There has been many a night we have bellied up to the bar at one of our favorite Bucktown haunts Danny's. Cheap drinks, great DJs, dancing and just enough light to get an outline of the person you'll be gracing with your best walk-of-shame the next day usually makes for an interesting evening to say the least. Stephen Sowley, a six-year-veteran in his humble station as doorman at the bar has probably seen it all. After all, mixing young people, massive amounts of booze and perhaps some less than savvy judgement calls can make for some intriguing stories to say the least. more ›

Fabric, the legendary London dance club, has for the last decade purveyed its modus operandi in the form of special guest mixes. Notable alumni of the FabricLive series include James Murphy, Diplo, Simain Mobile Disco, Four Tet, Cut Copy, Pearson Sound, and John Peel, whom only begin to scratch the surface of the series' proud history. The latest, FabricLive 60, comes from Brodinski, a well-traveled and eclectic DJ whose affinity for genre-hopping shines bright on the mix. more ›

Lollapalooza is still a week away, but you can start celebrating its imminent arrival tonight at Angels & Kings. Organizers have rounded up a few of the Q101 DJs left in the cold by the stations recent format change to provide the soundtrack to evening's festivities. Although, truth be told, of the four on the bill, only two were actually a DJs, another was a host of a local music show and the third, well, we're not sure what he did. But that doesn't matter! Tim Pogo, Tim, Virgin Chris Payne and Jaime Black are committed to spinning tunes to get you through the night. Just don't ask any of them to play you some Limp Bizket, we're pretty sure that's one corner of Q101's past they're all happy to have left behind. The gig kicks off at 9 p.m. and lasts until close, but we suggest getting there in the first hour since we hear there's a hosted bar by Titos vodka. more ›

When Sonotheque closed some eighteen months ago, we anticipated "some super trendy house of crap" would take over its space. Then it was announced that the chain club/salon Beauty Bar bought the venue, and it seemed we may had been right. But lo and behold, the folks at Beauty Bar have hosted a very nice list of DJ sets over the past year that includes James Blake, Jackmaster, Jamie XX, Kingdom, Nick Catchdubs, Jokers of the Scene, and a slew of some of the city's best local talent. Needless to say, Beauty Bar has made itself apart of Chicago's club scene in the short year that it has been here, and this Thursday they'll be celebrating the 1-year anniversary with Blaqstarr, DJ RTC and Mattboywhite. more ›

Last weekend's Claychella party at Lincoln Hall, showcasing many of Chicago's most popular DJs, was a huge success and a ton of fun attended by much of the local clubbers and two alleged thieves. As the venue cleared out it was discovered that two laptops -- one belonging to organizer Clayton Hauck and one the property of Chris Baronner a.k.a. Bald E -- had disappeared from the venue. Little did whoever left with the laptops realize that Lincoln Hall is outfitted with plenty of security cameras. more ›

In what will be just the second Temper, Thursday's lineup still includes Kingdom (he's American, so no visa issues), and has added support from Chicago's own DJ Deeon, and two of Ghetto Division's crew, Charlie Glitch and Sigma. Kingdom splits time on both Night Slugs and A-Trak's Fool's Gold label, but it's his recent work on the former that have placed him among electronic music's finest. Incorporating R&B, deep house/tech, UK funky, and a whole bunch of other forms, Kingdom's become a part of dance music's shift towards something fresh and exciting. Check his That Mystic EP for proof. His support, DJ Deeon, will surely bring that ghetto house heat, and we all know Ghetto Division's prowess on the mixers. We highly suggest starting your weekend early by hitting up one of the city's most exciting new nights. more ›

We already love the Empty Bottle for various reasons - its intimate setting, an assortment of musical stylings, a monthly farmer’s market, and free shows every Monday night. Last month the local venue gave us yet another reason when they announced the launch of another free monthly concert series, Music.Friendly.Dancing. Named after the simple motto presented on their marquee, the new series is the Bottle’s way of saying ‘thanks’ to its dedicated customers. Message received, old friend, and you’re welcome. more ›

