I am a newbie to the whole bar scene (relatively), so my tours of bars in the US have just begun! So far I have visited Saddle Up, Martyr's, and the Brauerhouse.
Saddle up was a country bar in the Naperville/Aurora area hosting line dancing lessons earlier in the evening. They apparently give these learners and regulars plenty of time to practice their skills, as this form of dancing continued throughout the majority of the night. My coworkers and I went there on St. Patty's, so a sea of green was to be seen. Popular music started later (11:00pm) and we danced a bit. I made the mistake of wearing unsupportive flats to work and not bringing a spare pair so discomfort plus fatigue added to my unimpression of this place. Might be back for some line dancing fun, picked up on a new radio station.
Martyr's is my all-time fave. It's a whole in the wall honky-tonk on the north side of Chicago that hosts the Big C Jamboree (questions about these awesome ppl? click here: http://bigcjamboree.blogspot.com/2009/04/big-c-jamboree-chicagos-original.html or here: http://www.rockabilly.net/articles/jamboree.shtml). Every first Thursday of the month the Big C brings in various 1950s rockabilly swing bands (also playing some variations on Johnny Cash- always a good sign in my book). In front of the stage the dance floor is loaded with people garbed in pencil skirts, maryjanes, victory curls, suspenders, you name it. Straight into the 50s, it's like paradise. You can't help but dance! Mr. Shoes (boyfriend) has some friends who are in a band (The Hot Rod Hucksters- check them out! http://bigcjamboree.blogspot.com/2009/04/big-c-jamboree-chicagos-original.html and they actually sound best live), which is how we came across the place. If you like your poison, there are two fabulous-looking bars in the place. Punkabillies are also to be scene, though not vary authentic or doin' the swing. We try to make it up there every month.
The Brauerhouse is in Lombard, and is an even smaller hole in a smaller wall. Apparently a part of a strip mall, they play to a more ROCKabilly crowd, combining harder rock and two strange burlesque girls named The VooDoo Dolls (I do not have a link for ya, but they are on fb). A bit more trashy, but also enjoyable. There are two bars, one with chandeliers and tvs showing actual old fashion burlesque shows (which i thought was cool).
Class is about start- tbc!
