Find the Beat at Rhythm

By Hanna Aronovich in Food on Jun 8, 2006 2:34PM

Just west of a strip of posh new restaurants on Randolph, Rhythm lives among the still-industrial backdrop. At 1108 W. Randolph, the lounge is best known for its drum circle lessons on Friday and Saturday nights. Chicagoist is always looking for a good time, so we decided to stop by.

We’re usually averse to covers, but we figured the $8 would be worth it. The door guy/drum passer-outer greeted us with a smile and relaxed attitude. The bar is stylish, but intimate, with rich woods, warm colors, amber hues, a drum pit and stage in the center of the space, and a plush lounge area in back.

The smoke-free lounge serves 12 different draft beers, along with martinis and specialty drinks. Chicagoist was already a couple drinks deep when we arrived for our drum lessons at 9, but we think this is the type of event that becomes exponentially more fun with each cocktail.

The crowd was a mix of 20-somethings and married 40-somethings who looked relieved to be out of the house. Our instructor gathered the group around the drum pit and gave us an overview of the different types of drum beats. Impressively, he was able to quiet the group down when he was explaining the technique (clearly, the group had better listening skills than a first-grade music class).

He then led us through some rhythm exercises, eventually resulting in a tribal-esque, free-for-all jam session. Later, the full percussion was broken out, and the beat was enhanced with the sounds of tambourines, maracas and cowbells (a good jam always needs more cowbell).

Next weekend, June 16-18, if you’re heading to the Taste of Randolph, take a jaunt down a few blocks to Rhythm to check it out.

If you enjoyed banging pots and pans as a kid – or if you were in high school band – you’ll most definitely enjoy Rhythm’s drum circle. And if not, just show up well sauced and you’ll have a good time anyway.