Reserve

Oh the memories in between blackness:
What was I thinking stumbling in here drunk AND getting up on that high bar and DANCING.
That’s all I remember… that and the fact that I DID NOT FALL!
In the morning…“Do you know you can see up your skirt when you’re dancing up there”
«Great!»
The place was TOO packed, the service was over-​whelmed and the drinks were watered down.
Closed for good, I hope.

I went to this lounge last yr and didnt like it but thought maybe its worth another shot. Last yr it was filled with old men and young girls but mostly men. Went there last night and still didnt like it. The music was ok. my friends wanted to dance and they had plenty of space to dance since it was practically empty on a saturday night. I cannot believe they charge you 20/​-​cover for this place. That was hard earned money wasted. Drinks are 8/​-​for vodka tonic and 6/​-​for corona ??? what’s with that? you dont even have the cool crowd to charge us like that. Anyways this is not my scene but it might cater to others. but i think there are better places in chicago. This is a has been.

This review might come off as a little elitist or bitchy, but believe me that is not my intent in the least! I’m decently comfortable with the whole «club scene.» I prefer going out for drinks at a classier bar where you can talk to people without going hoarse or being interrupted by people knocking into you and spilling their drink all over everything, but every once in awhile I just love to get gussied up and dance with a bunch of other gussied up (in most cases) people. I know a lot of people who know a lot of people so I usually don’t have to pay for covers or drinks at the clubs we go to and we end up being able to go upstairs and get tables without ridiculous fees or waits. Its nice. If this were not the case, however, I would not be inclined to go to most of the clubs in the city, Reserve most definitely included. I drank an awful lot of cranberry juice that night (maybe I forgot to ask for the vodka?). The music wasn’t nearly good enough to be played so ridiculously loud. The people were a bit trashy. I don’t like to get dressed up and then see girls in ripped fishnets and tank tops dancing on the tables for our «enjoyment.» And if I never have to see another Euro-​trash, overly product-​ed, so-metrosexual-he’d-probably-make-out-with-a-boy-after-one-more-drink, faux-​hawk, button down, silver chains… ugh!
So the fact that I didn’t pay for a thing all night and got the best treatment was a-​okay with me. But I wouldn’t go there otherwise. And neither should you. Unless you have a faux-​hawk.

Considering all the talk about this place from people, I expected better. Or maybe I am getting too old for loud dance clubs where you have no room to manuever, no way to hear your friends, not so great service, and the music is just very hit or miss!
Was going to get a bottle of wine, but the service is just too slow, we decided to forget the bottle and just deal with the bar — which just does not have enough bartenders. And what’s up with the ridiculously empty downstairs?
I’d pass on this place.

DO NOT HAVE YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE. WHATEVER YOU DO.
I can’t completely give this place a full review, because, well, I never made it inside.
Then again, that’s the whole reason for this review.
I was invited for a friend’s birthday– told that her name would incite a «no cover» response. Instead, I received a «not on the list» response. Hmm. Called the birthday girl and they wouldn’t even talk to her on the phone. She called the person managing her party and he said he’d be up front in a minute to take care of it. No surprise, he wasn’t.
We waited around another 20 minutes standing in front. The door girl offered the $ 20 open bar someone else was throwing. Um, no thanks.
My birthday friend called me later as we headed back to Union Station– she said they all decided to move along to someplace else, as even she couldn’t get into Reserve for her own pre-​planned bday party.
Happy Birthday to her, with love from Reserve.
1 star for awful service, snobby doorpeople, and confusion all around. I’d give it zero stars except I never made it inside. Maybe they have great drinks. Maybe.

When you hear «up in da club,» the person using this phrase is referring to reserve. Always. We’re talking dancing on risers, short short short shorts, roofie-​dropping, and a playlist full of artists featuring «Lil» or «Big» as part of their moniker.
I was there via a strange turn of events and was treated to the «VIP» treatment — a private table, free champagne and Jameson shots, and an odd «sweets» tray. Bizarre. But as mentioned, free. Also, hilarious.
The night before I was here, I was eating tator tots at a dive bar by my house. Much more comfortable there. But I guess if you’re into flossin’ and ballin’ and dancin’ and ho-​in’ and other things that end in n,’ go for it.

This place was oookay. The drinks are pretty good, and my friend knew someone that worked here so, we had a little bit of VIP service.
I don’t really like the location, and it’s over crowded. Plus, I was tackled to the floor by an overweighted drunk girl on the dance floor. Soooo embarrassing. Yikes!

I can pretty much say that I dont like this place, and alot of my friends dislike it too. Its very small and always way to crowded, but the crowd always seems to be not the cool kind of people that you want to hang out with, but jerks, low lifes and wannabees. I know that sounds harsh., but its true. One night I was there and I swear about 4 guys grabbed the girl I was with, while other guys kept trying to buy her drinks, but when she would say that they have to buy me one too (being a smart ass) they actually would. and then they would think that they had a chance.
They try to keep a long line outside to make the place look more desireable (I cant imagine having to wait in the line that they keep. its ridiculous). Then when you get it, its a cheesy looking wannabe asian style décor.
I guess maybe I just dont like the current «in» places, they are always to much hype and headache for the fun you get in return. While reserve isnt «in» anymore, they are still trying to act like they are on the outside.

