#smartbar

[kahl1l0]

[xoeynon]

smokin that pack that makes you smart i’m smarter now

[sevendavisjr]

[deirdreskye]

What is, in your opinion, the best club you've been to, and what is the worst? Describe them.

I haven't been to all that many! In Chicago the only clubs I've ever been to are smartbar, podlasie, and smoke & mirrors, plus a bunch of just show venues that happened to be doing a dance music thing like sleeping village and the empty bottle. there are, of course, innumerable places that people call a club but aren't really in my view because they don't play actually good dance music and have a shit setup for dancing. Berlin (RIP) was like this, I'd hear people talk about going there to dance and I'd be like How? Place was clearly more set up for lame-ass drag shows and shit lmao. The stages dominate the whole floorspace!

But anyway smartbar is definitely my favorite, podlasie is awesome too but the thing about it is it just depends on the night. I've had the time of my life at those places and I've been to some real fucking waste of time stinkers. It's like that for diy raves too. You really just gotta know when to go.

[if-only-angels-could-prevail]

Hi! Long-time follower here ig lmao. I'm moving to Chicago next week, any recommendations for stuff (to do/eat/see/go, etc.)?

oh lol this is such a huge question! and it also depends which area you're moving to. ummmm if you like theatre, there's a TON, more than i can keep track of tbh. but if you want something cool and late-night, the neo-futurists is a very Chicago thing to do. i think the two most famous regional theatres in chicago are the goodman and steppenwolf. they both do great work, and they're a good starting point. also shout out to the court theatre, blank theatre company, theatre wit, trap door theatre, a red orchid theatre, and lyric opera. i've adored at least one show from each of these companies (and they all do VERY different work).

in my neighborhood (andersonville), check out the bookstores women and children first, and uncharted books. and if you like thrifting, check out brown elephant. (i'm also addicted to going to tuesday night piano karaoke at elixir in andersonville lol. if you end up going sometime, there's like a 50% chance i'll be there)

the chicago symphony is where i spend most of my evenings these days tbh (the promo code "student" will get you a ticket discount lol)

the art institute is just as good as you've heard. the MCA also rules.

some of my personal favorite live music venues are: SPACE in Evanston, Old Town School of Folk Music, city winery in the loop, and constellation. i like these venues because they have chairs and i'm tired of going to concerts where i'm constantly bumping into twinks with $12 white claws, but also because they program great music at relatively affordable prices.

if you like dancing/nightlife, i like sidetrack, queen on sunday nights at smartbar (amazing djs), a diy queer drag party called boots (they're on instagram), and berlin (berlin is where the cool queers go, and has arguably the best drag in chicago--keep in mind it does get a bit crowded and claustrophobic). (NVM, BERLIN WORKERS JUST ANNOUNCED THEY’RE ON STRIKE, SO DON’T GO THERE LOL). the drag competition on thursday nights at charlie's is also a fabulous time.

oh and if you like going to movies, you have to check out the gene siskel film center (the best programming in the city), the music box (the COOLEST movie theatre in the city), and facets. be sure to look into the series (serieses?) that these theatres program—they do a lot of fabulous screenings of older movies, and also some great film festivals. i also go to the alamo drafthouse a lot for convenience, even tho they piss me off. but they do sometimes have cool programming.

that's what i got off the top of my head!!! congrats on the move, i love chicago and i hope you do too!!!

[gnetophyte]

also i’m hosting a party at smartbar on the 27th and i got to pick the theme so i chose Pirates- this is the giant hook hand i’m making for it. still needs paint but i love how huge it is

+ matching eyepatch!! going for a sea urchin type of deal

[smartgadgetss]

ARB SmartBar Under Vehicle Armor (UVA) is designed to protect the underside of off-road vehicles. Made from lightweight, durable materials, it shields crucial components like the engine, transmission, and fuel tank from rocks, debris, and tough terrains during off-roading.

Key Uses:

🛡️ Protection: Safeguards vital parts from damage.

🚗 Durability: Built to endure harsh conditions and rough terrains.

