Smart Bar
| Address: | 3730 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, USA |
| Phone: | +1 773-549-4140 |
| Site: | smartbarchicago.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | Closed Closed Closed 10PM–4AM 10PM–4AM 10PM–5AM 10PM–4AM |
Location
Photos 1
Reviews 10
RY
Ryan Beck
Sunday night Queen! is my favorite event because of the great resident DJs, special guests, and diverse crowd. Mixed drinks are $7+ and bottled water is around $3. Entrance can cost anywhere from free to $14 or more depending on who you are and when you come. The worst thing about Smart Bar is that it is located in Wriggleyville. Its very far away from a lot of other neighborhoods and you have to wade through crowds of aggro bros pouring out of sports bars to get there. The doormen tend to be huge douchebags maybe as a reflection of the neighborhood around them. Its a shame that they are the face of this club and that you have to deal with them to get in. They also dont do a very good job of listening to complaints from women about men groping them. A few times the guards would hassle my girlfriend and be very suspicious about IDs even though we go there very often. The rude security guards are enough to make me go to one of the hundreds of other events going on every night in Chicago. Smart Bar partially maintains business because of their historical prestige, but currently, I dont see myself going there until the security are replaced. An amazing sound system and good club sound treatment are the bars best features. Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini are great resident DJs! The music is usually great, just realize it may be a little on the pricey side, kind of far away, and hit or miss. Go on Sundays for Queen!
VI
Vick Martinefko
Where to start? This place used to be amazing but honestly has gone quite a bit downhill nowadays... The bouncers are absolute a**holes and are about as pretentious as it gets. I have been coming here for like 2 years prior and have never gotten turned away and now they are extremely "selective" about who they let in. Hey I am just trying to enjoy your overpriced drinks and look at the beautiful fake women at your establishment, let me in. The music is just ok and seriously has gone downhill as well as the last time I got in I was disappointed. Also, a couple of times I went last when there was a cover charge the guy at the door said it was super busy.. You walk in and there are like 10 people there; definitely going downhill I hope they change a lot of things about this place, and they get 2 stars because it used to be an awesome place.
AR
Arpit Chauhan
It was Saturday night and I just found out that Smartbar was among the best Nightclubs in the City. But, It was beyond the level of expectation. MUSIC - The DJ was repeating the beats. No electronic and No proper beats. DANCE FLOOR - People were just standing on the dance floor waiting for a song to be played which never happened. Some young crowd just left the venue after paying $15!! on entry. SOUND QTY - Pretty Good but needs more BASS!! I think the Crowd needs a Good MUSIC not a repetitive sequence of INSTRUMENTS played on a console. If WE are spending one night of our week to ENJOY then there should be an ENERGY! MUSIC! And PARTY! People should Smile, dance and enjoy their time. Even the DJ playing at the Booth was not even enjoying the MUSIC he was playing. Thats how bad it WAS!
SA
Salvatore Nocadello
Great music, great DJs, great sound, but ... they change the guy at doors. Now there is a completely unprofessional guy that spend his miserable life trying to impose the authority with his body. You will recognize him since he is the tallest one and the only guy that speak allowed. Usually the people that are at the smart are very relaxed and are there just to listen some good music. I have never seen an hubbub there. But this guy suffers of attention-seeking behavior. He is very irritating since you can see that he is excited to exercise his mania of grander. Im so disappointed since Smart Bar used to be a very nice place to go with relaxed people and good music..but I will never never go again until this guy is there. I want to have fun, not deal with the problems of the people.
IA
Ian Baker
By far the worst venue in Chicago. I already disliked this venue but the Battles show this Friday was awful. They forced me to check my empty bag. I went out to lock up a friends bike and the guy threatens to kick me out if I come back in smelling like smoke. When I do try to get back in the bouncer seriously used an earpiece to relay the front desk. It was like a prison! Security harassed the pretty tame crowd throughout the show. They treat their customers like cattle and criminals. If I can help it Ill never go there again. Bands need to realize there are much better medium sized venues to play at that treat people with respect. Truly horrible.
AN
Anthony Ramirez
Ive never made smart decision in Smartbar. With that said, its great. Like the Metro above it, its a great place to see up and coming DJs before they start selling out stadiums and areas and are headlining festivals. As well as staying true to its Chicago roots. Plenty of space to dance and people actually dance as well. Not just dry humping on the dancefloor but still some do, (its in Wrigleyville and open late after all those 2 am bars close) Staff are great. everybody is welcome. great vibe you wont find anywhere else. Where the focus is on the music and DJ and not on being scene or getting bottle service.
RU
Rudolf Faust
I have been to more shows at Smart Bar/Metro than at all other music venues in Chicago combined. It is considered one of the top 10 nightclubs in the US for good reason. Funktion One soundsystem, great bookings, and a staff that is less douchey than any other legally legitimate nightclub in the city. They cover almost the full spectrum of electronic music, letting lots of local crews throw parties there. Weeknights are great because only the music heads come out, but you have to watch out for douchebaggery on weekends because it is in Wrigleyville.
AS
Ashton Hampton
The security was pompous and just completely rude. I will never go here again! They had no answers for me when they decided that I couldnt enter the venue because I attempted to toss an empty bottle OUTSIDE, before checking in and before I entered. There was a fat guy in particular who wanted to feel like he was doing some great security work but was just unreasonable. I shouldve known better than to allow this venue to take my money. Once again, do not go here if you dont want to be mistreated or scammed by a wannabe security team.
KE
Kelly Kolton
I dont normally go to clubs, but thought this place was great! I went to Smart Bar to see James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem who was performing a DJ set there. The cover was reasonable for such a big name. The dance floor was full but not packed, and we had a great view since its a smaller place. I saw someone else describe this place as a "come as you are" dance club, and that is exactly how I would also describe it. It wasnt pretentious or flashy. Really enjoyed it and would go back.
MA
Matt Kroll
This is one of the better places to listen to electronic music in the city. The setting is more intimate than any super club, and usually the music is better, too. DJs here spin things meant for a more underground crowd, so youll hear minimal techno and deep house instead of club progressive and brostep. A lot of old warehouse party kids come here now that theyve grown up. Youre also much less likely to find Mac-tapper "DJs" here, which is a good thing.