10/01/08

great music, gread soundsystem, great drum n bass thursdays, bad service

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

Cave-like dance club connected to the Metro live music venue in Wrigleyville.

by Contributor

A lot of Smart Bar's patronage comes straight from concerts at Metro, the venerable live music venue upstairs; others seek out the subterranean bar because of its reputation as a dance destination. 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. Every night sees a different crowd, depending on the DJ; anything from lounge to '80s to house music is featured throughout the week.

09/10/06

Smart Bar

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!

03/12/05

Greatest Music In Chicago!

by hipstergirl

I was at Smart Bar last night for the Interpol after party and it was such a good night out. The opening DJ played some great music and then Carlos D (the bass player from Interpol) rocked it for a few hours. The club was packed and the music was fantastic. We'll definitely go back again.

• Pros: Music, Crowded

12/13/04

Worst bar in Chicago

by cobbins

This bar's philosophy apparently includes being rude to customers while charging them outrageous prices for weak drinks and shoddy music. Maybe since The Metro is above, the staff is not concerned about repeat business. If you have any self-respect, do NOT go here!

11/28/03

Never again

by tammy_s

This place was the worst! The music was awful, the people were creepy, and what kind of bar overprices so much and then doesn't take credit cards??? I will never go back to Smart Bar

• Pros: location
• Cons: music, people, expensive

12/19/02

Deep House at it's finest

by nujazzsoul

Smart Bar is the best venue to see a DJ perform...the intimate vibe and music focused environment make this club a Chicago treasure! John Acquaviva, Marques Wyatt, Tony Humphries, Colette, Heather, and Dayhota are just a few of the great DJ's I've seen at Smart Bar.

• Pros: Great Music, Cheap Drinks, Cheap Cover
• Cons: Moody Security