⚙️ Easy Installation: Fits securely to your vehicle for added defense.

🌍 Off-Road Ready: Ideal for adventurers who tackle extreme environments.

[molsons112000]

Putting a lounge bar in the signature room in the John Hancock would be a great idea.

Chicago has many bars, including hotel bars, bars with food, and bars with live music:

LE BAR: Intimate downtown bar with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, leather textures, and faux fur throw pillows

Z Bar Chicago: Contemporary bar with views above Michigan Avenue that's good for events

Smartbar: Independent nightclub with live music and DJs

Hopleaf: Bar with a large beer selection and food like mussels and frites cooked in beer 



zbarchicago.com

Z Bar Chicago

View New Menu. Private Events. Iconic Views Meet Innovative Interiors. Set above Chicago's iconic Michigan Avenue, Z Bar's contemporary design and approachable atmosphere create the perfect setting for your next event. Pricing and details available upon request. Learn More. VISIT Z BAR. Hours. Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Friday – Saturday: 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Sunday: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Learn More. Email Signup. Please, enter a valid first name First Name - Required Please, enter a valid last name Last Name - Required Please, enter a valid email Email - Required. Privacy Preference Center.

Sofitel Chicago

LE BAR - Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

Email: sofitelchicago@sofitel.com. Home LE BAR. The Bar. Information. Location. DINING. LE BAR. LE BARThe Bar. The Bar. Our intimate downtown Chicago bar, features floor to ceiling glass walls and an inviting atmosphere. Inspired by the hotels architecture, crafted by French Architect Jean-Paul Viguier, the design and floor plan utilizes modern lines and bold shapes. Luxurious leather textures and unexpected faux fur throw pillows pair with sleek lines and metal accents promising an unrivaled cocktail and dining experience. Click HERE or call 312-324-4000 to make your reservation. For a 360 degree view of Le Bar, click here. View Menu. Le Bar.

smartbarchicago.com

Smartbar | Live Music, Concerts, and Events | Chicago, IL

Smart Bar is Chicago's independent nightclub, celebrating 35 years of showcasing new and exciting dance music and the most cutting edge DJ's from around the ...

Eater Chicago

Great Chicago Bars With Legitimately Delicious Food

Feb 7, 2024 — There aren't many bars in Chicago that can hold a candle to the stellar and expansive beer selection at Hopleaf, and to top it off the food menu is also worth bragging about. Among the more popular options are the mussels and frites (offered Belgian-style, cooked in beer) and the CB+J (cashew butter, fig jam, and raclette cheese sandwich), but pretty much everything is solid.

Chicago also has other bars and clubs, including:

Chicago Magic Lounge: Theater and performances in Ravenswood with entrances decorated with magic show posters

Haymarket Pub & Brewery: Brewery in the West Loop that's good for food and beer

Sidetrack: Bar and club in Boystown 

River North is another area of Chicago known for its nightlife, including upscale cocktail bars, lounges, and dance clubs. 

[ayantika2920]

what are the best clubs in Chicago Downtown?

Chicago's downtown area boasts a vibrant nightlife scene, including numerous clubs and bars catering to various tastes and preferences. Here are some of the best clubs in Chicago's downtown area:

Smartbar: Located in the basement of the iconic Metro music venue, Smartbar is known for its cutting-edge electronic music, featuring both local and international DJs.

The Mid: A popular club featuring top DJs and electronic dance music, The Mid offers a spacious dance floor, state-of-the-art sound system, and a vibrant atmosphere.

PRYSM Nightclub: With a sleek and modern design, PRYSM Nightclub hosts some of the hottest DJs and performers, offering an upscale clubbing experience.

Sound-Bar: One of Chicago's largest and most popular nightclubs, Sound-Bar features multiple levels, each with its own DJ and music genre, including house, hip-hop, and top 40 hits.

ROOF on theWit: Located atop theWit Hotel, ROOF offers stunning views of the city skyline along with craft cocktails, live DJs, and a sophisticated rooftop atmosphere.

