Oak Brook club features music, dancing and, yes, a human fishbowl

Sky has all of the trappings of an upscale nightclub without the pretension. The new spot provides a laid-back spot to dance, relax and sip some excellently mixed drinks.

Motif: A black corridor gives way to a stark white interior. Crystal chandeliers hang around the perimeter and floors are covered in marble. White couches are arranged around the large dance floor, sitting behind lacy white curtains along with tiny tables. Other curtains give the illusion of pillars. Potted plants by the door are a mix of naturally colored and white painted. The glass bar top can be illuminated from beneath, and bottles are arranged behind it on glass panels. A second bar is opened on particularly busy nights.

Instead of club dancers, Sky has a human fish bowl, where attractive women - hired by the club - relax in a glass-paneled space and do anything from homework to their nails. Think of it as eye candy for male bargoers, an incentive to keep them drinking and drooling. And no, ladies, they don't have a version for the guys.

Networking groups come in Wednesday nights and the club hosts murder mystery parties Saturdays. Cover is typically $10 after 10 p.m.

Service: The bartenders were very friendly, happily taking ambiguous requests for a specialty cocktail or martini and then checking in with anticipation to make sure we liked their concoctions. They seemed to genuinely enjoy chatting with customers, but were always quick to take a fresh order.

Liquid consumption: The bar offers plenty of specialty cocktails to suit any tastes. The Sweet Seduction was our favorite, a refreshing mix of grapefruit vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine. The Sky Raspberry was a foamy and fruity blend of watermelon pucker, vodka and pineapple juice, and the light and summery Peach Sky includes peach schnapps, pineapple juice, vodka and Sprite. If you want to go for a classic, their tequila mojito was strong and flavorful.

Food: The menu is launching July 23 and will feature Italian-Indian fusion cuisine such as pizza on naan bread, chicken tikka baked with Parmesan cheese and samosas stuffed with mozzarella.

Crowd: The average age range is 25 to 60, typically getting younger after 9 p.m. when the after-work crowd gives in to late-night drinkers and dancers. The late hours also lead to plenty of spillover from other bars with earlier closes. Attire ranges from casual to clubby, with people in T-shirts and shorts alongside groups clad in stylish outfits and high heels.

Sounds: Thursday nights a singer performs everything from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, moving between a small stage and across the dance flood. Friday the waitresses wear roller skates for disco night and Saturday showcases music videos from the '70s and '80s along with Top 40 hits.

Parking: There are plenty of free spots in the strip mall lot.

Overall: A fun club experience for the suburbs.