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115 Bourbon Street
Categories: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Restaurants Cajun/Creole Sports Bars, Music Venues, Cajun/Creole [Edit]
3359 W 115th St(between Spaulding Ave & Homan Ave)
Merrionette Park, IL 60803
(708) 388-8881
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
105 reviews for 115 Bourbon Street
Review Highlights
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"And the beer garden is awesome." In 29 reviews -
"This place is huge with a few bars spread throughout." In 15 reviews -
"...or $5 for VIP spot, Free coat check in the winter, Food and..." In 3 reviews
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105 reviews in English
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Review from Mark G.
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
True, there are a lot of douche bags at Bourbon Street. But you can't really hold the establishment accountable for that, can you? Blame the parents.
I was reluctant to meet some friends here after reading many of the naysaying reviews. Maybe it's the fact that I'm still young enough to fit in, but it was actually challenging to find things I opposed. Like most things, I wanted to hate it. But I couldn't justifiably do that. I enjoyed the convenience of valet. I enjoyed that there's a section that plays club music, and another for a crappy cover band. And I enjoy that it's large enough, so no matter how crowded, you shouldn't be standing shoulder to shoulder with people.
With that said, I would not make any special trips to come here since it's way out of my way. But not a bad place to meet up friends for drinks and entertainment. -
Review from Julie O.
5/21/2012
So I am here for a private party on a Saturday afternoon and still forced to use the mandatory valet. Whatever.
The party was fine, food surprisingly alright.
Staff was okay.
WTF - the bathrooms are destroyed even in the afternoon? Really? Nothing stocked? -
Review from Shirley A.
La Grange Park, IL
2/8/2012
First off we waited 1-1/2 hours for the band (Bad Medicine) to start. The band sucked and we left after 2 songs. The waitresses were ugly (especially the one with shorts on in February). The groupies were pathetic!
We were able to find a better band (New Invaders) in another foom. Thank goodness our cover charge was not wasted.
Lastly, the valet took $15 that was strategically hidden in our car. Even though we paid the extra charge for "Easy Out" parking and tip very well. I would never go back to Bourbon Street. (Not even for my school reuinon.) -
Review from erin p.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012
1 star for the many benefits and fund-raisers they host; 1 star for the man who delivered our catered food.
Other than that, the patrons are not my cup of tea (yes, very drunk Jersey Shore-ish), the drink prices are pretty high, and the food isn't anything to keep you around. REQUIRED valet parking? Not sure what's up with that.
Had a party catered from here since we had a gift certificate; I had to deliver the certificate to them separately from the day they would deliver my food, and it took 3 calls and one week to even place an order. No calls back to my voice message for catering manager; no confirm that he received my gift certificate and no confirm day-of to ensure we were all on the same page.
Just not the service I'm accustomed to as a customer. Will never get catered from them again. Like I stated, the delivery guy was awesome, it was just what was in between that wasn't as professional as it could have been. -
Review from John H.
8/14/2011
I have a lot of rules for bars, and Bourbon Street violates most of them.
Theme bar: check. Beads, Cajun seasoning, and tacky decorations.
Warehouse bar: check. Easily the biggest bar you will ever see.
Multipurpose bar: check. Several different bars within a bar.
Meat market: check. The place is so massive and full of people that anyone willing to play the percentages will cash in at some point.
And a valet: check. A suburban bar with a huge, free parking lot actually has a small team of valets. I can't decide whether this is tragic or so absurd that it's hilarious. My theory is that Bourbon Street patrons use the valet because they'll be too sloppy to find their cars when they leave. Any cop looking to meet a DUI arrest quota should just hang out in the lot here. Fish in a barrel.
They get an extra star for the charity and fundraising events they often host. There the size comes in handy. But that's about all they've got going. -
Review from Lauren T.
8/20/2011
Have I told you how much I love Bourbon Street? I have only recently discovered this place and how could you not love this place? It is enormous. The parking situation may be horrendous, but on some nights they actually do valet. Totally worth it. I think it was 2$.
Inside is huge. It's like having 5 bars in one so there truly is something for everyone. I have been here to see Wedding Banned and that was a blast. I have seen awful hair bands here as well. The "club" room is a little young for me. There is a sports bar area that is much more low key and a sort of tiki bar in the middle. When the weather is nice they open up the beer garden as well.
