Frankie's Blue Room (Chicago)

The Chicago blues scene tends to neatly confine itself within city limits, which is why Frankie's Blue Room is such a find. Step through the entrance of this heart-of-downtown Naperville club and you'll discover a hazy atmosphere, dim and moody, where '40s style decor invokes the spirit of a bygone era. The stage, graced in the past by acts such as Poi Dog Pondering and the Mighty Blue Kings, is conveniently tucked at the back of the room, leaving plenty of space for the tables that surround an elevated dance floor.

This raised platform plays a vital role any given night at Frankie's. Its surface is regularly covered with the feet of those enjoying a free dance lesson, from swing on Wednesday to salsa on Thursday. The rest of the week it's cluttered with a variety of music lovers, enjoying Frankie's wide range of blues, jazz and rockabilly offerings.

The food here is typical pub grub, including homemade soups and inexpensive burgers that allow you to refuel after a bout on the dance floor. Martinis are the drink of choice, strong enough to cure the claustrophobia that results from standing amid Frankie's frequently healthy crowd. And if that doesn't do it, you can always walk back to the open air deck, where a cool breeze and a view of the DuPage River supplies a serenity not found within the walls of this raucous club.