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Smart Bar
Category: Nightlife Dance Clubs Dance Clubs [Edit]
3730 N Clark St(between Waveland Ave & Racine Ave)
Chicago, IL 60613
Neighborhood: Lakeview
(773) 549-0203
- Nearest Transit:
-
Addison-Red (Red Line)
Sheridan (Red Line)
Southport (Brown Line)
- Hours:
Wed-Fri 10 pm - 4 am
Sat 10 pm - 5 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ages Allowed:
- 21+
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
219 reviews for Smart Bar
Review Highlights
"Great electro and house music and no pretentious d-bags."
(in 29 reviews)
"Bonus feature: there's a black and white photo booth."
(in 18 reviews)
"The sound system is awesome."
(in 27 reviews)
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219 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica P.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/8/2012
ok so right after I wrote that who entire two paragraphs I went back to smart bar. All the bar tenders are awesome even the bar next door is awesome, I went with one of my girlfriends she's a little... you know... ;D
Anyway she face planted herself when she was running to the dance floor!!!
HAHAHa!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2012
Dude... I think this place is a swingers bar, because there's always couples asking me if I want to… Read more »
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Review from Jenn T.
Milwaukee, WI
12/31/2011
First time at Smart Bar last night for the Four Tet show. Doorman was polite and when we asked to see if it was possible to put the coat check out our cards (as we were out of cash-on-hand), the bartender called over the manager who took our coats and put them in the check for us. Very classy.
The bartender was friendly, had amazing hair (seriously, I wish I'd taken a picture), and made a great gin martini.
The sound was amazing and the crowd energy was palpable (altho, you know... Four Tet... how could it not?).
All-in-all, a great experience. For those traveling a distance to come to a show there's a lot of cute little pre-show bars and restaurants on Clark. We stopped at Uncommon Ground to hide out til the doors opened and that was a great neighborhood joint with fabulous bathrooms. -
Review from Bea K.
Chicago, IL
11/5/2011
1. Coat check is $2. You wanna smoke? $2 more each time you want your coat.
2. Cheapest beers (domestic bottles) are $6 minimum. You can get $4 car bombs next door. And karaoke. (in between $$$ beers after paying your cover at smartbar).
3. You want a water to hydrate in between alcoholic beverages? Be prepared to receive a bottled shitstream/crystal geiser water at the price of $3, bc they do not serve tap water back w/ alcohol. Evidently, the bartenders are c*ntmuffins.
4. Does that sum it up? The atmosphere is dec, but nothing fabulous. Terribly dark and tough to sign your bill (had to shine my iPhone over the receipt to close out).
The water thing, though, is a liability. Dumb on the establishment & servers/bartenders. I'm a bartender myself & would give people water over the risk of overserving, to aid someone generally in need, despite any bar policies. Why would I ask for a glass of water at 3am? Our health was in consideration. My friend suffered from a concussion a few weeks ago too and that was the primary reason for requesting H2O...but sorry, we think water should be free (as we can flush your toilets countlessly and run your water from the restroom sinks as long as we please). Use your better judgement. Thanks smartbetches. -
Review from Jeremy G.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012
Smart Bar is Awesome Great Scene, Great Music, Great People. Located near the side of Metro VERY VERY VERY Good DJ's spinning all the time. The Staff is Great The Doorman are very cool and reasonal people Great Night Club Its about Dancing!!!!!!!! HOUSE MUSIC!!!
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Review from Adrienne G.
Chicago, IL
2/2/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This is a great place to go out dancing. And by dancing, i do not mean getting super dressed up, drinking martinis, dancing for one or two songs and then teetering back to the booth where you've got seats. I mean real sweat inducing, booty shaking! Drinks aren't cheap, but they don't chintz you on the pour, plus they have a photobooth. What's not to like?
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Review from J. F.
