then a little old man in his early 90s got up and he played some honky Tonky Blues. He mouths the letters from the word Chicago. One letter at a time. LOL! The food was Nawleans style. Full liquor and open til 4 AM. Thought I had reviewed Kingston Mines. read more

Just classic raw Chicago Blues! Loving it! Great entertainment. Reasonable drink prices. Very happy mixed crowd. read more

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This place is so fun! The blues music is just so powerful and makes you want to dance- and we did! It's also a great place for people watching - lots of wasted, awkward, white boys flailing their bodies around...I mean "dancing." My only complaint is that they definitely water down the liquor (I hate when bars do this!!!!!) because I have a low tolerance and it took me too many drinks to feel a buzz. read more

Kingston Mines - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Awesome bar that plays live Blues music all night long. If you have a student ID, bring it for $10 admission, otherwise, it's $15 per person. My group of friends was able to snag a table front and center of the front bar and enjoyed live music up until 4 AM! They have two stages that alternates every hour so you can move back and forth. There's also a dance floor for you wanna stand up and sway to the music. Food here is pretty good, too but you have to go to the back and order since the waiters up front only handle drinks. read more

Kingston Mines - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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According to the pictures on their website the place has really been updated..... It looked, and I liked it, much better when it was just a rundown blues, like a small barn, bar... no stage, just an area by the back wall, no admission, and great, great blues played on Sunday's (no college kids), good dancing with the best chili and peach pie in Chicago. Wow! what have they done to the place, just not the same anymore. Still.... its blues. read more

As soon as I stepped foot inside, the colored lights and vintage yet clean interior brought joy to my eyes, the aroma of familiar cheesy appetizers and beer filled my nose, and my ears were greeted by the graceful rapping of sticks on a snare drum married with the steady beat of a bass. This is followed by the beautifully electrifying solo of the lead guitar, his face twisted in pure focus as he connects on a separate wavelength with the other members of his band. And then, there's the wonderful ocean of notes erupting from the remarkably talented Thornetta Davis. read more

Simply the best! Late night great tunes! The best!!!!! Always the same, Fan fillin tastic! read more

Comfortable environment, reasonable cover, great music, extensive drink options, friendly staff. This place was highly recommended by our server at a pizza place and we are so glad we took his word. The night featured 2 rotating bands (very different, but both great) and any bar that carries Sloe Gin gets mad extra points from me! read more

So this is an iconic place which I visited for the first time and I am jonsing to go back! I can't wait to go again, good news it's open 365 days a year so go whenever. The shows we saw were awesome, service is great. Some booze is a little on the high side like 20 bucks for an old fashioned but they have specials that are pretty decent. I am curious about the food so I'll update once I get some read more

Definitely a great time,gritty but very inviting and fun. I wish they served more Cajun style food but it was still great.

Fun evening out with friends! Wait staff inside quick and responsive, doormen friendly, performance groups obviously fantastic. My biggest complaint is the last 3 times I have gone, the same women (curly dark hair and glasses) who processes the cover charge is incredibly rude. She has always been playing some sort of game on her phone, and take almost 1-2 minutes to turn it off, stand up, and turns her speaker on. It's as if we are interrupting something very important to simply purchase a cover charge. The first time I thought maybe she was having a bad day, but it's been very consistent over the last 2 months. read more

This review is for music, drinks and food. Let's start off with getting into shows-go!! There are so many discounts and even without it it is super affordable! We went on a Saturday night right at 7:30 so we could see the opening set. Both the bands that played were really good! The blues started a little later in the evening which was a bummer bc I was tired but it was so so good! Drinks-buckets are affordable. Our waitress forgot our beer for a long time and then it finally came. Food-rib tips and fries are incredible!! Oh my goodness! We got the combination platter bc I wanted to try it all. They don't have dry rub anymore!! Don't get plain! Pick a sauce! The bbq is good! I also thought the cornbread was good although a little dry. I would definitely get the food again. The patrons picking up food were bottled and greedy and the woman taking orders puts up with more crap than I ever would-thanks to her for being so patient! read more

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Vibes Drinks Not many food options for plant eaters Would still come back ANYTIME for live music. read more

The music generated in this place is nothing short of Outstanding! The food-less so. Our ribs were so tough we had to separate them by sawing w/a steak knife. Definitely GO TO THE KINGSTON MINES FOR MUSIC AND DANCING after u have dinner elsewhere. read more

Young girl literally told me since their credit card machines went down I could not get my credit card back. I had to wait. Then yelled should I go grab my owner!?!? Lol. One of my fave music spots ever but I'm traveling 1000 miles away want to go home after dropping 100's and a 16 yr old tells me I can't. Unreal. read more

