My fiancee is flying into Chicago this weekend, and I owe her some belated birthday wining-and-dining. Well, the dining is probably going to be at Vong, the swankiest/trendiest/most expensive place I could get reservations at on three days’ notice. After early dinner, I wanted to take her to a decent blues/jazz club, probably the Cotton Club since we’re carless and don’t want to taxi out to the west side.
Here’s my question: How do people dress in Chicago blues clubs? Since my girl is probably going to make us dress fancy for dinner, are we going to look like asses at the club in our suit/dress? Is it worth the time to go home and change, or will the cute young well-dressed couple turn a few heads? (Well, she’s cute; I plead the 5th for myself…)
Any advice from bluesy Dopers? (And any better recommendations on clubs?)
I’m not a Chicagoan, but for a second I was just confused since I read the subject as “Blues Clues in Chicago”.
Does the Reader provide info on clubs & dress codes? Seems like it’s the sort of publication that would have that sort of thing, but I really don’t know for sure …
It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the Cotton Club, but unless things have changed, you will be fine there without changing. In fact, you might feel out of place if you do change.
Another possibility where you would fit in would be Green Dolphin Street, which is within cab range. It’s more jazz than blues, so you may want to check the listings before making your choice.
Last time I was in Chicago I went to this place on South Wabash, at seven hundred and something. I think Buddy Guy owns it…might be a good place for you to try. I think it’s called Legends.