Is Chicagos nightlife dead? (friendly, paid, places)

[stephei2000]

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.

After four and half years, I finally get it. It is that let catch up and hang out at the neighborhood bar mentality . But to me that feels so social inclusive, small town, construction worker feel. It seems like the neighborhood bars are like this in a bigger scale.

I get a expected more socially in Chicago since it is so hyped up if you are single, you must live in the single neighborhood parts of Chicago. I felt like I have more interaction with people in the suburbs.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

Minnesotans may be as enthusiastic about sports as Chicagoans are, but they sure are quiet about it.

Yeah. I agree to an extent. There are certainly loud mouths, a good number of them but they are tame compared to Bears, Raiders, Alabama U fans, etc.

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.

I think it's because the sports culture is so ingrained into some of the bars here...

Why don't people in Chicago bars talk to each other? Or is it just me because I smell bad?

I've noticed that too. It pisses off one of my friends from LA/Middle East. Well, not like it's always the case, but it depends on the bar and everything. Compared to some other countries though, it's not that bad I think some bars have a very "I'm only talking with my friends" mentality.


The thing I hate about all this though is that while I absolutely love sports, there's only so much fanaticism I can take. It seems as if half of the conversations at some bars are about only sports (cubs, sox, bulls, etc). As much as I love those sports, I want to talk about other things. I've found bars where people are like that, but definitely not the norm in this city.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by stephei2000

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.

At the very least it sounds like you're in the wrong city. It might be time to put less energy into complaining about Chicago and more energy into leaving.

The neighborhood bars are not all "working class blue collar," by the way. They tend to have a pretty good cross section of the people who live nearby, which is what makes them neighborhood bars.

I've had conversations with plenty of strangers at bars in Pilsen. It does seem to be less common on the North Side, though.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

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?

Yes. Start using pitstick.

I have the opposite problem; random people starting conversations about random schizzit with me when I just want to drink a beer and read my Reader in peace. Nowadays I try to grab a table where you're more likely to be left alone.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by Drover

I have the opposite problem; random people starting conversations about random schizzit with me when I just want to drink a beer and read my Reader in peace. Nowadays I try to grab a table where you're more likely to be left alone.

The assumption is that if you just want to drink a beer and read a newspaper by yourself, you would do that at home. By doing it in a bar instead people assume you're trying to be social.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

The assumption is that if you just want to drink a beer and read a newspaper by yourself, you would do that at home. By doing it in a bar instead people assume you're trying to be social.

Right, nothing says "I'm trying to be social" like burying one's face in a newspaper.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by Drover

Right, nothing says "I'm trying to be social" like burying one's face in a newspaper.

Well, by doing it in a bar, instead of at home, you invite comments like "Hey, what you readin?" Because people assume because you're in a bar, you want some kind of social interaction.

Why go to a bar to drink a beer and read a paper, if you don't also want the interaction that goes along with that? You could drink a beer and read the paper at home.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Well, by doing it in a bar, instead of at home, you invite comments like "Hey, what you readin?" Because people assume because you're in a bar, you want some kind of social interaction.

Not if I'm clearly signaling that I'm not interested in socializing. Not everyone goes to a bar to socialize.

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Why go to a bar to drink a beer and read a paper, if you don't also want the interaction that goes along with that? You could drink a beer and read the paper at home.

Sometimes I want a change of scenery and a beer that isn't easily found at the corner liquor store. That doesn't mean I want you yapping in my ear as well.

[Lorielicious]

I'm going to start bothering every guy at the bar with the paper, hoping it's Drover just so I can annoy him.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

I'm going to start bothering every guy at the bar with the paper, hoping it's Drover just so I can annoy him.

You'd be surprised how quickly I can roll that sucker up and whap you across the snout with while firmly saying "NO!"