I had the most amazing experience on my 24th birthday at this bar. So I decided on my 29th birthday I would drive 10 hours to relive the experience. I was denied access because I didn't have my vaccination card. My state doesn't allow online verification because they are to country to get with the times. Absolutely pitiful. I wish I was from a big enough city to allow an online copy.
Big shout out to security for doing their job and making women feel safe. I was out with my friends, and this guy wouldn't leave me alone all night. Despite me saying I'm not interested, and furthermore am married. He went as far as trying to get information about me from my friends and following me into the bathroom, it was truly terrifying. Finally, I called security on him and they kicked him out no questions asked. Even though his group of 'bros' tried to make it seem like I was too drunk and making it all up - that it couldn't possibly be him. I appreciate security believing me.
Was a regular patron here for years, spent many weekends and dollars here, sadly things have gone in the wrong direction, much like the rest of Chicago. Definitely not inclusive to the non-superficial, also still requiring you to show your papers! Unbelievable.
Love smart bar, their vibes❤️ Always delicious and a fun time ! Unfortunately, the coat check person was very toxic, kept us freaking out about our coats (my partner said that they didn’t get the ticket number, coat check person claimed they did. It doesn’t matter if they hadn’t given us or we’d lost it, I had a lot of pictures of our coats wearing, there were proof!), and later coat check person decided to teach us lesson about how we should listen to them, why do us like that? I don’t understand. I have a huge respect towards hospitality people, I’m a server myself but this was something else ? BE AWARE!! we learned tonight that if you lost your coat check ticket number , you would have to wait until 4 am.
Music was great, unfortunately is the only place where they charge you a ridiculous high cover and water is denied if you don’t pay for it. My wife went to the bartender with a cup asking for water and he just told her “you have to fill that in the bathroom”. Bathrooms are a total mess, all gender which means that men and women have to pee in the same bathroom with minimum privacy. Don’t come to me with the “all inclusive” bull**t .
lovely place, i've had zero issues getting in or with the bathrooms as others have suggested. go if you want to just be yourself, inclusive vibes all around. the only way i see it not being inclusive is if you yourself are the problem
i am a born resident of chicago & even in this year 2022 i’ve never felt so discriminated against. i was dancing having a great time minding my own business until i used the bathroom & was greeted by bouncers to kick me out of the place for what??? i have tats on my face, if you’re going to have all gender bathrooms bc u feel u have to by law ,why throw out people who are genuine at heart? get your staff in check bc it’s bullshit?
This place is just staffed by racist bouncers who use excessive force to remove sober POC. Ridiculous what I saw these bouncers do to this girl even going as far as lying about being punched to have the white male bouncers tackle this POC girl and carry her out. Do better. Never coming back here again and if you’re a POC coming here, be careful or find somewhere safer to go to spend your money.
Dividing people has never been music ideology. No vax no music it’s just gross
Great sound and great music, but could seriously benefit from a stricter door policy to keep out the techno tourists and Wrigleyville bros. Make Smartbar gay again.