Close Up 2

The jazz tonight was hot! They played one of my favorite songs, «what’s goin on!» The place is extremely small though. The music was on point!

Sadly Close Up 2 closed their doors a few days ago. I discovered this great jazz venue too late, but it was fun while it was there!

First, the second you walk up here (yes, it is right next to a Men’s Only Hotel, whatever that means ha ha), it doesn’t look like the nicest spot in the world, but you walk in, and right behind the black velvet curtain is a pretty sweet little jazz club! Who would have thought?
$ 10 cover and 2 drinks minimum per table which is not hard to do when you have some pretty great jazz going on, and when martinis are their house specialty too. $ 8 for regular mixed drinks and $ 10 for martinis of any kind, including my favorite – the chocolate martini which is the best kind of dessert and really just makes the whole jazz club experience that much better.
The décor could be «jazzed’ (pun intended ha) up a bit, but there is a nice blue wall, a small plain stage, and the sound is pretty good in there too. There is a long bar you can sit at without the drink minimum, but the servers here are on their game and are very prompt with taking orders and bringing you drinks, so might as well sit up close to the action and have yourself a nice little outing in the south loop! We will definitely be back and we heard the covers vary a lot night to night, so lots to explore soon!

Came here on a Saturday night
It was a $ 10 cover and the parking is $ 6 next to the pawn shop.
There is also a minimum drink purchase per table & no kitchen.
I think the singers name was Nita and she was fantastic!
The band itself was already phenomenal.
Overall, I would definitely come back here for another jazz night. I enjoyed myself with some good company

No kitchen so eat before coming here. There was a $ 10 cover charge and 2 drinks minimum. But the place was amazing. The music — RnB, Jazz, Motown, soul.
Perfect night in Chicago.

I live in the far North Suburbs, and I visit Close Up 2 night club often. I love the bartender, Tommy who makes the absolute BEST drinks!!! We’ve always had a good time sitting at the bar, enjoying the atmosphere. The only complaint I’d ever had in the past regarding Close Up 2, was the fact that they do not serve appetizers at all. I got over it because it was a small quaint little place with nice people, or, so I thought until I visited Close Up 2 for a Birthday Celebration.
This past Saturday, 17 August 2013 my experience was quite different! We reserved the «VIP» room for a birthday celebration. I was assigned Ms. Crystal as my hostess, she was great!!! My Saturday was ruined after my experience with Manager/​Host, Frank, who had the audacity to inform me that I should «take care» of our hostess, Ms. Crystal. I was so offended and appauled with his suggestion, he turned me off!!! You don’t ask your Patron (who…oh by the way, ALWAYS tip well!!!) to tip the hostess, I have etiquette and I tip when I receive GOOD SERVICE, in which Crystal provided!
Moreover, the older gentleman at the door began letting other patrons into my VIP room in which we paid to reserve for our intimate Birthday celebration. We didn’t even know these people so we asked about it, and were told that it’s because we were beginning to close our tab (NOT leaving, our guests were finishing up their drinks) they didn’t think we would mind allowing other patrons in the room. The last time I checked, once you’ve paid, or reserved a room, it’s considered to be your VIP room until your party ends. We paid $ 100.00 for that room and still had to pay a cover charge of $ 10.00 so the room already had nothing to offer us, so to top it all off, the club’s Host allowed other patrons who were not part of my party to enter into the room. His only recourse was that if we want he could ask the Patrons to leave, BUT they’d already allowed them in, so what would be the rationale of asking them to leave, you shouldn’t of let them in! I understand that we didn’t have tons of guests however; if we had one or 100 guests, the room was paid in full so that it was exclusive to my event. My hostess Crystal and the bartender Tommy were the greatest!!!
However the older gentleman and Frank NOT so much, they both disappointed me greatly!

If you love contemporary jazz, this is a wonderful club. Music will blow you away. And face it, there really aren’t a lot of venues hosting this kind of music, so come on out and support the scene!

Great club — great band, had a lot of fun.

