Vito / July 26, 2004 11:12 AM

The Rainbo Club to administer a royal beatdown to a bunch of stupid hipsters.

Rainbo Club Doorman / July 26, 2004 11:26 AM

Why Steamworks, of course.

Naz / July 26, 2004 11:30 AM

I need that button. Like now.

Naz / July 26, 2004 11:32 AM

Oh, but to the topic at hand — I usually get on my bike and just ride around the quieter parts of thye city, ususally at night. Downtown is great for that, travelling down Clark, coming onto the Chicago Stock Exchange perfectly framed heading out east to the lake or west into the Fulton area/Greektown. I let off all steam on the bike.

Or alternately, I think being in the presence of the Bean would clear that all right up.

emily / July 26, 2004 11:50 AM

The liquor store and my roof. In that order.

Steve / July 26, 2004 12:11 PM

Bowling, of course.

brian / July 26, 2004 12:39 PM

I usually just wander the streets of the city. The river is nice, but I love walking the alleys. You can see what people are trying to hide: their garbage, their ktichens, their backyards.

Trance / July 26, 2004 1:27 PM

Exit. Nothing a little Ministry won't cure.

Richard / July 26, 2004 2:03 PM

The Belmont Rocks.

Jonathan / July 26, 2004 2:21 PM

Quimby's. I read until I'm tired, then buy until I'm broke.

Dan / July 26, 2004 2:26 PM

The Hideout. It's a shiny beacon of friendly folks and Old Style.

Naz / July 26, 2004 2:34 PM

You know what was odd Dan? I was there on Friday and the place was such an odd mix of people -- all Chads and Trixies. Not that I'm complaining but I thought it was funny and odd - I've never seen the LP crowd at The Hideout before.

Lacey / July 26, 2004 2:36 PM

I go to Marshall Field's on State and try to get lost. It usually makes me forget whatever I was worked up about.

Of course, I usually try the gym first. If I'm REALLY worked up, I'll run on the treadmill as fast as I can listening to something like Incubus (note: one can also throw punches in the air whilst running and somehow this does not look odd at all). Highly recommended de-stresser.

libby / July 26, 2004 2:40 PM

i second your observation, naz. i am not sure if you all are familiar with the dancing @ the hideout on saturday night (life during wartime, et al). but, gee whiz i've noticed many of the LP jet-set filling the space and begging for 80's songs always lately. sigh.

Bliss / July 26, 2004 2:49 PM

MonDog Beach at Montrose. Hard to stay stressed when swimming next to the girl dog, and laughing at the flailing of the boy dog.

j3s / July 26, 2004 3:21 PM

Usually, my yoga mat. But to really work it out: dancing. I usually head to wherever has the best music on whatever night it is, but my default if nothing is going on is Smartbar. On weekends there will be plenty of people dancing to decent house music, and the drinks are cheap and strong. After a few hours of working up a sweat on the dancefloor, I'm stress-free.

Dan / July 26, 2004 4:16 PM

Yeah, the Hideout's gotten a little erratic lately. I honestly think it varies on who's DJ-ing/playing. I mean, you rarely if ever see the LP crowd there on a weekday (for Nora O'Connor or Devil in a Woodpile).

Lately though, with the Life During Wartime folks residing at the Darkroom along with the Hideout, I think they've been bringing along some of that clientele. Also, occasionally the bands on Fridays have been local "Hello Dave"-like LP fest mainstays which definitely bring in the Dave Matthews fan base.

I'm hoping they just don't take over the place.

Manic Monday / July 26, 2004 4:16 PM

Anywhere serving cheap beer and providing either a jukebox or a really good rock DJ is my bet. Of course, that basically means half the bars in Chicago, but still, it helps.

steve_sleeve / July 26, 2004 4:43 PM

hungry brain is a good steam-letter-offer, though unfortunately closed on mondays. another good one is riding a bike on the lakeshore path ... when it's not crowded (e.g. not sunday).

re: the hideout, i think dan nailed it. totally depends on who's spinning the tunes. first time i went to a hideout dance party it was super awesome, and hasn't been able to match up ever since. it's been close a few times, though.

haven't been there much lately, so i haven't noticed the influx of LP folk (thankfully).

mike / July 26, 2004 6:06 PM

A nice long run through any quiet neiborhood. I have to be at least a block away from the big streets (Western, Ashland, IP...). It takes about a mile to quiet my head. After that it's all about breathing, keeping a good pace, missing potholes and cracks. Then, straight to the bar.

eliina / July 26, 2004 11:05 PM

If I need to get away from people I'll lace up the running shoes and head East. The water and the familiarity of the running path are soothing.
If I can deal with company I'll grab the pup, his leash and a tennis ball and head towards Montrose.
If the first two don't work (or if I'm feeling lazy) a good friend and a few rounds at Hopleaf never fail.

Qwert / July 27, 2004 7:02 AM

Usually by spending a long time on Lake Shore Drive. The view of the city driving over the Chicago River at night sets me back in place.

Qwert / July 27, 2004 7:12 AM

Oh, the Hideout...Mouse on Mars will be playing at the block party on September 25th. Even if you don't like glitch, you should check out the live show. These guys are always great in person.

Xan / July 27, 2004 8:47 AM

Last Friday at the Hideout was a party a law firm was having for their interns... happens sometimes. Variety is guaranteed.

First time I went to the Hideout it was packed and full of a strange variety of men, some in blazers of all things- they all had nametags that said "Tim" on them. Chaos.

I almost left, but then a dance party started- old funk and soul records. Then it didn't matter what anybody was named or wearing - we shook that place down. Turns out it was their annual Tim Party, hosted by my beloved Tim Tuten -co-owner of the Hideout- on St. Timothy's Day.

Hideout is always mixed, often crazy. Or as Tim says in his rants "Hey man, this is YOUR bar." I go there to relax.

Andrew / July 27, 2004 1:27 PM

Fortunately, I haven't had to blow off steam (in the negative sense) for awhile, but when I do, I like to take a good long walk. Since I'm close enough to the lake, I'll usually head in that direction, and try to find some stones to skip.