Shay

Went there for a bachelorette party:
*Impeccably clean
*Stunning interior
*Fantastic DJ who made my friend, the Bachelorette very feel special by giving her a few shout outs throughout the night
*Our server was super cute and incredibly attentive
*We had a table and security was great about keeping the area protected from unwelcome non-​sense. SO! We dance all night long and had a blast!!!
*The Events & Marketing Manager, Jenn Pohl put it all together and we all couldn’t have been more pleased. She had a professional sign printed for us, macaroons, and more!!!
… This place is a must to anyone who wants to enjoy a night of dancing and drinking while in the city!

Where do I start. I’m a paying customer and was looking to get a table and a couple bottles for myself and 3 friends just to start our first night out in Chicago. After having a great time pre drinking at a few of the local bars we decided to try a nightclub to finish the night of strong. The gentleman with a ‘Man Bun ’ needs to go. This bloke at the front was cracking deals here and there ’ pocketing all sorts of cash ’ it wasn’t a set amount either, price was determine on what you would spend. Anyways I knew the massive line was a joke so I went to the front of the line, inquired about table service and how I could possible get a table. Manbun mention $ 3 – 500 for a table, which sounds reasonable having lived in Vegas for 2 years. So I said yes book me in lets do it. and this is how I know the front door is run by a muppet. I got my group together and he said go wait in that line, 10 – 15 min later I went back over to see what was going on because the line had not moved. Then Man bun insisted I wait because he was busy getting these average looking female group in before every other line. Another 10 minutes passed and I was over it we had no one come over to help us with a table, money really wasn’t an issue it was the way he handled it. He then had the balls to say table can only be for 3 people max, you would need to pay for 2 tables. I thought that’s pretty rough another 3 – 500 just for 1 person. He was just pocketing the cash. I don’t mind tipping, I know how the nightlife industry works. But asking for that much money your scamming me, I was honestly so disgusted. Gave him a couple cheeky remarks and just left. Handing over money and the guy at the front pockets it just looks mega sketchy. Stay away from this venue, loads of cool little bars close by.

Only been here a few times, but it was a pretty decent experience. Really a hit or miss depending on the night and season. Usually really good music and plenty of space to dance. The crowd can be a little questionable, but that’s anywhere. Also sometimes tough to get into, and a bit pricey. May need to buy a bottle.

Let me start by saying that there are a lot of Shay reviews posted, and if you take the time to scan through them, you should notice that most are either on the high end or the low end. My experience was «as good as it gets»! The hospitality business is tough, and Shay knows how to provide the right elements for the high end night spot that Chicago needs.
Why are the reviews so polarizing? It is simply because Shay is designed and operated as Chicago’s premier nightclub for those that are looking for the best VIP and table service with people of similar interests, tastes, and expectations. I have been to high end establishments all over the US and even some international locations, and Shay is first class all the way. Is it pricey? Yes, but you pay for what you expect, and the price is supposed to keep the «wanna-​bes» and «fakes» out. The better reviews consistently praise Shay for providing an establishment and an atmosphere that sets it at the top of the Chicago nightclub scene.
So if you read the low reviews you will see very clearly that those patrons didn’t have the best experience because they didn’t know what they were looking for, didn’t understand what they were paying for, and won’t be back because they are looking for an experience of lesser quality. That’s the truth. So, if you are watching Extra and E and believe you can just get behind the velvet ropes and sit at a table to live like Kanye and Kim, make sure you are really ready for that. Otherwise you are kidding yourself. As an example, if you could really play in this space, you too would be upset when other patrons come in and think they can use the privacy wall as their table top when you are trying to enjoy your evening with your VIP friends after securing the space with a sizable investment. The employees are trying to make the experience the best for those that the club is most designed for. Those who rate Shay low, most likely don’t deserve to be there and Shay probably won’t miss their future business either.
Ask yourself if you are really ready for a first class nightclub experience. If you answer yes, then try Shay and you won’t be disappointed. The management is committed to putting forth the best experience for the after 11PM crown in downtown Chicago… don’t miss it!

Plain and simple… RACIST! If you like going places and begging for entry with your own money then this is the place for you! Only gave a star because I had to but they really deserve negative stars!!!

The best customer server I’ve ever experienced at a down town Chicago bar. If you want to be treated with respect come here!!!

