My partner and I were visiting Chicago over the weekend decided to check out this bar. Living in Utah, we don't have the opportunity to experience places like Jackhammer very often. We got to Jackhammer a little before 11pm when the crowd was still pretty light, but within an hour things picked up. We spent most of the night in "The Hole" because what's more fun than having drinks in your underwear? Despite the fact that we are both into our 30s, this was the first time either of us had been at a bar in our underwear -- and we loved every minute of it! We both commented on how welcome the staff made us feel as soon as we walked in and the crowd was open and friendly as well. We're looking forward to our next visit to Chicago so we can visit Jackhammer again. read more

Bartender quite literally deliberately skips me after asking my order and helps 3 people before coming back to me. I leave a .50 cent tip because that was so rude and I have never experienced such service for the bartender to give me attitude and curse at me. I don't mind getting rude service but don't expect a high tip. Don't recommend drinking here. read more

New to the city but been going here every weekend.. The music is insanely good especially on Saturdays. The crowd can be mixed which is a nice change to see compared to other LGBTQ spaces that are all cis men that look the same. read more

Great experience every time! The staff is amazing, the people are welcoming and open. Filipe has always been our favorite, we love when we see him there! read more

$30 cover???!!! Notification anywhere???!!! Crazy. Even with name DJ's in NYC, LA, and Miami, this amount is 'covering' more than a drink minimum. read more

Karaoke at Jackhammer is probably the best in the city! The karaoke host makes sure that everybody in the room is supporting and applauding each other. People are actually listening to others singing even if they don't know who they are! The patrons at Jackhammer aren't your cookie cutter Karaoke bar patrons. Everyone is authentic unto themselves and it's great to see. read more

Love this spot, new to the area. Wolf was so welcoming, had a great night with the community.

Saint is an excellent bartender. Took very good care of me and my friends. He was super helpful, told us about some upcoming events and parties, funny, cute, the whole package! We will be coming back! read more

Definitely watering down their alcohol. How can a straight shot of Jack taste like water. It was just brown liquid. Wtf did they serve me. Terrible bar and it smelled terrible too. read more

DO NOT BE DECEIVED! Jackhammer is a about as far away from a world class nightclub as you could possibly get. Apparently all that remodeling didn't include an upgrade to their light show (what little exists) or soundsystem. The music is a bland mix of Top Forty mainstream (you could sit in your car and have about as much fun). Their top DJ, Marc "Moose" Moder (a known drug dealer & user in the community) is about as tired as his not so cleverly named events which always have a subpar attendence. The main clues as to what type of place this is: bottle service isn't offered, and the bartender seemed clueless when I asked for Cristal. Also, I didn't see a V.I.P. room so my assumption is they don't have one. If you're someone who desires a Saturday night out on a budget this place is for you. If you desire something classy, do yourself a favor and avoid the trash. SAVE YOUR TIME AND MONEY SUMMER ON FIRE ISLAND read more

Email to owner on 03-17/03/18 You will let someone get assaulted and then blame them for being upset. I told someone 5 times to stop touching me, I grabbed his hand 5 times and said stop. My partner and I reported it because YOU have a "consent sign". Your policy is to warn someone once. Even though i came into contact with this person after reporting this. YOU asked me to leave because I was upset and "belligerent" and could smell alcohol on our breath. YOU support getting assaulted and victim blaming. YOU told my partner to "come back during off hours to have a "serious conversation". We're talking about non consensual touching. Period. As someone who has been sexually assaulted before and to come to a place that I feel safe and accepted in and have that turned around on me is disgusting. You allow this kind of misconduct to happen and then have no follow through on your policies. You have nothing to offer that I want but at he very least you can reply to this and explain yourself, your business and your manager's actions because at this point, you are running a dangerous operation and if is nothing is done or said I will put all of this on social media. read more

Really love the renovations to this place. The down stairs area is really fun and well laid out. Since they just opened, they are still working out the clothes check/locker situation on Sundays. The bartender Jon did a great job improvising and provided cubbies for anybody who needed them . He kept the items safely at the bar under his watch. He's also a super friendly individual. There is no place like this bar in the country so it is a must see for the gay community. read more

Fun spot. I like the renovations and the staff are nice. Very inclusive. Their events are coming together as they experiment with what works post COVID. read more

I usually make stop here when in Chicago. This visit, it was closed down for renovations. Hopefully next time it'll be open.

