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Name: Holiday Club
Address: 4000 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60613
Telephone: (773) 348-9600
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.57

Holiday Club

4000 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60613

(773) 348-9600
Store is closed

Holiday Club Menu

Starters

Chips & Salsa

Nachos

French Fries

Cheese Fries

Fries & Gravy

Soup of The Day

Macaroni & Cheese

Hummus Plate

Holiday House Salad

Holiday House Salad

Holiday House Salad

Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad

Holiday Calamari

Holiday Satay

Chips & Salsa

Nachos

French Fries

Cheese Fries

Fries & Gravy

Soup of The Day

Macaroni & Cheese

Hummus Plate

Holiday House Salad

Holiday House Salad

Holiday House Salad

Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad

Holiday Calamari

Holiday Satay
Sandwiches, Etc.

Veggie Burger

Pasta of The Day

Pasta of The Day

Pasta of The Day

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Portabella Sandwich

BLT

BLT

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich

Chicken Kabob

Holiday Burger

Holiday Burger

Holiday Burger

Shredded BBQ Pork Sandwich Holiday Wings

Grilled Steak Sandwich

Grilled Steak Sandwich

Meatloaf

Hot Turkey

Veggie Burger

Pasta of The Day

Pasta of The Day

Pasta of The Day

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Portabella Sandwich

BLT

BLT

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich

Chicken Kabob

Holiday Burger

Holiday Burger

Holiday Burger

Shredded BBQ Pork Sandwich Holiday Wings

Grilled Steak Sandwich

Grilled Steak Sandwich

Meatloaf

Hot Turkey
Pizzas

Pesto Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Holiday Margherita Pizza

Southwestern Chicken Pizza

Bbq Chicken Pizza

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza

Primavera Pizza

Hawaiian Pizza

Chicken Caesar Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Pesto Pizza

Holiday Margherita Pizza

Southwestern Chicken Pizza

Bbq Chicken Pizza

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza

Primavera Pizza

Hawaiian Pizza

Chicken Caesar Pizza
Holiday Choice Pizza*

Cheese Only

Each Topping

Each Topping

Cheese Only

Each Topping

Each Topping
Holiday Wraps - With Meat

BLT

BLT

BBQ Chicken

BBQ Chicken

Thai Chicken

Grilled Steak

Grilled Steak

BLT

BLT

BBQ Chicken

BBQ Chicken

Thai Chicken

Grilled Steak

Grilled Steak

Healthy Meal suggestions for Holiday Club

Starters

Chips & Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries & Gravy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hummus Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips & Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries & Gravy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hummus Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches, Etc.

Veggie Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Portabella Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shredded BBQ Pork Sandwich Holiday Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veggie Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Cheese Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Portabella Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shredded BBQ Pork Sandwich Holiday Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizzas

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Margherita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Chicken Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Primavera Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hawaiian Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Caesar Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pesto Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Holiday Margherita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwestern Chicken Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon, Spinach & Tomato Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Primavera Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hawaiian Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Caesar Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Holiday Choice Pizza*

Cheese Only [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Each Topping [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Each Topping [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Only [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Each Topping [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Each Topping [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Holiday Wraps - With Meat

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BLT [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

BBQ Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Jeffrey V.

I had a friend who worked the door there on weekends and i stole a 20 dollar bill that some lady dropped one night. Also one time a cougarish chick shook her ass on me and asked me if she looked old. 3 stars just for that. Would i go there by choice? NO, but i wouldn't avoid it at all costs.
(3)
Michael S.

Good food, nice big place. The drinks were good as well. Overall, a great experience!
(4)
Emily D.

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.
(1)
Varun M.

Just went there for drinks with a fan and it was a reasonably interesting experience. I am trying to figure out if this always focuses on holiday decor or it was just like that for the holidays? There was no live music the night I went and it was pretty dead probably due to the weather. I could see myself stopping by here for a drink, they have interesting specials and friendly staff. Interesting bar if you are going for a different experience.
(3)
Michael P.

I miss the days of living less than a block away from this spot. Back when Maria was our favorite server and she would make fun of us for being Cubs fans. Remember when Michael Barrett took a swing at Pierzynski? We were there to enjoy the aftermath. We've had many birthday, Halloween, and other celebrations here. I still display my black-&-white pictures taken from the photobooth in there on my wall. Now that I am back in the neighborhood, I am going to have to revisit Holiday.
(4)
Marion B.

It's not the cleanest, it's not the coolest, but they've got the tots!! And the karaoke! And I'm a happy girl.
(4)
Liz P.

Before my friends and I knew the ins and outs of the new area in which we lived, we went to the Holiday Club a few times by virtue of it being right around the corner from our house. Having been there three or so times, I feel as though I've seen what I needed to see, and don't have a huge desire to return. It's very spacious yet at the same time, seating feels so limited. Their margherita pizza wasn't too bad, although the crust was sort of tough. Probably wouldn't order it again. The drinks seem really overpriced though--$3 for a single PBR when you can go buy a six pack for around $4? Maybe I'm just too miserly. Regardless, I wouldn't ever come here for a rip-roaring good time or anything. Just doesn't have the right feel for somewhere to really let loose with friends and relax.
(2)
Jon E.

Remember lamÃ©? That shimmering fabric made popular in the 70s by "Fame" and Magenta from Rocky Horror? The glittering facade of the Holiday Club makes me think I'm about to walk into a 60's cabaret, complete with The Rat Pack sipping highballs and calling women "broads." I keep expecting Dean or Frank's 67 Eldorado Sport Coupe to roll up out front. Sadly the best you get is a bust of Sammy, Dean, Frank and Peter in the 2nd bar room, so leave your fedora at the door. However, this is the first bar I've ever been to watch a political debate at. Last night the Rat Pack video room was filled with a crowd specifically there to watch if Caribou Barbie could hold her own against Smokin' Joe Biden. During the sparring I saw plates piled high with gob-smacking wings, ample sammies and tons of thick cut steak fries smothered in cheese glide by me. I'll def have to come back for a beer and wing night. The drinks are reasonable, with a good selection... and PBR on tap! While the kitsch is in short supply, the layout and service is right on par. What makes this place is the attitude. There isn't any, and it seemed that the bulk of the crowd was smart and chill. Best of all the red line stops feet from the door, and the 151 runs north and south from here too. Can't beat that. Def good people, good bar, cheers!
(4)
Lauren H.

I too expected a little more from the inside, but in the end, I am not going to that kind of place for the decor. I wasn't drinking that night, so I can't say how the drinks tasted, but I was also surprised that the cocktails weren't very cheap. The food was reasonably priced, and my hummus plate was good, albeit weirdly spicy. I somehow missed the photo booth :( but did get to enjoy the video bowling which was fun. Nice crowd of people, I would go back.
(3)
Jennie M.

Ok Holiday Club. Here's the thing. I want to like you, I really do, but the other night you just kinda rubbed me the wrong way. My friend and I came in around 7 on a Monday. Our server was great- super friendly, super sweet, great. Since it was so damn cold out, we ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese with bacon. Yum. Can't wait. And they had a special on 6 mini bottles of High Life for 10 bucks. Cool. We get one of those too. Sidenote: Holiday Club was basically empty. There were a few people at the bar, and eventually a couple guys came in, but I'd say there were maybe half a dozen patrons in there along with us in the 3 hours we were there. This is important in my starring of this review. So yeah, we order and probably 10 or 15 mins later the soup comes out. Rock on, we wait for our grilled cheese because, hi, when you order tomato soup with grilled cheese it is to dip it into the soup. So we wait. And wait. And wait. We decide to try the soup and at this point it is getting cold and we are hungry so I say whatever and just eat the damn soup while my friend waits for her grilled cheese. Finally it comes. I'm not kidding, it was at LEAST 30 mins after we ordered it. Normally I'd be like whatever it's a bar who cares they are probably busy. BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. And then when it FINALLY came, it wasn't even hot. I don't know what went wrong, but it doesn't take 30 mins to throw some cheese on bread and fry up some tots and then for them not even to be hot?! Our server seemed to be on top of things, so I don't think she forgot it, but who knows. I feel like this experience is a 2 star review, but I've come in before for just drinks and things have been fine, so I'll give them 3, although it might be closer to 2 and a half. I've never had such spotty food service in an empty bar before.
(3)
siouxzi r.

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.
(4)
Chaviva G.

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 ...
(4)
Sean K.

I couldn't hate the Holiday Club more if I tried. I guess I should preface this review by listing the things I like in a bar. They are as follows: Quiet enough to hold a conversation with friends Cheap alcohol Nice atmosphere. The Holiday Club, (on weekends anyway) is extremely loud, the drinks cost way too much, and the atmosphere is similar to some of the larger meat market bars on Clark- though maybe not quite that bad. I realize that for some people, it's a perfect sort of place. They have a decent sized dance floor, and lots of DJ's, but it's just not my cup-of-tea.
(1)
Katie C.

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!
(4)
Lori L.

Oh Holiday Club, how I love thee. You've provided many a "memory" for me and my crew. Dancing, drinking, complete zaniness. You put up with my antics and always welcome me back with open arms. But I digress... What I love about this place is that its a truly come as you are type of bar. The crowd ranges from your average Joe, to rockers, to artists, to sports fans. Drinks are strong and very resonable. The photo booth lends to some very amusing moments. The food is scrumpdidliumptious, especially their cheese fries. Its stumbling distance from home which only adds to its appeal.
(4)
Dantee A.

I have here 4 times and each time was not a disappointment. Even though they do not have great specials, the food and the atmosphere make up for it. It's a lot of fun when you see drunk people dance on the dance floor - last time a bachelorette party came strolling in from a trolley and that was a lot of to watch... Do not get a jager bomb here - I ordered one and the waitress already mixed the redbull and jager - maybe I should have a ordered a "jager car-bomb?" There wings are good here - very spicy and tons of flavor! This is a good place to lounge around with friends if you want a low-key night.
(3)
Danielle F.

I don't have anything to add that someone else has not said. I love this place!
(4)
Erika G.

I've been going to this joint since it's first incarnation as a hipster joint on Milwaukee Avenue. This second version has captured the coolness of the original. Friendly, cute bartenders and charming waitresses that deserve every tip. How can you not love a bar that has paillettes on the facade? I really like this bar - very chill, laid back, friendly place.
(4)
Mitchell P.

Walking into this bar you feel like you are in some sort of time warp. Good crowd, fairly priced drinks. I didn't try any food.
(3)
joel b.

For about a year and a half I was at this place more than once an average week with a buddy or two. What to expect: Two rooms, a main one and an "event" room where they'll hold karaoke or dj dance parties or open mic. The main room has a few opensided booths and tables as well as an always busy pool table and photo booth. A decent jukebox plays occasionally a bit loudly but hey, it's a bar. It's always quite smokey. For a while they had 2-3 great servers but a couple of them are gone now. That said, Maria is a fantastic waitress and manages to take care of the entire bar by herself on a busy weekend evening. Couple of great friendly bar tenders. The doormen never remember us, despite the fact we've been in literally hundreds upon hundreds of times, but that's a mute point. The food is pretty decent for bar food, especially the chicken wings and chicken sand-which and reasonably priced for a bar in the neighborhood. The activities in the back room are hit and miss depending on crowd and weather. I've been to full and dead karaoke and open mic. The dancing on weekends has been quite fun on occasion - djs usually spin a mix of semi nostalgic stuff from 80s 90s. All in all, it's an ok place to meet up with 1-2 or 4-5 people. Not great for crowds, decent stuff goin on in the back room, decent food... But I'll give it an extra star for having the best server in Beuna Park.
(4)
matty z.

Karaoke Mondays. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Charles C.

Went there on a Sunday night so it wasn't too busy. The food was reasonably priced and the burger and tater tots I ate were tasty. The drinks weren't the cheapest but they were not at all expensive by any means.
(3)
Dennis K.

The Holiday used to be my stop and get a (some) drink (s) after work (midnight) destination, being on the way and a block from my old apartment. I'd never been to its former Wicker Park incarnation, but it really feels like it belongs right at the corner of IPR and Sheridan. Of course, being there, where Wrigleyville and Buena Park meet, means that some people will only see their anti-stereotypes. Oh noes, post-college frat boys! Oh noes, stuck up, secret-trust-fund neo-bohemians! Oh noes, Trixies and Brads! Oh noes, Latinos who aren't working in the kitchen! &c. It's really not like that, though. There are always going to be people who don't feel like they fit in, and want everyone to know it. These people are called assholes and they're a fact of life. I like the Holiday as a worknight place. Weekends are always loud and crowded (though not packed). Some of you may see this as a good thing. Dave, one of the employees, whom I think of as the "main guy" is friendly and knows his profession well. Actually, all of the bartenders are above-average mixologists. The beer selection is adequate and their whiskey selection is surprisingly varied, with several good single-malts and a couple of premium bourbons. My only complaint is that they recently replaced their excellent jukebox with one of those internet monstrosities--however, the bartenders retain their good taste and will kill anything too incongruous or awful that might come on. I originally was going give these guys four stars, but I've changed my mind: five stars, because they show the Sox games despite being 2 blocks due north of Wrigley. Verdict: the Holiday is a fine place to spend your time, especially on a weeknight.
(5)
Bradley M.

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.
(4)
Mike K.

I'd always seen this place and wanted to go, finally finding an excuse when my birthday buddy from Milwaukee came into town to see her sister,(we dont actually share the same birthday, but i'm a guy and guys do silly things when boobs are involved) as she lives across the street from here. Apparrently I'd been missing out on an amazingly fun time. The food was better than I expected, especially the chesse fries!!! The music was great and fun, and the crowd was into it! I love a great crowd. Plus I had my first black and white photo booth experience! It really is a great place to party, I loved it, and my friends really got into it. And just when you couldnt think it could get any better....yep, Sunday brunch!!!
(5)
Victor A.

A good bar in a decent location. A bit off of the beaten path for most, but worth the trip. the crowd does vary, but for the most part you will mostly be overrun with wrigleyville types. the nachos there are awesome. dont ever try to eat an order alone though. you will fail. a rather eclectic mix of music on any given night. theres a pool table and a photo booth. if you stop in, say hi to Russell. The best bartender north of diversey avenue....
(3)
Adam M.

Ok, I heard back from the business owner, Tim J, and he said the woman who works on Sundays is Maria and she's been there forever. She is AWESOME! Everyone needs to hang out at the Holiday Club on a hungover Sunday.
(5)
Rachel H.

I hadn't been here in a while but I was meeting up with a friend from out of town and this was where she wanted to meet. This bar is a little bit like what would happen if I accidentally had a baby with a frat boy. The retro feel is fun but I was a little weirded out by contrast of the sports on tv and boys wearing hats and button down shirts untucked. Not really my thing. What is my thing is that they were playing Barbarella and also that they have a photobooth. I could waste my last dime on that shit, no joke. The bartender was nice and it was a decent time. Its far North but I'd come back if someone else wanted to meet up there.
(3)
mdo s.

I used to drink at the Holiday Club back when it was in Wicker Park on Milwaukee. I loved it there. I have fond memories of tiki night Sundays and giant bowls of flaming goodness made with "rum" brand rum. I don't miss the killer headache I would have on Monday morning at work though. Then one day the Holiday closed and moved up north. So I'm afraid my review is going to be slightly slanted since I constantly compare the new Holiday with the old Holiday. For instance, I can't say I like the new room. It seems really wide open and cold. The bar itself is kind of small and the pool table just seems out of place. That said, they brought the killer starburst light fixtures from the old bar along with all the other retro touches that make the Holiday Club the swingers mecca. All the bric-a-brac behind the bar is still there and that makes me happy. Some things from the old Holiday Club have not changed though. The bartenders here are still great. I was in the other night and it was very refreshing to see the bartender wearing a White Sox hat so close to Wrigley Field. On another night I sat at the bar with my friend and after pouring us one drink he remembered what we were drinking the entire night. That doesn't seem like much but on a busy Friday night I thought it was cool that he remembered and all I had to do was give him the nod and two more drinks were in front of us. The drink prices are really reasonable and the food is still as good as I remember from when they were on Milwaukee. The music is via the jukebox and it has just about anything you could want. Finish your night by getting your partner in the photo booth and getting your picture taken. Bottom line-physically not the same Holiday Club from before, but they still do it right and convince me to schlep up north for a drink.
(3)
Heidi H.

Finally had a chance to go to the Holiday Club when my friend from Minneapolis came down to visit. We were there realllllly early, so I don't think that I got the total feel of the place, but the server we had was great, the food was good, the drinks were even better. I also had some quality time in the famous photo booth! Good times and cheers to my first shot of Jager...
(4)
W Q.

They advertise Saturday as 90s night, but they only played a dozen songs from that decade mixed with 70s, 80s and current tunes. My friends and I were looking for a night of specifically 90s nostalgia and were extremely disappointed. Also, it was dyke night much to our surprise. It just didn't turn out how we expected. Take down all promos that say 90s Dance Party--it's a lie. The food was good though and the non-90s music was good, it just sucked that we planned an entire night around that theme and didn't get it.
(3)
Keely B.

My theater company has an event here on the first Tuesday of every month. The staff is really accommodating, and we all have a good time. Toots tends bar in the back, and she's awesome. I adore their tater tots. And...they have a photo booth. That is all.
(4)
Rebecca H.

One room was a party, the other, not so much. Great DJ spinning soul/mod stuff kept me here longer than I suspected. The crowd was an interesting mix, the drinks weren't so pricey which was good though there wasn't that much in terms of variety. There was a tranny hooker on the corner which was an added bonus for entertainment on the way out.
(3)
Ismael M.

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.
(3)
Betsy T.

Typical neighborhood bar, with decent food. They have food and drink specials everyday, so definitely worth checking out. It's usually never busy during the week, so getting a table isn't hard.
(3)
Tandra H.

Ton-Oh-Fun! They have great drinks and games! Pool table and big game hunter, even a photobooth! So much fun! I have always wanted to go there, now I know why! Thanks again for the good time!
(5)
Andy S.

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.
(4)
Sarah K.

The Holiday Club is okay. I go there sometimes, because it's near my house, but if it wasn't near my house I don't think I'd be upset and I know I wouldn't travel to it. The drinks are okay and moderately priced, and I've never had the food. But I really don't like how they seem to ride the fence between hipster and frat. It's very sports bar, especially with their "no haters" sign in the window, but it also has a lot of the hallmarks of a hipster dive bar, with the decent jukebox and photobooth (which is cool). Personally, I'd like it better, I think, if they just picked a side. Also I only gve 3 stars because they call themselves a "Swingers Mecca," and I used to know some swingers, and I'd rather not think of them anywhere I might be eating or drinking. Everytime I see their advert that says that, I find myself thinking "I do not think that means what you think it means."
(3)
bridget l.

Not bad. dimly lit, cheap food, good music and a decent crowd. I like it.
(3)
Jason L.

Much smaller than the original on Milwaukee but still a great place to grab a quick drink or hang out and socialize. Burgers are much better than average pub grub. French fries are hot and crispy and the mashed potatoes and gravy are really good too.
(4)
Bruce W.

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.
(1)
Sarah T.

The shimmery sign is totally what got me into this place too, along with its convenient placement across from the X80 bus stop. It was pretty empty on a Sunday afternoon, but food and music were good. We both had Holiday burgers. The waitress was rude to us right off the bat, but the barman who ultimately served us was great, and I enjoyed his air-drumming antics. I'm a photo junkie and was totally hooked by the photo booth, if somewhat disappointed in the quality of our 4-frame strip. Overall it was a decent place; I think we'll probably check it out on a different day of the week next time.
(3)
Jeff F.

I was just here the other night and I liked it. We were lucky enough to get parking right next to the place because some very nice people gave us a guest pass. It has a nice little bar comfort-ness without the normal winos that frequent little bars. It has a cool 50s martini bar theme to it that is easy to miss if you don't look around. Although I did not eat the food it smelled wonderful. I say try it!
(4)
Krys J.

Once you overcome your uncertainties based on the gold sign glistening and flapping in the breeze, it's easy to realize that this place is pretty cool. The premise of the bar is based on the Rat Pack. How could you go wrong with that kind of sweet decor? During the week the crowd is pretty relaxed (I'm surprised to see Trixie references). Basically, I come in here to grab a few beers, take in a game and some grub. They have a pretty good portabella sandwich, the fries are decent and the mac & cheese...mmm. Beware of pool cues when sitting in the front area of the bar and I don't recommend sitting outside during the warmer days. Since the H-Club is right off of a busy intersection the exhaust ingestion may be higher than the alcohol consumption.
(4)
liz d.

I haven't been yelping lately, cause I have been spending my free time drinking it up at my new favorite spot! I love the diversity of this bar, so many different types. Peeps w/ piercing, next to the suit and dress couple. Everyone chills w/ some jukebox music, sipping either their martinis or draft brewskies. The staff is oober cool and friendly, always ready to throw a suggestion your way, in case you're in need for your next drink. I noticed they have food, but haven't checked that out. Yet.
(4)
Angelique I.

Holiday Club is an old standby which started back at the Wicker Park location. I never went to the uptown one until well after the other closed, but it's become to be fave. I like the food, especially the Thai Chicken wrap, and love the ability to order it until 12 or 1am. I've had many a good times in their photo booth. In recent years I've come to love Friday nights in the back room, where Planet Earth spins the best 80s new wave and beyond. It's a way different feel than Neo on Thursday, but fun just the same. You always get a table if you go at a reasonable time, you get to eat, you get to hear more variety and requests, and you have video eye candy to watch, even if the tapes aren't changed often. Even on other nights, I've never had a bad time at Holiday. For sure some nights have been better than others, but never have I felt like I had to get out of there. Now if the night is *especially* fun and I end up drunk enough to think Nick's Uptown is a good place to head afterwards, the same can not be said. That place always sucks! Pray I never go back.
(4)
Robert S.

I've had drinks here before with friends and had a great time. However, the last two times I visited I couldn't get a waiter/ess to take my order, even after looking them in the eye! I could understand if it was late and bar only time, but this was during dinner. I also stopped in another time to check out the advertised open mic night, but there wasn't anything happening. Maybe I was too early. I'll stop in another time I guess.
(2)
Jason Z.

I like the Holiday Club. It's a great bar, the crowd is a mix from the Wrigleyville residents who live south of Irving Park, to the hipsters who live north. It's a great mix, plenty of room to move around, a crowd but never crowded. One piece of advice, don't buy a macro beer (ie, Miller lite, bud light), it's $4.50 a bottle. This isn't some club downtown, it's a neighborhood bar. That being said, their imports are really reasonably priced, I'd rather pay $5 for a Hacker, than $4.50 for a Miller.
(3)
Jess S.

The brunch is delish. Always. I've only been there once at night, to meet up with a great old friend for his last night in town. It wasn't really my thing. Lots of rude, too-cool-for-school types. Although there was a mix of people, which I would usually approve of, its wasnt the mix I like. Thank god we all left shortly after I arrived. Just thinking about their brunch, I want a bloody mary. Aw yeah.
(3)
Steve O.

I used to go here frequently because it was close to my apartment, and yet even then I couldn't quite gather what to expect here. On the weekends there were a bunch of striped shirt guys mingling with the tight t-shirt alternative guys they should have been beating up. There's usually about two conventional hot girls, a handful of foxy weirdo chicks, and then a few male couples making out in the back room. A number of construction workers play pool frequently. The deals are okay, and music is interesting, the tv layout is both confusing and frustrating. Good to watch football on sunday's for $5 pizzas and half price pitchers. Wait staff reasonable.
(3)
Mark S.

Sentimental favorite- I killed so many braincells in the Wickerpark location before it closed. This spot wins me over for the continued great staff, music and decor, and it's a good bet to run into some old familiar faces there. Plus- it's an easy hop over after a show at the Metro... The down side is the neighborhood trixies who sometimes call it their home- what exactly runs through their mind when some Social Distortion song comes on the jukebox? Not much as usual I suppose... So it could use an extra dose of patron coolness on weekends, but still, the 80s room on Friday nights is a treat- if that DJ dude (Dave Roberts from Thursdays @Neo) doesn't have every legit 80s alterna-disco hit that you can dream up I'd be shocked- I've not been able to stump him yet! And watching the 80s throwback types dance around by themselves in the corner can really be hypnotic...or hysterical depending on your mood! I generally don't go there for food, but I have enjoyed the spicy chicken pizza every once in a while- nice to order something that is seriously spicy for a change (and not watered down-spicy).
(4)
Rob L.

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....
(4)
Randy W.

I love this place Maria and sonny rock
(5)
Blanket J.

I really do not know why I like this place, but I do. Perhaps it was because it knocked the socks off of Nick's across the street, perhaps because it has two rooms from which to choose (and consequently two very different music styles...). Bottom line: not too expensive, kind of retro-cool.
(4)
Kristin C.

The Holiday Club is very laid back retro-cool. I have only been there once when it was in "full swing" on a Friday night (which I enjoyed but definitely was different than my usual laid-back pub scene style). The other times I visited, I went early in the evening to eat and grab a few drinks. I must say one thing - they have excellent WINGS. Just how I like them, buffalo style and not breaded. . .very tasty. They also make a mean bloody mary so Holiday Club gets a fat "A" in my book.
(4)
Maciek R.

I've driven by this place a million of times and have always thought it was all yuppie, bitchy pretentious run-of-the-mill diner. Then my friend asked me if I want to go for a $5 burger to HC. I thought to myself..what the heck?. To my surprise it wasn't a diner...it's actually an open space bar with high and low tables, a stage, a photo booth and the greatest atmosphere you can find in the vicinity. My friend introduced me to the great bartender vixen, Danielle. I've had their turkey burger...fingerlicious (not on the $5 special menu) as well as the burger special menu. If you feel like having a GREAT burger done your way, go to Holiday club. No regrets and a definite GO BACK place for me.
(4)
Nick H.

This place is sort of a dive. The service is hit or miss, the drinks are moderately priced, and the food is mediocre at best. The best way to do the Holiday Club is with a large group of friends when there are not too many other patrons. Then you can take over the juke box which is the best thing the bar has going for it and have a rocking good time.
(3)
Brandon H.

What can I say? It's the Holiday Club! Very diverse and eclectic clientelle, but everyone is genuinely nice and more than happy to chit chat and hang around. The bartenders are very charismatic and are always attentive. I've never had a bad time here.
(5)
laura heather h.

I went here last summer once it was cool. A little more than I wanted to spend but I think I was ultra divey then totally wanting all beers to cost as much as they did where I worked which was $1.00. SO! All in all the Holiday was F U N there was a photobooth which is always fun to cram everyone into, karaoke in the back which was super fun and I went there with a extra-amazing crew that night so it was really great. I remember it being extremely annoying at how long it took to get back considering it is up north and east of me and I am in Logan, so ya know, cta is frustrating. anyhoo, go go go!
(4)
Erb B.

No I won't kiss you in the photobooth. oh, hi phil.
(5)
Sasha R.

One more star since the owner/manager? sent me a nice message via Yelp. Good customer service means a lot.
(4)
Jaz P.

My beach volleyball regularly headed over there on Tuesday nights, and all 20 of us would order the burger specials with beer. Nice little patio area to sit in. Owner is attentive and has come by to talk to our group.
(4)
Sheila G.

On my first outing to the Holiday Club I enjoyed a fine night of karaoke (observing, not singing), excellent cosmopolitans, and a pile of delish cheese fries as big as my head. Can it get much better? Well done, Holiday Club. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Katie H.

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.
(4)
Carolina P.

I've been here a couple of times. I like that the bar has two different areas but I hate how loud it gets when the DJ starts up. I know I sound old but its annoying. Its right off the redline though so its easy to get to even though I live on the opposite side of the city. I would recommend this place for a party with a large crowd.
(3)
Tina G.

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.
(4)
Lee A.

Been to Holiday a few times. The wait staff and bartenders have always been nice. Unlike others, the food has been good. Nothing special, but standard bar food. Overall the place is chill and usually not crowded making it a nice place to have a beer with a couple friends.
(4)
Jocelyn P.

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!!
(4)
Tiff D.

I was walking home from the Red Line after a bad date, and I was still hungry. I went into the holiday club on a monday night, which was open mike. Knowing that this is mainly a bar, I chose to order from the appetizer menu (thinking that this is what the Holiday club would be mostly stocked up for). I came alone, but the vibe was so friendly that I ended up drinking with another party and they even bought me a shot (which I kindly accepted, sipped, then gave to a neighboring drunkard because I'm not much of a shot girl). Looking around at what others were munching on, I saw nachos that looked decent and fries with cheese. I ordered tater tots with cheese, the cheapest thing on the menu. Interesting. The Holiday Club is what it is, a place to drink moderatly priced beer and eventually take photos in their awesome photobooth. Come with friends and you will instantly feel comfortable. The only stand-out thing I can think to mention was the open mike talent. Very Very good local singers!
(3)
kc a.

Here's an interesting story - stick with it, my stories can be lengthy/detailed: I live less than half a block from the Holiday Club - and my fiance and I used to go there frequently. It's always been a fun, welcoming atmosphere, great staff - and unique for being so close to the plethora of overcrowded Wrigleyville, dude bars. UNFORTUNATELY - we had an AWEFUL experience there less than 1 hr ago. I worked in the restaurant/bar industry for 7+ years, I still work in customer service - my fiance currently works in the restaurant industry - rest assured we are not "difficult" people!!! Each person of the 4 in our party tonight had no more than 3-4 beers over the course of a 3 hours - we were not intoxicated!! Seated at a table for four, our waitress was sweet and the pitchers of Elliot Ness were fine. No complaints. After a while, an intoxicated patron suddenly approached us and started a very confrontational, argumentative conversation. I will admit, I am not one to cow-tow to drunk, rude, uninformed people, so I did respond to his remarks - correcting his cultural comments, and rebuffing his affronts - but I made clear he knew I didn't know why he was approaching us and being combative - there was no need. After he PUT HIS FOOT ON OUR TABLE (yeah, literally, in between our drinks) and I tried to wave a staff member down, "jokingly" saying, "whoa! sanitation codes! ha! check this out, not appropriate" another member of our table finally put an end to the unpleasant experience by basically saying "excuse me, I think we are all here as friends and are not looking for this argument - was there a point to you coming over to this table? I think we'd like it if we all just went on our way" He went back to the bar. He was clearly belligerent, but he also clearly knew the bartender and was wildly gesticulating to him while talking loudly about how "shitty" we were. He even had the bartender purposefully make us "bad" shots (we found out he called them "dirty sandals") and brought them over as a false apology! Though our waitress was very nice, when we tried to let her know this guy might be costing the bar customers, she excused his actions, saying he was "like that all the time" and didn't "know what he was talking about, he always does this to people" We asked the waitress if there was a manager to talk to, recognizing she shouldn't be accountable for some guys general ass-like behavior - she told us there wasn't and seemed to feel helpless in the whole situation. GET THIS: we did not look at the guy, talk to him, etc for the rest of the evening. He then sent us a note written on a bev napkin saying that we all suck, we are all bad people and we all wish we were like him. HE THEN TOLD US WE "WERE NOT WELCOME THERE" when I asked if he had ownership in the establishment he said "no, but I could" Good for him if he could buy the Holiday Club tomorrow. Congrats. But the fact that nobody seemed to care that this guy is a regular and is regularly belligerent to customers - that's just not ok - not professionally handled at all! Look at this objectively: even if he's a regular (you think, "maybe he's a really good regular and the bar kinda caters to him") we were a party of 4 people who all live within 5 block of the Holiday Club, being easy going, good customers that night. And 3 of us had been there numerous times before - not that they are supposed to remember that or care. His "regular" business could be potentially costing them up to 3 otherwise repeat customers a day. THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT THE ENTIRE STAFF LET HAPPEN. THIS GUY WENT BY "SANDALS" I really hope the staff/management starts to take it upon themselves to invest time and attention to the goings-on of their establishment - I don't see myself going there again any time soon, nor do any of the other members of our group - and my neighbor used to go there, guess what I'm telling her about?! And so on and so on... I hope "sandals" business is worth losing professional credibility. I also hope Holiday Club gets their act together - again, they used to be a fun place. I don't want to judge on ONE experience, but it was numerous staff members' response to a bad situation that has turned us off - not just the jerky customer.
(1)
Mia M.

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!
(5)
Justin R.

I have been to this place many times throughout my years in Chicago. It is fun. The jukebox is good. The vibe is good. The owner and the people who work there are all pretty cool. This is a fun place to go any night of the week.
(4)
Jamie R.

i loved it. people were dressing the part, dancing the part. it was funny to see the jocks i was with intimidated by scrawny buddy holly look-alikes. i even heard one of them say, "thank god i'm in my twenties now. i would have never got laid back then. i can't compete with that."
(4)
Evan D.

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.
(3)
Blanca D.

This place is fun and the staff is awesome. It was a great place to watch the bears games and cubs games. Very chilled and you didn't have that hardcore fan screaming all crazy. Everyone was cool. I don't know how anyone can say this place is bad...have you had their fries and gravy? or Hot Wings? AWESOME. Love this place. Never had a bad moment at the holiday club.
(5)
Kenneth H.

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. Any questions concerning this review can be directed to caninecitysurvival.com
(5)
Alexis P.

We thought it was a sign from the heavens when a couple of friends and I walked into the Holiday Club and they were playing the same Madona song we were rocking out to just moments ago in the car, but 80's night turned out to be far less than spectacular and the first in a series of failed attempts to bring it on a long night in search of a place to shake it. The place is cute inside and the vibe did not seem dull, but seeing as how we were trying to get down, my friends and I concentrated on the dance floor side, which was lacking. We sat down at a table, got some drinks (drinks were a tad out of my normal price range and not that great) and we waited for a good song to get up for...and waited...until Joy Division, which is not really great to dance to, but still good, and we were desperate. Sad thing is, on the way to the bathroom, I noticed that better dance music was playing in the main area. After a few more new wave slow jams and no one coming to join us on the dance floor, it was time to hit the road.
(3)
Kelly R.

I used to live around the corner from here so it made a good late night stop before the stumble home. It's a smoky one, but at 3 a.m. who the hell notices? The photo booth is great fun, check it. And is there some sort of back room there? I seem to recall a back room... I guess I've never been there sober, so I'm not sure.
(4)
Bella D.

Lov this place! Had a great time w/ pals celebrating my bday! Like all the other reviews, laid back and chill. Old Chicago w/ a twist of modern, new wave, sinatra-ish, & good ol-chicago people. Great appetizers and drinks! Great staff!!
(4)
Jami K.

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. ..
(4)
John S.

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.
(4)
Rian K.

Just down the street from me, I passed its shimmery exterior every day for a year before I went with some friends on karaoke night. We were in the back room, and it felt like our own private party. There were some great renditions, and you could tell that some of the people were regulars. Everyone was very friendly, and we ended up doing group dances to silly songs. The bartender was fantastic, the atmosphere and lighting very mellow, and the drink prices excellent. Definitely recommended for a low key, fun night out.
(4)
Chris S.

Unpretentous, laid back bar with a really good menu...mmm cheese fries. Comfortable enough to draw a pretty diverse crowd. Some may call that "riding the fence", but there's nothing wrong with everyone being able to hang out in one place. Overall, good drinks, good food, good atmosphere.
(4)
Steve R.

