Had a blast last Saturday night but the Bombay sapphire is not real Bombay. It has a distinct taste so that's why I order. Unfortunately got very sick and the worst hangover because cheap booze! Other than that had so much fun, great music and service. I did say something to the bartender and they apologized and said they have no control over what's stocked- which is true! Seriously had too much fun! read more

Don't come here if you want to have a good time. Pat downs are taken lightly with some individuals yet really strict with others. Wouldn't allow me in cause I had a vape even though my girlfriend had already walked through with hers. Wouldn't allow me to walk inside for a refund. All around a total waste of time energy and money going here. What a shame read more

I have never left a review on anything in my entire life but the security at smartbar is the rudest group of individuals I have ever met in my entire life. Do not recommend! read more

I definitely see why there's a low rating for this establishment? #1) It feels like they have the heat on in here. It's 80 degrees outside. It's cooler outside than in. #2) there experience i just have with one of the bartenders was beyond unprofessional. Just simply pointing out to him that I was standing in line before the person he waited on, his reply (in a very loud and unprofessional tone) was "I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT ON YOU. THIS IS MY HOUSE. GO TO THE OTHER BAR!" That left me completely appalled. Never will I ever come back here! read more

Sound-Bar - The infamous unprofessional bartender. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went there with an online reservation. Two people were in the guest list but what it does not say online is that you need a seperate email for each guest. When we went to the cashier they did not allow us to come in because only person booked it. Very confusing because their online guest list did not reference that. The staff and security were also rude. The entire club was empty but they were acting like it was filled. Very dismissive and rude. A 40$ cover is crazy for that vibe. Would not recommend. read more

I had an awful experience here. The bathroom attendant got very aggressive with me and my friend since she was planning on standing outside the stall I was in so that we could stay close to one another since we only had each other and didn't want to get separated. This is completely normal behavior.. and it was our first time there plus our first time going out in Chicago hence why we wanted to stick together. The bathroom attendant immediately started screaming at us because we were trying to stay together and this was even after I had tipped her $5 during the prior bathroom visit when everything was fine when we stuck together. I then told her to stop yelling at us and she kept escalating the situation and ordered for me to get removed from the club after I told her to stop screaming at us. I've never been removed from a club or bar my entire life and this was the first time. It was humiliating and uncalled for. The manager needs to replace this bathroom attendant with someone who is non-confrontational since she is contributing to more issues in their facility. If I would have stayed, I would have bought a few more drinks and spent more money here as well but instead I was removed and refuse to ever go there again and will tell everybody I know who likes EDM/clubbing to never go here or spend their money here. Overall, I will never recommend this place due to this experience. If you do end up going, avoid the bathroom attendants at all costs. It is interesting that other reviews are mentioning issues occurring in the restrooms as well. That is not normal for a club/bar to have so many issues occurring in the bathrooms.... read more

EXTREMELY disappointing experience here. One of my friends was in the bathroom for a little while, and instead of handling the situation professionally, two male security guards actually tried opening the bathroom stall and looking over while she was using it. She was literally peeing and felt completely humiliated and uncomfortable. After that, our whole group was told to leave even though we weren't causing any problems or being disruptive. The entire situation was handled in a very disrespectful and inappropriate way. We came to have a good night and instead left within 20 minutes feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed. Definitely won't be returning. read more

Sound bar features some really good DJ's and is a hot spot in the Chicago night scene. You can RSVP and get free cover if you go in before 10. If you plan on arriving late for the feature artist, be sure to buy tickets in advance avoid cover which goes up $10 every hour after 11 pm. Drinks are inconsistently priced depending on which bartender you go to. So be sure to ask before they make your drinks. My biggest issue with this place is the amount of shoving that goes on in these locations. I have to often stand my ground with elbows out or push back to all the inconsiderate ravers. I'd say it's a handful that kinda ruin it for everyone. I'm surprised fights don't break out nightly there. Also I wish security would keep an eye out for the really intoxicated women. Seems like a lot of predators lurking for an easy score. read more

Sound-Bar - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

$9 for a costco bottle of water. Unfortunately was met with a decent amount of rudeness from staff. I wouldn't recommend.

