Backroom   

1007 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
312-751-2433

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Located on the busiest block in the Gold Coast -- home to Jilly's, Whiskey Bar and Gibson's -- Backroom almost takes a backseat to the action. But for more than 40 years, the smoky, late-night jazz venue has been able to hold its own with local, well-known acts like Dee Alexander, Detour and the Bobby Lewis Trio. Inside, you get two choices of seating -- the main floor or the balcony. A steel, spiral staircase leads to the second level where you'll find a full-service bar and two rows of cocktail tables that provide a tight, bird's eye view of the stage. The main floor offers a more conventional look at the players and the huge sculpture of actual trumpets behind the bandstand. The lighting is dim with a romantic red tint, which is perfect for cocktails and getting in the mood. -- Audarshia Townsend