An Uptown Icon Turns the Page: The Green Mill Welcomes New Owners After 40 Years — and a New Era Begins Tomorrow

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Uptown · June 18, 2026

One of Uptown's most storied institutions is making history this week. The legendary Green Mill Cocktail Lounge — the jazz club that has anchored the corner of Broadway and Lawrence for over a century — is officially changing hands. Longtime owner Dave Jemilo, who has poured four decades of his life into the beloved venue, has sold the Green Mill to new owners Jason Cole and Jill Skintges, with the transition set for June 19th — a date that is no coincidence, as it marks the exact 40th anniversary of Jemilo's ownership. As Jemilo himself reflected, "This place has been my life for more than 40 years." He becomes just the fifth owner in the club's long history, a testament to how rare and precious this institution truly is.

For Uptown neighbors, the news carries both a tinge of nostalgia and a surge of excitement. The Green Mill isn't just a bar — it's a living piece of Chicago jazz history, a former haunt of Al Capone, and a nightly reminder that Uptown has always been a neighborhood that takes culture seriously. Cole and Skintges step into enormous shoes, but the community is eager to see what this next chapter holds for one of the city's most atmospheric rooms.

This weekend is the perfect moment to raise a glass at the Green Mill, welcome the new era, and celebrate everything that makes Uptown's jazz and nightlife scene truly irreplaceable. Share your favorite Green Mill memories right here on Socialhood, and stay plugged in to all things Uptown at exploreuptown.org!

Sources:
1. https://www.uptownupdate.com/