Ever go to one of those parties where it seems like everyone there would rather be somewhere else? That's what this place made me think of. The food is nothing special (I found it sorta sub-par), the ambiance is just average to divey (and I don't mean the good kind of divey). I've been there a few times when I lived in the area, gave it a shot. I won't be back. I've never gotten the impression it was hipster-y or trixie-ish but I haven't been there in awhile.
(2)
Arnab M.

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.
(3)
Gil N.

Cool little place, decent menu, and good service. There's always a nice mix of people and did I mention they have a photo booth. Those are always a good time.
(3)
Sara B.

My friend's favorite bar. Great staff, atmosphere and food. I have never been disappointed here! Good pace to chill out when you want out with your friends but you don't want the chaos that is sometimes any bar in this area.
(5)
Ellen F.

Last time i came here was with fellow Yelper Leslie K. We enjoyed several sedated drinks, then some not so sedated drinks until I woke up at 6 am on the El without a purse. Its basically all a mystery. Whats not a mystery is that Holiday Club is good weird fun.
(4)
Justin R.

Walked in, looked at their menu, walked out. Not much to choose from, not a place I'll go back to.
(1)
Rebekah K.

I like Holiday club, but it just isn't as nice as the old location: it kind of lost the warm coziness. The staff is really great! I love Dave and Sonny the bartenders. Karaoke was better when Chris ran it, but still loads of fun.. Would give it three and a half if I could.. but the food just isn't that good. I remember with everything I ate (except the meatloaf which I can no longer eat, that was good) I was kind of "..." which works, because though I ate there probably 30 times what is coming to mind right now is "What did I eat...?" The music can be too loud to have a conversation, which is something I pretty specifically dislike.
(3)
David D.

Nod to the jukebox here. Something for everyone, even me--I generally don't even check jukeboxes due to my taste, but if it says anything, the conversation between me and my friend came to an abrupt halt the other day when Siouxsie came on. All in all, though, this is a standard bar not worth venturing to if you're not already nearby--unless you come on a Friday AND you are a die-hard fan of New Wave AND you want to just chill and chat with your friends without dancing around like you did at Neo....
(3)
Pamela G.

I went to the Holiday Club on a late evening during a visit in Chicago because few eating establishments were open. It looked fun but was a complete let down. I showed my ID at the door and took a seat outside. I waited 20 minutes before going inside to try and find waitstaff. The waitress said she was about to check the patio yet we, and the other couple there, had to wait another 10-15 minutes before she came to take our order. After putting in our order we were told the patio was closing in ten minutes so we moved inside. We sat for 30-40 minutes before the waitress came over to let me know that what I'd ordered wasn't available. I saw her, she was mostly hanging out, did it really take 40 minutes to find out that I couldn't get a freaking veggie burger? Anyway, I ordered one of their tasteless five-dollar pizzas and my boyfriend had the thai chicken wrap, which he also found to be unappetizing. The food was cheap but the service was incredibly crummy so I wouldn't recommend going here if you can avoid it. Try the burrito joint on the opposite corner.
(1)
Susan L.

I don't get this bar. There is barely any seating, but the main room is really big. It's mostly filled with pool tables, which can only entertain a small amount of people at a time. I've sat outside both times I've been there, because the big room weirds me out.
(2)
Kyle D.

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.
(4)
Doug S.

Holiday club is a great bar to have a drink or two at. The bar staff is always really nice and the drink specials are good for the area. The karaoke is a good time and they have the best video bowling machine ever made. The thing has cup holders and ashtrays built right into it. It is like visiting Lucky Strike Lanes on a screen and you don't even have to wait 4 hours to bowl! How can you go wrong with that?
(4)
Angela S.

I love the jukebox here. Sometime's I'll stop in mid conversation just to go over to the box to see what's playing! Good bar food, decent priced drinks, an all around good time. Never too crowded either. I have yet to try the Sunday brunch bloodys, but it's on my list. Just 2 1/2 stars for the pizza. If you like a thick cracker crust you'll be OK with it though.
(4)
Cassie B.

by my house so i've been here quite a bit. ther atmosphere is only ok, but they make a mean martini. once when i was tired of my favorite (extra dirty vodka) the bartender recommended a really good one. a good alternative to wrigleyville places. we went here for New Year's Eve and were really happy with it - for $60 we got all you can drink, anything you want (not just beer/wine), one selection off the menu, champagne and fun favors at midnight. not too crowded either!
(3)
erika s.

back room is good for dancing. nice videos on the screens. super friendly bartenders. strong drinks. good burgers. great contrast on their photo booth. no complaints.
(3)
Ashley S.

love the owner, love the people, love the karaoke master, love the grumpy waitress that's there ALL THE TIME, love the cute door guy, love that they have karaoke on wednesday nights and principal blackman from the show strangers with candy goes there to sing and get WASTED because he makes drooling fans buy him shots, etc.. i like this place. it's got a really comfy vibe and a great black and white photo booth that prints the photos in strips. plus if it's too loud in back you can go to the front and meet interesting people. if it's too loud in front, you can go to the back!
(5)
Dan B.

Vince Vaughn comes to this establishment.
(3)
Mark P.

It's not bad. Little noisy and filled with lame people from time to time, but you could definitely do worse. Good drink specials, far enough from Wrigley that it's not a guarantee to be crowded after a game.
(3)
David R.

This place felt like I was drinking in my friends basement! The place was very smokey and it seemed to be an older crowd. The drink specials were good and Karaoke on Wednesday nights are a lot of fun!
(2)
Greg G.

Retro - type casual joint. Tattooed female bartenders with character (not attitude) serve up the typical fare in the 50's diner type room. Big screen TV. Sports. Yay. Pretty unremarkable place considering it's different interior. Felt like I was drinking at Johnny Rockits...
(2)
Colleen S.

Any place with an Elvis pinball machine is fanfreakingtastic in my book. The majority of the time, I'm here for brunch on a Sunday so let's start there. Small brunch menu but everything on it's great. I wish they'd bring back the waffles but the pancakes are a good substitute. The half price pitchers of bloody marys and screwdrivers are AWESOME and you'll understand why if you watch the bartender pour them. Service is always fast and super friendly. The tunes in the juke are all over the place and that's what I like about it. As far as nighttime bar scene, I'm not sure I've experienced it more than four times but it was the standard laid back bar atmosphere. They have a backroom that is usually full of some other kind of DJ driven music. What else? Lots of TV's, a pool table, maybe a bar fly or two, random video games and a photobooth. Outdoor seating in the summer, super close to the el and a Chase bank. What else do you need? Just go there!
(5)
Kristin A.

This place has potential, it's just not quite there yet. Good location with not a lot of competition. Pool tables, food, drinks, your basic bar. I believe they also have brunch on the weekends. Never tried it.
(4)
k s.

Decent spot with food and drink specials. There's a pool table and jukebox in the main room, if you're not into the DJs or karaoke in the other. I enjoy the Rat Pack theme.
(4)
Theresa K.

one of my favorite places to go! has a retro look and feel though the people who go there aren't dressed in that theme. front bar has pool, tables, food, back bar same thing except different music and a dance floor. friday nights are new wave nights, but saturday nights is early 90's/late 80's music you've already heard too many times before. i really like throwing or attending friend's parties here.
(4)
Denise S.

It's a fun place to hang out with a group of friends. It can get VERY loud, so don't expect to have a lot of conversation.
(3)
Scott M.

Friendly staff, no trouble getting drinks, and the dancing! Oh, the dancing! Definitely a great spot to dance your butt off and not be bothered by my least favorite dwarfs: Judgy and Sleazy. Nineties Night was right up my alley, having been a teenager way back when. I think I danced for four straight hours as the place slowly filled to the brim. Sadly, someone cleaned up my full drink, before I had the chance to consume, so I was a bit disappointed with that. Somehow I missed the photo booth, but I certainly didn't miss the glitzy sign. Good times, then again, we always have good times.
(4)
lisa c.

So I have been coming to the holiday club for the past 10 years. Always a great spot and never really had any complaints. That is until today. My companions and I went out for some wings and beers. Spent a better part of 6 hours in this establishment running up a substantial tab. Well being in the industry we know to always keep track of our beers. (We have gotten effed before) so when the bill came we were outraged to find that the waitress charged us for 3 extra beers. When we told her that this wasn't correct she gave us a song and dance and brought over a manager of sorts. Instead of believing a long time patron we were still expected to pay. I find this very disappointing and disrespectful to say the least. Even if we were charged for the correct amount the service was terrible. The waitress even said we were her only table yet we barely even saw her. At the very least as the saying goes, isn't the costomer always right? Why not just correct the bill? Non the less this will be the last time we patronize this establishment. I write reviews very few and far between but I felt the need to get this I out there. I'm sure that they don't care if we come back seeing that there are a ton of hipsters that will gladly drunken pay for anything but I won't be going back! Just be aware if you go, pay attention to how much you order.
(1)
Adriane P.

Once upon a time, in a neighborhood so very awesome lived a fair maiden named Adriane Petunia. She was courted by a rather imprudent and tempremental young sir. Whenever she declined a date or wished to stay in he'd grow upset and ominously threaten, "OK! If you don't I'm going to Holiday Club!!!! I'll find some girl who wants to see me!!" She'd be sad yet continue with her regularly scheduled plans but this repeated warning aroused a certain level of intrique and mystique about Holiday Club. She since tossed him aside like a parking ticket, but still wondered about Holiday Club. Imagine her astonishment when she went and saw how low key, sedate, and typical it was! He made it sound like there was scantily clad, randy people, and champagne corks whizzing around the room. I guess her throwback breezy thought since the word "club" was in the title it sounded more wild? Or she should be concerned? Who knows what's behind the best laid plans of mice and men. The special was Hamms cans for $2. Neither she nor the lad she was with knew what that was but gave it a shot then left. She concluded she may return, in spite of the deception, sometimes the prospect of a low key bar pleases. And she lived happily ever after. The End
(2)
Jamie F.

Dance party! 90's style! What a great time, I came here with a group of friends all looking for a fun environment to dance free of skeezy pick up artists, overpriced drinks and judgment for our super awesome dance moves. Holiday club fit the bill perfectly. The dance floor was pretty empty when we first got there (not that that stopped us) but it was absolutely packed by 11:30. With two bars, I never had to wait long for a drink and all of the bartenders were friendly. The music (90's night) was awesome. My tab at the end of the night was reasonable and more importantly, the whole group had a fantastic time.
(4)
Kristine N.

Let's just be clear, this is a swing dancing themed bar, not a couples swingers bar. Came here to watch the game but they insisted 2 of the 3 TV's had to stay on an old black and white film which I found odd. Service started out ok but as the night progressed, our server got very very short with us. It wasn't even that busy. They do have good specials every night and karaoke in a separate room some nights which is a bonus I guess. Pool table and photo booth are a plus.
(3)
Sandy M.

Decided to check this place out at around 6pm today. It was pretty chill and mellow. It was empty when I got there which I didn't mind. The staff seemed nice. I was a little disappointed with the burger and fries I ordered. The chicken in the burger tasted burnt and the fries were extremely salty for my taste. Not sure if I will go back there for food.
(3)
Thomas H.

This is my go-to spot, mainly because it's within walking distance, but I reckon I would still frequent this establishment even if I move to another locale in the city limits. I usually come on Saturday nights because they play the throw-back 90's-00's hip hop and pop that I like. They'll also mix in some of today's hits as well. The service is great. The bouncers and bartenders always make me feel at home so I'm pretty comfortable moving about. There are 2 areas in this place. The front has a more dive bar type feel, with pool tables and large screens. There is music, but it's soft enough to have conversation. The back is where the dance area is at. It's not all that big, but enough to move around. Drinks are about standard price, but they offer $4 pbr tallboys which is nice. In terms of the clientele. It's definitely a mix of people. Mostly younger 20-30's. The reason I'm not giving this a 5 star rating is that the patrons aren't as friendly than other bars that I go to, but then again, because of the diverse crowd, that's what I'm going to get? Anyway, 4 1/2 stars. I would recommend if you like to rock out to old school tunes and have a good time.
(4)
Kyle B.

Went here in the middle of the week with some friends because, hey, couldn't everyone use a little holiday during the week? A retro-inspired bar with bikers out front and old movies playing on the tube while enjoying a beer and some decent bar food? I honestly couldn't really ask for a better way to spend my weeknight. Now, I know that everyone has their off nights and I'm usually willing to give it another shot, but I seriously must have chosen the wrong night. The food was all right, but I can't get over how awful the service was. Let me start off by saying how absolutely uncrowded it was here. Like maybe three other people in the bar uncrowded. Quite possibly another four or five outside on the patio, but still...pretty uncrowded. And yet, it took approximately 15 minutes to get a beer, an hour to get food, and another 20 minutes after that to get a second beer. It got so bad that people at my table started walking up to the bar to order drinks (at which point they were told by the bartender they had to order from the waitress.) And thus, round and round we go. The manager (I think?) was actually very pleasant, but unfortunately it didn't help the speed at which things were delivered to the table. As mentioned (last sentence, second paragraph,) the food was all right (once it showed up,) but once the damage was done I pretty much just wanted to close out and go somewhere where my impatience wasn't running rampant.
(2)
Bev h.

Dear Holiday Club, I really want to keep liking you, but 2 things need to change in order for me to go back: 1. The DJ. Stop playing 10-20 second clips of songs with weird silent breaks in between! I keep getting excited for 90's dance jams, and instead find myself on the packed dance floor on an emotional roller coaster: "love this jam!" {silence} "WTF, it's over?" {silence} "another jam!" {silence} "ugh, this DJ sucks." 2. It smells overwhelmingly of hot, stinky ass. Also while i was there this weekend, 2 people apparently had their purses stolen, and we left right as the cops were arriving. Heads up, ladies.
(3)
Dan L.

This place has been in my hood for many many years now and has done a lot of face lifting most times for the better. Good specials, decent food and a very eclectic crowd. this place seems to be in love with Karaoke as its advertised everynight but luckily in another room to avoid the really bad singers in the main room. There is nothing that really is bad or great about it. I probably go a few times a year and will continue to if its on my path home...
(3)
Alexander H.

Place blows. It's expensive, lots of ugly people and its not very interesting inside whatsoever. Pros: it is open late, near red line, big buck hunter
(1)
Meredith B.

I haven't been to the Holiday Club for a night out in a few years, though my friends and I did have a fantastic time there! I've spent a few evenings here volunteering for the Obama campaign - currently on Monday and Thursday nights at 630, they run a phone bank out of the back room. The servers are always incredibly helpful and friendly, and really make us feel welcome. I also very much enjoy their fries and their chicken wings - phone banking makes us hungry! I think the Holiday Club is a really active member of their local community, and I respect that tremendously. I love that they get involved in political and LGBT events, it makes me feel super positive about the business itself - and that's just on top of the tasty food and friendly staff!
(4)
Formerly Pick E.

Holiday Club is one of my favorite bars in the area. The food is excellent and the alcohol is cheap. I almost always order a burger with seasoned fries, but I have also tried the meatloaf, pizza, and chicken sandwiches -- all delicious. Ask about the food or drink specials as they have a deal each night. The service has always been fast and friendly. It's not exactly a sports bar so I wouldn't go to Holiday and expect the game to be on the TVs. If you ask, they are happy to change the channel, but you might be the only one watching and it won't be in HD. They have a pool table, a popular patio, and a back room for random events. Solid neighborhood bar.
(5)
Rhonda G.

Everyone has been here it seems, except for me. Time to remedy that! A friend had her birthday gathering here recently and this was my chance to check this place out. I Still don't know why it's called Holiday club but I guess It's one of life's mysteries that I don't really need to know (kind of like whatever happened to Josh Hartnett?) I enjoyed dancing to music from the 90's and early 2000's since it reminds of a simpler time in my life when I wasn't necessarily paying bills and acting like a grownup (sigh). I also really like that other people were dancing and not just doing a little toe tapping. This is the kind of place (in my opinion) that can be fun sober, though I'm not sure anyone in this place actually was.
(4)
Jessica P.

My boyfriend and I went on a weeknight so it was pretty dead. Very dark lighting and rude door man. Had to get a flashlight out to double check my ID. Table and chairs wobbled and food wasn't anything special. Wings and sauce were bad and nachos were just ok. Service was fast and our waitress was attentive which was about the only good thing.
(2)
Amy H.

Mmmmmm...yummers!!! I appreciate Holiday Club for what it is. It's a bar with a retro swinging' 60's vibe that serves up some great classic diner-type pub grub. It's not the best food that I've ever had, but it's pretty darned good. The classic grilled cheese is top notch and they'll even put gravy and cheese on your fries for some comforting poutine. The also serve brunch on Sundays. Who knew?! The brunch menu isn't very big, but I had a classic egg sandwich that was exactly like the kind my mom used to make me. Since my last review, Holiday Club has fallen under new management and received a little bit of a face lift. The exterior has been updated and looks a little more classy, while inside they have come up with some pretty amazing theme nights: I ~heart~ the 80's, The 90's to Now, and their standard karaoke is still drawing in the crowds. The staff is super friendly, adorably rockabilly, and attentive. Also, if you're in the mood to watch "the big game" there are plenty of flat screens for viewing. I even saw them doing a makeshift Oscars party a few months ago. Cool, daddy-o. Real cool.
(4)
Mark M.

Love the Holiday Club! I usually go for dinner about once every other week. They have nightly food specials which are a great bargain. Excellent wings, meatloaf and burgers. Bar food that is actually really really good. Drinks are priced fairly and every waitress is very friendly and make you feel comfortable. If you stay later the back room opens and they play louder music and you can even dance. Mixed crowd here of different ages etc but everyone seems to get along without any attitude. Stop in if you are in the neighborhood and you and friends want a destination bar this is a good choice too as it is just across the street from the Sheridan Red line stop.
(5)
Kyle H.

"Let's go to the Holiday!" What? I can't remember the last time I was at either Holiday Club (and if you don't remember the one in Wicker Park where Salud is, you probably call that area "Bucktown"). This Holiday Club is just a box. A box that looks like the bar back and top could spin around and become a 10 cent candy store or some legit business quickly as if we were in Prohibition. It's a bare bones box. The juke box is incredible, and Beer selection is okay, waitstaff is quick enough, and not a bad time was had when our large group met here. I'm happy to report that The Internets are a safer place now. Sleep tight, you all.
(3)
Melanie S.

Met a group of friends here on Saturday night. I'd only been to the original Holiday Club on Milwaukee Avenue but I finally had a good excuse to try this one. The bartenders were friendly and I had no trouble ordering drinks despite the crowd. This place is huge and while it was busy, it never felt like it was wall-to-wall people. The jukebox had an interesting mix of CDs - something to make everyone happy. They also have a pool table if you're so inclined. I used it to set my drink on until I was scolded by the waitress not to. She was nice about it though and I should have known better. Parking was a snap and since it was after 9, it was free, but it's also right off the Sheridan stop on the Red Line for those of you sans wheels. And apparently there's a photo booth? How the hell did I miss this? I guess I saved myself some embarrassment, so there's that. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Andy M.

I must have drove by this place 1,000 times before I finally went in for a bite to eat. It turned out to be just what the Doctor ordered. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning than hanging out with my wonderful Wife and the lovely Amy H. The interior is quite odd, yet pleasing. The place is crammed with 60's, rat pack memorabilia. I felt like I was in Dean Martin's rec room. The vibe is surprisingly pleasing. It's not what I expected at all from a bar located in Frat Boy hell. The food was a step above your standard bar fare. I ordered a Bacon Omelette that really hit the spot, but the star of the show was the Bloody Mary. I can honestly say that Holiday club offers one of the best Bloody Mary's in town. It was spicy, tangy and delicious. The holiday club was awesome. Good food, great service and a kick ass Bloody Mary has me looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Ryan P.

Cheap beer, plenty of seating, authentic retro vibe, always a fun crowd! Your waitress can be hit-or-miss, as some are definitely better than others, but overall the service is good. Barely scratched the surface on the menu but the tater tots were delicious. Reasonably priced Angry Orchard for the GF crowd. I especially like the back room with its own smaller bar and blackout windows for DJ sessions, etc.
(4)
Kelly K.

Honestly, we decided to try this bar because of the flashy exterior and it looked like a lot of fun! It definitely isn't as flashy in the inside and smells kind of funny but bartenders were very nice and they had reasonable prices for the city/ Wrigley area. Also, there wasn't anything going on the night we were there but it looks like they have a lot of fun themed nights / bands/ performers come!
(4)
Tiffany H.

A great place full of history! Love going here when I am visiting. Perfect for a cocktail and a fun trip to the retro photo booth.
(4)
Alex B.

In all honesty, I was a bit disappointed by how underwhelming the Holiday Club is on the inside. After having passed by several times, I was expecting a unique experience. The truth is that once you walk through the doors, it's an ordinary dive bar with big open spaces and stiff drinks. Highlights included friendly staff and a photo booth in the back. I wouldn't go out of my way to return, but I wouldn't complai
(3)
Alex K.

This place is alright in my book. Took a date here and around 9pm on a tuesday it was pretty quiet inside. I think at one point there were like 4 other people in the bar. I was satisfied with the beer selection and eneded up have a few IPAs and stellas. They didn't have the blackberry vodka my date was looking for, but I guess I can't really take any points off for that. Our server did seem a bit forgetful, not to the point of being any kind of problem though. Saw the photobooth but didn't check that out. And I do kinda regret not getting the cheese fries. This bar seems alright, and I would have no problem going again, but just not sure if I would go out of my way to plan a trip here in the future. TL;DR -Average Dive type bar -Decent beer selection -Not bad but nothing special
(3)
Kelly C.

This was the first bar I hopped in Chicago, and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I stopped in for Monday night karaoke, and met some great people (including someone who worked at a chocolate factory and a member of the Potter Puppet Pals touring show). In fact, I consistently met interesting and friendly folks here, which is one of the main reasons I would recommend it. As for karaoke, the vibe is better on Monday nights; if you want to sing some Carly Rae Jepsen or Journey, just don't even bother. These people are hardcore but they will entertain the pants off you. The DJ is a little surly but she's got a soft side. One of the bartenders was accepted to Julliard and all the bartenders will feed you shots if you make them laugh. It's just a bizarre and unique crowd. Karaoke also happens on Wednesdays. Wednesdays are calmer, a more mainstream selection of music, and the DJ is a little nicer if a little more bland. They have events pretty much every night and honestly, it is one of the best bars I have ever frequented for people-watching...and meeting. After they close everyone goes across the street to Nick's. I only give it four stars because it definitely has its off nights and it's not for everyone. However, I promise you'll come away with a story.
(4)
Joel W.

Very cool place, not great pizza. Service Monday night was slow slow yet nice. I do love this bar.
(3)
Caitlin B.

I have passed Holiday several times and have always been attracted to it's glittery, fun signage. Right off the Sheridan redline stop, it's easy enough to get to that I thought it would be a pretty happening place. I went on a Friday night and was a little underwhelmed, simply because I had different expectations. It's a pretty divey bar which is really great for what it is. I only stayed for one drink, but the staff seemed nice and there was great seating for getting a drink with friends. It's a fun and unique atmosphere, but I was disappointing with how empty it was that night. It made the place seem too open and kind of awkward. I'll have to come back another time to see if it's different because this place has great potential. Also fun thing: they have an old-fashioned photo booth
(3)
Mel G.

First Trip: I loved the atmosphere + drink specials. But when I ordered a second drink it didn't come. After about 20 minutes, when my company had finished their own drinks, I asked the waitress for either my (unserved) drink and the tab, or my tab without the drink on it. Her response was "so I forgot one drink, take it easy". I then got a synopsis of how busy she had been (as I had observed her bringing waters to other tables and busing empty tables). Is 5 for 6 on drink delivery considered good? I was initially tempted to make this my new neighborhood bar. But I can "take it easy" elsewhere. If your cocktail servers can't handle the 8-10 pm rush, I can't handle this bar.
(1)
Liz F.

I went here on a recent Friday evening and had such a ball! In the front room, they have a nice bar with a well-curated list of beers on tap, friendly servers, a nice crowd. Overall it was a good vibe -- a lively place to go with friends and still be able to hear the conversation. Later in the evening we moved to the back room, where they play 80's videos! What a fun surprise -- I was totally not expecting this, but we wound up staying out WAYYYY past our bedtime singing along to Michael Jackson, Guns and Roses, and uh...some other people I've forgotten about. good times, would definitely return again.
(4)
Susan D.

What a great find this place was! I went today for a film discussion group. I just love the retro vibe, the friendly staff ... and OMG - I had eggs benedict with potatoes for $7. $7!!! Unbelievable. And it was really good, too! Sunday afternoon .... very nice. The location is awesome, about a block from the Red Line at the Sheridan stop. So convenient! I will be back, for sure!
(5)
Adrienne G.

I love Holiday Club. So much so that I was here the other weekend twice. The fact that I'm able to get some work done while in one of my favorite bars, and then socialize over a nice cold glass of Hamm's (or Stella if I'm feeling fancy) is wonderful. The $5 food specials every night make this a great place for me to catch up with friends who are on a tight budget, and the bartenders are super friendly and ever-accomodating (like Travis! and Greg! woo!). Sometimes the servers can be a little distracted in terms of making sure that tables have everything they need (I'm thinking of one in particular, who has glasses) but generally are super nice. Karaoke on Mondays and Wednesdays in the back room starts at 10 and is a crazy fun party, whether you get up and sing or just sit back and enjoy the revelry over dranky dranks. I was here on Christmas, so i mean, I obviously will be back here.
(4)
P S.

"You hate this place, don't you?" someone asked me the other night when we were there celebrating my Carrots's birthday. "Yep" I replied, "but it's a testament to how much I love her" I said, pointing at the birthday girl who was gleefully dancing to the hits of the 90s just yonder. Case in point: that night I had three drinks. Three blueberry vodka and sodas, tall (NOT double. Simply tall which is just more soda water). Three tall vodka sodas came to $22.50. That's $7.50 per drink, diluted. Holiday Club, DIAF.
(1)
Andre W.

Journeyed over this past Saturday to celebrate a good friend's birthday. You can't miss this place because it has the big glittery looking Holiday Club sign on the marqee. This bar is quite spacious as it has a couple of pool tables and another room for dancing that includes another bar. Lots of different people here which is always cool. They have photo booth which is always cool as well (I think all bars should have it). They had Hacker-Pschorr which automatically made me like the place and then they played lots of my favorite 80's & 90's hip hop & r&b songs. They had televisions all over the back room which played some pretty good movies (everyone that was there know what I mean, LOL). The bar in the back room was manned by one woman that was able to hold her own with a room full of drunkards. This is a great place to get fukked up on a Saturday night.
(4)
David R.

I stopped in for a couple of hours last Thursday during their 16th anniversary celebration. I was hoping for some kind of fanfare but they kept it pretty low-key. It was definitely fuller than the usual Thursday evening though. And free calendars. Specials included two-dollar Hamm's cans. These were surprisingly not terrible. I'm a notorious beer snob, so even to drink beer out of a can to begin with was a big leap for me. But two bucks is two bucks (and I was on the cusp of a long weekend of spending and drinking due to a friend's wedding, so I wanted to keep it light on the stomach and on the wallet). They also had a $5 sloppy joe (with tater tots). Once again, I figured "How can you beat a five-dollar meal?" and took the plunge. I haven't had a sloppy joe for probably at least ten years, and I was scared. But--it was very good. I already knew that they have some of the best tater tots around, but I demolished that sandwich in about five minutes (with knife and fork of course--it is very sloppy!). Good bun for this type of sandwich too. I could taste green pepper in there, and my mother always put green pepper in hers.
(4)
Sarah M.

I love the vibe of the Holiday club, the wait staff is great and the music is always perfect. Plus, who doesn't love seeing pictures of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack every where? The food is take it or leave it in my opinion, I wouldn't really recommend going there for "brunch" as the two times I've gone its been empty and awkward. As a bar though, its fantastic. In fact, I think I may just go there tonight.
(4)
Carol B.

One of my favorite Chicago Bars. Hands down.
(5)
Christina K.

This place is great, especially for dinner. It seems pretty slow around dinner time, which I don't understand! I've been here before for drinks late at night and its very busy... However, I feel it's my duty to tell people about the food. It's very reasonably priced and the grilled cheese and bacon sandwich is amazing, plus the sweet potato fries and tator tots are yummy, too! The service is a tad slow sometimes, but not a big deal. Try it out!
(4)
Nichole F.

I really like the Holiday Club. It is a nice, neighborhood bar. The service is usually good, they have great drink and food specials, and free wifi. They aren't normally crowded during happy hour hours or early in the night which is great when you go there for dinner and don't want to be annoyed by "those drunk people." The food is good here. I love their chicken wings, burgers and tatter tots. The pizza is just okay. The bathroom could be bigger but it is what it is.
(4)
Christine F.

I haven't had the food here. However, I have drunk my weight in greyhounds and took a bunch of unflattering pictures in their photobooth. It's a decent bar. You get what you pay for, for the most part. There was nothing particularly memorable about the drinks or the service (a greyhound is a greyhound...not hard), but I do love that photobooth.
(4)
Candice G.

Still Loving It! Went on Friday for DJ Dave Roberts and his New Wave jams and had a great time. There were more recognizable songs this year and we had all had a blast... just like last time. I think they stopped having waitstaff come around so it's just the bartender but that's all that's needed, really. They have self serve water, which is nice since I had to do some recent budget adjusting and water was just about all I could afford this week... it was great to not have to bother an employee for a free beverage. :) I have still not used the photo booth but will defo put that on the agenda for the next Friday night visit.
(4)
Aurore L.

It is so LOOOOUUUUUUUUUDDDD that I feel like I am 90 years old. Can't hear a thing. Except for the price of drinks which are rather on the higher side. Sigh. Mouths come dangerously close to people's ears in this place. Get an ear candling beforehand, could come handy and save you some embarrassment. Good to know if you are bored at any given party you are a part of: they play "Tom & Jerry". Couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. Which had me thinking: why are we all rooting for Jerry?!? I mean - he's a pest. Is it only 'cause he's tiny and cute? 'cause he has the brains? or 'cause he has the cooler name? (cf. Jerry Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld, Jerry Springer - umm... - VS Tom Selleck, Tom Cruise, Tom Jones and no, I didn't forget Brady; his six pack redeem his soul)
(3)
Angie M.

If we took a holiday (to the Holiday Club) Took some time to celebrate (Jo's graduation) Just one day out of life (or more like a Sat night) It would be, it would be so nice (yes, yes it would) Everybody spread the word (OMG... they have a photobooth!) We're gonna have a celebration (and maybe dance to some killer soul on the juke box) All across the world (well, maybe just in Uptown) In every nation (or just America) It's time for the good times (relatively inexpensive drinks make for really good times) Forget about the bad times, oh yeah (umm, can't really forget that the front bar area is small, kind of boring and they just don't seem to have a long enough bar for the space) One day to come together (you should bring your own entourage to Holiday Club. Everyone kind of hangs with their own group of people. Not too much mixing and mingling happening here) To release the pressure (ick) We need a holiday (Yes, yes we do) I had a very A-OK experience at Holiday Club. It's a good place to come with a group of friends when you want to catch up and hang out with each other, but I'm not sure I'd go here out on the prowl on a Saturday night. Perhaps I should have bumped and grinded in the back bar? They were playing P.Y.T. back there....
(3)
Juliana R.

Nice open bar with delicious martinis!
(4)
Claudia S.

I'll admit, my first time here I was just so-so about the place. I felt like I was too young to be there, but that's because we were in the back room and there's was lots of 80s music and an older crowd. Go to the bathroom and it's a completely different scene. However, went back the other night and liked it much better, even though I was stuck in the back again. (My friend prefers it, whereas I enjoyed sitting in the front section). I discovered they have food and split a pizza with a friend. It was actually quite good and when I mentioned this to another friend who was with my first time there, he mentioned that he actually really likes their food. This isn't the drunk in us either, because we're actually quite sober whenever we're there. I've never had an issue parking (in fact, the first time I was there I got parking right in front!) and the red-line is half a block away. Actually, I think it's more like a quarter of a block. Seriously. It's close, and you can get a cab easily if the cta isn't an option. I'll be back, but probably not in the gloomy back room. Ok ok it's not gloomy..but the seating across from the bar is weird. The plus is the dance floor full of people who definitely shouldn't be dancing! Yeah..I said it.
(4)
Diana R.

It was a night of why nots... Why not treat myself to a few drinks after running my first 5k? Why not start drinking cosmopolitans after beer wasnt doing the trick? Why not dance with randoms and touch on some hot pecks in the back room? Why not watch a movie with lots o topless ladies? Why not sing and dance along to the greatest dance hits of the 90s? Why not find a dark spot in the corner to.... Let's just say it was a good time! And ow my head still hurts!
(5)
Mary T.

I know it's going to sound odd, but I've only been here for Sunday brunch. Yep, this is always the site of my bookclub's annual holiday meeting and book exchange. I know it's a little corny - Holiday Bookclub at the Holiday Club, but we like it for the half-price brunch pitchers (Bloodys, Screwdrivers and Mimosas) as well as the photo booth. As an added bonus parking's not too bad and the 151 and Red Line practically drop you at the door. Surprisingly, it was dead while we were there, no one was even there watching the Bears game! Only 2 other parties were in the place the whole time we were there. I've never found the brunch menu here all that exciting, in fact hardly any of us ever order off of it. I got my regular, grilled cheese and fries; it was ok, but I found the bread to be a bit tough. I don't know if it was thicker bread than I'm used to (I like the cheap stuff) or maybe if it was a tad stale; either way I was a bit disappointed in it. The fries were as good as always. Our server was sassy, but friendly and attentive; she didn't miss a beat when 4 of us ordered 4 different variations of a grilled cheese and fries - yea, we're high maintenance like that. I'm looking forward to coming back next month for a party in the infamous back room so I'll get to see the HC after dark.
(3)
Jose O.

This ace was fantastic!!! We did not have their food but the entertainment was amazing!!! The music was awesome and overall vibe was amazing!! My wife's co-worker made an rent here for the 90's theme party and I must say it was fantastic!!!
(5)
Sarah K.

I love going to this place on the weekend to party. 80s night on Friday and 90s night on Saturday... so great. It is a little pricy, but I think it's worth it.
(5)
Adele n.

I've always been attracted to the Holiday Club because the signage is shiny as all hell. And who doesn't love things that sparkle? Nice vibe, with a good mix of people. Sweet bartenders. And the clincher -- a great jukebox. Do it!
(4)
Andrea B.

Zomg, I love this bar. Been here several times and I've always had a blast. It can get crowded in here though, especially when the dance floor is open, but I'll take it if it means I can dance all night, take drunken photos in the photo booth, have food, and drink giant cans of PBR for cheap. And for the most part everyone here is friendly, both employees and patrons. It's like douchebags don't exist in here. Ah, the joys of finding a good bar. The one thing I cannot understand is how one of the two ladies restrooms stalls is ALWAYS out of toilet paper. Every time I've come here, this happens. Is there a lack of TP in the building? My girls and I always have to do the Seinfeld "square to spare" conversation all night. Kind of annoying. The fact that it's on the corner of a major intersection helps too, so you can stumble home in several directions without having to drive. What I mean is, the Irving Park and Sheridan buses come through here, and it's a block away from the Red Line. Sweet. They also do group parties too, if that's your thing. Can't wait to come here again wearing a "Mad Men"-esqe outfit and have a cocktail. Party time.
(4)
Rachel D.

