The Underground

12/20/09

Disappointing for a wanna-be "velvet-rope" club

by rvs030303 at Citysearch

To start, I'm a guy who has been to "A"-Circuit velvet-rope clubs from South Beach to Mumbai to Dubai. I am not a Chicago resident, therefore, this was my first time to (what is supposed to be) a velvet-rope club in Chicago.

On a positive note, I came there with 2 girls and another guy and we were able to get right in, but I think that may have been due to the fact that a guy that we knew whose name we dropped at the door had a table reserved, so I can't comment on what other posts have said about the alleged "rudeness" of the doormen.

The only pro's I can say about the place are the girl- to-guy ratio is about 2-to-1, and everybody in the place, including the staff, is an 8 or better.

In terms of the many cons about the place, on a national (and for me a global perspective) of what you would expect for a velvet-rope club, this place falls way short of expectations.

Not much thought or $$ was put into the infrastructure and (lack of) high-tech lighting of the club, plus the layout is awkward, in that it is only conducive to "lounging" and almost zero to dancing.

There is no dancefloor, so you are confined to dancing near or at your cramped table. The club itself is set up as a series of crammed "vip" vinyl restaurant-type "benches" that curve around a short make-shift wooden table that looks like a bad woodshop project. The entire floor of the establishment is unfinished concrete, which makes it more reminiscent of a place that looks like you would go to see punk or death-metal bands play.

The DJ is not good for the caliber of club that this place is trying to portray. In Miami, Mumbai etc, you would hear extended trance and club mixes of tunes. But what this DJ was playing were simply radio edits of dance hits that were seamlessly blended, which doesn't at all fly for those "in-the-know".

My suggestion is that if you are looking for a true velvet-rope nightclub in town , look elsewhere, as this place is one big "poser" in a field of many small clubs (it is not that big of a place in terms of square footage).

To the owners: Go check out some clubs in South Beach and abroad (like "Poison" nightclub in Mumbai) then gut the place and follow suit. Also get rid of the DJ and get someone who spins like Paul-Van Dyk.

• Pros: High girl-to-guy-ratio
• Cons: Wants to be "A"-Circuit..but fails miserably

10/30/09

sucks

by mani25 at Citysearch

i went to have a good time i dressed nice was having a good hair day. i am a little fluffy not fat. i was going to my sisters engagment party, I was told at the door there is a weight limit and fat chicks are not allowed im a size 12 for crying out loud. i told the guy that my sisters party was going on he said i dont care and called me a cun* DONT GO THERE IT IS NOT A NICE PLACE

• Pros: non
• Cons: everything

10/26/09

lives up to the hype

by jdenza at Citysearch

I'm going to have to defend this place, my friends and I are regulars here and love it. We don't have trouble getting in once we're t the front of the line bc we always have girls with us and lucky for us they are smoking hot. If you can't get in, sorry to say bit its bc you're not good-looking enough.

Last friday we came out for the tokyo event, heard there would be sake bombs and were game! I really like sake but I don't know the difference from on to another. Can never read the bottles but they had TYKU. It came in sleek black bottles that I'll be sure to remember nexxt time. The girls all had the sake-tinis and we did a few rounds of bombing. It was pretty cool we got some pics with the crazy harajuku girls walking around and played wii to kick off the night! The underground is always a good time.

• Pros: good music, pretty people
• Cons: lines

10/24/09

Mediocre Club

by jeffmcnight at Citysearch

Aturo and Billy Dec are pretentious aholes. The black guy at the door - what's his name, Ahmed? Such a tool. I saw him get whacked over memorial day weekend - best thing I have ever seen. The guy is such an ass hole; and so is Grant, but Grant tries to be nice about it. The black idiot just wants people to kiss his ass. No. Do something with your life ... go get a college degree and get a real job. Don't waste your money in the shit hole underground.

