The Green Mill: User Reviews

DON'T GO.Rude rude staff
By biaportto from downtown, May 19, 2009

Overall rating:

My friend asked the waitress to turnn instead of passing all the time in the middle of our group and here is what she said:"Who do you think you are?Don't......with me!"
After reporting to the manager this insult, an older woman that stays in the bar, nothing was done and the waitress continued to be ironic with us all night long...Bad experience, we're not coming back.

Too snobby for my taste
By Til1975 from Uptown, August 12, 2008

Overall rating:

The only good thing about the Green Mill is the music. The staff are rude and arrogant. The last time I was there, the bartender really had a personality issue. So unless you want to get insulted, I would go elsewhere. It's a shame, because this is my neighborhood and I want to do as much to promote the businesses in this area.

Disregard the review below
By sjkichler from lakeview/wrigleyville/uptown, March 10, 2008

Overall rating:

The Green Mill is the oldest running jazz bar in Chicago and one of the oldest in the nation. It has been running for over a century since 1905. Yes, your grandma may have spent a few evenings at the Green Mill along side Al Capone and his motley crew.

The jazz is respected at this venue. You don't go to the Green Mill to drink beers with your buddies, you go for the music and the ambiance. And it is true, you may get hushed by the owner or by the musicans themselves, but once again it is all about the music. You don't go on talking through a movie do you? Yes, they have a $12 cover on weekends before midnight. After midnight, when the crowd gets thick they only charge $5. The play music till the wee hours of the morning. It is a classic style cocktail lounge with great servers and bartenders, but ultimately it is all about the music.

This place is not a waste of time if you are coming for the music. I think it is absolutly absurd to put the Holiday Club and the Green Mill in the same review. It is a complete disgrace to the Green Mill. Go to the Holiday Club or Wrigleyville to hang out with fratty boys and yuppie girls and drink over priced Miller Light.

Excuse my frustration. I know I am not alone here.

A $12 cover in Uptown is why people go to Lakeview
By Bornlucky07 from Uptown / lakeview, February 9, 2008

Overall rating:

Last night a friend and I were searching for some great new bars in uptown.
Like many people from the area, we typically go to lakeview/ Lincoln park on the weekends....every weekend. We did find some excellent spots, however the
Green mill was not one of them. To be fair, we never did make it inside, so take this
with a grain of salt. The crowd inside was very sparse so we were hoping that it
would be a cool laid back place where you can talk. Instead they tried to hit us with
a twelve dollar cover! Granted this isn't a huge sum of money, I just dislike the idea of
paying for the privilege of admittance to a bar in uptown. So unless the next
Louis Armstrong is playing this place, is a waste of time. There are much better places
if your looking for something local. Holiday Club on Irving/ Sheridan is great!

Always a good time
By Apache_Rose_Peacock from Lincoln Park, February 5, 2008

Overall rating:

I don't make it here often, but when I do, I have a fantastic time. Love the atmosphere and music!

Skip this place! Not worth the time...
By jonathan1974 from river west, December 9, 2007

Overall rating:

It was raining and very cold and we had to wait outside for 10 minutes even though there was plenty of room inside. I guess they wanted there to be an appearance of a line? The bouncer was extremely rude and made everyone very umcomfortable upon entering. They also only take American Express and the whole silence thing is just too much. I will not return as there has to be a better place in Chicago to hear jazz where you are treated with respect???

I went to the Sunday...
By J from Bolingbrook, IL, June 18, 2007

Overall rating:

I went to the Sunday Poetry Slam on 6/17/07 and I was not impressed. I respect the host but he, as well as some of the other perfomers, was entirely too long winded.

Great place for music, but...
By Marcella from Chicago, il, March 1, 2007

Overall rating:

Great place for music, but i don't like the shushing. the "manager" actually came up to someone i was with & said "how does it feel to be the only loud person in here?" when she wasn't even saying a word! it's funny to see what happens to people when they think they have a little authority. Also, don't run a tab w/the bartender, they can't produce a bill and always overcharge. other than that it's an awesome old club that is great to bring music fans to.

Why go to a jazz...
By Audrey from Chicago, IL, January 10, 2007

Overall rating:

Why go to a jazz club to talk? Go for the music or don't go at all. That's what the Green Mill is about! This bar has lots of character, great drinks and offers awesome live jazz. The poetry slams on Sunday nights are also a blast. One of my favorite places in the city!

Great bar..if you're an introvert...
By west loop from chicago, January 14, 2006

Overall rating:

Great bar..if you're an introvert and have no social skills. I agree about the gestapo bouncer not even allowing you to whisper to your date. I can understand this if you're in a music hall or auditorium. But this is bar after all. I don't see any harm in talking while you're sitting at the bar---we weren't even at a table by the stage! I think now they "Shh" you just because they think it's their schtick. I'd much rather go to B.L.U.E.S on Halsted. Better music, better atmosphere, livelier and more diverse crowd, and you can (gasp) talk as much as you want. And have a great time doing so.