Chicago, IL
1/28/2012
When Smart Bar is hopping, it's without question one of the best live music environments in Chicago. Amazing sound system, professional staff, fantastic colorful decor... Smart Bar is just an awesome venue. And their taste in music is top notch, booking the world's hottest DJs before most Americans even hear their name.
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Review from A C.
Oak Lawn, IL
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good for people watching and exotic drinks. Really bizzare patrons make people watching interesting, but if you're not into hardcore house music (or on drugs), you probably won't have a good time. There definitely were some ravers there, wow.
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Review from Roxanne P.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
Smart Bar is an oldie but a goodie. I find it to be the best for dancing it up. Always a great DJ there no matter what. And the people are not my crowd but they are not idiots so it's cool to just hang.
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Review from Brennan W.
12/29/2011
Great DJ! Great floor, great rooms, this place is great.
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Review from Katie H.
Chicago, IL
8/21/2011
Smart Bar? Did you, um... get sued recently?
Did someone slip and fall and break something? Did you decide to make sure you took preventative measures?
I'm only asking because your floors are so FUCKING STICKY that I'm absolutely convinced you routinely mop them with a mixture of Gorilla Glue and Kool-Aid powder.
The first couple times I came to Smart Bar I thought the obvious.... someone must have just spilled a drink. However, after a few visits where I arrived especially early and the place was dead... it was still like I was walking over swaths of fly paper. Gross.
Mop your floors. Try using actual cleaning fluid and not Baja Blast. Seriously. It's like the Exxon Val Bubbleyum hit an iceberg on your floor.
Other than that, we're cool.
Really! The clubbing experience can be like an abusive relationship. You spend a lot of time longing for days gone by when you were in love and everything was easy. These days you just spend your nights getting violated and crying (I'm referring to The Mid when I write this. Did I actually get violated? No. Well... maybe. I can't remember. But two bottles of Absolut Vodka and mixers should never cost $700.)
You occasionally will run into typical club problems at Smart Bar. You might get groped. You might have some ugly, goth bitch snub you in conversation (don't step to me bitch, I can smell the Mid-Michigan coming off of you a mile away) but for the most part you'll enjoy yourself. Smart Bar consistently books good acts and there's little pretension (aside from Robert Smith Girl). -
Review from Selina K.
Chicago, IL
12/26/2011
Hands down, my favourite place to get down. I always have a great time and the bartenders are awesome. You can't get any better than Smart Bar if you're a house head like me. The DJs they bring in are top notch!
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Review from Stefan K.
Allston, MA
8/22/2011
There is no other place like SmartBar in Chicago. So if I can divide commercialism and cool goodness in two separate electronic music sides Smart Bar is where you'll get an ultra dose of the second one. This is where people come to hear and celebrate music, not to hang out and be seen.
Coolest labels, DJs from Europe and around the world and vinyl used by all guests and residents behind decks. What more shall I say? One thing thou, they can tune up and adjust the sound a tiny bit better. It still is a great system(function one). Marcel Dettmann came to Chicago and naturally played in SmartBar. Enough said;) -
Review from Emily B.
Chicago, IL
8/1/2011
Best club in Chicago! I love it here and have been here so many times I lost count.
It is located in the basement of Metro and you can usually always find free parking on the street. If not there are parking lots that cost about $10-15. I usually go here on Thursday nights when they have dubstep or drum & bass dj's. Other nights they have hip hop, techno and/or house. Sometimes it is free to get in, other times free before midnight with a text message from them.
The sound system is absolutely amazing! Your ears should be ringing when you leave and you definitely feel the bass through your entire body. The best part of this club is that there are 2 sections, the dance floor by the dj which is huge and has a bar, and then a more loungy area with seats as well as another bar.
I also love the people here. From the bouncers to the bartenders to everyone who is here to have a good time and just enjoy music they love. No one judges here.
The only negative thing I can say about this place are the bathrooms.... but you don't go out at night for luxury bathroom going ;) The womens bathroom gets so gross by the end of the night, I think they just have bad plumbing so there really isn't anything they can do.
