Stylish 20-somethings fill this energetic three-room club, a popular late-night dance destination for the Halsted Street set. The space has undergone an extreme makeover since its dark, windowless days as Manhole: Walls are now splashy shades of aquamarine (in the front bar) and fire-engine red (in the more open middle bar area), and front and side garage-door windows open to the street on warm days. Club music thumps, and dance videos give posing patrons something to look at. The crowd is mixed early, but after midnight it's boys, boys, boys.

Hydrate has something going on every night of the week, from dollar drinks to drag shows, exotic dancers and a "gay lotto" with money giveaways. The main attraction is on the dance floor, though, where mist machines keep weekend revelers cool while stand-out DJs like Ralphi Rosario, Teri Bristol and Grammy-winner Frankie Knuckles spin tunes into the wee hours

Avoid stools at the crowded bar and grab a windowside table in the red room, where you can keep one eye on the dance floor, one eye on the Halsted Street scene outside

Nightly drink specials include: Monday dollar drinks; Tuesday $10 margarita pitchers and $2 Miller/Lite bottles; and Wednesday half-price martinis. Plus, on Sundays you can enjoy a complimentary supper courtesy of Ann Sather's starting at 4:30pm