I have no idea how pricey this place is. I have yet to be the DD here and when I know I don't have to drive, I pay no attention to silly things like prices or how many shots I have had. I imagine it's a little pricey just because it can be.
Aside from this place being awesomely fun with the occasional mardi gras show girl walking around, the area around is terrible. It is very much out of the way and almost certainly a hike to get there. It is not an every night hang out, but for the occasional Saturday night it is a blast! -
Review from Robert C.
Tinley Park, IL
2/5/2012
This is a review of the restaurant section only. Typical sports-bar food, with no "wow factor". We ordered, "The Veg" and "Triple Club" sandwiches. We had much better at other restaurants.
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Review from Noah C.
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place sucks. Save your money and go anywhere else.
I used to come here often. I used to defend this place to my wife. "The server had a bad night" "usually the service is pretty good"
Not anymore. This place is the worst.
A sample of the b.s.
- Have served my food to other tables and then reserved it to me
- Served a "grilled" sandwich on bread, not grilled. And using the "heel" of the bread.
- Given us the wrong check on two separate occasions
- Added incorrect items to our bill on two occasions
- No longer have draft beer. none. All over priced bottles. Is this not a bar?
the list goes on and on...
We bring each of these issues up to the manager or server at the time of the incident and they usually are resolved and corrections are made but come on. How can one place continue to make so many errors? -
Review from Kim R.
Orland Park, IL
6/12/2011
I would give this place 2.5 stars just because it is a very good place for charity/fund raising events during the day and early evening. Otherwise, as far as a place to go drink and watch a band, I'd rather take it somewhere else.
This place is huge and they have several "rooms". A sports bar with a stage for a band, a "clubber's room, a large outdoor beer garden and a large room to host charity events.
Parking is awful here. They do have free valet or for $5 you can get your car parked closer but either way, you still have to wait for your car and tip the valet so save your $5 for the tip.
The crowd is young and stupid. You get your typical drunk muscle mouths who end up in a fight and hauled off by the cops. Then there's the 50 year old drag queen. Story goes his mom passed away a few years back and he wears her clothes. He's very creepy but they keep letting him in.
On a positive note, the drinks are reasonable and service is decent, and the bathrooms are clean which is always a plus. -
Review from Dani K.
6/16/2011
-It's huge. Mega. If you're a drunk walker like me, this is the place for you. Club room, stage/concert room, sports bar, and beer garden.
-Coat check is free but they prefer if you tip.
-Thursday night is ladie's night, which means free admission for ladies. Females go because it's free and males go because the females go because it's free. $2 beers. $2.50 long islands that, if you're nice to the bartender, will do the job.
-But, really, go on Thursdays at 11pm (things don't get fun til about then).
-The variety of people is amazing and the place as a whole is a nice ole bar.Listed in: Chicago
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Review from Vanessa R.
Chicago, IL
8/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is huge and it seems to have something for everyone!
-Decent bar food
-Live music on several stages
-Beer Garden
-Friendly crowd
-Special Events
I had so much fun i barely remember the night out! I say give it a shot :-) -
Review from Jason A.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2011
Don't come here for the bar. Don't come here for the Bears games. Come here for some kick ass chicken gumbo! The food here is pretty good. I have to admit, I've hated this place for a long time. On the weekends it's mostly full of yuppie children from the far suburbs coming to live it up. By live it up, I mean act like they're the coolest pieces of shit in the bar, get way too plastered, and end up breaking bottles on the sidewalk after they get kicked out. I don't think anybody from the area actually goes here. That's ok, the cops in the town don't take crap like that. I hate this place on the weekends.
They have a free halftime buffet during Bears games. Skip it. The room isn't set up well for watching football, and the waitresses suck. The waitress we had during the season had friends at a table in front of us. She stood, blocked our view, and sighed/grunted when asked to refill our drinks. Her friends also turned around and informed us they were trying to have a conversation, only to be offended when we said we were trying to watch the game! The waitress continued to block our view of the game despite being asked to move. What a bitch. We'll never go there for a game again.
The food here is actually really good. Come on a weeknight when nobody is there. The food is worth going there for, as long as you won't be interrupted by drunk spoiled teenagers allowed in for some unknown reason. -
Review from Amy J.
