Be careful. Both my friend and I were pickpocketed here on October 26. Debit card used shortly after. Thankfully I locked my card before any major damage was done. read more

Went there last night. Whoever was bartending did not do a great job. Will not be returning there. The bartender had a long beard, never seen him before. He did not do a great job making the drinks. He was eating behind the bar and did not wash his hands after eating. He seemed very cold and not friendly. He also followed my friends and I into the store next door and harassed us because we didn't tip. Why tip if not satisfied with the service? Just wondering, do all your bartenders follow customers and harass them? Used to go there all the time but now will not be returning. read more

I had stopped in to buy a drink on 12/21/18 around 1am , and allow my phone to charge to call an Uber. As I walked in I laid my coat , on the back of a chair and went to use the restroom. On my way out, I was approached by one of the bartenders and another person stating get the FUCK out were closed. I tried to explain, that my phone had died and I just needed to charge my phone for 5 minutes or so to call an Uber . The bartender took my coat, and said you should follow your coat and I was push out causing me to fall to the ground . This was one of the worst nights of my life. Not to mention, I lost my bracelet somewhere in the area. I'm sure it was when I was thrown to the ground. I had no idea, the place was closed I walked in while the door was open . I felt disrespected, and violated. It made me feel awful, I'm still traumatized by this incident. Please ensure, that staff doesn't treat anyone else like this. It's sad, that the staff are so horrible here. If you're closed lock your doors, and you don't throw someone property or them out in the ground . read more

Great service, music and drinks for a fun night out amongst good people. Open till 4am and 5am Saturdays.

Another mostly fun bar away from the silly N Halsted bar strip. The Hole, in the basement, is where the sex parties happen. Very erotic playspace. Clothing check available. The Bear Naked party ever 4th Wednesday of the month is well attended and you're practically guaranteed to score! read more

Once again a frustrating, disappointing way visit up north to the Jackhammer. I've been going out to the leather bars since before this bar existed. I might have had a good time, were it not for the staff/employees and their attitudes. Can there be any excuse for shouting that customers need to leave, a full hour before last call? Can there be any reason for arbitrarily enforcing a dress code that only exists in the head of the staff member who decides who can go downstairs & who can't? If you post a sign with your dress code requirements, you need to enforce what it says, and not leave it up to one person's whim. What is the reason for opening and closing various spaces on the lower level at arbitrary times? Customers have no way to know when they can go where or for which reason. Customers cannot plan their evenings or know whether they are OK with the staff or in jeapordy of being screamed at for violating unposted, unannounced, unmotivated, and nonsensical requirements. I enjoy being around people who wear leather. I don't enjoy or apreaciate being abused and mistreated by bar employees whose job should be to ensure that paying customers should enjoy their evening. You tell me why I should ever go back there again. read more

This bar used to be a lot of fun, but now it's gross and the bartenders all have attitudes and are so drunk behind the bar it's ridiculous and embarrassing on their part. You have to stand around forever to get a drink and half the time the glasses are to dirty to drink from. I think they need a whole new crew that will actually work and knows how to bartend read more

What's not to like really! Bartenders are all friendly. Customers are laid back. Not a pretentious place at all. The Hole downstairs is big time fun. Dan is a well known bartender in Chicago and one of the ones that work "The Hole" you'll have a great time. .check out underwear night! Jimmy pops in sometimes very friendly also. read more

The upstairs bar is mediocre with overpriced drinks. I don't like the cover charge--for what exactly? The "hole" (downstairs) smelled like poo the night i was there. but, when i was down there it was like i walked into a time warp. it was kind of magical and there were many attractive men around. it's a good place to go if you're sloppy drunk and looking to get lucky, though i don't advise that. i wish there were several star ratings for this bar: drinks: 1.5 stars sexy men: 5 stars smell: 0 stars (unless you're into that) atmosphere, in general: 3.5 stars read more

