Local Night Clubs

dance clubs in chicago?

im visiting chicago in a few weeks and want to go clubbing. not some crappy lame nightclub but i want good upbeat crazy! nightclubs…. but… im not 21 yet only 20 so it has to be 18 and up. anyone who has gone or hav had friends go? looking for good reviews!!!

UPDATED (with links and more info):

I’ll list some options for you, and give my opinion where I can. Since you aren’t age 21 yet, you might want to expand your horizons regarding “nightlife” options too:

NIGHTCLUBS:
See a list of 18+ clubs here: http://www.centerstagechicago.com/dance/clubs/styles/under21.html . You might want to skip the Warehouse or Zero Gravity. They are in the suburbs and probably too young of a crowd for you.

Not listed is Vision Nightclub, which hosts 18+ events. See http://www.visionnightclub.com/ . I’ve been to Vision a few times and it was fun.

MUSIC VENUES:
There are music venues that host under 21 events in a random fashion, see http://www.centerstagechicago.com/music/articles/under21venues.html . The House of Blues (http://www.houseofblues.com/tickets/searchresults.php?mode=lview&venue=chicago&uuin=ConcertCalendar ) hosts music acts for a variety of ages too.

“Underage Action”

http://www.centerstagechicago.com/lifestyle/articles/underage.html

“Under-21 Chicago”

http://www.centerstagechicago.com/lifestyle/articles/under21-fun.html

“21 things to do if you’re under 21
(or just want a nightlife without a hangover)”

http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/2933.html

KARAOKE (Try a place that has private rooms, which is ideal for small groups):

http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/article/girls-night-out-karaoke/343293/content

RESTAURANTS:
There are fun-themed restaurants. They may kick you out before a certain time or it may not matter as long as you’re not drinking alcohol. You just need to call the places first to find out their age policies.

HOOKAH:
Hookah places (see http://chicago.citysearch.com/listings/chicago-il/hookah/58044?what=Hookah and http://www.centerstagechicago.com/search/index.cfm?phrase=hookah&button.x=0&button.y=0&button=FIND ) usually allow age 18 and up. See http://hookahchicago.com as well.

EXPLORE THE NEIGHBORHOODS:
The Belmont & Clark intersection (in Lakeview) has some pretty eclectic stores that appeal to a young, variety of people. Take the Clark #22 bus north or the Red (Howard)/Brown line (Kimball) north to Belmont and walk. See http://media.www.chicagoflame.com/media/storage/paper519/news/2007/09/10/Neighborhod/Clark.Belmont-2957693.shtml for some details.

You can hang out in a neighborhood like Bucktown/Wicker Park – a sort of artsy/hipster area of town. You can eat at some neat restaurants or check out independent, unique places like Myopic Books (http://www.myopicbookstore.com ) , Rodan (http://www.rodan.ws/default.html , which has a DJ some nights), Reckless Records (http://www.reckless.com ), The Silver Room (http://www.thesilverroom.com/ ), Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria for some carry out or delivered deep dish (http://www.loumalnatis.com/ ), Earwax Cafe (http://earwax-cafe.com/ ) , Bucktown Soup Cafe (http://www.bucktownsoupcafe.com/ ), and iCream Cafe (http://www.icreamcafe.com/ ). Take the Blue Line (O-Hare) to Damen. It’s basically the intersection of Damen, Milwaukee, and North Ave. Some of the named spots are open late, some are not.

SPORT COMPLEXES:
There are sport complexes like Ignite Network (http://www.ignitenetwork.com/v3/ ), Dave & Busters (http://www.daveandbusters.com ), Waveland Bowl (http://www.wavelandbowl.com ), and Whirlyball (http://www.whirlyball.com ). Also, mentioned in the articles above were the upscale 10-pin Lounge (by the House of Blues) and Lucky Strike Lanes (in the River East Center).

Chicago has a lot of attractions and restaurants/lounges (some that are open late at night). So, there’s plenty to check out if you’re under 21. Search these sites for events or places: http://chicago.metromix.com/ , http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=1,5 , http://www.centerstagechicago.com/ , http://www.190north.com/ , http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/Home , http://flavorpill.com/chicago , and http://chicago.citysearch.com/ . Sign up for e-mail newsletters. Just call locations first to check their under-21 age policies and be safe when traveling, especially at night.

Diversions Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB’s: A Secret History of Jewish Punk $9.21 Based in part on the recent interviews with more than 125 people—among them Tommy Ramone, Chris Stein (Blondie), Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Hilly Kristal (CBGBs owner), and John Zorn—this book focuses on punk’s beginnings in New York City to show that punk was the most Jewish of rock movements, in both makeup and attitude. As it originated in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the…