Is Chicagos nightlife dead? (Kansas: construction, live in, suburbs)

[Lorielicious]

Minneapolis is the only place I've ever been where you can't tell if the team won or lost by the fans' reactions leaving the stadium. I used to live sort of near the Dome, and when a Vikings game let out, the fans would quietly walk to their cars and drive back to the suburbs no matter what the outcome. The only way I even knew the Vikings were playing was there was nowhere to park, and everyone was wearing purple shirts. Maybe in MN, there is a quieter kind of fandom, but everywhere else, you hear cheers, and cars honking, and some healthy rowdiness. But in Minneapolis they just get back into their SUVs, head home, and perhaps may ask, quietly over a dinner of hot dish, "That victory was pleasant, ya?"

[Heyooooo]

Originally Posted by aragx6

As someone living in Kansas City I can say with total confidence that the idea that people here aren't as crazy about the Chiefs as Chicagoans are about the Bears is laughable. The fans here are crazy. Ask anyone who's ever been to Arrowhead.

Stephei, I guess I don't see what your issue with people who go to bars, hang out with their friends and "don't even socialize" You say you'd rather just have people over at your house, and, of course, people do that all the time too, but a lot of people have small apartments or grumpy neighbors or just generally prefer their place to be a sanctuary from the outside world. The idea of local watering hole as meeting place is as old as time.

Pretty much.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

Minneapolis is the only place I've ever been where you can't tell if the team won or lost by the fans' reactions leaving the stadium. I used to live sort of near the Dome, and when a Vikings game let out, the fans would quietly walk to their cars and drive back to the suburbs no matter what the outcome. The only way I even knew the Vikings were playing was there was nowhere to park, and everyone was wearing purple shirts. Maybe in MN, there is a quieter kind of fandom, but everywhere else, you hear cheers, and cars honking, and some healthy rowdiness. But in Minneapolis they just get back into their SUVs, head home, and perhaps may ask, quietly over a dinner of hot dish, "That victory was pleasant, ya?"

You'll hear it more at a bar than the people at the game, but it depends on when you lived there. If it was when they sucked, then yeah....of course they're going to be quiet.

But growing up MN, I had the opposite experience. Okay, people didn't honk their horns, but they definitely let you know what was up. If you were a Packers fan especially, it was going to be rough, but definitely not on Chicago's level. I'd say it's more passive aggressive than a Bears fan for sure.

[Lorielicious]

The words "no matter what the outcome" are key. Anywho, as a drunk, I spend plenty of time in bars, and they still were pretty tame during the games. I'd sooner marry my first cousin than go to a bar here on Bears/Cubs day, but I'd drink while the Vikings were playing all the time. And I'm talking about downtown, and even near the Dome. I've been to Hubert's (or whatever it's called) during game days. Minnesotans may be as enthusiastic about sports as Chicagoans are, but they sure are quiet about it.

I'm not sure why we're talking about sports fanaticism. While we're talking about Chicago night life, something's been puzzling me since I got here. Why don't people in Chicago bars talk to each other? Or is it just me because I smell bad?

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

. While we're talking about Chicago night life, something's been puzzling me since I got here. Why don't people in Chicago bars talk to each other? Or is it just me because I smell bad?

It depend on where you go.

[Lorielicious]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

It depend on where you go.

Go on.

I've been here for the better part of two years now, and while I no longer get lost exiting the L, I still feel like I'm a stranger in a strange land sometimes. Never thought I'd be in a place where bars could be collectively described as anti-social. When I think of my friends back in LA or Minneapolis, they nearly all came from work or the bar. People just kind of chit chat with each other, and especially if you're a regular at the bar, yous all become friends. In these parts, though, it seems like everyone goes with their friends, talks to their friends only, then goes home. I dunno, it seems instead of the pub being the place you go to be social, it seems to be where you go to talk to your friends when you don't want to drink at one of their sh*tty apartments. I mean, at some bars people talk to you, but it's usually stupid guys hitting on you. I've yet to run into a place where folks are just talkative and friendly.

But again, I'm just a stranger and all of that, still trying to navigate my way through the fog. If you know something I don't know, please do share!

