smartbar
Chicago
smartbar is an independent dance club at 3730 North Clark Street in Chicago, located beneath Metro. It maintains its own identity, programme and resident artists, with the basement space serving as a dedicated home for electronic music. Its calendar brings together Chicago selectors, visiting DJs and live electronic performances. House is a central part of the programme, particularly through the longstanding Queen! nights featuring residents such as Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini. The wider schedule reaches into other club sounds, with bookings including Lady Starlight live and locally curated bills. Those different formats keep the emphasis on the artists and communities using the room rather than a single undifferentiated weekend party. The operator publishes normal Friday, Saturday and Sunday club hours, including Chicago's later Saturday finish. Check the individual event for its lineup and admission details. Metro's daytime box-office timetable describes ticket collection upstairs and should not be confused with access to smartbar's dance floor or its separate nighttime programme.
