Kingston Mines

kingston Mines, " Chicago Blues Center", was first established on Lincoln Avenue in 1968. Not to be confused with the downstate Illinois mining town of the same name, Kingston Mines is one of Chicago's oldest, largest and most famous blues, juke joints. It began as a coffee house featuring folk and bluegrass music, but was soon converted into Chicago's Blues Center, playing traditional Chicago Blues. Although Chicago Blues has its original roots in the Southern Delta tradition, Blues music in Chicago changed to reflect its bustling electric urban surroundings.

"Doc" Pellegrino quickly adopted an all Chicago-style blues format, therefore increasing the popularity of the musical genre on the North Side. Kingston Mines attracts locals, tourists, blues legends, and celebrities alike who come for the blues that is played continuously, alternating between two stages, deep into the heart of the night.

Chicago Blues celebrates life in the city where people live hard, work hard and play hard. Kingston Mines was the first club to bring Blues music to the north side of Chicago. Its pioneering efforts introduced Lincoln Park and surrounding areas to the Blues culture in a place where Chicagoans and tourists alike could socialize and listen to the best in Chicago style Blues.

As the internationally famous Chicago Blues Center, Kingston Mines is famous for its efforts in preserving and nurturing the Blues artform.

At Kingston Mines traditional Blues musicians appear along with today's brightest young Blues talent.

In 1982, Kingston Mines moved to its present location at 2548 N. Halsted St., where it continues to be an essential landmark in the world of music. Kingston Mines is Chicago's oldest and largest real Blues Club. Our world famous "Doc's Rib Joint" serves the finest barbeque ribs, wings, catfish and more for your all night dining pleasure. Seven nights a week, Kingston Mines presents live Chicago Blues music continuously on two stages with two bands.

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