-
-
Ad Space
(728 x 90)
Published on 7/4/08
Sign up today!
Age is only a number, but what happens in Chicago after dark often involves partyers segmenting themselves by generation. While we’d hope the right space, crowd and a fine DJ will make sure everyone goes home satisfied—it just doesn’t work that way, according to letters we’ve received. Some adult Clubs section readers, either single or just looking to dance, have been crying out for our help and relief from the city’s rampant hipsterism. Lucky for them, Chicago is chockablock with genteel—even delightfully unhip—nightspots where mature people can let loose, dance, date and cruise each other. This week, we’re surveying some of that territory. It may not be “hip to be square” at any age—but it still can be fun.
The correlation between jazz and maturity is cliché, but there’s no way around it. Jazz clubs cater to the classy grown-up. You might as well start down by the office. Close Up 2 (416 S Clark St, 312-385-1111) in the South Loop gets rolling in the evening with easygoing fusion and smooth jazz bands (first set is at 7pm on Thursdays, 8pm on Fridays) and a diverse clientele of nine-to-fivers. Feeling a bit posh? The upgraded and upscale Pop’s Jazz Club downstairs in Pop’s For Champagne (601 N State St, 312-266-POPS) programs live jazz five nights a week. Small plates (the menu is heavy on the aphrodisiacs like caviar and “oysters rock-a-fella”), an assortment of bubblies and live sets from accessible local pros make it a potent date night, if a pricey one.
Also downtown is the mammoth grown-up after-work playground Martini Park (151 W Erie St, 312-640-0577), which is more fun when it’s at least half-full. It works both as an accessible, low-expectations nightclub—live cover bands play on stage behind the bar on the weekends ($10 cover)—and an upscale after-work joint with macaroni–and–cheese croquettes and formidable martinis on the menu. The suit-and-tie set hang and date here. You won’t find a hipster within a hundred yards, of course.
Yesterday’s hipsters are today’s icons at the unpretentious supper club 200 East on Chestnut in the Gold Coast’s Seneca Hotel (200 E Chestnut St, 312-266-4500). The Joe Valentino Trio plays Wednesday through Saturday nights, with guest vocalists such as Tony Ocean crooning from a repertoire of Rat Pack and Bobby Darin favorites. The time warp comes complete with weighty portions of Italian specialities from Tony Navarro’s kitchen. You can cut a rug—as couples definitely do—or just pass the time with bartender George Cozzi—ask him about his Bartender’s Hall of Fame ring—you’ll be glad you did.
Meanwhile, down of the South Side, the steppers scene is alive and well. DJs Calvin and Jeff kick off their set every Saturday afternoon at the 50 Yard Line (69 E 75th St, 773- 846-0005). No steps yet? There are plenty of other places to go.
You’d expect ’80s dance parties to be heavily in demand with grown-ups looking to find their way back under the disco ball and into the familiar arms of George Michael and the Pet Shop Boys, but there are surprisingly few events happening consistently. Friday night’s Simply Red at Rednofive (440 N Halsted St, 312-421-1239) has thrown New Edition tribute nights—and it’s worth keeping an eye on. As a generational mixer that blasts ’80s guilty pleasures downstairs, Hangge-Uppe (14 W Elm St, 312-337-0561) gets high marks for divey, booze-soaked good times. For a “casual nightclub” experience complete with DJ mixes of wedding reception familiarity, P.S. Chicago (1009-1011 N Rush St mezzanine level, 312-335-3600) is the center of your universe. A Rush Street hot spot in the ’80s, it returned a few years ago to entertain the touch-of-gray-sporting business traveler and tourist crowd as well as younger urbanites with Cyndi Lauper fixations seven nights a week.Sophisticated adults looking to avoid the hassle of clubs altogether have a myriad of civilized hotel lounges to investigate, such as the recently updated Whiskey Bar/Mexx Kitchen (1015 N Rush St, 312-475-0300). High-end dining spots work, too. Boka (1729 N Halsted St, 312-337-5820), in Lincoln Park sports one of the city’s most talked about adult bar scenes with chilled-out sonics soothing well-heeled diners.
Do you know about an essential adult night we missed? E-mail us at clubs@timeoutchicago.com with your favorite parties.
Comment