Dolphin

The music was good in both dance floors but we booked a table for a party and getting in was no problem but then when we claimed our table and the bottle service, the people inside had no idea what we were talking about. So unorganized in my opinion and rude bouncers. The drinks were different prices in every bar. Way too crowded. Not impressed by this place.

We have visited this establishment last year, I like the music, layout was fine but not enough room to sit down and socialize, problem is with the power tripping bouncers outside, scumbags ordering people off the sidewalk and overall feeling above the law. Would not recommend and visit again.

I’ve been here a couple of times since they re-​opened and I’ve had good experiences. I recommend this place if you are interested in birthday parties because the process was smooth with getting guests in.
Fridays they focus on a more Latin audience which is not my thing so I can’t comment on that night. However, Saturdays are pretty fun, the main floor focuses on Hip-​Hop with the slightest bit of edm/​top 40 while the smaller area is still Latin focused, so you get the best of both worlds if that’s your thing. They also have a large outdoor smoking area sectioned off which is cool if you just want to air out on warmer nights or actually talk to someone in a more quit place. In my opinion, the main floor is pretty large and because of that, it doesn’t get too crowded except for the bar areas.
Now for the downsides:
The parking situation is abysmal both in the lot and on the street in the area. The line is also extremely long and slow for no apparent reason but to make it look exclusive I guess. Typical club shenanigans can work to allow you to pass it though. (pay extra, be a hot chick or be with hot chicks.)
Overall, considering the terrible lack of variety Chicago has for hip hop spots, I have to give this place a good rating because it’s being grading on a curve.

Came to Dolphin on a Sunday night. Valet parking was not available and parking was a pain in the ass. Inside was packed, so it’s possible the valet parking lot was full. Anyways, this is Chicago and Parking is always an issue.
Music was good, crowd was nice, drinks prices were what you would expect ($$$$$).

Worst experience ever! After collecting $ 20 from me for a parking (I had to park the car myself), they tried to get another $ 20 from me for a cover charge! When I said to forget it, they lowered it to $ 10. After they noticed that I was still upset, they told us about texting a code word to a certain number to get in for free. Really, all this hustle to get in? When we walked in (it was 11:20pm), the place was almost empty. At the bar I wanted to open a tab but the bartender told me that in order to do that, I need to buy $ 20 in drinks. This place should be called $ 20 for everything Club! After 1 hour of a pretty lame music we left with a bad taste. Don’t recommend this place, there are so many great places in Chicago but this is not one of them.

Worst experience ever. spent 150 bucks for a New Years party. the bouncers were extremely rude and didn’t let us in for 30 minutes even though we had purchased tickets. average music, shitty staff (even the coat hanging person).just the worst club experience I’ve ever had.

Unfortunately, Dolphin is wasting a great venue & sound system by selling it’s soul to Top 40, Hip Hop, & Latin Beats… So sad, it has such potential & was the home of Boom Boom Room for several years

A friend from high school invited me here for a party that she was having.
Honestly, I didnt even know the place was still open! *shrug*
Parking is just like it has always been — difficult and trying to pay to valet was a hassle for some reason; it almost seemed as if they were picking and choosing who could valet or not. There really wasnt a line, which was a good thing, but it cost $ 20 to get in! I was actually appalled by that. I mean, this place has seen better days. Inside it is pretty big and spacious, but PACKED! Really PACKED! There was a mixture of English and Spanish music, which I loved.
I got beyond annoyed when I went to buy a round of shots for some friends and I. As I signed my receipt, I asked could she give me my card back; she claimed she didnt have it and to look on the floor around me. So there I was, at the bar, with my flashlight app beaming on high, scouring the floor around me — nothing found! The other bartender that was working with her actually found my card laying on the floor. Due to them nearly ruining my night, she gave me another round of shots for free. Whatever.
I probably wouldnt go back here unless it was free.