Armando “Mondo” Guerra didn’t quite sew up Project Runway last season (he came in second), but the knee-sock-clad, 32-year-old designer charmed audiences with his unique brand of charisma and bold sense of style. This week Guerra returns to the catwalk, this time as a judge for Vogue for Tots 4, a ball-style vogue-off to benefit ChicagoToyDrive.org. Presented by Mint Male, Stardust, and Berlin, the event features various “houses” that werk their lewks and moves as they compete in categories such as Butch Royalty, Glossy Twink, Glamour Dyke, Tranny Realness and Vogue the House. more ›

The Spandexxx party, curated by the Moneypenny DJ team, has resumed in a familiar space with a new name, Beauty Bar. While they soft launched with a party there last month, we consider tomorrow's bash to mark the night's true return to form. Why? For starters they've brought Team Bayside High -- that duo of DJs currently ruling the Chicago scene sprinkling fun around them wherever they go -- onto the bill. Secondly, and even more importantly, they're bringing in musical guest Free Energy. more ›

All of the cast from The Jersey Shore has canceled their appearances around Chicago tonight. JWOWW's twitter stream mentions she is "the hotel room with @snooki sick... We r sooo congested." And a press release states The Situation and DJ Pauly D are stuck in L.A. due to "last minute media and network commitments." more ›

The year has a been a tumultuous one for nightlife and electronic music in Chicago. Promoters had to think smart to pull in crowds with far less spending money and we lost our shining star, the always tasteful Sonotheque. With Lava Lounge set to relaunch in 2010 as a cocktail lounge and a long winter still ahead, many feel uncertain, yet curious, for what the new year will bring. more ›

Hey, we already told you that Metric is THE show to see tonight, but afterward we're heading over to Lincoln Hall for the second installment of a new monthly party curated by local photographer Clayton Hauck. Just Desserts seems to follow in the "anything goes" mode of partying fun, and the DJs he's got lined up knows how to pick out party jams and bypass the crap tat you might hear at more mainstream clubs. Think of it as a college house party with less attitude, far less puking, and way more dancing. more ›

Rehab, our personal favorite Chicago weekly party, won the America's Best Party award at last night's Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards in New York. This is a pretty solid endorsement of the Chicago party scene considering Rehab won the big prize when almost every other category was dominated by New York-based events. Big ups to Rehab organizers Team Bayside High for a job well done! more ›

The worlds of farmers markets, indie rock and cheap beer collide when the Empty Bottle hosts its inaugural farmers market on December 19 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Twelve local vendors will be selling everything from homemade preserves, handspun wool and organic herbs, while Bottle staff spin tunes and pour drinks. Among the participating vendors are Videnovich farms, Tomato Mountain Farm and Earth First Farms. more ›

We'd barely had enough time to process the demise of Sonotheque when we heard the news via Chicago Now that nearby venue Lava Lounge will end it's tenure as a club destination on December 18 in favor of a facelift and transformation into a cocktail lounge with mixologist Peter Vestinos (consultant for Naha, C-View, Roof and In Fine Spirits) acting as visionary. Co-owners Phil McFarland and Ty Fujimura will retain ownership of the venue, but with a new name and a new focus on drinks and conversation taking the place of an eclectic roster of multi-genre DJ nights, we're left with another headstone added to the city's nightlife graveyard and a winter full of long bus rides to Smart Bar. more ›

Paper Magazine has announced its nominations for its Fifth Annual Nightlife Awards, and Chicago's own Rehab is in the running for America's Best Party. Considering Rehab is on a Monday night, moved from one space to another, and has still managed to consistently book solid, fun, unpretentious line-ups that appeal to fans across all music genres, we stand behind their nomination. Show some local support and vote for them if you feel so inclined. more ›

Sound Bar* is usually populated by douchebags and the ladies who love them, but the hipsters took over Tuesday night at a private party thrown by our friends at UR Chicago and Hornitos. The tequila was free and free flowing, and the beats were provided by such talent as Acid Girls, Million $ Mano, and Moneypenny. True, the pillow-fighting and go-go dancing girls were a bit over the top, but overall we had a really good time dancing with friends and, um, drinking all that free booze. Local photographer Clayton Hauck was on hand to capture the madness with his unique eye. more ›

