Smartbar

Work Hours

Location

About the Business

Owner Joe Shanahan left his hometown of Chicago for New York City in the early 1980s, intending to explore by immersion the developing art, music and dance culture taking over popular culture. At the conclusion of one year, he returned to Chicago and realized that there wasn't a club that brought together the visual, performing, experimental and fringe arts communities.

Groundbreaking DJs Frankie Knuckles and Joe Smooth would spin regularly. Bands like Ministry and Trent Reznor showcased their new "industrial" music by playing tapes of freshly recorded tracks. The club brought in DJs from every part of the world, as well as providing a space for local DJs to develop and grow. Smart Bar also developed a symbiotic relationship with Metro, the upstairs live music venue, hosting after party shows and allowing a space for rock and dance fans to mix and explore each other's music, as well as opportunities for DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Fat Boy Slim to play the larger room upstairs.

Established in 1982.

Business Name

Smartbar

Specialties

Smart Bar began in 1982 as a way to bring new and exciting dance music and DJ's to Chicago. Since then, Smart Bar has accomplished this goal repeatedly and established itself as one of the country's premier cutting edge nightclubs.

Amenities

No Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Accepts Apple Pay, Outdoor Seating, Very Loud, Good for Groups, Street Parking, Free Wi-Fi, DJ, Best nights on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Happy Hour Specials, Full Bar, 21+, TV, Gender-neutral restrooms, No Pool Table, Bike Parking

Business Owner

Joe S. (Business Owner)

In 2007 and 2008, Metro and SmartBar have been celebrating 25 years of showcasing new and developing local artists, cutting edge DJ's and new genres of music. In keeping with its dedication to new and emerging artists, Smart Bar hosted the first ever appearances in Chicago of a host of artists including Justice, Switch, Digitalism, Boys Noize, Para One, Stanton Warriors and Claude Von Stroke. On New Years Eve, Switch returned to Smart Bar to ring in the new year. With continued accolades year after year, including AOL Cityguide's Best Dance Club, the 2006 Club World Awards Nightstalker Award for Best Underground Club, 2007 Club World Awards Award for Best Club and more, Smart Bar has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

Categories

• Arts & Entertainment
• Nightlife

Categories By Location

• Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Arts & Entertainment
• Nightlife

• Illinois, United States
• Arts & Entertainment
• Nightlife

• United States
• Arts & Entertainment
• Nightlife

Tags

Dance Clubs, Bars