I really can't reccommend anyone go here. I was visiting before I moved to Chicago and decided to come here. The upstairs is pretty. Pretty Empty. I watched the bartender wait on myself and a few other average looking guys, but completely ignore the group of bigger, older guys at the other end of the bar. They had gotten there before us. After paying a cover and checking my bag (which is required) I went downstairs to do some cruising. The night overall went well, apart from watching someone drop a pill in someone else's drink. I grabbed the drink and told the person not to drink it as I had seen someone drop a pill in it. They were incredibly thankful. I walked with them up to the bartender and when they asked for a new drink because theirs had been spiked, the bartender told him he was lying and that he wasn't scamming a free drink. I attested on his behalf but the bartender told me that it was not possible for him to be drugged, because he wasn't attractive enough. This bar staff needs to be completely liquidated and restaffed. I'd expect better from 2Bears. read more

This place is wild. Wild, untamed and unashamed. It's also clean, with a well done interior. Filled with hot (albeit, gay) men. There's a lot for a straight girl to look at here as well. As long as you're not with a screamy, annoying bachelorette party - which, I was not. No one is happy to see the idiot Trixies in places like this. The bartenders are charming and adorable. Never too busy for a smile, even when working at lightning speed. There's a secret, special bar downtstairs called The Hole that has a dress code of sorts. Leather, fetish or nudity. Ladies you will be asked to remove your shirt. Wear a cute, black lace bra . . . if you dare to descend into the Hole. Otherwise, I stay upstairs to drink, dance and dish with my fabulous gay brothers in Andersonville and around. This place is friendly to women, as long as you're not an idiot, as mentioned above. Which . . . I am not. :-) read more

This place is awesome. The vibe is grungy but sexy and surprisingly clean. Great drag shows. Kink-It with Mickey Mirage and Maureen San Diego's shows are my favorites. The bartenders Jimmy, Hunter, and Jesse are my favorites too! The leather store next door has a lot of great stuff too. read more

So... I might regret saying this... but I think Jackhammer is on my top five list of gay bars in Chicago. Now, mind you... I was never there before the upstairs opened. I have only been there on a Saturday ONCE. We participate in the dart league that has two teams out the bar... which means my experiences are mostly $1 Thursdays. I know, I know... $1 beers attract $1 clientele. But when you're there for dart night and you're used to paying $4-$7 for a beer throwing in the league, $1 beers are a refreshing change of pace. The bartenders are always SUPER sweet. I'm such a sucker for a hot dude calling me "baby" or "beautiful". Giggle. Blush. I think my favorite experience here was on a Saturday night when we were here with my Uncle and his partner. As we were leaving (having spent our time on the second floor where they show sports and videos), we had to walk by all the TVs playing porn... and my uncle grabbed me and covered my eyes so I couldn't see it. He thinks I'm so sweet and innocent... read more

Hi, I'm a pilates trainer by day but LOVE to exercise, dance, do construction work, etc. Anyways, this bar is the greatest! I accidentally walked in on a drag show, which is NOT my thing mind you, but I ended up having so much fun I got into a little drag myself. I really was just vibing, so I took some eyeliner and drew a little mustache on my upper lip. My bartender Joe loved it! Anyways, this place had more cubs than bears, which is ok for me but I would have preferred something with more adults. You know that hairy type? I did have the time of my life though! read more

Jackhammer - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not a bar for black people. I was there and the bar tender was not cordial at all. There was no one at the door and I proceeded to the rest room and the bar tender asked me if I needed anything and I said no. They followed me to the rest room and broke down the door and said I needed to clinch it. I was a regular customer and was never approached that way. I do not recommend for anyone of color. read more

In the past year, this bar went through a major remodeling, and transformed from a dive bar catering to bears and leathermen to a cute neighborhood bar catering to bears and leathermen. It's a lot brighter and cleaner now, with wall-length windows that look out onto Clark Street, an upstairs bar and dance floor, and a small back deck. In addition to the requisite male dancers and amateur strip nights, Jackhammer now hosts live music and other events. The clientele is still gay, but the bar now attracts a wider variety of gays and some straight folks. Be aware that the back bar on the main floor is still not safe for casual viewing, and the men's room -- while all clean and shiny, with new fixtures -- lacks any dividers between urinals -- or what would normally be stalls. So if you don't want guys checking out your material while you pee -- or worse -- you'd better hold it. read more

