Smart Bar
Chicago, IL 60613-3810
Phone: (773) 549-0203
- Cross Street:
- W Waveland Avenue
- Directions:
- El: Red Line to Addison
- Hours:
- Wed-Fri, Sun 10pm-4am, Sat 10pm-5am
Editorial Review for Smart Bar – by Citysearch Editors
The Scene
A lot of Smart Bar's patronage comes straight from concerts at Metro, the live music venue upstairs; others seek the subterranean bar out individually because of its reputation as one of the coolest places in town. Booths surround the wide, low-ceilinged dance floor, and there are two full bars, one opposite the DJ booth and another in a second room. If these walls could talk, they'd echo '70s punk and reggae and '80s break-beats. Wild child Iggy Pop rocked here when it was a punk club years ago, and reggae club Wild Hare, then called Cool Runnings, was at this address before it moved farther south.
The Draw
Every night sees a different crowd, depending on the DJ; anything from lounge to '80s to house music is featured throughout the week. Entrances are through Metro or directly off the street. The crowd is thin until at least midnight.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoYou can usually enter Smart Bar free of charge if coming downstairs from Metro, but not the other way around. Regular covers are typically about $5, but can range from $10 to $15 on weekends and other nights with big-name DJs.
User Reviews for Smart Bar
10/01/2008 Posted by DJAndyCash
One of the only bars.......no the only bar I have ever been kicked out of, and 2 times at that. Not because of being overserved or bad behavior. I have seen a few fights break out with good samaratins break it up doing the bouncers jobs causing both the fighters and good samaritans to get kicked out. The place is not that big for bouncers and staff to be unavailable during these times. The management and staff there needs a refresher on customer service. Most of the staff is rude and really detracts from all the great things the club has going for it. The bouncers are jerks and the bartenders take forever to serve you (even on slow nights) the door people are snooty. As for the rest of the experience there, I have rave reviews. The best sounding club in chicago, a cool little photo booth, clean bathrooms, two bar areas, a giant dancefloor, incredible talent from across the globe, a reserved vip booth and the metro upstairs (great after shows at metro). They do Junglefly on thursdays which features great dnb artists worlwide as well as from chicago. But again THE RUDE STAFF DETRACTS FROM THE PLACE! If you can look past the snooty staff then it's a great nightclub.
Pros: soundsysten, dancefloor, worldwide talent
Cons: Staff, price, staff, staff, staff
09/10/2006 Posted by hachi_chan
Smart Bar is not for losers that wear silver shirts & look for girls that look like Paris Hilton! Smart Bar is the home of TRUE UNDERGROUND HOUSE MUSIC & is intended for those with an open mind & sophisticated taste for music. It has a casual & freindly atmosphere, where REAL DANCERS go to get down & not see & be seen. Smart Bar is the place that brings out classic House legends & opens it doors to up & coming new talent. Thanks to Smart Bar House music is ever evolving!
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