So, Not sure if everyone knows this or not but Smart Bar has had a big time makeover. I never much liked this place in the past - too dingy, too dirty, too far north, too little parking, and too much of a one-theme crowd (I like my crowds a bit more mixed). Well, the parking still sucks, and the place is still too far north, but things have changed on the inside. A little over a month ago, Smart Bar had their grand re-opening. This was on a Sunday night actually for something new that they are calling "Industry Night". I've been twice now to this "Industry Night". It's a monthly deal on Sunday nights and I have to say that it is drawing a very cool crowd. The space, having just been remodeled, is up to par with most any other club in Chicago. The dingyness is gone, the dirty feeling is gone (except those damn gloss-black columns - shit looks like tar running down the sides - please, some flat black paint!). The place actually looks very very cool. The layout has changed slightly and for the better. The sound system has also been upgraded and bangs house quite nicely! Unfortunately, I don't yet have any good stories about any new lady friends but there is certainly lots of potential :). Like I said, there is a very cool crowd being drawn to this particular night. All kinds of peeps, very laid back attitude from everyone. Most of the peeps are involved in the nightclub business or affiliated businesses in one way or another but not everyone. There is no special requirement that you be in the industry to enter. Everyone is welcome. And, best part, they've been drawing some great great DJ's! Some good local talent as well as some big name talent. I haven't been disappointed with the music either of the times I've been. I'm not very aware of what other nights are like at Smart Bar. But, for this "Industry Night", all the ingredients are there for good times: cool diverse peeps, good music, nice space, and a little alcohol :). Well done Smart Bar! Industry night is rockin! read more

I am crazy for the nightlife for two reasons. The freedom that comes with the darkness, music, alcohol and the people!! This place satisfied both of those. ESPECIALLY the music. Good god! We were in town for about a week and stopped here twice. Once to see Moody man and again to stop by after going to a place called the Shrine on the southside for some NUdisco. Man i fell in love with music on the dancefloor both nights. It's open until 4 which I loved!It's not the swankiest of places by no stretch of the imagination and they could use a stall or two more in the restroom but aside from that i was satisfied. read more

Smartbar is one of those bars that carries on the Chicago house tradition and they constantly host and honor the DJs that pioneered the art like Frankie Knuckles (until he died), Derek Carter, DJ Heather, and many other Chicago house greats. They also host a lot of LGBTQ friendly events. And really this place is so great for dancing and hanging and it carries an old school flavor of Chicago Bars & clubs that popped up in the 80s embracing musical trends of the time. If you don't like house, probably not going to be your place, but if you want to have a great time or see the people who pioneered house music live, come here. It's an experience. read more

This is the best place to go to on a Saturday night the atmosphere is great the drinks are a little pricey. read more

Smartbar - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Smartbar is just one of those Chicago things that you have to do. Dark, dingy, and superbasic, you should be going to smartbar for one reason and one reason only - and that's to dance. I went Saturday night with some home-friends and we saw house dj/yoga master extraordinaire Miles Maeda spin. I wore tennis shoes and jeans because anything else would have just been too uncomfortable. We rocked out until about 3 am, hit the subway on belmont and went home. Cover was standard - $10, but meh, $5 for a Corona is just a bit much.... read more

I love SmartBar. One time I danced here for, like, 5 hours straight, barely stopping to drink Red Bull and vodka. (I could hardly move for about a week afterwards.) This is the place to go if you want to hear some of the best house music in the city without having to deal with all of the ridiculousness that comes with most clubs. It's dark and loud and people are just there to dance, not to check out what you're wearing. Drink prices are what you'd expect for the area, and there's pretty much always a cover. Still, given the caliber of talent that passes through here, it's usually worth it. Bonus feature: there's a black and white photo booth! read more

If God said, "Christine, you will spend your last day on earth in Chicago." I would go get a large deep dish then head over to Smartbar and dance until 5 a.m. This is the place in Chicago to hear your house, sweat to your house and hear some of the newest and banging tracks. Going here on a Saturday night assures I will walk out sweating and satisfied. Some tips: 1. Ask what there specials are, last night it was $3 Sam Adams. 2. Go before 11, pay less cover, get stamped. Then, go over to the Gingerman next door and drink cheap beer and come back around 12:30. 3. Don't go in there expecting to grind up on girls, the girls dancing in there usually will slap you if you touch their ass. 4. I'm sorry, you are not allowed to request Jay-Z. You might get beat up. read more

