Scene and Be Seen
Looking for Nightlife Exclusives? Get you Cheeky Card!Chicago’s just that kind of town. My kind of town. It’s got razzmatazz and…wait for it… All. That. Jazz.
A few months ago, I was walking past the relatively discreet Andy’s on Hubbard with two gentlemen who have lived in Chicago for a very long time. It’s their kind of town as well. They asked if I’d ever been there and I bashfully said no. Because I’m actually a girl who likes her jazz, I was somewhat embarrassed to have never heard of it. I made a promise that day to head to Andy’s in the very near future. Well, I did, two Sundays ago.
And it was a long time coming. Andy’s originated in 1951 as a pub, grill, hangout and place to do shots for the employees of the booming newspaper industry. Jazz wasn’t even introduced to the joint until 1977. Now, two full bands play every night of the week – at 5 and 9 pm. Local performers bust out traditional jazz, swing, bop, fusion, Latin and Afro-pop. Not to mention the hot touring bands they nail down because it’s just that desirable of a performance venue. Oh, the world of jazz in Chicago…it never ceases to amaze me.
Like I said, I hit up Andy’s on a Sunday night. What’s über-cool about a Sunday night at Andy’s (and, believe me, it’s not waking up for work the next Monday morning)? It’s a free-for-all jam session. The players keep rotating in and out and the vocalists vary it up. It was raw, it was hot, it was dark, it was sexy, it was damn good.
After paying a cover, albeit a small one, I also found out that they require a two-drink minimum. I’m not really a cover and two-drink minimum kind of girl, but I was won over upon entering by the very dim lighting, the low tables virtually sitting on top of the stage, the big ass cello and the sultry vocalist singing ‘Just in Time.’
After two glasses of wine, some vodka sodas for my jazz-loving companion and a birthday tequila shot (again, for said jazz-loving companion), we were ready to bounce. Although, if we wanted, we could have eaten – Andy’s boasts a pretty large menu. High from the music, the booze (?) and the history of it all, I couldn’t help but whistle that famous Frank Sinatra tune all the way home.
