INSIDE: SYN
On Rush Street, even the nightclubs get facelifts
By Ellen Fox
January 6 2004
Basement-level Jilly's Retro club, the disco-drenched Viagra Triangle standby,
has been
re-named and revamped and repackaged as SYN. The owners hope to lure in a
younger, sexier crowd who will "synergize" with the older, monied set that
frequented
the original club.
Think never the twain shall meet? Last weekend saw a mix of both types of Gold
Coast
nightcrawlers, perhaps brought together by a common taste for retro dance hits,
cushy seating, martinis and implants.
Once Inside: The small, low-ceilinged room offers metal-beaded curtains,
chick-pea-colored couches and hardwood floors. Two bars--with butt-friendly,
melon-hued barstools and requisite illuminated shelves--flank the space; two
small
champagne rooms occupy the corners. The dance floor is overhung with a black
pleather canopy that curves down into banquettes. The multi-textured look seems
to
be the hallmark of Slick Design and Manufacturing, which recently pulled off new
lounge Y. Here, however, the disparate materials and colors--electric-orange
drink
tables, marble floors, shag carpeting, stain-resistant seating--seem more
mish-mash
than harmonious. And there's no excuse for the ceiling: We've seen better
paneling in
suburban basements.
Drinks: Bartenders push a list of signature cocktails--called the Seven Deadly
Syns ($12
each)--but we preferred the refreshing Sweet Sensation, a blend of Skyy Citrus
vodka
and DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple with a splash of sour and soda ($9). There's no
bottle
service, but you can choose from a selection of lovely bubblies.
Crowd: A people-watcher's wet dream: cigar chompers, muscle dudes, yuppie
tourists,
drunk moms and suburban hotties. Chances are that babe you just spotted is one
of
the eager waitstaff.
What to wear: Whatever you wore to Gibsons is fine. We spotted tight club shirts
on
the younger guys, sharp suits and shiny shoes on the older ones. Women sport
leather
pants--regardless of age--status handbags and Kangol caps.
Music: The '70s disco hits and '80s pop classics (think The Cure's "Just Like
Heaven")
are infectious dance-floor packers.
Ellen Fox is a metromix special contributor.
Copyright 2004 Metromix.com