[stephei2000]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Exactly. And New Englanders. And working class locals (yes, they still exist there). That's who makes up Brooklyn. That was pretty much my point. Brooklyn has a low-key neighborhood beer bar on every corner, just like Chicago.

I hate that working class blue collar vibe a bar on evey corner. That is what makes Chicago overall way to gritty. I know I sound like a snob.

[stephei2000]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

Go on.

I've been here for the better part of two years now, and while I no longer get lost exiting the L, I still feel like I'm a stranger in a strange land sometimes. Never thought I'd be in a place where bars could be collectively described as anti-social. When I think of my friends back in LA or Minneapolis, they nearly all came from work or the bar. People just kind of chit chat with each other, and especially if you're a regular at the bar, yous all become friends. In these parts, though, it seems like everyone goes with their friends, talks to their friends only, then goes home. I dunno, it seems instead of the pub being the place you go to be social, it seems to be where you go to talk to your friends when you don't want to drink at one of their sh*tty apartments. I mean, at some bars people talk to you, but it's usually stupid guys hitting on you. I've yet to run into a place where folks are just talkative and friendly.

But again, I'm just a stranger and all of that, still trying to navigate my way through the fog. If you know something I don't know, please do share!

Exactly! You have describe perfectly what I have felt for years about the bar scene here and why I do not like it. It is extremely cliquey. I mean the standing around just talking with your friends. I mean why did you even come out of the house if that is all you were going to do.
In L.A I can see what you are talking about but Minneapolis, I am not so sure, but I was only there for a weekend. You probably know the scene better.

Also, nothing is wrong with a guys hitting on you. That is a part of the fun!

For example, when I went out this weekend. I actually met a new person, not guy hitting on you, and also mingled with people from Brooklyn. We exchanged numbers. I am not sure if we would hang out again but I actually talked with other people, danced and not just stood in corner.

Basically, I am learning avoid the typical neighborhood bar scene stay near downtown. I would advise that to anyone who actually wants to mingle and be friendly. But I am sure every experience will be different.

But I do not go out that much when comes to nightlife as I am older and wears me out here in Chicago.

[stephei2000]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

Go on.

I've been here for the better part of two years now, and while I no longer get lost exiting the L, I still feel like I'm a stranger in a strange land sometimes. Never thought I'd be in a place where bars could be collectively described as anti-social. When I think of my friends back in LA or Minneapolis, they nearly all came from work or the bar. People just kind of chit chat with each other, and especially if you're a regular at the bar, yous all become friends. In these parts, though, it seems like everyone goes with their friends, talks to their friends only, then goes home. I dunno, it seems instead of the pub being the place you go to be social, it seems to be where you go to talk to your friends when you don't want to drink at one of their sh*tty apartments. I mean, at some bars people talk to you, but it's usually stupid guys hitting on you. I've yet to run into a place where folks are just talkative and friendly.

But again, I'm just a stranger and all of that, still trying to navigate my way through the fog. If you know something I don't know, please do share!

You are telling the truth about the "sh**y apartments, but that is off topic!

[Lorielicious]

Well I don't have a problem with blue collar bars and don't find Chicago apts to be generally sh*tty (I'm just poking fun at my crappy apt and the domiciles of everyone I know), but yeah, I do wonder why you put on a clean shirt just so you can sit in a corner and exclusively interact with the three people you came with.

So, I lived in Mpls for four years, and while it's small towny and insular in general, they chit chat far more in social settings than Chicagoans do. One of my best friends in the whole wide world, in fact, I met at a bar over there. Minnesotans are for certain a lot less social than Californians, and at one point, I had an ongoing inside gag with myself identifying out-of-towners by their willingness to strike up a conversation. Repeatedly I would ask, at the risk of sounding Southern, "You're not from here, are you?" I could tell because they just randomly talked to a stranger in a bar as if it weren't a thing. Still, people there will talk. People here, nope. Again, I'm willing to entertain the possibility that I'm at the wrong places and/or smell bad. If venturing into different hoods or showering will help, I'll do so.