11/21/2011
I've probably been here a 1001 times. I attend SXU and it's nice and close. It's the best option around. Is it as good as the bars downtown? Of course not!! But when you feel like staying local, it's the best option. The only night worth going is Thursday, ladies night, and cover is $5 for guys (and for everyone on Fridays & Saturdays). Thursday nights are usually very crowed. Fair assortment of people/age groups & it is definitely a southside crowd! Nice that they have the different rooms. Many times they have really entertaining performers in the concert room. The boom boom room is ehh..okay. They usually play top 40s & techno. Drinks are cheap! $2.50 Long Islands & $1 beers on Thursdays.
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Review from Octavia P.
Hobart, IN
First Impression: Mandatory Valet parking?? Really??? Lol! Considering my rebellious streak....the concept of 'mandatory' & I aren't exactly thick as thieves...especially when it comes to valet parking & bro bars.
Atmosphere: To put it lightly...picture a maze....a maze filled with the guy that cuts you off when they're handing out cake & there's only one piece left. Not only that...he's the kind that wants you to come in to work on Saturdays when all that you want is your red stapler.
Service: Fully. Whomps.
Overall: Meh....Yeah that's pretty much a Frommer's-esque explanation of it.
*Redemption:
STAR #1 The Fundraisers...& not just because I accidentally walked in to one easy as pie & cheap as free. No worries, I'm no mooch. We hightailed it outta there once we realized it. Also I'm sure this place is pretty fun if you have the reserved attention required by a large group such as the fundraiser crowd.
STAR B. The paludarium (*Yay...Google worthy word of the day!!!*) w/ the baby turtles @ the front door :o)....*Oh & I'd slap an extra 1/2 a star on there if it would let me solely due to the Sweet Potato Fries* -
Review from lindsay m.
Lombard, IL
5/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awww.. so many sad ratings.. people need to lighten up :)
I like Bourbon because there's something for everyone. Thursday's and Saturday's are great nights to go. If you like to dance, you can dance your a double s off in the club room with some great DJ's...
If you like the cover band scene... you can check out some really awesome cover bands in one of the other rooms.. Sixteen Candles, Wedding Banned, Too White Crew.. etc... they all play frequently and are soooo fun!
If you'd rather relax and have a drink and a smoke.. the patio is open all summer long.. I mean, who's not a fan of patios?? Seriously.
They also have random events that take place here considering the space is HUGE... VIP room, Weddings, Wrestling matches, Ladies night out with STRIPPERS (UM DUH!).
The only warning when it comes to Bourbon is watch out for bros and jersey shore hopefuls. The place is usually filled with them. However, I've found that if you're with fun people and just ignore being hit on by 5 foot 300 lb muscle heads, you'll have a pretty damn good time (and for cheap). -
Review from Stephanie H.
Chicago, IL
5/6/2011
Take this place for what it is: a pretty 'meh' bar. When I do go, it's strictly to hang around with my other lady friends who are still in the party stage, and for whom I usually act as designated driver.
When I do drink, well, my money does go far. Their long islands are pretty tasty.
There are a lot of creepy characters that frequent the place, the "club" is trashy, and I know it's to be expected but dammit the next person to touch my ass will get a foot up theirs. I've had problems with many a creepy dude who didn't understand the word "no." And while it might just be me, I've been to bars up in Wrigleyville that registered lower on my douchebagerry scale than Bourbon Street does.
All in all, I've had a tiny amount of fun at this place... but that was attributed to the company I was keeping and not the bar itself. Maybe I've just outgrown the place.
Also, those from the neighborhood remember it being a Handy Andy's way back when. I think it was the one where the guy got decapp'ed by a forklift. I always imagine that whenever we're there and it's haunting.
Some good points about Bourbon Street: they do a ton of fundraisers (I mean a lot, it seems there's always at least one being done). The prices are nice. That's...about all.
Like others have said, this place is 708 at its finest. Take that as you will. -
Review from Joelle S.
Niles, IL
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was our first time at 115 Bourbon Street. This place is HUGE!!
There is an outdoor beer garden, Club Room, Sports Bar and a Concert area.
We were in the Sports Bar the band RECKLESS was playing. Great music, and the food was far above what I expected. I had a cheese burger and smashed garlic potatoes. The burger was too big and my husband had to help me finish... the smashed potatoes were delish. Could have been warmer but the taste was really good.