I was having a decent time, until I came across bolts that hold the stage together. They were sticking out and cut my leg. As I was gushing out with blood, non of the bartenders would take their precious time to grab me a bandaid. I had to practically go from bar to bar begging for a bandaid. One of them actually told me their was a line and I had to wait. In the end, Kevin, a bar back knew it was the right thing to do and stop to render his assistance. I went to James to let him know what had happened. NOTHING! . NO RESPONSE.... way to manage your bar! It totally ended my night and your bottom dollar! Highly disgusted... anyone know a good lawyer? read more

I like this place because it attracts a refreshingly diverse crowd compared to all of the people you run into in Boystown. They host various events throughout the week and the weekends I usually like to stop in for a drink or 10. The bartenders have always been friendly and nice. Never really done it, but I imagine it is a good chill place to visit during the week if you are meeting friends for a quick drink & to catch up. On the weekends if you are feeling bold and adventurous you can check out "The Hole", in the basement space of the club. It is a private club space, so if you have leather, you can walk in as is. Otherwise you must strip down to your underwear, OR you can just take off your shirt if you have descent sized upper body tattoos. Even though this is a review for Jackhammer, it is kind of hard to leave out the fact that there is a leather & fetish type store next door if that tickles your fancy, as well as Touche, a darker and more raunchy bar/club worth checking out. read more

This review is for The Hole, the seedy bar-in-a-bar occupying Jackhammer's basement. As someone "in the lifestyle" who prefers quality over quantity and doesn't "play" in bars, sleazy places tend toward less comfortable and pressured encounters. However, while The Hole certainly offers the opportunity for casual vice, I felt very comfortable. The bartender was a bit snippy, but the clientele was welcoming and gregarious. There's not much of a crowd here until 11:30 or so. Others mention the strict dress code: gear or shirtless men only. Tattoos help. The crowd was a mix of muscle men, bears, slim and average bodies, covering all age groups but tending toward early 30s to mid 40s--still with a fair number of 20-somethings like myself and a spattering of older men. They pour heavier here than at Touché next door, but prices are a tad higher, too, particularly for called liquor. read more

Great bar for a lot of different interests. Friendly front door and bars. Note lower level has outfit requirements (at least on the weekends). But any dress requirement there is worth it. Go, enjoy, have fun on all levels. read more

Okay, maybe my first experience wasn't the best but I have this to say about Jackhammer. I got stink eye for kissing a boy on the dance floor I stepped in puke I had to pay a cover Yeah, end of story. read more

Came here on an adventurous (drunken) Saturday night, and enjoyed myself here, but wasn't really my scene. I was surprised it wasn't too busy, but it at least had more people and diversity than their neighbor Touche next door. They had a live performer doing some guitar ballads... which is kind of a party killer so the main room emptied out. I explored the infamous "Hole" downstairs. I guess we were there early because it wasn't too busy and they even let us in without taking out shirts off. I could tell it gets raunchy down there though. Anyway, I'd come back if a friend wanted to explore, but the farthest north I'd go on my own would be Big Chicks. read more

