“Lee’s Unleaded Blues Club has been a South Side hot spot for the blues since the 1970s, when it was Queen Bee’s Lounge. Lee’s Unleaded Blues Club has received all types of national coverage and praise, having been featured in National Geographic, and Men’s Journal magazine named as one of the ‘Six Best Juke Joints in the Country’.” ROAD TRIPPERS
“A blues neophyte could earn a doctorate’s worth of education in this bar… Located just off 75th Street and South Chicago Avenue, Lee’s is an authentic flavor destination. It’s not unusual for regulars to camp out at a table with their take-out dinners — or the musicians to play entire sets while roaming the crowd. CHICAGO TRIBUNE – Lou Carlozzo
“Sometimes I couldn’t even get in for my own gig. The line was so long. It’s a historic club on the southside and musicians from around the world would love to come down and sit in with our band. Even Mick Jagger stayed the whole night. It’s the real deal southside club playing the real deal blues. I’m so happy it’s bringing the blues back home,”
JOHNNY DRUMMER AND THE STARLITERS
“The new ownership of Lee’s Unleaded Blues, a popular South Side venue, aims to relaunch by maintaining a semblance of the original charm that led so many blues aficionados to its doors over the years.” EVAN F. MOORE
“I have been going to Lee’s Unleaded Blues when it was called Queen Bees from around 1973. It is my favorite club for seeing quality artists, a rotating batch of cool musicians sitting in, great atmosphere, sound and friendliness of the audience. Lonnie Brooks, Buddy Scott, Vance Kelly, Junior Wells, Son Seals and Johnny drummer were household names. I love this place and I’m delighted it is reopening.” MICHAEL FRANK, CEO, EARWIG MUSIC COMPANY
Lee’s Unleaded Blues Has Plans to Reopen Their Doors in Grand Crossing
Lee’s Unleaded Blues was formerly known as the Queen Bee’s Lounge in the 1970s.
Photo: Lee’s Unleaded Blues Club on Facebook
According to the company website, Lee’s Unleaded Blues will be reopening soon in Grand Crossing at 7401 S South Chicago Ave.
A representative of Lee’s Unleaded Blues did not immediately returnWhat Now Chicago’s request for comment.
While an official opening date has yet to be released, the company website states that their goal re-opening date is in the third quarter of this year.
Warren Berger took ownership of Lee’s in 2018. Berger’s mission has been to not only preserve the legacy of this cherished blues bar but also to inject it with renewed vitality for a new generation of fans. The area surrounding the venue had seen its fair share of changes, prompting discussions about potential relocations to more developed parts of the city. However, Berger’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the bar’s roots prevailed.
The history of Lee’s Unleaded Blues is intertwined with the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s blues culture. Originally opened by Ray and Leola “Lee” Grey in 1983, the bar became a haven for the city’s blues artists. Following the passing of her husband Stan Davis, a retired police officer, Yvonne Davis took over the venue in 2010. Under her stewardship, the bar continued to thrive until its temporary closure in 2015. Warren Berger’s involvement in the resurrection of Lee’s is driven by a passion for the music, a deep respect for its legacy, and a determination to uphold its significance in the community.
As the owner of Club Escape, a South Side bar catering to an LGBT clientele, he continues to demonstrate his ability to create and maintain inclusive spaces that resonate with the local community. His endeavors have not gone unnoticed, as he was chosen as a finalist for the city’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant. This program, initiated by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, channels funds from downtown developers to rejuvenate neglected neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. Berger’s bar is among the first to benefit from this initiative, receiving $136,000 for renovations.
A critical figure in the revitalization of Lee’s Unleaded Blues is 5th Ward Alderwoman Leslie Hairston. Her personal connection to the venue, combined with her recognition of Berger’s commitment to the neighborhood, led her to support the revival project. Hairston fondly remembers the bar as a hub of blues culture, drawing people from across the globe and serving as a neighborhood staple, according to the company website.