Welllllllllll where to start. We wanted to book here for my friend’s bach party for the first part of the night. They booked us a table at 11pm but failed to tell us that that’s exactly when they open, so we got there and NO ONE was there, I mean not literally ONE person that didn’t work there.
We were all dressed in black dresses, no ridiculous accessories, no penises, nothing obnoxious or anything. The bride was wearing white with a pink sash, she was told to take her sash off at the door because it might «offend» people…(it read «bachelorette»). Needless to say that comment rubbed just about EVERYONE the wrong way, (it’s her bach party for G’s sake and NO ONE is HERE!!!). One girl spoke up and he whipped his head around and exclaimed pointedly «are you in charge here?», ummmm excuse me wtf kind of comment is that, who the eff are you Mr. Doorman???
After needing to get someone else involved at the door cuz this guy was clearly having a horrible night (even though they just opened???), we were assured to have a good time. We had a great time dancing by ourselves for the first I dunno hour we were there, the bachelorette was f*n pissed after the whole door scene so she was in a BAD mood until we finally left there and went somewhere else. The rest of the staff was nice, they put up with the bachelorette prob because they felt bad about the door incident, one guy (manager maybe), even comped us special shots at the request of the bride-​to-​be, even though she then refused to take one (sorry about that). Sorry to say, it was better after we left. I feel bad for the bottle service girls and the people working inside having to deal with patrons after the doorman pisses them off… we seriously considered leaving and going to Paris or Cuvee, I like the atmosphere at Shay, the inside people are nice, but honestly I’ve had wayyyyy better times at Parliament on Thursday nights. #boodoormanboo

Didn’t want to leave 1 star, horrible experience. I was on a guest list one door man let me in as I walked up another turned me around and said they were full. Ok no big deal so I waited. 10 seconds later they let 3 to 4 white guys in that were behind me so I ask what was that about and the doorman said they were on a guest list. Then they proceed to not let anyone of brown skin (black, Latino, middle eastern) in at all. Needless to say I’ll never go there again

Make sure you don’t order Rose sparkling wine. They will charge you $ 45 per glass without even sign od warning. Total ripoff. Blonde skinny bartender knows hows how to drain you from your money.

Pros: The doorman and coat check people were awesome.
Cons: Everything else
About A month ago this venue was «the official after party» for a fundraiser gala that I went to earlier in the evening. My friends and I arrived there and were given and three glasses of champagne and ushered in by the doorman who was very kind. Then the rudeness began. I understand that when there is VIP seating you have to pay for a table at a club. On this particular night there was no one in the VIP section and someone rudely came over and told my friend she wasn’t allowed to sit down. I get it, but he definitely could’ve been nicer about it. After that we were standing between the bar in the VIP area because there was no room to stand around the bar. We had our champagne glasses on a counter that ran between the VIP section in the bar. Shortly after the seating incident another employee came over and told us that we weren’t even allowed to set our glasses down unless we were at the actual bar. So you have to stand the entire night and hold your glass without setting it down. That’s insane. I’ve never been treated this way any place of business, I’ve this point we had purchased additional drinks, and we ended up walking away. I will never go back and neither will any of my friends.

Ahhh I remember the good Crescendo days when we would visit from 2 to 5 AM then leave because our feet just couldn’t take it anymore. It wasn’t the most glamorous place but it did the job. Well Shay in nothing like it. Its very glamorous for sure and hence the stars but that’s it. They have completely rearranged the whole place and done a good job but the décor will help the place for so long before it crumbles, in my opinion. We did not have any issues getting in but getting drinks was a chore. The bartenders would start with «what?». Geez sorry you hate your job but can I have two coronas please. Well the crappy experience didn’t stop there. They have very active bouncers that are constantly moving you from one place to another. The dj was awful with his bipolar choice in music. 30 seconds of edm, then 1 minute of hip hop, some old school and then some mix of a pop song and repeat. Hard to dance even if you tried. I think the most interesting/​awful element is the crowd. They range from 21 (writing that age number loosely) to about 65 years old. I dont know what the geriatrics age group is doing at Shay but I am assuming it explains the music. Cover all the bases. Needless to say I won’t return no matter how pretty the place is.

Great addition to the nightclub scene in Chicago. Service is «spot on» and the décor caters to a female audience which is a great thing. Most guys aren’t going to a club just for music and drinks. John Poda, Jack Brennan, and Lazar have always shown me great hospitality here.
I can see this establishment being there for quite some time with how they run things. Always have a had a great time at shay and will continue frequenting the venue.

If I could give less stars I would. Had a group of 9 and we were on the guest list coming from another event and this was set as an after party.
We got there shortly after midnight and we’re told it would be a short wait. We offered $ 100 and they said to get our ID ready but there was about a 5 minute wait and he pulled one of the guys in our group aside and said he would let in the guys and ditch the girls.
I’ve never heard of a club wanting only the guys and we saw them letting in small groups of guys after that… don’t recommend a club that does that… don’t they want girls? Other wise advertise as a gay bar.