Smart Bar is my go-to place when I want to have a fun, drama free night with amazing people and music. -
Review from Angie P.
8/8/2011
Great bar for house & electro / dance music. Sound system is booming, like nothing I've ever heard before.
It is a bit too dark for me, but I guess it helps "set the mood". :D There's not much to the decor either. It's more or less like someone's suped up basement at home. But hey, you're there for the music, right? -
Review from stacy w.
Los Angeles, CA
7/22/2011
I am crazy for the nightlife for two reasons. The freedom that comes with the darkness, music, alcohol and the people!!
This place satisfied both of those. ESPECIALLY the music. Good god! We were in town for about a week and stopped here twice. Once to see Moody man and again to stop by after going to a place called the Shrine on the southside for some NUdisco. Man i fell in love with music on the dancefloor both nights.
It's open until 4 which I loved!It's not the swankiest of places by no stretch of the imagination and they could use a stall or two more in the restroom but aside from that i was satisfied. -
Review from Desi G.
Des Plaines, IL
8/21/2011
Coolest crowd, no leopard printed dresses, nor high-heels. Just real cool music, from best world (especially Europe) DJs AND TURNTABLES!
I am coming here for the past 6 years and will keep coming back. It is for the music and the unpretentious staff, too. -
Review from David M.
New York, NY
6/27/2011
If I could give 3 1/2 stars I would. Nothing special about the space itself. Rather dark with minimal decor not in a hip way. But they make up with the lack of character with a great soundsystem. The crowd is eclectic some cool most not but all are generally up for a good time. Not much concern for dress codes here.
So in summary, a great place to come if you're just looking to dance and not worried about dressing or impressing. I'd like to try it again to get a better idea of the place when a big name DJ plays there. -
Review from Ling H.
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a great little find! I am so glad the bf went along with a suggestion from a friend who used to live in Chicago and took us here. It definitely set a great mood on our first night in Chicago. We paid our $10 admission and headed down the hallway to a black end where there was a silver door handle. I opened the door and behold, a staircase. Pretty cool because I don't see places like that in California. Then a spacious room with a bar, but no one. Up an small flight of stairs to the main room and that's where everyone was, either at the bar or on the dance floor where anything goes.
We went on a night where the DJ's played a genre called "Dub Step." I had never really heard it before, but definitely loved the vibe it created. Everyone was pretty nice as they were all letting loose and doing their own thing.
Drink specials for this Thursday night were $5 3 Olives 80 vodka in BIG glasses and not the dinky half glasses that you would get at a club. Awesome! The night was getting better and better! Note: They do charge an extra $3 for a Red Bull in your drink :)
They also have a black and white photo booth for $3 to capture the moment :) One of my favorite things of the bar.
Definitely a place I would check out again if I was back in town as it was not something I would normally do. They play different music everyday of the week so I would check their website and for special DJ appearances. -
Review from Shana H.
5/29/2011
I just love to dance and needed a dance release on a business trip I took to Chicago. After reading through some reviews of this club and and few other dance/techno clubs, my coworker and I decided on this one, moreso, because it was more of a straight shot for us from Evanston being visitors traveling around town at dark-thirty at night.
We enjoyed ourselves. Clientele was ...eh... a bit young and not so 'daring' for my taste but we accomplished what we set out to.
I could see myself going back for dancing. -
Review from Dana G.
1/6/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Ohhhh Smart Bar how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1. The Funktion One sound system is enough to give you permanent tinnitus. It will get the most wall of flowers up and moving.
2. They aren't messing around with their drinks. Every time I come here I get blackout/time travel drunk- for cheap. They have great specials. $3 3 Olive vodka drinks on Thursdays! Any of my burb friends that think it's more expensive to drink in Chicago, don't know where to go.
3. They book some of the best talent around. Great music and no 16 year olds YAY! Also the douche ratio here is favorably low. I don't have to worry about some dude in a sparkly shirt grabbing my ass or some bimbo with too much spray tan grinding my bf. They book the best in house, techno, drum and bass etc.