The place to be for a great Blues experience. There are 2 stages where bands alternate sets. The musicians are always amazing! I often watch the first band's set and enjoy it so much that I don't want it to end. Then the next band's set starts on the 2nd stage and I'm blown away at how good they are with a totally different style! It gets pretty packed here but the staff are good with crowd control and making sure areas are clear to move around. The crowds are usually friendly and fun! Be sure to give yourself permission to dance and sing along while enjoying this fun experience in the city! Besides great Beer and cocktails, they serve Barbecue in the back of the club. So far I've tried the Buffalo wings. They were seasoned well and very tasty. The kitchen is small so your food may take awhile. An overall FUN experience for Chicago Blues! read more

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Haven't been for long time but so good I missed the last train very good music whooop

Our first time in Chicago and our friend took us here! So glad she did. The line was a little long getting in but it was worth the wait. The music was great and felt like an authentic Chicago experience! Drinks and food weren't priced too badly and the fries I got to munch on were above average. The bathrooms were a little gross and there were definitely some people who had too much to drink (therefore the cleanliness reflected that) but overall it was a good experience. The employees were very friendly and somehow managed to keep up with the crowd (impressive). I doubt I'd make it a regular stop while visiting in Chicago but it's a must-see if you're only visiting once and want a well-rounded experience, ha! read more

Super fun on a Thursday night while on holiday in Chicago. $15 is very reasonable cover for two good bands each playing full hour sets. It is set up as two separate, adjacent rooms, each with a stage for bands which rotate sets through the night, so we just went from one room to the other for three plus hours. The music was very good, starting with singer/guitar slinger Joanna Connor supported by very capable young band, playing blues but not the usual limited three chord changes. Keyboardist was very talented. Song "People Get Ready" was superb showcase for her voice, while other tunes were more upbeat. Vance Kelly band was a larger group playing funk, soul and R&B in the larger room (e.g. James Brown, Kool & the Gang, and Ike & Tina) and there was a lot of orderly audience dancing. Sax player was outstanding. Some folks ordered food which looked good; I had only a large, heated pretzel which hit the spot. Location felt safe with police car parked across street as we exited at midnight. I did not know to ask so I missed the senior discount when ordering tix at the window. does not matter. Highly recommended. read more

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The club has fun atmosphere, good booze, prompt and courteous service, and great rhythm and blues performances. They charge $15.00 cover and most seats are taken by 9 p.m. They also use different stages for different musicians throughout a night. Street parking is easy to find. It is a great place to people watch and spend time with friends while listening to old favorites songs many of which were written in Chicago. read more

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This place was so awesome ! Full of locals and nice people. There are two rooms with two different bands and amazing Cajun style dishes to chose from. People were dancing and the bands are amazing. I will definitely be back this month when in Chicago. The staff was also a helpful, kind and funny. I love love music and give this place 5 stars! read more

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Came here for drinks and live music with some friends from work and had never been or heard of it before as I am new to Chicago. Well it was an awesome time! This place is so cool with Live jazz in multiple rooms and tons of great drinks and people. It's a huge place too! The first room you walk in has a lil gift shop and coat check to the right then opens up to a huge bar, tons of high table seating, and stage with live music. There was never waiting for a drink at the bar which was cool for a late Saturday night that was packed! Then there is a second room you can be seated family style or booths that face an even bigger stage with live music and enjoy some good food with drinks. The music was so fun and the service was great! This place is definitely a Chicago gem that I am excited to have been introduced to and will definitely be back! read more

This is where cab drivers take out-of-towners who asked to go see live blues music. This is a cookie cutter Blues Factory. This place is a dump and this place sucks. Yes, they do have some talented Blues musicians play here. But this place is just a commercialized tourist trap. Dirty and rundown and not in a charming way. Look at the ceiling tiles falling down. When was the last time somebody broke out a paintbrush and a bucket of paint in this place? It's pretty flipping disgusting if you take a good look at it. That's greed and laziness. It's a shame so many people come from out of town and are dragged to this craphole and experience what they think they are seeing as a real Chicago Blues place here. There are hundreds of other places to go see blues music in Chicago. Go to one of them. You can even go across the street to BLUES. Would I go back? Hell no. It's crowded, it's dirty, and it's lame. And if you're lucky, you'll get to hear the owner go up on the stage and ramble on like an idiot for 10 minutes before each act plays. For the love of God, go somewhere else! read more

This place was recommended to us by a server at a local pizzaria when we asked for recommendations for live music. We went on a Tuesday night; cover was fine and the prices decent. Because of the day of the week the night started off slow and allowed for more intimate shows from the two bands. Both were excellent! The atmosphere was great and the drinks on the cheaper side. read more

