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 Popular bar in the heart of Lincoln Park |
2683 North Halsted Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 348 9800 http://www.aliveone.com |
In the heart of Lincoln Park, you will find plenty of nightspots if you are out on a pub crawl. This particular bar has 16 beers on tap and a large selection of premium and standard liquors. Music memorabilia graces the walls and crevices. AliveOne features a variety of weekly specials and is also very proud of holding Chicago's largest live music collection in its jukebox. Free parking is available during the week in the lot just south of the bar. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Terrific blues joint |
2519 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 528 1012 http://www.chicagobluesbar.com info@chicagobluesbar.com |
This tiny club houses big talent. The throngs of people lining up to get in on weekends are a sure sign of this. Chicago has always been known as a blues town and blues has a rocking home here. Come hear Son Seals if you can. He plays here often and may very well be the best blues guitarist in the country. Other acts in the past have included Little Ed and Albert King. The music starts at 9:30p. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michael Clesle  |
 Photo: Lee Odden |
 Photo: TheeErin |
 Photo: Lee Odden |
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Lively Division Street dance bar |
9 West Division Street (At State Street) Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 654 1120 http://www.barchicago.com/ party@barchicago.com |
Located right in the midst of the Rush and Division nightlife strip, Bar Chicago pulsates with DJ-spun dance music, including plenty of tunes from the 1980s. Tourists and suburbanites mix on the dance floor with young professionals from the surrounding neighborhoods. Too shy to dance? You can watch the fun from a balcony as the wild lighting illuminates the crowds below. Expect to see women dancing on the bar. Bar Chicago is open late and draw a big crowd when the two o'clock bars shut down. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: elisabeth |
 Photo: Jason froebe |
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Dance till dawn |
2020 North Halsted Avenue Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 281 0177 |
A late-night fixture on the scene for years, people cram in here after the other clubs have closed to expend whatever energy they have left on the dance floor. For those whose feet refuse to move, there are several pool tables and chairs to slump on. And, as at any late nightspot, a tinge of desperation hangs in the air as the guys try to make that all-important eye contact. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Techno Funky Bar Get Down & Rowdy |
954 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 348 4975 http://www.berlinchicago.com/ info@berlinchicago.com |
The heyday of Belmont Avenue's punk scene is long since gone, but Berlin is somewhat of a holdover from the area's Bohemian past. No longer punk, Berlin has a gay and lesbian clientele and holds attraction for many others, as well. If you like dark, loud and eclectic, this is a safe bet. There's a disco night once a month, so you may want to call ahead to see if you should wear your bell bottoms. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Puerto Rican nightspot |
2953, West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 United States +1 773 583 0022 |
Located in Logan Square, this spacious Puerto Rican sports bar and live music establishment caters to a Spanish-speaking clientele. The prickly stucco walls are crowded with photographs of famous Latin sports celebrities. If you get tired of watching the sporting event on TV, there are plenty of distractions with several video games and pool tables around. Live entertainment is featured on some weekends. Prices are reasonable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Not just the three-ring variety |
901 West Weed Street Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 266 1200 |
Open since December 1998 at the former site of the Bub City Crab Shack, this 15,000-square-foot club was decorated by designer Jordan Mozer. The establishment is all about entertainment and the gratification of your need for sensory experience. The dance area is large and rimmed with rings of lighting equipment that swerve, thump and move geometrically about the room, flashing in syncopation witht the bass rhythms. The circus colors will inspire you to show your childish side while dreaming of unicorns and cotton candy. Dance to the tunes of Rob Thurmond and Mike Pierce DJ on Fridays. Thurmond DJs alone on Fridays and Saturdays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Upside Down With a Drink |
901 West Weed Street Old Town Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 266 1200 http://www.circusnightclub.com |
One of Chicago's most rocking nightclubs, the Circus's décor is as original as the entertainment it provides. The mood and the tone of the place is whimsical and inspired by the zest of Cirque du Soeil. Another unusual feature are the special performances like the world famous Flying Wellendas known for their acrobatic prowess. Also, themed nights are big at this club; in previous months they have had some steamy shows, like the Playboy show! A large circular dance floor sets the mood for a hot and wild night, and when you're tired, make your way to the two VIP rooms, Skylight and Bedroom. So for a really classy night out, check out Circus and remember they have a strict dress code...no jeans, sneakers and hats. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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See & Be Seen |
324 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 280 9800 http://www.climaxloungechicago... info@climaxloungechicago.com |
