Oh wow! So this is what real blues music sounds like! And who knew my mom would become such a fan?…read moreOverall an experience like no other. Down to earth, no frills attached, and located in a so-so neighborhood, this could be a place that has you raising your eyebrows doubtfully. Cast those aside, and sit yourself down for some of the best music this side of the river. Crowd is dressed up but chill, and everyone is clearly enjoying themselves. We were the only brown people in the joint, but didn't feel the least bit uncomfortable. If anything, Lee's is welcoming - everyone seems to know everyone else, and with all the hugs and hellos, it really seems like a party. Oh, and there's no cover or drink minimum! Hello people, how's that for a true steal?

Since someone beat me to getting a first review I'd kept meaning to post for ages(for Windy City…read moreInn), I might as well get this review over with, and get my 1st ever 'Chicago first' review over with and do one for here, before someone else beats me to posting a review for Lee's. I went on the Chicago Jazz Club Tour back in August(also the same night I later went to Huck Finn Donuts, to finish off this night), and concentrated on going to the South Side clubs, during that night. I went to 3 out of the 4 far South Side clubs participating on the Jazz Club tour(in addition to other jazz clubs north of here in the city), and of those 3, this was definately my favorite of the 3 I went to. Music was great, and the only downside about this place was that the interior is slightly cramped. Of course too, I also know that was probably somewhat b/c of the fact that so many people on the Jazz Tour came in, at the same time that my dad and myself stopped in here. Anyway though, I'm hopeful I can do a return trip here sooner, rather than later. Not to mention, the location of Lee's isn't in as iffy of an area, as the other 2 south side jazz clubs I went into were in. Plus, it helps that it's easy to heck to park on the street around here, and that there's a White Castle just southeast of here, if I ever make it back down here again, and have a jonesing for a late night snack.

Norman Bolden is also the owner of Haven Entertainment Center. This a beautiful venue. The owner…read moredoesn't know how to treat customers he has a oh well attitude. I waited two hours for food the owner was informed and he was like oh well. No offer of a free drink or meal on us. I will surely eat before I go.

Tucked away on East 43rd Street near Lake Shore Drive in the Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville…read moreneighborhood on Chicago's South Side is the best reception hall and event destination spot that most of you Yelp'ers have never heard of. Owner Norman Bolden renovated and reconstructed this building into *the* event space for South Siders and anybody seeking a lovely, centrally located and well-appointed space. Its appeal lies in its loft-style charm -- a split-level, open floor plan boasting gleaming mahogany floors and exposed brick that you can pretty much decorate any way you want for your event. After attending almost a dozen birthday parties, holiday parties, wedding receptions and fraternity and sorority events at Room 43, I knew that this was the only place where I wanted to hold my dad's 80th birthday party. It was the right decision. Rental rates are reasonable for the space that you get (there are two rooms to choose from) and a variety of chairs and tables are included for both the upstairs and downstairs. You supply your own linens, food, DJ and decorations. The onsite staff is also incredibly helpful. The facilities manager Richard is really great -- flexible and accommodating for all of the last-minute changes that come with party planning. The 80+ guests at my dad's party loved the venue. It's easily accessible from North or South from the Oakwood exit on Lake Shore Drive, and also the 43rd Street exit on the Dan Ryan. There is plenty of street parking as well. Lucky for the owner that he was on-site and actually stayed awhile for my dad's party, because several guests were so impressed they inquired about having their own events there. One thing that some have complained about: You can't bring your own liquor, and unless you pay for a tab, your guests are subject to a cash bar. I don't honestly find this unusual, and I paid a tab that allowed guests to enjoy open bar for about 3 hours. In addition to being a party space, Room 43 is also home to the Hyde Park Jazz Society, and you can catch all of their shows there on Sunday evenings. Anyone who reads me, by now, knows that I am big on supporting local businesses, and for the quality, service and location, I absolutely recommend Room 43. Room 43 is an emerging destination spot and represents the best of the "new" Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville community. I would not hesitate to give them my business again!

Attended a lovely wedding ceremony and reception at this venue. The staff were very professional…read moreand happy to serve the wedding family. The venue is really gorgeous inside. The high ceilings and all areas were tastefully decorated. The wedding room was very bright. The seating was comfortable. After the wedding, there was a cocktail reception outside while they prepared the rest of the event. I would say this took longer than expected but it could be that the wedding party was off taking photos. On this occasion it wasn't too hot but if more than 85 degrees than maybe an issue. Once allowed to enter dinner reception it was setup beautifully. The bar area accommodated a Photo Booth area as well. For food we had baked chicken, yams, Mac & Cheese, greens and cornbread. Dinner was delicious and I had no complaints on the food. Also like that they had hot sauce and salt/pepper easily accessible. The servers did a good job and bringing around sweet tea and lemonade. Overall a fantastic experience. Lots of detail was put into making this a special experience for the Oliver family. I would give it 4.5 stars. Only downside was small parking lot, only 2 bathrooms and timing of event felt slow. Not sure if DJ was apart of wedding venue but the music was horribly loud during the wedding and at times it was hard to hear.

This business is the worst venue . We had booked an event at this space and they would not allow…read moreguests inside and had us standing in the cold !!

A nice place to have a gathering. It is in a location that allows for free parking but it can be…read moretricky. Depending on how many guests you have you will be parking a tad bit farther down the street. Still if in the area you know how ridiculous parking prices are in the Chicago area. I did not have any interaction with the owners or rented the venue but did meet some of the staff who were very nice and helpful. They did a great job of checking people in and telling people the best places to park in case they run out of spaces in their parking lot. Clean facility and as an attendee this is a place I would consider renting out for an event. Not sure how the management is behind the scenes and that is a big factor but cannot honestly judge that portion.

