Club entertainment in Illinois
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A
Spin
Though its clientele consists mostly of gay men in their 20s, Spin has become a popular destination for hetero men and women on the weekends. Serious dancers hit the floor, while chatty cruisers orbit the large bar by the entrance. Don’t miss Spin’s shower contest every Friday night, when hopefuls of both genders bare (almost) all. There’s also an outdoor beer garden, darts tournaments and drag queen bingo.
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B
Debonair Social Club
It’s mostly a younger, hipster crowd dancing their asses off at Debonair. The main action takes place on the upstairs floor. That’s where Monday’s youth-friendly Rehab party draws big crowds for the can’t-sit-still oldies mash-ups, hard rock and new electro. The downstairs floor is less hot and packed, though still grooving with rock or whatnot. Reggae and burlesque shows entertain on other nights.
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C
Le Passage
Take a hint from the faux-French name: this restaurant-nightclub is not without its affected pretensions. Once you’re past the doorperson’s clipboard, though, it’s a beautiful club with French-colonial decor. It makes the appropriate backdrop for would-be models and their pursuers, all of whom try to maintain their poise while sucking down fruity Polynesian concoctions like the ‘Scorpion Bowl.’
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D
Late Bar
Owned by a couple of DJs, Late Bar's weird, new wave vibe draws fans of all stripes. It's off the beaten path in a forlorn stretch of Logan Sq, though easily reachable via the Blue Line train to Belmont.
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E
Hydrate
A wild night on the Boystown club circuit requires a visit to this frenzied spot, which boasts an open-air feel (thanks to retractable windows) and a chatty pickup scene (thanks to $1 well drinks). It’s not all roses; the service gets rude and the crowds unruly (also thanks to the $1 well drinks). Special events at the club include a male burlesque troupe and female impersonators.
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F
Beauty Bar
The owners of the Empty Bottle had a hand in this venue. The interior is an imported and restored late-1960s beauty salon from New Jersey. ‘Martinis and manicures’ are the shtick, and you can get the latter anytime for $10. Genre-spanning DJs spin nightly. If the Beauty Bar sounds familiar, it’s because it’s part of a chain with outposts in several US cities.
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G
Berlin
Stepping off the El at Belmont has long been one of the city’s best bets for finding a packed, sweaty dance floor. Berlin caters to a mostly gay crowd midweek, though partiers of all stripes jam the place on weekends. Monitors flicker through the latest video dispatches from cult pop and electronic acts, while DJs take the dance floor on trancey detours.
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H
Excalibur
The building, which once housed the Chicago Historical Society, has been remade, with three levels of dancing to mainstream house, hip-hop and ‘80s tunes. Other areas of the funhouse include jukeboxes, electronic games, pool and the occasional performance by a spirit-conjuring necromancer. Suburban and touristy crowds adore it.
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I
Funky Buddha Lounge
The Buddha shakes with hip-hop and house music (plus chunks of funk, neosoul and old-school rap). It’s usually a mixed crowd dancing in the room, which is unobnoxiously decorated with antique lighting, mural-covered walls and big ol’ Buddhas. Next door the sister venue, Butterfly Social Club, serves organic cocktails while DJs spin.
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J
Spy Bar
The atmosphere at this subterranean spot is cruise-a-rama, as scantily dressed, good-looking 20-something singles cavort to house music. They don't have plain old waiting staff here though - it's 'startenders' serving the drinks. Enter through the alley and dress nicely (no jeans) to get through the line more quickly.
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K
Sidetrack
Massive Sidetrack thumps dance music for a gay and straight crowd alike. Get ready to belt out your Broadway best at the good-time ‘show tune nights’ on Sunday and Monday. The clubs hosts stand-up comedy on Thursday. If the indoor action gets to be too much, the massive outdoor courtyard beckons.
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L
Ontourage
VIPs get all access to the exclusive recesses of this neon-lit hip-hop and house club, though it’s arguably more fun to hang downstairs with the dressed-up commoners. Ontourage seems to have the staying power lacked by its predecessors, as the space has housed a revolving door of clubs.
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M
Enclave
This club is big – 15,000 sq ft of former warehouse redone with glossy hardwood floors and lively art installations. Even with the platform dancers and coy martini menu, it’s fairly classy, bringing in Chicago celebs and a downtown crowd who dance to mainstream pan-genre hits.
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N
Smart Bar
Long-standing, unpretentious favorite for dancing, attached to the Metro rock club.
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O
Darkroom
Everyone from goths to reggae heads goes to this welcoming, brick-walled bar, which changes personality depending on what comes from its turntables. Resident DJs lead nights of ‘80s, Britpop and house, among others. There’s even the occasional sock puppet party.
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P
Sound-Bar
This 4000-sq-ft nightspot rises above the city’s other sprawling megaclubs by way of superstar trance and house DJs (John Digweed, Dimitri from Paris etc). There’s an amazing sound system and a dramatic setting of futuristic neon and steely, minimalist decor.
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Q
Leg Room
The Leg Room wins few points for originality, with safari-print stools and schmoozing, scantily dressed singles, but the laid-back vibe and friendly staff make it the most inviting place to gawk at the Rush St pick-up scene.
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R
Subterranean
DJs spin hip-hop and other styles to a trendy crowd at this place, which looks slick inside and out. The cabaret room upstairs draws good indie rock bands and hosts popular open-mic events.
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