[groovesnjams]

"The Precision of Infinity" by Jlin ft. Philip Glass

MG:

When I read that the upcoming Jlin release would feature Philip Glass my mind immediately skipped several more logical conclusions and jumped straight to "new Philip Glass composition on the Jlin album!" apparently mistaking "feature" for "collaboration." Alas, that is not the case, but she does sample my (and everyone's, I'm sure) favorite Philip Glass, the Metamorphosis suite from Solo Piano. The resulting track is something of a modern mash-up, Jlin's laser cut footwork production set against Glass's sumptuous, roiling piano. What the two unlikely track-mates share is their excess of energy. I believe I bought Solo Piano my senior year of high school because it was the only Philip Glass CD Borders had in stock and sometimes I would put it on to "relax" because it was one of the only pieces of instrumental music I owned. Unsurprisingly, I never felt even slightly soothed by this album -- it's a life cycle that completes in a little over 30 minutes. (The other piece of instrumental music I owned was Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Yanqui U.X.O. I don't think music really, like, can be relaxing for me, but that's another post.) Pairing this sort of warm, accelerated, organic process with cold, futuristic, hyperactive club rhythms feels like another permutation of the man machine. Jlin remains on the cutting edge of these experiments, unafraid to embrace the often alienating space of contemporary classical music and unyielding in her own vision.

DV:

I do think it's interesting how increasingly Jlin seems aligned with contemporary classical. This isn't new exactly - she was collaborating with William Basinski way back in 2017. But something like "The Precision of Infinity" and its near-bassless beauty seems designed more for seated appreciation than mass movement: I can imagine watching a performance of it while seated in an auditorium balcony much more easily than I can picture it being dropped in a sweaty basement rave. The beauty of Jlin's work is that it wouldn't be out of place in either setting, that even if she's leaning a bit further toward an audience that wouldn't know what to do with Smartbar if they stumbled in after a Cubs game, she's still making music that could be played there by a DJ who knew what they were doing. And maybe I'm not being entirely fair here. The concept for "The Precision of Infinity" is "dance music for people who like piano suites", but the execution is visceral enough to remind me that sometimes those are the same people who can hold it down on the dancefloor until after dawn.

[iowadream]

ykw fuck it. im gonna do the same thing. here's a bunch of live shows i went to that i really liked:

(limiting myself to 2 fruitleather performances otherwise this list would be 1/4th fruitleather. also only putting down one performance i was involved in bc anything more than that feels narcissistic)

The Courts & Oruã @ Reggie's

Machinedrum, RP Boo, Bianca Oblivion, Craze, and DJ Earl @ Joe's on Weed

DJ Sara Gossett, Brain Waver, Plastic Crimewave (feat. Bil Vermette), and Jeff Parker (feat. Joshua Abrams) @ Hideout

Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ Radius

Astrobrite, The Courts, and Cairo Jag @ Sleeping Village

Todd Terje @ Smartbar

RP Boo @ Smartbar

Godcaster and Neptune's Core @ Cactus Club ( + whoever tha FUVCK was playing heavy shit across the street)

Sunglow @ Archie's

Indie Dance Night @ Schuba's

Ariel Zetina @ Hideout

Morinda @ Record Breakers

Fruitleather & Jeezel Petes @ Empty Bottle

Tokyo Disco Night @ Sleeping Village

Phantom Broadcast @ Beat Kitchen

UDABABY and Radical Night @ Golden Dagger

Fruitleather, BRIAN!, and Heuristic @ Golden Dagger

Francisco Mela @ Experimental Sound Studio

Rai Omri @ Steve's Guitars

Joyfriend (ft. Chaepter) and Creaturefight @ Empty Bottle

Soft and Dumb @ Golden Dagger

Blinker and Faced out @ Fallen Log

Friko @ Empty Bottle

Plastic @ Hideout

Kafiza @ Golden Dagger

Friko solo set @ Beat Kitchen

Nüde, Joshua Virtue, and Ivy Hollivana @ Martyr's

Serengeti and Deerhoof @ Lincoln Hall

Stems @ Cafe Bourbon Street

Lou Phelps, KAYTRANADA, and Amine @ Salt Shed

North by North @ my boyfriend's brother's friend's apartment rooftop

Fever Ray @ Salt Shed

Tuvergen Band @ Square Roots Festival

Owney @ Fallen Log

Plastic Crimewave, Los Dug-Dugs, and Sunburned Hand of the Man @ Sleeping Village

