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The year’s top celebrity hangouts

They can be high-maintenance with all their requests, disrupt business (if not bring it to a halt) and often don’t even pay — and just about every establishment in the city would give almost anything to get them in the door, entourage and all.

They are celebrities, and they have proven to be great for business.

Not only do stars help determine the trendiest hangouts in the Chicago area, they make for fun stories, like when Drake brought a laptop and speakers to Chicago Cut Steakhouse in August so that he could DJ his own dinner with friends.

The celebs spotted in and around Chicago this year formed your typical cast of characters: athletes playing for or against Chicago teams (Derrick Rose, Derek Jeter), musicians on tour (One Direction, Beyonce) and actors in town filming or promoting movies or TV shows (Henry Cavill, Sophia Bush).

Where did stars tend to hangout?

I tallied all the sightings I received in emails and texts and the ones I saw with my own eyes over the last 12 months; now I’m handing out a variety of awards to some of the top celeb hangouts, based entirely on my results. Congratulations in advance to the winners. And to those businesses who hope to one day be among the top celeb hangouts, try adding some gluten-free options to your menu.

Most popular nightclub for celebs: The Underground

Was it the renovations? The Underground, which opened in 2006, seems to be enjoying a resurgence following last year’s remodeling. Miley Cyrus, Dave Chappelle, Usher, Upton, Henry Cavill and One Direction’s Zayn Malik and Liam Payne all walked down the entrance staircase this year. “We’re always pushing ourselves to continuously be fresh and the place to be,” said Underground co-owner Billy Dec (pictured above with Cavill and Michael Shannon). “We reinvested and made all sorts of improvements to the space, bringing in top-of-the-line tech, lighting, sound, furniture and talent. Rarely ever do you hear of a nightclub open and thriving after so many years, but we’re only getting stronger.”

Read the full article here.

Time Out readers have spoken, and below are the venues they named their absolute favorite in Old Town, River North, Streeterville, Mag Mile and Gold Coast. So the next time you’re on the Near North Side and in need of food, drink or retail therapy, make a beeline for these places and you won’t go wrong.

MUSIC VENUE: The Underground

When you’re talking Near North Side, you’re talking night clubs. And when you’re talking night clubs, you’re talking popularity, bodies, cocktails…a lot more than music. Billy Dec’s Rockit Ranch Productions revamped this River North dance destination in 2013. Primary, Spy Bar and Sound-Bar may lure in bigger-name DJs from far afield, but this pretty-people haven won your vote with its dedication to the local scene, throwing modern house weeklies like the Every Damn Wednesday parties and Chicago Industry Alliance Sundays.

Read the full article here.

There’s no need to ask Shannon whether he likes film or the theater more. The Oscar-nominated actor will tell you he prefers theater without being prompted — no wavering, no politically correct answer — even though he realizes most others prefer film. He also realizes that it’s because of film that more people came to see him do theater last year in A Red Orchid Theatre’s “Simpatico.”

“When I started doing plays at A Red Orchid, we were lucky if anybody came to see them,” said Shannon Saturday at The Underground, where he co-hosted a fundraiser for A Red Orchid. “Because of some things I’ve done, people are now curious. A lot of people want to come. It’s ironic to me. I always thought the theater is more interesting than most of the films I’ve done. But I do know people have a fascination with the camera. They can’t get enough of it.”

Shannon said it’s getting more difficult to make time for theater not only because of his film commitments but also his family commitments. Still, he hopes to return to A Red Orchid next year.

It was recently announced that Shannon would play Elvis Presley in a new film revolving around “The King’s” famous visit to the White House in 1970 to meet with then-president Richard Nixon. Kevin Spacey is set to play Nixon in the film, “Elvis & Nixon.”

“I think there is very fertile material,” Shannon said. “None of us know what really happened — what was said when they were alone together. I like being able to use my imagination to try to get to the bottom of it.”

See the full article here.

Chicago’s premiere nightclub, The Underground, became a window to the fashion world with the return of its highly successful Style Series. Guests are privy to a highly stylized fashion experiences in the intimate, exclusive atmosphere that awarded The Underground title of “the hottest club” from Entertainment Weekly. The style experiences were provided by 10 MGMT Talent Agency, a Chicago- based modeling and talent agency, founded by David Sanchez.

A runway cut across the dance floor with eager onlookers on either side, enjoying innovative cocktails by Grey Goose. Actor, fashion stylist, and entertainment reporter, Marcellas Reynolds,opened the show. Originally from the South side of Chicago, his editorial work has been featured in InStyle, British Vogue, and numerous other publications. Reynolds wanted to do this event because he felt it was important to represent Chicago, the Third Coast. He wanted the rest of the world to know our fashion prowess and all we had to offer.

Marcellas Reynolds Reynolds chose the looks from the two local designers, Anna Fong and Sanah Yasin, that lit up the runway. This was designer Yasin’s first show. “Designing is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said backstage, approving final looks. “I finally decided to dive in.”