Went here for a 6-hour Mr. Scruff set (check him out if you haven't!) and was pleasantly surprised. Very interesting setup and cool lighting. Found a nice spot near the DJ booth, which was great for people watching. Mr. Scruff's music is pretty chillax, and I don't know what normally plays there, but the crowd was pretty interesting. Lots of people just standing and talking with some professional "So You Think You Can Dance" types in hats and suits busting a move. Drinks were on the pricey end, but still had a good time. Found it strange that our waitress was cash only, but we could start a tab at the bar... But still glad we had seats rather than standing around. I left exhausted at 2AM, happy to have seen Mr. Scruff in person, but I'm up for coming back to check out the old-school photo booth! read more

It never gets old. Some house music all night long... Don't wear high heel shoes. read more

My friends and I went on Sunday for QUEEN. Had an amazing time! Drinks were a little weak/small in my opinion compared to the usual places in Boys Town, but definitely not the worst I've experienced. Only real complaints was that it was really dark, and really loud. I think the combination definitely pushed us to the dance floor earlier in the night than we would normally venture out there. But at the same time you couldn't really people watch effectively because you couldn't even see them, and conversation was limited just because of how loud it was. Would I recommend going, absolutely - but if I was a local would it become a weekly/monthly destination, probably not. read more

I wish I had come to Smart Bar on an event night. Unfortunately as it was just a regular Friday, and the dance floor was near empty, with the exception of my large group of friends. I couldn't help but feel disappointed, especially since us ladies were charged $10 for cover, and the DJ thought a La Roux remix was so 2010. Aside from that, the deep house was great, the ventilation was unbelievable, and drinks were reasonable. I'll be back Smart Bar, but next time you have to bring it too. read more

Cool place to hang. Their sound system sucks though. A bit too much House music for me, but this is Chicago so what do you expect. The staff is friendly and professional, it is always a pleasure to have a drink before and after a show at Metro. And 90% of the time the band comes in for a drink after the show, a good thing if you are into such forms of idol worship (I am not, but a lot of ladies I know are total groupie types) It's a great place to go hang, and the dancefloor is usually rockin, so check it!!! read more

I don't come to Smart Bar to hear DJ spins. I come here on "off" nights when you can sit down a get a good drink. Great staff and bartenders...and! and!!! photo booth! I have, however, been here when DJ So-and-So has been spinning, and even though that's not my cup of tea, I've still had an enjoyable time. I don't understand how there are only 3 stalls in the womens' room, though! read more

This is a place I like to go see shows ... when decent DJs roll through town. Lately it's been few and far between. But things usually pick up once we get our nice Chicago weather. The sound is always GREAT. However the bartenders tend to be the opposite. And the drinks expensive. It's never a bad idea to bring a flask if you're wanting a drink :) read more

Favorite Time to Go: Midweek What to bring: Your dancing costume What to avoid: getting there early...it's usually open until 5AM on weekends and most weeks. Consider it the after, after spot. Also avoid, party poopers and if they don't dance then they're no friends at all. You'll Notice: Foggy atmosphere, dark, brooding yet welcoming atmosphere. Expensive drinks. Why: best dance spot and music in Chicago, feel free to lose yourself, alone. read more

I go here for BHANGRA NIGHTS and do my 4-5 hour mad dance cardio workout.

Bouncers are racist and lie just to drag people who they target to get thrown out and lie about everything. My African American/Mexican daughter and her Hispanic friend were targeted here. My daughter said she was drinking water mind you she only had one beer when all of a sudden a female caucasian tapped her shoulder and told her she was drunk and that she needed to leave. My daughter was clearly not drunk then told her that she was not but that she would leave she just needed to tell her boyfriend who was at the bar what was going on. She said that the bouncer then grabbed her wrist and twisted it really hard then my daughter told her to back off all of a sudden all these other caucasian bouncers come and drop her to the ground and lie and say that she punched the bouncer just to justify dragging her down the stairs mind you she hit every step with her head gave her a concussion. Then they wouldn't let get her coat her boyfriend and her friend tried defending her so they kicked them out as well. Racism needs to STOP! As for the female bouncers what did you feel that intimidated by a beautiful black/mexican woman that you just targeted her. Places like these need to get looked into so that this doesn't happen to anyone else. This place SUCKS! If your not caucasian be careful when you go here and have a friend record everything because you will be targeted. Don't support businesses like this! P.S. I gave it one star because zero stars wasn't a choice! read more

