There are few windows looking out onto the street, the lighting is moody but not too ominous, and there's just the right mix of seating and standing around room. The main bar greets you at the door and leads you into the depths of the club. A smaller bar sits in the northwest corner of the room, a pocket reserved for those more interested in talking and milling about than in listening to the music. The space is sufficiently compact so that everyone gets a good look at the stage, which is close and accessible enough to make the band seem like a part of the crowd instead of a remote presence. In the back, the kitchen stays out of everyone's way but is noticeable enough to let patrons know that eats are available.
Blues memorabilia dots the walls and blues kitsch is for sale at the front counter.
Buddy Guy's Legends manages to attract the best blues talent in the country, such as Guitar Shorty. A musical form that once spoke to the hard-pressed masses looking for some peace amid the anger and loneliness of life is now fodder for a bemused Yuppie crowd searching for a rock alternative. The atmosphere here is more inviting and more enjoyable. Named after a Chicago blues icon, Buddy Guy's Legends manages to attract the best blues talent in the country. All the majors play here, and you can be reasonably sure that whatever band is onstage is top-notch.