Where to go in Springfield for live entertainment and fun
The entertainment nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. In other words, if you want it, it’s here and it’s excellent. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, dance music and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from St. Louis to Chicago or between Indianapolis and Kansas City, create a fertile atmosphere for vibrant entertainment.
The blues are alive and well in Springfield, not a little influenced by the city’s proximity to Chicago, one of the world’s great blues-music cities. Every Monday night starting around 8:30 p.m., the Illinois Central Blues Club sponsors a different host band and an open jam at the Alamo (115 N. Fifth St.). Local, regional and national acts have enlivened this wonderful music experience during the 20-plus years of Blue Mondays. Watch for special events at different venues regularly sponsored by the active ICBC.
Jazz in all its varied forms is represented at several nightclubs. Robbie’s (4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza) hosts a different local group each Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Uptown Friday Night, sponsored by the Springfield Area Arts Council. Also on Fridays, Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old State Capitol Plaza) presents Jazz & Etc. with the Frank Trompeter Quartet from 6 to 8 p.m. On the near west side of town, the Lime Street Cafe (951 S. Durkin Dr.) delivers the best in area jazz musicians every Friday and Saturday night with an occasional foray into classic rock & roll. For a sample of small combo jazz with a taste of New Orleans, drop by the Brewhaus (617 E. Washington St.) on Monday evenings for Frank Parker’s Jambalaya Jam where sit-ins are always welcome. For a real treat of local jazz talent, look for jam sessions, concerts and special events sponsored by the Jazz Society of Greater Springfield.
If to rock out is your desire, look for these venues and their specialties. At Marly’s Pub and Bar None (427 E. Monroe St.) you’ll find a variety of local, regional and national acts that run the gamut of rock music from singer/songwriter types and indie-rock bands to classic combos and original music touring groups. These clubs, just over a block apart from each other on Fifth Street, also host open mics, weekly acts and other events, keeping live music on the stage five nights a week. Club Chrome (3075 Normandy Rd.) regularly books touring groups specializing in urban classics and other contemporary genres and fills the rest of the nights with popular dance music and area bands. Look for well-loved local bands of all flavors, including rock, bluegrass, blues, country and popular music at the Trading Post Saloon (731 S. Durkin Dr.), J.P. Kelley’s (300 E. Adams), Norb Andy’s (518 E. Capitol), Frankie’s 49er (518 Bruns Lane), Koo-Koo’s Nest (3045 Sangamon Ave.), Blue Grouch (510 W. Maple), Harry’s Adult Daycare (320 W. Highland) and Southside Pub (Travelodge, 3751 S. Sixth).
Care to put on your dancing shoes, find a DJ and shake your booty all night long? You’ll find contemporary Top 40 and other recorded-music delights at Bourbon Street (1031 E. South Grand Ave.), Catch 22 (11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza), Bar Oasis (411 E. Washington St.), Stella Blue (221 S. Fifth St.) and the Firehouse (430 E. Monroe St.). Alternative beats and lifestyles fill the dance floor at the Station House (306 E. Washington St.) and Scandals (126 E. Jefferson).
If laughter is what you’re after, look no further than the Donnie B’s Funny Bone (2937 W. White Oaks Dr.) or head north of town to the Mason City Limits Comedy Club (114 E. Chestnut, Mason City). Both clubs feature nationally known touring comedians every Friday and Saturday night, with occasional open stages for the aspiring comic.
Fortunately, no matter what night of the week you develop the urge to sing your heart out in front of a crowd, karaoke machines and competent hosts await your command at several nightclubs and lounges, including Sluggo’s Bar (2660 W. Lawrence Ave.), Scooters (1800 S. Sixth) and Gas House Lounge (302 S. Dirksen Pkwy.). If you prefer your public performance with instrument in hand, check out the popular open mics around town available most weeknights at various clubs, including Wednesdays and Sundays at Trail’s End Saloon (Rt. 54, Curran).
For coffeeshop-style acoustic musings try the “Original Acoustic Lunch” at noon weekdays at the Trout Lily Café (218 S. Sixth St.) or head to nearby Rochester for a sampling of friendly music at the Walnut Street Winery (309 S. Walnut St.) on most nights of the week. For Irish-flavored tunes, try an authentic Celtic Hooley on the fourth Thursday of each month at Celtic Mist Pub (117. S. Seventh St.) or experience local live bands on the first Saturday of each month.
For a complete listing of what’s going on around the capital city, check the arts and entertainment listings in Illinois Times, the city’s free weekly newspaper. (Capital City Visitor is published by the same firm.) Look for the numerous IT newsstands throughout downtown, as well as at area hotels, restaurants and government buildings.
