City: Chicago, IL

Category: Nightlife

Telephone: (312) 427-1190

Address: 700 S. Wabash Ave.

Insider Pick:

Description: Guy’s legend started in Louisiana as a teenager when he acquired his first guitar (it’s now displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), but it flourished when he arrived in Chicago in 1957. In the 1990s, Guy got his due, with three Grammy Awards including one for Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues. These days he travels the country, but comes back every January to his honorary hometown for a monthlong series of sell-out concerts at his 20-plus-year-old club. Though Guy was a session guitarist at the famed Chess Records studio, his style was for the wilder side—and he still cranks it with a smile and a hearty laugh as if he’s the luckiest singer in the world. If you don’t catch him, you’re sure to hear any number of other fantastic blues artists. A full dinner menu brings a taste of Guy’s Southern roots with fried okra, Cajun popcorn crawfish tails, catfish, jambalaya, gumbo, and a Peanut Buddy Pie for dessert. It’s first-come, first-served seating, so get here early. After 8 p.m., it’s 21 and over only. Bring your own instrument on Monday night for open blues jam at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $10 to $20, higher for Buddy Guy performances. Sunday through Thursday music starts at 9:30 p.m.; Friday features an acoustic set from 5 to 8 p.m., then opening bands at 9 p.m., headliners at 10:30 p.m.; Saturday acoustic sets from 6 to 8:30 p.m., opening bands at 9:30 p.m., headliners at 11 p.m.