Derrick Carter at Smart Bar
John Bergman
Best DJ Lineup
The Reader’s Choice: Smart Bar
Chicago’s club community has grown so strong in recent years that even rooms the size of dive bars can regularly pull in hot-shit out-of-town DJs. But the scene’s granddaddy still has the most consistently high-quality and eclectic lineup. Although every trendsetter worth his XLR8R profile winds up behind the decks at Smart Bar at some point, the club’s never depended solely on DJs du jour—it regularly hosts representatives of European styles that are still only niche-market size in the States, and the steady stream of old-school house and techno innovators is a tribute to the club’s longtime commitment to these styles. 
3730 N. Clark, 773-549-0203, smartbarchicago.com. —Miles Raymer
Our readers’ choice: Smart Bar and Sonotheque (tie)
1444 W. Chicago, 312-226-7600, sonotheque.net.
