”So many clubs, so little time,” sputtered a friend, somewhat exasperated.
Out-of-town friends had landed on his doorstep in search of a round of nightclubbing.
The last time they`d visited, they had wandered the brew bars of Division Street and Lincoln Avenue, then dropped in at a couple of comedy clubs, so those options were nixed. And they didn`t want a ”be-seen” club like the Bridge or Cristal or Cairo.
They wanted something different, something more. ”What am I gonna do?”
he said.
We suggested our friend track down the Nightlife Advisor, one who had traveled the same roads many times before, pulling new club ideas somewhat magically out of a mental Rolodex of Chicago`s nightclub scene. We pointed out that the Nightlife Advisor had found that nightclubs-just like people-have personalities. So choosing a nightclub meant selecting one to match not only your evening`s plans, be it dancing or live entertainment, but your mood as well. (Nothing can dampen an evening faster than showing up at a sophisticated club in a raucous party mood.)
Because matchmaking is a favorite pastime of the Nightlife Advisor, we asked for a guide to Chicago`s nightclubs and live entertainment. It`s by no means inclusive (and is strictly limited to the city-we`ll report on suburban spots at a later date), but it should help get nightclubbers on the right track. Dear Nightlife Advisor: Friends in Europe know Chicago for a few things-Al Capone, Sears Tower and the blues, among them. Well, those friends are planning a trip to Chicago, and though we`ll skip the gangsters and tall buildings, we`d like to show them a night of the blues they`ve heard so much about. Help!
Puzzled in Lincoln Park
Dear Puzzled: No problem. Chicago`s got big blues clubs and jam-packed little clubs. They`re smoky and raucous, especially when the folks on stage and those in the audience get cookin` about, oh, say, 1 a.m.
B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted St.; 528-1012. It`s small, it`s usually crowded and it books a good array of blues stars, from old-timers to young up- and-comers.
B.L.U.E.S. Etcetera, 1124 W. Belmont Ave.; 525-8989. The larger kin of the Halsted location with an equally diverse blues booking.
Blue Chicago, 937 N. State St.; 642-6261. Located at the edge of Chicago`s club-rich Rush Street neighborhood. You can catch a show at this fine blues club, hear some jazz at the Back Room on Rush, then finish up at the Toulouse piano bar-clubs all within walking distance of each other.
Buddy Guy`s Legends, 754 S. Wabash Ave.; 427-1190. This new place is spacious and can be as casual and laidback or as high-energy as the talent on stage makes it. Go and enjoy. Maybe blues guitarist Guy will be in town performing and several of his fans might show up. (Why, a coupla` those Rolling Stones did.)
Kingston Mines, 2548 N. Halsted St.; 477-4646. Scruffier than some clubs, but still a favorite spot to hear blues, Kingston Mines keeps two rooms busy with alternating acts.
Rosa`s Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave.; 342-0452. The place is friendly, thanks to the Mangiullo family that`s running things, and the bookings are good at this club near Logan Square.
Wise Fools Pub, 2270 N. Lincoln Ave.; 929-1510. Reliable scheduling and a casual, friendly atmosphere have given this old-timer on the blues club circuit its staying power.
