House Party At Danny's

By Hanna Aronovich in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 5, 2006 3:33PM

Aside from the Schlitz sign out front, not much gives away Danny’s Tavern from the street. However, the cozy bar (1951 W. Dickens) is certainly not lacking in visibility; it was packed when Chicagoist stopped by on Saturday night. The front bar was filled almost wall-to-wall with a mostly casual, laid-back crowd.

The back area was equally crowded, although the plaid-wallpapered rooms provided somewhat more space. Hanging reddish-orange clay sculptures (that made snack-minded Chicagoist think of Cheetos) dangled overhead, while a decent-sized crowd danced to a mix of hip-hop, rock and jazz. The energy was so high, the DJ himself was dancing – and Chicagoist can’t argue with that.

Formerly a residence, Danny’s still evokes the feeling of being at a friend’s house party, with candlelit tables, ottomans and couches creating a lounge-y/rec-room vibe.

In addition to being a great spot to drink and dance (Chicagoist wasn’t the first out on the floor this time!), Danny’s is hospitable to the artists’ community, featuring installation pieces and video projections. It also holds a reading series every Wednesday. Tonight at 7:30, poet and “Matrix” author Joshua Clover and “Armed Forces” author Franklin Bruno are featured.

Now, we know some folks, even a few here at the Chicagoist offices, complain that Danny’s “used to be cool” before it was “rehabbed and hipstered out.” But once a spot makes an appearance on Metromix, it's not so underground anymore. And just how long can a great bar fly under the radar?