Artis’s Lounge
Many of Chicago’s blues venues feel like tourist traps or museums, but this tiny Calumet Heights dive is the real deal, a welcoming place to hear terrific music. Sundays Tre’ and the BlueKnights play an appealing hybrid of blues and rock ‘n’ roll, and DJs spin old-school R & B, house and steppers’ cuts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But Monday is the best night to show up, when harmonica legend Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues hold court. As Branch makes his way around the circular bar, don’t be surprised if he blows a few stray notes in your ear.
Artis’s Lounge
1249 East 87th
(773)734-0491
facebook.com/pages/Artis-Lounge
Audience choice:
Buddy Guy’s Legends
700 South Wabash
(312)427-1190
buddyguy.com
Best of Chicago 2011