A rich dinner menu brings an early-evening crowd to Nacional 27. The menu offers Latin favorites such as tacos and empanadas, as well as fusion-style cuisine such as bamboo skewers. Later in the evening, the restaurant's Cuban and Brazilian cocktail menu (mojitos a specialty) are augmented by a wide selection of local and imported beers and wines. The floor clears at 11 p.m. on weekends for Latin dancing, when the establishment comes into its own as a nightclub. Salsa contests are held regularly, as well as lessons for amateurs wishing to get into the Latin spirit.
Nacional 27
325 W. Huron St.
Chicago, IL. 60610
312-664-2727
n27chicago.com
Tumbao are all about reviving the old-school Latin nightclub experience. The club hosts live Latin jazz evenings on Thursdays and "Old House Fridays" with traditional Salsa and Merengue dancing blending into classic house beats, all fueled by a full bar and one of Chicago's widest selections of rum. Tumbao's proprietors place a premium on an upmarket evening out: wearers of baggy trousers or gym shorts had best spruce up their appearance or look elsewhere for an evening's kicks. The dress code is classy and stylish, such as the club's vibe itself.
Tumbao
3213 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-772-9800
tumbaochicago.com
A smaller, more cozy venue, Club Latin Bliss stays on the scene by offering intimate service and a tightly-packed dance floor. If you show up well dressed after midnight on a Saturday morning, don't be surprised for the bouncers to go out of their way to see you safely to a table and get you settled in. The bar staff specialize in Margaritas and Mojitos, and the DJs spin classic house tracks, Salsa and Bachata until the small hours of the morning. Adventurous club-goers will find themselves in their element in Club Latin Bliss' unashamedly rowdy environment.
Club Latin Bliss
5515 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
773-275-8888
myspace.com/clublatinbliss
Mixing Latin live entertainment with Caribbean food and drink, Club Mambo promises a personalized, family owned and operated experience aimed at welcoming guests into the fold. The club's owners, the Cardona family, divide their attention between serving all comers in the restaurant and cultivating a VIP atmosphere for the densely populated dance floor. Club memberships are available for discounted entry into live music evenings and purchase of CDs and merchandise from the club's favorite artists.
Club Mambo
3336 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
773-481-2050
clubmambo.net
