Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you'll get Yow himself to spill some of his late-night tales. 1 Oak Place (between Rush
and State sts). & 312/255-0022. www.lepassage.tv. Cover $15-$20. Subway/El: Red Line to
Chicago.
Red Dog Another spot you have to reach by slipping down an alley, Red Dog
is a loft space overlooking the action in Wicker Park. The throbbing beats of
underground and industrial house attract serious clubgoers. As far as what to
wear, anything goes. Dress up, down, casual, or extreme—you'll see pretty much
everything here. The gay-themed Boom-Boom Room on Monday is hands-down
the most exotic night on the social calendar, with club kids, drag queens, and
platform dancers all bobbing to a house beat. Besides Monday, the club is open
Wednesdays and weekends. 1958 W. North Ave. (at Milwaukee Ave.). & 773/278-1009.
Cover $6-$10. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
Rednofive Taking its name from the ubiquitous artificial dye used in food
products, rednofive is no fake, thanks to its sleek design and tight lineup of all-
star DJs spinning a sonic deluge of progressive and abstract house music. The
dark, underground feel attracts clubbers who are serious about their music; you
don't have to dress to impress, but don't show up in shorts and sneakers, either.
This club tends to attract a younger club crowd who want to dance and hang
out. The space isn't very large—there's a small lounge in front and a basic dance-
floor area surrounded by seating—but devoted dance fans pack the place on
weekends. 440 N. Halsted St. (at Hubbard St.). & 312/733-6699. www.rednofive.com. Cover
$10-$20. Subway/El: Green Line to Clinton.
Smart Bar A long-established name on the dance circuit, Smart Bar, tucked
in the basement below the rock club Metro (p. 269), spins the latest musical
forms from underground house to punk to ethereal and gothic. The scene starts
late, and the dancing denizens vary widely depending on which bands are play-
ing upstairs (concertgoers get free admission to the Smart Bar). A no-frills club
that attracts a diverse crowd, you never quite know what you're going to get here,
and that's part of the appeal. This is an established Chicago spot where clubbers
can come as they are, and you'll see a range of fashion. Smart Bar stays open
until 5am on weekends. No cover before 11pm during the week. 3730 N. Clark St.
(at Racine Ave.). & 773/549-4140. www.smartbarchicago.com. Cover $5-$15 (free with show
at upstairs Metro). Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
Transit Carved out of a warehouse space beneath the elevated train tracks just
west of the hip Randolph Street restaurant row, Transit is an excellent no-non-
sense dance club that doesn't trick itself out under the auspices of any wacky
theme. Its 10,000 square feet feature a sleek, boldly colored geometric interior
with modern, minimalist furniture. The large dance-floor area, called the Oval,
is surrounded by postindustrial metal staircases leading to a VIP room, the tiny
Light Bar, and another VIP space named the Chandelier Room. The bone-rat-
tling, state-of-the-art sound system and DJs—spinning progressive dance,
remixed hip-hop, and R&B—don't disappoint the die-hard dance fans. Come
wearing your best club attire. 1431 W. Lake St. & 312/491-8600. Cover $15-$20. Subway/
El: Green Line to Ashland.
Vision The spot now known as Vision has been through several name and
decor changes over the years, but it keeps plugging away, taking advantage of a
tourist-friendly location not far from Michigan Avenue. Stretching through four
levels, Vision caters to the current nightclub trend of providing different envi-
ronments on different levels. The dance floor—thumping with house, trance,
progressive and hip-hop—fills the first floor; upper floors offer plenty of nooks
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