Climax Lounge is dissected into several rooms, one housing a tree in the center, while another has a vaulted ceiling and a disco ball. The decor is dark; a very sleek goth and Renaissance-revival motif runs through out the nightclub. Gargoyles and stone arches are key ingredients in creating the nightspot's atmosphere. The music is a blend of Euro, Trans and Electro. The crowd is young and swanky, fitting for this club whose bathroom attendant wears a tux. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Get away from it all |
1530 East 75th Street Chicago, IL 60619-2111 United States +1 773 667 6454 |
You will be welcome here. The bartenders almost insist on it. In fact, all newcomers are given a tour around the bar. Part of the welcoming process will probably include an introduction to some of the regulars, many of whom are gay men in their 30s or 40s. When the host, Jackie, is on duty, jazz, house and disco music, as well as prizes and food, are served up to grateful patrons. Other times, the bar is more laid back, with customers here to enjoy card games. Thursday is women's night, though many of the male regulars join the party. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Start a night in Boys Town here |
3359 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 477 1420 |
This retro-chic gay bar has a good selection of microbrews, exposed brick and all the joy that a night out in Boys Town can bring. The front room is fashioned for cocktails and conversation, while in the back, dancers pack it in to dance for celebrity DJs. On Monday nights, there is usually a lesbian crowd. Tuesdays, the bar offers a martini menu, while the weekends are all about the dance scene. On Sundays, giant Bloody Marys are on special. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Super Hot-Spot for Progressive Music |
1543 North Kingsbury Street Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 266 1900 |
This "alternative" club is housed in a bleak-looking warehouse, with a bleak interior that matches quite well with the outside. The dark interior features a guillotine and music that no one outside of Crobar's domain will hear on the radio for at least a year. The music played is progressive and fresh, but it is extremely difficult to get in to listen to it. More than half the people who show up are turned away at the door, unless you happen to be gay and have brought your lover along with you. Straight people are welcome - just don't show up dressed in khakis. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Harper Reed |
 Photo: Bucky Skeel |
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Authentic rock and roll venue |
1572 North Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 489 3160 http://www.doubledoor.com/ phil@doubledoor.com |
This is perhaps the most authentic rock and roll venue in Chicago. The cover usually ranges anywhere from $5-20, so you should call ahead to find out what the charge is. Performances are held on a medium-sized stage on the main floor. Not much dancing happens here, though there is room for it, and acts tend to be of the strictly rock and roll variety. Big name acts are known to favor this club, including the Rolling Stones, as well as lesser-known virtuoso acts, such as the Magnetic Fields. If music is not your gig, head downstairs to the poolroom or hang out in the second-story seating area and sip beers while watching the crowd glide by. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Matt Clare |
 Photo: Matt Clare |
 Photo: Jeffrey Barszcz |
 Photo: Matthew Morrison |
 Photo: Rick Lyter |
 Photo: Kirstie Shanley |
 Photo: Michael Goldman |
 Photo: Bettina Neuefeind |
 Photo: polksalad aka polkdog |
 Photo: John Zeratsky |
 Photo: Christian Birmele |
 Photo: Adam Shanley |
 Photo: Buckwheaticus |
 Photo: Liz Schwartz |
 Photo: kathy |
 Photo: Chicagoist Photos |
 Photo: mike downey |
 Photo: Todd Zimmer |
 Photo: David Anjo |
 Photo: George Grauke |
 Photo: lukurocks.com |
 Photo: subbu arumugam |
 Photo: miss lisa g. french |
 Photo: Mark Igleski |
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Party with the dragon |
809 West Evergreen Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 751 2900 |
This nightclub is the coolest and hippest in the Chicago nightclub scene, and it tries to accomplish that by targeting a young and above-average income crowd. Everything is expensive, including the stiff $10 cover. If you can spend more, you will have more fun here. The place is all chinoiseries and loud music, a three-level ancient Asian temple becomes a dance club and the dazzle is enough to conjure a few celebrities amid the crowd on the busy main floor, or upstairs in the VIP room. It also boasts a sushi/sake bar, offering several types of sushi rolls, including California (crab, avocado, cucumber) and spicy ebi roll (rice, seaweed, sesame seeds, shrimp, cucumber, avocado, spicy sauce) among others. Women can get libations in the Dragon Lady Lounge/bathroom. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dance to Latin rhythms |
1249 North Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 235 1293 |
If you did not know what you were getting into, you might be frightened of the low light and Screaming Mimi appearance of this Wicker Park drinking establishment. A no-frills Mexican dance joint filled with cowboys who seem to stare at you may not make it a great first stop when your inhibitions are high, but there is no cover and the crowd is friendly enough after the first couple beers. Viva! Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Multi-level dance club |
632 North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 266 1944 |
The building where this club is housed opened in 1892. It was dubbed "the castle" and designed by Henry Ives Cobb, best known in Chicago as the architect for the Fisheries Building at the 1893 World's Fair. Today, "the castle" is home to a multi-level adult playground that features games, billiards, a club room that plays disco and "The Dome Room," which plays current music. This is a wildly popular nightspot and seems to draw "the beautiful people" from Chicago and the suburbs, as well as visiting celebs. Leave your flashy car with the valet, shine up your capped teeth and join in the fun. Admission varies, usually under $10. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Max |