I know this divey bar isn't a neighborhood "gem", but after our brief visit last weekend (June 2015) I can now say this place has deteriorated to a legitimate DUMP. We used to come here to play pool but now, the pool table is trashed and looks more like an autopsy had been performed there at some point. Shame on the management of this place for not keeping it at least tolerably clean. We won't be back. read more

I went in on a Monday night. I must say if the shenanigans were that entertaining on a Monday, this place must be good every day of the week. The weekends must be out of control especially with a backroom. The bartender in his sparkle pants with the fur boots made good drinks. read more

They steal your money once you check your stuff downstairs. Not even worth it to risk getting your stuff stolen. The underwear contest was okay if you're drunk. Drinks are reasonable and not over priced but over all it's a sex club pretty much and I won't visit again.. read more

I went to the business next door leather 64ten and was planning to buy a few pieces of leather but Eric there was very rude and drunk so I changed my mind. He started screaming and cursing so I walked out and went to Jackhammer. Eric followed me there and continued screaming I was not welcome there. I am giving three stars because the employee at the door was very polite and apologized and said the manager was not there and he had no option. I also give them credit for maintaining close relationship with other local businesses. However, I think it is a very poor business model to refuse service to a client purely because the client did not wish to make a purchase at the business next door. read more

Fun looking sprawling gay bar in Rogers Park. I can't really review Jackhammer itself as mostly I head towards The Hole downstairs, a tiny Leather bar with ambience oozing out of it's pores like the sweat on a boy being worked over on a St Andrew's cross. read more

To be honest, I was very pleasantly surprised about the Jackhammer. Of course, most people have heard of the Hole downstairs and that can be a little intimidating when first walking in. I'm not going to review that section of the bar since I have never been, nor do I really have any interest. And the great part of the bar is that you can have a fun evening without going down there or feeling pressured to go down. The upstairs is very clean and with plenty of space minus an awkwardly placed dance floor (right by the entrance). Much different clientele from that of Boystown as well. You will get a much larger bear population at Jackhammer. But you will also get locals from the neighborhood in Rogers Park. read more

Forever in love with the down to earth raw staff here! : ) thanks everyone, always have a great time here with my boyzz, : ) and also the drinks kick a$$! : ) mmm nommy! read more

Go get your skank on. The place is best when is packed or completely dead. Fun venue, modern gay

The Jackhammer hosts a queer/queer friendly Flesh Hungry Dog Rock show every month which features 3 very cool bands of various styles (usually modern), and burlesque and comedy acts, that always draws in a eclectic crowd. It's like a punk rock variety show from the golden age of television. The founder of the show, Gary Airedale always books cool acts. http://www.fleshhungrydog.com/index.html read more

Still like it, but liked it better before the renovations, I guess (when it was kinda scuzzier). Now, I sometimes feel like it's trying to be too many things to too many people (downstairs bar w/sorta-leather theme, half-assed dance floor--you have to walk through it to get upstairs--w/DJ, pool tables, strange theme nights). Kind of odd layout and absolutely-no-privacy bathrooms w/uplit urinals. I guess it works, because they're generally pretty busy. Generally nice bartenders, crowd can vary greatly (twinks, leather, older, some college-types), but they're open til 4, prices are reasonable and there's a smallish parking lot across the street (DO NOT park in the lot to the left of the hardware store, you'll be towed). read more

Fun bar for the far north-side crowd; decent prices and a lot of terrific, and easy-on-the-eye bartenders; awesome music and the Sunday buffet by Roe is not to be missed. We love Tim, George, and of course, Jimmy. Oh, and the patio is great for our few months of summer. read more

Home of my favorite bartender in the city. Danny is a delight and really gives the place a "locals" feel even when it's slamming busy. The drinks are good and there are always interesting people to meet. Worth checking out earlier in the evening, not just late at night. Jackhammer is my Cheers. read more