The guy bartending the red room on Nov 1 was sooo lovely! The other bartenders not as nice

A staple club for those who like edm and house occasionally ! Ngl it's a great spot for Asians because a lot of UIC & UIUC students and alumni come and party here! I have fun clubbing even without drinks so I can't really attest but this club is more for partying. Drinks are secondary and only if you're still sober. But bartenders do their jobs fast so you're not waiting around for a long time. And the main point I like about soundbar is the 2 floors (especially the basement) because there will be 2 different djs playing. The basement has more to explore and is more fun imo. read more

Sound-Bar - Holy cow - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had a great time here over the weekend! I came out from California & didn't know that Morgan Page was playing Saturday night. Such a fun night & one I'll remember for a long time! Shout out to Caleb for his professionalism! He's a great asset to the team. read more

I remember going here when I was in my early twenties and it looks the same. The place is two levels and the bottom level usually plays hip hop. Prices of drinks are pricier than some other clubs. It wasn't as crowded for a Friday night but at least some of the DJ were good. They were switching DJs every couple of hours. read more

This bar is always a bit of a hit or miss. First off, you have to get tickets to see the DJ. It was $30 at the door the last time I went but if you purchase them online earlier in advance they might be cheaper. The spot features two levels. Downstairs, they generally play more hip-hop style music and upstairs is usually where the main artist performs. During the 3-4 times I've been, it's generally been more packed downstairs and was kind of dead upstairs. However, when there's a better artist upstairs it gets pretty packed and can be more fun. Also water is $9 a bottle. what. read more

I came to Sound-bar for an after party for Epic con. It definitely checked all of the boxes for that. Big dance floor, LOUD music, good crowd of people. I ordered a mocktail from the bar, I believe I heard Jocelyn was her name. I am not a big drinker, even of mocktails, but this was a quality mocktail. I think I would have loved this place in my twenties. Wasn't quite my scene, but I imagine it attracts the right people when it needs to. read more

Security kept hitting on me and my friend. Super inappropriate and an abuse of power. We went to see Doctor P, he came on at 1AM. He is a dubstep dj so it was awkward that they had a house dj before him. The house dj's performed since we arrived so 10:30PM-1AM. It was an awkward crowd mix of yuppies and bassheads lol. We left by 1:15AM because we were tired. read more

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Got played by security guard. He said let me out for couple minutes just to wave to a friend drop off by uber to know we are here. Few minutes later that guy act like don't know and tell us to go buy new ticket to get in??? read more

Sound Bar is a very cool nightclub with a sexy ambiance in the River North area. There are 2 levels that play different music. The club is very spacious, and I love the dim lightening. It gets crowded so arrive early. If you arrive late, their lines are long and it will take a long time to get in. My party and I had no problems getting into the club, and there was no harassment from the bouncers. Please be sure to dress appropriately with no gym shoes. Dress to impress. The coat check was 4 dollars, and it is located on the bottom floor. There are several bars within this club, so you won't wait in long lines for a drink. In my opinion the bartenders were rude and the drinks were watered down. So, I definitely do not recommend the drinks. Overall, I had a good experience here, and I would return to this establishment. read more

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Alley exit-rooms of different colors-music and bartenders were amazing! Checks all the boxes for late night Chicago gem read more

I was visiting Chicago for my bachelorette, and one of my favorite trance artists Cosmic Gate was in town Friday - and I knew I had to go. After reading all the recent reviews in the last year, I was very worried, apprehensive, and nervous about what a horrible time we would have... but was happy that we had a very pleasant experience and did not experience any of the issues on any of the recent 1 star reviews. We did not experience a long line - but that may be because we chose to arrive before 11pm, some time between 1030-11. The club was of course a little bit empty at the time, but we walked around exploring, grabbed a drink at the bar, and went to the basement. There are 2 floors of the venue. The top main floor is where the DJ/artist plays, and the bottom floor seems to be their club/hiphop/top 40s/house music or resident DJs play. There is bottle service available on both floors, make sure you book on the floor you're looking to hang out on. The sound system was great, the AC was great for a club - we weren't dripping sweat despite dancing all night, there were no lines for the girls bathrooms, and we never waited more than 1 person in front of us for drinks all night at the bar. I had a great night, a great bachelorette weekend, and I will sure to be back next visit with my husband! Thanks for a great night Sound-Bar, I'll be back! read more

This place is terrible, its hot, you can't move and it smells. I wouldn't recommend going.

Mediocre club. The interior is nice. It's a lot of music that you dance to by jumping around so it wasn't really my vibe. I went with a group of my friends a Friday night and it wasn't very busy. Drinks must have been poured by Jesus himself since one vodka lemonade and one vodka redbull was $57. Cover was $25 though and that's insane. Way more than I've ever paid at a club (as a lady). Definitely not worth it unless you really like that type of music read more

If you a biracial couple expect to be treated bad and kicked out for no reason I was waiting on my girl to come out the bathroom and they said I had to leave for no apparent reason read more