Smart Bar I love that you host Moby every time he comes into Chicago for an "after-set"... I love that you have House nights, and some amazing DJ's regularly... I love that there's plenty of room to dance or sit depending on how your spirit moves you. I love that the lighting is blue and moody.... But I HATE how that same lighting rubs off on your employees and makes them also blue and moody. Bah, I hate that. P.S. Your bars should be consistent, either both require a $20 minimum tab or neither require a $20 minimum tab...thanks for for making me open a tab on weeknight. :Grumble: read more

With a top notch staff who can identify a bunk ID in a glance,they know laws and city code like the back of thier hand. Lived here in the fair Windy City since 1995 and have never had any problems or conflicts with this establishment or the staff,perhaps it is because I have always complied with equal courtesy. Winter of '96,I will never forget when I was with my GF at the time,Best Friend,and a few of our peers/friends who were coming to Goth Night and were called derogitories en route by some suburban bigots due to our appearance; the staff dispersed the bigot individuals immediately. One of the [bigot]individuals was persistent and ended up in jail after an attempted assault on another patron,and the bigots were never seen again. Since then,I have witnessed many times, the staff will not tolerate bigotry,dicrimination,racism,or actions of hate to clientele; because of this demeanour and and common decency of the staff and management over these 2+ decades is why I will gladly patron this establishment. Note:I only give 5 stars to food related,anything else,4 is my max. read more

I went to Smart Bar for the first time on Saturday night. I went with a couple friends who are regulars and who worship the place. I asked my friend to explain why she loved it so much, and she said, "Because everyone is doing their own thing, so no one cares what you do on the dance floor." And she didn't mean that now she could snort coke or have sex on the dance floor because people weren't watching, she meant she can really dance and no one will bother her. Personally, I like Smart Bar. My friend's take on the place is definitely true. It's a cool place. It wasn't very crowded for a late night on Saturday. What I really liked about it is that even though it's an after hours kind of place, it doesn't have the vibe most of those places do - that everyone is just looking for a hookup. While I am sure those people are there, it's not why 99% of the people are there as in places like the Beaumont. And I think that's my take on why my friend loves Smart Bar so much. People will let you dance in peace - really. No watching out for the creepy guy (or girl) who is all of sudden dancing right up on you - and is of course, uninvited. Needless to say, I'll be back to Smart Bar. read more

Let me preface this by saying that I do not like house/dance music. So I went in there with a friend who is a DJ. Actually he got me in free. I only went because I had nothing else better to do, wasn't ready to go home and the club I was at let out at 2. I get there and it doesn't look like much but I go down the stairs and bam! The place was really cute and although it was in a basement I felt it had a nice modern feel to it. The music was infectious! I was grooving and like I said before I don't like house/dance music. However I just blended right in here. Everyone is grooving and having a blast. No stuck up bimbos or cheesy frat boys in here. I absolutely loved it! This is what a dance club should be. I will be returning! Smart Bar has made me a believer! read more

Yea, this is the best dance club in Chicago, I believe. No pretense, no dress code, no expectations no phony bouncers making you wait just to create the appearance of a packed house. Its just fun. I love how smartbar/metro's website is laid out too so you can know exactly what is going down. I love the bar tending here too. Best thing is that they are open late night most of the time so you can use it as your after hours spot if you wanna sweat out your intoxication. Smartbar is your never fail spot if you're looking to dance and have drinks to some electronic music. And if you go to a show up stairs in the Metro, you get free entry to smartbar so its perfect. Be sure to sign up for the texting deals on the website so you can get in free or half off!!! read more

Smart Bar is a great place to go out for a night of good music, dancing and drinks. It's one of the few places in Chicago that still has a bit of an old-school, underground feeling. They feature a lot of local DJs, as well as some of the best electronic music artists in the world. I have been to Smart Bar many times over the years, and it never gets old. They have two good bars, a large dance floor, and a good sound system. Smart Bar is also nice to go to when seeing a show next door at Metro. read more

Don't waste your time here. The head bouncer (short 5ft dude) claimed my ID was fake cause it was out of state. Was rude as fuck when I asked him what made him think it was fake cause it was indeed a real ID & told me the only way I could get it back was if I called the cops-which he said was a "felony" if I did because it was fake. So I had to call the cops & he pulls out a booklet to show the cop & tells him to peel the plastic off the ID to prove it's fake. The cops run my ID(which low & behold it actually turns up to be a REAL ID!!) & give it back to me. After all of that the bouncer still denied me & my friends entry ALL BECAUSE I PROVED HIS DUMB ASS WRONG & HE WAS TOO PUSSY TO EVEN BE A MAN AND APOLOGIZE AND OWN UP TO THE FACT HE MADE A MISTAKE. Invest in a ID scanner and save yourself the future embarrassment dude. read more

