Dolphin Ditches Dining, Goes Straight For Dancing
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 16, 2013 9:20PM
Revamping and reopening a nightclub in Chicago is no easy task—especially when you’re trying to break its own mold. But that’s what nightlife and electronic music programming veteran “Just Joey” Swanson has set out to do with the launch of Dolphin, previously Green Dolphin Street.
“When it was initially conceived Green Dolphin Street was a throwback to the dinner and dancing era,” Swanson told Chicagoist. “You would sit down and have a meal and then slide over to the dance floor. Towards the end of [Green Street Dolphin’s operation] there was a series of urban project they did later in the night -- hip hop and reggae.
Pretty much everything is different from a programming standpoint now. We’re much more of a dance club.”
Swanson’s relationship with the Dolphin isn’t a new one though. He spent 16 years as the music director for the iconic “Boom Boom Room”—Chicago’s longest running dance night, previously hosted by Green Dolphin Street. Now he’s back as the club’s operations manager and making some serious changes.
What was once Green Dolphin Street’s dining room has been transformed into a bottle service-ready VIP area. The ballroom has been decked out with LED lights, lasers, projection screens and everything else needed to rival Chicago’s top-rated clubs. In addition to its 550-person capacity interior, the Dolphin also encompasses a spacious patio which Swanson hopes to have operational by May. There’s no longer a kitchen within the building but initial plans include “some sort of food component” to the patio portion.
As far as music goes, Dolphin will cater to Chicago’s current electronic music craze quite nicely. Fridays will be the club’s “talent-driven” nights. Internationally recognized American DJ duo The Crystal Method will kick off Dolphin’s reopening on January 18 and from there its anyone’s guess as to how the programming will top itself.
“We’re booking DJs from all over the world so each one will have a different appeal,” explains Swanson.
Dance Factory Radio—formerly of Soundbar—will handle music programming on Saturdays nights. Swanson says to expect a more European feel. And, yes, the Boom Boom Room will return.
Aside from bringing the music up to date and adding an increased “soulful” element to it, Swanson assures the Boom Boom will still be “the same kind of crazy s*** show that it’s always been. Gay, straight, black, white, Latino - just a mega mix of a crowd.”
Dolphin reopens Friday, January 18, with headliners The Crystal Method, 2200 N Ashland, 9 p.m., $10, 21+
By: Katie Karpowicz