First, perspective on the rating. I live 1 block from Reserve — and while I would like to enjoy a ‘neighborly’ relationship with those who operate the bar, they didn’t seem to want to reciprocate. $ 20 everytime? Even when my buddies are visiting? So, if this becomes my regular hangout (because I live so darn close) it’s still $ 20.
Hmmm…
Otherwise, it is a trendy bar. And, so, if you are looking to be scene in the west loop under the tracks, you should go.
Tight space, loud music, dark, expensive. And few alternatives in the area, so it is indeed a risk as you jump in the cab (note little pub trans stops in the area).
And.one last note. I brought two coworkers to reserve at 8pm last summer, on a Thursday. Yep. They made us wait for 10 minutes. We get it, and its completely empty. We laughed so hard, we cried… and then we jetted to the Fulton Lounge spending ~200 on drinks and apps.
So there you have it. Wouldn’t really recommend going to Reserve.

Shit is a good term to describe this joint. It’s just shit. Crowded, hot, expensive and obnoxious are a few other terms that would fit.
Reserve would be a lot better off trying to be a lounge like Fulton, or something a little more laid back. The techno club wannabe vibe it’s got going on just isn’t working for the compact space it’s dealing with.
The $ 20 cover and an unnecessary line just makes me hate this hole even worse. Avoid.

When Reserve has a party they do it right. Wednesdays are the best at Reserve. We have always had a fun fun time here. again I do bottle service and get a table… pretty much a must to really enjoy the club. When DJ AM is in town he calls this place home and the joint is slammed and it’s even more fun! I like a crowded place, it creates an ambiance that I find enjoyable. I like the crowd Reserve attracts! My friends And I just have our own party within the party. We stay out of the mix but enjoy observing it evolve! I don’t think any club would be fun when its super crowded. but if you do it right it’s always fun!!! when Reserve is on it’s Awesome! The people who run it are some of the coolest people too!

I am still dying over the extreme hoochiness of the ladies in here! I think there MUST have been several pros working the bar if you know what I mean. Despite being the only person fully clothed, I almost felt like a hoochie too after being escorted to a VIP table by a bunch of British bankers who wanted some ladies to hang out with.
VIP is definitely the way to go. You would spend about the same amount on drinks as bottle service anyway, and you get your very own bouncer keeping the rif-​raff off your seats.

I went here for a friend of a friend’s birthday party. The music is high energy and mixed well. The cover charge is steep ($ 20) however once we got inside, we drank for free from said friend’s bottle service. Nice :)
I read others reviews and it seems that if you party upstairs (where I was), it’s more fun? I’m not positive if that has anything to do with it.
I wouldn’t go back just b/​c I’m not a big fan of clubs. But for what it is, it was fun.

Dude I totally agree with Kristin C. (The reason I hate clubs) MOstly b/​c they try SO HARD to perpetuate this idea that it’s super exclusive and super hot.
It’s out of the way. The cover is ludicrous (although I am under the impression that pretty much everyone gets in without cover, or else they’re a sucker). The people are all there to «act cool.» They screw up the guest list frequently. Whatever happened to a good time being about ease and friends and some good music and drinks.
I hope my friends don’t drag me back.

Booooo. This place reinforces why I hate clubs.
I went here last night with some of my friends who were visiting from NYC. Honestly, a joke. The bouncer acted all stealth like we had to «be in the loop» to get in. We went in cover free (at least) and it was EMPTY. It felt like a combo of a bad college party/​upscale Chinese food restaurant. Ick.

First of all you practically have to know someone to get into this place. My girlfriend got us in without reservations and paying cover since she knew someone. It is apparently tougher to get into VIP, and so I didn’t get to go upstairs. I honestly don’t know what the fuss is about. Apparently, Michael Jordan has come to this place a few times and my girlfriends got to hang out with him or something. I have my bias against Jordan so I could care less, and am not celebrity-​crazy (unless it would be Patrick Dempsey). The downstairs is small, and it seems like an older crowd. The décor is nice, very modern furniture and bottle service looks beautiful. I like the music better, more hip-​hop. I think I’m just past this stage in my life…

It is worth going a little out of your way for this Chicago hot spot. Reserve seems to get better each time I go there. It is one of the few upscale places in the city that has actually stuck to its guns and stayed upscale. Don’t try to walk in here with your baseball hat and sneakers.
I highly recommend doing bottle service here. The prices are reasonable and paying for bottle service will make sure that you can get upstairs where the real party is at Reservve. Once you get upstairs you are with one of the more attractive crowds in the city. It can get a little crowded, but it is worth it for the good DJs and the fun crowd.
If there is a minus to this place, it is that I would recommend getting there early if you do not know anyone at the door or you are going to end up waiting in line for a while.

I like the décor here but the drinks are quite expensive and very weak. Be on the guest list if you wanna check this place out.

I checked out Reserve last night and I“m not sure if I’m just getting too old for places like this because I was not impressed. It was a lot smaller inside than I pictured from the outside, but the upstairs was pretty spacious. However, the birthday party we were at was absolutely packed so there wasn’t much room to move around upstairs while the downstairs remained completely empty. There were people in hula skirts dancing around. It was also really loud so I could hardly hear my friends, the flashing lights were giving me a headache, and $ 10 is way too much to spend on a drink in Chicago. Fortunately, we didn’t have to pay cover since it was someones bday because I can’t imagine spending $ 20 to get into this place.

This place is kind of out of the way area. I met this DJ who works here on Thursday night so he asked me to come check it out. This place is definitely CROWDED and music is soooooo LOUD! that you can’t hear anyone talking to you. It felt like I was trying to have a conversation with CTA train going over my head.
I really like the ambiance and people were very pretty. I guess the term to use here is EYECANDY. I honestly didn’t know what that term meant until I visited this place. Bathroom line is soooo long… I’m not going back to this place because I’m afraid my blader will blow up… I seen some people sniffing some sort of white powder up their nose in the bathroom :(