 Photo: Maria Vassilieva |
 Photo: michael feldstein |
 Photo: HeadOvMetal |
 Photo: Geoffrey Zhu |
 Photo: Bryan Rulli |
 Photo: Dolapo Falola |
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Large-scale lounge |
440 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 226 4555 |
This 10,000-square-foot lounge is a full-frontal assault on your mood, complete with laser light and kaleidescopic wall-projected images. The VIP area in the rear is filled with oversized red couches that you can lay back on and chat if the music does not drown out your voice. If you are into dancing, Rednofive downstairs is open and waiting to accommodate that twitch in your feet. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Hipster bar |
728 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 666 1695 http://www.funkybuddha.com/ |
Low-key antique lighting and muraled walls serve as backdrop for what many describe as the city's "coolest" and "premier" dance club. It encompasses the yin and yang of musical and dance styles offering patrons classic jazz, modern cosmopolitan, hip-hop, bhangra, underground, funk and soul. DJs spin each night, and there are live performances throughout the week. Call and ask about the entertainment, as it changes weekly. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lester K. Spence |
 Photo: Keith Harris |
 Photo: Jennifer Wang |
 Photo: Greg Haus |
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Piano Lounge Feel |
950, W. Wrightwood Avenue Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 832 4000 http://www.grandcentralchicago... ivan@grandcentralchicago.com |
The Grand Central aims for class, and with its spacious brick interior, clusters of round, candlelit 3-4 person tables and "eat well, drink better" motto, it comes close to the mark. The bar is located in Lincoln Park, and it reaches out to its core college-age crowd with an expansive dance area, a handful of big screen TVs, and a revolving door of drinks specials available at its two wall-length bars. A full bar menu is available, and the Grand Central also hosts private party packages including drinks and food for 10 to 200 people. -Lindsey Klingele Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Swinging former speakeasy |
4802 North Broadway Avenue Chicago, IL 60640 United States +1 773 878 5552 http://www.greenmilljazz.com/ greenmill@comcast.net |
The best place for jazz in Chicago. Period. Run by the old Capone outfit, the Green Mill was a speakeasy during Prohibition and gained nationwide notoriety as the place where comedian Joe E. Lewis got his throat slashed. The interior is dark and old. It has not changed much since Al Capone frequented the establishment, and the jazz is just as hot as ever. Cover is free on Friday and Saturday nights after 1am. Come at that time to hear the thundering Sabertooth Jazz Quintet, or head in earlier to catch one of a number of other acts, from big band to sultry torch singing. The Mill also hosts the popular "Poetry Slam," where would-be bards read their poetry and brave the heckling of the audience. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Lynda |
 Photo: Marcela Ewert |
 Photo: Anne Liao |
 Photo: Jessica Jones |
 Photo: Jerome Pierra |
 Photo: greg kellerman |
 Photo: Andy |
 Photo: Jonathan Janego |
 Photo: Chris Lea |
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1960s and 70s redux |
4660 West 147th Street Chicago, IL 60445 United States +1 847 776 3700 |
"You can tell by the way I use my walk..." goes the song from Saturday Night Fever, and this place is all about that leopard-skin strut, complete with checkerboard dance floor and lava lamp waterfalls. It also offers eye-candy in the form of a blacklight poster wall and enough swirling lights to make even the most hardened nightclub-goers lose their lunches. Barber Chair Shots are available, if you dare. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Rock the night away |
14 West Elm Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 337 0561 |
Open in the Rush Street bar district since the 1970s, this popular nightspot's patrons visit to "let it all hang out." The drink of choice seems to be beer, either in bottle or pint glass. The atmosphere is a strange mix of sports bar and dance club. The music is characteristically rock and roll, and the decor, old movie posters and a mosh of thrift store junk, might remind you of a frat house gone public. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dance without the brakes on |
151 East Wacker Drive Hyatt Regency Hotel Chicago, IL 60601 United States +1 312 239 4544 / +1 312 565 1234 http://www.harddrivechicago.com/ nicole@harddrivechicago.com |
If you're looking for a bit of LA in Chicago, then this trendy club is the place to get down and get dirty. Located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, it's as downtown as you can get. As you enter, you will be plunged into a technological fantasy with eight plasma screens that show over 7,000 music videos in a night. Leap onto the dance floor, which is illuminated by a huge glass globe, spurting out rays of light. Each weekend, the club opens its doors to fashion shows and local celebrities - and they don't close till 5a, so you can get down to it into the wee hours! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: http://pbinder.com/ |
 Dine with the blues |
329 North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 923 2000 http://www.hob.com/ |
