Since its opening in June of ‘89, Buddy Guy’s Legends has built a reputation as the nation’s premier blues club. Mr. Guy’s personal reputation as the crowned king of Chicago’s electric blues scene and his 50+ years in the music business have made Buddy truly a legend himself. As a blues club, Legends is distinguished for its innovative scheduling of local, national, and international blues acts. In the twenty-one years that Legends has been open, the stage has been graced by some of the world’s most talented musicians. Van Morrison, Willie Dixon, Albert Collins, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, Dr. John, Lou Rawls, David Bowie, ZZ Top, Junior Wells, Slash, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Greg Allman, and The Pointer Sisters are just a few examples of the talent that has graced the stage. Buddy Guy himself takes the stage every January, selling out over a dozen shows year after year, delighting crowds that have traveled from all over the world.
While the Legends stage has played host to a myriad of true blues legends, the walls themselves talk, filled with pieces of Buddy’s and blues history. Where else can blues fans find original art work painted on the wall, records, rare photos and Grammys, along with personal items from some of the world’s most influential performers? You’ll see Koko Taylor’s evening gown from 1957; two of Buddy Guy’s Grammys and his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame statue; a photo of Buddy, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan taken at Vaughan’s final concert. A world-renowned collection of guitars can be found over the main bar, signed by B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, as well as Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
In November 1994, Eric Clapton graced the stage with three sold-out performances. The unprecedented concerts awed the crowd as Clapton called up Otis Rush to jam and nodded to the Who’s Pete Townsend, who had stopped by to take in the show. Legends truly lives up to its name.
There is only one place in Chicago to experience the finest blues seven nights a week, enjoy southern Cajun soul food and behold a major archive of blues memorabilia. That place is Buddy Guy’s Legends. Voted “Best Blues Club” several times over by Living Blues Magazine, Citysearch, and AOL, Legends continues to be a mecca for the blues.
**There is no dress code. Sorry, we do not take reservations. Patrons must be over 21 years of age past 8pm. Parking is available by means of hotel and city lots, all located within a block of the club.
From Interstate 90/94-Kennedy Expressway:
Exit at Congress Parkway, go approximately 1/2 mile to Wabash, turn right onto Wabash, go 3 blocks south on Wabash to 8th Street, and Legends is on the northwest corner of Wabash and 8th Street.
From Interstate 290 - Eisenhower Expressway:
The Eisenhower turns into Congress Parkway in the Chicago Loop, travel about 1/2 mile on Congress and turn right onto Wabash Ave., go approximately 3 block south on Wabash to 8th Street, and Legends is on the northwest corner of Wabash Ave. and 8th Street.
From Lake Shore Drive:
Turn west from Lake Shore onto Balbo and go approximately 1/4 of a mile on Balbo to Wabash, turn left onto Wabash Ave., travel south on Wabash Ave. one block to 8th Street, where Legends is on the northwest corner of the intersections.