I’ve been to Dolphin two times and I have had two different experiences. This is probably the case for most night life spots as Fridays and Saturdays can be different as well as the time of the night you attend.
I have been on a Saturday late at night and the experience was completely different than a Friday early in the night.
Saturday was really fun with the club like atmosphere. People dancing, main stage DJ, and people getting bottle service.
Friday was a little different but still fun. I felt like I was at V Live. Those of you who can relate will understand. V Live in 2011 was a club that played top 40 with main DJ attractions. During 2012 V Live slowly turned into a bachata club. This is not a good or bad thing but it is a notable change. V Live has since shut down and is now Concord Music Hall focused on bringing in musical performing acts. Dolphin on Friday from doors opening at 10 until 1 am was bachata style in the main room. The east room was more rap and hip hop but nothing really mainstream. Though I have fun everywhere if you are looking for a real «club» experience you may want to try Saturday or try somewhere else. Perhaps my perspective has changed due to my recent trip to Vegas. Maybe I will be thoroughly disappointed by clublife in Chicago here on out.
Final note, I hate paying cover. I’ve had to pay here both times. Arriving late and paying cover is understandable but when we were the first ones in the club on a Friday that seemed a little ridiculous. I know that there are ways to get reduced or no cover and I recommend seeking out these options before coming here. It was $ 10.
I also got in with gym shoes but was later told that I shouldn’t have been let in with them on.

Meh. Music is super lame. If you like 90s rap I guess and a ton of air horn. The bartender also forgot he charged me $ 20 bucks for two drinks.

I’m NOT full of a thousand angry complaints, BUT I also dislike when a place tries to give itself a status that it still does not have. For example, $ 20 valet parking is ridiculous considering it’s not really valet. You park yourself AND pay $ 20 to park. The inside is fine as far as space. Lots of space to dance, the crowd is uptight though. Unless you look like you’re looking to get laid (I.e. half naked) don’t expect to get asked to dance. I walked around the room for almost a half hour and never got asked. Also, the right side, the one with hip hop music, the speakers are out of tune, so it sounds squeaky. The drinks are moderately priced though I only had a beer, and the security isn’t overly imposing but efficient. I will not be coming back

Good décor and music. Did not like the bouncers, they created a long line outside for no reason. Not going back

This place SUCKS, the people that work there are vey unprofessional and try to take you for your money at the entrance. I was visiting from out of town and went to check this place out with some friends, and the security folks and host were RUDE and we’re trying to us for our money after we had a text for ladies to get in for free.
This club has no interest in making money or treating their customers well. Once again the new management needs to reevaluate their business’s plan before their shutdown again!

Don’t go here. There 5 bouncers to go through like its TSA. They all gave this false sense if authority. They created a line so it showed that the club was popular Dress code is absolute. (Timberland boots are not allowed but tennis shoes are?) It’s not a friendly atmosphere, it sucked and the name is dumb.

November 2, 2013
This place is nice and there are two different atmosphere in terms of room. One side is more Latin base. The other side is more up to date.
If you have a guest list, things do move quite smooth while getting in the doors.
Too bad my friends and I arrive there late. I still had a great time regardless.
I hope you’ll have fun as well!

My first Halloween at Dolphin and it was definitely a rager! I came there around 2:30am and was able to get in for free by mentioning Linkin Square at the door. The party didn’t stop till 5am and the music was definitely poppin! The first floor was very latino/​fiesta music inspired and the main room was electro/​vegas-​ish/​top 40/​hip hop beats. It was crowded enough where you didn’t have enough space to break dance, but you totally can twerk no problem!
My third time at Dolphin and this time was definitely my favorite spot. Must be because of the occasion, but whenever a holiday is upon us, i’d for sure consider Dolphin as my spot.

My boyfriend and I took a night out on Memorial Weekend. I wanted to go outside and freshen up my makeup from dancing and the bouncers would not let you leave the nightclub and come back in. That is extremely rude to do to people, as they are trapping you in. They do this so you will have to spend more money on drinks, because you are forced to stay there if you are not quite ready to leave yet. The 2^nd DJ sucked, as he was playing the same music over and over again. We paid $ 20 cover and you take away our liberty to come back? That is just plain wrong to do! Also, there is no place to sit, as you can, but you may only sit if you bought ‘bottle’ service. My feet were hurting me and I just wanted to sit down, but couldn’t. That is Bullshit that you are not able to sit down anywhere, except for on the toilet.
Hey Dolphin Management, make your $ and screw over your customers because that is what you’re doing.
We won’t be back, that’s for sure!

