Smartbar

Smartbar is a basement club under the Metro concert hall at 3730 N Clark Street in Lakeview. It opened in 1982, and Festival Insider (2022) called it the only remaining club from the early house era. Techno Airlines says Frankie Knuckles played there regularly and that Derrick Carter and The Blessed Madonna held residencies. The same source puts the capacity at about 400, in one room reached down a flight of stairs.

Doors usually open around 22:00. The club lists Friday and Sunday nights to 04:00 and Saturday to 05:00. Its October 2026 calendar includes DJ Seinfeld with Shaun J Wright and Valeria Fride on Saturday 24 October and the Queen! night with Derrick Carter on Sunday 25 October, and the Halloween party on 31 October is listed as sold out. Door tickets are limited, cash only and sold first come, first served, so buying ahead through the box office, the club site or Etix avoids a queue. Students get $5 off door tickets before 00:00 with a student ID. Not for you if you need step-free access or want to pay by card at the door.