It was rumored on Twitter last week, wondered aloud by Jim DeRogatis earlier today, and just now it's been confirmed by Time Out Chicago: Sonotheque has been sold and is closing at the end of this week. more ›

There may only be three chords in a typical blues song - but that was no limit to musical variety this weekend. More than 600,000 people were expected to attended the annual free festival in Grant Park. And no matter what stage (or what club) the house was rocked. The best concert we saw (of the more than 60 acts who performed) was blues icon Bettye LaVette. Now 63, LaVette has been in the music business for more than 45 years, a fact she spent several minutes discussing as she transitioned through her set. Age has not proved a barrier though - LaVette even dropped the mic to sing unaided at some points Saturday night. more ›

Electronic music is a medium ripe for resurrecting the sounds of the past, and every year one or two sub-genres reappear with a new twist. This year is widely becoming known as the year dubstep finally stepped out of its own dark shadow and into a position of public popularity. more ›

Rehab is not only the best party going down each and every Monday, it's also arguably the strongest weekly residency in the Chicago with it's appeal across multiple genres and everyone's welcome attitudes. We became fans of their evening at evilOlive partially because it didn't feel like a typical club night. Sure, there were throngs of dances, but there was always room to chat with friends or duck away fro a game of pool if you weren't feeling a particular DJ's set. more ›

Cut Copy, Hot Chip and Hercules and Love Affair have proven that there is room on Chicago's dancefloors for more than juke and electro. Drawing on influences from post-punk to disco to the radio greats of the past, it seems electronic pop is gaining momentum in a big way. more ›

DJ duo Rocktapussy -- DJs Mother Hubbard and A-Cup) (a.k.a. Chess Hubbard and Jessica Gonyea) -- are throwing a party at Sonotheque tonight with He Say/She Say and Silverghost. The pair have been honing their skills both around town and on the road and have been drawing a steadily growing crowd of dedicated fans to their gigs. We dig the duo for the playful personality they've been injecting into their sets off late, and there ability to put together mixes that don't recycle the same ol' tunes you hear every other Serato DJ in this city working to the nub. more ›

Does it Offend You, Yeah? first caught our ear with the suprema-catchy early single "We Are Rockstars" took us right back to the mid-'90s Big Beat explosion with its rock sensibilities laid like dripping blood over the dance floor. Honestly, after hearing that tune we were ready to write them off as just another dance rock band, albeit one with a slightly revivalist bent that appealed to our more sentimental nature. more ›

What's more fun than the Gay Pride Parade? Northalsted Market Days! This weekend the party lands between Belmont and Addison on Halsted. Numerous stages, merch stalls, party people, babies in buggies, dudes with tails made of peacock feathers, hipsters, alt-bros, Trixies and their Chads, DJs, dancers, and little old ladies looking for a good time choke the six block stretch from the early morning into the evening. It's the street fest to end all street fests and we never, ever miss it. This year you'll probably find us hanging around the Roscoe stage where the bands include Hey Champ, Carey Ott, and Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. Here's a taste of what you can expect from Hey Champ. more ›

Until Bottom Lounge (re-)opened, in order to find a good tiki lounge one had to travel to the suburbs. Within the city limits Trader Vic's closed last year, paving the way for the overpriced and subpar Lockwood restaurant. Trader Vic's was the lone standout for years after Ciral's House of Tiki in Hyde Park put up the shutters in 2000. more ›

Crystal Castles create dance music out of brittle 8-bit derived beats and high-pitched squeaks and squonks. It's dance music for the Nintendo generation, full of dancing Marios and Luigis grinding up against ambisexual Sonic the Hedgehogs. For the most part their music is heavy on the treble and way in your face, and we understand that's not for everyone. more ›

We have been waiting for the debut from local duo Walter Meego for forever. Seriously. We've seen them on "next big thing" lists for at least the last two years -- and believe us, they belong on those lists -- but only now can folks who haven't seen them live finally get what the buzz is all about. more ›

Lauri Apple of Gapers Block asked me a while ago if I'd be interested in representing Chicagoist in a DJ battle against her / Gapers Block at The Burlington tonight. Naturally I accepted the challenge without a second thought. more ›

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