Robby Glick, 44, has lived in Printers Row for the past 11 years. When he saw the South Loop explode with new life as downtown professionals snapped up property, he figured it was time to make a move. “We’ve got Buddy Guy’s, HotHouse [since closed], but I really wanted to have a rock club down here,” he says. And that’s how Reggie’s was born.
Until last fall, Glick was involved with Hoffman Estates music store Record Breakers (see sidebar), which used to host live shows, making room by moving around CD racks and displays. Now Glick has the space and freedom to operate what’s essentially a three-ring circus for music fans: a bar and grill with live acts, a record store and a club for rocking out — all in one big building.
Inside: Glick transformed an old auto repair warehouse into the three connected venues. The Music Joint, with its garage-door front wall, looks fresh and clean, but still manages to come across as lovingly worn-in.
Spacious booths, barstools and picnic benches provide plenty of seating at the 111-person capacity space. We loved the black tabletops made to look like slabs of melted records and the glass tops covering Glick’s old concert ticket stubs.
A small stage is set up in the back corner. Not into the band? The 17 flat-screen TVs play sporting events and concert DVDs. Framed concerts posters — some autographed — dot the walls. For a flashback, check out the 8-track boxes above the bathroom doors.
Food: Comfort-food menus come printed on LP sleeves (record still inside), displayed in actual album jackets (we got Ted Nugent’s “Free-for-all”). The handcut, seasoned fries served with our Glick Chick sandwich ($9) were a huge hit. Too bad our chicken breast came with muenster cheese and bacon, as indicated on the menu, but sans sauce. No biggie: The waitress brought us a side of Sweet Baby Ray’s, though Glick says his namesake sammy should come with a South Carolina barbecue sauce with a tangy, mustard kick.
Next time we’ll nosh nostalgic. Nightly TV dinner specials (available from 5 to 10 p.m.) include Cajun meatloaf, chicken fried chicken, catfish and ribs, each served on a silver tray with compartments for two sides and a dessert.
Drinks: Rock venues scream beer or whiskey. Quench your thirst with one of 24 draft beers or about 40 bottles and cans. Pints average $5; cans and bottles range from $3 for PBR tallboys ($2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays) to $9 for Orval and other premium Belgian brews. There’s also a full bar; mixed drinks average about $5.50.
Music: Glick says the sound’s as good as at the Rock Club next door, just not as powerful. The sound and sightlines are top-notch no matter where you sit or stand. Heavy timbers, exposed brick and wood floors create an intimate atmosphere.
Crowd: It was a pretty male-heavy crowd when we stopped in, but that was mostly due to a 21st birthday pub crawl and the band’s friends and following. Aside from that, we found a diverse crowd happily united by music.
Insider tips: There’s a cool, painted Reggie’s school bus (name spelled out of skulls) that’ll give you a free ride to and from Bears and White Sox home games. Plus, Glick says he plans to organize outings to some Chicago-area concerts if there’s interest. But here’s the best part: Call to see if you can have your large group chauffeured to and from the Music Joint so you don’t have to pull straws for a designated driver (no charge as of now).
Bottom line: While the neighborhood right around the bar is still catching up, Reggie’s is just the kind of resident this part of town needs. Live music creates a positive vibe, and that’s what we found among the diverse crowd that looked right at home at this friendly spot.
EXTENDED PLAY
Record Breakers
2109 S. State St., Second Floor
Just like ACthe original Record Breakers (lifespan: Oct. 5, 1988, to Oct. 20, 2006) in the ‘burbs, the new city outpost buys and sells CDs, DVDs, LPs and 45s, plus posters and T-shirts. We loved the treasure chest of used Doc Martens ($25 a pair); it was like opening a time capsule from the mid-’90s. And talk about mind trip: When was the last time you listened to a full album — in a CD player — before taking it home?
Reggie’s Rock Club
2109 S. State St. 312-949-0120
This live music venue can support touring acts with national exposure. The raw, industrial space features steel, concrete and cinder blocks, plus an eye-catching array of graffiti art on the walls. A small bar keeps the crowd watered, but the club also hosts all-ages and 18-and-over shows. The VIP balcony boasts seats and a bird’s-eye view of the 300-person capacity rock club.
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kmbudell@tribune.com
