The Underground, Chicago’s Most Iconic Nightclub Reopens July 16
The popular venue breaks fifteen months of COVID closure to usher in a new era for Chicago’s post-pandemic social scene into an unprecedented fifteenth year!
Fifteen years ago, The Underground Chicago was founded by pioneering entrepreneur Billy Dec and the Underground Family as a subterranean shelter to protect the city’s elevated nightlife and entertainment community. This space was created to preserve creative expression in music, cocktails, fashion, art and design. Its status is one of the most sought-after nightlife hotspots, with performances by John Mayer, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Common, Kanye West, Ludacris, and Nelly. The Underground Chicago has also hosted special appearances by Justin Bieber, Usher, LaBron James, David Beckham, Will.I.Am, Miley Cyrus, and countless others. The Underground Chicago’s presence as one of the most celebrated nightclubs in the nation has never wavered, with accolades ranging from the Chicago Tribune (“No. 1 Celebrity Spot”) and Cosmopolitan (“One of the Sexiest Places in the World”) to Victoria’s Secret (“Chicago’s Sexiest Bar/Nightclub”) and Entertainment Weekly (“Hottest Nightclub”). The Underground Chicago also received the Concierge Favorites Award in 2020 for being one of the top “Nightlife Destinations” in Chicago.
After a 15-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Underground’s reopening over the weekend of July 16-17 heralds the return of Chicago’s nightlife. “The COVID pandemic has wiped out many live music and nightclub venues across the country,” says Dec. “Historically, nightclubs have had a pivotal role in cultural evolution. The Underground family fought to stay alive and reopen because we see it as a major responsibility—it’s our duty to elevate our community platform so people can come together to celebrate music, fashion, dance, art and design. After an unprecedented and impactful run, we look forward to constantly elevating and innovating our industry and The Underground experience fueled with excitement, creativity, service and positive energy.”
Just as the country’s emergence from the influenza pandemic of 1918 brought about the Roaring Twenties, Dec and the Underground team are launching a secret new sister venue inspired by the Roaring 20’s called The Underground Cocktail Club. Set to open Lollapalooza weekend, the cocktail club will be housed in the same building as The Underground, but with a separate entrance. This new club will evoke an elevated feel of the 20s with an explosion of color and a heightened focus on cocktails and live performance with a 1920’s decorated stage over and behind the bar. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Opening Event
On Friday, July 16, The Underground Chicago will host dance tracks by DJ A-Trak. (DJ A-Trak was Kanye West’s original tour DJ, was named one of the 50 Most Important People in EDM by Rolling Stone and has been called the Global Ambassador of DJ Culture, appearing on the covers of Billboard and Complex magazines).
On Saturday, July 17 Select Model Management will host a Summer Soiree. Doors open at 10 PM. For Table Reservations, please visit HERE/Reservations.
Hours
Friday 10PM – 4AM, Saturday 10PM – 5AM
Learn more at HERE
Address
56 W. Illinois St.
Chicago, IL 60654
About BILLY DEC
Billy Dec is a two-time Emmy Award-winning TV personality, actor, attorney and serial entrepreneur. Dec is the Founder/CEO of celebrated businesses like Sunda New Asian Restaurants and Underground nightclub, as well as cutting-edge advertising agency COACT and HR firm HR Pro, both built on aggregating top independent talent in their respective industries. Dec can regularly be seen on NBC’s TODAY Show, acting in films and on TV shows like Criminal Minds and Empire, and hosting his own podcast “The Meal of Your Life!” He is hosting/producing a new documentary for PBS called Food Roots, which he recently shot in his mother’s 7,641 native islands of the Philippines. Dec is a Chicago-Kent College of Law and Harvard Business School alum. He was a presidential appointee for five years, serving on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, and the White House Bullying Prevention Task Force. Dec has served on many local committees, boards and commissions to serve the community, and recently donated and distributed more than 5,000 meals to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more HERE.