House of Blues, famous at its many locations around the globe, loses none of the glamour and glitz of its "faux dive" specialty here! Outsider art hangs all over the place from floor to ceiling, and you get the feel of being in a perverted opera house. With seating more than 1,500 people, HOB lets visitors catch a concert while snacking on such menu selections as "The Elwood" (blackened chicken sandwich with chili garlic mayonnaise, green chilies and sour cream served with seasoned french fries). Average menu prices are about $9, topping out at $21 for a New York strip steak. There is live music seven nights a week, with cover charges ranging from $10 to $25. Music styles are not limited to the blues— jazz, rock and such favorite bands as Duran Duran and Styx are also featured. You must make a reservation ahead of time. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andy Scudder |
 Photo: Dasha Anokhina |
 Photo: Tony |
 Photo: Allison Turrell |
 Photo: Matthew Watts |
 Photo: Cat Conway |
 Photo: lee.eel |
 Photo: Corey Sechrist |
 Photo: Lisa-Marie Jordan |
 Photo: Xara Gobhai |
 Photo: Jeff Houck/SideSalad |
 Photo: Max Kleinman |
 Photo: Ted Tronson |
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Classic Chicago jazz club |
59 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 670 2473 |
Since 1947, this jazz club has drawn considerable crowds with its top-notch acts, even after its much ballyhooed expulsion from the Blackstone Hotel a few years ago. Expect to pay for what you get. This is a first-class operation, from the tuxedoed staff down to the drink selection. On the walls are photos of jazz greats who have played at owner Joel Segal's clubs over the years. Take a moment to be impressed by the dazzling array of legends who have graced Chicago's classiest spot for live jazz. Smokers be forewarned: no smoking is allowed. Cover charges vary depending on the act. Call for information. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: George Sawyn |
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Boogie down to a 1970s beat in style |
1009 North Rush Street Chicago, IL 60611 United States +1 312 664 1001 http://www.jillys.com/ |
And you thought they were 20 years dead. That's right - the 1970s are back, dusted off and pumped up with a cranking modern sound system. Climb down the stairs, check your coat and prepare to shake your booty. Since it opened in 1996, Jilly's Retro has become "the" disco hot spot in town, attracting the beautiful people from Chicago and points west - Hollywood west. Kevin Costner, Chris O'Donnell, Bruce Willis and Michael Jordan are a few of the celebrities who have visited. Do not expect to see them, though. They are usually in the V.I.P. room sipping cognac by themselves. The dressed-to-kill looks of the main floor are enough to impress, but bring your pocket book. Jilly's does not fool around, and even well drinks are expensive, with $7 barely buying you a shot of scotch. Admission varies between $5-$10. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Not for the Kids |
726 West Maxwell Street Chicago, IL 60607 United States +1 312 421 2277 http://www.juniorschicago.com/ |
Smack in the middle of UIC's University Village, Junior's is a haven for grown-ups of all ages. Daily specials, such as Wednesday's $5 cocktails and $0.35 wings on Thursdays, a mojito menu—featuring the Passion Mojito, made with Bacardi Coco and cubes of fresh pear — that would tempt even the lightest of drinkers provides a charming blend of college sports bar and swank lounge. If the dozens of flatscreen TVs flashing Bulls, Bears, and Sox games don't move you, maybe the Friday and Saturday late-night DJs will get you up and groovin'. At the end of a long weekend, the Sunday "Blues Brunch" brings local blues musicians to soothe and entertain hungover diners. -Ruthie Kott Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Far below the surface |
1916 North Lincoln Park West Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 312 337 4040 |
The place would be hard to locate except for the dark purple sign and tented steps leading down into the club. The whole place is made up to look like the inside of a cavern and is appropriately lit, so that you might feel like you want to do some spelunking. Like many of the more interesting Chicago clubs, this place doesn't really get underway until midnight, and if you are out on a weekend, be prepared to wait in a line that may very well extend around the block. The music is classic rock and urban-jazz, and the dress code is casual to semi-formal. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Inviting Atmosphere |
1920 West Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60613 United States +1 773 348 7592 http://www.katerinas.com |
Katerina's is an exciting nightclub that offers delicious Southern European food, along with a warm atmosphere and live music. This is a hot spot for any music lover, as jazz, funk, Latin, blues, and many other styles of music are played daily. Private parties are also available. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Harvard Avenue |
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Down 'n' dirty blues |
2548 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 477 4646 http://www.kingstonmines.com/ info@kingstonmines.com |
While Dan Akroyd's House of Blues may have taken away some of its bluster, this is still one of the oldest and best blues clubs in town. As you listen to the likes of Jimmy Johnson, Eddie C. Campbell and Billy Branch, you can also eat a variety of Southern-style food from the kitchen. And, if you cannot wait for the next band to start, you just have to cross rooms to the second stage where another band is sure to already be underway. By evening's end, the rowdy crowd sometimes has a hard time navigating from room to room, but that's all part of the down-to-earth atmosphere in a club that encourages its clientele to be as loud and rambunctious as it pleases. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: jaa9972 |
 Photo: Reid Stratton |
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A fun place, no foolin' |
1665 West Fullerton Avenue Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 665 1110 |
