Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Morgan and Michael Hogan.
Ashley and Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We wanted to create a space for everyone. A place that felt like a neighborhood bar, but yet would also be a video/dance club and entertainment venue. We decided on Andersonville for our bar because it has a neighborhood feel, yet has a unique vibe all it’s own with independently owned businesses and restaurants.
As a part of the community it is important to us to give back, so we regularly hold fundraising events. Our monthly drag show, on the third Saturday of the month, Ashley Morgan Presents, benefits local community-based charities. It is the longest running charity drag show in the Chicagoland area. In addition, The Call is fortunate to have other performance groups that raise funds for charity: Elegant Fur (a troupe of bearded queens), Dirty Bird Burlesque and Boytoy’s Pocket Cabaret.
Every weekend you can catch a show before the dance floor opens. During the week you can stop by and catch nights featuring Showtunes, Oldies/Retro, Country as well as current Pop and Dance videos.
We also have special theme nights: The last Friday of every month – It’s Britney B*tch! w/DJ Riley York, The ORIGINAL Britney Spears tribute night in Chicago. Additionally, there are nights dedicated to Kylie Minogue (Club Kylie!), David Bowie, Cher, and Madonna.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any independently owned business, there are challenges, finding the correct staff that shares your vision, offering events and entertainment that folks will attend, talk about, and come back for, and get the word out that you are alive and kicking!
The Call – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a video dance bar located in Andersonville, the ‘other’ gayborhood. We specialize in delivering music videos from different genres of music, from Current/Pop/Dance to Oldies/Retro, Showtunes and Comedy.
We are very proud that we have become a welcoming environment for performers, both new and seasoned, giving a new performer a safe space to polish their craft. To be known for our fundraising is something that is very humbling.
We also feature specialty martinis to go with many of our special events. We have developed a fun holiday tradition of ‘The 12 Absolut Martinis of Christmas’.
Our monthly drag show has become popular due in part to the amazing house cast, and the fact that there are production numbers, group and duet act, as regular elements of the show.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Having our show “Ashley Morgan Presents” being voted best drag show in Chicago was a very proud moment for us.
In addition to seeing the entertainers who perform here regularly advance their performance careers and remember us as being supportive of their art.
Pricing:
- Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 7-9pm, $2.50 well cocktails and $3 domestic bottled beers
Contact Info:
- Address: 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave Chicago, IL
- Website: www.callbarchicago.com
- Phone: 773-334-2525
- Email: thecall@callbarchicago.com
- Instagram: thecallbar
- Facebook: thecallbar
- Twitter: thecallbar
Image Credit:
Danielle Barnum Photograhpy, Jon Albie Designs
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