As a girl that LOVES Deep Dirty House Smart Bar delivered and then some. It was my first trip to Chicago so I had no idea where to go. After hearing that DJ Icey would be spinning there later that night on BPM on XM Radio I called the Concierge at The Ritz where I was staying and asked if this bar was any good. The girl who answered said it would be a great party. (Heavy inflection on the Party) You gotta trust The Ritz right? It was $5 Friday. That's right all cocktails $5 and $5 cover! Can't wait to go again next time I make my way to the Midwest! read more

I was sadly disappointed by this place. After reading several reviews, I decided to stop by with a few friends on Friday night around 1am. Walked in, paid a $10 cover, got to the main floor, and guess what I saw.... Nothing, a handful of people dancing individually. If you like going out by your self and dancing with a pole, than smartbar on Friday night's is for you. read more

My girls told me I loved this club ... but honestly I got really problem to remember much what was happening after midnight this night lol :). I just checked pictures from yelp and it look cool :) I was afraid I would find my self on one of the pictures. Good news for me there none lol :). I have to trust my girls and I am gonna say its great club... definitely I have to go back there:) lol ... little earlier next time :) read more

This is where you could find me every weekend when I was living in Chicago. This is where you go to hear music, and not try to hook up with anyone or have to dress up. This is my kind of club!! This is one of only a few clubs in Chicago like this, not pretentious, cool crowd, bangin' music. A few red bull vodkas and I'm ready to go all night. Extra points for having a photo booth in house. It makes for fun drunken pictures. read more

After a total let down at Crobar (trust me, dont go there, review to follow), my friends and I headed over to Smart Bar. A phone call or two and there was no line, no cover. Cheap drinks, good music, laid back crowd, did I mention the cheap drinks? A photo booth and totally hot indie rocker boys loitering outside the Metro? Yes. Damn those skinny jeans and tattoos...sigh. You can dance without dudes with popped collars bumping into you, you can sit down if you want to, without reserving a table or paying for bottle service. And the people watching is tops. My favorite dance club in Chicago, so far. read more

Love this place for playing amazing house music. Queen! is my go to here and Michael Serafini and Derrick Carter kill the music scene here

A little background for you: A very close friend of mine goes to Smart Bar every year for New Year's Eve (he's drives in from Columbus, OH). This friend just happens to be my most trustworthy source for new funky music. So, why not tag along one year to check out this "underground house mecca"? To put it shortly, I'm glad I went! It was loud, REALLY LOUD, and nothing could stop me from moving on that dance floor. Well maybe a periodic chug of water so I wouldn't pass out. I don't know much about house music but this shit was solid. Screw New Year's countdown and all that, this place is just about having a good ass-shaking time. Bonus: They have a photobooth! read more

Yeah, that's right. I was that guy who fell and slid down the stairs. Uh huh... at least I looked cool doing it! They really got to do something about those slippery stairs. A few days later. Ass bruised, left palm bruised and ankle scrapped. It was worth it. I had a good time here. Got to see some amazing DJs throw down sick sets. My only gripe with the place besides the slippery stairs is the dance floor is hotter than a muthaF-er. Like a sauna up in that piece. read more

I just love to dance and needed a dance release on a business trip I took to Chicago. After reading through some reviews of this club and and few other dance/techno clubs, my coworker and I decided on this one, moreso, because it was more of a straight shot for us from Evanston being visitors traveling around town at dark-thirty at night. We enjoyed ourselves. Clientele was ...eh... a bit young and not so 'daring' for my taste but we accomplished what we set out to. I could see myself going back for dancing. read more

Smart Bar is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year and it's still LOOKIN' GOOD! Even before the 2006 renovation, I was in love with this place. (And it was a gawd-awful dump then.) Why have I always been in love, you ask? THE MUSIC!! Smart Bar has some of the most rockinest djs on the planet. These guys and gals can not only keep a beat and can mix two songs, unlike many other club's djs in town, but they keep my tush bouncing all night long. And I mean until 5AM!! Now that's my favorite way of dropping a quick 5 pounds. The dancefloor is right there, nose-to-nose with the dj booth. Wanna get up close and personal with your fav dj, check out their show at Smart Bar. There is usually just enough room for you to carve out a spot to get as jiggy as you want. Surprise: No one is staring at you or critiquing your style. No other club in town can beat the unpretentiousness of Smart Bar. NONE. Just jam out already! The new design created more seating area for when you need a quick break. Sit just off the dancefloor or in the separate, quieter bar. Oh, and no bottle service requirements here. Regular ol' people like you and me actually get to sit down here. Truly unbelievable! Thank you 2006 renovation for a CLEAN women's washroom. Really, thank you! There is also a little couch for lounging and a huge mirror for primping in here. It's almost a hangout all it's own. Don't miss the photo booth either. Fun times! I guess I'm usually too focused on the music and dancing because I cannot recall drinking anything other than domestic beer when I'm here. Trust me, it just fits in here. The staff is kind and cool. Chat it up with them if you can. You know they have to have some good stories! Call me cruel, but if you don't have a passion for djs and dance, just stay away. You'll ruin my 5 star dance club!! read more

