Hydrate
Boystown’s newest gay bar opened during last summer’s Pride weekend in the former Manhole space. And, Mary, it was about time. With straight and gay stroller-pushers taking over a neighborhood no longer defined exclusively by sexual expression, the former bar had become an anachronism. The infinitely more mainstream Hydrate has dumped the dark, labyrinthine feel of its predecessor in favor of brightly colored, airy lounges and a state-of-the-art dance floor. The bar’s best feature: two glass walls with a view of the street, reflecting greater acceptance of gays in the “Will & Grace” era. “It’s 2003,” says manager Robert Hoffman. “We wanted to say you don’t have to hide inside.” 3458 N. Halsted St. 773-975-9244.
Crobar
This once-grungy classic club recently re-opened its doors following an overdue overhaul. With a new sleek, metallic look–think South Beach–the club is drawing everyone from the sport-coat crowd to the feather boa-wearing babes. The spirit of ’90s clubbing lives! 1543 N. Kingsbury St. 312-266-1900.
Rodan
It’s a rare bar that strikes the right balance between hip and comfortable–especially when it’s a video-lounge named for Godzilla’s nemesis. On the surface, Rodan is a simple, narrow space with light birch walls and plush Ultrasuede banquettes in the same vein as Sonotheque and Avec. But the draw here is threefold: an unpretentious bar staff; a wall-sized screen showing trippy video installations (set to music by Beck, DJ Shadow, Godspeed and others); and a menu that rises above the typical bar food. Chef and co-owner Maripa Abella (who also owns Thai Lagoon) draws on her Filipino heritage and Peruvian travels to create spicy comfort fare like crispy, shrimp-filled “cigarette” rolls and marinated Peruvian-style steak with spiced rice. With starters in the $6 range and entrees hovering around $10, you’ll have plenty of cash to spend at the bar. 1530 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-276-7036.
Y
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into the kind of Beverly Hills boite featured on E!’s “It’s Good To Be . . . “? Then this new lounge from Rainer Zach (of still-stymied Sound-bar fame) is just the bling. Its ugly design scheme (imagine your 1970s rec room gone post-modern), expensive bottle service ($200 a pop) and skinny servers could have added up to a snobby turn-off. Instead, it’s the kind of place where the mood is cheery, not sneery–even when they’re charging you $20 at the door. 224 W. Ontario St. 312-274-1880.
SoPo
The owners of Lakeview’s Matisse and Wrigleyville’s Bar Celona continued their trend of snob-free lounging by opening this babe magnet. The vaguely sultry decor–leaf shaped ceiling fans, chandeliers, plush mega-booths–seems as if it were thrown together, but it works to give the place a warm, unpretentious vibe. The jaw-dropping bargains–such as $2 sirloin burgers on Mondays and $2 Bloody Marys on weekends–don’t hurt either. With any luck, SoPo’s owners will continue their winning formula and bring a sexy little bar to a neighborhood near you. 3418 N. Southport Ave. 773-348-0100.