I've been in Chicago for over 10 years now and this is by far one of the worst bars I have ever experienced. 1. drinks are wildly overpriced. $14 for a corona? Seriously? 2. Want some cocaine? Available in the bathroom. 3. Want some porn? Also available in the bathroom. 4. Coat check? Good luck. Kept me waiting a hour only to tell me "sorry, we can't help you until we close at 4:30 AM" despite the fact my apartment keys were in my coat pocket. S/o to Maria for her questionable service. 5. Always know it's a great sign when you keep getting asked by other people at the bar if "you're 22 years old" because everyone around you is 18... Needless to say, stay far far away. read more

if i could rank lower than one i would. everyone who works here is an absolute douchebag. rude at the entrance, rude at the bar, rude in every regard. they also MADE me throw out my dugout to get in. i wasn't able to hide it on the street somewhere, i wasn't even able to take it home, they forced me to throw it out in front of them and then threatened to call the cops on me. and on top of all of that the drinks are literally $18. place sucks, never go here, bunch of useless people working here read more

11:00PM. Security at the door asked if we even knew who the DJ was. I responded, " Yeah we bought the tickets, do you need them?" Security guard got offended and kicked us out of the line. We spoke to the manager of security, "You gave him attitude, you're not allowed in". We paid for the tickets and got banned for asking a question...Trash staff ... read more

Sound-Bar - Garbage representing your club. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bartender was very rude & didn't give me my credit card after I explicitly asked for the tab to be closed. He added automatically an 18% tip with resulted in it being $22.98 for one well (svedka) Red Bull. Wouldn't recommend Sound Bar unless you enjoy very rude staff & bartenders. Came tonight with friends for Snakehips & the bartenders will scam you. read more

Sound-Bar - Bartender was rude & didn't give me my CC after I asked for the tab to be closed. - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Bathrooms smell. Coat check is unorganized and staff is rude. 0 out of 10 stars. Also djs are ok

Unorganized and hostile, the host literally argued with me on bottle prices between her and the promoter. Not sure if she had a bad day or what but Extremely unprofessional. The difference in price between the promoter and the club didn't exactly bother me even though there was a 1000 differential. It was more of the fact she was literally screaming and giving attitude at me? If you're going to go out go Literally anywhere else. Also they charge per ticket now, based on the dj on top of tables? Than they made you buy a Bottle per 3 people in your group? Never heard of that. Go to prysm. read more

I wish I could give this place a better rating because the music is great. However, I went last night and was manhandled by a bouncer. He should have never put his hands on me and I would like to have someone from their management contact me. read more

Sound-Bar - The aftermath - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't know who the heck these security guards are. They didn't let me in cause I had a fruity vape. I told them ok that's fine I'll go drop it in my car and come back they said we can't let you in again. The heck? According to my lawyer that's not legal, because the security guard should not do that. Do you all want a lawsuit for discrimination? You all Just wait. This is not the last time you all hear from me. read more

My friends and I went to Sound-Bar for a fun GNO, and I'm glad we got to check it out. The cover was $20 the night we went and no liquids were allowed in, even in factory sealed water bottles (which sucked!). The music was all techno-based and the club was packed. It was cramped and packed, and very dark (which I didn't mind). Sound-Bar actually looked exactly how I pictured it, and it wasn't a bad experience. I just wished that the venue was bigger and that it was slightly more lit near the entrance and at the bar. However, I want to give the biggest shoutout to the bartender who was literally tending the bar all by herself on a Saturday night. read more

This place used to be my "go-to" spot a few years ago and since I recently moved to the area again, I wanted to re-visit old times. First off, the bouncer at the front, he is beyond arrogant and extremely rude. My friends and I waited in line for over 30 minutes, just to be told that we have to pay to get in, but that they don't take credit cards because "it would take him off of the floor and be a waste of time", etc. That was shocking, but I guess you can run a business how you'd like...While we were waiting, the bouncer let a few women in, who were dressed a "certain" way. They cut the line, didn't have to even wait a minute and were allowed in with no type of cover charge. The lines were separated in to 3 lines and when you tried to talk to anyone who worked there, good luck because they don't even acknowledged your existence. Also, if I remember correctly, they were charging people different amounts to get in. Not sure what determined the amount you had to pay, but I have a pretty good idea if you understand what I'm saying. Overall, very disappointing and sad, especially because I've always and was going to continue to spend money there, but I will not be returning here, ever. It's not worth the hassle and the ignorance that the employees display. read more

