Best BJJ Gyms in Chicago: Reddit's Verdict
We ranked Chicago's top BJJ gyms by Reddit mentions and competition data. Valko, Downtown JJC, and New Breed lead, with a guide for Loop commuters.
Chicago has one of the strongest BJJ scenes in the country. Redditors on r/bjj and r/AskChicago name the same dozen gyms in almost every recommendation thread. We pulled those mentions, counted the positive and negative signals, and ranked them below.
Whether you train downtown and need something walkable from the Loop, or you’re visiting Chicago for an open mat, this list is built from what the community actually says.
Quick Verdict
| Gym | Reddit (+/-) | Rating | Drop-in | Gi / No-Gi | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valko BJJ Academy | 7+ / 0- | 82 | Yes | Both | River North |
| Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | no Reddit data | 80 | Yes | Both | Edison Park |
| New Breed Training Center | 6+ / 0- | 79 | Yes | Both | Niles (suburb) |
| Molinaro BJJ | 1+ / 1- | 78 | Yes | Both | Lakeview |
| Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club | 6+ / 0- | 77 | No | Both | The Loop |
| Long Life Studio | 3+ / 1- | 76 | Yes | Both | Elmwood Park |
| Double Five Jiu-Jitsu | 4+ / 0- | 72 | Yes | Both | West Town |
| The Way | 2+ / 0- | 72 | Yes | Both | Little Village |
| Supreme JJC (Redzovic) | 6+ / 0- | 71 | Yes | Both | Lincoln Park |
| Carlson Gracie HQ | 3+ / 0- | 67 | No | Both | Logan Square |
| Uflacker Academy | no Reddit data | 67 | Yes | Both | Archer Heights |
| Southside JJC | 3+ / 0- | 67 | Yes | Both | Woodlawn |
| 10th Planet Chicago | 6+ / 0- | 65 | Yes | No-gi only | Edison Park |
| Redzovic Lincoln Square | 7+ / 0- | 64 | not listed | not listed | Lincoln Square |
| Lakeside BJJ (inside Quads) | 6+ / 0- | 54 | Yes | Both | Lakeview |
| North Side BJJ | 5+ / 0- | 56 | No | Gi only | Avondale |
Rating = our competition-weighted score. Reddit +/- = positive/negative mentions across community threads. “No Reddit data” means the gym appears in our directory but not in Reddit recommendation threads in this dataset.
1. Valko Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Valko shows up in nearly every Chicago BJJ recommendation thread, and the praise is specific rather than vague. Reddit veterans list it alongside Redzovic and Carlson as one of the gyms that built the city’s scene:
“Try both. Valko is great. Misho at Chicago mma integrates a lot of self defense and wrestling probably a less modern sport Jiu Jitsu game and more old school. Plus he’s an awesome person.”
“Can’t recommend andre manecos (double five Chicago) enough. Also; valko, Carlson hq, movemento (izzy rayes is a G), redzovic are Chicago bjj pioneers!!!”
The main location on Orleans sits a few minutes from the Loop and accepts drop-ins, which makes it the most practical option for visitors. Valko also runs a second studio on Montrose Avenue (rating: 66) for northwest-side residents.
River North, 820 N Orleans St | valkobjj.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
2. New Breed Training Center
Reddit calls New Breed the largest gym in the area. It sits just north of the city in Niles, so factor in the commute if you’re coming from downtown.
“The biggest in the area that is new breed but they’re just outside the city in Niles.”
“Lots of good gyms in the area. There is u/serafin, there is new breed, valko, double five, uflacker, Southside, any of the redzovics… Chicago really is a great city for bjj.”
Rating of 79 puts it second among gyms with genuine Reddit traction.
Niles, 5647 W Howard St | newbreedtrainingcenter.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
3. Molinaro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Molinaro is the north-side option most cited for Lakeview and Wrigleyville residents. One Redditor planning a move to Chicago already had it scoped out:
“A buddy trains at Molinaro jiu jitsu near Wrigleyville and really likes it. I went once for an open mat and liked the vibe.”
The sentiment data shows 1 positive and 1 negative mention. The negative-tagged post is the quote above, where the poster wants to “avoid” a different gym that charged women less than men, not Molinaro. Read in context, both mentions are positive.
Lakeview, 3260 N Clark St | molinarojiujitsu.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
4. Double Five Jiu-Jitsu (Andre Maneco)
Andre Maneco’s gym draws the strongest direct endorsement in the dataset:
“Can’t recommend andre manecos (double five Chicago) enough. Also; valko, Carlson hq, movemento (izzy rayes is a G), redzovic are Chicago bjj pioneers!!!”
It appears consistently in roundups for people on the west side or near the Blue Line. Accepts drop-ins.
West Town, 1531 W Chicago Ave | doublefivechicago.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
5. The Redzovic Gyms: Three Locations, One Lineage
The Redzovic name appears more than any single instructor’s in Chicago BJJ threads. Three gyms carry the connection.
Redzovic Jiu Jitsu Lincoln Square (4900 N Lincoln Ave) is the original and gets cited alongside Valko and Carlson as a foundational Chicago gym:
“redzovic are Chicago bjj pioneers!!!”
“Lots of good gyms in Chicago and luckily lots of them cross train… a bit farther in the city you have Valko, Taylor Biaggi, Redzovic, so lots of good options to try.”