I came here for a friend’s birthday party this past weekend. They got a hookup where it was free cover for guys before 1230AM and free cover for girls before 2:30AM.
Lies. I walked in with my boyfriend and I had to pay half off cover ($ 10) even though it was 12:40AM. I brought up the deal and the cashier said it was still half off. In one of the rare occasions where I actually had cash on me, I paid the cover. Thank God I only paid half because I would feel severely cheated if I paid full cover for my experience inside.
I do have to give it to Dolphin because they provide two distinct areas with two different types of music. House/​EDM in a dark stage area and Hip Hop music in a white/​cool toned room. Best of both worlds. However, the level of music coming from the EDM side was loud. I could barely hear the person standing next to me. The crowd is diverse but leaning towards the older 20s crowd.
Some things to point out though.
–Why do people who get bottle service in the EDM room get velvet ropes to section themselves off from the crowd when people in the other room have to deal with the crowd bumping into their tables?
–For the hip hop side, maybe that’s why you decided to send in a security guard to watch over the table right? But there’s a difference between guarding the table and knocking people over to maintain a «secure area.» Just saying.
–Customer service/​security guards could be improved greatly. Treat your customers with respect or at least apologize if you made a mistake.
Overall, I had an alright experience. I probably won’t be coming back anytime soon. The area around it is quite dead even though they have a pizza truck outside for drunk food. If I wanted to drive a little bit further, I would probably go to Ultra Estate Bar and have an all around better experience over there. If I wanted house music, I would go to the Mid or Palladium. I don’t know if Dolphin is trying to attract more of an EDM crowd, but maybe you should promote some DJs or something. No wonder it’s dead at 1:30AM on a Saturday night.

No… just no.
This is a horrible venue! I never ventured to this place when it was a restaurant/​whatever it was so my only experience with this place is a club. We were here a few weekends ago at a fairly early hour for a Saturday night…11:30 pm ish. The place was practically dead.
This place is loud from the moment the door opens. Like ridiculously loud. You have to scream at each other and use over exaggerated lips to understand one another. Insanity.
We ordered a drink and did not even finish it. My head could not take it anymore.
I will not be returning and would not suggest this place to anyone.
Oh…one quick comparison. One of my friends that was with us has a teenage daughter. They threw her a «rave» party for her 16^th birthday last year. This place was EXACTLY like the rave party of that 16 year old. So, yeah…

I was here on a Sunday night and enjoyed myself thoroughly. It’s a great spot to dance, people-​watch, chill out to music… anything goes! i like how some of the rooms have the bookshelf-​like décor going on, and how the cash registers are vintage — they paid impressive attention to the details! It kinda looks like an upscale whiskey bar. I felt like I was in a modern rendition of the movie Cabaret.
The dark room with the db meter next to the dj booth (BoomBoomRoom) felt like a circus — not in a bad way. The atmosphere will seem familiar to anyone who’s been to the afterhours spot Artisan in Las Vegas. There was something very badass about it… like a disinct ‘we-​dont-​give-​a-​fk’ vibe. For example, the dancer on stage was this Amazonian looking person who was wearing some kind of cat costume — not your typical go-​go dancer… more like a force to be reckoned with. She added a lot to the atmosphere just by doing her thing onstage. Props!
The lights and the lasers are impressive and turn the whole room into quite the all-​encompassing, audio/​visual experience … HiT mE WitH ThoSE LaSERBeaMS!
The white room on the other side is pretty chill & Miami/Ibiza-ish…basically a totally different aura from BoomBoomRoom. Seems like a good spot to get tables for your birthday party etc. I felt cheerful being in such a bright, airy space… it’s the kind of room that makes you feel like you’re on vacation.
i noticed that the crowd is ***super*** diverse and easy-​going — everyone’s there to have a good time, not to get all up in your personal space… so basically, my kind of place!
i hope they sell merchandise because the BangBangChicago shirts that some of the workers were wearing are awesome!