Clubs in Wilmette

Chicago Limo Net ushers its office-, nightlife-, and airport-bound clientele about the Chicago area in a fleet of luxurious, custom buses and limousines. Twenty-four-passenger party buses bedecked in low-level lighting, leather couches, dancing poles, and mirror-laden roofs bestow a nightclub-like feel minus the acute stares of gargantuan doormen. Smaller 6- and 10-passenger limousines present many of the same creature comforts in a more aerodynamic package for airport or around-town trips. Each party conveyance is piloted by a professional chauffeur with extensive knowledge of downtown Chicago, who will gladly take the fastest or most scenic route and can offer unique insights into the city, such as how to differentiate between the Willis Tower and the pier's ferris wheel.

From within Ding Dong Dang’s variously sized private rooms, drifts the sounds of singers living out vocal dreams previously unleashed exclusively in the safety of the car or shower. As crooners belt out popular songs or fill in forgotten lyrics with their social security numbers, the bar concocts drinks to lubricate parched windpipes, drawing heavily upon the dulcet notes of a Korean liquor called soju. Against the soundtrack of newly proud singing and clinking glasses, dishes clatter against tables, laden with Asian options including breaded pork donkatsu, crisp popcorn chicken, and pingsu, a dessert that combines red beans, fruit, and ice.

Lively jazz tunes bounce off the brick walls, exposed rafters, and blue-tinged décor of Close Up 2 Jazz's South Loop location. Bartenders shake cocktail mixers in syncopation with smooth jazz that flows from a floor-level stage. Up-and-coming artists mix R & B and classical jazz in the loft-style lounge, whose music and ambiance have attracted numerous mentions in the press. Just steps from the LaSalle/Van Buren Brown Line stop, the chic club leaves its doors open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays to catch the postwork crowd and recently retired "L" train cars.

Funny-bone pummelers on The Comedy Bar's aluminum-accented stage weave witticism in front of cabaret-style seating that keeps guests close enough to reach out and touch jokes. Cool suds fuel revelry, and ice clinks against glass as bartenders concoct a variety of cocktails or work to separate feuding arctic explorers. From the curved, burnt-umber walls, dim sconces help create an environment that lures belly laughs from their natural habitat, and the Ontario Street location facilitates after-show festivities with its proximity to restaurants, bars, and public transit.

SwiftDates founders Adam and Shannon host casual-speed dating events that give people an opportunity to meet new friends or potential soulmates. At these events, singles start off by grabbing a cocktail or coffee and mingling. Next, ladies sit down to meet up to 20 guys in five-minute increments. Couples chat during those 300 seconds, while taking notes about each other on their match cards. Later, this information helps them recall their first impressions but also helps them tally up the total number of people there who own a pet chimera. At the sound of the bell, guys excuse themselves and hop to the next table, ladies remain seated, and the process repeats.

After everyone has met, participants can pair off to talk more or call it a night and head home. Before they leave, however, they’ll hand in their match cards to Adam and Shannon. When two parties request to be matched up with each other, Adam and Shannon will pass along their email addresses and phone numbers. Then it’s up to the couple in question to schedule a dinner date or a meeting at the library computer lab to cowrite the next great American novel.

Inspired by the art-deco elegance of the 1940s, Olive Black Martini & Wine Lounge entertains guests with a refined roster of classic cocktails, specialty martinis, soft lighting, and live jazz entertainment. Located less than two miles from the Wisconsin border, mixologists wield jiggers and shakers to conjure potions such as the Creme Brule and Blood Orange N.A. Groni. Selections of authentic tapas dishes settle stomachs after a few drinks, with bite-sized eats such as cajun bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin or seared shrimp served with fresh mango salsa. Meals end sweetly with such succulent desserts as the salted caramel truffle or homemade pistachio mousse.