The Underground

(312) 943-7600

56 W Illinois St (North Dearborn)
Chicago, IL 60654 41.890839 -87.630089

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

Hours:

Thu, Fri 9pm-4am

Sat 9pm-5am

Sun 10pm-4am

Last updated 2.17.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Lounges, Dance Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Cash, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Techno & Industrial, DJ - Electronica, Hip-Hop & Rap, DJ - Rap

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, 21 & Over, Late-Night Scene

What People Are Saying About The Underground

Featured Review

Kimberly Peiffer

Contributor

It may be hard to find (it is underground, after all) but roll up to the fenced-off area surrounding the club and it'll be easy to spot; a crowd of sexy club-goers wait desperately outside while a bouncer declares their fate by letting them in or telling them to head for home. Once inside, walk downstairs and into the industrial space, where the music is always bumping and its always packed. But this isn't your typical after-work spot. Go there before midnight and you'll be in there by yourself. This hotspot gets packed around 1 am and stays that way until it closes at 5, just when the sun is…

Editor's Tips

Look Good:
All staff wears either fatigues, khaki dresses with tactical belts or tailored officer suits, caps and all. You might want to skip the paramilitary gear though and go for something fashionable, but not too dressy.
On the Menu:
The food menu covers all major bar food groups: kobe sliders, Bavarian pretzels and toasted Pop Tarts.
Know Before You Go:
Don't expect any signage; Underground thrives on its own "insider" appeal. Here's a hint: It's in the alley behind Ben Pao where all the commotion is. In other words--it's the old Harry's Velvet Lounge.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The underground was fun until they would not let my boyfriend come in to the club, "He was on the list for my friends private engagement party" Well if you are on the list that does not even matter.
  2. It was a very fun spot, great tables to hang out at.
  3. Other than that great music, good atmosphere!
  4. They played fun music (which to me means not the techno junk without words) and the decor was cool.
  5. Something fun and exciting happens.
drinks
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. one of my favorite aspects of the club is that its never too crowded, and you can always get a drink at the bar if you decide not to do bottle service.
  2. DONT even bother going because you will only stand in the corner being pushed and shoved by everyone trying to get to the 1 and only small bar they have.
  3. If you want an enjoyable relaxed scene to drink and dance with some friends in a non-superficial environment-- mostly ANY nightclub is not for you, especially Underground.
  4. And amazing cocktails, my favorite is the King Kong made with whiskey and tyku!
  5. liked the music, drinks, and crowd for sure, but the people that work there think they're actually Billy Dec.
  6. Bar staff are rude, patrons are young, and drinks hard to come by.
  7. upscale drinks and great service.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. The service is usually good and they actually serve food (I had mini burgers) until 3am.
overall
50.0% positive
  1. Underground is a great place to party.
  2. The DJ is not good for the caliber of club that this place is trying to portray.
service
87.5% positive
  1. one of my favorite aspects of the club is that its never too crowded, and you can always get a drink at the bar if you decide not to do bottle service.
  2. It was a cool environment but the male employees there are total douchers.
  3. We left and went to O'Calahan's up the street instead and enjoyed great service along with an apparent huge savings over the Underground.
  4. The service is usually good and they actually serve food (I had mini burgers) until 3am.
  5. Bar staff are rude, patrons are young, and drinks hard to come by.
  6. upscale drinks and great service.
  7. On the positive side, everybody who worked there was extremely nice and polite, and the service was pretty good.
  8. liked the music, drinks, and crowd for sure, but the people that work there think they're actually Billy Dec.
value
100.0% positive
  1. We left and went to O'Calahan's up the street instead and enjoyed great service along with an apparent huge savings over the Underground.
  2. Great place, lots of women, guys bring your girls and bring your money!
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/28/11

Going for my birthday

by BossdivaMiranda at Citysearch

I was thinking of goinh to this nightclub for my birthday. IVe never been so i was wondering,What kind of music do these guys play?

1 Star Rating: Poor

03/02/11

ovvvvvvvverratttttttted

by Jan1969 at Citysearch

music is like from the 1980's

billy dec is an old bald guy

arturo... no comment

it's time has passed

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/23/10

Horrible !!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe this !!!!!

by GIA at Citysearch

We went last night to this place with my girlfriend after Chicago Fashion show to have nice time and relax.

After spending splendid amount of money for drinks we where treated like I never imagined in my wildest dreams ! We where asked to leave our table, because it was reserved !!!!! There was no sign on the table when we sat down there. Guy was in my face soooo proud that he is doing this, unbelievable!!! After I asked bartender to bring owner who's name I believe is Ben the same uneducated dude apeared again in front of my face, introdusing himself as a manager. My friend could not believe this was happening to us in this "cultural " society in the city of Chicago. I am business owner myself and I will make sure that I will tell this story to everybody I know. And I really hope they will go out of business or change there ways !!!!!! Because I do not understand the reason why would people anywhere should be treated like that.

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/05/10

SOOO OVERRATED!!!!

by jshimwhit at Citysearch

My first time was on a girls' weekend recently. We are not from the Chicago area so chose the Underground based on what others' thought. OMG, it was not as great as we were expecting. First of all, we reserved a table and when we got there, was told it was sold. WHAT? When has that ever happened? The music was good. We danced for a little bit b/c we love to dance. We joined a group of guys at a table and had a drink. The place is WAY too small and overcrowded. I agree with others in saying there are MANY better clubs out there. Just disappointed we had the Underground on our list. Good thing we went to another place close by. Don't go unless you reserve a table. Hope it's still there for you when you arrive!

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/24/10

Overrated and a waste of a fun night

by MorganMKF at Citysearch

This place is SO overrated it’s ridiculous! My friends and I dressed the part (slutty) and made sure we didn’t bring any of our guy friends, and we got inside.

The place is small, hot and crowded with expensive drinks and average DJ music. We love to dance and have fun, so wherever we go we have a good time. But seriously, you’d be better off and a club where the workers are nicer to people. This city is FULL of better nightclubs.

  • Pros: The Hype is huge for this place
  • Cons: It TOTALLY does not live up to the hype!

The Details on The Underground

Place Categories:

  • great music
  • great service
  • great place
  • overpriced strong word this place
  • rude bar staff
  • great crowd
  • huge apparent huge savings
  • incredible experience
  • amazing cocktails
  • cool decor
  • not horrible plaec
  • liked drinks
  • bad woodshop project
  • not good dj
  • good atmosphere
  • fun underground
  • favorite aspects
  • worst time ever
  • great venue
  • amazing lollapalooza
  • cool environment
  • really like sake
  • amazing favorite
  • enjoyable scene
  • even bother dont
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