Since the change in hours and bartenders this bar have severely gone down hill. My bestie and I used to enjoy this place tremendously on Thursdays for dollar beer night, but the clientele has become so "ghetto" that it is no longer fun! I am never going back from 5-10pm. If my experience is the same post 10p then it will be permanently banned by us! Now the Glenwood is the place to go for fun, beats this place hands down! read more

The Best Bar in the City due to the crowd being so eclectic. Gay, Straight, Bear, Leather, Twink you name it is there. The staff is friendly and you can change the vibe by going to "The Hole" or even going to the upper bar. I have never not had a good time there and have never felt like an outsider unlike some other bars I have been? read more

Yes Jackhammer is dark & loud, and there is indeed hardcore gay porn playing on a huge screen above the front bar, but it's also my favorite bar in the city. It's an extremely friendly, relaxed atmosphere without the attitude and more importantly the packs of drunk straight girls that act like they are at a zoo, of boystown. There is also a basement bar "The Hole" but its pretty much only guys and there is a dress code. read more

its a fun place to go once in a while. I like this place. 5 dollars to get in and a 5 dollar drink ticket!! WOOHOO! The guy at the back bar was a sweetie and attached to it is a toy store. Wow the more I think about this place...the more I like it. My roommate dragged me there for his bday on sat. It even comes with its own palm reader....(im not gonna be married and I have a project that i need to stop). :) Enjoy!! (Small dance floor but noone plays the darts in back!!) read more

I went to this place for the first time last week. They had a go go dancer in a g-string! I got a seat right up front and I stared at his junk flopping around in my face for hours! Also, the bathroom isn't exactly "self service" if you know what I mean! Jackhammer is absolutely to die for. A bear of a good time! read more

I went there during IML this year. The drink prices were ok and the staff was friendly. Out of the way location but that isn't the bars fault. I was told to check out the "hole" downtstairs (the backroom). The reason I am giving this review only a 3 instead of a 4 is because of that. I was told the hole was real leather guys go. At the eagle you must be a guy and must have on leather to get in the back room. At jackhammer they were allowing people in the backroom not in leather code as long as they took their shirt off (and also women). If a gay guy is going to leathermans bar he is there to be around other leathermen. They need to enforce a code in the backroom and also allow only men. A gay leatherman doesn't want to go to a gay leather bar to see womens boobs. read more

Great music and actually people dance.... it's not taken over by all the straight girls out to obverse... not that it matters but wow sometimes some bars it's more or less we are at a straight club sadly.... jackhammer offers great vibe, dancing, pool, leather and more ... read more

There are several rubber-boys and women that show-up most night, so I can't say that I wasn't pleased, but I also wasn't really impressed. It is a great place to go to get an instructional ass slap or friendly drink. I would say that they take care of their staff, and attempt to keep an eye out for the customers. It was only okay. Your money is better spent on other establishments if you want something more hardcore. read more

This place was FUN. Yes, I am kind of a sleazy guy, but hey, I heard this place had a sleazy element with the basement bar called The Hole, so I had to check it out. I entered Jackhammer and immediately asked where the basement bar was because I really wanted to check it out. I am not interested in the dancing mingling scene in the main area. And yes, The Hole is a whole different scene. After stripping down to my briefs and checking my clothes with the check-in guy, I cruised the bar area... FUN. Then I ventured into the back hallway area... nice. Just a lot of horny guys hanging out, and yes, there was some action going on. All the guys were respectful, and no one was overly pushy so it was a cool scene. And yes, I have to admit, I did find myself participating... hey, it was saturday night, right? Anyway, I did return a couple more times to Jackhammer. Definitely a fun place... I will be going more often. This place may not be for everyone, but I really had fun. read more

