Smartbar

Smart Bar began in 1982 as a way to bring new and exciting dance music and DJ’s to Chicago. Since then, Smart Bar has accomplished this goal repeatedly and established itself as one of the country’s premier cutting edge nightclubs.

History

Established in 1982.

Owner Joe Shanahan left his hometown of Chicago for New York City in the early 1980s, intending to explore by immersion the developing art, music and dance culture taking over popular culture. At the conclusion of one year, he returned to Chicago and realized that there wasn’t a club that brought together the visual, performing, experimental and fringe arts communities. Groundbreaking DJs Frankie Knuckles and Joe Smooth would spin regularly. Bands like Ministry and Trent Reznor showcased their new “industrial” music by playing tapes of freshly recorded tracks. The club brought in DJs from every part of the world, as well as providing a space for local DJs to develop and grow. Smart Bar also developed a symbiotic relationship with Metro, the upstairs live music venue, hosting after party shows and allowing a space for rock and dance fans to mix and explore each other’s music, as well as opportunities for DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Fat Boy Slim to play the larger room upstairs.