Is it any surprise that the city's premier Goth club is located at the end of a dark alley? An intimate space to dance to the mechanized funk of industrial music, Neo provides a welcome break to the frat-tastic bar scene in Lincoln Park. And, since it's been open since 1979, it's also one of the city's oldest continually running clubs. The club, and a good portion of its patrons, are bathed in just black, but the crowd can be a lot more diverse than many would give it credit for. Tabletop candles and a few lights, like the rotating Neo logo that shines on the middle of the dance floor, provide dim lighting. Just make sure that your clothes are black-light friendly, or you might discover some detergent stains at an awkward moment.

Terraced seating offers plenty of prime spots to perch and a long bar, seemingly carved out of concrete and lined with televisions that are on a constant loop of cult films, complete the interior. Though many know it as an industrial/Goth club, the soundtrack at Neo varies. Punk Nights on Mondays offer plenty of power chords, while Planet Earth, a regular Thursday night event with DJ Dave Roberts that's gone on for a decade, features new wave club classics. Drink prices are kept pretty low, and you only have to pay $5 cover Thursday, Friday and Saturday. With a 4 a.m. closing time (5 a.m. on Saturdays) it's never too late to get a little mischievous.

>> In-depth info on Neo.

Centerstage Reviewer: Patrick Sisson