My only experience ever being at a gay bar had been when a friend of mine who had came out while in college wanted to go out but was tired of going to where we guys chased women, strip clubs and the regular straight bars he had little chance of mingling. Here I was, years later, divorced from my wife and hesitant to go being the older, straight but leaning a bit bi completely naive chubby guy. I am so happy I went. I met a lot of great people who were not pushy or assuming as I had imagined. The drinks were cheap(er), the bartenders and patrons genuinely friendly and accepting of the guy who was sorta in shock he was there. I did go and check everything and while tense at first I began to simply relax with how clean, safe and sane everything was. I do not know what is in store for me in the future other than I will go back again. I am giving it 5 stars as i was comfortable, it was clean and people were nice. I have nothing to compare it to at this point but we shall see. read more

Stopped by last week during the week for a few drinks after work. I came in still dressed from work. It was later in the evening. I was told that I looked a bit too conservative for this place. I guess if you are over 25 and dressed decently, this establishment and its patrons have no use for you. Sometimes, a look is part of a uniform that people have to wear when they have a responsible job. It does not define someone nor dictate their desires and likes. This place has no reason to judge..as most of the other guys at the bar looked like they just came out of a dumpster. Oh well, lesson learned. read more

Was thrown out of this bar couple of weeks ago because a drunk dude knocked a just bought drink out of my hand. I turned to the bartender and told him what happened, he poured me another drink and then was going to charge me. I asked him why he was charging me and with that he told the hefty lady i had to go, WTF? No biggie though..I was sort of dragged there. Bartender was an ass...and i went home and got a good nights sleep! Besides the bathrooms are dirty..... read more

Either way too many people or way to little, depending on the nights. The hole is not for the faint of heart! Or those who are not willing to show a little skin! Mostly regulars and people in for a fetish event. They do have some cool bands that come through though! read more

What an overpriced junk bar that forces you to pay ridiculous prices for there crap gay events, just to walk in the door! Im not paying $20 to walk in the door and then spend another $8 for a drink, what are these people smoking??? I just wanted a drink and could care less about their dumb make out event, AS IF! That's not my style! What's worse is the idiot that takes the event money wouldn't even let me go to the back to get cash out of the ATM and wanted me to go to the gas station across the street which wasn't working, then go to touché and use there's. Never again will I waste my time with jack hammer, I am sick and tired of the staff and sick and tired of their lame gay events that overcharge and don't even compensate you with a drink with a shitty attitude staff. Word of advice, don't waste your money on this gay bar, your better off going to big chicks, sofo and touché as there is no cover charge unless touché has a major event, but not for $20 and it's always worth it! Jack hammer has lost my business and I hope others will follow suit. read more

The people here are racist and inconsiderate. We paid and went in only to be told that we never paid and that we would have to exit and pay again. Unfair, since none of my white friend had to abide by the same rules. read more

This place was ok except for all the drugs that came through there like Meth and Coke. People were always getting high and making drug deals in the bathroom and in the Hole along with the unprotected sex that happened on the regular in the basement (serious health risk). The music was always way too loud. And now it's been closed down....go figure. I was happy when they got rid of the cover charge, but to be honest it did help keep out the riff-raff....most of the time. read more

Good mix of people but I would think Jackhammer is geared towards the older crowd. I did pay a cover but they gave me a ticket for a $5 drink. The place was clean and modern and the bar tenders weren't to bad. I'm not sure what is up with the bathrooms as they are way out in the open with lights shining on the urinals. Definably designed by a gay person. This bar gets busier later at night and is open very late. You may find people here more promiscuous than normal. Techno music is played here as well. read more

For Jackhammer itself, a solid four stars. Good bar. But for Dan and the Hole -- five stars!

Super safe a fantastically inviting crowd no matter what your "schtick" is: gay, straight, bi-... you will be well received and accepted. Always a fun, fun time... Dan Downstairs is an AMAZING bartender... have him make you a "Smurf Queff" cocktail!! Seriously: you hot ladies need to bring your lame boyfriend here and tell him to just "get over it"!! Cheers!! read more