Smartbar (Queen!)

Club · Chicago Wrigleyville

House music in the city where it was invented: in the basement below the Metro, Chicago celebrates “Queen!” every Sunday, one of the city’s longest-running queer dance parties, with Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini.

• ★ 3.9 on Google (574)
• Since 1982
• Queen! every Sunday
• House & disco

Address

3730 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613

Opening hours

Queen! Sundays 10 pm–5 am, otherwise depending on the event

Entry

Queen!: $15 early, $20 advance or at the door (21+)

Crowd

mixed queer, all genders, mixed ages, many locals and house fans

Flirt factor

high

Programme

“Queen!” every Sunday from 10 pm with residents Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini plus guest DJs and drag hosts

Getting there

“L” Addison (Red Line), 5 minutes’ walk

What makes Smartbar special

Smartbar opened in 1982 in the basement below the concert venue Metro in Wrigleyville and is considered one of the most important independent house and techno clubs in the US. Chicago is the birthplace of house music, and many of the scene’s big names have played at Smartbar over the decades.

Sunday belongs to “Queen!”: residents Derrick Carter and Michael Serafini play house and disco, joined by international guest DJs and drag hosts such as Lucy Stoole. The party runs into Monday morning.

Atmosphere and crowd

The crowd is queer, mixed and comes to dance: music lovers, club kids, drag fans and lots of regulars. The sound, the residents and the atmosphere on the dance floor get praise.

Contact

Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: Resident Advisor, Out x Out, Time Out Chicago, Google reviews (3.9 stars, 574 reviews). Opening hours, prices and programme may change, please check before visiting.