Watch out Weed Street, there’s a new bar in town, and it’s nothing like the ones already there. Located on Chicago's Fremont Street behind Sangria, people might not notice Republic upon a regular round on Weed Street. But this new club/bar from Marc Bortz should have this neighborhood’s locals talking. Hogs ‘n Honeys can keep its mechanical bull, Jet Vodka Lounge its flight attendant waitresses and Zentra its techno and house. Republic offers a different atmosphere and experience from each of its neighboring bars.
Bortz, owner of some of the other area’s bars such as Sangria, Tokyo 21, Jet Vodka Lounge and Hogs ‘n Honeys, as well as Boutique and Cabaret, aims to achieve a casual club experience with Republic. Inside, there are two bars in two different rooms, and both are well-staffed to quench everyone’s thirsts in a timely manner. VIP seating stretches along the wall in the first room; the second room to the left has seating in two corners and above the dance floor a bit, offering patrons a dip in the VIP pool. People who get here early can nab a spot as a meeting point for friends or as coat storage – otherwise, Republic’s coat check has you covered.
The dim lighting is flattering on everyone, even though a majority of the crowd is naturally beautiful – or faking it really well. Either way, the antique-looking, ornate, dim lamps hanging above the bars help light up the most important place in the club – that would be the bars. Tan leather couches that line the walls keep the place from looking too dark.
The area in front of the first bar can get pretty jam-packed, and making way to the dance floor in back can evoke feelings of fitting through a birth canal, complete with relief once you finally make it through. But thankfully, there are plenty of spaces to dance in the other room, and there’s even a back door from the second room that leads straight to the dance floor in the first room. So no rebirthing feelings are even necessary. 
Those dancing on the dance floor in the first room will feel the vibrations – literally – due to two huge speakers set on the floor blaring the DJ’s tunes. In the second room, three cubes are set up in the middle of the floor, where both guys and girls can show off their moves. Republic also took the liberty of hiring go-go dancers, taking over the middle cube to shake their stuff in booty shorts and boots.
If you’re not ready for all eyes on your latest moves, there’s plenty of room to dance on the floor – the bar in this room is practically dead compared to the bar in the first room - or on the raised VIP platform. And trust us, you’ll probably want to dance. Depending on the DJ, expect to hear current songs mixed with different beats, mashes of two songs, techno or house music.
The interior looks like a classy restaurant, but the music and crowd make sure you don’t mistake it for Sangria next door. After a successful opening weekend, Republic is sure to keep the crowds coming back.