The Underground
56 W. Illinois Street
Chicago
website »
swap photo »

When it comes to shepherding celebrities around Chicago, no one does it like Billy Dec, one of the owners of The Underground, a super-exclusive, subterranean hideaway. Designed like the inside of a bomb shelter, this new military-chic lounge launched with so much buzz in late December thanks to a viral video campaign on YouTube (the spots were directed by Dec's good pal David Schwimmer) that even before its official public opening in February, the city's hipoise were already lining up (many were turned away). The staff, outfitted in sexy army fatigues, serves drinks that have an espionage theme like the M16, "armed and loaded" according to the menu, with Snow Queen vodka, ginger ale, orange bitters and passion fruit juice. Make sure you're on someone's list to ensure entrance through the ironclad doors, otherwise load up on arm candy and prepare to drop $20 and wait a while. The club has already seen the likes of Vince Vaughn (he seems to be a regular on Thursdays), Oprah's Nate Berkus, the Bears's Brian Griese and newly traded Chicago White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy, but, since the whole place is presumably for VIPs, celebrities tend to blend in with its A-list clientele.

Behind the velvet rope: Dec is the ultimate celebrity wrangler, as seen with his other outposts Rockit Bar and Grill and Le Passage, so expect a constant parade of pedicured feet belonging to the likes of Schwimmer, Vaughn, actor Joey Slotnick, Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco and Whitestarr, among others.

VIP privileges: Special guests were invited to have their photo taken for a VIP card containing all their vital stats (what drinks they like; what music they listen to) so the staff can cater to them accordingly. The card also allows its holders to take advantage of a rewards program offering special discounts at local salons and boutiques, and drink specials. The very, very important types will be picked up and dropped off in a 2007 white Escalade.

Photo: Courtesy of Spencer Thomas for The Underground