Neo (nightclub)

Neo was a nightclub located at 2350 N. Clark St. in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park. Established on July 25, 1979^[1] Neo was the oldest^[2] or one of the oldest^[3] running nightclubs in Chicago and was a hangout and venue for a variety of musicians and artists, including David Bowie, Iggy Pop, David Byrne, the Clash, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and U2.^[4][5][6] The nightclub has been noted for being gay-friendly^[7] as well as part of goth subculture.^[8] Sources differ^[9] as to whether or not the character Neo from The Matrix franchise drew inspiration from the nightclub and its patrons.^[10][11]

Neo

Address	2350 N. Clark St. (Original) 1575 N Milwaukee Ave (Current)
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates	41°54′36.7″N 87°40′36.5″W
Type	Nightclub

Alley entrance

History

In the 1980s the club was a center for Chicago's Punk and New Wave scenes.^[6] In 1988, on the advice of one of the bartenders employed by Neo's management, the bar was renovated to look like lower Wacker.^[12][13]

a DJ at the club in 2009

In 2009, Neo celebrated its 30th anniversary and was Chicago's oldest nightclub.^[14]

In 2015, the nightclub lost its lease and had to move to a new location.^{[15][16][17][13]} Beginning in 2017, the club was located inside the Debonair Social Club at 1575 N Milwaukee Avenue at Chicago, however the club closed in September 2023.

See also

• Mister Kelly's