Skip this place. It has really great potential, but every time I go there, its awkwardly empty. I think the photobooth is its saving grace. Save yourself the time and walk over to Bar on Buena instead.
(2)
Heather K.

Pretty young 'scenster' crowd for being located at the Sheridan Redline stop. (e.g. "So are you in school for film or fine art?"). Queer friendly. Very 'neighborhoody' : If you are there early, everyone else knows each other - so it seems - and are not quick to include outsiders. Good (but greasy, of course) staple bar food (wings, sandwiches, etc). Enough to share. Decent amount of seating, but the decor is very dark (black paint). Punk and other relatively obscure music on the jukebox , weekdays only - otherwise, you're stuck with techno/new wave/dance music DJs...not my cup of tea. You really can't miss this place b/c the sign is so ostentatious - like a giant glittering, lighted outdoor X-Mas decoration. PS: I'm not sure why the location for this place is listed as three different neighborhoods...it's Uptown, plain and simple.
(3)
Amanda M.

Will not go back! The bouncer kicked some friends out for some b.s. reason I'm not going to get into. The atmosphere has always annoyed me and the service stinks. I waited more than 10 minutes to get a drink and decided I'd rather not give them my money when they took someone else's drink order who came up literally a second before they placed it. The bar across the street was better.
(1)
Katherine R.

Photo booths should be a standard in all establishments. It brings out a different side of people and is a safe way to document the night (when it's 2 a.m. the odds of you dropping your camera is high). Holiday Club was our last stop on our bachelorette party extravaganza- it did not disappoint. Not only did I witness food being served late at night, there were also two separate rooms- one for dancing and one for...not dancing. I like options. It's a low key place with good music in both rooms. The two bars serve up some good drinks and they aren't too pricey. It just all comes back to that photo booth. I think it's $3 for a strip of photos. priceless people!
(4)
Erin E.

although i haven't been here in a while, i've got some love for this bar. come here on halloween. everyone's dancing together, admiring each other's costumes- it feels like your own private party. come here for your birthday. the staff was super nice for my sister's gathering; they even gave her a t-shirt. and because it was her birthday, she got to force each person to have pics taken with her in the photo booth. that turned into a game b/c when you take that many pictures, you start getting really creative w/ different poses and facial expressions, like "senior pictures," "get your foot in the shot," and "shark attack." and the cheese fries... oh, the cheese fries.
(4)
Annie S.

What's not to love? Free dancing, good music, easy to get to, interesting crowd. One of my favorite places to spend a Saturday night.
(5)
Brett F.

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!)
(4)
Beth A.

went here for brunch one gloomy day and this place made me even more depressed i know theyre open late but geezus do u think u could clean up before u open for the afternoon crowd??? floors were nasty and sticky and dirty as were the tables and silverware food took a while to come out and it was hardly edible...gross HC...i doubt ill ever be back
(1)
Dustin W.

Holiday club has a certain appeal I might enjoy yet still haven't managed to find. On two separate occasions I have been present for a night of karaoke at HC, yet neither time did I leave saying wow that was a lot of fun, Id like to go back. Even with $5 schooners, HC just doesn't seem to draw me in like so many people I know. The bar service was just fine, and the people seemed friendly enough, but Its just not my bag I guess. Not a bad place, just not for me,
(3)
Alexis W.

I moved from Chicago almost a year ago. And maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder, but Jesus I miss The Holiday Club. First off, Monday night karaoke with Mary Mac will blow your mind. If it's Monday and after 10 PM and you don't have anything else to do, head to the back bar and expect to have the most well-rounded and awesome karaoke experience of your life. Secondly, When it's 11:30 and you're hungry, order the grilled cheese and fries. Then tell me there is better reasonably priced bar food around. Third, photo booth. Rad. Fourth, every employee there was always nice, interesting, good at his/her job, likely to remember your name or face, and knew how to pour a drink. It's near the train, it's near the bus, parking in the 'hood isn't horrible considering its proximity to Wrigleyville, and the decor is kitchy without being over the top and obnoxious. I'm not sure if they are still doing it, but for a while, they had a night with chuck norris movies, cans o' cheap beer, and free beef jerky. No idea if that's still around, but if that doesn't sound like a good time, you're a fool anyway. Next time I'm in town, you will see me at Holiday Club.
(5)
Carri A.

Overall this is a fun, classy joint. The bartenders are quite nice and the prices are about average. The main room has a fun photobooth and pool tables with decent rock music blaring. The music is even louder in the back room for dancing and debauchery. I wish they would somehow get those cords hanging out on the side of the dancefloor out of the way because that is an accident waiting to happen. To me, more than likely. Regardless, I always have a good time at Holiday Club, whether it's a high-powered sweaty drunk dance night or a chill rock n roll drunk night. The location is super convenient, just steps from the Sheridan red line stop. My friends just moved down the street, so I expect to put in some quality face time here in the next several months.
(4)
Eric K.

Great neighborhood bar, wish it was in MY neighborhood!
(5)
Dawn G.

This used to be a pretty common place in my rotation, based on convenience. They do have a photobooth, which I always find a to be a plus...they also used to have decent open mic's on Friday evenings. Their beer selection/price is meh. Their food is very common bar fare type. I definitely think of this as an 'oh i walked by and popped in' place and not so much a destination. Service has always lacked in my opinion- and it could be vastly improved if the people working there looked a bit less bored and annoyed. Also don't get the veggie wrap with cheese, unless you specify cold- because they serve it warmed w/the cheese on it and it makes veggies taste like crap, probably because they're frozen veggies to begin with- no one should screw up a veggie wrap with cheese, I can even make that and I'm the type of person who cooks to solely see if she can set her fire alarm off*. the last part isn't really true, well I guess it is in an intentional sort of way.
(3)
Lara E.

Loved the clarity and music on Saturdays. A great and vast environment with people of all ages and music from all decades! Really enjoyed that there was space to dance, eat, and drink. It was a clean atmosphere and bathrooms. I had a girls night out here after coming into town to visit my best friend who is involved with StarKid productions. Great place to host a casual and crisp after party!
(4)
Stephanie H.

It was a very cold Saturday night, and Holiday Club was empty. It was empty in a really good way, though. The staff was super friendly and laid back, particularly the very nice bartender with the avocado tattoos (Mike? Rich? Ugh...sorry). If there is one thing I must rave about with this place, it's the sweet potato fries. I will now crave them, always and forever. Damn you. The drinks were strong. Food was tasty. Environment was casual and comfortable. What more could you want?
(4)
Borracho G.

I'd like to thank the Holiday club for introducing me to the Vegas Bomb. Damn you! Typically I'm a straight forward whiskey shot person and not much for gimmick shots but for some reason me and my buddies were looking for a quick punch in the mouth to enhance our buzz state before we had to meet a bunch of coworkers at another bar for a birthday. The moment I asked the waitress what was in a Vegas bomb and heard Crown Royal, peach schnapps and red bull, I said done will take a round. So after a few rounds and the repeated phrases of Vegas Bombs baby Vegas bombs, yes we were those dudes, we succeeded in our mission. I'm I doing Vegas bombs all the time now? No, but if someone where to ask for an interesting shot, I now have one to offer.
(3)
Elisabeth C.

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).
(4)
Laura S.

I'm so shocked to see the negative reviews here! I fall in love with this place more and more with each visit, and have never had a problem with the service or the food. I have far too much to say, so I'll just give you my recommendation for your Holiday Club initiation: Come for Sunday brunch, preferably with a friend who's a regular. Grab some half-price pitchers, order some tots to go with your eggs, and enjoy the crowd. If it's slow, make your way up to the bar, and get to know the fantastic staff. Greg and Travis, I'm looking at you. Have some more drinks, test the bartenders with the Trivial Pursuit cards, and if you stay late enough and find yourself hungry again, be sure to order the chicken quesadillas. Make nice, and they'll take care of you, and probably remember your name the next time you're in. If you're so inclined, hop in the photo booth on your way out, and say your goodbyes. There's really no way you can go wrong.
(4)
Jason H.

Holiday Club has been a favorite of mine for years, even when it was over in Bucktown. The crowd is eclectic and the vibe is always fantastic. There is no pretentiousness here and the music is as diverse as the crowd. You must sample the cheese fries! The service can be spotty depending on the night of the week. Anytime that I have been in there I have always had a table near the bar. I am a huge Rat Pack fan and love all of the old movie posters and the cut out over the back bar. They always have a huge party on December 12th (that's Sinatra's birthday), so if you can't make it, clear your schedule.
(5)
Lynn R.

This is a review solely about wings, or "wingy" as I like to affectionately call them. If you are not a chicken wing fan or if you're looking for a review that goes more into other menu items, venue ambiance, and/or other miscellaneous non-wingy related issues, you should probably stop reading. Why these wings reduce me to a babbling Tommy Boy-like state where I can only utter "Tommy like wingy" or "You look like Helen" 1. Wingy weightiness. These bad boys are from the pleasantly plump side of the farm. No wimpy skin and bones wings here. No way. 2. Sauce. Okay, so it's not like BW3's where they have 20 different types of sauces, but the two sauces (buffalo & bbq) are so good, why would you ever want anything else? The wings are fully coated, but it's not dripping excess sauce like some places I've been to. The buffalo is spicy and makes my nose run, but it's not unbearable. The bbq is tangy & sweet at the same time. You can do a half & half combo of bbq/buffalo, which I highly recommend to ensure your wingy ying & yang remains in balance. 3. The size of the condiment cups. Nothing irritates me more than a small plastic cup with 1 tbsp of blue cheese. The wing doesn't get evenly coated and there isn't enough to go around on a full order. Holiday Club must have been frustrated as well, because their cups of blue cheese runneth over. I can take an entire wing and lay it horizontally in the cup of blue cheese to ensure maximum coverage. 4. Price. On Mondays, a basket of plump, saucy wingy will set you back $5. Normally, I think it's somewhere around $8-$10, but you're getting about a dozen wings. You will leave full. You will leave satisfied. Is this place a little weird? Yes. Are the wingy the best in Chicago? Yes. So, set aside any judgments you might have about the venue, and stop in for some wingy.
(5)
Carol K.

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!
(4)
Jason H.

Half dance, half bar. The dance half is great the music keeps going and its good stuff to dance to (even though the DJ changes a little too fast). The bar service is meh, but the cheese fries are a feel good late night snack. Not bad a bad place to checke out.
(3)
Jenna S.

Of course I'd always wanted to come here - who can resist that sparkly banner flashing on the corner every time you pass by? I LOVE sparkles and Holiday Club is definitely a diamond in the rough. I hadn't heard the greatest things, but I was willing to go in for a try because - hey - the Yelp Book Club was meeting here. To my surprise, the place was pretty empty. Sure, it was a Thursday evening at 7 p.m., but they serve food! And have an awesome patio! Why wouldn't there be more people here? I couldn't figure it out. Tons of places to sit at the bar or tables around the room. We promptly positioned ourselves in a nice, red sparkly booth and waited. The food was totally yummy and not too expensive. The veggie burger was pretty good and I liked the fries. The beer, too, wasn't that expensive and they had specials. I didn't go broke at Holiday Club, and that's good for me. Decent selection of beers and they had good ones on tap. I enjoy a place that has more than Miller or Old Style on tap. My only problem was the service. Both times I've been here, the service was pretty bad. I was shocked, too, since there just weren't that many people in the place either time I've been, so how can this be!? The first time, the Yelp Book Club pretty much made up all of the patrons in the place and it was pretty difficult to get another beer. I was surprised since I could just see our waitress hanging out at the bar chatting it up with the bartender - pretty bad customer service. Same thing went for the second time and I didn't even have the same server. Again, there were only about 1/2 the tables even occupied but it was almost impossible to place our first order. The waitress came around and took the orders for some people (two others in our group were in the bathroom) and then it took her over 10 minutes to bring our first round of beers just so she could take the other orders. Annoying. You need to work on that, Holiday Club. I love me some impressive customer service and you're really making me upset. However, this place still seems relatively hidden from the crowd in Uptown, and I appreciate a bar that isn't overly crowded. I'm not sure if people just don't like coming here or if it gets hoppin' after 2 a.m., but it was to not have to yell over everyone to hear my friends or get trapped in an inanely long line for the bathroom.
(4)
Carl D. S.

My Wife and I are big fans of the iTunes radio station entitled, "Bachelor Pad" and Holiday Club carries along with the tune. There's a dark and comforting feeling walking in, not totally amazing, but a cozy bar. Leather pleather and brown make up the overall style of the place. There's star designs with martini mates along the lights, on the front doors and everywhere else. The bar food menu is delicious and perfect every time. The burgers are juicy and cooked just right, as well as the wings that make up a meal unto themselves. They even added gravy and cheese to the fries upon request. The drinks are equally as good, with the perfect mix of flavor and strength. The Manhattans will have you ready for beer in no time, and it's a good thing too, their PBR cans are huge. There's some great deals depending on the day and plenty to choose from. To top if off, there's a dance room that when not rented out, has dance parties and more. Special events made especially fun. Before stumbling out, don't forget to hit up the photo-booth so you can wake up with a souvenir. That's a helpful tip to you Foursquare folks. Holiday Club is perfect for us living downtown as it's right off the Sheridan stop, making the long trip home quite easy.
(4)
Carly O.

I don't give enough 5 stars. But in the pursuit of perfection, I've realized I've been too stingy. Holiday Club is exactly where I want to be on a Saturday night when I'm in the mood for dancing. Zero pretentiousness, no cover, reasonably priced drinks, fun music, people on the dance floor who are mostly respectful of everyone's space and just a guaranteed good time. I like its location, which is the totally random corner of Irving Park and Sheridan. It's far enough away from Wrigleyville that the crowd seems much less douche-y than one might think. So if you're looking to dance the night away in jeans and comfy shoes and are not in the mood for a nightclub, upstairs at John Barleycorn or the comfort of your own home, head to Holiday.
(5)
Lindsay S.

Holiday! Celebrate! If we took a holiday! (or a book club) Took some time to celebrate! (or discuss said book) Just one day out of life! It would be, it would be so nice! And surprisingly it was so nice! Seriously, I've been scared to go in here. The outside of it looks like a bad discotheque. The inside has a diner vibe. Consider me confused. But talk about friendly people working in here. And not too shabby food. If you get the cheese fries you need NOTHING else. They're a huge plate and I feel like I barely made a dent in them. Came here for book club, had a grilled cheese and tots and YUM! More so to the tots - the grilled cheese was like mine at home - but still, can't beat the $4.50 price tag for all that food I can't eat by myself! After dreading someone finally dragging me in here, I'm glad they did. When I need some A/C (or heat soon!), some greasy food and a cold beer (love the fishbowl glasses BTW) I'll be walking down the street to Holiday Club! Because sometimes ya just gotta... Forget about the bad times, oh yeah One day to come together To release the pressure We need a holiday
(4)
Juliet A.

25 cent wiiiiiiiiiiings! That's all.
(2)
Malana W.

Dear Holiday Club, I used to love your retro whimsy and charm but I fear I have outgrown you. On my most recent visit your waitress was actually quite rude to my date before I walked in. Bringing him two glasses of water and asking if he wanted anything besides water to drink. Really?! Do people often walk off the street to just get glasses of water? I mean, I know there are often some colorful people on the corner, but really. As if that wasn't enough this was the first time I've ever had a card taken at the Holiday Club for a tab. Really?! Now I know this may be a new procedure so I'm giving the benefit of the doubt on this one as it's been months since we frequented the Holiday club, but we aren't the kind of people who are going to walk out on the tab. Now the creepy dude under the televisions with his call girl might walk out on his tab but not us. I was disappointed in the sweet potato fries as they seemed soggy and way too salty. I know they used to be crispier than this. The final straw was that instead of playing a retro film after 'The Wild Bunch' ended someone actually opted to put in...dare I say it...'BIO-DOME'...REALLY!?!? I swear Holiday Club I have never been more disappointed that is just poor taste. I'd take retro cartoons over that film any day of the week. BIO-DOME? Really?! I'm still shaking my head in wonder. Perhaps we held you at too high of a standard for our own good.
(1)
Kate P.

Still A-OK in my book. I actually came here for book club where I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, tater tots, and twenty ounces of 312 for the low price of $15 including tip! So I have to say if you're looking for a hang out that's relatively inexpensive, this is the place for you. The inside is very large and since we had a lot of people we took over the back area. My only complaint was that the music was loud and I had a very hard time hearing what was said at the other end of our long table (when we were actually discussing the book). Also, they only had one server who was working both the inside and patio areas, so it took a long time to get our drinks, food and tabs at the end of the night. However, I think I will venture back for karaoke one of these Monday's and belt out Madonna's "Holiday" just for shits and giggles.
(3)
Lakshmi R.

I'm sorry to downgrade... but I was here yesterday for the first time in nearly two years, this time for my boyfriend's birthday gathering, and I was a little let down. For one thing, the music is crazy loud. AND, they charge $4 for PBR on tap. I mean, PBR is basically gross water, and you can get PITCHERS of it for $4 in some places in this city. Where do they get off on that kind of price-gouging? It's really weird when you realize that a cocktail like a gin and tonic here is only fifty cents more than the PBR. So... it's fine for meeting up with friends, but choose your drinks carefully or you'll get seriously ripped off. The photobooth does, however, remain pretty rad.
(2)
Nick M.

I've made out with far too many people here!! Holiday Club + Nick = Trouble every time and I don't know why! I'm not really a fan of the place (probably because I get into trouble) but I always end up having a good time (probably because I get into trouble). I can't tell you what the staff is like because I never remember but they must be quick, because in here... I always seem to have a drink in my hand! I believe they have cheap drinks and they rope off the one side for private parties (though that never seems to stop me), but that's all I can remember. Being only two medium sized rooms it can get really packed. It's one of those places that people just start dancing everywhere, partly because the dance floor is so small (which can be fun or annoying pending on your drink level). I do however remember the DJ spinning some killer classics from the 80's & 90's every night I've gone. Basically I'm a mess here but its fun... I think. P.S. Sorry I ate your cake B-day girl, but it was fun to put cake on people's faces and then of course to proceed to lick it off others. Cake + Drinks + "friends" = good time by all!!
(4)
Stephen F.

I get a good vibe from Holiday Club. It is an ordinary bar, more or less, with a photo booth in the back and a fair amount of space to mingle and look at some of the other weird people in here. I liked the snappy service at the bar, and also that the bathroom had been cleaned this century. If I'm in the neighborhood and thirsty, I'll be back.
(4)
Ashley G.

This has been my go-to bar for... oh, a bit over a year. Never let me down. Sometimes it gets crowded... it's a bar. Great drinks... and drink recommendations from hilarious bartenders. Good food (gravy fries= a revelation). Oh, also they have a totally awesome retro photo booth by the restrooms. So cool. The back room is fun to go to sometimes. When it's not crowded you can get in tight with the bartenders who are awesome. When it is crowded, it's just a good party :) They sometimes have a dj, sometimes open mic, sometimes bands play... it's just fun.
(5)
Nicole C.

Solid eats for the veg inclined. I got the portabella sandwich at the suggestion of our friendly waitress and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty (and massive) it was, smothered with carmelized onions and swiss cheese on a sweet sesame bun. Even without the cheese it would have been satisfying (if salty...they should tone that down) so I'd recommend that as a good choice for vegans if you request it sans queso. The veggie burger they serve is just a regular frozen garden burger, well presented, but if you like mushrooms go for the portabella. Another pleasant surprise. HC lets you choose a salad (or fries or tater tots) as a side, for no extra charge. The salad was also a generous portion, a combination of mixed greens tossed in a good (but also overly salty) dressing and included toasted pine nuts. Smokayyyyyy. For $6.50, that's a sweet deal, and I can forgive the salt factor. I was also part of the book club group and agree with Kate P. that the music was loud (in my opinion unnecessarily so, especially at the beginning of the night, 7 - 8 on a Thursday, when our group represented about 75% of the patrons). Then again, I think the music is too loud at most bars. Yep, I'm officially an old lady.
(4)
Ted C.

My friend lived by here and said it was one of his favorite places to drink. I said he had a drinking problem. He said yes. That still doesn't mean that this place isn't awesome-my friend just likes drinking and getting arrested. Holiday Club is great because it's run the way Tim-the owner, likes it to be run with things he likes to look at. The food is also good-and the kitchen closes late so I can get drunk and eat greasy food without ever having to leave from one place to another. I always imagine that Vince Vaughan a la Swingers would come to a place like this.
(5)
Jennifer C.

We were so delighted when they opened over in Lakeview, finally something good in the area! There's a cool retro atmosphere. The food has ALWAYS been good. They have the best bbq chicken pizza. Actually this was the first place I ever ate bbq chicken pizza and I have been hooked since. Their nachos are HUGE and really good. Beware though, ask about the jalapenos because when we asked for them they brought out fresh ones that were SUPER hot and I am a person who has a high tolerance for heat. Their meatloaf is delish too! Great place to hang out and have a few drinks with friends. The music can be a tad too loud and you find yourself at times trying to talk over the music.
(4)
Barbara D.

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. --------------------------------------------------Â---------------------------- 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.
(4)
Jill V.

I had an unexpected amount of fun here! The dance floor (which is what we went for) was definitely on the small side, but, as a positive, that means it filled up quickly. The people were a good mix - not completely overloaded with the under-25 crowd, or full of people out to make an "impression." Those on the dancing floor were primarily there to dance and have a good time! Drink prices were fairly standard, not cheap but also not outrageously expensive. One complaint - more stalls in the women's bathrooms would be greatly appreciated.
(4)
Jo W.

I can safely say I won't be returning here. I'd like to note up front for those that joined me that I had a great time last night - but that was thanks to my wonderful friends, and no thanks to Holiday Club. Back in September, I booked the back room to hold my graduation party here. I had been to a couple parties here before and had a good time, so I wanted to come back here. Friends love it and I love the photobooth, so it seemed like an obvious choice. I spoke with Tim, we joked that I was booking it so far in advance. He also mentioned that the back room was ours until 10pm, at which time he would have to open up the doors because of the DJ spinning. I said that was fine, and we were all set. As the date drew closer I worked with Jeneane to select a wristband special for my guests. She was super nice and very cool, but honestly? Their wristband specials suck. I considered holding my party elsewhere based on this alone. Many friends, including myself, are unemployed due to this wonderful economy, so finding a cheap package was important to me. I finally went with $25 for 2 hours of beer, wine, and well. Other bars I was looking at were $20 for this same package or $25 for 3 hours. The week of my party, I called to confirm that we were all set. Jeneane called me back and we had a nice chat and confirmed everything. We confirmed the bar package, the back room, and the estimated head count. Then the day of my party rolls around. I'm getting ready and my cell phone rings. It's Tim, and he clearly has no clue what's going on. In his defense, I was made aware of a personal situation that resulted in him not being at work the week prior, but Jeanine had handled everything beautifully in his absence and I was given the impression we were all set. Apparently not. He had no idea what wristband special we were doing. I told him. Then he said we were in the front. "No," I corrected him. "We're in the back room." He said that I only had 30 people coming. I said no, I had 50 RSVP. He blew me off and said that because of the weather they'd be slow and we'd "be fine in the front." So apparently me booking this party FIVE MONTHS in advance meant nothing to him. My friend and I arrived a little before 7 to eat dinner before the party got started. When we walked in, the entire staff was sitting at the bar. After getting my ID checked, I asked to speak to Tim. I was told by a guy very rudely that he was "indisposed." I explained that there was some confusion as to whether or not we had the back room or not, and I was rudely told that we were in the front. At this point, I was beyond annoyed. I was in no way giving these people an attitude, though I feel I had every right to, and they were being rude. I wasn't in the mood to get bitchy and ruin a night of celebration. I came here to have a good time and was determined to, so I gave in. Fine, put me in the front. But they didn't even have the courtesy to reserve some tables for my group, which further annoyed me. Throughout the night, the place got packed. So much for the weather keeping people away, huh? Our server was awesome, but she was clearly the only person working the tables and waiting to place an order was getting tiresome. At one point I ordered a drink from my server, and I was at the bar talking to my friends. The bartender was making my drink right in front of me, and when she was done I informed her it was for me. She looked at me and said "then your server can give it to you." She then hands the drink to my server, who hands it to me. Are you fucking kidding me? The bartender also gave me an attitude later on when I asked her to break a 5 for the photobooth. She literally made sure everyone at the bar was taken care of before she angrily snatched the money from me and got me change. Again, are you fucking kidding me? We all noticed that at some point during the night the back room was opened, and a sign was hung that said "private party." Well, it sure wasn't my party. So what, did I get bumped and you just didn't have the balls to tell me? And even so, again, clearly booking FIVE MONTHS in advance means nothing. So, now that we've covered the rude bartender and party planning fiasco... The food we had was okay. I actually thought it was good at the time, but I woke up this morning violently ill - and it was NOT a hangover, as I paced myself throughout the night. So... yeah. That wasn't fun for me. As other people have mentioned, it gets loud in here. Towards the end I couldn't hear my friends when we were trying to talk, and there was a lot of "what?" "what did she say?" That gets really old, really fast. I can understand making it loud in the back for the DJ, but maybe take it down a few notches in the front so people can, I dunno, hear each other? Yeah, I won't be back.
(1)
Chita D.

Back in 1999 I decided to visit my cousin who was living out in the Chi...as a successful bartender, no less. This review is for my 1999 experience (a lil' 10 yr. anniversary...*aaww* ...shut yer mouf!). At that time, on that weekday night, this bar was a bartender's bar...my cousin seemed to know everyone & would let me know what person bartended at what bar. I've always said- if a place is good enough for other bartenders & bar-help to check out, the drinks must be good, as well as the service. I wasn't let down- although I don't recall the bar get-up nor clearly remember the people that were there nor the music they played, I do recall the grand bonding my cousin & I had over a countless amount of 'dranks'. I will also credit this place for busting my ass & breaking one of my heels (and almost breaking my ankle) during said process, as I attempted to walk over to a cab on our way out. Can't blame them for this though, I've forgotten the pain I must have felt when I ate shit (can't even say if it hurt, I was probably numb to the bone after all the drinks that went down the hatch)...but 10 yrs. later, I *still* remember the bonding moments I had with my cousin.
(3)
Annie P.

The cab we took drooped my lady and I off at the Holiday Club to begin our drunken valentine's evening. It was love at first sight. Elvis was on the TV above me, hot wings and gravy fries were on the menu and you better believe my gal and I took a ridiculous amount of pictures in their black and white photo booth. Holiday club has a chill vibe and decent service. The prices were super freaking cheap too and it made me a little sad that I live so far away from this place.
(4)
amanda g.

I've been here twice I believe. Both times were to meet a large group of people that I didn't really know too well. I showed up after a few beers, so I didn't really see them on the other side of the dimly lit bar, so I just sat at a table and continued to drink $2 hamms until someone recognized me, somehow. Hamms is pretty strong I think. I kept cringing every time I took a sip, thinking the taste was just poor, but more than likely because of the alcohol content was higher than average. Anyways, by the time I got spotted I was pretty much cross eyed. I proceeded to stumble around making what little conversation I was capable of. I tried stumbling into the back room, but they said there was a comedy show there, and seeing it required a cover charge I opted for staying in the main room. I love comedy, and I would have paid it, but I was sure at the time that they could do without "that drunk guy" in the back of the room clapping and laughing obnoxiously. I continued my best attempt at mingling which, surprisingly, went pretty well. I met some really cool people I think. I couldn't tell you why they wanted to talk to me, but they did. One of them had some awesome tattoos. I don't remember much past that point, except that I think one of them gave me a ride home I think. So what have you learned? I've been to the holiday club, I drink, and I like cheap beer on occasion. Now I guess I'
(5)
Jacob J.

Big Buck Hunter Pro machine.. hellz yeah. If they upgrade, I'll upgrade a star.
(3)
Annabelle S.

I love the Holiday Club for many reasons. First, the drinks are reasonable. Second, it caters to a variety of people and crowds. The music is good and eclectic. They have great drink packages for parties (that even include shots, try finding that anywhere else). They have great bartenders that are accommodating and down to earth. Yes, it looks a little cheesy from the outside but I've seriously never had a bad time there. They have some good bar food too, I've gotta say!
(4)
Babs H.

Yeeeah. I am the friend that Jennie M is referring to. The soup was awesome but 30 minutes for grilled cheese? WTF mate? Can I add that the grilled cheese was simply white bread, a couple of slices of American cheese, and some bacon that was more on the fatty side than the meaty? In other words, just a plain ass grilled cheese...nothing special. The beer special was good, the server was really nice, the photobooth is boss. But. Meh, no thanks Holiday Club.
(2)
Maya D.

I've been past this place and always wanted to check it out. Finally had my chance last night and must admit i was happy I went. Love the 50's theme and the photo booth. Will be going back next time im in the area.
(3)
Jen A.

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.
(3)
Vivian Y.

4 Stars for the fun and the crowd, Monday night karaoke 1 Star for the food - pretty bad......don't come here to eat, it's "Whore-ibble" (I'm a food whore, see my caption) 2.5 stars if there were 1/2 stars. I came here both times on Monday night Karaoke night with "Maryoke" after volunteer work with Chicago Cares. First time, I had no idea there was karaoke, second time, I came back just for it! Seriously kids, they have some really good singers show up, harmonica players, interpretive dancers...so much fun! Huge selection of music! I didn't give 5 stars for fun because I am always driving to get here and can't get rip roaring drunk. But I did find my imaginative balls somewhere and went up to the dance floor to do an interpretive dance with my friend Sarah W. to Madonna's Vogue while the lady stranger sang - I almost lost my eye when Sarah W. elbowed me but that's ok, I'm fine now! The food - very questionable. Both times, we ordered food. First time, MIchelle E. asked the bartender what he recommended. APPARENTLY the hummous is really good. It looked and TASTED like regurgitated chickpeas. No kidding. It wasn't fully and completely pureed with lotsa lumps in it. I was so overwhelmed by the texture that I can't remember how it tasted. I ate the cucumbers, tomatoes and pita bread that came with it and left the hummous alone and I'm not even a picky eater! The last visit, AGAIN, knowing that we got a bad recommendation regarding the hummous asked this bartender about what to eat. (we should have just ordered a fricken hotdog from across the street). Again, it was mentioned that the hummous is a favorite...ummm.."anything else"? The nacho chips was next on the list because it comes with house made pico de gallo! Well, that sounded yummy and we ordered ground beef to top it off. So the order arrives about 20 mins later - where's the pico de gallo??? I see some shredded romaine lettuce and diced tomotoes. No lime, no cilantro, no jalapenos! I guess that is their idea of pico de gallo means lettuce and tomoatoes chopped in bits...... Ok, we go on to eat it and it is really soggy because they use thin chips and pour nacho cheese sauce (of the processed kind) and we are unable to pick up any of our toppings with the chips. We continue eating and think, "hmm, something tastes interesting...." I jump and say "OMG, that's not fresh ground beef!! It's CHOPPED UP HAMBURGER PATTY!" Like I said, I'm not a picky eater but I do expect fresh ingredients and the correct preparations are expected. that is NOT alot to ask for. We're onto you, Mr/s. Chef at Holiday club. We know the difference between BURGER meat and fresh ground beef! Eww, what a HUGE disappointment. I will NOT come back for food, but WILL come for karaoke. Next time, I'm leaving the car at home and stumbling back to Pilsen...
(3)
Laura P.

Hit me with your best shot was playing when we walked in A boy dancing pointed a finger gun at me and shot me I knew then I would have some fun Mutiny in the front bar Shelter in the back room I wanted to peel my face off in the front bar I wanted to peel my clothes off in the back bar Foxy Brown on the TV in the front made the bloody death metal disappear 'Is it all over my face' made my troubles disappear in the back **all in all 1/2 of a good time. Was there with some great people who made the bad stuff go away. $5.50 for rum and coke made with a no-name 'Bellini' Rum is a little excessive but not outrageous. Staff a little slow on the uptake. I'll be back.
(4)
KELLIE K.

Dear Holiday Club, Thank you for silently encouraging me to drink during the week with your proximity to the red line, sparkling lights, and fine selection of alcohol. I've given in to your tempting gigantic goblets of cheap beer specials once too often instead of making the wise decision to go home and give myself a full night of rest. Instead, I've embraced our time knowing you'd only taunt me in my dreams. That pin-up girl calendar poster you gave me is hanging on my wall and I think of you often. However, you've become a distraction and a source of sleep deprivation. My workday is suffering. I also wonder what devilish game fate played with many missing photo strips. I admit that without you, I wouldn't have met some of your incredible staff and some cool patrons. Oh yeah, there is the photo booth. And dancing. Fine, I'll see you next week. Love, Kellie
(4)
Melissa H.

I heart the Holiday. Saturday night I had my birthday party here and it was more than a success. For weeks before that I had been planning the event with Jeneane in order to make certain that everything was in order. She did an amazing job of helping me through the party planning process. The evening of the event my family and I showed up early to have dinner before the party got started. The food was spot on, and the service was attentive. The manager Tim was extremely helpful in making sure that everyone got their wristbands, and the bartender Danielle was quick and fast with my friends who really like their liquor. I would have another party here in a heartbeat.
(4)
Amanda H.

Okay so this bar is really close to where I live. But their advertisements say "swinger." We thought that meant, you know, people who like to switch around. So we were saving it for a day when we just wanted to check out and laugh at all the "swingers." But then we checked out the menu online and someone was gushing about the mac and cheese, so we decided just to go for the food. I have been there twice so far. The mac and cheese was just okay. I would recommend getting cheese or gravy fries. For like 4 bucks you get a big plate of fries--enough for two drunk people looking for greasy food. Each time we got a plate of fries, everyone around us immediately put an order in. It's awesome. But, the bar tenders are always chatting it up with some other customers. When I look up and want a drink, I have to stare at them forever and then yell something rude like, "Hey, you" when one of their chatting buddies finally asks for a drink. And the last time we were there, we were coming back from drinking on Clark. We just came for some fries and just one drink. But it took forever for the guy to come see what we wanted. So we started zoning out ... whatever. So this bar tender, instead of coming up and asking us what we wanted, just stands in front of us and makes motions like he's pouring a drink. I mean, could you at least ask like a normal person? I always like sitting at the bar at whatever place we go. But here it is just impossible because the speakers are RIGHT THERE booming awful rock music into your ear. It would be cool if there was, you know, some swinger era music going on. I think that's what they meant by "swinger." There's also a TV up that had old commercials on it once, and then some old bad movie on it with boobies another night. It's a nice distraction while waiting for your food to arrive or the bar tender to finally notice you and maybe to take your mind off the annoying loudness being forced into your ears.
(3)
diana t.

Not even waiting outside for 20 minutes could make me dislike this bar. We were here for a thrillist party. And they made me stand outside for 20 minutes while they were "over capacity". i never stand in line...Even when there IS a line, the benefit of being a 22 year old girl is that I'm first pick. The only place where I ever really stood in line was CITIZEN (ew...see my 1 star review where the owner flamed yelp users) and Rino where someone random behind me eventually paid the door to get us in ASAP Do I hate the Holiday Club yet? Nope. Then we go in and they're out of Dos Equis. I end up drinking whiskey. Flame yet? Nope. The clientele here is older...like mid 30s. There were supposed to be gogo dancers but all of them were easily over 40. Nonetheless it was great fun listening to old tunes, dancing and chillin. The bartenders here are GREAT. even with open bar and crowds of people packed to capacity, you're almost guaranteed to get your drink within 10 minutes of waiting. I've never been to a bar with service that great. I met a boy here. +1 **UPDATE: we've been dating 4 months + 1 more star** Would I come here again on a lazy Friday night? Probably not until I'm 30. Would I come here again for a party? DEFINITELY.
(5)
Jesse B.

beyond disappointing despite the fun decor. I had a strange experience here with the waitress who so obviously wasn't into serving me at all, but had something going on behind the stage with some guy in the kitchen. My friend and I were interested in food, not drinks, and she was clearly interested in one thing only: the tip I gave her $4.20 and told her she seems like she is stressed out and should relax. . . .
(2)
Donovan H.

I went here for the first time after a late night out. We decided on this place for a late Sunday brunch. It was my second time to Holiday Club but first time during the day. I remembered the photo booth and jukebox...nice! The TVs had hockey and baseball games playing. Our waitress was friendly and kept us stocked our entire visit. I had a chicken BLT and it was fantastic. I think they used pesto to cook the chicken (delicious) and it was a hefty portion. Friends of mine had the eggs benedict and THEY KNOW EGGS BENEDICT. All agreed it was top 5 in the city. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality. I will be back!
(4)
Erin B.

Came here with a few friends. I love the sparklies outside! :-) Anyway, service was quick and prompt, and of course, the beer was cold. I came here on a Friday night, around 7ish, and it was pretty quiet. (OK, I'm lame, and got out way early!) Friends ate, and enjoyed their meals. Great jukebox, and awesome photo booth :-)
(4)
Michael S.

I've lived nearby for almost a decade and have never walked in here - until last night, to unwind from a pretentious cocktail party at Morton's. An ice cold beer. MMM. Pool table: right up my alley. Nice people - all around. VERY reasonable menu prices for all events, brunch included. I didn't eat anything last night, as I had defrosted food waiting to be cooked at home, but I'll be back. I'm a fan. Where have I been?
(4)
Michelle E.

Oh Holiday Club. How can you be so disappointing, yet so awesome at the same time?? I used to live just down the street from Holiday Club, and only set foot in here once. That one time was quite delightful, since they had beers in bottles shaped like bowling pins! Neat-o! I have returned to Holiday Club two more times in the last couple months. Both times were on Mondays, which is Karaoke Night! OK, for me, karaoke is STRICTLY a spectator sport. Don't even try to talk me into it, I will NOT budge. Trust me, it's better for everyone that way. Just because I don't sing doesn't mean that I'm not a karaoke lover! I think it's great to listen to others sing, and it's tons o' fun! Especially at Holiday Club--there are some GREAT singers here! Dennis does the standards better than anyone, maybe even Ol' Blue Eyes! My favorite guy is the one who sang "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid, and he OWNED it! And of course Vivian has the voice of an angel. :) They also have cheap beer specials--$3 Budweisers, yay! But, being the food whore that I am, I REALLY have fun when I'm EATING something tasty in addition to drinking my face off. I just don't get the food situation here! The second time I was here, I asked the bartender for a recommendation for a good appetizer. He suggested the hummus, saying that everyone loves it, and they make it in-house. Woo, homemade hummus! I took his word for it. The hummus plate comes with lots of pitas, tomatoes and cucumbers, which will come in handy, since the hummus itself is pretty BAD. I guess it tastes OK, but hummus is supposed to be pureed and smooth. This was super-chunky. I managed to eat some of it, until my dear friend Vivian remarked that it looked like "regurgitated chick peas" and then I couldn't bring myself to eat any more of it. Oh, and the tomatoes were not cherry tomatoes like you would expect, but sliced tomatoes! Weird, yeah? The third time I came here was just this week. There was a different bartender working, so I asked him for an appetizer recommendation. He immediately tells me that the hummus is great. Instead of being rude and saying, "Are you INSANE?!" I asked about the quesadillas, and he said they were "just OK". So my final choice was the nachos. I asked if it was real cheese or cheese sauce. Another guy at the bar told me that it was "real cheese sauce" LOL! He also said it came with homemade pico de gallo! Que rico! I decided to go for it. He asked me if I wanted chicken on it, and then told me I can get chicken, steak or ground beef. Like a moron, I didn't get his subliminal message which was "GET THE CHICKEN!" and ordered ground beef instead, picturing yummylicious taco-seasoned ground beef nachos. 15 minutes later, a gargantuan plate of nachos arrives. And they are OK. The cheese sauce makes the chips really soggy right away, but I solved that problem by using the still-crispy ones to scoop up the soggy ones. I taste. I examine. I taste again. Wait...where is this delightful pico de gallo I was promised? All I can see is diced tomatoes and lettuce. I also note that the meat doesn't really have any flavor, but I don't worry about it and keep chair-dancing to the groovy tunes. Then Vivian reads my mind and says, "Something is missing from this." I say something about the flavorless meat and no pico de gallo. A few minutes later Vivian has a lightbulb moment and realizes that the "ground beef" is actually chopped up hamburger patties! You can actually SEE that it is little cubes of ground beef! HA! That's just funny. Needless to say, I will not be eating any more of their appetizers. I remember hearing that they have a great meatloaf dinner. I saw on their MySpace page that they have $5 dinners everyday. I will be diplomatic and try an entree here, before I swear off their food forever. If Holiday Club could just improve their food a little bit, this place would be PERFECT! I would also love to come back for their 60's night, or their 90's dance party. I do love to shake my booty to the oldies! And one of these days I will get crazy in that photo booth! Holiday Club, you will still get my business on Monday nights, as well as my beer money. But I think my food money will go to the hot dog stand or the burrito joint before I get my drink on.
(3)
Carol J.

I REALLY loved the orginal Holiday on Milwaukee and "someone" just reminded me that I may in fact still hold the WORLD record for "dial a shot" because I called from Thailand and did shots with Big Brad over the phone despite being on the other side of the international date line and beyond the equator after previously holding the record for calling from Amsterdam and Paris in one week, but I digress...those were the days, when you drank a shot at ten am while globe trotting to make people chuckle back at home.....beats a post card anyday! Holiday is a welcoming, comfy place with a kick ass old school photo booth and soul soothing comfort food. One can be wearing a Schott Perfecto or Giranimals and everyone is cool with that. It has a unique retro vibe with that certain hipster quotient. Fast moving whiskey slinging bartenders and decent food options when you need a little smooch on a plate. Jukebox-soundtrack of my life. Twisted cult classics and b movies, hysterical. I love their advertising, it makes me long for the days when phone numbers began with letters and clip art was king. Prices are very fair and vibe is always chill. So sport your piercings and your ink, your Juicy, Ed Hardy, True Religion or Lily Pulitzer, its all good at Holiday. And ask about the dial-a-shot at this location......I'm replacing my passport just in case.
(5)
Joey M.

This is the only bar that I go to with any regularity . I enjoy most everything about it . First , it's convenient for the CTA to use to get to . Second the food . Nothing fancy but everything I've eaten there has been delish . Third the music , variety and fun , I always enjoy the tunes they play there . Fourth the staff , a great group of folk , mostly. Fifth the crowd , even if I stop in alone I always find someone that's fun to chat with and really , all types and creeds and ages seem attracted to the spot. Oh yes , sixth , the drinks . You can "enhance " your evening there at value prices and they even do the occasional comp drink there . I love this spot and look forward to dropping back in there soon .
(5)
Nina K.

I like Holiday Club...it's cute and kitschy without being too full of itself. I've been here a few times on the weekend, usually just for one drink, and it's always been fun. Mostly, though, I come on weekdays for their specials. Last time I was here it was b/c they are the OFFICIAL bar of my dodgeball league (yet my team prefers the inferior Michael's). We got a free pizza and a free pitcher to share. Now, the pitcher wasn't that great of a deal b/c it really only serves 4 or 5 people, and when you've got 8 on the team, it really doesn't get you very far. However, on Thursdays they also have $4 schooners. Which I thought was a boat. But is actually a goblet of beer. A large one. I thought it was a pretty good deal, and I always enjoy free food, so I was happy. I've also come here with the dad and bros and we shared some cheap cans of Old Style while watching some B movie from the 70s. I mean...that's kind of awesome. Ooh, speaking of, has anyone seen Deathrace 2000? Because in that movie, hit and runs are no longer against the law. They're the national sport. That is actually the tagline of the movie. Anywho, sidebar over. That's the kind of movie I expect to see on the screens at Holiday Club while people's jukebox picks blare overhead. It's just something different that I kind of dig. They also have a weird backroom where I always see people making out or sitting on laps. This is weird to me. I stay out of that backroom. Overall, I like the way this place rolls. Also the sign is the best.
(4)
An P.

Chicago is well known for the amount of free booze that courses through everyone's veins. It was Wednesday night for a Thrillist sponsored boozery featuring twin towers of destruction: Canadian Club and Dos Equis. It was not a normal day at Holiday Club since there was a girl checking out if you were on the list! Rolled through with my surrogate cousin and a few Yelpers and another friend and got through without a hitch. First up, we were given some red juice drink with some liquor in it, it wasn't very boozy so I didn't want any more. On the walls were tables set up with various promotions and such with free t-shirts and signing up to submit a video of throwing deodorant 60mph for a chance at $150????? Either way, we made it to the back room and I helped myself to a free shot of whiskey. While it was supposed to be a tasting, I didn't see anyone tasting, so I dived right in! There was a girl explaining all of the different kinds of Canadian, but it was too loud and I couldn't hear a thing. The setup for it was kind of poor as there were tables right by and they weren't paying much attention to their whiskey. Later in the night the bottles just ninja'd out either for security purposes or outright thievery. We sat down and there was waitress service and other tables were hunkering down on pizza, burgers and usual bar fare that looked delicious. I rolled up to the bar man and was quickly served four Dos Equis and gave him a tip. There's nothing like free beer and I got to gulping. A few more friends rolled through later in the night and indulged in the complimentary hosted open bar. Later on in the night I got a moustache and free t-shirt of some kind I couldn't even tell you what it says. There were people sitting outside, people smoking outside, and I ran into a kid from grade school while in line for some more delicious Dos Equis. By the time I got to my table there was a wall of green empties and a job well done!
(4)
Deanna B.

I love this place, I come here all the time. Nice staff, pool table, photo-booth, and dancing in the back! I also ate here once, it was very good for bar food. It is pricey but it is a nice environment for it being in Wrigleyville.
(4)
Clemp S.

I used to live a lot closer and went more. That said the owner is a classy guy and they have a great line-up of music that changes out every day of the week. The food is solid and the specials are cheap and delicious. Kelly bartends on Sunday nights in the backroom and is one of the sweetest and attractive women on the Northside. Tip her well.
(4)
Matt W.

Holiday Club is a fun 50s-themed place with great food and drinks. It's one of the only places I know of that serves optional mashed potatoes & gravy with sandwiches (which are really good). Holiday Club often has good drink & food specials. I would expect a popular place like Holiday Club to be more expensive, but the prices are reasonable. They have a bunch of big flat screen TVs to satisfy the sports fans, although it's not a "sports bar". They have a second room that hosts a variety of special events, from music & dancing to comedy shows. They have a Pool Table that's not in great shape, but it's OK. They have an arcade game (Big Buck Hunter I believe) The vibe of the place has always been very positive when I have gone. The friendly staff does a good job and you don't have to fight your way to the bar to order, because the wait staff comes to you.
(4)
Eliot D.

I've been here twice I believe. Both times were to meet a large group of people that I didn't really know too well. I showed up after a few beers, so I didn't really see them on the other side of the dimly lit bar, so I just sat at a table and continued to drink $2 hamms until someone recognized me, somehow. Hamms is pretty strong I think. I kept cringing every time I took a sip, thinking the taste was just poor, but more than likely because of the alcohol content was higher than average. Anyways, by the time I got spotted I was pretty much cross eyed. I proceeded to stumble around making what little conversation I was capable of. I tried stumbling into the back room, but they said there was a comedy show there, and seeing it required a cover charge I opted for staying in the main room. I love comedy, and I would have paid it, but I was sure at the time that they could do without "that drunk guy" in the back of the room clapping and laughing obnoxiously. I continued my best attempt at mingling which, surprisingly, went pretty well. I met some really cool people I think. I couldn't tell you why they wanted to talk to me, but they did. One of them had some awesome tattoos. I don't remember much past that point, except that I think one of them gave me a ride home I think. So what have you learned? I've been to the holiday club, I drink, and I like cheap beer on occasion. Now I guess I'll tell you something about the holiday club itself. Go there, its a cool place.
(4)
Jean C.

I came here for a birthday party for a friend's friend. Parking was easy even though we were on Sheridan. Star for that! I love the glittering sign they have out front of the place. You can't miss it. We walked in and Sinatra was on the jukebox and James Bond movies playing on the TV. How have I not been here before?! The space is big with a back room. I didn't have the opportunity to go back there but I hear it has a different feel than the front. They also have a pool table in the front which you pay to play. One thing that really sold me on the place is the photo booth they have! How fun! I didn't stay too long but I am definitely going back. I like the feel of the place and the variety of people that frequent the bar.
(4)
Kari J.

I've been to the Holiday Club a couple of times and haven't been disappointed. Food is tasty. Have had the same waitress twice ... she's a little nutty, little too casual for my taste, and you'll see her outside smoking while the chime is dinging to signify that your food is finished, but she does a pretty decent job of making sure that you have what you need ... even if the pizza skis across the table a bit with her drive-by delivery. I think the nachos are tasty and today's $5 pizza plus pepperoni and mushroom was tasty tasty. The Bears fans were a little, shall we say, obnoxious, but at least I expect that.
(4)
Mara A.

I'm a young female in my earlier 20's and im pretty sure the night I went, I was a good 10 years younger than anyone in this place. Drinks are fine and waitresses were extra friendly. Maybe I just came on the wrong night, but since it is my corner bar, I shall return. There are two rooms and music is horribly loud in both, turn it down a bit guys!
(3)
David S.

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).
(3)
Dave M.

I attended Holiday Club for my New Years Eve celebration and I was nothing but impressed. They had one of the best deals in the city for an all you can drink/eat for the entire time they were open on New Years Eve starting at 9pm. I stuck mainly to the back of the place which had its own DJ and enough room for some dancing if desired. We definitely did our fair share of dancing. The bartenders in the back were also great with getting drinks quickly. With the night getting closer to midnight they started hanging out many celebration poppers which were great to shoot off and yell into at midnight. I would definitely recommend going to this bar and if I still am in the city next year I may even try to go to their New Years Celebration again. Thank you Holiday Club for a great New Years!
(5)
Ryan S.

The owner, Tim, emailed me after I posted this review on Yelp. He was very apologetic about the entire experience and offered a round of drinks and appetizers to make up for the whole thing. Probably won't be back, but it was very nice of him to follow up with me.
(1)
Liz S.

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.
(2)
Jamie G.

So last summer I came here and had the best sangria of my life(made with cinnamon- so good!) but when I arrived Sunday night they were all out!! I was incredibly disappointed because it's like one of the only reasons I chose this for my friend reunion location! Instead I stuck to $4 well drinks- at least it was cheap. I had a gin and tonic which tasted horribly with cheap gin thanks to my sensitive palate that I spoiled with Hendricks all weekend, and switched to amaretto soda. They have a cool photo booth here and pool tables, and the place is decent sized and a good location for my northside living friends. I would probably still use this as a meet up location, though I wish it were classier and saved some sangria for me!
(3)
Jennifer H.

I went to the Holiday Club during the week just try to try their wings. I have been on the search for tasty wings in Chicago and this place was relatively close. The wings were good but I wouldn't say some of the best I have ever had. Their fries are served on big dinner plates and only cost $3, plenty of fried goodness for 2-3 people. Now if they only would of had Bell's Oberon (they have Bell's Amber) on tap then my night would of been made! Oh and the jukebox , service, and old timey photo booth are great!
(4)
Moe f.

Good drinks, music, and they always have drink specials. How can you beat a $4.50 tall, tall boy of PBR? And the food ain't half bad either.
(3)
Holly M.

Love the Holiday Club. Whenever I go, the waitresses have always been extremely nice and helpful. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd there is generally easy-going and just out for a night of fun. They make a mean grilled cheese, too! Karaoke on Wednesday is worth sticking around for, even though it's a bit crowded and the KJ often loses the order of the songs. Sometimes you get glared at by the karaoke regulars, but it's still a lot of fun.
(4)
Lucy L.

Holiday Club is, in my opinion, the shit. Note that I work service industry, so my going-out nights are Sunday - Thursday. Meaning the Holiday Club I go to is not the weekend Holiday Club, where it's always packed wall-to-wall and drinks are full-priced. My Holiday Club is the one with cheap weekday specials (including AWESOME food, you can get a great meal here for $5) and some of the best karaoke in the city on Mondays and Wednesdays. Some reviewers pegged it as "underwhelming," which is actually my favorite thing about Holiday--I don't like having to fight through crowds at bars, and knowing I can come here with friends and enjoy a chill night out with good conversation really makes me happy to be a regular here. The other regulars are great, too (every one that's recognized me after my first couple times quickly introduced themselves and bought me a beer/shot), and everyone who works here is just nice as can be.
(4)
Jason H.

I'm never disappointed with the Holiday Club. I know a lot of people like to go on a Thu, Fri or Sat but my favorite time is Sunday brunch. First of all you can't beat the prices. You can get pitchers of Bloody Mary's, Screwdrivers or other fun boozey fare for under 10 bucks. In fact if I remember, the screws are $7 (what I usually get). I split it with a friend and you're basically looking at something like 2 bucks a drink. Okay so we've got the drinks covered, let's talk food. First of all they have tater tots! I know we're not talking gourmet here but I love tater tots and you can get ranch, cheese and BBQ dipping sauce. If you're not excited about that let's talk about the other items... brunch is always great. You can get any kind of omelette you want. Well you kind of just build it yourself and all of the ingredients are fresh. They use fresh mushrooms, great tomatoes, fresh cut potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns... I could go on. I'll tell you I've worked in kitchens before and a lot of places use canned everything. There is definitely a difference in the taste. Or maybe you want a salad... the greens are so fresh and they hit all those nice added touches like hot fresh toasted pine nuts. My favorite item on the list is the meatloaf... OMG, better than my Mom could ever dream up. I'm probably not doing the food justice but if you're having that feeling like you want to go out for a hangover brunch come here because you'll get good fresh food at a good price. BTW, I should mention that most of my friends are veggies and Holiday Club is very vegetarian friendly. Let's talk ambiance... I love it! It's very comfortable inside with plenty of seating. There are always a few TVs running, one with an old time Sinatra type movie (always different) and whatever sports game is going on. Now I usually hate TVs running because I feel like it ruins things but they just keep them muted so you can listen to whatever good music is playing. The only exception is when there is a big game going on so if you're a sports fan you'll like that. They also have a pool table and photo booth. Plus when it's summer you can sit on the side patio. Finally, and I saved the best for last, the service is outstanding. Your drink is never empty, the waitstaff is super friendly and the kitchen is fast. If you get Maria (waitress extraordinaire) or Charlene (bar tender impresario) you are in luck. Both of them will delight you with stories and great prompt service. I can't say enough nice things about them. If you don't have a good time at the Holiday Club you're doing something wrong.
(5)
naila t.

Another establishment I lived above, it became the most convenient, comfortable hangout for me and my roommates, as if we were hanging out in our own living room. Let's get real here, any place with a sparkly exterior will immediately attract my attention; the tater tots are fried to perfection, the Hamms is cheap and plentiful and Monday night karaoke with Mary Mac and Travis has turned me into a karaoke diva. I can't forget to mention that they have $5 Burgers on Tuesday nights that you can get with goat cheese! Go there on Monday nights, sing and dance your heart out, notice how perfectly cute and themed Mary Mac's outfits are, tip your bartender and don't ever talk shit about Patrick Swayze!
(5)
Bobby M.

Place has $4.00 Well drinks... It's a bit of a dive, but good for a quick cheap drink. Open until 2, there is a juke box and pool table. Staff was friendly and attentive, there are just better bars in general.
(3)
Beth P.

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.
(3)
J. Kate W.

I love Holiday Club! Here's why: located next to the Sheridan stop on the Red Line, $5.00 awesome food specials every day, $2.50 Hamms, weird VHS playing crazy dance videos on the TVs rather than sports all the time, party room full of hipsters, outdoor patio, photo booth! Norm the bartender took time to educate me about the difference between Merlot and Cabernet last night. Gregg's just as nice. If you go there on a week night it's quiet enough to chill and read the Onion. If you go there on Friday or Saturday night, get ready to dance. I recommend the $5.00 meat loaf on Wednesdays or the french fries with gravy any time!
(5)
John B.

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.
(4)
Lindsay W.

Going here, there really isn't much more you could ask for in a bar. I've hit the off nights, where there is a 55-year-old drunk lady chillin' at the bar in a leather mini skirt, or when the popped collars come out and do their 'comedic' dance-off....but on the whole, this place is kind of the perfect bar. The bartenders are nice, the karaoke night is kind of awesome, prices aren't bad....etc etc etc. I just wish more dudes with pompadours and sideburns would come so I can say things like 'nice chops' and 'can I bum a smoke?'
(4)
Brenda W.

I wish I could have Madonna's "Holiday" start playing on cue as you are reading this review. I think the Holiday Club is just phenomenal. Every single time I am there I have a blast. If you bring your favorite people there and you make friends with the staff, you will have a fabulous time. I spent every Wednesday and Saturday there for about 4 years. I took a break because my liver couldn't handle all the jager, miller lite and red bull I was giving it. I wish I could tell you at least one of my best stories, but I can't think of one that is actually appropriate for this web-site. All I can say is Miller Lite+Billie Jean+Jager+cute bartender+photo booth= a morning with a headache Say hello to Tim, Dave, Maria, Sonny and Norm for me! You can tell them Brenda sent you and they may look at you strange, but you may get a jager bomb out of it. And if I see you there, ask me for my best story. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy! And be careful, you may become mesmerized by the gold glitter.
(5)
Nicole C.

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. :)
(4)
Lara M.

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.
(3)
Kristy N.

This was stop #2 on a Buena park pub crawl I fell victim to one weekend. I've been here before and Its always a great time. The drinks are strong and the crowd is lively. I've been here on 2 occasions when karaoke was in full swing and both times I've had a blast. Great spot for a fun weekend night close to home!
(4)
Dina D.

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 ...very cool. Dave is one of the managers and has remembered me since the first time I went. He's a great, friendly bartender and if you have a problem, he'll take care of it... They'll get one more star when the smoking ban kicks in...it gets pretty smoky even for people who don't mind a little bit. And if you get bored, or close the place down, just go across the street to Nick's 'til 4...gross, but always seems to happen...? Swinger, baby!
(4)
Alejandro R.

IÂ´ve been two times and everything was great. Lot of space, outside or inside, great & friendly staff and fantastic music. Do not miss... TuesdayÂ´s Special burguer. ItÂ´s fantastic! Will repeat!
(5)
Jim S.

I lived across the street from this bar for about 4 years, so I used to go here when I wasn't up for leaving the area. AKA I was being a lazy POS and that turned out to be a lot. Their food isn't spectacular, but it isn't awful either. I've only tried a few items, but I definitely wouldn't recommend Holiday Club if you're looking for a great meal. It's more of a get some mozzarella sticks since you're wasted and don't want to wake up feeling like shit, type of place. Their drinks are generally cheap and they have a decent beer selection. They also have billiards and Big Buck Hunter, which is why I liked stopping in. Their bartenders are also usually very friendly, which always helps. Overall this is an OK neighborhood spot. I wouldn't say they're known for their food, at least not to me, but it's a good choice for some cheap drinks and Big Buck Hunter.
(3)
Lesia C.

5 stars all around for great food, great service, funny wait staff, and always having an open table when we walk in. Walking in from the outside for the first time, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Was it a jazz club? Was it a dive bar? What's with all the sequins in the sign outside? I saw they were having a Tuesday burger special on the sign outside, so I decided to give it a try. We were seated immediately, and figured out that this bar has a retro 90's/dive bar feel with the decor and music. Very cool. Ordered a vodka soda and boyfriend ordered the PBR special, which comes in a huge goblet basically for around 3-4$. After the waitress and I laughed when he got his comically sized glass of beer, we ordered the burger special, which was 5$ for a burger and fries. I ordered some extra toppings for 1$ more, including blue cheese and caramelized onions. I got the balsamic mixed salad on the side, and he got the fries. Both burgers came out amazing, and had a nice char crust. For 5$, they tasted even better. Oddly enough, I liked my salad as much as I liked my burger. Normally I don't think twice about ordering a side salad, and cry inside as I fight the urge to not be an adult and order fries. But my salad was so good, and the dressing was so good, I honestly didn't even care that I didn't order fries. Came back and ordered the Cesar salad, boyfriend got the wings. Again, I was shocked at how good their salad was, the dressing tasted homemade. Boyfriends boneless wings tasted on point as well. It's rare you find a dive bar that has great bar food, great wait staff, but also delicious healthy options if you want. This place offers all three.
(5)
Alex A.

I'm 36 and I was still *that guy,* gulp! You know, the guy who appears to be drunk and making out at the bar. I wasn't really drunk but was with a cutie who was and who was cajoling me to take more shots of Jame-o to "catch up with her." I soon stuck the keys in her purse and implored her not to let me drive. I didn't, thank god! Quick, friendly bartenders and staff, raucous, drunk, cute, vivacious clientele, a dance floor separated from the main bar area by a door to keep it quiet or something. This was some fun ish! My friend who owns a condo nearby tells me it's known to be a swinger hangout too. Bonus points! Met a cool Atlanta area bartender who bought us shots and used to be from Chicago and said many a man there asked him to take care of his wife. Strange! But the swinger stuff may just be true. More research is needed!
(4)
Christine S.

I'm torn...there are a bunch of good things about Holiday Club...and some "meh" things too. Good: Good beer list Good service Street parking They have a photo booth Meh: The food sucked...no seriously, it's not good. I'm sure i'll be back at some point.
(3)
Sabrina C.

Where else can you go to hear a mixture of tunes from Cece Peniston, to Jay-Z and Beyonce, then old school Backstreet Boys, back to Coldplay??? Holiday Club! If you are up North, this place needs to be a part of your weekly rotation! I hadn't been to this place in years and went last night with a friend since it was way too nice of a night to be inside; you know our days are limited and dwindling, Chicago! The crowd is vibrant and mixed and there's food to soak up the drinks from their well stocked bar......before you start making those bad decisions. Hang out on one side and eat and drink or go to the other side and grind on someone. Check their specials!
(5)
Angela P.

It was my 30th birthday. I wanted to find a venue that was: * in Chicago * didn't have a cover charge * had a good parking situation * wasn't a "club," but still encouraged dancing And then there was Holiday Club. 90s nights are Saturday nights. I was able to get the party started on the later side (10:00 p.m.) and since it was time to turn the clocks ahead, I felt like I was out all night like a youngin' all over again. We took a taxi here from our hotel, but my friends all said that they parked "right down there" and pointed down the block. I was a little worried when we first arrived. Holiday Club is half bar, half dance floor. The bar area was starting to get busy, and the dance area was blocked off with a "PRIVATE PARTY" sign. Luckily, the bartender said that is was indeed still 90s night and the party was ending at 10:00 p.m. For ONCE in my life I was glad that almost everyone showed up really late - it totally worked in my favor. We gathered a few tables together while we waited, and our waitress was good about getting drinks to us pretty quickly. I was completely wasted by the time we got the bill, but I think my gin & tonics were around $6. Not too shabby. The DJ did an okay job mixing 90s music with "today's music." Some of it was a little too "slow jam" for my tastes, but I still danced my ass off. The songs you don't like are a good time to go get a drink. There was still a good amount of borderline EDM stuff that made me go nuts - and my friends stared at me somewhat confused. My friends all seemed to have a good time too. You can't really have a deep conversation in the dance floor area, because the music is really loud. It got VERY packed too. Get there early to grab a table! While the music was playing, there were movies playing on the TVs mounted to the walls. It was like 1920s porn - ladies dancing the hula while wearing pasties. It captured everyone's attention. There's a photobooth by the bathroom too. It prints out shitty quality pictures - just like an ancient photobooth should. I indulged in one with my BFF for $3. The bartender also kindly made change for me. I had an amazing night at Holiday Club and would love to come here again!
(5)
Tanya V.

I'm really not certain I know what this place is trying to be... a light, unfancy meal spot? A tavern with pool tables? A dance club? It's a bit schizo, but I was looking for a casual bite with a friend and luckily, found it here. This is obviously a neighborhood joint that can probably be a ton of fun. Just don't expect anything at all fancy or trendy.
(3)
Tom A.

This is a pretty excellent place! My group sometimes comes here for trivia on Tuesday nights, though we've been here when there wasn't trivia. The secondary room is used for trivia, complete with it's own bar. The only food I've ever ordered here has been the burger basket special, and it's always been a decent meal. The beers are a bit pricier than I'd like, but the service is prompt and friendly. The whole place has a great atmosphere and I'd come back anytime.
(4)
Drake W.

Great service, great atmosphere! The back room on Friday nights turns into a dance club playing 80s and 90s music videos. It's a lot of fun, and just a good vibe from everyone in there. It's always a good time. I've never been disappointed here!
(5)
Anthony M.

TWO TIMES ONE NIGHT I feel like I need to write two reviews here. One is 5 stars and the other is 2 stars. It is not often I ever go to a bar at 7pm and then return again at 11:30pm. What did you really think the title was about? We were heading to the Boston/Doobie Brothers Concert on Montrose Beach when we were slammed with a giant storm that including thunder, wind and flash flooding. So the concert promoters did the right thing and moved the show back by 2 hours. Now we could hang out on a beach with a monsoon or we could search out a bar. On our quest for dry land we ended up here. The holiday club was a perfect Mecca for us. It was dry and they had a few specials. I noticed everyone with giant PBR cans in the bar area and asked our bartender. She told us that 24oz cans were only $4.50. Now that's a great deal but a lot of beer. We also needed to warm up and got a couple of Fireballs and then a couple of more. It was heating up in here. The bartender was really amazing (I wanna say her name was Heather but I could be wrong). She was very attentive and also told us about the chicken wing special for $5. The chicken wings were some of the best I have had in a very long time. Our bartender highly recommended we order the Thai Sweet Chili Chicken wings and we are so glad we did. The chicken wings were cooked perfectly and were very meaty. The sauce was fantastic. It was so good I wanted to lick my finger to the bone. Luckily I didn't make a mistake and think my finger was a chicken wing. The sauce was that good. I must mention the blue cheese dipping sauce which was outstanding. I am a blue cheese fan and I thought I need a salad to pour this on. Please don't tell anyone but I actually used the garnish lettuce to dip into the bowl. Is that wrong? I think it is only wrong if it is iceberg but luckily for me it was romaine so I believe it is acceptable. Hey it's my review I can make up my own dipping rules. So between the great service from the bartender, the drink specials, fabulous chicken wings & non monsoon like conditions inside the Holiday Inn this place was totally 5 stars. This is what I was planning to post. We went to our concert and had a great time. After the show, we could feel the Holiday Club calling us back to visit. We had such a great time 4 hours ago how could it be any different. When we returned this place was more of a dance club then a local neighborhood bar. In fact, they have a dance club next door. I poked my head in there and it was really stinky. Imagine like the most disgusting gym smell, then add about 160 gallons of sweat and you might achieve how icky the stench was in there. Now I'm not complaining or including this in my review rating but I figured I would share my experience. In case you wanna get your "Footloose" on some weekend. Bring some nose plugs. We stayed on the bar side and grabbed a table because the bar was packed. We learned that the chicken wing special ended at 10pm which was a sad moment for us. So we decided to try something new and went with the southwestern chicken pizza. The pizza was good. Our waitress brought out the pizza but didn't bring any grated cheese or hot pepper flake. Isn't that just a given when you order pizza? So of course we had to wait for her to return with it before we could start eating. I then noticed that the side of sour cream that the pizza was suppose to come with never came out. I really didn't want to wait any longer, so we dived in. Our waitress was really nice and seemed sweet but I think she had too much area to cover. It took us forever to get a second round of drinks. We had to go and find her to order them. We also had to go and find her to get our bill. She really didn't care because she had our credit card in her possession. That is probably why she didn't have an urgency to keep tabs on us. Our bus boy was what really upset me. He was a little grabby on our table. He grabbed my buddies drink which still had alcohol in it and went to walk away. We had to stop him and ask for it back. He also went to grab our food plates even though we weren't done. I had to go to the bathroom and gave my buddy specific orders to not let the bus boy take my beer. When I came back I said to my buddy, "Where's my beer? And he said, "The bus boy took it!" In reality, I should have taken my beer with me. It was just upsetting. I told the busboy about the incident and he told me he shook the can and it didn't seem like there was much beer in there. I said, "Did it feel like there was beer in there?" He said, "yes!" And I informed him I was still drinking that beer. He looked at me and never apologized. It was just kind of rude. My buddy was like don't worry well order another drink & at that point it was more principal for me. So I guess my review is this. I would never come here after 10pm. It turns into a totally different bar. Before 10pm this place is great, I wanna remember that bar.
(4)
Anne S.

I wanted to go dancing at a club, but since I'm 32 and married I didn't want to go somewhere with just people a decade younger than me. I wanted to go out at like 10 not like 12, and I didn't want to pay a huge cover and a ton for drinks. I'm too old for that shit. This was the perfect place! It's half restaurant/bar and half club. You can just walk back and forth between the two. I went with friends Friday night, and I think everyone liked the place. There is no cover, no dress code, and well drinks were $6.50. They even had a couple of $4 shots! I will say that my rum and cokes were some of the weakest ones I've ever had, so beer or shots might be better. The music was good, there were plenty of people dancing. The crowd was quite diverse. There was a good mix of all types of people. I plan to return soon!
(4)
Sabrina R.

Good food, horrible bar service. When my friend was closing his tab, the bartender asked for his name, so he spelled it out for her, then she came back and said she couldn't find it. It was the ONLY orange Illini card, He told her that and his name again, and again she said she needed his name. He told her again, she came back and said she couldn't find it. He gave her his full name, the card type and what it looked like and when she found it (oh big surprise! Even I could see it sitting there), she had the nerve to say that next time just tell her the name. Yeah ok, what was he doing for the last 20 min?? Also the beers were grossly flat.
(1)
Neema P.

Well this place is interesting. I feel like you either need to be completely out of it to enjoy the place. The dance floor is pretty packed, i'm almost positive it's a fire hazard and dangerous. Drinks are cheap and the music is top notch. Great music, which is why it deserves 3 stars.
(3)
Bo C.

Always been a favorite of mine but after tonight I won't be returning. We live in the neighborhood and have frequently visited but after calling are waitress out (Sloan) on over charing us on drinks we were welcomed by the manager who didn't give us his name and told me and my friend since we had been there for 5 hours we must of had 20 beers. We came for the wings that were good but really 20 beers! We kept count this time cause before have always noticed the over charging. Never again WHAT A RIP OFF! We had 17 beers and really the 12 bucks they stole from us isn't the issue it's the It's the fact you employ thieves! NEVER AGAIN
(1)
Cam L.

Brit was our server. She was terrible. We had to walk to the bar to order. She only came back after 2+ hours for our check. Pathetic.
(1)
John K.

I've been coming to the Holiday Club for over a decade. Its swimgers era style is so f#*$!ing money baby! Good cheap eats, Theneise behind the bar is super rad and the daily entertainment whether its karaoke, open mic and the 80's dance nights are so fun! If you dig the Rat Pack come here
(4)
Alexandria H.

The bathrooms... terrifying. Photo booth.... had some good times there. The couple across from us seemed adorable until we realized that the guy was a total..... um..... douch. Thank got Stephanie our server was AMAZING. She brought us good beer and good perspective. BTW thanks for bringing my sunglasses back ;-) yay!
(5)
Rory C.

I came here for trivia, eager to eat. However, there's no table service and the bartender won't take your food order until everyone's gotten their drinks. I won't be back.
(1)
Reinhardt V.

Their food is delicious. The service is sometimes wayyy too slow, but I've been to Holiday Club when service has been spot on. The servers are ALWAYS extremely friendly and I can not imagine better servers. I absolutely love tuesdays or the $5 build your own cheese burgers. They cook their burgers right and the flavor of their food when you order is amazing. Drinks are a bit strong, but hey, I love strong drinks! ;) BTW. I should also mention the best Sweet Potato fries I've ever had.
(5)
Katie S.

I love this place! It is my favorite bar in Chicago! I love that it has tables to sit at in the front area. I love the dance floor in the back. The prices are great! It's a perfect bar because it's not a bro-bar, but it's also not a dive. I love going on Friday nights for 80's nights and Saturday nights for 90's nights. I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Alexis R.

This place is fantastic for what it is.... Chill spot, cool people, good food(great wings), awesome music, staff is always solid and overall just low key Chicago spot you can always count on to go dance and have a drink.
(5)
Barry J.

When my girlfriend and I moved from Boston, Kim found a bar called holiday. We love this place. The servers are always cool and down to earth. Everyday they have food and drink specials and the jute box can be run from your iPhone!!
(5)
Jason F.

Honestly, I love walking by this place at 8pm and it's completely dead only to come by at 11 when I've decided I'm going elsewhere, and it's completely packed!!!? Food was ok, had the green line and it tasted like you local college bar on beer night.. changed up to the 3Floyds gumball head and the expiration date was Jan 12th?? Just my luck to have local bar fail me, but worth giving another shot for redemption.
(1)
Maria B.

Terrible bar ! Customer can flip you over for no reason. Security guy mean as hell! Bar for people who has no idea what customer serviece is. Management doesn't give s..t. No respect no appropriation ! Chicago has much more to offer don't waste your time! Unfortunately only one star available. It's actualy - 5 !!
(1)
Howard L.

Always forget to do a review of this place which I really like. Very eclectic crowd like Uptown itself. Nicer than a dive, more of a neighborhood place. Not truly a romantic place, but if your date is any fun, she will like it. If she doesn't, you should find a new girl. Good beer selection with mixed drinks. Not a wine place at all. Love the pool table ($1) and photo booth ($3). Always a good time there and usually a place to sit before 11:00. Go and enjoy yourself!
(4)
Cassandra K.

I stopped in here after the Pride Parade back in June with a girlfriend of mine, and I must say that this place exceeded my expectations. I was referred here by an old roommate who is one of the servers and bartenders here, so I figured since I was in the area, I was going to pay her a visit. The first thing I noticed was the decor. The letters on the bar as well as the writing in the menu has the same style as an old school bowling alley; very cool. And as a lover of PBR, I was immediately drawn to the PBR lamp above the pool table. There is also a nice patio outside by the sidewalk which is perfect for people watching and enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Now, onto the menu. It was around lunchtime, so I didn't want anything too heavy. Plus I was drinking Hacker Pschorr beer, which is heavy in itself. I am usually a soup fan, but it was 94 degrees outside and I couldn't fathom consuming anything hot. After perusing through the menu, I opted for the Caesar salad and added chicken. Usually when I order a salad anywhere else, the portion is quite small (the only exception is Panera Bread), but when my dish arrived, it was HUGE. AND they were generous with the dressing. Words cannot even express the facial expression I make when I bite into a piece of lettuce sans dressing. Horrid. I was VERY happy with my order, and even more happy with the price of $6 ($2 extra for the chicken). Usually any spot ANYWHERE in the city, especially Uptown on Pride Parade day, has astronomical food prices. All in all, if you're looking for an awesome place to have a great lunch and cheap drinks, this is DEFINITELY the spot for you. No dress code, no cover, no BS. When you go, ask for Sloan as your server if she's not behind the bar. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Lindsey G.

We live in the area and come here quite a bit, and the last several encounters have been absolutely horrendous. We came for dinner and were one of the only people in the building. The server was so rude and un attentive. We had to go to the bar to get waters, and the bartender greeted me with a "what". Absolutely horrible service. We won't be back.
(2)
Jerry M.

Been here a couple times one for drinks and dancing the other for a dinner. Food and drinks were good and reasonably priced. Service was pretty good. Dancing was fun, not too crowded and decent music. Nice location near the red line.
(4)
Jeff W.

Holiday Club is a unique bar with what I would consider a mostly hipster clientele. Throughout the entire bar there are CRT (Old School) TVs which appear to be displaying "classic" movies from a VHS player (Hipsters love CRT and VHS). The reason you will find me here is for the trivia on Tuesday nights. Geeks Who Drink host trivia every Tuesday at 8pm. For the most part the prices of the beer and food are very reasonable. Keep an eye out for the Photo Booth, plus at the front door you'll see the jewel of the joint, Buck Hunter!
(3)
Ade D.

I went with a group of friends to the dance floor. This place has TVs all around playing offensive stuff - I looked over once and there was a video of a women tied up and screaming with a knife being placed against her body. Violence against women should not be tolerated. Its never ok.
(1)
Rose H.

Being new to the area, I had really been excited to try this place out. It could potentially be my new hang out spot! After last night, though, I don't think I'll ever go there again. I sat at a booth, waiting for a friend to arrive. It took several minutes to track down a server, even though the place didn't look busy at all. Once someone came up to my table, I told her that it was my first time, and I wasn't familiar with some of their draft beers. She rolled her eyes, told me to look at the menu more, and went to go serve other tables. Once she finally came back again, she said 'well, do you know what you want yet?', and I again explained that I was unfamiliar with the beers. She then said 'well I don't have time to explain them to you' and walked away. I was shocked! I really don't feel like giving this place another chance.
(1)
Dallas F.

One of my favorite yelper friends has had a party of some sort at the Holiday Club several years in a row. Had it not been for her, I would have never noticed or visited the Holiday Club and that would be sad. Not because it's a must-visit bar or an Uptown hotspot. Nope. It's just that I always have a good time when I go there. The drinks are well made and fairly priced. The music is what I like to dance to while drinking previuosly mentioned beverages. And there is a photo booth. I like most places with photo booths. I like to document my bad ideas.
(4)
Allie I.

Love their tots & pizza. Trivia night on Tuesday is always a blast. They keep this place looking great & have fantastic specials daily!
(5)
Syed A.

Awesome place to hang out after a long day , people are very friendly And the service is great!!
(4)
Marie M.

Amazing every time I come, great service. ...excellent food. Fun all around and will definitely be a repeat experience. Thanks for the owner, Sunny, Thanise, Molly, and Greg for always being so hospitable.
(5)
Will W.

What can I say about the holiday club that hasn't been said about any bar in Chicago in some way... Cheap beer and a drink special nearly every night. +1 Food... Meh. This is a bar and not really super hyped in the dining department. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. +0 Music selection goes from what you wanted to hear, to "i'm not drunk enough for this" to, I forgot this was a song, to "we should leave" - 2 Big Buck Hunter. +5
(3)
Lindsey A.

I've been going to Holiday Club for random bar nights, birthday parties, my own pre-wedding soiree and for lunch since I moved to Chicago many, many years ago. It took until last night's super dance party for me to realize how super HC really is. The DJ keeps the floor BOUNCING and the bartenders in the back room are fast, attentive and sweet. When you want to get your dance-on in an unpretentious, non-clubby place, this is the spot to do it. Oh, and the photo booth is a must-visit.
(5)
Joe P.

Holiday Club, never change - you are perfect the way you are. Half neighborhood watering hole, half free for all dance spot. PBR tall boys, photo booth, 80s dj on Fridays, and on and on. A hidden gem tucked away right off the Sheridan red line stop. Well deserved 5 stars.
(5)
Ana A.

Reviewing Holiday Club is extremely difficult as, having visited about a dozen times, each experience is very different and has run the gamut from BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!1!! to PLEASE SOMEONE STOP ME FROM THROWING THIS SHITTY DRINK IN THAT ASSHOLE SERVER'S FACE. The dance floor is exactly the same: one minute you are gettin' low to some ass-shaking hip hop, and then the next thing you know, you're standing there like an idiot trying to figure out how to dance to Adele's latest power ballad. (However, there's a 50% chance that you've gotten a seriously strong pour, in which case you don't care anyway.) If you are looking for consistency, Holiday Club is not the place. But if you like to roll the dice with your night out, it should do just fine. If you go, be sure to order some not-on-menu "totchos". Your server will either give you a wink and a smile and deliver piping hot tater tots smothered in salsa, sour cream, and cheese-- or she'll give you the stank eye and grumble that she doesn't know what you're talking about.
(3)
Erin T.

**UPDATE** We had our rehearsal dinner here the night before our wedding. Travis, the manager/tech guy on duty, saved the day on some A/V and iPod issues. The bartender was so awesome - he worked a 4-hour, 100-person party by himself and was smiling the whole time. Also the wings are out of control (awesome). So it's a great place to hang out, and a great place to party.** I love the Holiday Club. 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.
(5)
Colleen R.

So it's about ten steps from the Red Line. That's a plus in the middle of winter. And the gold sparkles on the sign make it super easy to spot. As for the inside... it's big and open, lots of TVs, kind of a weird scene. Photo booth is cool. Oh, and it's super loud, especially if you sit along the wall that divides the two rooms from each other, with different music in each. You get to hear both! Hooray!
(3)
Anna W.

My boyfriend and I stopped here after dinner for a drink. It's really cute and fun! We were in there early (7:30ish) so it was a little dead, but it was exactly what I wanted- a place to have a drink and watch a little tv. I also enjoyed the mix of 90's music :) Our bartender, Brad, was a very friendly guy who made us feel very comfortable at the bar. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Lakshmi R.

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!"
(3)
Chantal L.

Our quest to mix up the evening led us to the Holiday club after dinner. A neat old school 50's "Grease" movie ambiance when entering the main room, which has a bar and a very open floor plan. We ventured off to the next room where there was another bar, good drinks, a DJ, good music, and a Dance floor. Cha - ching ;)
(4)
Shane H.

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
(4)
A.J. M.

Hmm. I do not find their drinks cheap whatsoever. Their specials are quite laughable as you could walk down the street in any direction and find a better one. Further, the service there is not very friendly and you can wait awhile for a drink when it's not very busy anyways. I've only been here a handful of times because of the location. I can enjoy myself here, but more so if I pregammed beforehand.
(2)
Eden S.

$4.50 for 22oz PBRs? YES! The bar has some amazing specials and for a reasonable price. Plenty of room to mingle and sit down for conversation. Nice staff, they weren't douches when it was 2.10am (past closing time) to kick us out, and a fun crowd. I think there is a DJ in the back sometimes?
(4)
Jackie P.

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.
(4)
Jonathan C.

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.
(4)
Katie B.

Celebrating 16 years of tater tots and photo booth! Not my favorite place to be on a Saturday night, but HC has become a staple in the hood for wings and cheap beers. The staff is friendly and generous! They give out free drink passes and often bring special treats. The Wednesday $5 meatloaf dinners are a staple in the winter and the bloody mary's will warm you right up on the weekends. All good in the hood.
(3)
Donovan B.

Sat on the patio for half an hour while the waitress studiously ignored us. Left.
(1)
Matt H.

Things that are awesome about Holiday Club: Something bad always happens here. Bad in a good way. Like making an executive decision to go to Nick's afterwards. DJ Dave from Neo's Thursday night Planet Earth spins here on Friday, so you can go to Neo two nights in a row. Random music. One night I walked out of the back room as Marc Morrisson "Return of the Mack" was finishing to find "Milkman" by Aphex Twin playing on the jukebox. They show 1950's porn on the big TV. Lethal white russians, and suprisingly good wings. Did I mention it's close to Nicks Uptown?
(5)
Carrie S.

I guess that I was expecting more from a place that has such a retro, kitschy menu on their website. When I got inside, it was darker than I imagined it to be and the retro feel wasn't oozing all over the place like another retro outlet here in Chicago. The bar and surrounding tables were formica tables and retro chairs. The bar is the centerpiece of retro cool with various tchotskies all around. It felt like it was trying to be cool and kitschy, almost divey. The jukebox played all the great songs which made the evening more fun. I got here early and drank a High Life on special. It wasn't the cheapest special that I've ever seen, but it was decent. The cocktails were pricey and I'm a beer girl these days. If anything, I was more excited about the company and the food. The Holiday Club won at the Chicago's Best Wingfest, so instantly I was thrilled to try the award winning chipotle bbq wings. I had the wings and they were delicious. I can't remember if I had them during the Wingfest last year, but they were mighty delicious in their natural setting. I sampled the mac and cheese which was yummy as well. I had fun hanging out with the Yelpers! I'll definitely go back for the food and the next time will hit up the photo booth.
(3)
Ana A.

Reviewing Holiday Club is extremely difficult as, having visited about a dozen times, each experience is very different and has run the gamut from BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!1!! to PLEASE SOMEONE STOP ME FROM THROWING THIS SHITTY DRINK IN THAT ASSHOLE SERVER'S FACE. The dance floor is exactly the same: one minute you are gettin' low to some ass-shaking hip hop, and then the next thing you know, you're standing there like an idiot trying to figure out how to dance to Adele's latest power ballad. (However, there's a 50% chance that you've gotten a seriously strong pour, in which case you don't care anyway.) If you are looking for consistency, Holiday Club is not the place. But if you like to roll the dice with your night out, it should do just fine. If you go, be sure to order some not-on-menu "totchos". Your server will either give you a wink and a smile and deliver piping hot tater tots smothered in salsa, sour cream, and cheese-- or she'll give you the stank eye and grumble that she doesn't know what you're talking about.
(3)
Denise S.

It's a fun place to hang out with a group of friends. It can get VERY loud, so don't expect to have a lot of conversation.
(3)
lisa c.

So I have been coming to the holiday club for the past 10 years. Always a great spot and never really had any complaints. That is until today. My companions and I went out for some wings and beers. Spent a better part of 6 hours in this establishment running up a substantial tab. Well being in the industry we know to always keep track of our beers. (We have gotten effed before) so when the bill came we were outraged to find that the waitress charged us for 3 extra beers. When we told her that this wasn't correct she gave us a song and dance and brought over a manager of sorts. Instead of believing a long time patron we were still expected to pay. I find this very disappointing and disrespectful to say the least. Even if we were charged for the correct amount the service was terrible. The waitress even said we were her only table yet we barely even saw her. At the very least as the saying goes, isn't the costomer always right? Why not just correct the bill? Non the less this will be the last time we patronize this establishment. I write reviews very few and far between but I felt the need to get this I out there. I'm sure that they don't care if we come back seeing that there are a ton of hipsters that will gladly drunken pay for anything but I won't be going back! Just be aware if you go, pay attention to how much you order.
(1)
Liz F.

I went here on a recent Friday evening and had such a ball! In the front room, they have a nice bar with a well-curated list of beers on tap, friendly servers, a nice crowd. Overall it was a good vibe -- a lively place to go with friends and still be able to hear the conversation. Later in the evening we moved to the back room, where they play 80's videos! What a fun surprise -- I was totally not expecting this, but we wound up staying out WAYYYY past our bedtime singing along to Michael Jackson, Guns and Roses, and uh...some other people I've forgotten about. good times, would definitely return again.
(4)
Adriane P.

Once upon a time, in a neighborhood so very awesome lived a fair maiden named Adriane Petunia. She was courted by a rather imprudent and tempremental young sir. Whenever she declined a date or wished to stay in he'd grow upset and ominously threaten, "OK! If you don't I'm going to Holiday Club!!!! I'll find some girl who wants to see me!!" She'd be sad yet continue with her regularly scheduled plans but this repeated warning aroused a certain level of intrique and mystique about Holiday Club. She since tossed him aside like a parking ticket, but still wondered about Holiday Club. Imagine her astonishment when she went and saw how low key, sedate, and typical it was! He made it sound like there was scantily clad, randy people, and champagne corks whizzing around the room. I guess her throwback breezy thought since the word "club" was in the title it sounded more wild? Or she should be concerned? Who knows what's behind the best laid plans of mice and men. The special was Hamms cans for $2. Neither she nor the lad she was with knew what that was but gave it a shot then left. She concluded she may return, in spite of the deception, sometimes the prospect of a low key bar pleases. And she lived happily ever after. The End
(2)
Jamie F.

Dance party! 90's style! What a great time, I came here with a group of friends all looking for a fun environment to dance free of skeezy pick up artists, overpriced drinks and judgment for our super awesome dance moves. Holiday club fit the bill perfectly. The dance floor was pretty empty when we first got there (not that that stopped us) but it was absolutely packed by 11:30. With two bars, I never had to wait long for a drink and all of the bartenders were friendly. The music (90's night) was awesome. My tab at the end of the night was reasonable and more importantly, the whole group had a fantastic time.
(4)
Scott M.

Friendly staff, no trouble getting drinks, and the dancing! Oh, the dancing! Definitely a great spot to dance your butt off and not be bothered by my least favorite dwarfs: Judgy and Sleazy. Nineties Night was right up my alley, having been a teenager way back when. I think I danced for four straight hours as the place slowly filled to the brim. Sadly, someone cleaned up my full drink, before I had the chance to consume, so I was a bit disappointed with that. Somehow I missed the photo booth, but I certainly didn't miss the glitzy sign. Good times, then again, we always have good times.
(4)
Kristine N.

Let's just be clear, this is a swing dancing themed bar, not a couples swingers bar. Came here to watch the game but they insisted 2 of the 3 TV's had to stay on an old black and white film which I found odd. Service started out ok but as the night progressed, our server got very very short with us. It wasn't even that busy. They do have good specials every night and karaoke in a separate room some nights which is a bonus I guess. Pool table and photo booth are a plus.
(3)
Sandy M.

Decided to check this place out at around 6pm today. It was pretty chill and mellow. It was empty when I got there which I didn't mind. The staff seemed nice. I was a little disappointed with the burger and fries I ordered. The chicken in the burger tasted burnt and the fries were extremely salty for my taste. Not sure if I will go back there for food.
(3)
Thomas H.

This is my go-to spot, mainly because it's within walking distance, but I reckon I would still frequent this establishment even if I move to another locale in the city limits. I usually come on Saturday nights because they play the throw-back 90's-00's hip hop and pop that I like. They'll also mix in some of today's hits as well. The service is great. The bouncers and bartenders always make me feel at home so I'm pretty comfortable moving about. There are 2 areas in this place. The front has a more dive bar type feel, with pool tables and large screens. There is music, but it's soft enough to have conversation. The back is where the dance area is at. It's not all that big, but enough to move around. Drinks are about standard price, but they offer $4 pbr tallboys which is nice. In terms of the clientele. It's definitely a mix of people. Mostly younger 20-30's. The reason I'm not giving this a 5 star rating is that the patrons aren't as friendly than other bars that I go to, but then again, because of the diverse crowd, that's what I'm going to get? Anyway, 4 1/2 stars. I would recommend if you like to rock out to old school tunes and have a good time.
(4)
Kyle B.

Went here in the middle of the week with some friends because, hey, couldn't everyone use a little holiday during the week? A retro-inspired bar with bikers out front and old movies playing on the tube while enjoying a beer and some decent bar food? I honestly couldn't really ask for a better way to spend my weeknight. Now, I know that everyone has their off nights and I'm usually willing to give it another shot, but I seriously must have chosen the wrong night. The food was all right, but I can't get over how awful the service was. Let me start off by saying how absolutely uncrowded it was here. Like maybe three other people in the bar uncrowded. Quite possibly another four or five outside on the patio, but still...pretty uncrowded. And yet, it took approximately 15 minutes to get a beer, an hour to get food, and another 20 minutes after that to get a second beer. It got so bad that people at my table started walking up to the bar to order drinks (at which point they were told by the bartender they had to order from the waitress.) And thus, round and round we go. The manager (I think?) was actually very pleasant, but unfortunately it didn't help the speed at which things were delivered to the table. As mentioned (last sentence, second paragraph,) the food was all right (once it showed up,) but once the damage was done I pretty much just wanted to close out and go somewhere where my impatience wasn't running rampant.
(2)
Bev h.

Dear Holiday Club, I really want to keep liking you, but 2 things need to change in order for me to go back: 1. The DJ. Stop playing 10-20 second clips of songs with weird silent breaks in between! I keep getting excited for 90's dance jams, and instead find myself on the packed dance floor on an emotional roller coaster: "love this jam!" {silence} "WTF, it's over?" {silence} "another jam!" {silence} "ugh, this DJ sucks." 2. It smells overwhelmingly of hot, stinky ass. Also while i was there this weekend, 2 people apparently had their purses stolen, and we left right as the cops were arriving. Heads up, ladies.
(3)
Meredith B.

I haven't been to the Holiday Club for a night out in a few years, though my friends and I did have a fantastic time there! I've spent a few evenings here volunteering for the Obama campaign - currently on Monday and Thursday nights at 630, they run a phone bank out of the back room. The servers are always incredibly helpful and friendly, and really make us feel welcome. I also very much enjoy their fries and their chicken wings - phone banking makes us hungry! I think the Holiday Club is a really active member of their local community, and I respect that tremendously. I love that they get involved in political and LGBT events, it makes me feel super positive about the business itself - and that's just on top of the tasty food and friendly staff!
(4)
Formerly Pick E.

Holiday Club is one of my favorite bars in the area. The food is excellent and the alcohol is cheap. I almost always order a burger with seasoned fries, but I have also tried the meatloaf, pizza, and chicken sandwiches -- all delicious. Ask about the food or drink specials as they have a deal each night. The service has always been fast and friendly. It's not exactly a sports bar so I wouldn't go to Holiday and expect the game to be on the TVs. If you ask, they are happy to change the channel, but you might be the only one watching and it won't be in HD. They have a pool table, a popular patio, and a back room for random events. Solid neighborhood bar.
(5)
Rhonda G.

Everyone has been here it seems, except for me. Time to remedy that! A friend had her birthday gathering here recently and this was my chance to check this place out. I Still don't know why it's called Holiday club but I guess It's one of life's mysteries that I don't really need to know (kind of like whatever happened to Josh Hartnett?) I enjoyed dancing to music from the 90's and early 2000's since it reminds of a simpler time in my life when I wasn't necessarily paying bills and acting like a grownup (sigh). I also really like that other people were dancing and not just doing a little toe tapping. This is the kind of place (in my opinion) that can be fun sober, though I'm not sure anyone in this place actually was.
(4)
Jessica P.

My boyfriend and I went on a weeknight so it was pretty dead. Very dark lighting and rude door man. Had to get a flashlight out to double check my ID. Table and chairs wobbled and food wasn't anything special. Wings and sauce were bad and nachos were just ok. Service was fast and our waitress was attentive which was about the only good thing.
(2)
Susan D.

What a great find this place was! I went today for a film discussion group. I just love the retro vibe, the friendly staff ... and OMG - I had eggs benedict with potatoes for $7. $7!!! Unbelievable. And it was really good, too! Sunday afternoon .... very nice. The location is awesome, about a block from the Red Line at the Sheridan stop. So convenient! I will be back, for sure!
(5)
Amy H.

Mmmmmm...yummers!!! I appreciate Holiday Club for what it is. It's a bar with a retro swinging' 60's vibe that serves up some great classic diner-type pub grub. It's not the best food that I've ever had, but it's pretty darned good. The classic grilled cheese is top notch and they'll even put gravy and cheese on your fries for some comforting poutine. The also serve brunch on Sundays. Who knew?! The brunch menu isn't very big, but I had a classic egg sandwich that was exactly like the kind my mom used to make me. Since my last review, Holiday Club has fallen under new management and received a little bit of a face lift. The exterior has been updated and looks a little more classy, while inside they have come up with some pretty amazing theme nights: I ~heart~ the 80's, The 90's to Now, and their standard karaoke is still drawing in the crowds. The staff is super friendly, adorably rockabilly, and attentive. Also, if you're in the mood to watch "the big game" there are plenty of flat screens for viewing. I even saw them doing a makeshift Oscars party a few months ago. Cool, daddy-o. Real cool.
(4)
Mark M.

Love the Holiday Club! I usually go for dinner about once every other week. They have nightly food specials which are a great bargain. Excellent wings, meatloaf and burgers. Bar food that is actually really really good. Drinks are priced fairly and every waitress is very friendly and make you feel comfortable. If you stay later the back room opens and they play louder music and you can even dance. Mixed crowd here of different ages etc but everyone seems to get along without any attitude. Stop in if you are in the neighborhood and you and friends want a destination bar this is a good choice too as it is just across the street from the Sheridan Red line stop.
(5)
Kyle H.

"Let's go to the Holiday!" What? I can't remember the last time I was at either Holiday Club (and if you don't remember the one in Wicker Park where Salud is, you probably call that area "Bucktown"). This Holiday Club is just a box. A box that looks like the bar back and top could spin around and become a 10 cent candy store or some legit business quickly as if we were in Prohibition. It's a bare bones box. The juke box is incredible, and Beer selection is okay, waitstaff is quick enough, and not a bad time was had when our large group met here. I'm happy to report that The Internets are a safer place now. Sleep tight, you all.
(3)
Melanie S.

Met a group of friends here on Saturday night. I'd only been to the original Holiday Club on Milwaukee Avenue but I finally had a good excuse to try this one. The bartenders were friendly and I had no trouble ordering drinks despite the crowd. This place is huge and while it was busy, it never felt like it was wall-to-wall people. The jukebox had an interesting mix of CDs - something to make everyone happy. They also have a pool table if you're so inclined. I used it to set my drink on until I was scolded by the waitress not to. She was nice about it though and I should have known better. Parking was a snap and since it was after 9, it was free, but it's also right off the Sheridan stop on the Red Line for those of you sans wheels. And apparently there's a photo booth? How the hell did I miss this? I guess I saved myself some embarrassment, so there's that. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Andy M.

I must have drove by this place 1,000 times before I finally went in for a bite to eat. It turned out to be just what the Doctor ordered. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning than hanging out with my wonderful Wife and the lovely Amy H. The interior is quite odd, yet pleasing. The place is crammed with 60's, rat pack memorabilia. I felt like I was in Dean Martin's rec room. The vibe is surprisingly pleasing. It's not what I expected at all from a bar located in Frat Boy hell. The food was a step above your standard bar fare. I ordered a Bacon Omelette that really hit the spot, but the star of the show was the Bloody Mary. I can honestly say that Holiday club offers one of the best Bloody Mary's in town. It was spicy, tangy and delicious. The holiday club was awesome. Good food, great service and a kick ass Bloody Mary has me looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Ryan P.

Cheap beer, plenty of seating, authentic retro vibe, always a fun crowd! Your waitress can be hit-or-miss, as some are definitely better than others, but overall the service is good. Barely scratched the surface on the menu but the tater tots were delicious. Reasonably priced Angry Orchard for the GF crowd. I especially like the back room with its own smaller bar and blackout windows for DJ sessions, etc.
(4)
Kelly K.

Honestly, we decided to try this bar because of the flashy exterior and it looked like a lot of fun! It definitely isn't as flashy in the inside and smells kind of funny but bartenders were very nice and they had reasonable prices for the city/ Wrigley area. Also, there wasn't anything going on the night we were there but it looks like they have a lot of fun themed nights / bands/ performers come!
(4)
Tiffany H.

A great place full of history! Love going here when I am visiting. Perfect for a cocktail and a fun trip to the retro photo booth.
(4)
Alex B.

In all honesty, I was a bit disappointed by how underwhelming the Holiday Club is on the inside. After having passed by several times, I was expecting a unique experience. The truth is that once you walk through the doors, it's an ordinary dive bar with big open spaces and stiff drinks. Highlights included friendly staff and a photo booth in the back. I wouldn't go out of my way to return, but I wouldn't complai
(3)
Alex K.

This place is alright in my book. Took a date here and around 9pm on a tuesday it was pretty quiet inside. I think at one point there were like 4 other people in the bar. I was satisfied with the beer selection and eneded up have a few IPAs and stellas. They didn't have the blackberry vodka my date was looking for, but I guess I can't really take any points off for that. Our server did seem a bit forgetful, not to the point of being any kind of problem though. Saw the photobooth but didn't check that out. And I do kinda regret not getting the cheese fries. This bar seems alright, and I would have no problem going again, but just not sure if I would go out of my way to plan a trip here in the future. TL;DR -Average Dive type bar -Decent beer selection -Not bad but nothing special
(3)
Kelly C.

This was the first bar I hopped in Chicago, and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I stopped in for Monday night karaoke, and met some great people (including someone who worked at a chocolate factory and a member of the Potter Puppet Pals touring show). In fact, I consistently met interesting and friendly folks here, which is one of the main reasons I would recommend it. As for karaoke, the vibe is better on Monday nights; if you want to sing some Carly Rae Jepsen or Journey, just don't even bother. These people are hardcore but they will entertain the pants off you. The DJ is a little surly but she's got a soft side. One of the bartenders was accepted to Julliard and all the bartenders will feed you shots if you make them laugh. It's just a bizarre and unique crowd. Karaoke also happens on Wednesdays. Wednesdays are calmer, a more mainstream selection of music, and the DJ is a little nicer if a little more bland. They have events pretty much every night and honestly, it is one of the best bars I have ever frequented for people-watching...and meeting. After they close everyone goes across the street to Nick's. I only give it four stars because it definitely has its off nights and it's not for everyone. However, I promise you'll come away with a story.
(4)
Joel W.

Very cool place, not great pizza. Service Monday night was slow slow yet nice. I do love this bar.
(3)
Caitlin B.

I have passed Holiday several times and have always been attracted to it's glittery, fun signage. Right off the Sheridan redline stop, it's easy enough to get to that I thought it would be a pretty happening place. I went on a Friday night and was a little underwhelmed, simply because I had different expectations. It's a pretty divey bar which is really great for what it is. I only stayed for one drink, but the staff seemed nice and there was great seating for getting a drink with friends. It's a fun and unique atmosphere, but I was disappointing with how empty it was that night. It made the place seem too open and kind of awkward. I'll have to come back another time to see if it's different because this place has great potential. Also fun thing: they have an old-fashioned photo booth
(3)
Mel G.

First Trip: I loved the atmosphere + drink specials. But when I ordered a second drink it didn't come. After about 20 minutes, when my company had finished their own drinks, I asked the waitress for either my (unserved) drink and the tab, or my tab without the drink on it. Her response was "so I forgot one drink, take it easy". I then got a synopsis of how busy she had been (as I had observed her bringing waters to other tables and busing empty tables). Is 5 for 6 on drink delivery considered good? I was initially tempted to make this my new neighborhood bar. But I can "take it easy" elsewhere. If your cocktail servers can't handle the 8-10 pm rush, I can't handle this bar.
(1)
Adrienne G.

I love Holiday Club. So much so that I was here the other weekend twice. The fact that I'm able to get some work done while in one of my favorite bars, and then socialize over a nice cold glass of Hamm's (or Stella if I'm feeling fancy) is wonderful. The $5 food specials every night make this a great place for me to catch up with friends who are on a tight budget, and the bartenders are super friendly and ever-accomodating (like Travis! and Greg! woo!). Sometimes the servers can be a little distracted in terms of making sure that tables have everything they need (I'm thinking of one in particular, who has glasses) but generally are super nice. Karaoke on Mondays and Wednesdays in the back room starts at 10 and is a crazy fun party, whether you get up and sing or just sit back and enjoy the revelry over dranky dranks. I was here on Christmas, so i mean, I obviously will be back here.
(4)
P S.

"You hate this place, don't you?" someone asked me the other night when we were there celebrating my Carrots's birthday. "Yep" I replied, "but it's a testament to how much I love her" I said, pointing at the birthday girl who was gleefully dancing to the hits of the 90s just yonder. Case in point: that night I had three drinks. Three blueberry vodka and sodas, tall (NOT double. Simply tall which is just more soda water). Three tall vodka sodas came to $22.50. That's $7.50 per drink, diluted. Holiday Club, DIAF.
(1)
Andre W.

Journeyed over this past Saturday to celebrate a good friend's birthday. You can't miss this place because it has the big glittery looking Holiday Club sign on the marqee. This bar is quite spacious as it has a couple of pool tables and another room for dancing that includes another bar. Lots of different people here which is always cool. They have photo booth which is always cool as well (I think all bars should have it). They had Hacker-Pschorr which automatically made me like the place and then they played lots of my favorite 80's & 90's hip hop & r&b songs. They had televisions all over the back room which played some pretty good movies (everyone that was there know what I mean, LOL). The bar in the back room was manned by one woman that was able to hold her own with a room full of drunkards. This is a great place to get fukked up on a Saturday night.
(4)
David R.

I stopped in for a couple of hours last Thursday during their 16th anniversary celebration. I was hoping for some kind of fanfare but they kept it pretty low-key. It was definitely fuller than the usual Thursday evening though. And free calendars. Specials included two-dollar Hamm's cans. These were surprisingly not terrible. I'm a notorious beer snob, so even to drink beer out of a can to begin with was a big leap for me. But two bucks is two bucks (and I was on the cusp of a long weekend of spending and drinking due to a friend's wedding, so I wanted to keep it light on the stomach and on the wallet). They also had a $5 sloppy joe (with tater tots). Once again, I figured "How can you beat a five-dollar meal?" and took the plunge. I haven't had a sloppy joe for probably at least ten years, and I was scared. But--it was very good. I already knew that they have some of the best tater tots around, but I demolished that sandwich in about five minutes (with knife and fork of course--it is very sloppy!). Good bun for this type of sandwich too. I could taste green pepper in there, and my mother always put green pepper in hers.
(4)
Sarah M.

I love the vibe of the Holiday club, the wait staff is great and the music is always perfect. Plus, who doesn't love seeing pictures of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack every where? The food is take it or leave it in my opinion, I wouldn't really recommend going there for "brunch" as the two times I've gone its been empty and awkward. As a bar though, its fantastic. In fact, I think I may just go there tonight.
(4)
Carol B.

One of my favorite Chicago Bars. Hands down.
(5)
Christina K.

This place is great, especially for dinner. It seems pretty slow around dinner time, which I don't understand! I've been here before for drinks late at night and its very busy... However, I feel it's my duty to tell people about the food. It's very reasonably priced and the grilled cheese and bacon sandwich is amazing, plus the sweet potato fries and tator tots are yummy, too! The service is a tad slow sometimes, but not a big deal. Try it out!
(4)
Nichole F.

I really like the Holiday Club. It is a nice, neighborhood bar. The service is usually good, they have great drink and food specials, and free wifi. They aren't normally crowded during happy hour hours or early in the night which is great when you go there for dinner and don't want to be annoyed by "those drunk people." The food is good here. I love their chicken wings, burgers and tatter tots. The pizza is just okay. The bathroom could be bigger but it is what it is.
(4)
Christine F.

I haven't had the food here. However, I have drunk my weight in greyhounds and took a bunch of unflattering pictures in their photobooth. It's a decent bar. You get what you pay for, for the most part. There was nothing particularly memorable about the drinks or the service (a greyhound is a greyhound...not hard), but I do love that photobooth.
(4)
Candice G.

Still Loving It! Went on Friday for DJ Dave Roberts and his New Wave jams and had a great time. There were more recognizable songs this year and we had all had a blast... just like last time. I think they stopped having waitstaff come around so it's just the bartender but that's all that's needed, really. They have self serve water, which is nice since I had to do some recent budget adjusting and water was just about all I could afford this week... it was great to not have to bother an employee for a free beverage. :) I have still not used the photo booth but will defo put that on the agenda for the next Friday night visit.
(4)
Aurore L.

It is so LOOOOUUUUUUUUUDDDD that I feel like I am 90 years old. Can't hear a thing. Except for the price of drinks which are rather on the higher side. Sigh. Mouths come dangerously close to people's ears in this place. Get an ear candling beforehand, could come handy and save you some embarrassment. Good to know if you are bored at any given party you are a part of: they play "Tom & Jerry". Couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. Which had me thinking: why are we all rooting for Jerry?!? I mean - he's a pest. Is it only 'cause he's tiny and cute? 'cause he has the brains? or 'cause he has the cooler name? (cf. Jerry Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld, Jerry Springer - umm... - VS Tom Selleck, Tom Cruise, Tom Jones and no, I didn't forget Brady; his six pack redeem his soul)
(3)
Angie M.

If we took a holiday (to the Holiday Club) Took some time to celebrate (Jo's graduation) Just one day out of life (or more like a Sat night) It would be, it would be so nice (yes, yes it would) Everybody spread the word (OMG... they have a photobooth!) We're gonna have a celebration (and maybe dance to some killer soul on the juke box) All across the world (well, maybe just in Uptown) In every nation (or just America) It's time for the good times (relatively inexpensive drinks make for really good times) Forget about the bad times, oh yeah (umm, can't really forget that the front bar area is small, kind of boring and they just don't seem to have a long enough bar for the space) One day to come together (you should bring your own entourage to Holiday Club. Everyone kind of hangs with their own group of people. Not too much mixing and mingling happening here) To release the pressure (ick) We need a holiday (Yes, yes we do) I had a very A-OK experience at Holiday Club. It's a good place to come with a group of friends when you want to catch up and hang out with each other, but I'm not sure I'd go here out on the prowl on a Saturday night. Perhaps I should have bumped and grinded in the back bar? They were playing P.Y.T. back there....
(3)
Juliana R.

Nice open bar with delicious martinis!
(4)
Claudia S.

I'll admit, my first time here I was just so-so about the place. I felt like I was too young to be there, but that's because we were in the back room and there's was lots of 80s music and an older crowd. Go to the bathroom and it's a completely different scene. However, went back the other night and liked it much better, even though I was stuck in the back again. (My friend prefers it, whereas I enjoyed sitting in the front section). I discovered they have food and split a pizza with a friend. It was actually quite good and when I mentioned this to another friend who was with my first time there, he mentioned that he actually really likes their food. This isn't the drunk in us either, because we're actually quite sober whenever we're there. I've never had an issue parking (in fact, the first time I was there I got parking right in front!) and the red-line is half a block away. Actually, I think it's more like a quarter of a block. Seriously. It's close, and you can get a cab easily if the cta isn't an option. I'll be back, but probably not in the gloomy back room. Ok ok it's not gloomy..but the seating across from the bar is weird. The plus is the dance floor full of people who definitely shouldn't be dancing! Yeah..I said it.
(4)
Diana R.

It was a night of why nots... Why not treat myself to a few drinks after running my first 5k? Why not start drinking cosmopolitans after beer wasnt doing the trick? Why not dance with randoms and touch on some hot pecks in the back room? Why not watch a movie with lots o topless ladies? Why not sing and dance along to the greatest dance hits of the 90s? Why not find a dark spot in the corner to.... Let's just say it was a good time! And ow my head still hurts!
(5)
Mary T.

I know it's going to sound odd, but I've only been here for Sunday brunch. Yep, this is always the site of my bookclub's annual holiday meeting and book exchange. I know it's a little corny - Holiday Bookclub at the Holiday Club, but we like it for the half-price brunch pitchers (Bloodys, Screwdrivers and Mimosas) as well as the photo booth. As an added bonus parking's not too bad and the 151 and Red Line practically drop you at the door. Surprisingly, it was dead while we were there, no one was even there watching the Bears game! Only 2 other parties were in the place the whole time we were there. I've never found the brunch menu here all that exciting, in fact hardly any of us ever order off of it. I got my regular, grilled cheese and fries; it was ok, but I found the bread to be a bit tough. I don't know if it was thicker bread than I'm used to (I like the cheap stuff) or maybe if it was a tad stale; either way I was a bit disappointed in it. The fries were as good as always. Our server was sassy, but friendly and attentive; she didn't miss a beat when 4 of us ordered 4 different variations of a grilled cheese and fries - yea, we're high maintenance like that. I'm looking forward to coming back next month for a party in the infamous back room so I'll get to see the HC after dark.
(3)
Jose O.

This ace was fantastic!!! We did not have their food but the entertainment was amazing!!! The music was awesome and overall vibe was amazing!! My wife's co-worker made an rent here for the 90's theme party and I must say it was fantastic!!!
(5)
Sarah K.

I love going to this place on the weekend to party. 80s night on Friday and 90s night on Saturday... so great. It is a little pricy, but I think it's worth it.
(5)
Adele n.

I've always been attracted to the Holiday Club because the signage is shiny as all hell. And who doesn't love things that sparkle? Nice vibe, with a good mix of people. Sweet bartenders. And the clincher -- a great jukebox. Do it!
(4)
Andrea B.

Zomg, I love this bar. Been here several times and I've always had a blast. It can get crowded in here though, especially when the dance floor is open, but I'll take it if it means I can dance all night, take drunken photos in the photo booth, have food, and drink giant cans of PBR for cheap. And for the most part everyone here is friendly, both employees and patrons. It's like douchebags don't exist in here. Ah, the joys of finding a good bar. The one thing I cannot understand is how one of the two ladies restrooms stalls is ALWAYS out of toilet paper. Every time I've come here, this happens. Is there a lack of TP in the building? My girls and I always have to do the Seinfeld "square to spare" conversation all night. Kind of annoying. The fact that it's on the corner of a major intersection helps too, so you can stumble home in several directions without having to drive. What I mean is, the Irving Park and Sheridan buses come through here, and it's a block away from the Red Line. Sweet. They also do group parties too, if that's your thing. Can't wait to come here again wearing a "Mad Men"-esqe outfit and have a cocktail. Party time.
(4)
Rachel D.

Skip this place. It has really great potential, but every time I go there, its awkwardly empty. I think the photobooth is its saving grace. Save yourself the time and walk over to Bar on Buena instead.
(2)
Heather K.

Pretty young 'scenster' crowd for being located at the Sheridan Redline stop. (e.g. "So are you in school for film or fine art?"). Queer friendly. Very 'neighborhoody' : If you are there early, everyone else knows each other - so it seems - and are not quick to include outsiders. Good (but greasy, of course) staple bar food (wings, sandwiches, etc). Enough to share. Decent amount of seating, but the decor is very dark (black paint). Punk and other relatively obscure music on the jukebox , weekdays only - otherwise, you're stuck with techno/new wave/dance music DJs...not my cup of tea. You really can't miss this place b/c the sign is so ostentatious - like a giant glittering, lighted outdoor X-Mas decoration. PS: I'm not sure why the location for this place is listed as three different neighborhoods...it's Uptown, plain and simple.
(3)
Amanda M.

Will not go back! The bouncer kicked some friends out for some b.s. reason I'm not going to get into. The atmosphere has always annoyed me and the service stinks. I waited more than 10 minutes to get a drink and decided I'd rather not give them my money when they took someone else's drink order who came up literally a second before they placed it. The bar across the street was better.
(1)
Katherine R.

Photo booths should be a standard in all establishments. It brings out a different side of people and is a safe way to document the night (when it's 2 a.m. the odds of you dropping your camera is high). Holiday Club was our last stop on our bachelorette party extravaganza- it did not disappoint. Not only did I witness food being served late at night, there were also two separate rooms- one for dancing and one for...not dancing. I like options. It's a low key place with good music in both rooms. The two bars serve up some good drinks and they aren't too pricey. It just all comes back to that photo booth. I think it's $3 for a strip of photos. priceless people!
(4)
Erin E.

although i haven't been here in a while, i've got some love for this bar. come here on halloween. everyone's dancing together, admiring each other's costumes- it feels like your own private party. come here for your birthday. the staff was super nice for my sister's gathering; they even gave her a t-shirt. and because it was her birthday, she got to force each person to have pics taken with her in the photo booth. that turned into a game b/c when you take that many pictures, you start getting really creative w/ different poses and facial expressions, like "senior pictures," "get your foot in the shot," and "shark attack." and the cheese fries... oh, the cheese fries.
(4)
Ashley G.

This has been my go-to bar for... oh, a bit over a year. Never let me down. Sometimes it gets crowded... it's a bar. Great drinks... and drink recommendations from hilarious bartenders. Good food (gravy fries= a revelation). Oh, also they have a totally awesome retro photo booth by the restrooms. So cool. The back room is fun to go to sometimes. When it's not crowded you can get in tight with the bartenders who are awesome. When it is crowded, it's just a good party :) They sometimes have a dj, sometimes open mic, sometimes bands play... it's just fun.
(5)
Brett F.

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!)
(4)
Beth A.

went here for brunch one gloomy day and this place made me even more depressed i know theyre open late but geezus do u think u could clean up before u open for the afternoon crowd??? floors were nasty and sticky and dirty as were the tables and silverware food took a while to come out and it was hardly edible...gross HC...i doubt ill ever be back
(1)
Dustin W.

Holiday club has a certain appeal I might enjoy yet still haven't managed to find. On two separate occasions I have been present for a night of karaoke at HC, yet neither time did I leave saying wow that was a lot of fun, Id like to go back. Even with $5 schooners, HC just doesn't seem to draw me in like so many people I know. The bar service was just fine, and the people seemed friendly enough, but Its just not my bag I guess. Not a bad place, just not for me,
(3)
Alexis W.

I moved from Chicago almost a year ago. And maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder, but Jesus I miss The Holiday Club. First off, Monday night karaoke with Mary Mac will blow your mind. If it's Monday and after 10 PM and you don't have anything else to do, head to the back bar and expect to have the most well-rounded and awesome karaoke experience of your life. Secondly, When it's 11:30 and you're hungry, order the grilled cheese and fries. Then tell me there is better reasonably priced bar food around. Third, photo booth. Rad. Fourth, every employee there was always nice, interesting, good at his/her job, likely to remember your name or face, and knew how to pour a drink. It's near the train, it's near the bus, parking in the 'hood isn't horrible considering its proximity to Wrigleyville, and the decor is kitchy without being over the top and obnoxious. I'm not sure if they are still doing it, but for a while, they had a night with chuck norris movies, cans o' cheap beer, and free beef jerky. No idea if that's still around, but if that doesn't sound like a good time, you're a fool anyway. Next time I'm in town, you will see me at Holiday Club.
(5)
Carri A.

Overall this is a fun, classy joint. The bartenders are quite nice and the prices are about average. The main room has a fun photobooth and pool tables with decent rock music blaring. The music is even louder in the back room for dancing and debauchery. I wish they would somehow get those cords hanging out on the side of the dancefloor out of the way because that is an accident waiting to happen. To me, more than likely. Regardless, I always have a good time at Holiday Club, whether it's a high-powered sweaty drunk dance night or a chill rock n roll drunk night. The location is super convenient, just steps from the Sheridan red line stop. My friends just moved down the street, so I expect to put in some quality face time here in the next several months.
(4)
Eric K.

Great neighborhood bar, wish it was in MY neighborhood!
(5)
Dawn G.

This used to be a pretty common place in my rotation, based on convenience. They do have a photobooth, which I always find a to be a plus...they also used to have decent open mic's on Friday evenings. Their beer selection/price is meh. Their food is very common bar fare type. I definitely think of this as an 'oh i walked by and popped in' place and not so much a destination. Service has always lacked in my opinion- and it could be vastly improved if the people working there looked a bit less bored and annoyed. Also don't get the veggie wrap with cheese, unless you specify cold- because they serve it warmed w/the cheese on it and it makes veggies taste like crap, probably because they're frozen veggies to begin with- no one should screw up a veggie wrap with cheese, I can even make that and I'm the type of person who cooks to solely see if she can set her fire alarm off*. the last part isn't really true, well I guess it is in an intentional sort of way.
(3)
Lara E.

Loved the clarity and music on Saturdays. A great and vast environment with people of all ages and music from all decades! Really enjoyed that there was space to dance, eat, and drink. It was a clean atmosphere and bathrooms. I had a girls night out here after coming into town to visit my best friend who is involved with StarKid productions. Great place to host a casual and crisp after party!
(4)
Stephanie H.

It was a very cold Saturday night, and Holiday Club was empty. It was empty in a really good way, though. The staff was super friendly and laid back, particularly the very nice bartender with the avocado tattoos (Mike? Rich? Ugh...sorry). If there is one thing I must rave about with this place, it's the sweet potato fries. I will now crave them, always and forever. Damn you. The drinks were strong. Food was tasty. Environment was casual and comfortable. What more could you want?
(4)
Borracho G.

I'd like to thank the Holiday club for introducing me to the Vegas Bomb. Damn you! Typically I'm a straight forward whiskey shot person and not much for gimmick shots but for some reason me and my buddies were looking for a quick punch in the mouth to enhance our buzz state before we had to meet a bunch of coworkers at another bar for a birthday. The moment I asked the waitress what was in a Vegas bomb and heard Crown Royal, peach schnapps and red bull, I said done will take a round. So after a few rounds and the repeated phrases of Vegas Bombs baby Vegas bombs, yes we were those dudes, we succeeded in our mission. I'm I doing Vegas bombs all the time now? No, but if someone where to ask for an interesting shot, I now have one to offer.
(3)
Elisabeth C.

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).
(4)
Laura S.

I'm so shocked to see the negative reviews here! I fall in love with this place more and more with each visit, and have never had a problem with the service or the food. I have far too much to say, so I'll just give you my recommendation for your Holiday Club initiation: Come for Sunday brunch, preferably with a friend who's a regular. Grab some half-price pitchers, order some tots to go with your eggs, and enjoy the crowd. If it's slow, make your way up to the bar, and get to know the fantastic staff. Greg and Travis, I'm looking at you. Have some more drinks, test the bartenders with the Trivial Pursuit cards, and if you stay late enough and find yourself hungry again, be sure to order the chicken quesadillas. Make nice, and they'll take care of you, and probably remember your name the next time you're in. If you're so inclined, hop in the photo booth on your way out, and say your goodbyes. There's really no way you can go wrong.
(4)
Annie S.

What's not to love? Free dancing, good music, easy to get to, interesting crowd. One of my favorite places to spend a Saturday night.
(5)
Jason H.

Holiday Club has been a favorite of mine for years, even when it was over in Bucktown. The crowd is eclectic and the vibe is always fantastic. There is no pretentiousness here and the music is as diverse as the crowd. You must sample the cheese fries! The service can be spotty depending on the night of the week. Anytime that I have been in there I have always had a table near the bar. I am a huge Rat Pack fan and love all of the old movie posters and the cut out over the back bar. They always have a huge party on December 12th (that's Sinatra's birthday), so if you can't make it, clear your schedule.
(5)
Lynn R.

This is a review solely about wings, or "wingy" as I like to affectionately call them. If you are not a chicken wing fan or if you're looking for a review that goes more into other menu items, venue ambiance, and/or other miscellaneous non-wingy related issues, you should probably stop reading. Why these wings reduce me to a babbling Tommy Boy-like state where I can only utter "Tommy like wingy" or "You look like Helen" 1. Wingy weightiness. These bad boys are from the pleasantly plump side of the farm. No wimpy skin and bones wings here. No way. 2. Sauce. Okay, so it's not like BW3's where they have 20 different types of sauces, but the two sauces (buffalo & bbq) are so good, why would you ever want anything else? The wings are fully coated, but it's not dripping excess sauce like some places I've been to. The buffalo is spicy and makes my nose run, but it's not unbearable. The bbq is tangy & sweet at the same time. You can do a half & half combo of bbq/buffalo, which I highly recommend to ensure your wingy ying & yang remains in balance. 3. The size of the condiment cups. Nothing irritates me more than a small plastic cup with 1 tbsp of blue cheese. The wing doesn't get evenly coated and there isn't enough to go around on a full order. Holiday Club must have been frustrated as well, because their cups of blue cheese runneth over. I can take an entire wing and lay it horizontally in the cup of blue cheese to ensure maximum coverage. 4. Price. On Mondays, a basket of plump, saucy wingy will set you back $5. Normally, I think it's somewhere around $8-$10, but you're getting about a dozen wings. You will leave full. You will leave satisfied. Is this place a little weird? Yes. Are the wingy the best in Chicago? Yes. So, set aside any judgments you might have about the venue, and stop in for some wingy.
(5)
Carol K.

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!
(4)
Jason H.

Half dance, half bar. The dance half is great the music keeps going and its good stuff to dance to (even though the DJ changes a little too fast). The bar service is meh, but the cheese fries are a feel good late night snack. Not bad a bad place to checke out.
(3)
Jenna S.

Of course I'd always wanted to come here - who can resist that sparkly banner flashing on the corner every time you pass by? I LOVE sparkles and Holiday Club is definitely a diamond in the rough. I hadn't heard the greatest things, but I was willing to go in for a try because - hey - the Yelp Book Club was meeting here. To my surprise, the place was pretty empty. Sure, it was a Thursday evening at 7 p.m., but they serve food! And have an awesome patio! Why wouldn't there be more people here? I couldn't figure it out. Tons of places to sit at the bar or tables around the room. We promptly positioned ourselves in a nice, red sparkly booth and waited. The food was totally yummy and not too expensive. The veggie burger was pretty good and I liked the fries. The beer, too, wasn't that expensive and they had specials. I didn't go broke at Holiday Club, and that's good for me. Decent selection of beers and they had good ones on tap. I enjoy a place that has more than Miller or Old Style on tap. My only problem was the service. Both times I've been here, the service was pretty bad. I was shocked, too, since there just weren't that many people in the place either time I've been, so how can this be!? The first time, the Yelp Book Club pretty much made up all of the patrons in the place and it was pretty difficult to get another beer. I was surprised since I could just see our waitress hanging out at the bar chatting it up with the bartender - pretty bad customer service. Same thing went for the second time and I didn't even have the same server. Again, there were only about 1/2 the tables even occupied but it was almost impossible to place our first order. The waitress came around and took the orders for some people (two others in our group were in the bathroom) and then it took her over 10 minutes to bring our first round of beers just so she could take the other orders. Annoying. You need to work on that, Holiday Club. I love me some impressive customer service and you're really making me upset. However, this place still seems relatively hidden from the crowd in Uptown, and I appreciate a bar that isn't overly crowded. I'm not sure if people just don't like coming here or if it gets hoppin' after 2 a.m., but it was to not have to yell over everyone to hear my friends or get trapped in an inanely long line for the bathroom.
(4)
Carl D. S.

My Wife and I are big fans of the iTunes radio station entitled, "Bachelor Pad" and Holiday Club carries along with the tune. There's a dark and comforting feeling walking in, not totally amazing, but a cozy bar. Leather pleather and brown make up the overall style of the place. There's star designs with martini mates along the lights, on the front doors and everywhere else. The bar food menu is delicious and perfect every time. The burgers are juicy and cooked just right, as well as the wings that make up a meal unto themselves. They even added gravy and cheese to the fries upon request. The drinks are equally as good, with the perfect mix of flavor and strength. The Manhattans will have you ready for beer in no time, and it's a good thing too, their PBR cans are huge. There's some great deals depending on the day and plenty to choose from. To top if off, there's a dance room that when not rented out, has dance parties and more. Special events made especially fun. Before stumbling out, don't forget to hit up the photo-booth so you can wake up with a souvenir. That's a helpful tip to you Foursquare folks. Holiday Club is perfect for us living downtown as it's right off the Sheridan stop, making the long trip home quite easy.
(4)
Carly O.

I don't give enough 5 stars. But in the pursuit of perfection, I've realized I've been too stingy. Holiday Club is exactly where I want to be on a Saturday night when I'm in the mood for dancing. Zero pretentiousness, no cover, reasonably priced drinks, fun music, people on the dance floor who are mostly respectful of everyone's space and just a guaranteed good time. I like its location, which is the totally random corner of Irving Park and Sheridan. It's far enough away from Wrigleyville that the crowd seems much less douche-y than one might think. So if you're looking to dance the night away in jeans and comfy shoes and are not in the mood for a nightclub, upstairs at John Barleycorn or the comfort of your own home, head to Holiday.
(5)
Lindsay S.

Holiday! Celebrate! If we took a holiday! (or a book club) Took some time to celebrate! (or discuss said book) Just one day out of life! It would be, it would be so nice! And surprisingly it was so nice! Seriously, I've been scared to go in here. The outside of it looks like a bad discotheque. The inside has a diner vibe. Consider me confused. But talk about friendly people working in here. And not too shabby food. If you get the cheese fries you need NOTHING else. They're a huge plate and I feel like I barely made a dent in them. Came here for book club, had a grilled cheese and tots and YUM! More so to the tots - the grilled cheese was like mine at home - but still, can't beat the $4.50 price tag for all that food I can't eat by myself! After dreading someone finally dragging me in here, I'm glad they did. When I need some A/C (or heat soon!), some greasy food and a cold beer (love the fishbowl glasses BTW) I'll be walking down the street to Holiday Club! Because sometimes ya just gotta... Forget about the bad times, oh yeah One day to come together To release the pressure We need a holiday
(4)
Juliet A.

25 cent wiiiiiiiiiiings! That's all.
(2)
Malana W.

Dear Holiday Club, I used to love your retro whimsy and charm but I fear I have outgrown you. On my most recent visit your waitress was actually quite rude to my date before I walked in. Bringing him two glasses of water and asking if he wanted anything besides water to drink. Really?! Do people often walk off the street to just get glasses of water? I mean, I know there are often some colorful people on the corner, but really. As if that wasn't enough this was the first time I've ever had a card taken at the Holiday Club for a tab. Really?! Now I know this may be a new procedure so I'm giving the benefit of the doubt on this one as it's been months since we frequented the Holiday club, but we aren't the kind of people who are going to walk out on the tab. Now the creepy dude under the televisions with his call girl might walk out on his tab but not us. I was disappointed in the sweet potato fries as they seemed soggy and way too salty. I know they used to be crispier than this. The final straw was that instead of playing a retro film after 'The Wild Bunch' ended someone actually opted to put in...dare I say it...'BIO-DOME'...REALLY!?!? I swear Holiday Club I have never been more disappointed that is just poor taste. I'd take retro cartoons over that film any day of the week. BIO-DOME? Really?! I'm still shaking my head in wonder. Perhaps we held you at too high of a standard for our own good.
(1)
Kate P.

Still A-OK in my book. I actually came here for book club where I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, tater tots, and twenty ounces of 312 for the low price of $15 including tip! So I have to say if you're looking for a hang out that's relatively inexpensive, this is the place for you. The inside is very large and since we had a lot of people we took over the back area. My only complaint was that the music was loud and I had a very hard time hearing what was said at the other end of our long table (when we were actually discussing the book). Also, they only had one server who was working both the inside and patio areas, so it took a long time to get our drinks, food and tabs at the end of the night. However, I think I will venture back for karaoke one of these Monday's and belt out Madonna's "Holiday" just for shits and giggles.
(3)
Lakshmi R.

I'm sorry to downgrade... but I was here yesterday for the first time in nearly two years, this time for my boyfriend's birthday gathering, and I was a little let down. For one thing, the music is crazy loud. AND, they charge $4 for PBR on tap. I mean, PBR is basically gross water, and you can get PITCHERS of it for $4 in some places in this city. Where do they get off on that kind of price-gouging? It's really weird when you realize that a cocktail like a gin and tonic here is only fifty cents more than the PBR. So... it's fine for meeting up with friends, but choose your drinks carefully or you'll get seriously ripped off. The photobooth does, however, remain pretty rad.
(2)
Nick M.

I've made out with far too many people here!! Holiday Club + Nick = Trouble every time and I don't know why! I'm not really a fan of the place (probably because I get into trouble) but I always end up having a good time (probably because I get into trouble). I can't tell you what the staff is like because I never remember but they must be quick, because in here... I always seem to have a drink in my hand! I believe they have cheap drinks and they rope off the one side for private parties (though that never seems to stop me), but that's all I can remember. Being only two medium sized rooms it can get really packed. It's one of those places that people just start dancing everywhere, partly because the dance floor is so small (which can be fun or annoying pending on your drink level). I do however remember the DJ spinning some killer classics from the 80's & 90's every night I've gone. Basically I'm a mess here but its fun... I think. P.S. Sorry I ate your cake B-day girl, but it was fun to put cake on people's faces and then of course to proceed to lick it off others. Cake + Drinks + "friends" = good time by all!!
(4)
Stephen F.

I get a good vibe from Holiday Club. It is an ordinary bar, more or less, with a photo booth in the back and a fair amount of space to mingle and look at some of the other weird people in here. I liked the snappy service at the bar, and also that the bathroom had been cleaned this century. If I'm in the neighborhood and thirsty, I'll be back.
(4)
Nicole C.

Solid eats for the veg inclined. I got the portabella sandwich at the suggestion of our friendly waitress and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty (and massive) it was, smothered with carmelized onions and swiss cheese on a sweet sesame bun. Even without the cheese it would have been satisfying (if salty...they should tone that down) so I'd recommend that as a good choice for vegans if you request it sans queso. The veggie burger they serve is just a regular frozen garden burger, well presented, but if you like mushrooms go for the portabella. Another pleasant surprise. HC lets you choose a salad (or fries or tater tots) as a side, for no extra charge. The salad was also a generous portion, a combination of mixed greens tossed in a good (but also overly salty) dressing and included toasted pine nuts. Smokayyyyyy. For $6.50, that's a sweet deal, and I can forgive the salt factor. I was also part of the book club group and agree with Kate P. that the music was loud (in my opinion unnecessarily so, especially at the beginning of the night, 7 - 8 on a Thursday, when our group represented about 75% of the patrons). Then again, I think the music is too loud at most bars. Yep, I'm officially an old lady.
(4)
Ted C.

My friend lived by here and said it was one of his favorite places to drink. I said he had a drinking problem. He said yes. That still doesn't mean that this place isn't awesome-my friend just likes drinking and getting arrested. Holiday Club is great because it's run the way Tim-the owner, likes it to be run with things he likes to look at. The food is also good-and the kitchen closes late so I can get drunk and eat greasy food without ever having to leave from one place to another. I always imagine that Vince Vaughan a la Swingers would come to a place like this.
(5)
Jennifer C.

We were so delighted when they opened over in Lakeview, finally something good in the area! There's a cool retro atmosphere. The food has ALWAYS been good. They have the best bbq chicken pizza. Actually this was the first place I ever ate bbq chicken pizza and I have been hooked since. Their nachos are HUGE and really good. Beware though, ask about the jalapenos because when we asked for them they brought out fresh ones that were SUPER hot and I am a person who has a high tolerance for heat. Their meatloaf is delish too! Great place to hang out and have a few drinks with friends. The music can be a tad too loud and you find yourself at times trying to talk over the music.
(4)
Barbara D.

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. --------------------------------------------------Â---------------------------- 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.
(4)
Jill V.

I had an unexpected amount of fun here! The dance floor (which is what we went for) was definitely on the small side, but, as a positive, that means it filled up quickly. The people were a good mix - not completely overloaded with the under-25 crowd, or full of people out to make an "impression." Those on the dancing floor were primarily there to dance and have a good time! Drink prices were fairly standard, not cheap but also not outrageously expensive. One complaint - more stalls in the women's bathrooms would be greatly appreciated.
(4)
Jo W.

I can safely say I won't be returning here. I'd like to note up front for those that joined me that I had a great time last night - but that was thanks to my wonderful friends, and no thanks to Holiday Club. Back in September, I booked the back room to hold my graduation party here. I had been to a couple parties here before and had a good time, so I wanted to come back here. Friends love it and I love the photobooth, so it seemed like an obvious choice. I spoke with Tim, we joked that I was booking it so far in advance. He also mentioned that the back room was ours until 10pm, at which time he would have to open up the doors because of the DJ spinning. I said that was fine, and we were all set. As the date drew closer I worked with Jeneane to select a wristband special for my guests. She was super nice and very cool, but honestly? Their wristband specials suck. I considered holding my party elsewhere based on this alone. Many friends, including myself, are unemployed due to this wonderful economy, so finding a cheap package was important to me. I finally went with $25 for 2 hours of beer, wine, and well. Other bars I was looking at were $20 for this same package or $25 for 3 hours. The week of my party, I called to confirm that we were all set. Jeneane called me back and we had a nice chat and confirmed everything. We confirmed the bar package, the back room, and the estimated head count. Then the day of my party rolls around. I'm getting ready and my cell phone rings. It's Tim, and he clearly has no clue what's going on. In his defense, I was made aware of a personal situation that resulted in him not being at work the week prior, but Jeanine had handled everything beautifully in his absence and I was given the impression we were all set. Apparently not. He had no idea what wristband special we were doing. I told him. Then he said we were in the front. "No," I corrected him. "We're in the back room." He said that I only had 30 people coming. I said no, I had 50 RSVP. He blew me off and said that because of the weather they'd be slow and we'd "be fine in the front." So apparently me booking this party FIVE MONTHS in advance meant nothing to him. My friend and I arrived a little before 7 to eat dinner before the party got started. When we walked in, the entire staff was sitting at the bar. After getting my ID checked, I asked to speak to Tim. I was told by a guy very rudely that he was "indisposed." I explained that there was some confusion as to whether or not we had the back room or not, and I was rudely told that we were in the front. At this point, I was beyond annoyed. I was in no way giving these people an attitude, though I feel I had every right to, and they were being rude. I wasn't in the mood to get bitchy and ruin a night of celebration. I came here to have a good time and was determined to, so I gave in. Fine, put me in the front. But they didn't even have the courtesy to reserve some tables for my group, which further annoyed me. Throughout the night, the place got packed. So much for the weather keeping people away, huh? Our server was awesome, but she was clearly the only person working the tables and waiting to place an order was getting tiresome. At one point I ordered a drink from my server, and I was at the bar talking to my friends. The bartender was making my drink right in front of me, and when she was done I informed her it was for me. She looked at me and said "then your server can give it to you." She then hands the drink to my server, who hands it to me. Are you fucking kidding me? The bartender also gave me an attitude later on when I asked her to break a 5 for the photobooth. She literally made sure everyone at the bar was taken care of before she angrily snatched the money from me and got me change. Again, are you fucking kidding me? We all noticed that at some point during the night the back room was opened, and a sign was hung that said "private party." Well, it sure wasn't my party. So what, did I get bumped and you just didn't have the balls to tell me? And even so, again, clearly booking FIVE MONTHS in advance means nothing. So, now that we've covered the rude bartender and party planning fiasco... The food we had was okay. I actually thought it was good at the time, but I woke up this morning violently ill - and it was NOT a hangover, as I paced myself throughout the night. So... yeah. That wasn't fun for me. As other people have mentioned, it gets loud in here. Towards the end I couldn't hear my friends when we were trying to talk, and there was a lot of "what?" "what did she say?" That gets really old, really fast. I can understand making it loud in the back for the DJ, but maybe take it down a few notches in the front so people can, I dunno, hear each other? Yeah, I won't be back.
(1)
Chita D.

Back in 1999 I decided to visit my cousin who was living out in the Chi...as a successful bartender, no less. This review is for my 1999 experience (a lil' 10 yr. anniversary...*aaww* ...shut yer mouf!). At that time, on that weekday night, this bar was a bartender's bar...my cousin seemed to know everyone & would let me know what person bartended at what bar. I've always said- if a place is good enough for other bartenders & bar-help to check out, the drinks must be good, as well as the service. I wasn't let down- although I don't recall the bar get-up nor clearly remember the people that were there nor the music they played, I do recall the grand bonding my cousin & I had over a countless amount of 'dranks'. I will also credit this place for busting my ass & breaking one of my heels (and almost breaking my ankle) during said process, as I attempted to walk over to a cab on our way out. Can't blame them for this though, I've forgotten the pain I must have felt when I ate shit (can't even say if it hurt, I was probably numb to the bone after all the drinks that went down the hatch)...but 10 yrs. later, I *still* remember the bonding moments I had with my cousin.
(3)
Annie P.

The cab we took drooped my lady and I off at the Holiday Club to begin our drunken valentine's evening. It was love at first sight. Elvis was on the TV above me, hot wings and gravy fries were on the menu and you better believe my gal and I took a ridiculous amount of pictures in their black and white photo booth. Holiday club has a chill vibe and decent service. The prices were super freaking cheap too and it made me a little sad that I live so far away from this place.
(4)
Babs H.

Yeeeah. I am the friend that Jennie M is referring to. The soup was awesome but 30 minutes for grilled cheese? WTF mate? Can I add that the grilled cheese was simply white bread, a couple of slices of American cheese, and some bacon that was more on the fatty side than the meaty? In other words, just a plain ass grilled cheese...nothing special. The beer special was good, the server was really nice, the photobooth is boss. But. Meh, no thanks Holiday Club.
(2)
amanda g.

I've been here twice I believe. Both times were to meet a large group of people that I didn't really know too well. I showed up after a few beers, so I didn't really see them on the other side of the dimly lit bar, so I just sat at a table and continued to drink $2 hamms until someone recognized me, somehow. Hamms is pretty strong I think. I kept cringing every time I took a sip, thinking the taste was just poor, but more than likely because of the alcohol content was higher than average. Anyways, by the time I got spotted I was pretty much cross eyed. I proceeded to stumble around making what little conversation I was capable of. I tried stumbling into the back room, but they said there was a comedy show there, and seeing it required a cover charge I opted for staying in the main room. I love comedy, and I would have paid it, but I was sure at the time that they could do without "that drunk guy" in the back of the room clapping and laughing obnoxiously. I continued my best attempt at mingling which, surprisingly, went pretty well. I met some really cool people I think. I couldn't tell you why they wanted to talk to me, but they did. One of them had some awesome tattoos. I don't remember much past that point, except that I think one of them gave me a ride home I think. So what have you learned? I've been to the holiday club, I drink, and I like cheap beer on occasion. Now I guess I'
(5)
Jacob J.

Big Buck Hunter Pro machine.. hellz yeah. If they upgrade, I'll upgrade a star.
(3)
Annabelle S.

I love the Holiday Club for many reasons. First, the drinks are reasonable. Second, it caters to a variety of people and crowds. The music is good and eclectic. They have great drink packages for parties (that even include shots, try finding that anywhere else). They have great bartenders that are accommodating and down to earth. Yes, it looks a little cheesy from the outside but I've seriously never had a bad time there. They have some good bar food too, I've gotta say!
(4)
Maya D.

I've been past this place and always wanted to check it out. Finally had my chance last night and must admit i was happy I went. Love the 50's theme and the photo booth. Will be going back next time im in the area.
(3)
Jen A.

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.
(3)
Vivian Y.

4 Stars for the fun and the crowd, Monday night karaoke 1 Star for the food - pretty bad......don't come here to eat, it's "Whore-ibble" (I'm a food whore, see my caption) 2.5 stars if there were 1/2 stars. I came here both times on Monday night Karaoke night with "Maryoke" after volunteer work with Chicago Cares. First time, I had no idea there was karaoke, second time, I came back just for it! Seriously kids, they have some really good singers show up, harmonica players, interpretive dancers...so much fun! Huge selection of music! I didn't give 5 stars for fun because I am always driving to get here and can't get rip roaring drunk. But I did find my imaginative balls somewhere and went up to the dance floor to do an interpretive dance with my friend Sarah W. to Madonna's Vogue while the lady stranger sang - I almost lost my eye when Sarah W. elbowed me but that's ok, I'm fine now! The food - very questionable. Both times, we ordered food. First time, MIchelle E. asked the bartender what he recommended. APPARENTLY the hummous is really good. It looked and TASTED like regurgitated chickpeas. No kidding. It wasn't fully and completely pureed with lotsa lumps in it. I was so overwhelmed by the texture that I can't remember how it tasted. I ate the cucumbers, tomatoes and pita bread that came with it and left the hummous alone and I'm not even a picky eater! The last visit, AGAIN, knowing that we got a bad recommendation regarding the hummous asked this bartender about what to eat. (we should have just ordered a fricken hotdog from across the street). Again, it was mentioned that the hummous is a favorite...ummm.."anything else"? The nacho chips was next on the list because it comes with house made pico de gallo! Well, that sounded yummy and we ordered ground beef to top it off. So the order arrives about 20 mins later - where's the pico de gallo??? I see some shredded romaine lettuce and diced tomotoes. No lime, no cilantro, no jalapenos! I guess that is their idea of pico de gallo means lettuce and tomoatoes chopped in bits...... Ok, we go on to eat it and it is really soggy because they use thin chips and pour nacho cheese sauce (of the processed kind) and we are unable to pick up any of our toppings with the chips. We continue eating and think, "hmm, something tastes interesting...." I jump and say "OMG, that's not fresh ground beef!! It's CHOPPED UP HAMBURGER PATTY!" Like I said, I'm not a picky eater but I do expect fresh ingredients and the correct preparations are expected. that is NOT alot to ask for. We're onto you, Mr/s. Chef at Holiday club. We know the difference between BURGER meat and fresh ground beef! Eww, what a HUGE disappointment. I will NOT come back for food, but WILL come for karaoke. Next time, I'm leaving the car at home and stumbling back to Pilsen...
(3)
Laura P.

Hit me with your best shot was playing when we walked in A boy dancing pointed a finger gun at me and shot me I knew then I would have some fun Mutiny in the front bar Shelter in the back room I wanted to peel my face off in the front bar I wanted to peel my clothes off in the back bar Foxy Brown on the TV in the front made the bloody death metal disappear 'Is it all over my face' made my troubles disappear in the back **all in all 1/2 of a good time. Was there with some great people who made the bad stuff go away. $5.50 for rum and coke made with a no-name 'Bellini' Rum is a little excessive but not outrageous. Staff a little slow on the uptake. I'll be back.
(4)
Michelle E.

Oh Holiday Club. How can you be so disappointing, yet so awesome at the same time?? I used to live just down the street from Holiday Club, and only set foot in here once. That one time was quite delightful, since they had beers in bottles shaped like bowling pins! Neat-o! I have returned to Holiday Club two more times in the last couple months. Both times were on Mondays, which is Karaoke Night! OK, for me, karaoke is STRICTLY a spectator sport. Don't even try to talk me into it, I will NOT budge. Trust me, it's better for everyone that way. Just because I don't sing doesn't mean that I'm not a karaoke lover! I think it's great to listen to others sing, and it's tons o' fun! Especially at Holiday Club--there are some GREAT singers here! Dennis does the standards better than anyone, maybe even Ol' Blue Eyes! My favorite guy is the one who sang "Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid, and he OWNED it! And of course Vivian has the voice of an angel. :) They also have cheap beer specials--$3 Budweisers, yay! But, being the food whore that I am, I REALLY have fun when I'm EATING something tasty in addition to drinking my face off. I just don't get the food situation here! The second time I was here, I asked the bartender for a recommendation for a good appetizer. He suggested the hummus, saying that everyone loves it, and they make it in-house. Woo, homemade hummus! I took his word for it. The hummus plate comes with lots of pitas, tomatoes and cucumbers, which will come in handy, since the hummus itself is pretty BAD. I guess it tastes OK, but hummus is supposed to be pureed and smooth. This was super-chunky. I managed to eat some of it, until my dear friend Vivian remarked that it looked like "regurgitated chick peas" and then I couldn't bring myself to eat any more of it. Oh, and the tomatoes were not cherry tomatoes like you would expect, but sliced tomatoes! Weird, yeah? The third time I came here was just this week. There was a different bartender working, so I asked him for an appetizer recommendation. He immediately tells me that the hummus is great. Instead of being rude and saying, "Are you INSANE?!" I asked about the quesadillas, and he said they were "just OK". So my final choice was the nachos. I asked if it was real cheese or cheese sauce. Another guy at the bar told me that it was "real cheese sauce" LOL! He also said it came with homemade pico de gallo! Que rico! I decided to go for it. He asked me if I wanted chicken on it, and then told me I can get chicken, steak or ground beef. Like a moron, I didn't get his subliminal message which was "GET THE CHICKEN!" and ordered ground beef instead, picturing yummylicious taco-seasoned ground beef nachos. 15 minutes later, a gargantuan plate of nachos arrives. And they are OK. The cheese sauce makes the chips really soggy right away, but I solved that problem by using the still-crispy ones to scoop up the soggy ones. I taste. I examine. I taste again. Wait...where is this delightful pico de gallo I was promised? All I can see is diced tomatoes and lettuce. I also note that the meat doesn't really have any flavor, but I don't worry about it and keep chair-dancing to the groovy tunes. Then Vivian reads my mind and says, "Something is missing from this." I say something about the flavorless meat and no pico de gallo. A few minutes later Vivian has a lightbulb moment and realizes that the "ground beef" is actually chopped up hamburger patties! You can actually SEE that it is little cubes of ground beef! HA! That's just funny. Needless to say, I will not be eating any more of their appetizers. I remember hearing that they have a great meatloaf dinner. I saw on their MySpace page that they have $5 dinners everyday. I will be diplomatic and try an entree here, before I swear off their food forever. If Holiday Club could just improve their food a little bit, this place would be PERFECT! I would also love to come back for their 60's night, or their 90's dance party. I do love to shake my booty to the oldies! And one of these days I will get crazy in that photo booth! Holiday Club, you will still get my business on Monday nights, as well as my beer money. But I think my food money will go to the hot dog stand or the burrito joint before I get my drink on.
(3)
KELLIE K.

Dear Holiday Club, Thank you for silently encouraging me to drink during the week with your proximity to the red line, sparkling lights, and fine selection of alcohol. I've given in to your tempting gigantic goblets of cheap beer specials once too often instead of making the wise decision to go home and give myself a full night of rest. Instead, I've embraced our time knowing you'd only taunt me in my dreams. That pin-up girl calendar poster you gave me is hanging on my wall and I think of you often. However, you've become a distraction and a source of sleep deprivation. My workday is suffering. I also wonder what devilish game fate played with many missing photo strips. I admit that without you, I wouldn't have met some of your incredible staff and some cool patrons. Oh yeah, there is the photo booth. And dancing. Fine, I'll see you next week. Love, Kellie
(4)
Melissa H.

I heart the Holiday. Saturday night I had my birthday party here and it was more than a success. For weeks before that I had been planning the event with Jeneane in order to make certain that everything was in order. She did an amazing job of helping me through the party planning process. The evening of the event my family and I showed up early to have dinner before the party got started. The food was spot on, and the service was attentive. The manager Tim was extremely helpful in making sure that everyone got their wristbands, and the bartender Danielle was quick and fast with my friends who really like their liquor. I would have another party here in a heartbeat.
(4)
Amanda H.

Okay so this bar is really close to where I live. But their advertisements say "swinger." We thought that meant, you know, people who like to switch around. So we were saving it for a day when we just wanted to check out and laugh at all the "swingers." But then we checked out the menu online and someone was gushing about the mac and cheese, so we decided just to go for the food. I have been there twice so far. The mac and cheese was just okay. I would recommend getting cheese or gravy fries. For like 4 bucks you get a big plate of fries--enough for two drunk people looking for greasy food. Each time we got a plate of fries, everyone around us immediately put an order in. It's awesome. But, the bar tenders are always chatting it up with some other customers. When I look up and want a drink, I have to stare at them forever and then yell something rude like, "Hey, you" when one of their chatting buddies finally asks for a drink. And the last time we were there, we were coming back from drinking on Clark. We just came for some fries and just one drink. But it took forever for the guy to come see what we wanted. So we started zoning out ... whatever. So this bar tender, instead of coming up and asking us what we wanted, just stands in front of us and makes motions like he's pouring a drink. I mean, could you at least ask like a normal person? I always like sitting at the bar at whatever place we go. But here it is just impossible because the speakers are RIGHT THERE booming awful rock music into your ear. It would be cool if there was, you know, some swinger era music going on. I think that's what they meant by "swinger." There's also a TV up that had old commercials on it once, and then some old bad movie on it with boobies another night. It's a nice distraction while waiting for your food to arrive or the bar tender to finally notice you and maybe to take your mind off the annoying loudness being forced into your ears.
(3)
diana t.

Not even waiting outside for 20 minutes could make me dislike this bar. We were here for a thrillist party. And they made me stand outside for 20 minutes while they were "over capacity". i never stand in line...Even when there IS a line, the benefit of being a 22 year old girl is that I'm first pick. The only place where I ever really stood in line was CITIZEN (ew...see my 1 star review where the owner flamed yelp users) and Rino where someone random behind me eventually paid the door to get us in ASAP Do I hate the Holiday Club yet? Nope. Then we go in and they're out of Dos Equis. I end up drinking whiskey. Flame yet? Nope. The clientele here is older...like mid 30s. There were supposed to be gogo dancers but all of them were easily over 40. Nonetheless it was great fun listening to old tunes, dancing and chillin. The bartenders here are GREAT. even with open bar and crowds of people packed to capacity, you're almost guaranteed to get your drink within 10 minutes of waiting. I've never been to a bar with service that great. I met a boy here. +1 **UPDATE: we've been dating 4 months + 1 more star** Would I come here again on a lazy Friday night? Probably not until I'm 30. Would I come here again for a party? DEFINITELY.
(5)
Jesse B.

beyond disappointing despite the fun decor. I had a strange experience here with the waitress who so obviously wasn't into serving me at all, but had something going on behind the stage with some guy in the kitchen. My friend and I were interested in food, not drinks, and she was clearly interested in one thing only: the tip I gave her $4.20 and told her she seems like she is stressed out and should relax. . . .
(2)
Donovan H.

I went here for the first time after a late night out. We decided on this place for a late Sunday brunch. It was my second time to Holiday Club but first time during the day. I remembered the photo booth and jukebox...nice! The TVs had hockey and baseball games playing. Our waitress was friendly and kept us stocked our entire visit. I had a chicken BLT and it was fantastic. I think they used pesto to cook the chicken (delicious) and it was a hefty portion. Friends of mine had the eggs benedict and THEY KNOW EGGS BENEDICT. All agreed it was top 5 in the city. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality. I will be back!
(4)
Erin B.

Came here with a few friends. I love the sparklies outside! :-) Anyway, service was quick and prompt, and of course, the beer was cold. I came here on a Friday night, around 7ish, and it was pretty quiet. (OK, I'm lame, and got out way early!) Friends ate, and enjoyed their meals. Great jukebox, and awesome photo booth :-)
(4)
Michael S.

I've lived nearby for almost a decade and have never walked in here - until last night, to unwind from a pretentious cocktail party at Morton's. An ice cold beer. MMM. Pool table: right up my alley. Nice people - all around. VERY reasonable menu prices for all events, brunch included. I didn't eat anything last night, as I had defrosted food waiting to be cooked at home, but I'll be back. I'm a fan. Where have I been?
(4)
Carol J.

I REALLY loved the orginal Holiday on Milwaukee and "someone" just reminded me that I may in fact still hold the WORLD record for "dial a shot" because I called from Thailand and did shots with Big Brad over the phone despite being on the other side of the international date line and beyond the equator after previously holding the record for calling from Amsterdam and Paris in one week, but I digress...those were the days, when you drank a shot at ten am while globe trotting to make people chuckle back at home.....beats a post card anyday! Holiday is a welcoming, comfy place with a kick ass old school photo booth and soul soothing comfort food. One can be wearing a Schott Perfecto or Giranimals and everyone is cool with that. It has a unique retro vibe with that certain hipster quotient. Fast moving whiskey slinging bartenders and decent food options when you need a little smooch on a plate. Jukebox-soundtrack of my life. Twisted cult classics and b movies, hysterical. I love their advertising, it makes me long for the days when phone numbers began with letters and clip art was king. Prices are very fair and vibe is always chill. So sport your piercings and your ink, your Juicy, Ed Hardy, True Religion or Lily Pulitzer, its all good at Holiday. And ask about the dial-a-shot at this location......I'm replacing my passport just in case.
(5)
Joey M.

This is the only bar that I go to with any regularity . I enjoy most everything about it . First , it's convenient for the CTA to use to get to . Second the food . Nothing fancy but everything I've eaten there has been delish . Third the music , variety and fun , I always enjoy the tunes they play there . Fourth the staff , a great group of folk , mostly. Fifth the crowd , even if I stop in alone I always find someone that's fun to chat with and really , all types and creeds and ages seem attracted to the spot. Oh yes , sixth , the drinks . You can "enhance " your evening there at value prices and they even do the occasional comp drink there . I love this spot and look forward to dropping back in there soon .
(5)
Nina K.

I like Holiday Club...it's cute and kitschy without being too full of itself. I've been here a few times on the weekend, usually just for one drink, and it's always been fun. Mostly, though, I come on weekdays for their specials. Last time I was here it was b/c they are the OFFICIAL bar of my dodgeball league (yet my team prefers the inferior Michael's). We got a free pizza and a free pitcher to share. Now, the pitcher wasn't that great of a deal b/c it really only serves 4 or 5 people, and when you've got 8 on the team, it really doesn't get you very far. However, on Thursdays they also have $4 schooners. Which I thought was a boat. But is actually a goblet of beer. A large one. I thought it was a pretty good deal, and I always enjoy free food, so I was happy. I've also come here with the dad and bros and we shared some cheap cans of Old Style while watching some B movie from the 70s. I mean...that's kind of awesome. Ooh, speaking of, has anyone seen Deathrace 2000? Because in that movie, hit and runs are no longer against the law. They're the national sport. That is actually the tagline of the movie. Anywho, sidebar over. That's the kind of movie I expect to see on the screens at Holiday Club while people's jukebox picks blare overhead. It's just something different that I kind of dig. They also have a weird backroom where I always see people making out or sitting on laps. This is weird to me. I stay out of that backroom. Overall, I like the way this place rolls. Also the sign is the best.
(4)
An P.

Chicago is well known for the amount of free booze that courses through everyone's veins. It was Wednesday night for a Thrillist sponsored boozery featuring twin towers of destruction: Canadian Club and Dos Equis. It was not a normal day at Holiday Club since there was a girl checking out if you were on the list! Rolled through with my surrogate cousin and a few Yelpers and another friend and got through without a hitch. First up, we were given some red juice drink with some liquor in it, it wasn't very boozy so I didn't want any more. On the walls were tables set up with various promotions and such with free t-shirts and signing up to submit a video of throwing deodorant 60mph for a chance at $150????? Either way, we made it to the back room and I helped myself to a free shot of whiskey. While it was supposed to be a tasting, I didn't see anyone tasting, so I dived right in! There was a girl explaining all of the different kinds of Canadian, but it was too loud and I couldn't hear a thing. The setup for it was kind of poor as there were tables right by and they weren't paying much attention to their whiskey. Later in the night the bottles just ninja'd out either for security purposes or outright thievery. We sat down and there was waitress service and other tables were hunkering down on pizza, burgers and usual bar fare that looked delicious. I rolled up to the bar man and was quickly served four Dos Equis and gave him a tip. There's nothing like free beer and I got to gulping. A few more friends rolled through later in the night and indulged in the complimentary hosted open bar. Later on in the night I got a moustache and free t-shirt of some kind I couldn't even tell you what it says. There were people sitting outside, people smoking outside, and I ran into a kid from grade school while in line for some more delicious Dos Equis. By the time I got to my table there was a wall of green empties and a job well done!
(4)
Deanna B.

I love this place, I come here all the time. Nice staff, pool table, photo-booth, and dancing in the back! I also ate here once, it was very good for bar food. It is pricey but it is a nice environment for it being in Wrigleyville.
(4)
Clemp S.

I used to live a lot closer and went more. That said the owner is a classy guy and they have a great line-up of music that changes out every day of the week. The food is solid and the specials are cheap and delicious. Kelly bartends on Sunday nights in the backroom and is one of the sweetest and attractive women on the Northside. Tip her well.
(4)
Matt W.

Holiday Club is a fun 50s-themed place with great food and drinks. It's one of the only places I know of that serves optional mashed potatoes & gravy with sandwiches (which are really good). Holiday Club often has good drink & food specials. I would expect a popular place like Holiday Club to be more expensive, but the prices are reasonable. They have a bunch of big flat screen TVs to satisfy the sports fans, although it's not a "sports bar". They have a second room that hosts a variety of special events, from music & dancing to comedy shows. They have a Pool Table that's not in great shape, but it's OK. They have an arcade game (Big Buck Hunter I believe) The vibe of the place has always been very positive when I have gone. The friendly staff does a good job and you don't have to fight your way to the bar to order, because the wait staff comes to you.
(4)
Eliot D.

I've been here twice I believe. Both times were to meet a large group of people that I didn't really know too well. I showed up after a few beers, so I didn't really see them on the other side of the dimly lit bar, so I just sat at a table and continued to drink $2 hamms until someone recognized me, somehow. Hamms is pretty strong I think. I kept cringing every time I took a sip, thinking the taste was just poor, but more than likely because of the alcohol content was higher than average. Anyways, by the time I got spotted I was pretty much cross eyed. I proceeded to stumble around making what little conversation I was capable of. I tried stumbling into the back room, but they said there was a comedy show there, and seeing it required a cover charge I opted for staying in the main room. I love comedy, and I would have paid it, but I was sure at the time that they could do without "that drunk guy" in the back of the room clapping and laughing obnoxiously. I continued my best attempt at mingling which, surprisingly, went pretty well. I met some really cool people I think. I couldn't tell you why they wanted to talk to me, but they did. One of them had some awesome tattoos. I don't remember much past that point, except that I think one of them gave me a ride home I think. So what have you learned? I've been to the holiday club, I drink, and I like cheap beer on occasion. Now I guess I'll tell you something about the holiday club itself. Go there, its a cool place.
(4)
Jean C.

I came here for a birthday party for a friend's friend. Parking was easy even though we were on Sheridan. Star for that! I love the glittering sign they have out front of the place. You can't miss it. We walked in and Sinatra was on the jukebox and James Bond movies playing on the TV. How have I not been here before?! The space is big with a back room. I didn't have the opportunity to go back there but I hear it has a different feel than the front. They also have a pool table in the front which you pay to play. One thing that really sold me on the place is the photo booth they have! How fun! I didn't stay too long but I am definitely going back. I like the feel of the place and the variety of people that frequent the bar.
(4)
Kari J.

I've been to the Holiday Club a couple of times and haven't been disappointed. Food is tasty. Have had the same waitress twice ... she's a little nutty, little too casual for my taste, and you'll see her outside smoking while the chime is dinging to signify that your food is finished, but she does a pretty decent job of making sure that you have what you need ... even if the pizza skis across the table a bit with her drive-by delivery. I think the nachos are tasty and today's $5 pizza plus pepperoni and mushroom was tasty tasty. The Bears fans were a little, shall we say, obnoxious, but at least I expect that.
(4)
Mara A.

I'm a young female in my earlier 20's and im pretty sure the night I went, I was a good 10 years younger than anyone in this place. Drinks are fine and waitresses were extra friendly. Maybe I just came on the wrong night, but since it is my corner bar, I shall return. There are two rooms and music is horribly loud in both, turn it down a bit guys!
(3)
David S.

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).
(3)
Dave M.

I attended Holiday Club for my New Years Eve celebration and I was nothing but impressed. They had one of the best deals in the city for an all you can drink/eat for the entire time they were open on New Years Eve starting at 9pm. I stuck mainly to the back of the place which had its own DJ and enough room for some dancing if desired. We definitely did our fair share of dancing. The bartenders in the back were also great with getting drinks quickly. With the night getting closer to midnight they started hanging out many celebration poppers which were great to shoot off and yell into at midnight. I would definitely recommend going to this bar and if I still am in the city next year I may even try to go to their New Years Celebration again. Thank you Holiday Club for a great New Years!
(5)
Ryan S.

The owner, Tim, emailed me after I posted this review on Yelp. He was very apologetic about the entire experience and offered a round of drinks and appetizers to make up for the whole thing. Probably won't be back, but it was very nice of him to follow up with me.
(1)
Liz S.

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.
(2)
Jamie G.

So last summer I came here and had the best sangria of my life(made with cinnamon- so good!) but when I arrived Sunday night they were all out!! I was incredibly disappointed because it's like one of the only reasons I chose this for my friend reunion location! Instead I stuck to $4 well drinks- at least it was cheap. I had a gin and tonic which tasted horribly with cheap gin thanks to my sensitive palate that I spoiled with Hendricks all weekend, and switched to amaretto soda. They have a cool photo booth here and pool tables, and the place is decent sized and a good location for my northside living friends. I would probably still use this as a meet up location, though I wish it were classier and saved some sangria for me!
(3)
Jennifer H.

I went to the Holiday Club during the week just try to try their wings. I have been on the search for tasty wings in Chicago and this place was relatively close. The wings were good but I wouldn't say some of the best I have ever had. Their fries are served on big dinner plates and only cost $3, plenty of fried goodness for 2-3 people. Now if they only would of had Bell's Oberon (they have Bell's Amber) on tap then my night would of been made! Oh and the jukebox , service, and old timey photo booth are great!
(4)
Moe f.

Good drinks, music, and they always have drink specials. How can you beat a $4.50 tall, tall boy of PBR? And the food ain't half bad either.
(3)
Holly M.

Love the Holiday Club. Whenever I go, the waitresses have always been extremely nice and helpful. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd there is generally easy-going and just out for a night of fun. They make a mean grilled cheese, too! Karaoke on Wednesday is worth sticking around for, even though it's a bit crowded and the KJ often loses the order of the songs. Sometimes you get glared at by the karaoke regulars, but it's still a lot of fun.
(4)
Lucy L.

Holiday Club is, in my opinion, the shit. Note that I work service industry, so my going-out nights are Sunday - Thursday. Meaning the Holiday Club I go to is not the weekend Holiday Club, where it's always packed wall-to-wall and drinks are full-priced. My Holiday Club is the one with cheap weekday specials (including AWESOME food, you can get a great meal here for $5) and some of the best karaoke in the city on Mondays and Wednesdays. Some reviewers pegged it as "underwhelming," which is actually my favorite thing about Holiday--I don't like having to fight through crowds at bars, and knowing I can come here with friends and enjoy a chill night out with good conversation really makes me happy to be a regular here. The other regulars are great, too (every one that's recognized me after my first couple times quickly introduced themselves and bought me a beer/shot), and everyone who works here is just nice as can be.
(4)
Jason H.

I'm never disappointed with the Holiday Club. I know a lot of people like to go on a Thu, Fri or Sat but my favorite time is Sunday brunch. First of all you can't beat the prices. You can get pitchers of Bloody Mary's, Screwdrivers or other fun boozey fare for under 10 bucks. In fact if I remember, the screws are $7 (what I usually get). I split it with a friend and you're basically looking at something like 2 bucks a drink. Okay so we've got the drinks covered, let's talk food. First of all they have tater tots! I know we're not talking gourmet here but I love tater tots and you can get ranch, cheese and BBQ dipping sauce. If you're not excited about that let's talk about the other items... brunch is always great. You can get any kind of omelette you want. Well you kind of just build it yourself and all of the ingredients are fresh. They use fresh mushrooms, great tomatoes, fresh cut potatoes instead of frozen hashbrowns... I could go on. I'll tell you I've worked in kitchens before and a lot of places use canned everything. There is definitely a difference in the taste. Or maybe you want a salad... the greens are so fresh and they hit all those nice added touches like hot fresh toasted pine nuts. My favorite item on the list is the meatloaf... OMG, better than my Mom could ever dream up. I'm probably not doing the food justice but if you're having that feeling like you want to go out for a hangover brunch come here because you'll get good fresh food at a good price. BTW, I should mention that most of my friends are veggies and Holiday Club is very vegetarian friendly. Let's talk ambiance... I love it! It's very comfortable inside with plenty of seating. There are always a few TVs running, one with an old time Sinatra type movie (always different) and whatever sports game is going on. Now I usually hate TVs running because I feel like it ruins things but they just keep them muted so you can listen to whatever good music is playing. The only exception is when there is a big game going on so if you're a sports fan you'll like that. They also have a pool table and photo booth. Plus when it's summer you can sit on the side patio. Finally, and I saved the best for last, the service is outstanding. Your drink is never empty, the waitstaff is super friendly and the kitchen is fast. If you get Maria (waitress extraordinaire) or Charlene (bar tender impresario) you are in luck. Both of them will delight you with stories and great prompt service. I can't say enough nice things about them. If you don't have a good time at the Holiday Club you're doing something wrong.
(5)
naila t.

Another establishment I lived above, it became the most convenient, comfortable hangout for me and my roommates, as if we were hanging out in our own living room. Let's get real here, any place with a sparkly exterior will immediately attract my attention; the tater tots are fried to perfection, the Hamms is cheap and plentiful and Monday night karaoke with Mary Mac and Travis has turned me into a karaoke diva. I can't forget to mention that they have $5 Burgers on Tuesday nights that you can get with goat cheese! Go there on Monday nights, sing and dance your heart out, notice how perfectly cute and themed Mary Mac's outfits are, tip your bartender and don't ever talk shit about Patrick Swayze!
(5)
Bobby M.

Place has $4.00 Well drinks... It's a bit of a dive, but good for a quick cheap drink. Open until 2, there is a juke box and pool table. Staff was friendly and attentive, there are just better bars in general.
(3)
Beth P.

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.
(3)
J. Kate W.

I love Holiday Club! Here's why: located next to the Sheridan stop on the Red Line, $5.00 awesome food specials every day, $2.50 Hamms, weird VHS playing crazy dance videos on the TVs rather than sports all the time, party room full of hipsters, outdoor patio, photo booth! Norm the bartender took time to educate me about the difference between Merlot and Cabernet last night. Gregg's just as nice. If you go there on a week night it's quiet enough to chill and read the Onion. If you go there on Friday or Saturday night, get ready to dance. I recommend the $5.00 meat loaf on Wednesdays or the french fries with gravy any time!
(5)
John B.

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.
(4)
Lindsay W.

Going here, there really isn't much more you could ask for in a bar. I've hit the off nights, where there is a 55-year-old drunk lady chillin' at the bar in a leather mini skirt, or when the popped collars come out and do their 'comedic' dance-off....but on the whole, this place is kind of the perfect bar. The bartenders are nice, the karaoke night is kind of awesome, prices aren't bad....etc etc etc. I just wish more dudes with pompadours and sideburns would come so I can say things like 'nice chops' and 'can I bum a smoke?'
(4)
Brenda W.

I wish I could have Madonna's "Holiday" start playing on cue as you are reading this review. I think the Holiday Club is just phenomenal. Every single time I am there I have a blast. If you bring your favorite people there and you make friends with the staff, you will have a fabulous time. I spent every Wednesday and Saturday there for about 4 years. I took a break because my liver couldn't handle all the jager, miller lite and red bull I was giving it. I wish I could tell you at least one of my best stories, but I can't think of one that is actually appropriate for this web-site. All I can say is Miller Lite+Billie Jean+Jager+cute bartender+photo booth= a morning with a headache Say hello to Tim, Dave, Maria, Sonny and Norm for me! You can tell them Brenda sent you and they may look at you strange, but you may get a jager bomb out of it. And if I see you there, ask me for my best story. You won't be disappointed. Enjoy! And be careful, you may become mesmerized by the gold glitter.
(5)
Nicole C.

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. :)
(4)
Lara M.

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.
(3)
Kristy N.

This was stop #2 on a Buena park pub crawl I fell victim to one weekend. I've been here before and Its always a great time. The drinks are strong and the crowd is lively. I've been here on 2 occasions when karaoke was in full swing and both times I've had a blast. Great spot for a fun weekend night close to home!
(4)
Dina D.

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 ...very cool. Dave is one of the managers and has remembered me since the first time I went. He's a great, friendly bartender and if you have a problem, he'll take care of it... They'll get one more star when the smoking ban kicks in...it gets pretty smoky even for people who don't mind a little bit. And if you get bored, or close the place down, just go across the street to Nick's 'til 4...gross, but always seems to happen...? Swinger, baby!
(4)
Erin T.

**UPDATE** We had our rehearsal dinner here the night before our wedding. Travis, the manager/tech guy on duty, saved the day on some A/V and iPod issues. The bartender was so awesome - he worked a 4-hour, 100-person party by himself and was smiling the whole time. Also the wings are out of control (awesome). So it's a great place to hang out, and a great place to party.** I love the Holiday Club. 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.
(5)
Colleen R.

So it's about ten steps from the Red Line. That's a plus in the middle of winter. And the gold sparkles on the sign make it super easy to spot. As for the inside... it's big and open, lots of TVs, kind of a weird scene. Photo booth is cool. Oh, and it's super loud, especially if you sit along the wall that divides the two rooms from each other, with different music in each. You get to hear both! Hooray!
(3)
Anna W.

My boyfriend and I stopped here after dinner for a drink. It's really cute and fun! We were in there early (7:30ish) so it was a little dead, but it was exactly what I wanted- a place to have a drink and watch a little tv. I also enjoyed the mix of 90's music :) Our bartender, Brad, was a very friendly guy who made us feel very comfortable at the bar. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Lakshmi R.

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!"
(3)
Chantal L.

Our quest to mix up the evening led us to the Holiday club after dinner. A neat old school 50's "Grease" movie ambiance when entering the main room, which has a bar and a very open floor plan. We ventured off to the next room where there was another bar, good drinks, a DJ, good music, and a Dance floor. Cha - ching ;)
(4)
Shane H.

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
(4)
A.J. M.

Hmm. I do not find their drinks cheap whatsoever. Their specials are quite laughable as you could walk down the street in any direction and find a better one. Further, the service there is not very friendly and you can wait awhile for a drink when it's not very busy anyways. I've only been here a handful of times because of the location. I can enjoy myself here, but more so if I pregammed beforehand.
(2)
Eden S.

$4.50 for 22oz PBRs? YES! The bar has some amazing specials and for a reasonable price. Plenty of room to mingle and sit down for conversation. Nice staff, they weren't douches when it was 2.10am (past closing time) to kick us out, and a fun crowd. I think there is a DJ in the back sometimes?
(4)
Jackie P.

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.
(4)
Jonathan C.

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.
(4)
Katie B.

Celebrating 16 years of tater tots and photo booth! Not my favorite place to be on a Saturday night, but HC has become a staple in the hood for wings and cheap beers. The staff is friendly and generous! They give out free drink passes and often bring special treats. The Wednesday $5 meatloaf dinners are a staple in the winter and the bloody mary's will warm you right up on the weekends. All good in the hood.
(3)
Donovan B.

Sat on the patio for half an hour while the waitress studiously ignored us. Left.
(1)
Matt H.

Things that are awesome about Holiday Club: Something bad always happens here. Bad in a good way. Like making an executive decision to go to Nick's afterwards. DJ Dave from Neo's Thursday night Planet Earth spins here on Friday, so you can go to Neo two nights in a row. Random music. One night I walked out of the back room as Marc Morrisson "Return of the Mack" was finishing to find "Milkman" by Aphex Twin playing on the jukebox. They show 1950's porn on the big TV. Lethal white russians, and suprisingly good wings. Did I mention it's close to Nicks Uptown?
(5)
Carrie S.

I guess that I was expecting more from a place that has such a retro, kitschy menu on their website. When I got inside, it was darker than I imagined it to be and the retro feel wasn't oozing all over the place like another retro outlet here in Chicago. The bar and surrounding tables were formica tables and retro chairs. The bar is the centerpiece of retro cool with various tchotskies all around. It felt like it was trying to be cool and kitschy, almost divey. The jukebox played all the great songs which made the evening more fun. I got here early and drank a High Life on special. It wasn't the cheapest special that I've ever seen, but it was decent. The cocktails were pricey and I'm a beer girl these days. If anything, I was more excited about the company and the food. The Holiday Club won at the Chicago's Best Wingfest, so instantly I was thrilled to try the award winning chipotle bbq wings. I had the wings and they were delicious. I can't remember if I had them during the Wingfest last year, but they were mighty delicious in their natural setting. I sampled the mac and cheese which was yummy as well. I had fun hanging out with the Yelpers! I'll definitely go back for the food and the next time will hit up the photo booth.
(3)
Emily D.

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.
(1)
Varun M.

Just went there for drinks with a fan and it was a reasonably interesting experience. I am trying to figure out if this always focuses on holiday decor or it was just like that for the holidays? There was no live music the night I went and it was pretty dead probably due to the weather. I could see myself stopping by here for a drink, they have interesting specials and friendly staff. Interesting bar if you are going for a different experience.
(3)
Michael P.

I miss the days of living less than a block away from this spot. Back when Maria was our favorite server and she would make fun of us for being Cubs fans. Remember when Michael Barrett took a swing at Pierzynski? We were there to enjoy the aftermath. We've had many birthday, Halloween, and other celebrations here. I still display my black-&-white pictures taken from the photobooth in there on my wall. Now that I am back in the neighborhood, I am going to have to revisit Holiday.
(4)
Marion B.

It's not the cleanest, it's not the coolest, but they've got the tots!! And the karaoke! And I'm a happy girl.
(4)
Liz P.

Before my friends and I knew the ins and outs of the new area in which we lived, we went to the Holiday Club a few times by virtue of it being right around the corner from our house. Having been there three or so times, I feel as though I've seen what I needed to see, and don't have a huge desire to return. It's very spacious yet at the same time, seating feels so limited. Their margherita pizza wasn't too bad, although the crust was sort of tough. Probably wouldn't order it again. The drinks seem really overpriced though--$3 for a single PBR when you can go buy a six pack for around $4? Maybe I'm just too miserly. Regardless, I wouldn't ever come here for a rip-roaring good time or anything. Just doesn't have the right feel for somewhere to really let loose with friends and relax.
(2)
Reinhardt V.

Their food is delicious. The service is sometimes wayyy too slow, but I've been to Holiday Club when service has been spot on. The servers are ALWAYS extremely friendly and I can not imagine better servers. I absolutely love tuesdays or the $5 build your own cheese burgers. They cook their burgers right and the flavor of their food when you order is amazing. Drinks are a bit strong, but hey, I love strong drinks! ;) BTW. I should also mention the best Sweet Potato fries I've ever had.
(5)
Alejandro R.