DJ PJs, D Jean-Baptiste, Moshun B2B Tango, Sunglow, Chaepter, and Nisi Pulsewidth (🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂) @ Secret NYE Location

Pitchfork performances I really liked:

Jlin (oh my fucking god)

Leikeli47

Perfume Genius

The Smile

Rachika Nayar

Soul Glo

Jockstrap (oh my fucking GODDDDDDDD)

Killer Mike

Mdou Moctar

Kelela

a couple of my friends made a big post on their band website about their favorite shows that they went to this year and it really warms my heart just how many of them i got to go to with them. There's SO much good music being made in this city and i feel so lucky that i get to experience it with my friends :^)

[liteswiitch]

my my my . . . . #boystown #chicago #boystownchicago #smartbar #queen #chicagonightlife #gay #gaymen #lgbt #lgbtq🌈 #gayparty #queerparty #gaynightlife #party #clubkid #nightlife #partypics #clubfit #digicam #digicamlove #digitalphotography #flashphotography #gayart #queerart #gayphotographer #gayartist #portraitphotography #nightphotography (at Boystown, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnH2r8Iv8jy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[silktanktop]

Virgil Abloh photographed by me on 35mm

I will never forget this night. It was taken in 2019. I always go places with my film camera. I love to photograph everyone and everything. I was in the corner in the booth at one of my favorite spots in town- Smartbar. Some kid hit me in the head with a pair of off white shoes when Virgil came out to start his set. The kid was screaming “Virgil sign these” and pushed me to try to get through. Virgil saw that happen and he noticed that I was holding a film camera. He came up to me and pointed at my camera and said “hey, take my pic!”. I was so flustered cause it caught me off guard and afterwards he asked me if I was okay. It was a very real recognize real moment and I’ll never forget how caring and supportive that interaction was. Artists who support other artists are so crucial. Several months later I got hired to photograph his moving train piece throughout Chicago that was connected to his MCA show. It is a highlight of my career and I’m forever thankful. The impact Virgil made on everyone around him will never disappear.

[sinceileftyoublog]

Pitchfork Music Festival 2021: 9/10-9/12, Union Park, Chicago

Maxo Kream

BY DANIEL PALELLA

Considering the state of the world, Pitchfork 2021 did not feel unusual--despite the presence of masks and the (extremely welcomed) September date, the tone and energy of the festival felt largely like previous ones. This could just be public unrest and yearning for normalcy, but the festival felt wholly familiar. Keeping my mask on hand felt just like one more thing to keep track of while I neurotically made sure I had my camera, phone, wallet, keys, and water.

Animal Collective

And for me, personally, starting it off with an Animal Collective set really brought me back. The band had the full lineup, feeling like a true return to form. Opening strong with “In the Flowers,” AnCo quickly set the tone for the set. A track that normally leads to a fugue-like drop with a trance of synths and pulsating drums instead meandered gently into a soothing synth arpeggio, keeping loyal to the song’s original music while offering a laid-back take on it. This would be gold standard for the rest of the set; if Animal Collective’s premise was a jam band for the digital age, then this set truly saw them leaning back into that “jam band” aspect of their persona. While they still maintained an air of psychedelia with glittery synthesizers, morphing pastel backdrops, and Avey Tare’s trademark yelps, Animal Collective did not employ some of their more cacophonous tricks that have marked past iterations of the band. Nothing about this set was grating or jarring. Instead, we were treated to a breezy set containing mostly newer material, but some very nice arrangements of older tunes, including “Fickle Cycle”--a surprise deep cut from their Grass EP--and a triumphant crowd and fan favorite to close it all out, “Purple Bottle.” 

