How to... party like a rockstar!
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
108
article SCENE
nightlife
how to...
party like a rockstar!
katie piccirillo
Marky Ramone and Dave Navarro at manor
We’ve all experienced it. The bass thumping methodically in our ears. The
spotlights following us as we shimmy across the stage. Thousands of scream-
ing fans chanting our lyrics and sweat forming in our palms as we grip the
microphones.
Okay, so maybe this is an exaggeration. We all haven’t experienced the thrill
of the rock and roll lifestyle. Hell, odds are none of us have felt the high of
performance. It’s more likely that the bass is coming from our stereo speakers
rather than a guitarist. The make-shift spotlight is in fact our desk lamps. The
screaming fans are, in actuality, our group of giggling girlfriends, and the microphone is
a battered hairbrush. Still, being a rock and roll legend or pop idol is a common fanta-
sy–one which has occupied countless 3 am thoughts. After all, nothing has more appeal
than life in the fast lane, VIP access, popping bottles of bubbly and dressing in designer
duds. Or, as native Chicagoan Kanye West puts it, “livin’ the good life.”
This month, SCENE is bringing you popular rock and roll hangouts. These clubs have
hosted your favorite rockers and are dishing about their high-profile requests. So, even
if you’re tone deaf and rhythmless, you can party like a rock … party like a rockstar.
Or at least drink where rockstars partied all night long!
Manor (642 N. Clark, 312.475.1390)
Rockstars who partied there: Dave Navarro, Naughty by Nature, Shot Boyz, Pete
Wentz, Ashlee Simpson, Soulja Boy, Mickey Avalon, Cisco Adler, Marky Ramone
If you want to experience VIP service at its
finest, check out Manor. Lord knows, hard-
core rockers do! With a full concierge ser-
vice at their fingertips–rockstars waste no
time contemplating what should be on
their rider (their list of requests). Instead,
they ask for everything from beverages to
birth control devices. Even if the request is
last minute, Manor’s staff will produce it.
“When we hosted Dave Navarro, he
wanted a very specific lime-flavored Per-
rier water which we don’t carry,” says Gen-
eral Manager of Manor Colin Comer. “It
wasn’t on the rider but last minute we sent
someone to get it. Bret Michaels wanted a
pete wentz and ashlee simpson at manor
tranquil green room complete with scented
109
nightlife c o n t i n u e d
candles and aroma therapy. Naughty by Nature wanted condoms,” laughs Comer.
“There is no request we won’t fill.”
In keeping with this they-ask-we-provide mantra, Manor also gives rockers a choice
between a public or private entrance. But some stars are still down-to-earth enough
to enter with the general public. “Pete Wentz [Fall Out Boy] always comes through the
front doors,” Comer says.
Stanley’s 1970 N. Lin-
coln, 312.642.0007)
Rockstars who partied
there: Eddie Vedder [Pearl
Jam], Kid Rock, Third Eye
Blind, Cheap Trick, Big and
Rich, Sister Hazel, Jimmy
Chamberland [Smashing
Pumpkins], Sheryl Crowe,
The Black Crowes
If you’re interested in view-
ing rockstars in their natural
eddie vedder at stanley’s
habitat, then Stanley’s on
Lincoln is the ultimate star safari. When asked what stars occupied the humble booths,
owner Donny Kruse snorted with laughter and replied, “You name them–they’ve been
here!” And after reciting an impressively long list, I was forced to agree. Rockstars love
Stanley’s, but what is the major selling point? We all love the quant, country-chic atmo-
sphere, but what draws rockstars to this local watering hole?
“Privacy,” Kruse says bluntly. “They can hang out here, chill and they know we won’t let
anyone bother them. Everyone here leaves them alone.”
110
In fact, on a good night you might find Eddie Vedder stuffing the jukebox with quarters
and singing along to the Ramones, which Kruse claims is Vedder’s “jukebox favorite.”
Or, if you pop by after Lollapalooza an impromptu concert might ensue.
Crobar
(1543 N. Kingsbury, 312.266.1900)
Rockstars who partied there: Chad
Kroeger [Nickelback], Billy Corgan, R.
Kelly, Modest Mouse, Joel Madden [Good
Charlotte], Justin Timberlake, Travis Barker
As we all know, celebrities and rockstars
alike love prestige. As General Manager
of Crobar, Collin Burke explains, “We have
a pretty serious pedigree. If you come to
party at Crobar you know it’s going to be
off the hook. Plus, they [rockstars] can cut
loose knowing we won’t rat them out. They
can swing from the rafters without fear
crobar
that it will appear in the gossip section.”