Nice place for a nightclub however I was there with a group of friends for an event and it was way too crowded and made Shay feel congested. Shoulder to shoulder atmosphere is not where I wanted to be so we left early. I wouldn’t mind trying it again on a different night with hopefully less people so I can actually move around.

Absolutely disgusted with this place! Went to a friends bday party on Saturday and had a few friends meeting us there after we got in. Needless to say, my friend who was having the party knew some people there so we got in no problem. We later find out that our friends who were coming to meet us (who happen to be black) were told that our table had «the max amount of people»… we had 4… and that the club was at capacity and they had to pay cover… I think we were among 3 other groups. the club had just opened about 15 min before we got there. complete BS. Will be filing a discrimination complaint with the city and with the state. Absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable!

I did not get in for some reason. But I watched as most every single other person was allowed in. And it wasn’t quite clear the criteria. I asked how to get in. I was told by the gentleman with the blank list on a clipboard that promoters put ppl on the list OR there are regular VIPs who get in. However all the other folks allowed in had no problem just walking in. They just walked right up and the velvet rope was opened. No list was checked (the list in his hand was blank), no conversations were had. They just walked in. Not sure what the real criteria is to get in. Doesn’t matter. I will not be going back.
P. S. I was dressed very appropriately as was my group of 3 other ladies. For reference I had on a Free People jumpsuit and some heels. It had a stomach cutout (no navel) and nightclub appropriate cleavage. I had on heels. All my girls had on heels. Two had on pencil skirts. One had on shortie shorts. Wth.

I want to leave a blank review, that’s how highly i though of this place. Its everything i despise about pretentious River North venues.
Bouncers are rude and clearly they have a certain look they are going for. Especially when all the people of color are left behind the velvet rope because they are at capacity or was it bottle service only or was it VIP only. IDK the story kept changing.
Maybe I’m being paranoid, surely it was my imagination you say. Hmmm after 30 mins of waiting a girl I know (blonde) walks right in with no reservation, table or bottles bought (I asked her so I know for sure). I guess she had the right look.
I felt conflicted about writing this type of review but the message was very clear about who was and wasnt welcomed. Ive already given up too much brain power on this place considering they’ll be closed in 2 yrs like every other wanna be upscale venue that’s come and gone in the area.
I’d rather spend my time and dollars in a place that I’m not made to feel inferior.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am not young, hip, or single. So that may make you want to ignore my review of a club. I like having/​going to dinner parties. We have plenty of good food, good drinks, we can sit and hear each other, and it doesn’t cost too much.
When I was young and single I did like to go to clubs. I liked places that had large dance floors/​open space and good music.
We came here Saturday night just before 11pm. A friend got bottle service. We «got a great deal» and only had to pay a minimum of $ 800 for the table. This got everyone in for free (the cover was free for ladies and $ 20 for guys when we arrived). In my opinion, that is a lot of money.
This place seems to cater to bottle service. The dance floor is small, but there are way more tables than I would have expected. I was surprised that it seemed like the majority of people were at one of the tables. When I used to go out, there were only a few tables and a lot of people would just come to the club.
It was so damn loud here. Now this has probably always been true of clubs, and I just didn’t care before. You absolutely cannot talk to anyone here. You can scream in each other’s ears, but you will not be able to have an actual conversation.
I didn’t like the music. It was all base and hard to dance to.
I think this place is best for early 20 single people who are hoping to hook up. I can’t see how it could be fun for anyone else.

I’m always down to check out a new bar or lounge, but definitely regretted coming out this night. Shay is just another River North bar that wants to be cool, but is trying too hard. It’s a wannabe bar with a wannabe crowd that thinks they’re as cool as a New York or LA scene, but failing at it. The cocktails are just as expensive as Violet Hour, without the quality or creativity. But I guess the majority of people coming here aren’t coming for the libations, but more for the crowd, huh?
My bartender wasn’t the friendliest, and didn’t smile once, and just flatly said, «It’s sixteen» when she gave me my drinks. Right. Thanks.
Pass on this one.

I was happy to be part of a group that was invited for a first look at SHAY.
Jennifer, the marketing director, was very gracious with our group making sure we were all set and having a good time. All of the staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating.
A bunch of us had the French 75 cocktail that is light and refreshing (very popular with our group). We had a number of delicious hors d’oeuvres, and the big hit was the deconstructed crab rangoon.
The space is very trendy and has nice, soft lighting. It’s more of a dress-​to-​impress place than a casual drop-​in-​after-​work spot.
The only thing I found odd/​off-​putting was having to exit through a back door into an alleyway. I don’t think anyone likes to have to be shuffled out the back, and the alcove back there is not well-​lit. I could easily see women in heels taking a fall down the stairs there.
This is sure to be one of the next River North hot spots. Thanks for having us!