Phoebe Bridgers

As disappointed as I was to have to miss local footwork savant DJ Nate and UK freak rockers Black Midi due to work, Friday night offered stellar performances from Big Thief and Phoebe Bridgers. Phoebe’s fandom, especially, cannot be understated--it felt like every other shirt or sign at Union this weekend was for her (the standout being a big cardboard “Phoebe Spit in My Mouth”). Simply being in the presence of that crowd was pretty electrifying. It was some of the most intense and genuine excitement I have ever felt from a crowd for one artist. Her emergence was met with an ear shattering chorus of screams, and every new song felt like it was going to whip the crowd into a frenzy. That kind of burgeoning stardom is special to witness. And while I’m woefully under-familiar with her work, “Kyoto” was undeniably a bop.

RP Boo

Early Saturday was a nice change of pace with some hip-hop and footwork a la Maxo Kream and RP Boo. The former seemed to really enjoy himself, energizing the crowd with a chant of “Fuck 12. Fuck Covid.” RP Boo was a delightful last-minute add to the festival. Hot off of a record release the previous night at Smartbar, he DJ’d an uplifting mix of familiar and new material. But the highlight of any footwork performance is the dancing. RP Boo brought with him two absolutely killer dancers who traded feverish moves all set. The crowd loved it.

Ty Segall

I figured I knew what to expect from a Ty Segall set. It would be raucous and fun, and the crowd would go nuts. I severely underestimated the sheer heaviness and volume of what the Freedom Band was bringing though. This set was pure Sabbath worship, with snarling fuzz and deep, rumbling lows. I was a fool to not bring earplugs to the pit; I had to leave early.

Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon, on the other hand, did not bring such energy. While it is truly exciting to be in the presence of a legend from a beloved band, her sordid set of wandering spoken word, whimpering guitar freak outs, and regrettably forced-feeling trap beats just felt put-on. 

Angel Olsen’s grandiose, orchestral arrangements were not too large in scope to overpower her star power. Though her sound has gotten bigger, her voice and persona still shine through. Her set also sent a tinge of hope through the crowd--it was their very first performance post-lockdown. Cheekily proclaiming she had been so inspired the night before by the prospect of playing again, she asked the crowd if they were okay with her performing a brand new one the band had just learned; she then launched into “Shut Up Kiss Me.” 

St. Vincent

Finishing off the night, St. Vincent’s trademark incredible stage presence was a delight. Annie Clark’s personality and confidence shine through in all iterations of her music, and she still shreds on guitar. 

Yves Tumor

Wandering around for most of early Sunday, resting and catching brief bits of everything, I was most anticipating Yves Tumor, and his set absolutely delivered. Tumor’s glam rock era lends itself to a wildly high-energy, euphoric show. Backed by a band that resembles the cast of Lost Boys, Tumor worked his way through hits such as “Gospel For a New Century”, “Crushed Velvet”, and “Jackie”. The real standout, however, was a reworked rock arrangement of Safe in the Hands of Love single “Noid”. 

Erykah Badu

Closing out the weekend, Erykah Badu was everything you could have hoped for--an incredible stage presence, a legendary artist playing a career-spanning set--and she showed up!

[deirdreskye]

we were at smartbar on a Saturday night meaning it was full of straight people and I just love to see packs of straight guys on the dance floor together, no women just the boys. I mean I think it's great but I'm a little flabbergasted that they like, don't think it's gay to do that. it seems like something a straight guy would find kinda fruity doesn't it

[brandyewitha-y-e]

To say I’m excited is an understatement! My #smartbar arrived yesterday, earlier then expected!! I am sooooooo ready to get #backtothebar with my beloved #bodypump • • • • #personaltrainer #mastertrainer #groupexerciseinstructor #lesmills #homefitness #mobiletrainer #virtualtrainer #girlswholift #liftlikeagirl #bodybc (at Body B.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGfVrDAnsax/?igshid=9veovwaanxqs