4. The photo booth here is responsible for covering my fridge like wallpaper. $3 to make those memories last!... (and for me to actually remember a portion of the night!)
5. When it gets too hot on the dance floor the turn on the fans! Dance til your feet bleed! There are 2 bars and the girls bathroom is spacious but only has 3 stalls and one sink.... but a HUGE mirror- hello vanity!
6. Everyone here is dancing and having a good time and the bartenders are friendly!
Check your douche bag at the door and put on your dancing shoes!
LOVE THIS PLACE! -
Review from Dj Nightwolf ..
Chicago, IL
12/14/2010 8 Check-ins Here
Let me get it outta the way and start off by saying that Smart Bar gets the official Mr Beautiful stamp of approval for having amazing DJ's, an amazing sound system, attentive bartenders, and a crowd of people that are all about the music and having good time.
I like that it's not a fashion show in here like at some other clubs where many people are out to see & be seen in an attempt to have their faces plastered all over the interwebs. Pretty much everyone at this club is here for the DJ's and the music. Nice.
This is a great place to hang out with friends and do a lil dancin. If you find yourself at the Metro and still wanna party afterward, Smart Bar is right there to fulfill your nocturnal need for music.
If you wanna hear Top 40 and Hip-hop, then, this is not the place for you.
If you wanna hear some bangin underground house music, then, this is the place to be.
Holla!!!™Listed in: House Music All Night Long
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Review from Rena A.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 9/11/2011
I'm not a slut I promise!!! But whenever I go out, I have to look like I wanna get banged. On Friday night, I abandoned my black pumps and I busted out my Vans because I knew I was gonna need them. Smart Bar was the last stop of the night so the Vans were put to good use. House music was my Energizer battery...pumping through veins which kept me dancing and dancing...until I had to leave because I start work at 4. Beside the douche who was trying to dance with me and drank...not sip...my vodka lemonade...everything was all good.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/28/2011
My only advice ...to my girls... DON'T WEAR HEELS!!!
I love this place..you know why! There ain't no… Read more »
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Review from Sean D.
1/25/2011 10 Check-ins Here
I have been going to this joint for the past 7 years or so, and have not yet gotten angry about really anything here, ever. Best small club sound in Chicago (Funktion1 Holler). Only complaint about the sound is on occasion its a bit too loud, but I always forget my ear plugs (stupid me).
Bartenders are not messing around down there. If you take care of them you will never feel cheated about drink prices/specials, although prices fluctuate depending on the day, a bit bogus IMHO. Often leave this establishment not recalling the second half of the night, due to drink strength.
They have been through their fair share of dickhead doormen in the past, although the biggest one is no longer an employee, holler. Now they are all pretty down to earth and decent guys.
The place is layed out so that you can get your 2-step on and get funky or you can step on the otehr side of the wall and have a conversation with your peers and not have to scream at them (but still enjoy the music fairly loud).
Any place that has Hendrick's Gin automatically gets a 3 star minimum from this guy. -
Review from Peter L.
Marquette, MI
11/18/2010
Why isn't this rating higher?
I show a Michigan drivers license and its like I'm from fucking Mars. Michigan is real. I didn't make it up. It has a mitten and a weird little add on across the big lake. Honest.
The sound system is awesome. The drinks are damn expensive but its par for the course at this place. The one thing that keeps me coming back whenever I visit my cousins is the talent they have coming into this place. Always a packed crowd that's loving it.
Get a new bouncer, or at least one that isn't a prick about admittance. I'm not a transplant. I go back to enemy territory once I am done with your fair city. But if you are visiting Chicago I would check this place out. Good music, pretty good beverage selection and nice atmosphere. -
Review from Ciao H.
Astoria, NY
4/10/2011
Too loud and too many people literally falling on the floor drunk at the end of the night, which is odd because the drinks are a little overpriced.
