Social scene in Chicago vs. NYC

If you're strictly speaking about Manhattan, you can find the Chicago scene in the Village and some LES spots. You just have to look hard. Girls dressing down come with those scenes as well...You can't find the upscale of NYC in Chicago, however. Chicago, on the other hand is much more liveable in terms of money and comfort.

Is the upscale stuff in NYC that different from Chicago? I've been to some pretty nice clubs and lounges here in Chicago.

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If you're between 21-25 in Chicago, both clubs and bars would fit you. For bars, check out places like Apartment, McGhee's, or any other of the numerous bars in Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. A lot of DePaul students and recent college grads go to these spots.

For clubs, Enclave, Rino, Crobar, Soundbar, etc. all have plenty of people under the age of 26. I think older rich people tend to hang out in the nice bars and restaurants at Rush Street, such as Tavern, Grotto, Whiskey Bar, and Gibson's. They also go to nice hotel bars like Peninsula and Sofitel.

i agree with jjc.

kiwili, what are you looking for?

I personally don't care for the high end clubs, but have been to some in chicago and vegas (never ny though). I like places that are a little more laid back than that (although not the "fratty" places ala lincoln park).

I personally prefer upscale clubs and lounges to bars. I'm 26, so the whole fratty bar scene doesn't do it for me. That's one of my main complaints about Chicago.

I've partied a lot in Chicago but I prefer the NYC scene now. The NYC club/lounge scene is so diverse, and the broads so exotic, that it beats out the Chicago bar scene by miles.

Of course it's all about preferences, NYC can get a lil' too formal and pretentious sometimes.

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kiwi-

Have you given Reserve a try?

Never been, but I've heard decent things about Mota (spelling?) and Creshendo (sp?). Although CR is still new and might have too many people going who shouldn't. I was at Enclave on a Thursday night over the winter and really enjoyed it (but was a little over served, so that could've played into it).

NV Penthouse isn't open yet, but its promising to be exactly what you're looking for.

Kiwili24,

Your observations are pretty much on the mark. Bars in Chicago are especially bad in this regard; it's like 70% guys, and they're wearing dirty shirts and a sports cap. That scene was fine when I was 21, but it really pisses me off when I'm in that kind of environment.

Even the upscale clubs here are reasonably easy to get into, unless it's brand new like Manor, and is thus really hot. After about 6 months or so, it gets filled up with dudes again. Crowd control is definitely a major problem here.

There are a lot of hot girls at these clubs, especially Rino and Y-Bar, but most of them don't look too classy. It's really hard to find "model" types in Chicago unless you're a part of the "IN" crowd. A friend of mine, who's the biggest player I know, told me that the hottest girls he's seen in Chicago were actually at house parties, not clubs. According to him, a lot of the really hot girls don't like to drink and prefer low-key activities on the weekends. I thought it was an interesting observation.

Look, if all you do in Chicago is hang out at the bars on Clark St. or Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Park or Wells St. in Old Town, then yeah, they're mostly all f'n frat bars and the guys are in plaid shirts and b-ball caps. Give me a break.

Chicago has some great ethnic neighborhoods that are worth exploring. Chicago also has lots of upscale restaurants and bars, some more pretentious than others.

I think the dating scene in Chicago is better than NYC.

I also concur that hot girls in Chicago prefer a house party or low key activities on weekends :-)

Just my 2 cents.

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