Off-the-beaten-path venues filled with quirky charm.
Want to be someone who happens to know super-cool, under-the-radar places? Keep this list in your wallet. Enjoy an old-school, ice cream dessert cocktail while listening to the sounds of blues, jazz and R&B at Alley Cat Lounge (2416 W. State St.), on the second floor of the Five O’Clock Steakhouse. The live music starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Downtown, Chic Underground (770 N. Jefferson St.) takes navigation skills to find, but it’s a gem worth discovering high in substance, if not style. On Friday nights, head over to County Clare (1234 N. Astor St.), where a live band plays traditional Irish music. While it’s not advertised, they welcome other musicians to join in, so bring the mandolin and start strumming. The basement floor of the Shops of Grand Avenue has experienced a renaissance in culture with Underground Collaborative (161 W. Wisconsin Ave.), an eclectic venue to see theater, comedy, dance and art. Schedule at ucmke.com.