The waitstaff is young and energetic, as is the mood of the Sports Bar area. People were dancing once the band started and all seemed to be having a very good time.
We will go back, I had three bottles of Smirnoff Green Apple, at $4 per, I thought that wasn't too bad of a price. -
Review from Danielle S.
Elk Grove Village, IL
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Probably one of the better bars/dance clubs I have been to in a while. It's great that they don't charge a cover - and surprising! This place is huge with a few bars spread throughout. They have a big dance area, a patio outside, and plenty of seating. There were a lot of people there of all ages. Everyone was friendly, the bouncers and bartenders were nice and attentive, and the place seemed pretty clean. The drinks are pretty cheap as well. I had heard about Bourbon Street before, and now I've experienced the madness myself, and I'm hurtin' for it too.
Listed in: I Drink, I Drank, I Drunk
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Review from Star L.
Alsip, IL
5/5/2011
I usually come here to watch sporting events since they have plenty of big screen TVs. Like others have said, this place is huge. Food is pretty good, although I always order the same thing (buffalo chicken wrap and sweet potato fries, which is usually hot, fresh, and tasty).
Service is the low point. Rarely have I gotten a waitress with a decent attitude. Even if there is barely anyone in the bar area, wait staff can be extremely slow and unattentive, too chatty with other waitresses or "friends" that are there, or after they bring your food it takes them forever to check back and see if you need anything. -
Review from Ram J.
Hometown, IL
8/30/2007
Ok 3 stars. This is the worst and best place ever all at the same time. How you ask?
Do you like Beanie Babies? No? Of course you don't. But if I brought you to a GIANT liquor fueled ultimate Beanie Baby meltdown party would you go? Of course you would.
So let's drop the Beanie Baby metaphor and replace it with a combination of body building, hair gel, blond highlights, waxed chests, horseshit music from every thinkable genre, and popped collars. Throw in a hint of titties and down syndrome and you have 115 BOURBON STREET!
If you're like me, this is the type of place you go to just to take it all in. Kind of like Times Square. I've been there a dozen times, but not once have I shopped at the Footlocker or watched the news on the giant LCD screens. Same with Bourbon Street.
I go there because it's entertaining for some guy to call me a faggot for asking him if I'm in the bathroom line.
To get my butt grabbed by an over-tanned college drop out girl only to see her makeup cracking off her face while she vomits pink colored liquor into a garbage can 10 minutes later.
The staff has the same mental dexterity as a herd of well-trained bison, so you might have to shoot a pistol in the air to get them to remember to serve you your complex order of "Bud Light". As for the male bartenders and bouncers, just like bison, you won't want to stare them in the eye or make any sudden movements.
Oh lord what else...you'll usually pay a $5 cover unless you've got the balls to quickly walk past the girl collecting door money like you didn't see her. You'll vanish into the ball of drunken flesh before she notices what's going on.
The place is MASSIVE. You probably will never see a bigger club. They seem to have a room/section/department for each type of jagoff that you see there. Let's go over your options:
1. The sports bar/David Matthews cover band area.
2. The game room/"I can't wait to leave this godforsaken club" room.
3. The beer garden/melting pot.
4. The dance club/"I bet you didn't know there were this many remixes of Barbie Girl" room.
5. The band room/Mullet Entrance
6. The restaurant/place where lost drunk girls wait.
7. The VIP lounge/King Jagoff Fortress
8. Behind the dance club lounge/make out with stranger room.
So that about covers it. If you're a dude, you'll actually notice that in the bathroom, men will purposely try to "out-piss" each other. If you back up from the urinal first...you lose. Real men piss for HOUUURRRS.
Oh yeah they have a restaurant during the day too. It basically reminds me of regular food with cajun powder sprinkled into it. In other words...no. The only thing about this place that is actually similar to the real Bourbon Street is your potential for waking up the next morning and noticing something wrong with your genitals. -
Review from Candice G.
Naperville, IL
2/2/2010
If you're over 21.5 years old, get out! You're too old for this place.
I'm sure the cops have a ball here every weekend just hanging out and one after another taking each of the punks starting fights on up to the station. The doormen are jags and so are the patrons. I only give 2 stars because Wedding Banned sometimes plays here... except I won't go anymore because it's not worth hanging with the fake ID clad kids.