And, as you can see from their lengthy list, many rockstars have chosen to do exactly
that within Crobar’s VIP section. R. Kelly, who is a long-time fan and friend of Crobar’s
owner, stops by every time he’s in town to pay his respects. After pulling some strings
to have his dressing room moved to a prime-time space next to the stage, drummer
Travis Barker has also jumped the Crobar bandwagon. “He [Barker] is really down-to-
earth. He takes his time with fans and is accessible,” Burke says. One Crobar clubgoer
who might not return, however, is Justin Timberlake. “The girls were bananas when
he was here,” laughs Burke. “It was difficult just to get him onstage because everyone
wanted to grab and touch him.” Then, again, I guess that’s the price you pay for bring-
ing sexy back! }}
111
nightlife c o n t i n u e d
perry farell at underground
Underground
(56 W. Illinois, 312.644.7600)
Rockstars who partied there:
Kanye West, Common, Duran
Duran, Perry Farell, Snow Patrol,
Daft Punk, Pete Wentz, Ashlee
Simpson
When stars travel, they do so with
A-list fiends. Think about it…the
pages of US Weekly are flooded with pictures of celeb friends sipping Coronas in
their favorite vacation destinations. Jennifer Aniston in the Caribbean with Courtney
Cox. Oprah hand-in-hand with Barack Obama on the campaign trail. Vince Vaughn
at a Cubs game with Owen Wilson! The latest name which should be added to the
trendy list is Kanye West. Recently, the native Chicagoan partied at Underground and
his entourage was first-class. Lupe
common at underground
Fiasco, R. Kelley and Michelle Wil-
liams tagged along and were ready
and willing to party. And while many
rockstars aren’t slated to perform, the
energy within Underground persuades
them to grab a wireless mic. Com-
mon was one patron who found the
energy in Underground overwhelming
and exhilarating. On a casual visit, he
brought clubgoers to their feet with his
newest lyrics. So, if you’re dying to see
a live concert but lack the cash, head
to Underground where you’re sure to
hang out with Chicago’s finest. }}
112
nightlife c o n t i n u e d
Crimson Lounge
Photo credit: Cescrow.
kanye west at crimson lounge
(333 N. Dearborn, 312.923.2453)
Rockstars who partied there: AC/DC,
Kanye West, Silverchair, Kill Hannah, Al
Green, BB King, Smokey Robinson, Michael
Buble, Neville Brothers, Ted Nugent
With close proximity to the famous House of
Blues where a number of noteworthy rock-
stars perform, Crimson Lounge in Hotel Sax
is a worthwhile start for star sightings. In
fact, public relations specialist Annie Ney-
crimson lounge
man revealed that even on a subdued night,
the lobby is “crawling with musicians” of all
calibers. Crimson Lounge has played host to
everyone from heavy ‘80s rockers such as
AC/DC to Chicago rapper Kanye West to
children’s favorites The Wiggles. And regard-
less of their fame and fortune, all rockstars get
the same VIP treatment.
“We offer them a VIP section,” Neyman says.
“But a lot of them want to sit at the bar and
talk to our patrons.” As far as bar service goes,
Crimson Lounge is nothing but first class. “We
try to remember what they drink,” says Ney-
man. “Then, we keep a ledger in case they
come again.” With such careful attention to
detail, rockers would be crazy not to return.
Rockit Bar and Grill
(22 W. Hubbard,
312.645.6000)
Rockstars who partied there:
G. Love & Special Sauce, Whit-
estarr, Ryan Cabrera, Hilary
Duff, Macy Gray, Josh Kelley
whitestarr at rockit bar & grill There are two reasons rockstars
choose Rockit Bar and Grill as
their Chicago hangout: comfort and good
bar food. “Many artists stop into Rockit after
a late-night performance and grab a late-
night meal and a game of pool,” PR spe-
cialist for Rockit Maura Daley explains.
“Other times, they perform a set upstairs
in the lounge.”
Regardless of the specifics, they find com-
fort in Rockit’s low-key atmosphere. And
while a private entrance is always available
for A-list rockstars, Daley reveals that none
have ever used it. “It all goes back to the
comfortable feeling celebs get in Chicago–
ryan Cabrera at rockit bar & grill
one of just being part of a crowd,” Daley
says. “Everyone is very relaxed within our venues and that is a big reason they keep
coming back.”
Local Bands on Partying and Performing in Chicago
While VIP treatment is exceptionally nice, does it only extend to Hollywood’s hottest?
SCENE sat down with local musicians to dish about being accepted and accessible in
115
nightlife c o n t i n u e d
the Windy City and they had plenty to say. Luckily for all you fans, the reviews on Chi-
cago’s musical followers were raves.
Where are your favorite, must-go places in Chicago?
Of course, we go to my parents’ house and my store. Other than that, Ashlee [Simp-
son] and I really like the bar LBC [Lakeview Broadcasting Company]. We go nearly
every time we’re in town. -Pete Wentz, Fall Out Boy
Where was your first gig?
Double Door in Chicago’s Wicker Park. -Justin Barren, The Redwalls
What do you love about Chicago?
Chicago’s not like New York where everyone wants to be a musician and everyone’s
a critic. If you play good rock and roll music it is pretty much all people want to hear.
-Justin Barren, The Redwalls
What is the music scene like in
scott masson
Chicago?
It’s great. There are a bunch of bands
there and we all support each other.
We really dig it! -Scott Masson, Office
What is your favorite venue?
I’d have to say Metro in Chicago. It’s
so big and the sound system is great.
You just strum one cord and it’s like
‘BWAAAAH!’ -Scott Masson, Office
scene
you are here ▼
drinks 98 nightlife 116 global 120 hotist 126
You can also read