Jackhammer is on the brink of eviction, according to the Rogers Park Business Alliance. My wife's co-workers decided to go here this past Tuesday night, after work, so we met them there. We have lived in Chicago for almost eight months, and this was our FIRST time to hit a bar or club. The bar is okay, kinda seedy, and run down in the actual bar area. The upstairs appears to be nicer, but we sat at the bar. After a few drinks, we closed our tab out, and added a tip. The bar serves no food. We had food delivered from a restaurant to take home, as the restaurant would have been closed before we arrived home. My wife decided to eat a couple bites before we left. The bartender, HONDURAS, didn't like this, and basically insisted she move to a high top table to eat, which she did. After eating ONE chicken tender, she gave me the container to place back in the bag. Honduras made it a point to come over to me, INSISTING no eating at the bar. I told him, I wasn't eating, only placing the container back in the bag. He still INSISTED I move from the bar! As we were about to leave, one of the co-workers boyfriends showed up, so not to be rude, we ordered two more drinks, (one beer each), and cashed out. The same bartender became furious that l didn't tip on the second tab. I could hear him COMPLAINING to the other bartender about it. As a matter of fact, I placed a zero on the line of the receipt for the tip amount. I didn't see a point to give another tip for two beers, when basically not even 10 minutes prior we closed our tab out, and gave him a tip. PLUS the fact, how RUDE he became to my wife about eating a chicken tender. We WEREN'T aware until the NEXT day, that one of my wife's co-workers called ahead and arranged for us to receive the industry discount, which is apparently 50% off. Again, we HAD NO CLUE!! If we had known, we would have tipped more than we did on the first tab. When we found this out the next day, I thought to myself, since we received the industry discount, we paid $11.25 for two beers, so without the discount, those two beers would have cost $22.50, for two domestic bottle beers... SMH!! Discount or not, didn't give Honduras, carte blanche to be an idiot!! Apparently, they are jacking up the prices to generate money for the bar and/or themselves, in hopes to save the bar!! Two days later, we discovered, the bartender, Honduras, added an extra $10.00 to our first tab as a tip for himself!! We now have a dispute with the credit card company, as he added a one in front of the amount we authorized for a tip. Whether this place stays in business or evicted as scheduled, we WILL NOT return!! Forewarn everyone who visits during their last days to pay CASH, and verify what you are going to be charged for a drink!! If you do pay with card, make sure the tip amount you give isn't altered after you leave, or a couple days afterwards!!! read more

Sweet! Well more like ROUGH! I really enjoyed this bar, I've heard about it but never ventured out to the area. Last week a bunch of friends decided to try a new scene (more of a leather type scene) other than the usual B-town scene. Yeah, they charge a $5 cover but you get a ticket for a free drink which makes up for the cover charge. The music is great and the bar is super spacious. Yeah, they have "The Hole" downstairs, can't really comment because I didn't venture down there but maybe one day...heeheehee read more

I have mixed feelings about the 'Hammer. On one hand, there's usually great guys here, the bartenders are nice, and the hole can be fun if you're in the sort of mood to indulge in such activities... or just watch. On the other hand, there's some seriously negative juju under the earth up at the 6400 block of Clark. From all the stories I've heard, to my own personal experiences I feel like the entire stretch of land from Devon up to the police station is an Indian burial ground. No, I've never seen poltergeists here, but it certainly feels like something is just, just... ...off for lack of words. The one thing that I truly don't like about JH though is the awkward layout. They play good music, have a decent stereo - but they shove the dance floor to the front, and have huge glass windows which ruins the intimacy. Plus, since you have to walk through the dance floor to either go upstairs or down into the depths of the hole, you have to walk through anyone who just wanted to shake their booty, leading to less booty shaking. Ultimately, hardcore patrons of JH are only there for the Hole, which is fine. It is just a missed opportunity to be great place for both the seedy and the prudish alike. read more

They've done a remarkable job renovating this place over the years, top middle and bottom. Lively, fun atmosphere with a younger crowd. The cover charge with drink coupon is added red tape and a nonsense feature. The upstairs bar, the drinks are weak and expensive in little glasses. Not good value for your Gay customers! :( The pit downstairs is interesting, steamy and oh so male. Love it. read more

I went to The Jackhammer last summer to see my boyfriend's band, The Flying Aarons, play in The Flesh Hungry Dog show. While none of the members of his band are gay (and probably very few of the groupies that came to see them play that night), it was still a fun experience. The Flesh Hungry Dog show is a sweet variety show that transcends any sexual orientation lines. They had some great bands the night I ventured to the Jackhammer---definately worth going to this bar for TFHD show, alone. The Jackhammer, itself, is a kind of a neat, divey-ish bar, but I did definitely feel out of place being 1 of about 5 straight girls in the bar. If you're straight or a female, I don't know if I would recommend going to it on a night when there is no live music. It's not that it's a "questionable" bar or anything, but obviously the clientele is going to be gay men. You just might feel oddly out of place.....especially when gay porn is being blasted on every tv. But if I were gay, I'd be here every night of the week. There is some major beef in the house. read more

I am not really qualified to assign a star rating to Jackhammer. You see, there is nothing leather about me. I wouldn't even presume to try. But as an experiential collector, this provided an enjoyable escape from the 'mos down in the hood. The music isn't fantastic, but the place is tidy and there is an adjacent leather shop. I do love commerce! The leather daddies are all welcoming, and indeed pleased to see non-leather types checking out the scene. Should you decide to stick around and strap on a harness all the better. But that is an individual decision left to the individual. Let me tell you, while others say the leather daddies are not fashion conscious, i beg to differ. These blokes drop some serious coin on their wares. Do you think custom made leather wear is inexpensive. As for the evening, there was a performance by some Sheena the Warrior Goddess woman. I saw some things I don't believe I've seen before, but that was the purpose of the evening. I didn't check out the downstairs bar- it was closed for a special event (a bar mitzvah??)- so I can't opine on that. In short an enjoyable experience for the collection. read more

I went through a period of mourning when the Jackhammer transformed from "cozy gay dive bar" to what it is now, which is a not-as-cozy and not-so-divey bar. Now it looks like a dance club. The clientele is pretty much the same, but I've noticed a lot of younger people coming in. So, the mourning is over and I've accepted the fact that the Jack is not the same as it used to be. The old Jack is now relegated to nostalgia. Generally I only come on Tuesday nights for Creaoke karaoke, which goes on until 4 am. It's always a lot of fun, and the bartenders are a friendly lot. And yes, there's gay porn playing on the TV's, but it's a gay bar called THE JACKHAMMER, with a new bar in the basement called THE HOLE, which has a dress code and is supposed to be very sleazy. I only went down there once and was turned away the second time because I wasn't wearing leather or a jockstrap or a leather jockstrap. read more

Lots of types of guys here, but definitely leaning towards bears and leather guys. I had a good time despite not being in the scene. The bartenders were pretty nice and hot. I know the Hole was open, but I didn't check it out. I'll definitely go back if I'm not feeling Boystown. read more

This is my go-to gay bar. It helps that it's in the hood, but I'd go anyway. It has a nice vibe, unlike the BT bars. It is mostly bear-ish, but you'll see a little of everything here. There's the Hole downstairs for the backroom types. Just to get that out of the way. Hehe The only complaint/suggestion I have is the area where people dance is extremely awkward. Being right in front, you have to walk through it to get any where else. I think I would put it upstairs, but then you'd lose the pool tables, so I guess it's where they had to put it. Great place though! Bartenders are approachable & friendly. Door staff is kind of gruff, but not intentionally rude. PS: She's straight. read more

This has been my home bar for almost 2 years now. I considered a lot of the staff as part of my chosen family. Best place I've ever stumbled upon. read more

I went to the Jackhammer to see a band play. I didn't really know what it was going to be like until I got there. I will be honest and say that I didn't really care for the extremely graphic porn on the television but that was fine because I just didn't look at it. I am a straight female and didn't feel at all alienated here. There was a lot of leather-clad bodies. The bartenders were nice, the patrons were all extremely friendly and I especially liked Barbie the hostess. Gay bars aren't really my thing but I would definitely consider stopping in again if the occasion came up. read more

This is a really nice place to get some drinks. It is very dark and when we went on a late Tuesday night they had some karaoke thing going on but no the cheesy versions. The main attraction for us going there was to hang out downstairs at The Hole. The Hole is a sub club within the club. It was exactly what I was looking for: strong well drinks for $6.50; all males down here, no chics; hot porn playing on wall; naked bartender; dark men's room; and even darker back room lit only by a black light. The Hole is a men's area only. I had read they reserve the right to stop you from going in if your not dressed in leather or in underwear. But they were not concerned w that dress code the night I went. The back room was fun. In fact it was so fun that I splurged $18 poppers next door when went outside to smoke. The poppers really turned up the action! I have to admit the back room had some hot men that were extra horny. No one ever bother anyone back there and no workers ever went back there. Complete privacy to do men unmentionables. The place started a last call for alcohol around 3:30am to close at 4am. It was fast to get Uber to come back home. I highly recommend Jackhammer and the downstairs hole. Leave the gal pals upstairs, there are men to be had downstairs. Just take ID, cash, and phone. Leave your wallet at home so when your pants cum down, it's no big deal. 5 stars. read more

Great spot. It's nice to have a leather shop right next door. This spot has drag shows frequently! Our bartender was great.