It was nice to see the regulars getting down and sometimes the music was really damn good, but when its minimal and so loud you can feel your feet vibrate on the dancefloor, then its annoying.
Honestly, I wouldn't go back, too many men grabbing at you (and I didn't even have heels and a dress on) and way too much bass drowning out the treble. zzzzzz.... -
Review from Tim R.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2011
There are no dresscodes, lines, pushy bouncers or judgmental assholes here. Just an amazing sound system dropping amazing beats directly from some of the most amazing DJs and producers in the country.
Wear what's comfortable and check your coat, because once you hit the the dance floor, if you're doing it right, it'll be a full-on dance-athon, and by morning, you're gonna be a sweaty, blissful mess, and no one will care what you wore anyway. -
Review from Izzy N.
Updated - 8/15/2010
Like Little Boots proclaims: dancing is my remedy!! Still fun as ever BUT if you get their text messages, they send out too many in a week- it's a bit much, like an obsessed admirer. Alright alright I get it, geez, enough already. So I had to quit the subscription to the messages. It can be useful to know what Dj will be there or of any specials, but I'm not looking to be out every night. I am a responsible adult you see ;-)
Still fun times so still five stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/2/2008
I could dance here all night. Save your pretty for somewhere else cuz Smart Bar is not that kinda… Read more »
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Review from Erin C.
10/16/2010
If you're looking for an amazing place to dance and see some great DJs, Smart Bar is it. Smart Bar gets in some pretty exceptional shows, and the price is usually not terribly high - if you sign up for their text message specials, you can get $5 knocked off of cover if you show up before midnight - bonus! (Disclaimer: they text a lot, so if you don't have unlimited texts, I might think twice.)
The bartenders are Smart Bar are super attentive, the crowd is cool (although it does vary by show, I've never had problems with the uber douchebags you find at so many clubs), and you should have no problem finding a place to sit and sip your drink if you need a break from dancing.
One thing to note - there's no real dress code here, so dress accordingly. People aren't super dressed up, so no need to bust out the stilettos and little black dress for this one. -
Review from Jiyoun B.
Chicago, IL
9/9/2010
Do dress comfortably
Don't wear high platform peep toed shoes. (especially if you're a guy, exception: all the fabulous drag queens out there)
Do get funky and dance anyway you want (yes, even the robot)
Don't wait for the featured DJ to come out, he won't until 3 AM
Do drink responsibly
Don't approach me with your butt first (ok maybe just this once) -
Review from Louise P.
9/7/2010
Came here for the late night party after the North Coast Music Fest and was NOT disappointed. It was my first trip to Chicago and I heard this place was cool and it lived up to the hype. It reminded me a lot of Le Poisson Rouge in NYC.
Plenty of bathrooms, very flexible about going outside to smoke, and $2 PBRs. We had a ton of room to dance and everyone was having a great time. I would definitely come back here for another dance party the next time I'm in Chi! -
Review from John W.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2010
short version: fun club, 4 rlz
Usually when people say "This club doesn't judge", it means "this club is full of people just like me" -- but I saw such an incredible cross-section at Smart Bar. And everyone was having a blast. Frat-Bros dancing next to Bears dancing next to Blipsters...and not a single annoying person on the floor.
Ok, there was a small crowd of creepy guys ringing the dance floor, but even they were well-behaved.
I get the feeling on a non-rainy night it gets a little more crowded, but the place never felt over-stuffed, and we never waited long for drinks ($6 wells).
The DJ tonight was extremely shite, but I don't think he's a resident...just a bad choice. From the flyers they have some pretty big talent come through. -
Review from Shawday B.
