The Chicago location of Beauty Bar, the national chain of salon-themed lounges beloved by scenesters from Brooklyn to San Diego for its $10 martini-and-manicure special, officially opened its doors last Thursday in the old Sonotheque space. Our photographer checked in when the night was still young and the nail polish was still wet—the manicure deal runs from 5 to 11 p.m. most nights—with DJs Skyler and Kid Color manning the early turntable shift. While a cheap-and-boozy polish change is nothing to sneeze at, Beauty Bar is as much a place to get down as get your nails done: Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend took over last Thursday at midnight, following the band’s Riviera gig, and the upcoming schedule includes a Passion Pit afterparty this Friday, $5 cover.

Photography by Megan Dodge