So many jazz clubs, so little time! Kingston Mines was on a list of recommendations from a friend who lived in Chicago for a few years. This happened to be nearby the hostel where some friends were staying, so we decided to rendezvous at Kingston. We were all exhausted from the long day, but we wanted to make time for some live jazz music that night, so we stood in the decently long line. We discovered that cover was $12, which was higher than expected, but what did we know? First time at a jazz club. The line moved quickly, and there was plenty of space inside the club. The experience was seamless except for the fact that the ticket lady was reluctant to let my friends in because their student IDs did not have expiration dates on them. That held up the line by 10 minutes. By the time we got in, all of our frustrations dissipated as Claudette Miller took the stage. She was fantastic! The crowd loved her. I did too. It was a great way to close out the evening. We didn't stick around for very long to enjoy more of the music or drinks at the bar, but I would say that it's a solid place to hang out. I wouldn't rave about Kingston Mines, but it has certainly set my expectations for what jazz clubs should be like. read more

The music, drinks and atmosphere is hard to beat. It had/has been 20 years since I first came to Kingston Mines and discovered I like Blues Music - at least live. And back when I could both handle my booze and afford the calories - a strong pour Jack and Coke. It is still a great place to spend time with old friends and go to an old hang out, listen to incredible musicians and laugh your ass off. read more

Kingston Mines - The legend. Kingston Mines. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place for blues / late night. Decent drinks and amazing music. The only downside is the $15 cover but it's worth it!

My first night in Chicago my friend took me here. Originally I wanted to go to another blues spot but I was assured this one was the best! Entrance that night got you into the spot across the street, BLUES. Both venues were very chill and laid back. Everyone including guests were super nice and polite. I would def be someone who frequents if I lived there. There is drinks food and live music. What else could you add for! read more

Kingston Mines is a one-of-a-kind. This is definitely a spot to check out if you haven't been before. The blues music here is always great, I don't follow the blues scene and rarely and familiar with the artists they have here - but they're always a great time. The music is awesome - definitely five stars on that front. They have two stages and will have two groups many nights. The drinks are ok, it's definitely a spot to come in and have a few beers. I ordered an old fashioned a few visits ago and it was not made the same as many places, and truthfully wasn't very good. The beers are fairly well priced. There's always a cover - but if you have a student ID you can bypass this Sunday-Thursday. The food is my favorite part about this place. Awesome BBQ and wings. They have a bunch of options to choose from and they're all good. read more

Kingston Mines - Rib and wing combo plate - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Live music at its finest!! If you don't mind having a loud atmosphere with people who are eating and drinking then this scene is for you! Unfortunately there was hardly a place which to recline back but overall the vibe was poppin! read more

We had a good time here and it is definitely worth the experience. We had the unfortunate experience of a malfunctioning computer system. The staff especially Sam and Asia kept their cool and remained professional throughout despite dealing with many disgruntled customers. It took a while for management to get onboard with becoming a cash only business but once they did their staff rose to the challenge. Great job to staff. This venue is a tourist venue from 7- 12. One group even brought 7-8 yr olds (which I don't advise) the true night club vibe stars happening around midnight. The food is Louisiana style bbq and very good. There is limited table service so you go to back to order and pick up food. read more

So I went to the bathroom and apparently someone smoked some pot in there wasn't me! The security guard corners me and demands I empty my pockets! Is that even legal? Your a security guard not a cop and a bad one you got the wrong guy. Rather then punch the asshole in the face, I submit and empty my pockets and show I have nothing. He runs out immediately offering no apology! I'm paying a big cover and a big bill with nice tips on top of that friendly to everyone working. Then ever dick in there from the band playing to the security hits on my girlfriend like it's the first women they ever saw! fuck you! Stay out of the tourist trap and go to a real Chicago blues bar. read more

Big club. On a monday night it was quiet but the band put their all into the show. Corey Dennison band. The bar was basic but serviceable. read more

Kingston Mines - Corey Dennison - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Certainly a place to be if you like the Blues. Lots of high quality musicians. Two stages that rotate acts, so there is always something going on. Cover is steep, but you get what you pay for. And the place is open til 4am every night. The long skinny tables, cool mural art on the walls and casual atmosphere make it feel like a someone slapped a New Orleans bar in the middle of Lincoln Park. I like it. Booze is priced okay, service is good. Have yet to try the food but it looks really good. read more

Good for large groups and student discounts, nights of drunken revelry that you won't soon remember! Make an ass out of yourself and have fun doing it! If you've got work people from out of town on a conference, they will love this place. This club is big, there's one main room and a side room that has music when the main room breaks. The music is stellar of course...but B.L.U.E.S is right across the street for a more intimate vibe. read more

Find good music, decent beer specials and women of all ages. Setup reminds me of a country griddle house with the long wooden tables. On weekdays satisfy your craving for Milfs and Cougars. Cover can be a bitch, I remember college peeps and military could get a discount.. read more

This place is the coolest of cool. I know where the blues was born. Down at the crossroads. Been there. Worked there. But the Kingston Mines knows the Blues. They obviously met the devil right along with Robert Johnson. The music is great, the atmosphere is fun, and the scotch selection was shockingly good. I can promise you, if you drink enough scotch, they might even let you sing the Blues too! read more

Kingston Mines - Colin Steen for the blues - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois