Holiday Club
Categories: Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Uptown4000 N Sheridan Rd
(between Cuyler Ave & Irving Park Rd)
Chicago, IL 60613 (773) 348-9600
- Nearest Transit:
Sheridan (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sat 6:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Sun 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Late Night
- Music: DJ, Juke Box
- Best Nights: Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
99 Reviews for Holiday Club
One of Holiday Club's Favorite Reviews
I love the Holiday Club. It has everything. Mixed drinks, beer, dancing, weird people, weird people dancing, loud rock music, a photo booth, and a condom/cock ring machine in the ladies room. They also have food. The cheese fries with bacon (yes with bacon!!!) is super awesome and helps me hold down my drinks.
I've been wanting to come here to swing dance....but didn't get a chance to yet.
I'll be coming back for more, bitches.
EDIT: On 4/19/08, at Rob's birthday party:
Me: Can I get a glass of Riesling?
Bartender: What is that? Is that like a beer?
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I have only been here coupla times and I guess I am ok with the place. Decent service and some nights the music makes you wanna dance. They have a lot of space but it is really dark inside and I don't get the stuff that they play on the tv. Bizarre...!!!
I can't say I am a fan but if someone planned an event which involved the Club, I will be there. So basically my review of this place can be summed up with "meh!"
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I've patronized this joint only a few times, the first being the best., before the infamous ban. My favorite part of this place is the novelty toy machine in the ladies bathroom which was slightly broken when I used it. One quarter and it just kept spitting out "birth control" (a candy heart with instructions to place next to one knee and then squeeze with the other), tiny condoms, temp tattoos, etc.
The food is OK and the drinks are good but not exceptional.
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The Holiday Club is a bit of a weird place... Quite honestly, as I was entering the bar, it was one of these times when you think: "Oh god, I am not going to like this place...". But it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
The place is huge: a first giant bar, and another pretty big room in the back. I spent most of my time there in the back, which was reserved for a birthday party. The place itself isn't too exciting... kind of dark, not too much in terms of decor, pretty typical boring straight bar. The drinks were reasonably priced and reasonably strong (always good), and the bartender was very friendly. They also serve food, and as I had the munchies I ordered a side of fries: giant plate of pretty darn good fries for $3? yesss....
Now the highlight of the night, however, was the videos played on the TV screens... Not too sure where they dug these up, but all night long they showed trailers for cheap African-American productions from the 70s, non of which I'd ever heard of, but all of which super cheesy and hilarious. I had to write down some of the titles: "Scream Blacula Scream", "That Man Bolt", "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold". Good stuff... Seriously, those trailers made my night (and saved this review).
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I know I was drunk but I still don't get the allure of this place. Well really, I didn't even get the allure of the place sober, but I figure maybe drunk it would all make sense. Nope, it didn't.
Not only didn't I like the place, but the food wasn't all that amazing. I was trying to decide between a veggie sandwich and a portabella burger, so, what better than to have the waitress decide for me. I ended up with the portabella burger and it was really nothing special. To be completely honest I make a better portabella burger.
Also, I don't know if this place is taking cues from Ed Debevic's but the staff really isn't the most friendly. I probably wouldn't return on my own and I'd be hard pressed to return with friends unless it was for someone's party. And even then I'd require them to buy me a few drinks as payment for making me enter this horrible place again.
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What better introduction to the Holiday Club than for my Co-Chair of Sexy, Rob L.'s, swinging birthday bash?!
With such an array of mixed reviews I wasn't sure what to expect, but since my attendance was not optional I set off for the swingers mecca with an open mind and a hankering for a greyhound. Thankfully, Holiday Club did not disappoint.... not only was the place cute and kitschy, set up rockabilly lounge style, the bartenders were swift and poured my favorite drink with yummy grapefruit juice in a tall glass.
At midnight, the place was busy with a diverse crowd... a couple swing dancing in the middle of the crowded main room were on fire and the music was rockin'. I wish I could have said the same for the back 'event' room... the dance music was just not for me, and it was soooo loud I found myself straining every last muscle in my vocal chords just trying to introduce myself. Not enough drinks were flowing in my system yet for me to enjoy dance party usa and I quickly regressed back to the main bar. Ahhhh... much better.
So with a kiss on his cheek, and a Shiner Bock in his hand, I bid Rob a great bday and thanked him for the intro to a new great place. I'll definitely be back, especially since I've yet to make an appearance in their famed photo booth... (say cheese!)
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SUNNY SUNDAY BRUNCH OUTSIDE
50 bucks gets you:
1. calamari appetizer (different....grilled, not fried, swimming in red wine sauce)
2. pulled pork sandwich with cheesy fries
3. grilled cheese and salad
4. MIMOSA PITCHER
Add $10 bucks for the tip and it makes for a great brunch.
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RANDOM NIGHT OUT
Unknown amount of money gets you:
1. Playing pool with random folk
2. Taking pictures in the photo booth
3. Playing music on a juke box that plays weird-o songs
4. WASTED
Win-win situation on a Sunday or any day of the week.
I pass by the Holiday Club several days a week on my way to the Sheridan red line stop, and I've always been intrigued by the shiny exterior. However, I didn't actually go inside the bar until this past weekend.
I'm not gonna lie - the sparkly sign got my hopes up. It's really dark inside, and not quite what I was expecting. The back bar is very cozy, and there are plenty of little booths and tables. I wasn't rip-roaring drunk and I didn't try out the infamous photo booth, so I may have missed out on the full experience here. It's comfy, but unremarkable.
Unexpected bonus: Holiday Club has Shiner Bock on tap.
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I have mixed feelings about holiday club. I was introduced to this bar almost 4 years ago and really liked the swinger atmosphere- it was different and fun. The kareoke on wednesdays is so much fun because its in the back room and the set-up is genius. There are the regulars who crowd the event, but don't be intimidated- Its pretty entertaining.
Unfortunately, if the back room isnt open (which is usually the case) then the only thing going for this place is the photobooth- and its pix are VERY low quality- even for a photobooth! There arent very many drink specials or seating. I agree with other postings that the wait staff is unpleasant. If you live in the area and want a fun thing to do on a wednesday, head over for a couple drinks ad laughs, but don't count on the holiday club to be a hit.
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Kitch;
-noun something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste.
[Origin: 1925-30; deriv. of kitschen to throw together (a work of art)]
--Related forms
kitschy, adjective
This place is kitschy. That said, food is decent to good and the big glasses of PBR are cheap (I don't think they are always available though). Jukebox in the front, DJ's in the back, it gets busy, but not "I can't move busy." The crowd is very mixed. I went to a couple private parties in the back room, and it seems like a nice place to reserve for an event or something. Other than the specials, beer prices are avg to high. There is an outdoor seating area for the good weather months. Parking in this nieghborhood can suck, and cubs game traffic can choke off the area as well. Plan ahead.
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The holiday club is a good staple of the lakeview/uptown area. The place to go if you want to hang out with your close friends and have a drink. The added bonus is that the kitchen appears to be open pretty late. I want to say it is open till 1am on the weeknights.
Probably the best Karaoke scene in Chicago on a Monday night. It is always packed, everyone encourages everyone, and you do get people that can actually sing sometimes too.
Friday night is 80's new wave night in the back room if you are in to rarely known 80's new wave, Friday night is the time to go.
The crowd does tend to skew towards people that work in the service industry too, so it isn't your stuck up Wrigleyville crowd that you get 3 blocks south of there either.
I would say its a good time and worth checking out once. Everyone I know either gets hooked, or can leave it and never come back. This person is hooked.
this is a fun and cool place to be.
I went in for friday after work drinks. turned into get really drunk and order dinner, too. plus play pool for many hours in a row.
by the time I left, the friday night new wave dj was already starting his set-- and it ruled! I got to hear one of my favs, "there is a light that never goes out" and dance all drunk.
the photo booth is cool for sure!! however, it's a lil pricey in my opinion.
drink-wise... if you want a drunk night (and a FUN night) this is the place for you.... to stick w/the cheap-o beer specials.
so, it's a good place... but the shiny exterior still raises expectations a little too high, in this reviewer's opinion!!
A nice place to stumble across after Pizza Rustica- the front sign say's a 'swingers' bar, but it's not the kind of swingers I was expecting! Oops.
Anyway, people were always surprised that I haden't been here yet, so I finally met some friends for drinks. Somone mentioned ordering food- which I did, and was surprise at how good for 'bar food'. Our waitress wasn't crazy attentive, and a few times I had to point to my empty glass as a reminder, but overall the establishment does the trick... I was full and drunk when I left ;)
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I went here last night for my birthday. All my friends bailed on me and I didn't know where to go or anything like that. So, the Holiday Club is right down the street from me, and it always looked pretty laid back.
So I go, the man at the door checked my ID and even smiled!
Then we went to the bar and waited for the bartender.
We informed her that it was my birthday, and asked her to help me out with deciding what to get.
I got a couple drinks that night, the first one was a sort of fruity martini. It was good. Everything she made me that night was good!
We also got a plate of cheese fries. Possibly the best cheese fries I've ever had.
She also made me something called a fruit loop martini. It was SO GOOD.
I had a good night, got hit on by some drunken Cubs people, but what can ya do when your birthday is the same night as the opener?
Our bartender also didn't charge us for the RC my boy was drinking the entire night. :)
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I am disappointed that I am forced to give this place one star by the Yelp site.
This place sucks some of the biggest b*lls. The owner/s should be ashamed of themselves. The bouncer was so very rude. He claimed to be the owner and took pride in bullying a friend of mine over music choices. Unfortunately, the only way to respond was by taking our frustrations on the server's tip. I will never return to Holiday Club. I plan events for a living and will not let my company or any clients use this venue.
If any one knows who the proprietor of Holiday Club is, can they please send me their name. I would like to write a letter. I would also like them to know their bouncer is masquerading as the owner.
I also see that the juke box is listed as an amenity at this place. The juke is ruled by the staff. You put your money in, and they turn off your song. They returned one dollar but kept the other we put in. And the staff choice of music blows. The place was empty except my friends and I. We were willing to spend a lot of money, but ended up leaving because the bouncer was so rude.
Also, the photo booth spit out our pictures. The entire strip was black. $3 wasted on photos that didn't develop correctly and $1 stolen in the joke box. What a racket this place has going on.
I wouldn't even walk on the same side of the street as the Holiday Club. If I must walk down that street, I will cross to the other side.
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I love the Holiday Lounge. Tonight was my first time. When I arrive there were about two other patrons. I was greeted warmly by the bartender and waitress. As the night wore on and my friend arrived, the bartender was friendly all night, encouraging us to stay and at one point treating us to a shot. There was a private birthday party in the back room and somehow we each got a piece of the cake. I love this place. My friend and I visited the photobooth like three times and our seats at the bar were always waiting for us when we got back. I came up in Atlanta and miss the E.A.R.L., the Local, the Star Bar, etc., and I think I've finally found my neighborhood joint. The grilled cheese with bacon was delicious as well.
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I like Friday nights in the back room for new-wave music and a bit more ambiance.
I do have a bit of a love affair with Bombay Sapphire, and I can get a really good gin gimlet and listen to some good music. It's not overly loud so you can carry on a conversation, and it's suitably dark to as to create a pretty private atmosphere.
This was also where my now boyfriend made his first drunken pass at me in front of a bunch of co-workers (how romantic, right?) Although it seemed to have worked out, since we're still together. I guess I have a bit of a soft spot for Holiday Club because of that.
My only complaint is that it's far too easy to lose track of time (and the number of drinks I've had).
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Holiday Club is a long time favorite among goths, rockers, punks and other not-so-trendy people who appreciate the good, but simple things in life. The old location in Wicker Park was a well loved meet up spot for my friends. I admit, I was concerned when they moved to this location, after all it was so near the frightening cannot-leave-my-college-kegger-lifestyle-behind-me land. But, oh now, I'm so glad they did. What a wonderful little respite in greater Wrigleyville.
Here's the skinny, it's not the place for you if you want to feel like the servers are there only to wait on your beck and call. It's a chill place to do your own thing. Have fun with the bartenders and servers and they'll have fun back. Be annoying and you'll probably be avoided. Leave your pretense at the door and plan on having a good time with good food, drink and friends. Every week we have at least one weekly happy hour that runs a bit too long there. Extra big kudos for the addition of a veggie burger to their menu this year. That was the one thing that had really been lacking for us veggies.
The only reason I'm giving it a 4 star is the pool table. I hate it being in there. It takes up a lot of possible seating space and especially when it's busy, anyone sitting in the booths nearest it are guaranteed to see a cue in their face, if not get nailed by one in the back.
Still the great music via the jukebox or the dj's, and the fabulous atmosphere make all the pokes worth it... and on a warm summer night, if it's too loud or poke-y we just set up camp outdoors in their sidewalk seating.
I have never had a bad experience here. I mean if you count the freak I met here a couple years ago who freaked me out, but that is not the bar's problem. It's a fun place, friendly staff and good food. It's also a very convenient walk home for me so that is always a plus! The drinks are in large glasses and reasonable price. A friend of mine from out of state always requests a trip to the Holiday Club when she's in town!
I've been up and down about this place. I had my 30th here, it wasn't far from home, close to the red line, buses, cabs, my place... I knew I had the potential for a lot of people, I didn't want anything fancy, I just wanted some place fun. So I chose Holiday Club. I had driven by here so many times, curious by that flashy glittery outside. It ain't glittery inside. However where this place shines is where it counts. The bartenders are quick and friendly, drink prices are decent to good, (Shiner Bock on tap!), the Thai chicken wrap I had was pretty darn tasty, the cheese fries were good, but not the best I've ever had, the owner was helpful and made sure people were having a good time and then there is the photo booth. My clothes stayed on the whole time, though I hear for others... it did not. This is really a bit of a dive catering to a slew of people, from hipster to rockabilly, from your regular joe to the swing dancer. The music in the back was a mix of pop to loud. Yep, the music in this place, especially after about 11pm. How loud?
Me: How are you?
Friend: What?!
Me: HOW ARE YOU!?
Friend: WHAT THE @#%^$ ARE YOU SAYING?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!
Well... something like that. The crowd was in to it. I will come early, I will have fun, I don't know if I will be staying late....
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When David S. and I walked in here for Rob L.'s birthday party, we saw a large and very sparsely populated room of bores, and sighed. Then we noticed the room at the back with its own bar and loos catering to a private party! Bingo! The bartenders were nice, and the drinks were inexpensive. The fries were excellent and i believe they have other food too. The music was saving grace (indie/alt rock essentially, my favorite kind) but the funniest and best part of the night was watching the videos on the television screens... They were trailers and clips from ancient movies ('50s-60s, I think?) with names like "Scream Blacula Scream", "That Man Bolt" and "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold", mostly from this bygone genre of what seemed like African-American action films, it was AWESOME! I think I could have watched it all night long! I think every video has at least one sex scene involving a set of enormous breasts too. I was spellbound.
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only been here twice. first time the bartender was awsome. very pretty aswell. second time we went for a small meal and for nicole to get a drink. the waitress was a bit of a B*tch..must of been her PMS or something. but the food was still good and nicoles drinks were good to. its great since its right down the street from where i live but not to close so the drunk yuppies that go there are in my front yard the next morning.
I have walked by this place but never went inside. A friend had a private party there so I checked it out. It's a bit of a dive but fun nonetheless. There was a few bartenders and waitresses, which was surprising because it's really not that big. I would go here again.
I used to like this place quite a bit. I have friends that live right by here so we were frequently enjoying our weekend nights here. over the last 3 years this place has really gone down hill.
first you never know when the backroom is going to be open which is really the only reason to go.
I can't stand being in a bar at night that reeks of the greasy food in back, ugh it makes the drinks taste somewhat worse. Holiday smells more like a fryer every visit.
the drinks, what the fuck happened here? This was never a $2 PBR place but it seems there prices just keep going up, last time I was there a Miller Lite bottle was $5, here, really? You don't have a projector screen that works properly and the decor is cut and paste and you now want 5 for a Miller Lite? I don't paying this much if the bar is worth it but Holiday has just become...boring.
I went on a quest for wings this past weekend, and decided upon Holiday Club after learning that they won the Chicago Wingfest last year. My girlfriend and I tried both varieties, the Hot and the Chipotle BBQ, and liked both. The general consensus was that while the BBQ ones were tasty, we both preferred the hot wings by a significant margin.
Holiday club has a cool, retro-ish atmosphere. Usually, finding good wings means braving a sports bar full of screaming-drunk football fans and having to drink exclusively Miller and Anheuser-Busch products. Holiday Club has a passable bar and seemingly friendly service, though our server gave us very little attention. I am cutting her some slack though, since she was the only one waiting tables that night.
Parking in this neighborhood on a Saturday night is an abortion. I circled the neighborhood for a good 25 minutes trying to find a spot and finally managed to cram my car into one that became available only after I watched the driver of a larger car try to get in there and fail miserably. If you must go on a weekend, there is a red line stop a mere stone's throw from Holiday Club. Alternatively, take the Irving Park, Sheridan, or Broadway buses, depending on where you're coming from. Of course, if you enjoy frustration and get a kick out of having impatient drivers ride up your ass while you troll for a spot, then by all means drive there.
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A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (wrigleyville), on a sunny Sunday, about 11:36 am, I went to brunch at the Holiday Club. They had fantastic pitchers of bloody marys. I had a lot of wonderful beer to go with, as I like to do when having brunch & drinking bloody marys. I ate some wonderful breakfast, though I cannot recall what it is I had eaten, & who really knows; it might have just been the 2.5 pitchers of bloody marys and numerous beers that made the breakfast taste so good.
Please note I have only been here for brunch. Also note that I drank so much I can't recall the details as well as I would like.
Regardless, the service was impeccable, and they have a great jukebox. So do it. They have a photo booth as well, so when u get wasted you can take excellent b & w pics. Venture out to Wrigleyville for a nice brunch. You will not be sorry that you did.
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Been here a few times and liked it. Not pretentions and seemed pretty laid back. Had nachos and they are ridiculously good after 7 beers. Or something. The old photobooth is fun and so are the people. Bartenders are super nice and I'd definitely go back. I like finding cool places in my hood like this.
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Wing Quest 2008!
First stop on the tour - The Holiday Club
Jason L., Grand Poobah of Wings, put a great deal of time and effort into deciding where we should go to get great wings. Unfortunately I admittedly tend to be an uppity cow when it comes to venturing into the sort of places that are likely to have wings. So with enough of my whining, we were able to cross places like Gamekeepers and Kincade's off of our list.
Finally he suggested the Holiday Club - winner of last year's Wing Fest. I'd been here before a few times for a friend's half-ass dance party in the adjoining room and knew it was probably as hip an atmosphere as we were likely to get for Wing Quest.
There are some truly questionable haircuts that work at this place. I had fun noticing them. If you ask me they could do with about 3 more questionable haircuts because our questionable haircut was the only one working the floor so it took a long time to get her attention (but understandably so).
The wings are excellent. I'm not going to be a blood traitor and say that their Buffalo Wings are better than R.J. Grunt's but they are a very close second. But I do think their BBQ Wings are the best of that particular category. Really though, BBQ Wings are for the kiddies if you ask me. I'd rather have tongue scorching heat than sticky sweet any day. Oh, I should also mention that their chips and salsa are very tasty too. Yeah that's right... we had two kinds of wings AND chips and salsa. Guess who needs to hit the gym...
Don't take your car up here on a weekend unless you like banging your head again the steering wheel in frustration.
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I loved the old Holiday Club in Wicker Park. I was very distraught when it became sucky Salud. But then I herd a nasty little rumor that there was a whole nother Holiday going on, on the Northside. I checked it out and....bravo! SO much fun. I've been a few times now, mostly on random weekdays but its always fun. They have one pool table in the main bar. There I was attempting to play pool and really it was more like bumper balls between the stripes and the solids when a string bean baby face guy with the hugest chops I have ever seen (weird right) mossies on over while assembling his "brought from home" pool stick. Long story short, I ended up not playing pool in the back bar watching and participating in Karaoke. Some of the best Karaoke I've seen. It really was wonderful. Some horrible, some hilarious...very unpredictable.
I'll def be back for a little good holiday fun. There food rocks too...pizza is oh so yummy!
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The Holiday Club is a fun bar. Period. You definately get the "good time" vibe as soon as you walk through the door. The waitstaff and bartenders were friendly and the drinks were mixed well. The food was also decent. I ordered the cheese pizza and was pleasantly surprised.
The music a little schizophrenic. In the front room you had a little rock and roll-ish vibe going on. And the back room with dance floor was even worse. We went from early 80's music, to unknow, to Justin Timberlake, then mid 90's and finally Dr. Dre. I would have just stuck with one theme....in both rooms even. But hey each room served it's purpose.
I was surprised at how crowded it got in the Holiday Club so if you want a good seat I would come a little early.
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Every morning on my way to work I walk past this cheese-laden store front barscape, wondering what delicious gems it holds within its doors. Of course, at 8 a.m., the thought of booze makes me ill, and I usually just shove the curiosity to the back of my mind. So when a friend called last week and said he and some buddies were going, I couldn't help myself. I wanted the Holiday Club. I wanted to be the Holiday Club.
I was absolutely surprised by what I found. I was expecting something loungy with cheesey Rat Pack retro-stylings to it. What I found was just another bar, with two rooms playing two different styles of tunes. The back room wasn't as crowded and ordering a drink was a lot easier. There's also a DJ spinning and a dance floor for all the drunkies to cut loose. We hit the place around 11:30 p.m., so after an hour or so the "after hours" folks started showing up and cutting a rug.
Overall it was a good time. The joys of being single again made me stoked when people were picking up my drinks, and the bartendress was not only cute, but friendly as well. We danced till we couldn't dance anymore and overall had a pretty stellar time.
I'll be going back. I don't know when. But I will.
Until then ... I'm searching for the Chicago-style version of Nebraska's Starlight Lounge with retro furniture and wooden wall paneling. Someday, someday ...
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It's not unusual to go OUT at any time
but when I see you out and about it's such a crime...
Unless you're out at the Holiday Club, drinking martinis and singing along to Tom Jones. Even when you only remember the chorus.
Granted, my good time at Holiday was made more by the company than by the bar, but at least the bar didn't get in the way of our good time, which is more than I can say for some places. And the bartender was skilled and hot and the waitress was quick and aware of our needs, so what else can you ask for?
I was somewhat underwhelmed when I went into the Club. The room is big and the bar is small, giving it a bit of a warehouse feel. For all the retro touches, the room is kind of cold. My mind may be fogged from the many cocktails, but I think it needs more color. And by "color," I mean actual physical color on the walls and floors. There's plenty of added color in the fixtures and decor. But from the exterior, I expected to be transported to a fabulous new land. And that never happened.
The menu is limited, and not what I was expecting. I thought it would be more diner-y. Instead, I was confronted with pizzas and wraps vegetarian entrees. Wha...? But I was happy with my BBQ pork sandwich, and glad I could get my fries with grown gravy.
Those complaints were washed away by the many fine cocktails, the rockin' juke box, the old skool photo booth, and the lively company. We picked up a couple of random bar patrons along the way, and that's always a plus. And the men's room was clean and well-maintained. Such is not always the case. Overall, I'd put Holiday at 3 1/2 stars, but I had enough fun to be generous.
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I am still smiling this morning after the antics last night at the Holiday Club.
