CHI: Wild Hare

I was never a huge fan of reggae music, which is embarrassing, considering I go to school in Chicago: aka the temple of reggae music.

Wild Hare is a gem in the strip of bars in Chicago’s Wrigleyville. I haven’t had the pleasure of exploring Wrigleyville to its fullest yet, since I turned 21 pretty recently and they’re relatively strict on IDs. On my last night in Chicago though, I finally got a chance to check out this two-tiered little reggae bar for some great live bands and some really chill reggae music.

We went relatively early, so we had to endure some pop reggae music (which I didn’t mind at all) before the live band came on. The dance floor was pretty empty when we first entered, but eventually filled up with a mix of older intoxicated Cubs fans and true Rastafarians. The ambiance here is so soothing, especially the more secluded upstairs section where you get a great, personalized view of the band. On the night we went, the band was fantastic and we got to enjoy some really great, chilled-out reggae. I’m now most definitely a fan.

Love the blue, starlit backdrop on the stage and absolutely love the little tables upstairs overlooking the band. Gonna miss those charming little Chicago reggae/blues/jazz clubs while I’m away for the summer!

DEETS: 3530 N. Clark St, www.wildharemusic.com

CHI: Kingston Mines

Imagine a summer night out in Chicago and the sound of saxophones, funk music, lively chatter and beautiful people sashaying on a dance floor two inches away from a poppin’ live band.

THIS is the Kingston Mines experience.

My friends and I came across Kingston Mines on a lazy Saturday evening when we decided to greet some fellow Northwesterners for a senior week event. I’m not exactly a connoisseur of blues music, so I was expecting to just hang out for a bit, grab some drinks and see some familiar faces.

Instead, Kingston Mines instantly became an unforgettable night of amazing funk music, dancing and debauchary. And thus, a blog-certified favorite!

The venue is nothing fancy, but it’s charming in a ‘home sweet home’ sort of way. Split into two separate areas for the different bands, the space is spacious enough to accomodate the bar’s large clientele. On Mon-Thurs & Sundays, Kingston is free for all students with a college ID, but from what I hear, the vibe is much more mellow and relaxed on weekdays. Not necessarily a drawback, but I was definitely feeling the upbeat funk bands (like Big James and the Chicago Playboys) that were playing during our visit.

When in Kingston Mines, don’t miss the chance to dance face-to-face with the live bands on the packed dance floor. It’s the only way to feel the funk, especially for a girl like me who’s always itching to dance to live music. Otherwise, if you’re not in the mood to be in the thick of things, there’s plenty of seating space in and around the bar where you can sit back and absorb the music while grabbing a drink with a friend.

Summer in Chicago is a great way to absorb the city’s glorious nightlife – and what better way to start than by hitting up its oldest blues club? Plan a night to Kingston Mines with a group and you’ll be singin’ the blues all night long.

DEETS: 2548 N. Halsted St, www.kingstonmines.com (includes a schedule of bands, drink specials and a menu – their food’s supposed to be great too!)