The Gold Coast's swankiest nightclub fits all the prerequisites for chic exclusivity, starting with the semihidden entrance at the end of a narrow (but well-lit) alleyway just steps from Oak Street's Prada and Barneys New York stores. You descend a long flight of stairs into a dimly lit, sultry lounge; to gain access, you must pass muster with the gatekeepers staffing the velvet rope. The beautiful, the rich, and the designer-suited come here for the front room's loungy aesthetic and the accessible soundtrack of hip-hop and dance mash-ups in the Discotheque. If you'd rather focus on cocktails and conversation, head for the elegant Dining Room, with its menu of upscale small plates and pricey custom drinks.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Chicago 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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