• Pros: Good looking girls
• Cons: Everything else ... pretentious door men, aloof owners

06/27/09

underground

by northchicago at Citysearch

review

06/25/09

Nightlife Politics well done.

by tiffstar at Citysearch

This establishment is the BEST at playing the game of nightlife politics. Everyone bitches about how hard it is to get in, the 70/30 female:male ratio, and the "dbag" doormen. They make their own rules because they can. 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. Chances are you've heard about Underground before you attempt to attend. Don't bother going if the scene and the people that run it don't sound like your cup of tea. Everyone that goes out tries to look their best and be the "hottest babe" or "biggest b aller" out there. In such a shallow nightlife arena, don't expect routine equality standards to apply. You are asking to and will be judged. Money talks in this scene if you are a guy, plan ahead and reserve a table. Also, let's face it-- looks matter. Its not fair, but its life. Their reputation wouldn't be as pronounced if they let anyone and everyone in, and half of the clientèle wouldn't want to go if that were the case. Underground is a great place to party. Great music and overall fun atmosphere.

• Pros: Great crowd, Great music, Exclusivity, VIPs
• Cons: Jaded linestanders.

05/28/09

Don't Believe The Hype

by JohnnyV at Citysearch

I had such a funny experience at this stupid place. I brought a client of mine (Hip-Hop mogul "Chuck D" of Public Enemy) to Underground as it was purported to be "The Hottest Nightclub in Chicago."

We were told it would be a ten minute wait...That wait later increased to forty minutes. After about 15 I got frustrated and asked the bouncer what the deal was. He said that the people I was with were "old" and "that guy will have to remove his hat" (pointing at Chuck D) before we were even going to be considered to come in. I asked him if he knew who "that guy" was, he laughed and said he didn't care and proceeded to let in several more 18-20 y/o girls in - Which is fine, but those chicks aren't spending any money in that place, just adding to the coke-infested bathroom scene that has the CPD's undercovers buzzing around the inside all the time.

• Pros: You can tell people you went there
• Cons: You actually told someone you went there

05/26/09

Overated - don't waste your time

by CSMobileUser2 at Citysearch

There is nothing worse than a place that positions itself as the best in town well after it's sun has set. The door manager, Grant, is taking advantage while he can - selecting VIPs is his job but he is not afraid of taking kick backs - 100 bucks in his pocket will get you in - otherwise he will simply tell you that he will look after you and keep you waiting around while those in the know stream past. Bar staff are rude, patrons are young, and drinks hard to come by. Let this place die.

03/29/09

Bad Layout, Over Crowded, Immature Scene,

by rickrez at Citysearch

this place is so gimmicky but does not live up to the hype at all! The bouncers are pretty pathetic they let girls in but keep their male companions out! You do realize that women will not keep coming back, if there are only chicks at the bar! The actual club is very poorly designed with little dance floor and the bars in the corners where they are inaccessible. The bartender were mainly gay - which is fine but as a single female its nice to have a bit of flirting going on. Other than that plan on waiting a 3o min to get a drink and being treated like shi* buy the bouncers who think they're really cool but sorry they're kind of ugly!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude Bouncers, crammed, poor bar service

03/21/09

DiscriminatingPigs!!!! clor does matter!

by notblondechick at Citysearch

We went there last night(03/20/09) with our guys and they would now let us in!! we were told at the door that since we were not in the guest list, we have to wait till the private party was over..so far okie!

bur a minute later, we saw a buncha blonde chicks get in and i heard them say loud n clear that they were not on the list but wanted to get in.The so called " Gate Manager' ( his name's GRANT incase u wanna punchh that muthertrucker!!!) told the grls that he wud take care of them!!! I was outraged!!!!!

Ther is noithing this place has to offer that you can't find anywhere else.

I AM SO ENRAGED AND I WANT PEOPLE OUT THERE TO KNOW THIS AND THATS WHY I WRTE THS REVIEW.

• Pros: Discriminated if u r not white chick with blonde hair!
• Cons: guys-of any color stay away from this disgusting hole!!!!