Where or where do I begin. Okay - I got it... Let me preface. I'm a long Chicago resident who has visited Sound Bar a few times in the past. Never was an amazing time, usually over crowded - but certainly attracts well known DJ's. Prior to the weekend, I purchase tickets to BTSM for Saturday through Sound Bar's partnered ticket exchange See Tickets Us. Upon arriving to the show at 1 AM COMPLETELY sober (BTSM showtime 2AM), I was denied entry as Sound Bar said that my tickets were already scanned. Not only was I denied, but wildly disrespected for asking them to scan again. Upon scanning my tickets again, the tickets were still rejected as "they were already scanned". Please allow me to mention that NOBODY has access to my email and the tickets were purchased directly from sound bar affiliate. After being obnoxiously humiliated by the young lady scanning tickets, I politely requested to speak to the manager. I was told to move to the side (as I did) and noticed a bouncer approach. Since I was being kind the entire time and following direction, he didn't make any acts to remove me from the side of the line. After waiting 20 minutes for a manger, another woman named Torey (not manager) approached me. After hearing me out (although it felt she was ignoring every detail), sympathized although she said she couldn't help me. I provided identification, receipts and the results were still the same. Torey said that I must contact See Tickets US in order to figure out the problem. At 1:00 AM on a Saturday, this was impossible. After settling on the fact that Sound Bar wouldn't let me in although showing proof, I requested that Torey provide her email so I can provide proof to the ticket exchange that the tickets were invalid. She refused to offer any email, but said that I could call sound bar the next day by chance they might give me proof. I knew by her response that she was avoiding any accountability. This was honestly the STRANGEST response as I was completely patient and corporative. At 29 years old, there's bigger arguments to be had. After receiving the same response over and over of "I can't help you", I left the venue and directly emailed See Ticket US about the situation. After leaving, my friends who were already in the bar saw Torey and this young lady laughing as we turned our backs. Honestly not sure why they even laughed for how respectful I was. With that, my friends immediately left the venue from disgust. Today, See Ticket US said that they contacted Sound Bar and that Sound Bar denied any refunds - and so See Ticket US would not be providing me my refund of $90. No further explanation. It's my own fault for staying out till 1 AM, but as someone who considers themselves a professional and avid concert goer, this whole experience was absolutely inexcusable. This is my very first YELP review and I've had the application since the beginning. Go to literally any other venue than this place. They won't take care of you. They don't care. It's a slummy money grab and you are just a fish in their pond. Coincidentally enough I work directly with employee retention and performance. Sound Bar is a disaster. read more

This club sucks. Security sucks. Don't even bother coming here. You can't even use the bathroom in peace. Security monitors how long your in there. Pounds on all the stalls And if your in there for more than 5 minutes they kick you out the club completely. read more

After the techno disaster that was TAO nightclub, I was buzzed and looking for a club that would actually play rap music but not be on the worst side of town. I called sound-bar and they said they had the downstairs level for rap music so me and my friends immediately walked there from TAO (it was like a 10 min walk). The outside of the club almost looks like a regular building so I was super confused but once we got in, it was nice and chill. The music they played was great and the dance floor was clean and spacious. It didn't seem like a crazy busy night but I had a good time. The DJ was super hot too lol. Overall, I would give this place a 4/5 only because I felt like it was expensive to get in ($20) but that's just my personal opinion. read more

After emailing with the manager about my past experience at Sound-bar I found out it's under NEW management, was apologized too and assured that things are being run differently I decided try it out again. My first experience back was a good one!. The bouncers were ALL kind and courteous to my friends and I on our way in! and when we were leaving wished us all a goodnight and again were extremely courteous!(unlike the ones in the past who were aggressive towards people) the bartender/security and other staff were polite and friendly!. Cocktails were good, and fairly priced for Chicago!. And there were always people walking around picking up any glasses left behind by guests assuring a clean environment. And the music sounded absolutely amazing! The speaker system here is insane! (I highly recommend checking it out if you love dance music!) So I wanted to update my review from last year, the place has definitely improved under its new management and it shows. I will definitely be returning and supporting Sound-bar and can see it becoming one of my go to spots for live music! read more

Sound-Bar - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

EDIT: Adding this on after reading some of the other reviews: Watch out for the predatory guys here. Had to deal with a bunch of touchy, disgusting dudes last time. Security should focus more on this. Re-reviewing since the owners probably complained and got my review taken down. My original review was 1 star because they threw my friends out with no explanation. It was a massive scam as we paid money to be there, broke no rules, and were still kicked out. In terms of downsides, it's aggressive security and having to pay for water. Seriously, that should be illegal. I hope nothing bad happens because you didn't have access to water. On the upside, Sound-bar is a decent, upscale-looking club with great guest electronic DJs. Tickets are not that expensive either. Sound and production are pretty good. Downstairs is a great way to get away from electronic and listen to more Top 40/Hip-hop. Just make sure you have fun before security kicks you out. read more

$51 for 2 Rum & Cokes...seriously?? Didn't even ask for top shelf! Females get charged much less.

I went here for the first time yesterday and had such a blast!! First we contacted Sarah E manI (see tip)and it was the best Idea ever! We got to Soundbar at 10 30. The actual club is 2 floors. The top floor was playing house music I believe and had mist and lights which was super cool but we stayed mostly on the bottom floor which seems like a mix of everything and a little more top 40. We didn't have a problem with any staff member, it was packed by 12 30 am and we all had a lot of fun. The only thing I could say was there were some rowdy people that would constantly try to dance with girls and wouldn't go away, but you can't really blame that on the club. It was a great night overall! read more

Sound-Bar - #fridaynight - Dance Clubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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