Chicago Restaurants & Nightclubs
Performance at a Bronzeville cafe & nightclub; (c) Soul Of America
Bronzeville Soul
DESCRIPTION: Upscale restaurant in the heart of Bronzeville; Opened in 2022, they pick up where beloved Blu47 left off. Good food, and a great vibe. A live band performs on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun Noon-8 pm
ADDRESS: 4655 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 872-244-7127
WEBSITE: https://www.bronzevillesoulrestaurant.com/
Native Foods
DESCRIPTION: The restaurant is owned by Dame Dia, an entrepreneur of Senegalese heritage with nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
CUISINE: Vegan & West African
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10:30a-8p, Sun 11a-7p
ADDRESS: 218 South Clark Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 312-332-6332
WEBSITE: https://www.nativefoods.com
Buddy Guys Legends
DESCRIPTION: Premier Blues Nightclub led by the legend, Buddy Guy; Since the nightclub attracts Blues greats from around the country, patrons often want to take pictures with them. Recently, the Buddy Guy announced that we will now allow photos & video recording, but he asks that patrons be courteous and not block the views of others.
CUISINE: Light Fare
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Tue 5p-2a, Wed-Fri 11a-2a, Sat 12p-3, Sun 12p-2a
ADDRESS: 700 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
PARKING: garages nearby and on-street
PHONE: 312-427-0333
WEBSITE: https://buddyguy.com
Distinguished saxophonist Tia Fuller has performed at the Jazz Showcase; credit Tia Fuller
Sweet Maple Café
DESCRIPTION: Cafe; This breakfast and lunch cafe opened by Laureen Henson often draws lines to enter a small cozy cafe. One reason for their popularity is the large portions made from scratch using family recipes. Popular dishes include Holiday French Toast, Biscuits & Gravy, Catfish & Grits, Pancakes, Omelets, Pork Chops & Biscuits, and French Toast.
CUISINE: Soul Food & American
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: daily 7a-2p
ADDRESS: 1339 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE:
312-243-8908
WEBSITE: https://www.sweetmaplecafechicago.com
MacArthur’s
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant; This family-owned restaurant has reasonable prices and large portions. Grandma and aunties must be working in the kitchen. Everything is homemade and the menu is changed daily. It’s hard to choose something bad on the menu. It is one of Chicago’s best Soul Food restaurants. Salute to the chef.
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: daily 11a-9p
ADDRESS: 5412 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-premises and on-street
PHONE:
773-261-2316
WEBSITE: https://macarthursrestaurant.com
Jazz Showcase Nightclub
DESCRIPTION: Premier Jazz Nightclub; Despite moving a couple of times, this nightclub has featured the best live Jazz shows in the Windy City for over 50 years. You name a heavyweight Jazz artist, chances are they’ve jammed at the Showcase. Pictures on the wall are from artists who’ve performed here. The non-smoking environment makes it more enjoyable. Sunday Matinee shows are discounted for students, musicians, and seniors.
CUISINE: Mostly Liquid
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes
PRICING: $$$
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: check calendar on website
ADDRESS: 806 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL
PARKING: garage nearby
PHONE: 312-360-0234
WEBSITE: https://www.jazzshowcase.com
Hungry travelers visit Pearl’s Place, Chicago; (c) Soul Of America
The 50 Yard Line Nightclub
DESCRIPTION: Sports Bar & Grill; This combo sports bar, grill, and Steppers club is crowded on weekends with good people, good music, and fantastic dancers. Parking is scarce on 75th Street, often forcing you to park in the neighborhood. Despite the sports theme, business casual or better attire is required for entry to keep out the riff-raff. Drinks are priced at a good value. In our several visits to Chicago, we always enjoyed the people and the vibe here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to get your groove on. If you’re hungry, Lem’s barbecue is down the street. Take advantage of it.
CUISINE: Light Fare
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: Saturday night cover charge only
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Wed 6p-12:30a, Thu-Fri 6p-2a, Sat 2p-3a, Sun 5:30p-2a
ADDRESS: 69 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 773-846-0005
WEBSITE: none
Lem’s Bar-B-Q
DESCRIPTION: Barbecue Joint; Go anywhere near Lem’s, the aroma draws you in. The finger-licking sauce and slow-cooked beef ribs at this original BBQ joint stay with you. One taste and you’ll be hooked. Though service can be slow like all good barbecue joints, but you’ll know why this is a growing Chicago franchise. This strictly take-out joint is popular for its light night service before heading to the Steppin nightclubs.
CUISINE: Barbecue
PRICING: $$
TAKE-OUT: yes, only
CREDIT CARDS: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 1p-1a, Fri-Sat 1a-3a
ADDRESS: 311 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 773-994-2428
WEBSITE: https://www.lemschicago.com
Vee-Vee’s
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: Nigerian & Caribbean
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: no
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Daily 2p-11p
ADDRESS: 6232 North Broadway, Chicago, IL
PARKING: garage nearby and on-street
PHONE: 773-465-2424
WEBSITE: https://veeveesafricantogo.com
Old faithful, Lems Bar-B-Que on the Southside of Chicago; (c) Soul Of America
Blue Chicago
DESCRIPTION: Nightclub
CUISINE: Light Fare
PRICING: $$$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
COVER CHARGE: yes
TAKE-OUT: no
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: no
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8p-1:30a, Sat 8p-2:30a
ADDRESS: 536 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: garages nearby and on-street
PHONE: 312-661-0100
WEBSITE: https://www.bluechicago.com
Pearls Place Restaurant
DESCRIPTION: Restaurant
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: yes
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 7a-8p, Sun 8a-8p
ADDRESS: 3901 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE:
773-285-1700
WEBSITE: https://www.pearlsplacerestaurant.com
Josephines Cooking
DESCRIPTION: Diner
CUISINE: Soul Food
PRICING: $$
CREDIT CARDS: no
TAKE-OUT: yes
TAKES RESERVATIONS: no
FAMILY-FRIENDLY: yes
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 8a-8p
ADDRESS: 436 East 79th Street, Chicago, IL
PARKING: on-street
PHONE: 773-487-2900
WEBSITE: https://www.josephinescooking.net