Hilary Rawk

Crobar owner Joey Vartanian celebrates his birthday and his twenty-fifth year in the industry like a king at an exclusive VIP reception. Guests are greeted by distinguished door staff wearing suits and ties, handed gold crowns and goodie bags and treated to forty-ounces of Bud in paper bags, buckets of ice filled with Jell-O shots and passed hors d'ouevres.

The intimate VIP section of Chicago's Crobar is dark and sexy. Glamorous girls perch on swing barstools, waiting for a drink. The DJ plays classic new wave and electro tracks as guests smile and dance and flirt--throwing their hands up in the air when they hear a familiar track.

A relaxed Joey V. greets his guests, saying, "I'm just happy to be surrounded by my friends and family." Joey's sister Tamara Jabour tells us, "We grew up in the industry." His family owned the popular Casbah restaurant, and Joey started out managing Octagon back in 1982 and has been a part of the club scene ever since.

Joey's uncle Len D'Orio talks about Chicago's club scene back in the day, when spots like Faces--which has a reputation as being one of the hottest clubs Chicago has ever known--dominated the scene. "We used to go to Faces and Playboy. The girls were sharp--classy and smart," he says. "It was like you liked cookies, and someone locked you in the Keebler cookie house."

(2007-04-03)

Also by Hilary Rawk

Global Electro
German electro-rock duo Digitalism makes super-fun dance music "for your ears and your feet."
(2007-03-20)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment