It’s cozy at the Monkey Bar. Whether it’s the Tuesday night comedy lineup or Superbowl Sunday or a weeknight after work, the confines of this little watering hole in Lincoln Park are comfy indeed.
The folks here are adults, mostly single, mostly professional, with a smattering of arty types. Because there’s a neighborhood feel to the Monkey Bar, the temptation is to think of it as a local pub — and it certainly does draw from its immediate environs — but on busy nights, like Tuesdays, when the club features a comedy open mic, there are people from all over the city who come in just to relax and enjoy a laugh.
You may remember this corner bar from its previous incarnations: Hitchcock’s, a movie bar that may have been ahead of its time but was decidedly too cool in its later years. Or The Roxy, back in the ’80s, when rock reigned.
There are still vestiges of Hitchcock’s here but not many. Some of the celebrity comic photos in the back pool room are addressed to Hitchcock’s, and that’s about it. Otherwise, it’s a brand new place, with a whole different energy.
Everything’s airy; conversation’s encouraged. The small stage near the window is used only for the comedy night. There are small round tables up front, a couple of booths for privacy, and a padded zigzag bar that dominates the room. A tropical leaf decoration is at the bar, from which a small collection of Honduran cigars are sold. A new martini menu caters to those with a taste for “banartini” or specialty drinks.
Around the room there are five television monitors, plus one large screen for communal watching. When the Monkey Bar first opened, manager Jim Maahs installed Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstations into the monitors at the booths, thinking that customers would get off on being able to play and drink and hang out at the same time.
“But I don’t think most people knew how to play, they were a little intimidated,” he said. Now he’s thinking of rewiring it so folks can bring their own games and play, rather than rely on programs they may be unfamiliar with.
Another Monkey Bar calling card: The eclectic jukebox. Billie Holiday, Bach, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, G. Love and Special Sauce and Leonard Cohen are all featured.
A corner electronic dart game also keeps folks busy. The games are friendly, definitely non-competitive, and as many women as men seem to participate.
In the back pool room, there’s a giant mural by artist Bill Kirby. It features two monkeys swinging off their respective vines, having a drink and hanging out. It’s a bit garish but it doesn’t distract terribly from the pool table, where playing is easy since it’s the room’s sole focus and Maahs and company have left plenty of elbow room.
Up high among the other paraphernalia is a poster of Bugs Bunny playing pool. He looks right at home.
– – –
When Sam Rosenthal’s cat, Vidna, died from feline leukemia last year, Rosenthal wanted to do something a little different in her memory. So Rosenthal, who heads Projekt Records, a local goth label, came up with the idea of a cat-themed compilation CD. Proceeds from the record will go to Treehouse, the no-kill cat shelter in Uptown.
But that’s not all. After Rosenthal’s girlfriend began taping up pictures of friends’ cats at the Projekt offices to help him feel better, he decided it would be cool to collect cat photos and insert one in each CD. This way, every CD has its own, unique cat snapshot.
You can donate your kitty’s pix by sending it to Rosenthal at Projekt Records, Box 166155, Chicago,Ill., 60616. Or write him at cat@projekt.com
The label’s Web page, with all the details about the cat CD, is at http://www.projekt.com
– – –
Been to a club you loved — or hated — lately? Saw a late-night performance that really struck you? Got an idea for After Hours? Let us know. You can write to Achy Obejas c/o The Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611, or at achy@aol.com
Thanks!
———-
the facts
Fridays, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Monkey Bar, 1157 W. Wrightwood Ave. Call 773-935-3760.