Lincoln Square, 4900 N Lincoln Ave | chicagojiujitsu.com | Drop-in: not listed | Full profile
Supreme Jiu Jitsu Chicago (2442 N Lincoln Ave) is Idriz Redzovic’s gym in Lincoln Park. Rated 71 in our directory and a frequent mention for that neighborhood:
“If you in Lincoln Park, then go to supreme Jiu jitsu.”
Lincoln Park, 2442 N Lincoln Ave | supremejiujitsu.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club (226 S Wabash Ave, 3rd floor) is run by Adem Redzovic and is the Loop gym. Covered in the next section.
Closest to the Loop: Options for Downtown Commuters
If you work in the Loop and want to train without a cross-city commute, two gyms stand out in the data.
Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club sits on the third floor of 226 S Wabash Ave, directly in the South Loop. It comes up whenever Redditors ask about convenient Chicago BJJ, and one person described finding it by seeing the sign from a bus on their daily commute. Highest-rated gym physically in the Loop (77). No drop-in, so sign up in advance.
“downtown go to downtown Jiu jitsu club”
The Loop, 226 S Wabash Ave 3rd floor | downtownjiujitsuclub.com | Drop-in: no | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
Valko BJJ (820 N Orleans, River North) is the backup if you need a drop-in. It is a 10-15 minute walk or short Red Line ride from the Loop and accepts walk-ins with the highest rating of any downtown-adjacent gym in the directory.
Ralph Gracie BJJ operates on the 7th floor of the same building as Downtown JJC (226 S Wabash Ave). Gi only. Rating of 20 in our directory indicates minimal competition data. Full profile
Other Gyms Worth Knowing
Carlson Gracie BJJ Headquarters (2778 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square): One of the “pioneer” names in every Chicago BJJ history comment, consistently cited alongside Valko and Redzovic. No drop-in. Rating: 67.
“valko, Carlson hq, movemento (izzy rayes is a G), redzovic are Chicago bjj pioneers!!!”
Logan Square, 2778 N Milwaukee Ave | carlsongraciechicago.com | Drop-in: no | Gi + No-gi | Full profile
Southside Jiu Jitsu Club (837 E 63rd St, Woodlawn): Gets a specific transit recommendation that other south-side gyms don’t:
“Southside jiu jitsu is great. Like 2 minute walk off the green line.”
Woodlawn, 837 E 63rd St | southsidejiujitsuclubchicago.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Rating: 67 | Full profile
10th Planet Chicago (5711 N Milwaukee Ave): The city’s no-gi specialist. Drops into a roundup whenever someone asks about the no-gi scene or open mats.
“10p chicago, 10p lombard, team kuma, vuk, pica pao, 3d mma, pure bjj. Chicago really is a great city for bjj.”
Edison Park, 5711 N Milwaukee Ave | 10thplanetchicago.com | Drop-in: yes | No-gi only | Rating: 65 | Full profile
Vianna Brothers (2128 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square): Recommended for people new to the Milwaukee Avenue corridor, with a 25-year Chicago BJJ veteran vouching for the atmosphere:
“Vianna is full of good people and its fun room.”
Logan Square, 2128 N Milwaukee Ave | viannabrothers.com | Drop-in: yes | Gi + No-gi | Rating: 49 | Full profile
Pure Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (6017 N Northwest Hwy): Second-highest rating in the directory at 80, accepts drop-ins, but does not appear in Reddit recommendation threads in this dataset. Worth a look if you are on the northwest side. Full profile
Uflacker Academy (6390 S Archer Ave): The most-cited south-side gi option by Reddit users discussing Christian Uflacker, a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Rating: 67, drop-in accepted. Full profile
A Word on Chicago BJJ vs. MMA
One Reddit comment, shared in a thread about moving to Chicago, captures a recurring split in local opinions:
“Chicago MMA is ok it’s just really small. The striking there is really low level. They have good jiu jitsu but that’s about it.”
The broader dataset backs that up. Chicago BJJ consistently earns praise; the striking and MMA scene takes more criticism. If pure BJJ is what you’re after, the city’s reputation holds.
Best for You
Visiting Chicago and need a drop-in: Valko BJJ (820 N Orleans, River North). The highest-rated drop-in gym in the city with the most consistent Reddit praise.
Loop or downtown commuter: Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club (226 S Wabash, 3rd floor). No drop-in, so plan ahead. If you need walk-in flexibility, use Valko instead.
North-side resident (Lakeview/Wrigleyville): Molinaro BJJ (3260 N Clark St). Highest-rated gym in Lakeview, open mat vibe confirmed by Reddit.
Lincoln Park resident: Supreme Jiu Jitsu Chicago (2442 N Lincoln Ave, Idriz Redzovic). Reddit’s direct recommendation for that neighborhood.
South-side resident: Southside Jiu Jitsu Club (837 E 63rd St). Two-minute walk off the green line per Reddit, drop-in accepted.
No-gi only: 10th Planet Chicago (5711 N Milwaukee Ave). Drop-in welcome, gi-free curriculum.
Competitor looking for a serious room: Valko BJJ (82 rating) or New Breed Training Center (79 rating), which Reddit identifies as the largest facility in the area.
Browse the full Chicago BJJ gym directory to filter by neighborhood, drop-in policy, and gi vs. no-gi.
Data: Reddit mentions scraped from r/bjj, r/AskChicago, r/martialarts, and related subreddits through May 2025. Competition ratings from our Smoothcomp database and update as new results are added.
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