Don’t ask anybody at Joe’s about ceroc.
Formerly Banana Joe’s, this multidimensional, warehouse-like sports bar on the heavily gentrified block of Weed Street behind North Beach offers ceroc classes every Tuesday night. They’re advertised on black and white postcards that call ceroc a “New Hot Partner Dance.” According to the missive, ceroc “has taken the U.K. by storm.”
But the thick-armed, thick-shouldered and stoic young men who guard Joe’s front door have only one word to describe it: “Huh?” they ask in unison.
Across the street, the valet parking guys from the groovy pasta restaurant chuckle. “It’s like any rock dancing,” says one of them. “At least that’s what it looks like from here.”
“No, Tuesday, Tuesday night — they give lessons,” says the other guy.
“We don’t work Tuesdays,” says the first guy.
“Riiiiiiiiggggghhhhht!” says the second guy.
More Top Picks Best Mattresses For Couples With Different Preferences
Inside Joe’s, which sports its name inside a basketball logo, the atmosphere is quite civilized even if no one — not the guy at the front, the waitress, the bartender or the busboys — can explain ceroc.
Not that it matters much. On this serene Saturday night, there are two private parties going in Joe’s 20,000-square-foot complex. Both are benefits, both are expensive: $30 and $50 per, respectively.
The back room is like an airplane hangar, open and vast. Bars dominate each of three walls, with a line of six TV monitors running along each one at the top. There are a handful of video games featuring not too strenuous sports themes such as bowling and golf.
The fourth wall features a stage, tonight being used by clean-cut speakers talking about biking for a good cause. (Apparently in deference to this healthy event, the cigar concession, featuring the locally made Havanitos, is closed.)
The beer garden is good-sized, with a bar in the back. Tonight there are tons of food, gooey nachos and other munchies, and a live band that plays upbeat rock ‘n’ roll. Built into the walls are two monitors facing out.
Inside the main room, with its high ceilings and wooden beams, it’s well-lit and cheery. The white-cloth tables are bar stool high. Big Ten mascot and logo flags hang above them. The menu is not extensive but hearty. It offers three entrees and 11 appetizers, a handful of sandwiches and salads, but no soups. Typical are the pork chops, and mashed potatoes are served with just about everything.
Each of the many monitors seemingly features a different sporting event. Two large, synchronous screens face each other across the room. Behind the bar, fraternity paddles hang on the wall. Nestled amid the dining tables is a pool table that gets frequent use.
When it’s not busy pushing ceroc, Joe’s spotlights reggae bands on Sundays, local groups such as Mr. Blotto, and “unplugged” duo Mike and Joe. Service is friendly, although a little slow. The main room, because it’s so cavernous, rarely feels full, but that makes the experience less taxing: conversation’s possible at normal decibels, and there’s a monitor in sight no matter where you stand.
– – –
You know Cuban music’s really hot. You’ve heard Buena Vista, Albita, Los Van Van.
The fact is, you wanna dance, you wanna gozar.
But another fact is that whether it’s Tropicana d’Cache or Cairo’s, most of the danceable tropical music being spun in town is commercial New York salsa, brassy but not nearly as ballsy as the Cuban stuff.
The truth is, you have options.
First up is Tania’s, the gathering place for Chicago’s YUCAs (young urban Cuban-Americans). About two years ago, owners Elias and Marta Sanchez, realizing that their clientele was multinational, decided to be more inclusive in their menu and their programming offerings. But it didn’t take long for the masses to demand a return to the old ways.
So now there’s “Noche Cubana” from 6 to 11 p.m. every Sunday, with groups like Victor Parra and The Mambo Express, Grupo Azucar and the occasional special guest like the legendary Jose Fajardo. The menu’s slowly going Cuban again, meaning that arroz con pollo is just around the corner.
Up north in Rogers Park, the leftie owners and operators of the Heartland Cafe — Cubaphiles all — have turned Wednesday over to deejay David Leyva, who plays Latin jazz, ’70s hardcore salsa (pre salsa romantica) and Cuban dance music during their weekly “Baile Latino.” The emphasis here is on groups like Mezcla, NG La Banda and Charanga Habanera, all still firmly ensconced on the island.
Good stuff, both nights.
———-
the facts
Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Joe’s, 940 W. Weed St. Call 312-337-3486. Joe’s is wheelchair accessible.
Sundays, 6 to 11 p.m., “Noche Cubana,” Tania’s Restaurant, 2659 N. Milwaukee Ave. Call 773-235-7120. Tania’s is wheelchair accessible.
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., “Baile Latino,” Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Ave. Call 773-465-8005. Heartland is wheelchair accessible.