This is a very minimalist West Lincoln Park urban dance bar. Mostly when you come here, you do it simply to drink, but there are a few ways to entertain yourself, including a compact dance floor with a mirror ball. The music changes with the night and the DJs on duty, but it usually features the standard dance songs from the past three decades. There's an upstairs room open on weekends to fend-off overcrowding, with plenty of couch space for lounging and a pool table. Admission is $3 Friday & Saturday, $2 Sunday; no cover Monday through Thursday. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tim Ellis |
 Photo: Joe Wurzburger |
 Photo: ReckenRoll |
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Green Light |
839, Fulton Market Chicago, IL 60607 United States +1 312 733 2222 http://www.lumen-chicago.com/ info@lumen-chicago.com |
Lumen is the first green lounge in Chicago. How green, you ask? It's built from renewable resources concrete, bamboo, and stainless steel and offers a variety of organic cocktails. And the owners have planned your experience from beginning to end. When you step inside, you will feel as though you have entered the hippest art gallery that people feel free enough to dance in and enjoy the organic drinks. Down the center of the lounge runs a huge light installation that changes color to affect mood and provide atmosphere. You will feel enlightened and your conscious will be clear in this new West Loop lounge. -Eun Jung Decker Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Martinis galore and then some |
311 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60611 United States +1 312 335 9500 |
This is a tiny bar with a tinier dance floor that tries to combine the intimacy of a neighborhood pub with the boom-boom volume of a nightclub. You can crowd onto the dance floor if you have a death wish. Better, hang back in the smoky bar, choose your cigar and pick from an exhaustive menu of martinis and olives (the blue cheese olive is really good). As far as trendy cigar and martini places go, this is one of the friendliest in the city, but it can get kind of noisy, so do not expect to discuss the latest film while sipping your overpriced drink. There is a $5 cover on Tuesdays for "Club Night" as well as a $3 cover on Fridays and Saturdays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Garage-style music |
3730 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60613 United States +1 773 549 0203 http://www.metrochicago.com/ metro@metrochicago.com |
This haunt is small, hot crowded and intimate. Add to that a lot of good shows and you have yourself something worth attending. Metro has helped launch a number of big-name careers, such as The Smashing Pumpkins. Some argue that this is the best place for shows in the city, and if you are a fan of the Indies, you might agree. The price is right, too. Ten bucks is usually enough to get you in the door. Metro's self-described mission is to bring a cross-platform of the best local, regional, and national emerging artists, and they have been successful thus far. Names like Liz Phair, the Smashing Pumpkins, Creed, Pete Yorn, Papa Roach, and more have all performed at the venue. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Dan Friedman |
 Photo: Nicole C |
 Photo: Kate Beeson |
 Photo: Gabby Hon, Chicago |
 Photo: Haijin Choi |
 Photo: Nadia Gaya |
 Photo: David Schmelzer |
 Photo: Smart Bar Photos |
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Slick nightspot |
200 North Columbus Dr Fairmont Hotel Chicago, IL 60601 United States +1 312 565 7444 |
This classy, art deco lounge at the ultra-posh Fairmont Hotel is decorated with nightclub scenes created by Chicago-area artist Ed Hinkley. The room is dimly lit with candles flickering gently on all of the tables. This a relaxed place to hear jazz and blues every night of the week except Mondays and Sundays. The martini and other mixed drinks are the staples here, though if you are looking for a bite to eat, a deli menu of sandwiches usually runs about $5-6, with a short appetizer list later in the evening. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Lounge around |
1824 West Division Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 862 8686 http://www.moonshinechicago.com/ felix@moonshinechicago.com |
Moonshine is a good place to drink away your sorrows; teetotalers, on the other hand, can dance their blues away! The dishes - Shrimp Fettuccine, quesadillas, calamari, Yucatan Chicken, and the like - don't appeal much, but this place is not about food. The muted lighting and funky decor fascinate the senses, and the spirits flow endlessly - take your pick from beers, martinis, cocktails, wines, and more. Whether you shake a leg or simply lounge around, there's always someone friendly you can chat up. Private events are also hosted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Robert P. Baird |
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The original mama of nightclubs still going strong |
26 West Division Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 642 7251 originalmothers@enteract.com |
This nighttime, good time favorite in the heart of Rush Street is still beating strong after more than 30 years. Variety is the appeal, with three distinctive rooms and four full-service bars. The front room is classic, with Tiffany-styled lamps, crystal chandeliers, pool tables and a free jukebox. The game room, cafe and gift shop are on one side. The main room is where the action is, with a huge dance floor, state-of-the-art sound system, laser lights, fog machine and entertaining DJ. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Popular spot for the Gothic minded |
2350 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 528 2622 |
