Anyone who grew up in these “twin towns” knows about the Chester Street Bar. During Reagan’s first and second terms, when tolerance about the LGBT lifestyle was far lower than it is now, the bar was uniformly stereotyped as such: a gay bar. Now, since Ellen came out of the closet on television and people like RuPaul and Carson Kressley were almost universally embraced, Chester Street has become what it was always meant to be: simply, a tolerant club that offers central Illinois the best place to dance in 150 miles.
Nekromancy on Monday nights are no exception. The residency is held by DJ Sorcerykid (pictured above on the left) is the longest running industrial and electronic club night in the state of Illinois. Considering the fact that Chicago is arguably home to the strongest industrial scene in the western world, that is saying a lot.
Expect a playlist filled with industrial rock, aggrotech, EBM, electroclash, coldwave, futurepop, new wave, synthpop, goth rock, and progressive house; the likes of NIN, Depeche Mode, Frontline Assembly, Ladytron, The Sisters of Mercy and more will be spun and if you are really lucky, they might throw in some RevCo for good measure.
There is no official dress code for this night. The website suggests “goth, cyber, fetish, or glam attire” — but it’s definitely not required. And that makes it all the more inviting. We are fortunate to live in a place that fosters and embraces nights like these.
Cover is $2 at the door and you must be 19 years old to enter. Chester Street Bar is located at 63 E Chester St, Champaign, IL 61820