Reynolds said fall was all about black with embellishments. The first line up by Anna Fong featured classic lines with modern updates: high to low hems, eyelet fabric, and cut outs. My favorite was a sleek long sleeved black dress with a white collar, the hem dividing like two flower petals front to back. You could easily wear it during the day or turn up the night, forever classy and sexy. The second line was described as American cuts with Pakistani stitching and flourishes. Beautiful oranges and blues floated down the runway, lights catching the silver dragonfly on a girl’s back or the gold decals on another’s shoulders.

The designers walked with their models on the runway at the end, something they should get used to with their bright futures. Yasin was very happy with her first show. She loved seeing her clothes up under the lights and looks forward to them being in local boutiques.

Designer Sanah Yasin with model A venue’s essence is integral to an event’s success. You feel you are entering somewhere special as you go down the steps into The Underground. Playboy named it “One of America’s Top 10 VIP Lounges”. Even if you’re not a VIP, you feel like a VIP. The service is warm and personalized. Everyone feels cared for and it sets the energy on fire. It’s one of the reasons celebrities frequent the location. When you expect quality and you’re used to quality, you find above and beyond experiences like the one tucked away in River North.

Read the full article here.

It’s time to let go of your summer whites and embrace fall fashion (or at least the fall color pallet).  To jump start your inner fashionista, the Style Series returns to The Underground this Thursday, September 4 at 10pm.

Coordinated by 10 MGMT Talent Agency, a Chicago based modeling & talent agency, each week 10 MGMT personalities will take center stage  runway for a fashion show and dance party combo.

Style Series will spotlight up-and-coming local designers and everything that Chicago has to offer in fashion and style.

This year’s Style Series line-up includes:

• Thursday, September 4 – Brian Stanziale of 10 MGMT will showcase fall luxury looks with a New York point of view.
• Thursday, September 11 – Co-founder of Garmental, Suzanne Kopulos has styled Christina Hendricks, Beyonce and many more. She will showcase contemporary sensibility with a Chicago twist.
• Thursday, September 18 – Marcellas Reynolds is an actor, fashion stylist and entertainment reporter and his portfolio includes features in InStyle and British Vogue. He will showcase looks with a nod to celebrity fashion favorites.
• Thursday, September 25 – Lily Duevel is the founder and lead stylist adoptedSTYLE. She will provide insight into Fall’s hottest trends with a focus on how to adapt and adopt them to all types of personalities.

All Style Series events start at 10pm.

Read the full article here.

Lollapalooza After Parties

The Underground 56 W. Illinois St. 312-645-6000
Start each night with a VIP reception (10-11 p.m.) featuring Lolla-themed Grey Goose vodka and Bacardi rum cocktails to prep yourself for a performance by Nelly and DJ set from Samantha Ronson (Friday); open format sets from Chromeo and DJ Clinton Sparks (Saturday); and a closing party with DJ Cobra (Sunday). 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. $20 per night. RSVP recommended: theundergroundchicago.com/lolla

Read the full article here.

House music was born in Chicago when a new club called The Warehouse gave it its name. The Warehouse is no longer but the beats continue at a number of dance clubs around town. Chicago’s nightlife is hot ~ if you know where to go and sometimes it’s in the basement.

Underground shut down for six months in early 2013 to undergo extensive renovations, opening up again in August to a hot new look that’s complete with fresh interiors, newly exposed spaces, sleek décor, updated tech elements and an elevated food and beverage program. The hot club attracts a rotating guest list of who’s who of Chicago notables, celebrities, international DJs and celebrity live acts – including Katy Perry, John Mayer, Kanye West and more. Recent celebrity sightings include Robin Thicke, Aaron Paul (from Breaking Bad), Lil John, Sophia Bush, Samantha Ronson, Nick Cannon, Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child), Joakim Noah, Lance Briggs, Michael Bay and Michael Shannon. Underground has two unique spaces to entertain: The Club offers a higher-energy, more modern club vibe while The Lounge has an old-school, upscale lounge vibe feel complete with plush seating with funky patterns, rich woods, swanky music and a one-of-a-kind groundbreaking mixology bar.

Local Expert Tip: “See some of the best EDM DJ’s in the nation.”

Read the full article here.

Trey Songz liked The Underground so much on Saturday, the R&B singer came back to the near North club on Sunday – this time with R. Kelly and J. Cole. The three artists performed at 107.5 FM WGCI’s Summer Jam concert Sunday at the United Center.

“After popping into the club late (Songz) offered me tickets to his show for taking such good care,” Horwitch wrote on Instagram Sunday. “I respectfully declined, stating I already had Hall & Oates tickets. He laughed, then belted, ‘Private Eyes. They’re watching you…’ then we both clapped twice. Together. In unison…The awkward pause that followed was not only awesome – It was brilliant.”

Read the full article here