I’m going to be in Chicago this weekend and I’ve been tasked with finding a place to: Quote: “Get dressed up nice and go dancing”… We’re staying at a hotel a few blocks from Navy Pier and I’d prefer not to have to head out to the burbs if I can avoid it… Any Chi-Dopers got advice on a nice trendy spot to go? I’d surely appreciate any input… Thanks!
Haven’t gotten dressed up nice and gone dancing in a long time, but thought I might try and help. Hopefully someone will come along with some first hand experience.
But here is a link for ya:
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/barsandclubs/
If the Cubs clinch the Central…how 'bout in the streets?
You may notice from following that link that even in the barsandclubs section, mainly it talks about food… Now… I’m from the Chicago area originally and you don’t have to tell me (Or my waistline) how good the food in Chicago is compared to other parts of the world… But I need to know less about the menu and more about the atmosphere… I was kinda hoping for a firsthand account of a good spot to hit while in the city…
This site is usually right on with the hot spots:
Industrial/Techno? Salsa? Ballroom? Jazz?
Good question Random… I’m going to assume Salsa, Ballroom, and Jazz aren’t what she had in mind though…
Ask a concierge. Seriously.
The concierges in Chicago are as good as those I’ve spoken to in other large cities (NY, LA, SF…).
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the concierge at the Drake or Knickerbocker or Four Seasons should be willing to answer a quick question.
Sejal_Traurig, are you talking about going “clubbing”?
I’ve always had a great time at Vision (formerly Aura) on Dearborn several blocks North of Ohio (possibly at Ontario?). Its in the same building as the well know club Excaliber.
Vision has clubby dance music spun by DJs on turntables. Its laid out with I think 4 floors, but with the middle of each floor open with rails to watch the dancefloor below. Sometimes, the basement is open also. Its more loungy and ‘chill’ down there.
The cover varies and the drinks will probably start around $5ea.
No problem finding a taxi there, either.
This is a matter of opinion, so I’ll move this thread to IMHO.
bibliophage
moderator GQ
Depends on what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend. One thing’s for sure: don’t let anyone talk you into going to a suburban club, period. EVER. Gah. EVER!
The nicer, prettier downtown clubs will be more expensive. Circus on Weed Street, White Star on Ontario, Spy Bar – they all have that see-and-be-seen feel and good-to-great house/techno music, but it costs $20 to get in the door, and even cheap drinks are $6 a pop.
If you want to do the tourist thing and stay close to the hotel, you can go to the Rush Street bars, like Mother’s (ever see …About Last Night? That bar), The Leg Room, Alumni Club, Bootleggers (which smells exactly like ass), Butch McGuire’s. But be warned: it’s full of tourists, suburbanites, and middle-aged businessmen looking to get laid. Can be lots of fun depending on your state of mind, and it’s certainly easy to get to/from via taxi.
Two of my favorite places: Smart Bar on Clark (in Wrigleyville) and Big Chick’s on Sheridan (in Uptown). They’re both fun, laid-back, and have good music. Smart Bar is more house music, and Big Chick’s is an eclectic mix of pop and house and other stuff.
Sigh. I miss going out dancing!
Awww, I’ll take you dancing Gundy.
You just have to get me home before I turn into a pumpkin!
Golly, zoid, you’re swell! 
If you like Latin, definitely Club 720! (720 N. Wells). Great people watching, and some really fabulous dancing…
:sigh: it’s been far too long…
With the numbers of Dopers expressing an interest in going out dancing, do I spell a ChiDanceDope in the near future? Hmmmmmmmm?
**Zanshin, ** you’d be too busy drooling over all the ladies at 720 anyway…have you ever been there?
I’m still waiting for KaraokeDope!
I will need at least a case of High Life before I go anywhere near KaraokeDope.
All I really wanted to say was that Big Chicks is the shit and they have the coolest T-shirts. The last time I was there my drink slipped out of my hands and I caught it between my knees without spilling a drop.
That can be arranged, can it not, my fellow ChiDopers?
Drooling? Moi? Come now, I have far too much class for that.
Wait a minute… no I don’t! Carry on. 
I think an expedition to Big Chick’s needs to be made in the near future. Any takers?
Thunderbug is right…Metromix.com is your best bet…it will show you everything that is going on!