Pump Up Chicago ‘19

October 31, 2019 10:44 PM

I’m in Chicago for a conference. I’m looking for it an underground Chicago house experience on Saturday night. What are my options?

I live in L.A., but I grew up around these parts, and I’ve been coming home to the standard-issue gay bars since I was barely 21. But now I’m in my early 40s, steeped in my adopted city’s kaleidoscopic underground dance culture, and I crave a less give-a-fuck crowd that just wants to work it out together, regardless of color or creed. Are there any great options here these days? Deep, deep house is the order of the day. Thanks!

posted by mykescipark to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (2 answers total)

I lived there and DJ'd many years back, I doubt many of my spots are still around but Smart Bar is still going strong. Looks like they have some crazy 23 hr long DJ event all day tomorrow though.

Resident Advisor has some of the other bigger gigs listed, or you have time, you could also just hit up Gramaphone Records and ask where the good spots are now since most of the staff are usually among the better active local DJs.
posted by p3t3 at 6:45 AM on November 1, 2019

Yes, I found the Smart Bar event ... and Questlove is doing an all-Prince set there tonight! Decisions, decisions ... Thanks for the intel.
posted by mykescipark at 2:54 PM on November 1, 2019