We came here to see a friend who is in a jazz band. I had no idea what to expect when we were on the way, but after we found the place I was pleased with what I saw. I’m not sure if Friday is their slow night, but it wasn’t very many people in there, also there was a cover charge, which wasn’t surprising, not sure if that had to do with the emptiness or not though.
The place was decorated in a modern jazzy décor, which was really nice. The bar tender seemed to be very patient with me and helped me pick out a drink that I’d love. The only thing I didn’t too much care for was that to sit at any table it’s a two drink minimum per person, after you’ve already paid to get in. I drove that night, and had a drink at dinner beforehand, so I had no intention of getting two more drinks. If it weren’t for the ‘trying to get the most money out of every person that walks in factor’ they would’ve received 5 stars. Still worth the trip!

Maybe it’s the smooth jazz that makes this place not likable. You see to me «smooth jazz» = fake jazz! All smooth jazz is is pop music slowed down with a saxophone replacing the vocal. Think Luther Vandross and Anita Baker songs… minus Luther and Anita! I blame this all on the fact that Kenny G. was loosed on the world in much the same insidiously evil way that Michael Bolton was.
Every time I get suckered into going to Close Up 2, I think I’m going to hear real jazz and I get the fake smooth stuff. And the worst is all the people there who think they are so cool because they are in a club listening to jazz, they don’t even know the difference!!!
So you’ll see suburban couples where the wife/​gf has dragged the man downtown all in a vain effort to be cool. Or you’ll get the city residents who were raised on pop music, but now in a vain attempt to be more sophisticated think they like «jazz.» And they think this smooth jazz crap is good? I want to throw up!
The atmosphere is good inside, the bar is swanky, but the tables are too close together. Servers are friendly, but there is no food. There is no beer on tap (WTF?). You’ve got a bunch of people drinking Coronas and thinking that is a premium beer.
I’ve made the decision never to go back even though I work a block and a half from here and there are always Groupons for this place. I JUST CAN’T do it anymore!

Purchased a groupon now deal for this place and finally tried it last week.
great location and had varieties of drinks. very long bar and friendly staff.
the only problem is the stage from the bar.

Close Up 2 IS Chicago’s Premier Jazz Club! The music, ambience, the LIVE bands, the gracious host & staff, the palatable drinks makes for a total MUSIC experience.
My friend and I used a BuyWithMe deal voucher. It covered Friday nights cover charge & 1 drink. There’s a 2drink min per person. We arrived at 9pm, we were able to get parking in the lot at no charge.
There’s a nice lounge area up front, an elegant, long bar and tables up front near the performing area.
The Harlan Jefferson & So-​So Tight band were in the house & it was definitely a treat.
I’ll definitely be returning.

Wow. Talk about a hidden gem. Considering this place is across the street from the prison, and surrounded by pawn shops and the like, I wasn’t expecting much. Inside… totally different story. Friendly bartenders, great live music, cool vibe, and nice décor. Even the women’s bathroom was clean and pretty… always my toughest test when at a bar! The only thing knocking them from 4 stars down to 3? The bartenders lost my credit card. (I’m giving them credit that it was «lost», and not «stolen»…so I will be back to give them another try.) Check it out! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Excellent spot and super Loooonnnnng bar. Great atmosphere and music. Went on a Thursday night so it wasn’t very crowded. Nice lounge area up front, huge bar in middle, and many tables up near stage. Ask the owner about history of the bar. 20 years ago it was a spot called Z’s with quite a rep. The place has a historic feel that makes u wonder… if these walls could talk…
Everyone was pleasant and hospitable. Nothing pretentious about this spot. Parking might be difficult but worth it.

I’ve been here two times now because one of my dear friends is with the band.
That said, this place is a gem! It’s stuck in a weird, seedy strip of Clark Street, right across from the Metropolitan Corrections Center (yeah, you felons stay in JAIL where you belong) and next to a deep fried lobster joint (which I am going back to). Not much foot traffic, which is sad, because this is a top flight jazz joint.
The first time my friend and I came here we messed up. Neither of us felt like drinking, so we ordered club sodas. They were $ 5! Um, no. The gracious bartender immediately rectified the situation. Not only is she gracious, she’s drop dead gorgeous, and recognized me the next time I came in, so life is good.
Live music seven nights a week! There is a cover and a drink minimum on weekends, but come here during the week for a low key jazz hangout. The bar is gorgeous, the lighting sublime. One of the guys in the Wednesday band even had a blue guitar that matched the stage and lighting. This art director appreciated the hell out of that.
Sneak down here and check it out!

