Poetry can involve a multimedia presentation.
Chicago has a variety of poetry venues open to the public, most of which are in designated jazz and blues clubs. The Chicago poetry scene is typified by open-mike, multimedia presentations that combine poetry, music and comedy. These "poetry slams" usually occur during the week in the evening and are often free to the public.
The Green Mill
Poetry at The Green Mill includes singing and dancing.
The Green Mill, a restaurant and bar, has been popularized by its "Uptown Poetry Slam" that originated in 1986. The poetry slam features a new style of poetry presentation that combines singing, dancing and comedy while openly interacting with the audience. The Uptown Poetry Slam happens every Sunday night at The Green Mill, as of February 2010, and has evolved into an iconic gathering place for world-class poets.
The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-5552
greenmill.com
The Funky Buddha Lounge
The Funky Buddha features poetry slams.
The Funky Buddha Lounge is home to music, food and spirits, and hosts poetry slams and fundraisers during the week, as of February 2010. It has young and old, gay and straight clientele.
The Funky Buddha Lounge
728 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 666-1695
funkybuddha.com
Weeds
The open mike drives poetry at Weeds.
Weeds restaurant and bar is the longest-running underground poetry venue in Chicago, dating back to the early 1980s. Weeds features a poetry night every Monday at 9:30 p.m., as of February 2010. Weeds asserts that the open mike is the engine of contemporary poetry.
Weeds
1555 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 943-7815
The Debonair Social Club
Lethal poetry has social impact at the Debonair Social Club.
The Debonair Social Club of Chicago features "Lethal Poetry" (lethalpoetry.com) which is a multidisciplinary art exhibition and concert series that seeks to inspire social change through the arts. This club features bands, hip hop, graffiti art, live painting and poetry.
The Debonair Social Club
1575 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-7990
debonairsocialclub.com
The Underground Wonder Bar
Jazz and blues mix with poetry at the Underground Wonder Bar.
The Underground Wonder Bar, otherwise a jazz and blues club, features an open-mike showcase presentation of music, comedy and poetry every Monday night at 9 p.m., as of February 2010.
Underground Wonder Bar
10 E. Walton Pl
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-7761
undergroundwonderbar.com
Reggie's Music Joint
Poetry, music and comedy mix at Reggie's.
Reggie's Music Joint is hailed as the longest-running, successful collective in Chicago. It features an open-mike showcase every Monday at 9 p.m., as of February 2010, with music, comedy and poetry presentations.
Reggie's Music Joint
2105 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 949-0120
reggieslive.com
The Wild Pug
Gay and lesbian poetry are featured at the Wild Pug.
The Wild Pug is a restaurant and bar that hosts a gay and lesbian open-mike poetry and prose showcase on the second Thursday of every month that is free to the public, as of February 2010.
Wild Pug
4810 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 784-4811
worldsgreatestbar.com