It really is a shame because they have so much space and I'm sure the folks that live around here would like a fun place to go since there's not a ton of other stuff around, but instead they're stuck with this emporium of suck. -
Review from Robin W.
Chicago, IL
7/17/2008
Bon Jovi cover band- check.
Outrageous cover- check.
Budweiser everything- check.
Busty 30 something babes with thick Chicago accents and a hankering to get knocked up- check.
Racist Irish kids who probably can't even understand the irony of that statement- check.
Robin weeping in this strip mall parking lot, mourning the last great Midwestern hardware store, Handy Andy - sigh, check. -
Review from Jean K.
2/1/2011
Used to frequent this place more often a few years ago..but it is still a great place to see good music, have a great time, and get a good drink - without paying an enormous cover!
Their food has always been mediocre...but you can find a good drink at the bar along with good prices.
Have always met some down to earth, interesting people here...without the snobbishness of the downtown crowds.
They have remodeled quite a bit..updated their bathrooms and the main band room now sports huge screens so you can catch the band from any angle.
Catch this place for special events... St. Paddies or Mardis Gras...awesome place! -
Review from Jenna S.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2010
I'm sure you're wondering why I've even been to Bourbon Street in the first place. Sometimes I wonder that, too. We knew someone who lived in Mt. Greenwood and this is apparently the only place worth going to in a few block radius. Yikes. My advice: don't go. Why would you ever be on the south side, anyway?
I will say that this place is cheap, especially on Thursdays (at least it used to be). $7 buckets of Bud and $2 Long Islands. There's tons of space to engage in much debauchery and there's usually a really bad hair cover band playing on stage. Nice outdoor patio area in the summer and you can still smoke out there (I'm not sure that's legal anymore, but I'm OK with it).
Patrons? Gross. The people that hang out in this bar on a regular basis are worth avoiding, for sure. If you're looking to go home with a raspy, somewhat fat dude from the south side, you'll score for sure here. Oh, and this bar has a bathroom attendant. That should be a big indication of just how crappy this bar really is. I hate bathroom attendants because I can get my own soap and paper towels. It's pretty degrading for the attendant and it makes my night super awkward. Too much hairspray on the bump-itz hair in the bathroom. Yuck.
Sometimes I liken Bourbon Street to an inside joke that I'm definitely not a part of. There's something about it that I don't get and I'm perfectly fine with that. But, as Theresa C. said, this isn't the worst bar I've ever been to so that counts for something, right?
Oh, and do you want to know the worst part about this bar? A HUGE valet parking lot. Encouraging patrons to drunkenly drive their cars home from a giant, cheap bar is really irresponsible and stupid. They must have some kind of in with the local law enforcement because I just can't imagine at least 90% of the people leaving in cars from this bar shouldn't be driving at all. That's why you get one star, Bourbon Street. Blech.Listed in: Worth it? No way!
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Review from Steve U.
Chicago, IL
4/9/2009
You'll love this place if you enjoy:
- Vomit covered floors
- Steroid raging megalomaniacs
- Vapid conversation
- An absence of any culture or tact
- Redundant corporate music
- Unsanitary bathrooms covered with excrement
- Bellicose drunkards with uncontrollable machismo
- The overpowering stench of perfume / tanning oil
- Mildly attractive people with nothing worthwhile to say
- Mind-numbing drama fests
- Groupthink
- Herpes
- Drinking yourself into oblivion
- Blowing out your own eardrums -
Review from Theresa C.
Naperville, IL
9/30/2009
It's hard to hate on Bourbon St when they do hold a lot of fundraisers for the Chicago Police. Yeah, you get a star for that.
Oh the other hand, this place is a nightmare. The whole atmosphere is nothing but pretentious asshole-ery. First of all, everyone looks the same in there. The guys with their striped button down shirts and the gals dressed in their "sexy" wear (aka hooker) complete with the Coach bag they probably purchased with money from their unsuspecting bumbling boyfriends. The echo of "Hey Babe" can be heard throughout the club (over the crappy music). Of course in these people's opinion, this is the "best place evar!"
For us with discriminating taste, we know better. I honestly think I lost a few points off the LSAT because I came in here the weekend before the test. Yes, it lowers your IQ. I cannot express into words how much contempt I have for this place and the people inside it. I feel like my inner Lewis Black is just going to start shouting fuck, fuck, fuck every time I walk in.