Blink, and you might miss it. When you pass Urban Outfitters walking south (towards the Loop) on Clark Street, turn right down the first alley. Yes, this gloomy, dark hangout for the Gothic and industrial crowd is located, appropriately, in an alley. Make sure only to come after midnight - the place is well, kind of dead until then. After the midnight hour, this dark club packs them in as they dance (sort of) to techno music, and occasionally look up to catch the avant-garde film clips on the monitors above the tiny bar. Admission varies, call for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sultry jazz and blues 'til the wee small hours |
1565 North Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 489 0011 http://www.thenotechicago.com/ |
Tucked away in the historic Flat Iron Building is a seductive 1940s joint. Billie Holiday and Louis Prima seep through the jukebox, and break only for the best national or local jazz and blues talent, three or four times a week. Patrons will find a fine selection of beverages, including bygone favorites: parched martinis, Manhattans and Pink Ladies. Take advantage of the spacious dance floor to sway to the sultry sounds. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Christina Jimenez |
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Hot Night Spot |
1 West Oak Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 255 0022 http://www.lepassage.tv/index2... geninfo@lepassage.tv |
With frequent celebrity appearances from such notables as Robin Williams, Jay-Z, and Sean Connery, Le Passage is becoming of the most fashionable nightclubs in all of Chicago. Whether you're sipping a drink in the Yow Bar, run by the infamous Yow Low, dancing to the beats of a guest DJ, or simply admiring the elaborate interior design of Jacques Garcia, Le Passage is a hot spot worth seeking out. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Cocktail Bar and Kitchen |
1635 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60647 United States +1 773 252 2680 http://www.planb-chicago.com/ info@planb-chicago.com |
The Plan B Cocktail Bar in Chicago has a mission: to create a chic, sophisticated experience for lovers of nightlife without the pretentious aftertaste or expensive add-ons. Every week guests can expect to find special events such as guest DJ appearances and discounts on meals from the kitchen. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Boogie all night long |
213 West Institute Place Between Franklin and Wells Streets Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 664 0777 http://www.pollyesthers.com/ info@pollyesthers.com |
The best of the 1970s and 80s come back in groovy living color and sound in this nightspot. Leisure-suited hustlers and frosty-eyed bumpers can get it on to disco music on the "Deca Dance" floor. If you are craving the 80s, you will find it in the "Culture Club" downstairs, complete with Madonna, Pac Man and Van Halen. Take a sip down memory lane with TV and movie themed drinks: "Sonny," "Cher," "Raging Bullwinkle," "The Godfather," and "Jaws." Hang out in other time zones in the Partridge Bus, Lava Bar, Lunch Box Lounge and the Luv Bug. Average cost per drink: $7. Cover: $10. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Eclectic Nightclub |
1675 N Elston Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 486 2086 |
This two-room dance establishment is equipped with a cutting-edge sound system that is guaranteed to leave your ears ringing. Even though it is aimed for the serious booty-shaker, you can enjoy pool tables and an old Pac-Man machine if you don't want to trip to the fantastic lights. The DJ spins an eclectic variety of hip-hop, funk, reggae and acid jazz. Prop House's funky environs draws an eclectic crowd. On Friday nights, the black, gay community comes out in droves, while other nights see serious hip-hop enthusiasts as well as gays, lesbians or any combination of the above. But, considering the neighborhood, such a diverse mix of people is not that much of an anomaly. Everyone goes with the flow and gets down to the beat. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Steaming hot Wicker Park dance club |
1958 West North Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 278 1009 |
This is a hot, sweaty, thumping dance club that draws people from all over the city to shake and move to the urban beat spun by some of the best DJs in town. Duck down the alley off North and enter this dark club adorned with a variety of religious icons and stained glass windows. The upstairs room plays music from the 1970s, but downstairs is where the real action is at. On weekends, the club occasionally has drag shows. This is Wicker Park hip as it was meant to be. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Upscale Sports Bar |
3523, N. Clark Street Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 472 0900 http://www.redivychicago.com/ tyler.shippen@redivychicago.com |
Located only two blocks from Wrigley Field, this trendy sports lounge is packed on weekends, but truly shines on game days. Although it features drink specials and multiple big screen TVs (there's even one in the men's bathroom) for baseball viewing, the Red Ivy really comes to life once the game ends and Cubbies fans pour onto Clark Street looking for more entertainment. The bar draws in a sizable crowd with its expansive raised dance areas, DJs, and signature drinks. If sports and dancing aren't really your thing, visit the Red Ivy on Thursdays for Retro 80s Night or on Sundays for a $5 Bloody Mary bar. -Lindsey Klingele Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sophisticated Lounge |
1108 West Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60607 United States +1 312 226 5577 http://redkiva.com/index.html |
The Red Kiva lounge offers guests a variety of drinks for all occasions, from the fine wine bar to champagne to beers on tap. With a piano stage surrounded by posh seating and illuminated by dim colored lights and candles, the elegant atmosphere is relaxing and sophisticated at the same time. Also, be sure to try some of the kitchen's gourmet pizza. Call the provided phone number for event rentals. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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For a pleasant evening |
