Chicago Nightlife and Music Scene

As a global city, there are lots that can be said about Chicago. But one claim to fame attributed to Illinois’s largest city is the thriving Chicago nightlife scene concentrated on prime entertainment and live music. With the many bars, pubs, lounges, dance clubs, casinos, piano rooms, and theaters in the area, you can't have any excuse to find yourself with nothing to do when the night sets in on Chicago. Be it a quiet evening for two or a full-on party with your whole crew, the Chicago nightlife has got you covered. Below are just some of the most popular Chicago nightlife spots to hit:

Smart Bar
Smart Bar began in 1982 as a way to bring new and exciting dance music and DJs to Chicago. Since then, Smart Bar has accomplished this goal repeatedly and established itself as one of the country’s premier cutting edge nightclubs. At the cusp of a quarter century of bringing new music to Chicago, it’s time to take a look back at how we’ve come so far…

Owner Joe Shanahan left his hometown of Chicago for New York City in the early 1980s, intending to explore by immersion the developing art, music and dance culture taking over popular culture. At the conclusion of one year, he returned to Chicago and realized that there wasn’t a club that brought together the visual, performing, experimental and fringe arts communities.

Seeking to fill that void, Shanahan drew upon his friends and travel experiences, and began to host parties for the arts and performing community in his loft. Exploiting the camaraderie in the local art community, Shanahan began to combine these DJ-driven parties with local gallery openings and live music venues. Attendance ballooned, and the parties quickly outgrew his loft space.

A local promoter directed Shanahan to 3730 North Clark Street, the building that would become Smart Bar. Originally built in 1927 as a Swedish Community Center, the building was a jazz/folk club called Stages Music Hall when Shanahan came upon it. Shanahan was enamored with the space, and in July of 1982 opened Smart Bar on the top floor of the building. Eventually, Shanahan moved Smart Bar into the lower level of the building and took over the main floor, opening the live music venue Metro there.

Smart Bar became a quick success. Groundbreaking DJs Frankie Knuckles and Joe Smooth would spin regularly while bands like Ministry and Trent Reznor showcased their new "industrial" music by playing tapes of freshly recorded tracks for the crowd. The club brought in DJs from every part of the world, as well as providing a space for local DJs to develop and grow. Smart Bar also developed a symbiotic relationship with Metro, the upstairs live music venue, hosting after party shows and allowing a space for rock and dance fans to mix and explore each other’s music, as well as opportunities for DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Fatboy Slim to play the larger room upstairs.

In early 2006, Smart Bar re-launched with a new design and new sound system. In collaboration with Joe Shanahan, interior architect Thomas Shoner designed Smart Bar’s new interior design and layout which boasted more seating, dynamic colors, and a full wall mural showcasing the work of local artists. Smart Bar tapped Funktion One, the UK audio company responsible for legendary night club systems across the globe, to power the new dance floor.

In 2007, Metro and Smart Bar will celebrate 25 years of showcasing new and developing local artists, cutting edge DJs and new genres of music. With continued accolades year after year – most recently including AOL Cityguide’s Best Dance Club and the 2006 Club World Awards Nightstalker Award for Best Underground Club – Smart Bar has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

Smart Bar is one of the country’s most renowned independent nightclubs. Established in July 1982, Smart Bar has become a playground for new and developing local artists/DJs as well as showcasing the best cutting edge music from around the globe for twenty-five years.

House of Blues
One of best spots in the Chicago nightlife scene, the House of Blues offer live entertainment every night on its Back Porch Stage. Tuesdays through Thursdays let guests experience acoustic blues starting at 7pm while the 10pm slot is occupied by the clubs main act. Local bands like Cadillac Dave & The Chicago Redhots and Big James and the Chicago Playboys are regulars in the club while a few like Liquid Soul and Trampled by Turtles require tickets during their night performances. Cover charge rates range from $7-$10 from 9:30om onwards for these music nights.

Of course, great music gets better when coupled with good food and the House of Blues' late night menu got this covered. Some of this blues club's bestsellers include a brick oven-roasted pizza with mozzarella, marinara sauce and lots of pepperoni and Chicago-style sliders.

BAR Chicago
If all-night dancing and wild partying is what you want for your Chicago nightlife experience, you can't go wrong by heading to BAR Chicago. The bar is sadly closed from Monday to Wednesday but opens up with great parties from Thursdays through Saturdays from 8:30pm to 5am.

College Night Thursdays start off the Chicago nightlife party with special booze discounts while the celebration continues on Friday with BAR Chicago's best drink specials. The party culminates on Saturdays with goodlooking bar staff and bartenders pouring drinks and the best local DJs playing great mixes.

Tommy Gun's Garage
Aside from the blues and jazz music the Chicago nightlife is known for, dinner theaters are also popular in this Illinois city. Tommy Gun's Garage is the best place to go and watch these shows. With its warehouse look complete with concrete floors and 20's appeal with memorabilia and old school photos, the place is an event in itself. The rates are also affordable and range from $50-$60 inclusive of the show and 5-course dinner.

There is something for everybody when it comes to Chicago nightlife and music scene. These exciting hotspots in this city are certain to make your stay and visit to Chicago more interesting.