This place rocks! Short walk from the Jackson red line stop and an awesome place to have a few drinks and listen to good music.
Relatively small club (~60 people at capacity), so it feels really personal. Lighting was great, staff was really friendly, and they had some mean music.
$ 10 cover, $ 8/​drink and 2 drink minimum, but if you get there right when the first set starts you can hang out for three hours or more.

As a young music lover, I jump at almost any opportunity to enjoy live music, in a relaxed setting with a good drink. If you really enjoy Jazz and are looking for a nice spot for a date, or even a relaxed setting for a business meeting you found your place. The owner gets to know everyone, and once he figures out if you are worth other peoples time will happily connect associates.
For those interested in the music purely:
I suggest you make the trip, the sound quality is great, the décor sets the mood for a good night, and I’m more then sure you will enjoy the talent that is presented.
For those interested in the drinks:
Yes the drinks can be a bit pricey, but the pours more than make up for the difference.

A friend has a birthday party here. It was nice inside but my stomach almost turned with the $ 10 cover charge. As everyone knows, I am insanely cheap (I ask for discounts on free stuff), so I was a little put off by that. However, the host was so friendly and concerned about whether or not we needed anything. The best part was that the club allows patrons to order food from nearby restaurants and have it delivered right to your table.
There was live music there and it was pretty cool until someone pointed out to me that they were reading sheet music. The blues isn’t raw with sheet music.
In all, I did have a great time. The atmosphere was nice and I would give it another try.

I am a fan of Close Up 2.
I want to try it again; something tells me the first visit did Close Up 2 no justice. Nevertheless, I am writing a review now. Maybe update in the winter.
+
My boyfriend and I went after the Taste of Chicago one night. Club was packed, but not too much where we could not get a table. There was a two drink min for the table, which is not new. We got a table about 4 mins of walking in; the host very nice and quick. Everyone was dressed nice, after five-​ish. The band was great and the should was AWESOME. A young sax and trumpet played a great set. Cover was $ 10; not too much for a Saturday night. Drinks were good; my wine was very smooth. Like that there was a late set, I think it started at 12. Like us, if you are not ready to end the night, Close Up 2 is a cool place to be. Liked the atmosphere. They had this Coltrane picture that I just loved!
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Service was bad. Really bad. It was small, but you have to remember there is a two drink min. So there should have been more people covering the floor. Three is preferred, four is better, two (and it usually is two) is not very helpful– esp on a Saturday night. We ordered our drinks as soon as we sat down; the start of the set. We did not get them till the end of the set. We though that the waitress forgot about us. Two minutes later she confirmed this by asking us what us we order. Now, I am VERY familiar with the workings of a jazz set. I knew it was almost over and so did she. But five minutes later, before the last song started, she brought the drinks.
I also dislike that the band had no stage. The appeared to have no room to breathe. Also not to mention, it makes it hard to see the whole band. I hope that next time I visit, they will have saved a few dollars to get their talent as stage. Or maybe not, since it might block the exit right behind them.
As of right now, It is not comparable to the Jazz Kitchen (Indy) or the Red Cat (Dallas). Nevertheless, I will go to try it again, esp to visit the band that I saw. They were really, really good. Not sure if they had food; never received a menu. We did not park, took the train, which was close by. Hope my next visit is more positive.

In between a fish and chicken joint and a pawn shop. This little Jazz joint lights up the block with enthusiasm. Look for the black windows, neon reads Close Up 2. If you are walking past on any evening you can hear the jazzy sounds pumped through speakers over their doorway.
I and a co-​worker would stop in occasionally for a after work drink. I’d say most of the patrons might be others that work in the loop. No specific «group» just people that like jazz. Mainly age 30+
We’d had Hennessy with a splash of coke, strong drinks — tall, bartenders poured heavy. $ 7.
Bar staff and doorman were very inviting, we were greeted upon entrance and exit.
Live acts perform nightly, check out the website for more info.