858 West Lake Street Chicago, IL 60607 United States +1 312 455 1111 http://www.reserve-chicago.com/ info@reserve-chicago.com |
Reserve a table if you want to be at 'Reserve'! The club offers decadent drinks to complement their elegant atmosphere. Wooden walls, marble floors and tables constitute the interiors. The leather couches give it a sophisticated touch. Upstairs, there's a dancing area, where couples can shake a leg. But overall the place is known for its quiet and peaceful ambiance. So if you want to spend a calm and quiet evening with your partner, you know where to head. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Party animal! |
343 West Erie Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 587 3433 http://www.rinolounge.com/ info@rinolounge.com |
Head with your herd to the RiNo Lounge, in the River North area of Chicago, for a wild night about town. Low benches and seats, chandeliers made from kudo horns and animal themed interiors run through this trendy nightclub. The perfect place to party, this club has the DJ spinning out the hottest tracks—old and new—till as late as 4a and beyond! Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Bucky Skeel |
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Club with a French twist |
306 North Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60661 United States +1 312 738 9971 |
The name of this nightclub is French for Left Bank. Located in the West Loop Gate community, the club is decorated with miniature replicas of famous French landmarks, including two six-foot-tall Eiffel Towers. The club's Parisian-inspired theme permeates throughout the four different levels rife with VIP seating areas. Several black and white photographs of Paris streets and its surrounding countryside dot the club. Tall, ornate mirrors and velvet drapes complement the risqué feel of the back-rooms, where plush loveseat couches offer a respite from dancing. Viva la Franc Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Shake Your Booty |
1444 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 226 7600 |
If you want to learn how to party, Chicago's Sonotheque is the place to be. Done up in all grey, it may sound rather boring, but the place looks really swanky. With curved walls, acoustic tiles and a state-of-the art speaker, thumping music is what you get here. Thumping enough to shake your booty all night long. Otherwise, plonk yourself on one of the comfortable couches and drink the night away. Check out film clips, which are played on the overhead projector. Or even better, the party scene, which is always happening. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dance All Night |
226 West Ontario Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 787 4480 http://www.sound-bar.com sound-bar@sound-bar.com |
Crowded, snobbish and a mandatory coat check? But that doesn't deter masses from River North and beyond to dress it up for Sound Bar. The bars (nine in all) serve a heady mix of spirits and the spacious dance floor lures visitors to shake a leg. DJs Dave Seaman and Deep Dish, valet parking, stylish lounge, and a trendy atmosphere make up for the long wait outside. Note: no shorts or sneakers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Daniel P. Uriol |
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Foxy's ghost? |
800 West Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60657 United States +1 773 327 7711 http://www.spin-nightclub.com/ spin@spin-nightclub.com |
This bar has done everything it can, from sponsoring shower contests to in-house palm readers, to become one of the hottest gay dance spaces in Chicago. But much of its acclaim still comes from the fact that the bar was previously Foxy's, which was one of Chicago's more popular clubs, with celebrity sightings every weekend. Spin would like to be more of the same, though it has long since renovated the formerly dilapidated interior, giving it a slick and shiny feel. The dance floor is intimate, but DJs play the same music week after week. Admission: $2-3, Average cost per person is US $15. No booking necessary. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stephanie Dana |
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Multi-level music venue and lounge |
2011, W. North Avenue Chicago, IL 60647 United States + 1 773 278 6799 http://www.subt.net |
Cheap drinks and good music are the staples of this cozy concert venue and lounge located close to the vibrant North/Damen/Milwaukee intersection in Wicker Park. The tri-level bar features a first floor where rotating DJs play on weekends, a second level with a decent-sized stage for bands and an upstairs balcony that overlooks the stage area. There are bars on all levels of the dimly lit Subterranean selling beers and cocktails that fall in the $2 to $7 range. The lounge area also features weekly special events, such as hip-hop open mic on Tuesdays, acoustic open mic on Mondays and ice cream Sundays. -Lindsey Klingele Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Where you can party with taste |
6331 South Lowe Avenue Chicago, IL 60621-2721 United States +1 773 873 6700 |
This place has been around for more than 20 years, and is the Englewood area's only neighborhood nightclub. The selection of dance themes varies and is organized to accommodate everything from urban funk for the younger crowd to tango for the older folks. The club also sponsors live acts with just as wide a range, from rhythm and blues to country western. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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10-ounce Martinis |
1056 N. Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 773 227 4906 |
This joint can seat up to 80 people, but don't worry about seating, as most of the crowd prefers to stand. Local DJs dole out retro-rock every Tuesday and Hip-Hop on Saturdays. The bar serves some exotic martinis and beer is available on tap. It also has a few pool tables and pinball machines for entertainment. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A Theatrical Experience |
