There are certain rules that need to be followed during a night out. There is the obvious rule of not letting friends hook up and leave with ugly people. And another is not to follow seemingly normal guys to clubs no one has heard of before. That is how someone ends up at Neo.

Neo happens to be one of the core hangouts of the gothic and industrial scene. If the dark alley you walk down doesn’t tip you off that this might be a different scene from the usual crowd of yuppies, the sea of black clothing and makeup will.

The club is essentially one smoky room with a large dance floor. Some candles and strobes are the only lighting the place has, which is a good thing: The clientele’s pale skin probably couldn’t handle any more than that. Black leather and spikes abound, and there was one guy wearing a white shirt and another awkward looking man in a green sweater. Expect the DJ to be blaring loud thumping techno which might trigger memories of a bad rave experience.

The $5 cover and $2 drinks are nothing to complain about. So if you find yourself feeling a little out of place dancing with a person dressed in all black, there are a few tables around the edge of the dance floor where you can hide out with some cheap beer.

The place may prompt a few minor nightmares, but no one at Neo tries to suck anyone’s blood. People looking for a major change in scenery may want to check it out – just remember to wear black.

Neo is located at 2350 N. Clark St. It’s open from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday and from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturdays.

– Carrie MacQuaid