Where else can supposed "grown ups" cram themselves into a photo booth to get their pics taken, eat fries completely covered in gravy or cheese (like we needed more calories!) or sing along to great songs on the juke box by artists like Tom Jones, Abba and Aerosmith?
I laughed until my sides hurt as I sat in my retro chair (think your mom's 1960's metal kitchen set) drinking my well poured drink and watching the people go in and out on this corner of Irving Park and Sheridan Roads.
Holiday Club delivered on exactly what I needed last night. A cool place to grab a cocktail and hang with friends both new and old.
Now sing along with me and my old buddy Tom Jones. . . . . . . .my, my, my . . . Delilah. Why, why, why . . . .Delilah! Hmm . . . .that sounded so much better last night!
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If your looking for a fun, varied, friendly place with good food, multiple atmospheres, without the"airs" of pretense, then this is it. Located in North Lakeview, near but not too close to Cubs Park.
The Holiday offers a real respite from the corporate, overdone & pricy. It is both informal but traditional with a retro, "Rat Pack" swingers mecca feeling. You could wear casual, goth, retro, sports, or even a Tux or gown and not be out of place. It seems to bridge all facets of people without effort & sitting outside is great on warm days. People in the restaurant & club business tend to go there to escape. It only gets crowded on the weekends but is interesting & brisk on most days. The front room is great flow and people watching fun with a pool table & photo booth. Many strange things have happened in that booth so create your own memories there if you want. The back room hosts many varied type events like kareoke, open mike nights with both musical & other type media performance. It defintiely embraces creativity with light hearted fun & fare. They also have a good Sunday brunch. I've enjoyed myself many times and tend to make a home there.
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I really love the atmosphere here. The staff is always AWESOME! The food is pretty good. Can't argue with the photobooth.
Very hip and swanky. But not over the top that it becomes another Lincoln Park martini bar.
I love to go here but there are some big NO-NO's that I really can't look away from.
1. The parking around there sucks.
2. All of the seating seems to be brutally uncomfortable.
3. Music from their "private party" room tends to be loud enough to interfere with jukebox.
4 This is the worst.....NO JOHNNY CASH ON THE JUKE BOX!!!!!!!!
edit-
Their WINGS are really great so it earned them another star
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Good prices and good music. Oh, the photo booth. I have many crazy pictures from drunken nights at the Holiday
A good bar for a crowd. There have always been plenty of tables to hole up in with friends, whether there are two of us or 10 (standing room is plentiful too, perhaps even at the expense of even more seating). Depending on the night he food & drink specials can be a real steal, and there is always a chill, laid back mood about the place.
Karaoke there is a blast and they have a pretty diverse selection of music, and seeing as it's never all that crowded you can get up there as much as you want and make a fool of yourself 'til close.
Bonus points for the oh so important photo booth.
This is a fun bar, especially with a big group of people after a leisurely dinner at TAC. Cool retro decor, and the photo booth is a nice touch. Holiday Club is best enjoyed when there's a DJ spinning and people are dancing. Otherwise, I notice the place's faults, like the anemic beer list and underwhelming jukebox.
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This place used to be too smokey to go to before the smoking ban (which I have to say was the ONLY bar in chicago that I felt this way about)... but went here last sat for first time since the smoking ban and had a BLAST. great crowd, good music...all in all a really good time. ..
BEST PHOTO BOOTH IN TOWN!
well, it might not be the best but it's definitely the most used by me. i make it a point to use it every time i'm here. that is because cramming as many people as possible into a tiny box and squeezing our faces into that little frame over and over all night seems like such a good idea when everyone is wasted...but, the stack of photos i keep in my wallet speak for themselves. good times.
the casual swinger style of Holiday Club makes for a fun atmosphere. the food i've had has all been exactly what i was looking for during a late night: grilled cheese and fries, hummus...all good and reasonably priced.
i generally come here on sunday nights for the Mess Around. in the back room they spin swing/rockabilly/50's rock music. it's a bit of a swing dance scene, which is why i go but the music is great to listen to even if you don't dance. they have a decent size dance floor and play old music/dance clips on the t.v.'s ...ver