San Francisco Bay, CA
6/6/2011
While visiting I wanted to go to a dance club that specialized in house/progressive/drum n bass all all the other glorious forms of what I consider TRUE dance music. I also didn't want to normal upscale, pretentious clubs where the guys are douche bags trying to hump on you..and there are half naked go-go dancers everywhere. (that may work for some people, but my husband and I agree we really don't like or need those unnecessary distractions). We went this past weekend with two friends and had a wonderful time! Not every song was great, but many were. My only complaint is the the website said it'd be playing house and trance - and we planned our whole visit based on that- and when we went it was more progressive and drum and bass. We still had fun though and if I lived here I'd definitely come back!
Listed in: Chi-town :D, Dancing? Oh yeah, that's my…
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Review from Pam S.
8/10/2010
One of the best nights out I've had in a while... Sunday = Dollar Disco! So much fun... and the in-house resident DJs were incredible. We weren't intending on staying that late, but the music was so good, we got our dance on even though we were exhausted and closed the club at 4am. Sic.
This place has a nice, big dancefloor, pretty good sound system.. an old school photobooth (!!!), and a $1 cover charge on Sundays. What!? So awesome. Cheap drinks.. cool staff.. a crowd that is truly there to get down and dance instead of stand around looking pretty (no high heels.. most of the people were in whatever they wore to Lollapalooza earlier.. shorts and t-shirts and sneakers). So fantastic. Because my buddy G kept buying a shit tonne of drinks, the bartender just gave him a free beer.. just like that. That NEVER happens, right?
Dope music, great crowd, lots of fun. AMAZING! Wish I could find a house spot like this in NYC. You kids in Chicago, you don't know how lucky you are! -
Review from Matt R.
11/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Smart bar probably could be named smug bar.
Located nowhere near all the river north clubs, this one has a name and reputation that might make you think it's full of guidos, europop, overpriced drinks, painfully loud music and nowhere to sit. You would be wrong.
In comparison to entourage and sound-bar, this location has plenty to offer. They do have reduced cover via text so be sure to sign up.
It's pretty small location wise, but has plenty of seating, none requiring vip. Likewise, drinks were inexpensive and nobody was pushy or rude.
And the music? Awesome house that was quite original.
This is a must check out location for any dancer of any age - really, the crowd is varied. -
Review from Hayley A.
Village of Clarkston, MI
8/8/2011
Such a fun place! I dance my ass off the entire night. Great music, good crowd of people, and good strong drinks! Definitely will be returning!
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Review from Nick R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/23/2011
Laidback not an overly aggressive atmosphere. Overall a good experience. One thing I will say and I'll prob catch some flack here. Chicago girls aren't as hot as Cali girls. Jeez, a 10 in Chicago is a 5 back where I'm from.
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Review from Jennifer M.
Zion, IL
1/31/2011
Perhaps it was just a first bad impression but I set off to smart bar with high hopes for the promised DJ. First off, if there is a going to be a cover there is no reason why the 1)the beer selection would be shitty and 2)the shitty beer costs AT THE LEAST 6 dollars a bottle. My short glass mixed drink cost 8. I had already spent over 20 dollars just to get in and get a small mixed drink and a shitty beer only to find out the DJ was terrible. And I realize this was the opening DJ but his set went on for over 2 hours.
A positive note- I really dig the atmosphere as far as how the bars are set up and the seating areas. Its just overall, not my idea of a great night -
Review from Bernadette A.
Fremont, CA
12/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cool staff, decent cover (10 bucks I think), great music, and tons of cuties! Very laid back atmosphere and ample seating available. From what I remember, drinks were pretty stiff.
The music surpassed all of that though!
We went on Halloween so I'm not sure how it is on a regular night.
The ladies room can use an upgrade though. It was grossly flooded that night. What's with Chicago public restrooms being all funky? It's not a big deal for the guys but us ladies are particular! -
Review from Tony G.
Garland, TX
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok club in a nice and safe part of Chicago. Wish the music was better.
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Review from Mandi G.
Chicago, IL
4/22/2010
It never gets old.
Some house music all night long...
Don't wear high heel shoes.Listed in: Mary Jayne's Secret Stash aka…
