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Dance Club 'Annex' Replaces Late Hour Ohm in Wicker Park Hub

By Alisa Hauser | February 8, 2016 2:25pm | Updated on February 8, 2016 3:53pm
 The Annex, a new upstairs dance club in Wicker Park.
The Annex, New Upstairs Dance Club in Wicker Park
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WICKER PARK — Annex, a late hour dance club that replaces the shuttered Ohm, celebrated a soft opening over the weekend at the northeast corner of the North, Damen and Milwaukee avenues intersection in Wicker Park.

First reported by Eater, Annex, the second-floor spot above Wicker Park sports bar Tavern, has reopened with a 6,000-square-foot dance floor at 1958 W. North Ave.

On Monday, general manager Mike Cho said Annex, which added about 20 part-time jobs to the area, focuses on house and underground music.  The remodeled spot features 38-foot-tall ceilings.

"We've been having soft open events on weekends for the past three weeks. Our grand opening is Feb. 26," Cho said, adding that Miami, Fla.-based DJ Oscar G. will perform on that night.

Annex is one of 11 late hour bars open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday in the Wicker Park area. Ohm closed in February 2014 to re-concept and remodel, Cho said.

The entry to The Annex is in an alley behind the building.

The bar saw about 500 people for its official opening party Friday night featuring DJ Robbie Rivera, bartender Philippe Alonso said.

Alonso is a bartender at one of four bars along the dance floor, bathed in blue and pink lights.  A fifth bar is not yet open, Alonso said.

"This is a slow season, a quiet season after New Year's and before St. Patrick's Day," Alonso said around 10 p.m. Saturday at the start of "After Life Saturdays," a house music dance night.

Cho said more details about Annex are expected to be released later this week.

The buildings at 1954-58 W. North Ave. that house Tavern, Annex and Cafe Absinthe are owned by Hodo Mehmeti, county records show. The three businesses are part of a venture called Menetti North Avenue LLC, headed by Tefik H. Mehmeti, according to state records.

For updates, follow Annex on its Facebook page or Twitter, @AnnexChicago.  For more info, email contact@annexnightclub.com.

Annex bartender Philippe Alonso. [Photos by DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]

One of three dancing areas in Annex.

Entrance to Annex in an alley behind a Tavern at 1958 W. North Ave.

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