Fairly priced, put together an event on short notice, nice looking facilities, and professional…read morestaff.

The ambiance is always great!! Wanda is always an excellent server who is clean and very fast on…read moreher feet! The owner is polite and seeks to ensure that all visitors feel safe and wants them to enjoy the venue!! He never turns anyone away if requesting to greet him for a brief introduction when I'm there. I've produced events here and exposed inner city youth to this luxury experience that they may have never had if my team and I hadn't reached out. I expect my guests and business clients will continue to take interest in renting the Grand Ballroom Chicago as executed in the past few years. The list of satisfactory referrals is growing!! #1stladyrebasoul

We've been hosting monthly events here for the past two years for a large crowd. I'm not sure when…read morethe new owner/management took over, but he's always been accommodating. It's a large beautiful (I would like to say historic) venue that has a large dance floor, plenty of seating, huge bar, stage where Live Music or DJ can perform, private dressing room with a small bathroom, and a full-size commercial kitchen to rent if you want to provide food or bring in a caterer. There is a parking lot in the back, as well as across the street, and street parking. The owner has security patrolling the parking lots the entire night. Our guests have never had a problem. They only provide rental space, bartenders, and a few servers/waitresses, you have to provide/hire your own vendors (caterers, DJ, decorations, etc.). In being an Event Planner for the past 30+ years from Corporate to Community events, as with all Service-based businesses, you're going to always have a rotating door when it comes to customer service. It's part of the game. It's hard to find good help these days. My personal experience, as well as my experience in attending other events hosted there, has always been great. I know other event promoters who have also been hosting their events here for awhile, so if it was that bad, we wouldn't still be here. The owner does an excellent job in doing his best to stay on top of it. So when you read other poor reviews, create your own opinion based on your own experience like we did. Otherwise you just might miss out on a GREAT experience!

Our CEO Joseph C. Dunmore Sr…read more We tried to give a event at Freedom Hall April 12, 2014 Where we were treat badly as a theater company of artist as we came under the name of Dunmore Music for our concert event. Our CEO rented the theater for our showcases of great artist that came from the community. He paid in full 1,600.00 for the full rental in two parts 800.00 deposit and the Friday before the event he paid 800.00. The CEO brought our own sound system in which the house engineer didn't approval of a JBL, EV, Crewin-Vega,Tascam 3500 System this was one of our best sound system. He acted as if we trying to hurt him in our goal to save money. As far as management of the theater they sided with him but took our money for the event. We had a great outstanding showcase it was our first major event as a theater company of artist. We had great people at our event from Ford Motor Co Assembly Plant and The Isley Bros Family Members. We had about 160 patrons to our event as we had plan to have many more events there. There was no trouble at our event and we had a great Powerhousevideo of Oak Lawn IL. filming our concert event. Now we also was a part of the community as renter of a recording studio Dunmore Music sound reinforcement company in Park Forest IL. on 25 Main Street for 8 to 9 years and we would do about 3-4 concert on the area called Greens in Park Forest IL. The manager was not to bad st all Ms.N.Fells she gave us that true break we needed as Mr. Chuck Sabey was good to us until his sound engineer wanted run our showcase which made it a problem. Now that when everything came falling down on us in our rental event of the theater for more than one event that we planned to do at least 10-20 concerts there at Freedom Hall in Park Forest IL. Freedom Hall responded by saying no by Mr. Chuck Sabey and Ms. N. Fells. This all came about because of the sound tech wanted control of our concert event showcase. This was not a fair in business at all to us as a team of great artist for our first event there. We have our event on youtube.com at Dunmore Music. They need to give us a total apologize as we did paid honest money for our concert event. This concert was organized by people,church members and sponsors who live in the surrounding communities and supported business in Park Forest IL area. Oh by the way this was a clean music event that was always order by our CEO Mr. Joseph C. Dunmore Sr. A very decent christian person that would give his best for our team at all cost. A linkedin member Public Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-c-dunmore-sr-3a630719

A great intimate venue to enjoy music, plays and lectures. Best kept secret in the southland.read more

I've attend about 25 events since this place opened. I've hosted several events and hired to…read moredecorate events at this beautiful hidden gem. From the service the food and overall atmosphere it is a wonderful place to patronize. I seen the continueos upgrade to always make it a place to be comfortable and safe. This is a great place for a great time. To rent it for a event or just go hang out. If you have a boat go dock at La Isla Bonita Marina. Grown Folks entertainment on Mondays.

My husband and I attended a Bears Watch Party here with friends one Sunday. There was ample parking…read morealthough it was gravel. It's a large open space with a bar and ample seating, a great place to host an event. The drinks were pricey but good and they sold food, made to order. I deducted two stars because while they have several tv screens. we sat in front of the largest one but it kept going out. It was very annoying. Also one if the toilets in the ladies room didn't flush. That was very gross. We had a great time here with friends but hopefully going forward they have better housekeeping.

Awesome establishment . Owner and employees are very friendly individuals. Nice place to hang out…read morewith family and friends. You can always find fun things to do at O"Rourkes Office ... there are always planned events ( karaoke etc. . Check out the FB page to be aware of happenings

Awesome establishment. We had a great time lovely atmosphere great drinks music security older…read morecrowd very clean and safe