"Nightime fun, dancing, and drinks" Bars/Nightclubs Tip by BROOKS

Bar Styles: After Hours, Dance Club, Gay, Lesbian, Straight, Bi
Music Styles: DJ/Dance, Funk/Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, House, R&B/Soul, Reggae

The Prop House doesn't grab your attention from the outside -- a plain brick building with an uninviting sign is about all you'll see. Surrounded by a bunch of warehouses and a municipal filling station in the back, it's not exactly in the liveliest part of town. But once inside the spacious club, which has two rooms to choose from, the beats blaring from a state-of-the-art sound system grab you and the high-energy crowd welcomes you.
After you've entered, paid the required cover and stepped down the short staircase, be prepared to party. In the large front room, serious house beats bump with tunes from the old school to the new school. If you arrive early enough (before midnight), But it fills up quickly with serious dancers dripping with sweat -- legs and arms flailing. It doesn't seem to bother this crowd when the dance floor becomes slippery wet from hours of sweaty, drippy bodies. There's even a sit-down Pac-Man machine for the video game freaks.

Sounds: Some of Chicago's revered underground deejays, including Lego, Ron Carroll and Ralphi Rosario, join resident spinner Steve 'Miggedy' Maestro on Fridays. On Saturdays, DJ George, Tony T and others join hosts Sam Silk and Spank Boogie. The back room is hip-hop heaven and the deejays know how to get the crowd jumping, Beyonce', Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, and Chicago's own: Common. The front room is reserved for the house music lovers, but there is a steady stream of people flowing between both areas. There's no techno stuff in here. Chicago house music and urban hip-hop beats rule.

Prime time: The later the better. Since the club doesn't close until 4 a.m. on Friday and 5 a.m. on Saturday, the big rush starts around 1 a.m. Timing is everything. The club rocks as the night goes on.

People: Chicago's African-American gay community comes out in droves on Friday nights to support the Rails Entertainment Group.

Dress Code: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights draw a 20-something, trendy, hip-hop crowd wearing chic, classy to club. Generally, Saturday does have a dress code if I'm not mistaken. No hats, gym shoes, or shorts; I believe.

Address: 1675 N. Elston Ave.. Chicago, IL
Directions: Wicker Park and Ukranian Village area
Phone: 773-486-2086
Theme: Nightclub