3111, North Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 United States http://www.thehousetheatre.com/ |
A recent New York Times article that discussed Chicago theatre companies rightly highlighted this growing off-Loop (the Chicago equivalent of off-Broadway) company. Now finishing its fourth season, The House Theatre of Chicago has built a citywide reputation as a fearless fringe company with a self-aware style yet readily accessible. Much of the House Theatre mission is to involve the collaboration of the artistic process. As such House shows include singing, elaborate (yet tasteful) special effects, and many other elements that play to the best parts of the spectacle of theatre. If you plan on checking out something outside the world famous theatres (i.e. Steppenwolf and Goodman), the House Theatre is rapidly becoming a staple of the brilliant Chicago theatre scene. -Jordan Corson Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Matchmaker Make Me a Match |
2959, North California Avenue at West Wellington Avenue Chicago, IL 60618 United States |
The Orbit Room is a bar located in the northern section of Chicago. If you're looking to meet someone, take it from the husband-and-wife owners who met in a bar when they say that it's possible. Get dressed, bring some disposable cash, and look for your soul mate or just have fun in this new funky and relaxed Logan Square hangout. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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An Army of Fun |
56 W Illinois Street Chicago, IL 60610 United States +1 312 644 7600 http://www.theundergroundchica... |
Every bouncer at The Underground, decked out in full army gear, is equipped with walkie talkies and clipboards as guests are cleared for entrance. Walking down stairs to the subterranean dance floor, concrete walls surround party goers and thick metal doors reverberate with the muffled beats of thumping bass. If you are prepared to drop some cash, this ultra-hip nightclub is sure to deliver a memorable night. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Lincoln Park Live Music + Club |
2447, N Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60614 United States +1 773 248 8400 http://www.tonicroom.com nicky2congas@yahoo.com |
With its approachable ground-level stage and cozy, dark interior, the Tonic Room tends to draw a relaxed, music-seeking crowd from the heart of Lincoln Park. The bar kicks off the week with open mic night on Mondays at 10 pm. Live bands play on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and DJs wrap up the weekend. Patrons can sit close to the live acts in long, leather horseshoe-shaped booths or dance near the bar's livelier back area. The bar itself is stocked with bottles and drafts, ranging from Fat Tire to Stella Artois. Antique tonic bottles line the shelf space behind the drinks, lending the bar its unique name and atmosphere. The Tonic Room also offers private party packages for up to 125 people, with prices ranging form $22-$30. -Lindsey Klingele Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Loungin' in the West Loop |
228 S. Racine Avenue (Racine Avenue and Jackson Boulevard) Chicago, IL United States +1 312 243 9002 http://www.unionparkchicago.com andy@unionparkchicago.com |
With nightly drink and food specials and enough flat screen televisions to ensure a good view from anywhere in the bar, Union Park is the place to watch the big game or relax after a long day. The clientele is an eclectic mix that is truly representative of West Loop and a place where everyone can feel at home. You won't go hungry at Union Park – food is served until the wee hours of the morning. Speaking of mornings, don't miss the Sunday Football Brunches – all you can eat for $6.99. You can host your own event or just hang out with the crowd. -Eun Jung Decker Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Get your unbearable light right |
632 North Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60610-3829 United States +1 312 266 2114 |
This three-level dance spot is the former home of Excalibur's Dome Room, and Vision maintains all of the flair of its predecessor. There are booths on the second floor where you can hide out behind curtains and sip rock-salt, if you like. You are high above the dance floor here, a location that serves as the perfect vantage point to pick and choose amicable dance partners from afar. Come out Fridays for Tranceformation, with DJ Chris Gin and Pulz-8, spinning on four "decks". DJs Harry the Blade and Brian Clarke man the controls on Saturdays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Mellow sports nightclub |
2811 West 63rd St Chicago, IL 60629 United States +1 773 778 6610 |
When you stroll into this sports nightclub, you will be greeted by pop rock thumping out of the cranked jukebox while people mill about playing video darts and bowling, often yelling and heckling each other in a drunken stupor. This is a great place to get some drinking done before plunging into the revelry with a game of pool or diving into a burger or two. Average cost per person: US $ 10 No booking necessary. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Hot nightclub |
923 West Weed St Chicago, IL 60622 United States +1 312 787 0400 http://www.zentranightclub.com... Rob@ZentraNightclub.com |
In this dark and velvety nightclub extraordinaire, with chain-mail corner booths, couches and lots of sinister red lighting, you cannot go wrong. The patio is dotted with trees strung with Christmas lights and speakers blaring disco and funk. The multicultural theme manifests itself in the belly dancers wiggling around the club and the "hookah girls," who offer you hits from a water pipe (sorry, it's filled with tobacco). The upstairs is always pounding with techno and house music that will leave your eardrums ringing and your nerve endings dulled. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: konkee |
 Photo: thevastdifference.co |