Edition: Dance All Night
Nightlife: VIP Chicago After Dark
Author: Jody Robbins
Ali Baba had to identify 'Open Sesame' as his password to his treasure horde; you just have to follow this Chicago nightlife guide to high-end partying.The options are endless after dark in Chicago; unfortunately we don't have the space to cover them all this issue, but tune in and we'll give it another go in the future--rest assured!
Whether you arrive in a limo with your entourage or alone in a ramshackle, rules-of-the-road-eschewing Chicago taxi, nightlife is about letting go of life’s conventions in the dark of night and early morning glow, drinking—or not—and talking, dancing, and V.I.P.-ing your way through town.
Take advantage of this energy-laden scene at upscale spots like NV Penthouse Lounge, where the city opens up from the terrace and through the glass walls at this modernleaning club. A prime example of pay to play, don’t expect to take a seat here without shelling out dough for bottle service, but do so and watch your popularity soar. Talented, lean dancers add to the atmosphere. Set just over a block west of State Street in the River North neighborhood, it’s the DJs and the vibe here that recommend it. Editor’s Tip: Not a place for wall sitters!
Le Passage has anchored the high-end lounge scene in the Gold Coast for yearsnow, hosting A-list celebrities and one elegant-yet-raucous party after another. It’s now been joined by The Drawing Room, a culinary cocktail lounge. No reason to eat organic day in and day out, then drink high fructose corn syrup at the bar, so don’t. Rather, enjoy the fruits of top mixologist Charles Joly’s labor and sample small plate fare from chef Nick Lacasse. Step through connecting doors into the “Discotheque” area and jam to wild DJ tunes and dancing; and don’t forget to dress the part. Ask yourself, ‘What would [your favorite celebrity] wear here?’
Another V.I.P. nightclub is The Underground. The low profile entrance is lessened in effectiveness by the high profile staff and the bunker-themed design of this space. A steady string of special events keeps things interesting, ranging from film preview after parties to fashion show follow-ups. The idea is to make the most sedate partygoer feel free to take on a revolutionary edge. Expect a line and a cover charge unless you know somebody, or go early and stay until 5 a.m. Sunday morning (a.k.a. late-late Saturday night).
Crobar built its reputation early on in Chicago with an industrial edge in both its look and its music, but the new Crobar opened in 2002 with more of a modern feel. The alwaysactive dance floor here remains the reasonclubbers flock to the place night after night. Sister clubs in Miami and Buenos Aires have plenty of pop and sizzle as well, with the party at the Buenos Aires edition keeping the beat until sunrise (been there, done that). Expect straightforward club mixes here, for the most part, and a good range of guest DJs. This long-time Chicago staple stays on the edge, but is accessible to those with their hats on straight.
If really getting down in a sweat-dripping, lose-yourself lather is your call, then head to the slightly raw scene on the 11,000-sq.-ft. dance floor at Ohm (1958 W. North Ave., 773-278-4646). At this second-floor club, guys and girls are getting down upstairs, downstairs—on the stairs. It’s an all-night spot and spills out onto the lively party scene in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods centered around “Six Corners,” the intersection of North, Milwaukee and Damen avenues (been there, done that, too).
In short, you’ve got plenty of options to wear that dress or don that new embroidered shirt, and then spend the night cavorting into the wee hours—if you have the magic lamp-like combination of fortitude and fat pocketbook.
Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610
Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.
The Underground
54 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60610
The Underground is late-night dance spot offering a constantly changing line-up of talent from DJ's to Hip Hop performers and you never know what. It's one of the likeliest spots to catch a high-toned celebrity in Chicago (from David Beckham to classic acts like the Sugar Hill Gang).
The decor here recalls a futuristic underground bunker complex-like feel except that the steady wave of beautiful people lends a more positive note to the ambience.