For those who don't know better and like a manufactured sense of going to a club without actually going to a real club, you'll pee your pants in excitement with this place. It's like Disney-land for assholes. And for us non-lemmings, stay away.Listed in: South Side Pride, Pubbin' Around, The Blue Line, Hoodoo You Voodoo
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Review from Vanessa M.
Chicago, IL
8/25/2008
Large does not exactly mean better. It could mean pretty crappy actually. This place is just mediocre. It's really perfect for people that have ADD: a club, restaurant, bar, stage for bands and a large beer garden all in one place. How could you go wrong?
Well, let's see: the drinks are overpriced, the bands are mostly crap cover band filler and the food is bar food. The one thing that I miss is the sand volleyball court. It was fun. Everything else is pretty "eh."Listed in: Excuse me? Is your name Chad?
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Review from Theresa C.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2009
Dear Boubon Street,
I want my time, dignity and underage drinking years back. I know at the time I thought your insanely cheap drink specials ($2 long island--even from a mix), abundance of bad 80's cover bands and bags were a fair trade but I see now how wrong I was. Your bathroom is disgusting, probably because most of the people inside you are gross too. I will concede you aren't the worst bar I've ever been to, but considering how far you are from everything and the general ickiness of you, the large space, cheap drinks, and good memories aren't enough to make me come back.
Sincerely,
Theresa -
Review from Kevin H.
Palos Heights, IL
7/8/2009
Everytime I went there it was like a high school reunion when I ran into and had to fake intrest with all the people I never wanted to see again.
It isn't worth all the bullshit. -
Review from Dave S.
Chicago, IL
12/10/2009
Bourbon Street is the biggest selection of jerks and idiots on the south side bar scene.
It sucks terribly, I've been there a handful of times, after each time always promising myself never to return.
It's not so much the place itself, as the building and bar and everything is setup awesome and it's a really cool place if it weren't filled with platoons of douche bag guys and slutty drunk girls who all dress, act and look the same exact way, robots. SKANKBot 4000.
If you grew up on the southside, you're bound to bump into at least 35 people you know, 99% of which you don't want to see or talk to.
The only saving grace to this place is if you are with a lot of friends, which helps but you'll still be surrounded by morons.
Burn, Bourbon Street, Burn!! -
Review from Adrian W.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2007
"Come out to Bourbon Street, I'll even drive"
This is why more often than not, I will drive to wherever I am going. Why? So I don't get stuck in meat markets like this. King douchebags galore, girls wearing things too tight and trying to 'work it'; overall, I felt like I was in a cliche Mobile, AL/Jerry Springer bar.
And, 3.50 Bud special, no thanks.Listed in: South by Southwest
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Review from Adam B.
Jamaica Plain, MA
9/1/2008
Be they good, bad, or downright offensive, it seems like every single cover band or "party band" plays Bourbon Street on some sort of rotating three month schedule. This is mostly horrifying, but if you manage to find some cover band that perfectly gels with your musical interests, then... party on... I guess.
The thing that strikes me about this place, moreso than any other place i've been to... is the degree to which a scary percentage of the women are wearing their ovaries on their sleeves. You can practically smell the heady mix of estrogen, sweat, and desperation in here. Guys, if you dig south-side girls in their late 20s looking to #%@&, you will have a *field day* here. Of course, a bunch of ready-for-action girls who lower their standards by the hour as the night goes on means a bunch of creepy guys looking to capitalize, and the resultant drunken jackassery, from meathead posturing to full-blown fights... it's like Chicago's own little Long Island or Jersey. Joy! -
Review from shannon p.
Alsip, IL
9/9/2008
O.K
I've been to Burbon Street once...... I really didn't fit in there at all. I guess being a black woman with dread locks didn't help LOL..
I went with a group of very close friends who love me for me and it didn't matter that once we walked up to the entrance I felt like I was on some type of display not to mention that the south side proud to be me parade was the next day LOL.
Seriously I felt like I was in a whole norther world that I didn't have the right to be in. The music was funny to me only because it was so funny to see mid age white guys singing Word Up and Ladies Night and then to have people come up to me asking to take pictures with me like I was some kind of unknown visitor to earth.
