Message from Kingston Mines
Kingston Mines is Chicago's oldest and largest real blues club. The newly-renovated Doc's Rib Joint serves the finest barbeque ribs, wings, catfish and more for late-night dining pleasure. Seven nights a week Kingston Mines presents Chicago Blues on two stages with two bands and guest vocalists.
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneKingston Mines humbly bills itself as the "Playground of the Stars," and it's a safe bet that many of those celebs drop by the spacious joint because of its late-night license. The Mines is the only North Side blues club open until at least 4am every night, so blues artists with other gigs parade through in search of cool libations and music as soon as they're off-duty.
The Draw
Owner Doc Pellegrino employs local musicians almost exclusively. On weekends, the place brings in the likes of guitarist Eddy Clearwater, harpist Billy Branch and sax man A.C. Reed. Having two bands on two stages in two rooms occasionally leads to the house's own version of musical chairs, as customers scurry from one room to the other in a futile search for seating.
Key Points
- Live Music
- Weekly Specials
- Private Parties
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - Pellegrino has expanded the square footage of his club substantially. It's now three storefronts wide, putting an end to the original sweaty, cramped confines.
Insider Pages Reviews for Kingston Mines
Kingston Mines is just as awesome as everyone says it is. My friends and I have been here several times when I'm in town to visit and we love it every time. Bartenders are personable and good at their jobs. They make bomb Ty-tinis, which kinda remind me of Lemon Drops but with TY KU..so more melon-y and less lemon-y. I enjoy Chicago a lot, and this bar is definitely one of the reasons why.
Posted 05/13/09 | Report Abuse
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This was a great bar. I came here with my friends and we loved it. we had a lot of fun. we always come here and we always have a blast. the drinks are amazing.
Posted 04/12/09 | Report Abuse
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Hands down, my favorite bar in Chicago! I've only been a few times, but always leave having had one of the best nights in a long time. They have two stages of live music and even on Sunday's the crowd is lively. The bands that play there engage with the audience, and I've collected the entire discography of LIndsay Alexander. You have to try this bar, and make sure to get the long island iced tea.. it's lethal.
Posted 10/27/08 | Report Abuse
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Great for late nights
by Anonymous
Kingston Mines offers awesome place to listen to blues music. They have two stages, so if you dont like one performance, you have another option.
If you are a night owl, it pays off, because many of their Saturday night performances last until 4am!
Posted 11/18/07 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
if you want to see the blues, this is the place
by dinnersready
went on a saturday nite and it was rocking, very crowded. went back on sunday and it was quiet and got to sit. the music was awesome, on sudays if you pay a small cover at B.L.U.E.S across the street they let you in here for free. i caught a set at BLUES and then went into Kingston Mines and saw a band, when they were done i went to the other stage and saw another band. then i went back to BLUES for one more set before heading home. and these guys on Sunday were awesome bands, very well know blues men. three bands in one nite. would love to go back soon. THE BEST! staff at both places were very nice too!
Posted 09/29/08
Amazing Blues
by okichich
I was there on a sunday evening (around 9:00 pm) and not very impressed at first. However as the night went on, more and more people came and the club truly started swinging. This is a great late-night venue and a must for any blues enthusiast.
Pros: great blues for a small cover
Cons: the decor and layout take some getting used to
Posted 11/19/06
Atmosphere you will not experience anywhere else!
by carebear16
If you love blues this the place for you. The place is has fun atmosphere, if you are looking for sophisticated this not the place for you. The seating is pinic benches and you float from one room to the next to hear the various different artists.
Posted 09/24/06
A must!!!!!!!!!
by cat1981
This is just a fun great place!!! Every time I go I have a blast. Friendly crowd and staff. Not expensive at all. Not sure how much the cover charge is, but with student id's you get a discount. Try it you won't be disappointed.
Pros: music, people, service
Cons: parking
Posted 09/16/06
Great service and the pulled pork was great.
by faaewr
My wife and I were there on 8/19. We saw Joanna Connor and her band. This girl can play her LP like no one I've seen before. The only problem I had,,,,,, she had to take a break for the other band to play. So we suffered til she came back.
Pros: Reminds me of Nawlin's.
Posted 09/01/06
Great Live Music and good times open late on weekends.
by criticalyettruthful
Great talent, fun times, and even offer bbq ribs in the back. I stongly suggest it as a go to if you enjoy talented blues musicians live. They have two stages that the band will rotate on so sit tight and the band will be back in front of you in no time.
Pros: Best live blues music in Chicago
Cons: cover charge on weekend but well worth every penny
Posted 08/14/06
detroitmike
by byrmike
We make this one of our stops when ever we go to Chicago. Great music and atmophere. Two bands gives you something to choose from or chase them both.
Pros: two bands, good service
Posted 09/19/05
Unearthing the Blues at "Mines"
by kdt
Tuesday July 26th, 2005.
Two bars, great seating, the warm-up band and Joanna Connor played jointly until after 2:00 a.m. She was incredible. The place was fairly clean, the bartenders were a bit on the arrogant side but mixed agreeable cocktails, wait staff were cordial and receptive. Crowd was 20-somethings mostly. If you step into "Kingston Mines" with little or no knowledge of the bands playing that evening, you should be more than pleasantly surprised.
Pros: Talented Musicians, Two Bands/One Venue, Location
Cons: Staff, Condition, Cost
Posted 08/01/05
Thanks Kingston Mines!
by bpoelman
Just when we were in the mood for some good Chicago Blues we hit upon this place. Thank God we did. We entered around 9:30 to find the Chicago R and B Kings in mid set. The place was packed and rockin, but we were led directly to available seats up front. The music was dead on Chicago style R&B, the beer was varied and cold, and everyone was in a great mood! Although things died out sooner than we expected for a Friday night we still got our fill and enjoyed a small chat with the band between sets. Thanks guys!
Pros: Music, Music, Music
Cons: Price
Posted 07/31/02
block rocking blues
by megd
Kingston Mines is always a good time. The music is never bad and the crowd is always lively. The bands play until 4 or 5 in the morning. When it closes stumble next door for the best late night 'ritos in the city.
Posted 06/25/02
Fun...but pricey!
by alhweber
get ready to rock out at this joint. two stages, non-stop blues. great tunes, great booze and service. but bring your checkbook! it'll cost ya.
Posted 06/25/02
Late night/Great night
by JackShay_Citysearch
The Citysearch review is right about this being a reliable last stop on any rough night you don't want to end. But it's also a decent place to be any time after 11:30. The performers at that time have physical energy at that point (though perhaps the Holy Ghost doesn't visit them that early as often), plus the kitchen's open for good ribs. They have some weird pouring rules posted, but the prices make up for it. The raspy-voiced emcee guy is kind of a fool, but he's an institution there and who am I to argue? Not that it matters, but they're eternally renovating and the place seems almost intentionally ramshackle.
Pros: Late hours, Blues!
Cons: Lines/Bouncers
Posted 05/20/02