I went here a few years ago to check out Mr Scruff. It was awesome! The layout of the place is great and the sound is awesome. They have 2 bar, one in the front more loungey area and another 1 off the side of the dance floor. The 2nd time I came here it was earlier on a Friday - it was pretty dead so we left. Just recently I returned on a weeknight and was surprised that they close off the big dance floor area and have the dj's spin in the lounge area. It was like it was a whole new place - I liked it! They also had Nintendo projected on one of the dividers and people were playing Mike Tyson's Punch Out....WHAT?! It was great. Also - they had PBR for $2 a can, which isn't bad considering it was a Cubs game night. PS - the bathroom is super cool - it has black pleather padded walls and a separate powder area. PPS - they have a photobooth..... another WHAT?!? read more

Smart Bar is a Chicago staple, with one of the finest sound systems in the city. I started going there a long, long time ago when there used to be saw dust sprinkled on a black and white checked linolium floor, and a goth/punk crowd would come in to dance to Ministry and the Cramps. Times have changed and place has undergone several iterations before being where it is at now. For a while it had a loungey decor and attracted the typical Wrigleyville crowd, then it slowly started to regain its more underground vibe. Great djs. I was amped to see a few of my favorite West Coast djs in the past few years especially Doc Martin and Mark Farina. Mark used to spin at Shelter out here way back when, then moved out to San Francisco in the nineties to rock dancefloors out there. Speedy J was at SB about a month ago. Music rarely disappoints, whether you're into house, techno, electro, etc... You'll get it served well very with few obnoxious people to avoid. It rarely has a line to get in and isn't as much of a crowded hassle as Vision or the other Chicago uber clubs. Like another poster said, if you're looking to market your meat, you might not have fun here. This is a hard core dancing crowd that shows up for the djs. If you like good electronic beats, this is the place.... read more

This bar was an empty dance spot.....with a cover. A big one. $12 got me access to an empty downstairs when I was told outside that "it was going on." Not only did the doorman lie to me about the empty population downstairs, but he also refused me re-entry after he witnessed me "trip" on my way outside to find some fellow humans. I tried to complain to a manager to get my cover back, but the doorman refused me access and simply told me to go home and that I was "hammered." I wish I could have stayed long enough to buy some drinks so that would have been true. I don't advise you guys to go home, just don't go to Smart Bar. Go to any of the other bars down the street where you can see real people and make something happen. Nothing is happening here. read more

In my opinion Smart Bar is one of the best clubs in Chicago for folks who are serious about electronic music. They bring in some of the best names in electronic music and also some amazing up and coming DJ's as well. People often complain about the cover but you really get what you pay for. The sound system is great, the staff is fast and never unfriendly, I've never ran into seedy people or trouble makers. I've yet to have a bad experience. The drinks are strong, the dancing is fun, the music is amazing, the place is clean. If you love electronic music that isn't too mainstream and you love to dance without people getting up in your business this is definitely the spot. read more

LOVE for Smart Bar. A club you can go to without any sort of pretense, velvet ropes for their own sake, or look-at-me-look-at-my-bottle-look-at-me-paying-$40-cover. The place is open until 4AM. They have text message specials that get you in free. They have drink specials such as $5 Three Olives Vodka Cocktails(saturday) and $3 Effen Cocktails (sunday.) The music is great, the crowd is NOT sketchy at all. Be warned... getting there for the in-before-11-no-cover special means you arrive to an empty dance floor. The dance floor gets populated by 12 or 12:30 at the latest, but you and your friend you came with have consumed a good 10 of those Three Olives cocktails by then. Watch out! read more

Fun Fun Fun! I think this is the only bar that I know of up in the northside that has a regular run of DJs that impress me. The place is about the music.. the scene is for the underground music lover. I danced my ass off and had a great time.. I could stay there till they kick me out.. Dj, keep playing my song... read more