Now mind you I live right down the street from the place and have only passed there and said to myself WOW that looks like a great place to visit on a summer night. I wouldn't mind going again some day but the next time I will make sure to take a change belt so that I can charge for all the pics taken of me and be able to tip the mid age white guys who took it back old school with the music LOL. I give this joint stars. Fun music very crowded good drinks and lots of smiles LOL -
Review from Tina B.
9/13/2008
If you think good Creole food tastes just like bad Mexican food and should cost as much as good French food, then this is your spot.
If just one 80s cover band playing songs from "Grease" just isn't enough for you - you need like two of them going at the same time? This is where you can find them - both.
And if "going out" isn't complete for you without a requisite nearby cemetery to "romp" around in - you will think you've found your own little slice of heaven here. -
Review from Dane K.
12/6/2007
I haven't been there for the real meat market scene... but i've been there to watch college basketball (with my mom?!?!?). We had a good time... drinks were plentiful and somewhat inexpensive, the place wasn't overly crowded (perhaps a sign). and there were adequate big screen TVs, many made circa 1989. food was decent enough, especially given the lack of alternative options in the area.
I can see why people in their 30s and 40s think this place is cool. But if you're under 30, you're probably going to think it's lame. -
Review from Amy H.
11/25/2008
I came here once for a charity event. Man, this place is huge!!! I don't know what it's like on a "club" night, but on a Saturday afternoon (and to help a little girl with cancer) 115 Bourbon Street was a-ok!
They also have a male review occasionally. Don't ask me how I know. I just do. -
Review from Lisa C.
6/22/2011
This is a place to go if you are looking to snag some strange.
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Review from Mark B.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2010
I flat-out hate this place, and will never return for any reason whatsoever. I've been here a grand total of 4 times, for 3 Local H shows and 1 Smoking Popes show.
I must say though that the reasons I hate this place so much probably have nothing to do with the owners or management, other than the fact they continue to maintain the bar's existance, and therefore, enable the awfulness.
1st, this place is way too goddamn big. I think it used to be a Handy Andy, so on any given night you are surrounded by not only douchbag 708'ers, but 3,000 douchbag 708'ers. This obviously creates problems near the bathroom areas.
The other major problem is this bar's clientel, which as I said before isn't technically the fault of the owners. This place is a 708'ers wet dream. If you love MMA, steroids, fighting for the sake of showing how manly you are, affliction shirts, and shitty music, then this bar is for you. Enjoy it without me.
My only reasoning for ever going to this place was to see some good bands that for some mysterious reason decided bourbon street was a good venue to play - though the prospect of seeing bands I love isn't enough to justify coming to this place ever again. Sorry Boubon Street management, you've created a monster that's turned on you. -
Review from Judith M.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2008
Great neighborhood sportsbar / nightclub/concert venue/ restaurant/outdoor restaurant seating and beer garden , all under one roof ...This place is big as Home Depot..Lots of big screen tvs to watch the gamesssss.
One side is the so-so quiet part ,another is the noisy part..Grandma can go and so can Little Kenny..
Valet parking and lots of lot parking..I like the Cobb Salad and the rock and roll bands that do from classics to hip-hop rock...
sidenote:If you want to go to thee most craziest Halloween party ,Bourbon Street is an absolute must..Be prepared for a big crowd dressed in the most imaginative costumes ever..Great adult fun and they have a contest with huge cash prizes..Folks on stilts and in electric chairs are common .. they guys are hott and the girls are on fiya... -
Review from Britt K.
Chicago, IL
1/29/2011
My first thought was, "Where am I?" and then "Am I really going to a bar in a strip mall?" I felt like I had traveled to the Dells for the night, but really, I was still in Chicago. Why did I go to Bourbon Street in the first place? Well, I was in the area for work and it was the closest place for a drink and dinner. It will most likely be my last adventure to this south side bar.
Décor- The place is kitschy and ENORMOUS!
Food- The wings were fine and the salad was mediocre (I was charged $1 extra when I requested only romaine lettuce, hold the iceberg.)
Service- The service was fine. The waitress brought us our food and drinks in a timely manner and was friendly.
Prices- Shockingly CHEAP!
I recommend this place if for some reason you want a kitschy Wisconsin Dells American night out!