IÂ´ve been two times and everything was great. Lot of space, outside or inside, great & friendly staff and fantastic music. Do not miss... TuesdayÂ´s Special burguer. ItÂ´s fantastic! Will repeat!
(5)
Jim S.

I lived across the street from this bar for about 4 years, so I used to go here when I wasn't up for leaving the area. AKA I was being a lazy POS and that turned out to be a lot. Their food isn't spectacular, but it isn't awful either. I've only tried a few items, but I definitely wouldn't recommend Holiday Club if you're looking for a great meal. It's more of a get some mozzarella sticks since you're wasted and don't want to wake up feeling like shit, type of place. Their drinks are generally cheap and they have a decent beer selection. They also have billiards and Big Buck Hunter, which is why I liked stopping in. Their bartenders are also usually very friendly, which always helps. Overall this is an OK neighborhood spot. I wouldn't say they're known for their food, at least not to me, but it's a good choice for some cheap drinks and Big Buck Hunter.
(3)
Rory C.

I came here for trivia, eager to eat. However, there's no table service and the bartender won't take your food order until everyone's gotten their drinks. I won't be back.
(1)
Lesia C.

5 stars all around for great food, great service, funny wait staff, and always having an open table when we walk in. Walking in from the outside for the first time, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Was it a jazz club? Was it a dive bar? What's with all the sequins in the sign outside? I saw they were having a Tuesday burger special on the sign outside, so I decided to give it a try. We were seated immediately, and figured out that this bar has a retro 90's/dive bar feel with the decor and music. Very cool. Ordered a vodka soda and boyfriend ordered the PBR special, which comes in a huge goblet basically for around 3-4$. After the waitress and I laughed when he got his comically sized glass of beer, we ordered the burger special, which was 5$ for a burger and fries. I ordered some extra toppings for 1$ more, including blue cheese and caramelized onions. I got the balsamic mixed salad on the side, and he got the fries. Both burgers came out amazing, and had a nice char crust. For 5$, they tasted even better. Oddly enough, I liked my salad as much as I liked my burger. Normally I don't think twice about ordering a side salad, and cry inside as I fight the urge to not be an adult and order fries. But my salad was so good, and the dressing was so good, I honestly didn't even care that I didn't order fries. Came back and ordered the Cesar salad, boyfriend got the wings. Again, I was shocked at how good their salad was, the dressing tasted homemade. Boyfriends boneless wings tasted on point as well. It's rare you find a dive bar that has great bar food, great wait staff, but also delicious healthy options if you want. This place offers all three.
(5)
Alex A.

I'm 36 and I was still *that guy,* gulp! You know, the guy who appears to be drunk and making out at the bar. I wasn't really drunk but was with a cutie who was and who was cajoling me to take more shots of Jame-o to "catch up with her." I soon stuck the keys in her purse and implored her not to let me drive. I didn't, thank god! Quick, friendly bartenders and staff, raucous, drunk, cute, vivacious clientele, a dance floor separated from the main bar area by a door to keep it quiet or something. This was some fun ish! My friend who owns a condo nearby tells me it's known to be a swinger hangout too. Bonus points! Met a cool Atlanta area bartender who bought us shots and used to be from Chicago and said many a man there asked him to take care of his wife. Strange! But the swinger stuff may just be true. More research is needed!
(4)
Christine S.

I'm torn...there are a bunch of good things about Holiday Club...and some "meh" things too. Good: Good beer list Good service Street parking They have a photo booth Meh: The food sucked...no seriously, it's not good. I'm sure i'll be back at some point.
(3)
Sabrina C.

Where else can you go to hear a mixture of tunes from Cece Peniston, to Jay-Z and Beyonce, then old school Backstreet Boys, back to Coldplay??? Holiday Club! If you are up North, this place needs to be a part of your weekly rotation! I hadn't been to this place in years and went last night with a friend since it was way too nice of a night to be inside; you know our days are limited and dwindling, Chicago! The crowd is vibrant and mixed and there's food to soak up the drinks from their well stocked bar......before you start making those bad decisions. Hang out on one side and eat and drink or go to the other side and grind on someone. Check their specials!
(5)
Angela P.

It was my 30th birthday. I wanted to find a venue that was: * in Chicago * didn't have a cover charge * had a good parking situation * wasn't a "club," but still encouraged dancing And then there was Holiday Club. 90s nights are Saturday nights. I was able to get the party started on the later side (10:00 p.m.) and since it was time to turn the clocks ahead, I felt like I was out all night like a youngin' all over again. We took a taxi here from our hotel, but my friends all said that they parked "right down there" and pointed down the block. I was a little worried when we first arrived. Holiday Club is half bar, half dance floor. The bar area was starting to get busy, and the dance area was blocked off with a "PRIVATE PARTY" sign. Luckily, the bartender said that is was indeed still 90s night and the party was ending at 10:00 p.m. For ONCE in my life I was glad that almost everyone showed up really late - it totally worked in my favor. We gathered a few tables together while we waited, and our waitress was good about getting drinks to us pretty quickly. I was completely wasted by the time we got the bill, but I think my gin & tonics were around $6. Not too shabby. The DJ did an okay job mixing 90s music with "today's music." Some of it was a little too "slow jam" for my tastes, but I still danced my ass off. The songs you don't like are a good time to go get a drink. There was still a good amount of borderline EDM stuff that made me go nuts - and my friends stared at me somewhat confused. My friends all seemed to have a good time too. You can't really have a deep conversation in the dance floor area, because the music is really loud. It got VERY packed too. Get there early to grab a table! While the music was playing, there were movies playing on the TVs mounted to the walls. It was like 1920s porn - ladies dancing the hula while wearing pasties. It captured everyone's attention. There's a photobooth by the bathroom too. It prints out shitty quality pictures - just like an ancient photobooth should. I indulged in one with my BFF for $3. The bartender also kindly made change for me. I had an amazing night at Holiday Club and would love to come here again!
(5)
Tanya V.

I'm really not certain I know what this place is trying to be... a light, unfancy meal spot? A tavern with pool tables? A dance club? It's a bit schizo, but I was looking for a casual bite with a friend and luckily, found it here. This is obviously a neighborhood joint that can probably be a ton of fun. Just don't expect anything at all fancy or trendy.
(3)
Tom A.

This is a pretty excellent place! My group sometimes comes here for trivia on Tuesday nights, though we've been here when there wasn't trivia. The secondary room is used for trivia, complete with it's own bar. The only food I've ever ordered here has been the burger basket special, and it's always been a decent meal. The beers are a bit pricier than I'd like, but the service is prompt and friendly. The whole place has a great atmosphere and I'd come back anytime.
(4)
Drake W.

Great service, great atmosphere! The back room on Friday nights turns into a dance club playing 80s and 90s music videos. It's a lot of fun, and just a good vibe from everyone in there. It's always a good time. I've never been disappointed here!
(5)
Anthony M.

TWO TIMES ONE NIGHT I feel like I need to write two reviews here. One is 5 stars and the other is 2 stars. It is not often I ever go to a bar at 7pm and then return again at 11:30pm. What did you really think the title was about? We were heading to the Boston/Doobie Brothers Concert on Montrose Beach when we were slammed with a giant storm that including thunder, wind and flash flooding. So the concert promoters did the right thing and moved the show back by 2 hours. Now we could hang out on a beach with a monsoon or we could search out a bar. On our quest for dry land we ended up here. The holiday club was a perfect Mecca for us. It was dry and they had a few specials. I noticed everyone with giant PBR cans in the bar area and asked our bartender. She told us that 24oz cans were only $4.50. Now that's a great deal but a lot of beer. We also needed to warm up and got a couple of Fireballs and then a couple of more. It was heating up in here. The bartender was really amazing (I wanna say her name was Heather but I could be wrong). She was very attentive and also told us about the chicken wing special for $5. The chicken wings were some of the best I have had in a very long time. Our bartender highly recommended we order the Thai Sweet Chili Chicken wings and we are so glad we did. The chicken wings were cooked perfectly and were very meaty. The sauce was fantastic. It was so good I wanted to lick my finger to the bone. Luckily I didn't make a mistake and think my finger was a chicken wing. The sauce was that good. I must mention the blue cheese dipping sauce which was outstanding. I am a blue cheese fan and I thought I need a salad to pour this on. Please don't tell anyone but I actually used the garnish lettuce to dip into the bowl. Is that wrong? I think it is only wrong if it is iceberg but luckily for me it was romaine so I believe it is acceptable. Hey it's my review I can make up my own dipping rules. So between the great service from the bartender, the drink specials, fabulous chicken wings & non monsoon like conditions inside the Holiday Inn this place was totally 5 stars. This is what I was planning to post. We went to our concert and had a great time. After the show, we could feel the Holiday Club calling us back to visit. We had such a great time 4 hours ago how could it be any different. When we returned this place was more of a dance club then a local neighborhood bar. In fact, they have a dance club next door. I poked my head in there and it was really stinky. Imagine like the most disgusting gym smell, then add about 160 gallons of sweat and you might achieve how icky the stench was in there. Now I'm not complaining or including this in my review rating but I figured I would share my experience. In case you wanna get your "Footloose" on some weekend. Bring some nose plugs. We stayed on the bar side and grabbed a table because the bar was packed. We learned that the chicken wing special ended at 10pm which was a sad moment for us. So we decided to try something new and went with the southwestern chicken pizza. The pizza was good. Our waitress brought out the pizza but didn't bring any grated cheese or hot pepper flake. Isn't that just a given when you order pizza? So of course we had to wait for her to return with it before we could start eating. I then noticed that the side of sour cream that the pizza was suppose to come with never came out. I really didn't want to wait any longer, so we dived in. Our waitress was really nice and seemed sweet but I think she had too much area to cover. It took us forever to get a second round of drinks. We had to go and find her to order them. We also had to go and find her to get our bill. She really didn't care because she had our credit card in her possession. That is probably why she didn't have an urgency to keep tabs on us. Our bus boy was what really upset me. He was a little grabby on our table. He grabbed my buddies drink which still had alcohol in it and went to walk away. We had to stop him and ask for it back. He also went to grab our food plates even though we weren't done. I had to go to the bathroom and gave my buddy specific orders to not let the bus boy take my beer. When I came back I said to my buddy, "Where's my beer? And he said, "The bus boy took it!" In reality, I should have taken my beer with me. It was just upsetting. I told the busboy about the incident and he told me he shook the can and it didn't seem like there was much beer in there. I said, "Did it feel like there was beer in there?" He said, "yes!" And I informed him I was still drinking that beer. He looked at me and never apologized. It was just kind of rude. My buddy was like don't worry well order another drink & at that point it was more principal for me. So I guess my review is this. I would never come here after 10pm. It turns into a totally different bar. Before 10pm this place is great, I wanna remember that bar.
(4)
Anne S.

I wanted to go dancing at a club, but since I'm 32 and married I didn't want to go somewhere with just people a decade younger than me. I wanted to go out at like 10 not like 12, and I didn't want to pay a huge cover and a ton for drinks. I'm too old for that shit. This was the perfect place! It's half restaurant/bar and half club. You can just walk back and forth between the two. I went with friends Friday night, and I think everyone liked the place. There is no cover, no dress code, and well drinks were $6.50. They even had a couple of $4 shots! I will say that my rum and cokes were some of the weakest ones I've ever had, so beer or shots might be better. The music was good, there were plenty of people dancing. The crowd was quite diverse. There was a good mix of all types of people. I plan to return soon!
(4)
Sabrina R.

Good food, horrible bar service. When my friend was closing his tab, the bartender asked for his name, so he spelled it out for her, then she came back and said she couldn't find it. It was the ONLY orange Illini card, He told her that and his name again, and again she said she needed his name. He told her again, she came back and said she couldn't find it. He gave her his full name, the card type and what it looked like and when she found it (oh big surprise! Even I could see it sitting there), she had the nerve to say that next time just tell her the name. Yeah ok, what was he doing for the last 20 min?? Also the beers were grossly flat.
(1)
Neema P.

Well this place is interesting. I feel like you either need to be completely out of it to enjoy the place. The dance floor is pretty packed, i'm almost positive it's a fire hazard and dangerous. Drinks are cheap and the music is top notch. Great music, which is why it deserves 3 stars.
(3)
Bo C.

Always been a favorite of mine but after tonight I won't be returning. We live in the neighborhood and have frequently visited but after calling are waitress out (Sloan) on over charing us on drinks we were welcomed by the manager who didn't give us his name and told me and my friend since we had been there for 5 hours we must of had 20 beers. We came for the wings that were good but really 20 beers! We kept count this time cause before have always noticed the over charging. Never again WHAT A RIP OFF! We had 17 beers and really the 12 bucks they stole from us isn't the issue it's the It's the fact you employ thieves! NEVER AGAIN
(1)
Cam L.

Brit was our server. She was terrible. We had to walk to the bar to order. She only came back after 2+ hours for our check. Pathetic.
(1)
John K.

I've been coming to the Holiday Club for over a decade. Its swimgers era style is so f#*$!ing money baby! Good cheap eats, Theneise behind the bar is super rad and the daily entertainment whether its karaoke, open mic and the 80's dance nights are so fun! If you dig the Rat Pack come here
(4)
Alexandria H.

The bathrooms... terrifying. Photo booth.... had some good times there. The couple across from us seemed adorable until we realized that the guy was a total..... um..... douch. Thank got Stephanie our server was AMAZING. She brought us good beer and good perspective. BTW thanks for bringing my sunglasses back ;-) yay!
(5)
Katie S.

I love this place! It is my favorite bar in Chicago! I love that it has tables to sit at in the front area. I love the dance floor in the back. The prices are great! It's a perfect bar because it's not a bro-bar, but it's also not a dive. I love going on Friday nights for 80's nights and Saturday nights for 90's nights. I can't say enough good things about this place!
(5)
Alexis R.

This place is fantastic for what it is.... Chill spot, cool people, good food(great wings), awesome music, staff is always solid and overall just low key Chicago spot you can always count on to go dance and have a drink.
(5)
Barry J.

When my girlfriend and I moved from Boston, Kim found a bar called holiday. We love this place. The servers are always cool and down to earth. Everyday they have food and drink specials and the jute box can be run from your iPhone!!
(5)
Jason F.

Honestly, I love walking by this place at 8pm and it's completely dead only to come by at 11 when I've decided I'm going elsewhere, and it's completely packed!!!? Food was ok, had the green line and it tasted like you local college bar on beer night.. changed up to the 3Floyds gumball head and the expiration date was Jan 12th?? Just my luck to have local bar fail me, but worth giving another shot for redemption.
(1)
Cassandra K.

I stopped in here after the Pride Parade back in June with a girlfriend of mine, and I must say that this place exceeded my expectations. I was referred here by an old roommate who is one of the servers and bartenders here, so I figured since I was in the area, I was going to pay her a visit. The first thing I noticed was the decor. The letters on the bar as well as the writing in the menu has the same style as an old school bowling alley; very cool. And as a lover of PBR, I was immediately drawn to the PBR lamp above the pool table. There is also a nice patio outside by the sidewalk which is perfect for people watching and enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Now, onto the menu. It was around lunchtime, so I didn't want anything too heavy. Plus I was drinking Hacker Pschorr beer, which is heavy in itself. I am usually a soup fan, but it was 94 degrees outside and I couldn't fathom consuming anything hot. After perusing through the menu, I opted for the Caesar salad and added chicken. Usually when I order a salad anywhere else, the portion is quite small (the only exception is Panera Bread), but when my dish arrived, it was HUGE. AND they were generous with the dressing. Words cannot even express the facial expression I make when I bite into a piece of lettuce sans dressing. Horrid. I was VERY happy with my order, and even more happy with the price of $6 ($2 extra for the chicken). Usually any spot ANYWHERE in the city, especially Uptown on Pride Parade day, has astronomical food prices. All in all, if you're looking for an awesome place to have a great lunch and cheap drinks, this is DEFINITELY the spot for you. No dress code, no cover, no BS. When you go, ask for Sloan as your server if she's not behind the bar. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Lindsey G.

We live in the area and come here quite a bit, and the last several encounters have been absolutely horrendous. We came for dinner and were one of the only people in the building. The server was so rude and un attentive. We had to go to the bar to get waters, and the bartender greeted me with a "what". Absolutely horrible service. We won't be back.
(2)
Jerry M.

Been here a couple times one for drinks and dancing the other for a dinner. Food and drinks were good and reasonably priced. Service was pretty good. Dancing was fun, not too crowded and decent music. Nice location near the red line.
(4)
Jeff W.

Holiday Club is a unique bar with what I would consider a mostly hipster clientele. Throughout the entire bar there are CRT (Old School) TVs which appear to be displaying "classic" movies from a VHS player (Hipsters love CRT and VHS). The reason you will find me here is for the trivia on Tuesday nights. Geeks Who Drink host trivia every Tuesday at 8pm. For the most part the prices of the beer and food are very reasonable. Keep an eye out for the Photo Booth, plus at the front door you'll see the jewel of the joint, Buck Hunter!
(3)
Ade D.

I went with a group of friends to the dance floor. This place has TVs all around playing offensive stuff - I looked over once and there was a video of a women tied up and screaming with a knife being placed against her body. Violence against women should not be tolerated. Its never ok.
(1)
Maria B.

Terrible bar ! Customer can flip you over for no reason. Security guy mean as hell! Bar for people who has no idea what customer serviece is. Management doesn't give s..t. No respect no appropriation ! Chicago has much more to offer don't waste your time! Unfortunately only one star available. It's actualy - 5 !!
(1)
Rose H.

Being new to the area, I had really been excited to try this place out. It could potentially be my new hang out spot! After last night, though, I don't think I'll ever go there again. I sat at a booth, waiting for a friend to arrive. It took several minutes to track down a server, even though the place didn't look busy at all. Once someone came up to my table, I told her that it was my first time, and I wasn't familiar with some of their draft beers. She rolled her eyes, told me to look at the menu more, and went to go serve other tables. Once she finally came back again, she said 'well, do you know what you want yet?', and I again explained that I was unfamiliar with the beers. She then said 'well I don't have time to explain them to you' and walked away. I was shocked! I really don't feel like giving this place another chance.
(1)
Dallas F.

One of my favorite yelper friends has had a party of some sort at the Holiday Club several years in a row. Had it not been for her, I would have never noticed or visited the Holiday Club and that would be sad. Not because it's a must-visit bar or an Uptown hotspot. Nope. It's just that I always have a good time when I go there. The drinks are well made and fairly priced. The music is what I like to dance to while drinking previuosly mentioned beverages. And there is a photo booth. I like most places with photo booths. I like to document my bad ideas.
(4)
Allie I.

Love their tots & pizza. Trivia night on Tuesday is always a blast. They keep this place looking great & have fantastic specials daily!
(5)
Syed A.

Awesome place to hang out after a long day , people are very friendly And the service is great!!
(4)
Marie M.

Amazing every time I come, great service. ...excellent food. Fun all around and will definitely be a repeat experience. Thanks for the owner, Sunny, Thanise, Molly, and Greg for always being so hospitable.
(5)
Will W.

What can I say about the holiday club that hasn't been said about any bar in Chicago in some way... Cheap beer and a drink special nearly every night. +1 Food... Meh. This is a bar and not really super hyped in the dining department. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. +0 Music selection goes from what you wanted to hear, to "i'm not drunk enough for this" to, I forgot this was a song, to "we should leave" - 2 Big Buck Hunter. +5
(3)
Lindsey A.

I've been going to Holiday Club for random bar nights, birthday parties, my own pre-wedding soiree and for lunch since I moved to Chicago many, many years ago. It took until last night's super dance party for me to realize how super HC really is. The DJ keeps the floor BOUNCING and the bartenders in the back room are fast, attentive and sweet. When you want to get your dance-on in an unpretentious, non-clubby place, this is the spot to do it. Oh, and the photo booth is a must-visit.
(5)
Joe P.

Holiday Club, never change - you are perfect the way you are. Half neighborhood watering hole, half free for all dance spot. PBR tall boys, photo booth, 80s dj on Fridays, and on and on. A hidden gem tucked away right off the Sheridan red line stop. Well deserved 5 stars.
(5)
Howard L.

Always forget to do a review of this place which I really like. Very eclectic crowd like Uptown itself. Nicer than a dive, more of a neighborhood place. Not truly a romantic place, but if your date is any fun, she will like it. If she doesn't, you should find a new girl. Good beer selection with mixed drinks. Not a wine place at all. Love the pool table ($1) and photo booth ($3). Always a good time there and usually a place to sit before 11:00. Go and enjoy yourself!
(4)
Dan L.

This place has been in my hood for many many years now and has done a lot of face lifting most times for the better. Good specials, decent food and a very eclectic crowd. this place seems to be in love with Karaoke as its advertised everynight but luckily in another room to avoid the really bad singers in the main room. There is nothing that really is bad or great about it. I probably go a few times a year and will continue to if its on my path home...
(3)
Alexander H.

Place blows. It's expensive, lots of ugly people and its not very interesting inside whatsoever. Pros: it is open late, near red line, big buck hunter
(1)
Jon E.

Remember lamÃ©? That shimmering fabric made popular in the 70s by "Fame" and Magenta from Rocky Horror? The glittering facade of the Holiday Club makes me think I'm about to walk into a 60's cabaret, complete with The Rat Pack sipping highballs and calling women "broads." I keep expecting Dean or Frank's 67 Eldorado Sport Coupe to roll up out front. Sadly the best you get is a bust of Sammy, Dean, Frank and Peter in the 2nd bar room, so leave your fedora at the door. However, this is the first bar I've ever been to watch a political debate at. Last night the Rat Pack video room was filled with a crowd specifically there to watch if Caribou Barbie could hold her own against Smokin' Joe Biden. During the sparring I saw plates piled high with gob-smacking wings, ample sammies and tons of thick cut steak fries smothered in cheese glide by me. I'll def have to come back for a beer and wing night. The drinks are reasonable, with a good selection... and PBR on tap! While the kitsch is in short supply, the layout and service is right on par. What makes this place is the attitude. There isn't any, and it seemed that the bulk of the crowd was smart and chill. Best of all the red line stops feet from the door, and the 151 runs north and south from here too. Can't beat that. Def good people, good bar, cheers!
(4)
Lauren H.

I too expected a little more from the inside, but in the end, I am not going to that kind of place for the decor. I wasn't drinking that night, so I can't say how the drinks tasted, but I was also surprised that the cocktails weren't very cheap. The food was reasonably priced, and my hummus plate was good, albeit weirdly spicy. I somehow missed the photo booth :( but did get to enjoy the video bowling which was fun. Nice crowd of people, I would go back.
(3)
Jennie M.

Ok Holiday Club. Here's the thing. I want to like you, I really do, but the other night you just kinda rubbed me the wrong way. My friend and I came in around 7 on a Monday. Our server was great- super friendly, super sweet, great. Since it was so damn cold out, we ordered tomato soup and grilled cheese with bacon. Yum. Can't wait. And they had a special on 6 mini bottles of High Life for 10 bucks. Cool. We get one of those too. Sidenote: Holiday Club was basically empty. There were a few people at the bar, and eventually a couple guys came in, but I'd say there were maybe half a dozen patrons in there along with us in the 3 hours we were there. This is important in my starring of this review. So yeah, we order and probably 10 or 15 mins later the soup comes out. Rock on, we wait for our grilled cheese because, hi, when you order tomato soup with grilled cheese it is to dip it into the soup. So we wait. And wait. And wait. We decide to try the soup and at this point it is getting cold and we are hungry so I say whatever and just eat the damn soup while my friend waits for her grilled cheese. Finally it comes. I'm not kidding, it was at LEAST 30 mins after we ordered it. Normally I'd be like whatever it's a bar who cares they are probably busy. BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. And then when it FINALLY came, it wasn't even hot. I don't know what went wrong, but it doesn't take 30 mins to throw some cheese on bread and fry up some tots and then for them not even to be hot?! Our server seemed to be on top of things, so I don't think she forgot it, but who knows. I feel like this experience is a 2 star review, but I've come in before for just drinks and things have been fine, so I'll give them 3, although it might be closer to 2 and a half. I've never had such spotty food service in an empty bar before.
(3)
siouxzi r.

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.
(4)
Chaviva G.

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 ...
(4)
John S.

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.
(4)
Katie C.

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!
(4)
Lori L.

Oh Holiday Club, how I love thee. You've provided many a "memory" for me and my crew. Dancing, drinking, complete zaniness. You put up with my antics and always welcome me back with open arms. But I digress... What I love about this place is that its a truly come as you are type of bar. The crowd ranges from your average Joe, to rockers, to artists, to sports fans. Drinks are strong and very resonable. The photo booth lends to some very amusing moments. The food is scrumpdidliumptious, especially their cheese fries. Its stumbling distance from home which only adds to its appeal.
(4)
Dantee A.

I have here 4 times and each time was not a disappointment. Even though they do not have great specials, the food and the atmosphere make up for it. It's a lot of fun when you see drunk people dance on the dance floor - last time a bachelorette party came strolling in from a trolley and that was a lot of to watch... Do not get a jager bomb here - I ordered one and the waitress already mixed the redbull and jager - maybe I should have a ordered a "jager car-bomb?" There wings are good here - very spicy and tons of flavor! This is a good place to lounge around with friends if you want a low-key night.
(3)
Blanca D.

This place is fun and the staff is awesome. It was a great place to watch the bears games and cubs games. Very chilled and you didn't have that hardcore fan screaming all crazy. Everyone was cool. I don't know how anyone can say this place is bad...have you had their fries and gravy? or Hot Wings? AWESOME. Love this place. Never had a bad moment at the holiday club.
(5)
Jocelyn P.

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!!
(4)
Kenneth H.

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. Any questions concerning this review can be directed to caninecitysurvival.com
(5)
Alexis P.

We thought it was a sign from the heavens when a couple of friends and I walked into the Holiday Club and they were playing the same Madona song we were rocking out to just moments ago in the car, but 80's night turned out to be far less than spectacular and the first in a series of failed attempts to bring it on a long night in search of a place to shake it. The place is cute inside and the vibe did not seem dull, but seeing as how we were trying to get down, my friends and I concentrated on the dance floor side, which was lacking. We sat down at a table, got some drinks (drinks were a tad out of my normal price range and not that great) and we waited for a good song to get up for...and waited...until Joy Division, which is not really great to dance to, but still good, and we were desperate. Sad thing is, on the way to the bathroom, I noticed that better dance music was playing in the main area. After a few more new wave slow jams and no one coming to join us on the dance floor, it was time to hit the road.
(3)
Kelly R.

I used to live around the corner from here so it made a good late night stop before the stumble home. It's a smoky one, but at 3 a.m. who the hell notices? The photo booth is great fun, check it. And is there some sort of back room there? I seem to recall a back room... I guess I've never been there sober, so I'm not sure.
(4)
Bella D.

Lov this place! Had a great time w/ pals celebrating my bday! Like all the other reviews, laid back and chill. Old Chicago w/ a twist of modern, new wave, sinatra-ish, & good ol-chicago people. Great appetizers and drinks! Great staff!!
(4)
Jami K.

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. ..
(4)
Rian K.

Just down the street from me, I passed its shimmery exterior every day for a year before I went with some friends on karaoke night. We were in the back room, and it felt like our own private party. There were some great renditions, and you could tell that some of the people were regulars. Everyone was very friendly, and we ended up doing group dances to silly songs. The bartender was fantastic, the atmosphere and lighting very mellow, and the drink prices excellent. Definitely recommended for a low key, fun night out.
(4)
Chris S.

Unpretentous, laid back bar with a really good menu...mmm cheese fries. Comfortable enough to draw a pretty diverse crowd. Some may call that "riding the fence", but there's nothing wrong with everyone being able to hang out in one place. Overall, good drinks, good food, good atmosphere.
(4)
Steve R.

Ever go to one of those parties where it seems like everyone there would rather be somewhere else? That's what this place made me think of. The food is nothing special (I found it sorta sub-par), the ambiance is just average to divey (and I don't mean the good kind of divey). I've been there a few times when I lived in the area, gave it a shot. I won't be back. I've never gotten the impression it was hipster-y or trixie-ish but I haven't been there in awhile.
(2)
Arnab M.

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.
(3)
Gil N.

Cool little place, decent menu, and good service. There's always a nice mix of people and did I mention they have a photo booth. Those are always a good time.
(3)
Sara B.

My friend's favorite bar. Great staff, atmosphere and food. I have never been disappointed here! Good pace to chill out when you want out with your friends but you don't want the chaos that is sometimes any bar in this area.
(5)
Ellen F.

Last time i came here was with fellow Yelper Leslie K. We enjoyed several sedated drinks, then some not so sedated drinks until I woke up at 6 am on the El without a purse. Its basically all a mystery. Whats not a mystery is that Holiday Club is good weird fun.
(4)
Justin R.

Walked in, looked at their menu, walked out. Not much to choose from, not a place I'll go back to.
(1)
Rebekah K.

I like Holiday club, but it just isn't as nice as the old location: it kind of lost the warm coziness. The staff is really great! I love Dave and Sonny the bartenders. Karaoke was better when Chris ran it, but still loads of fun.. Would give it three and a half if I could.. but the food just isn't that good. I remember with everything I ate (except the meatloaf which I can no longer eat, that was good) I was kind of "..." which works, because though I ate there probably 30 times what is coming to mind right now is "What did I eat...?" The music can be too loud to have a conversation, which is something I pretty specifically dislike.
(3)
David D.

Nod to the jukebox here. Something for everyone, even me--I generally don't even check jukeboxes due to my taste, but if it says anything, the conversation between me and my friend came to an abrupt halt the other day when Siouxsie came on. All in all, though, this is a standard bar not worth venturing to if you're not already nearby--unless you come on a Friday AND you are a die-hard fan of New Wave AND you want to just chill and chat with your friends without dancing around like you did at Neo....
(3)
Pamela G.

I went to the Holiday Club on a late evening during a visit in Chicago because few eating establishments were open. It looked fun but was a complete let down. I showed my ID at the door and took a seat outside. I waited 20 minutes before going inside to try and find waitstaff. The waitress said she was about to check the patio yet we, and the other couple there, had to wait another 10-15 minutes before she came to take our order. After putting in our order we were told the patio was closing in ten minutes so we moved inside. We sat for 30-40 minutes before the waitress came over to let me know that what I'd ordered wasn't available. I saw her, she was mostly hanging out, did it really take 40 minutes to find out that I couldn't get a freaking veggie burger? Anyway, I ordered one of their tasteless five-dollar pizzas and my boyfriend had the thai chicken wrap, which he also found to be unappetizing. The food was cheap but the service was incredibly crummy so I wouldn't recommend going here if you can avoid it. Try the burrito joint on the opposite corner.
(1)
Susan L.

I don't get this bar. There is barely any seating, but the main room is really big. It's mostly filled with pool tables, which can only entertain a small amount of people at a time. I've sat outside both times I've been there, because the big room weirds me out.
(2)
Kyle D.

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.
(4)
Doug S.

Holiday club is a great bar to have a drink or two at. The bar staff is always really nice and the drink specials are good for the area. The karaoke is a good time and they have the best video bowling machine ever made. The thing has cup holders and ashtrays built right into it. It is like visiting Lucky Strike Lanes on a screen and you don't even have to wait 4 hours to bowl! How can you go wrong with that?
(4)
Angela S.

I love the jukebox here. Sometime's I'll stop in mid conversation just to go over to the box to see what's playing! Good bar food, decent priced drinks, an all around good time. Never too crowded either. I have yet to try the Sunday brunch bloodys, but it's on my list. Just 2 1/2 stars for the pizza. If you like a thick cracker crust you'll be OK with it though.
(4)
Cassie B.

by my house so i've been here quite a bit. ther atmosphere is only ok, but they make a mean martini. once when i was tired of my favorite (extra dirty vodka) the bartender recommended a really good one. a good alternative to wrigleyville places. we went here for New Year's Eve and were really happy with it - for $60 we got all you can drink, anything you want (not just beer/wine), one selection off the menu, champagne and fun favors at midnight. not too crowded either!
(3)
erika s.

back room is good for dancing. nice videos on the screens. super friendly bartenders. strong drinks. good burgers. great contrast on their photo booth. no complaints.
(3)
Ashley S.

love the owner, love the people, love the karaoke master, love the grumpy waitress that's there ALL THE TIME, love the cute door guy, love that they have karaoke on wednesday nights and principal blackman from the show strangers with candy goes there to sing and get WASTED because he makes drooling fans buy him shots, etc.. i like this place. it's got a really comfy vibe and a great black and white photo booth that prints the photos in strips. plus if it's too loud in back you can go to the front and meet interesting people. if it's too loud in front, you can go to the back!
(5)
Dan B.

Vince Vaughn comes to this establishment.
(3)
Mark P.

It's not bad. Little noisy and filled with lame people from time to time, but you could definitely do worse. Good drink specials, far enough from Wrigley that it's not a guarantee to be crowded after a game.
(3)
David R.

This place felt like I was drinking in my friends basement! The place was very smokey and it seemed to be an older crowd. The drink specials were good and Karaoke on Wednesday nights are a lot of fun!
(2)
Greg G.

Retro - type casual joint. Tattooed female bartenders with character (not attitude) serve up the typical fare in the 50's diner type room. Big screen TV. Sports. Yay. Pretty unremarkable place considering it's different interior. Felt like I was drinking at Johnny Rockits...
(2)
Colleen S.

Any place with an Elvis pinball machine is fanfreakingtastic in my book. The majority of the time, I'm here for brunch on a Sunday so let's start there. Small brunch menu but everything on it's great. I wish they'd bring back the waffles but the pancakes are a good substitute. The half price pitchers of bloody marys and screwdrivers are AWESOME and you'll understand why if you watch the bartender pour them. Service is always fast and super friendly. The tunes in the juke are all over the place and that's what I like about it. As far as nighttime bar scene, I'm not sure I've experienced it more than four times but it was the standard laid back bar atmosphere. They have a backroom that is usually full of some other kind of DJ driven music. What else? Lots of TV's, a pool table, maybe a bar fly or two, random video games and a photobooth. Outdoor seating in the summer, super close to the el and a Chase bank. What else do you need? Just go there!
(5)
Kristin A.

This place has potential, it's just not quite there yet. Good location with not a lot of competition. Pool tables, food, drinks, your basic bar. I believe they also have brunch on the weekends. Never tried it.
(4)
k s.

Decent spot with food and drink specials. There's a pool table and jukebox in the main room, if you're not into the DJs or karaoke in the other. I enjoy the Rat Pack theme.
(4)
Theresa K.

one of my favorite places to go! has a retro look and feel though the people who go there aren't dressed in that theme. front bar has pool, tables, food, back bar same thing except different music and a dance floor. friday nights are new wave nights, but saturday nights is early 90's/late 80's music you've already heard too many times before. i really like throwing or attending friend's parties here.
(4)
Danielle F.

I don't have anything to add that someone else has not said. I love this place!
(4)
Erika G.

I've been going to this joint since it's first incarnation as a hipster joint on Milwaukee Avenue. This second version has captured the coolness of the original. Friendly, cute bartenders and charming waitresses that deserve every tip. How can you not love a bar that has paillettes on the facade? I really like this bar - very chill, laid back, friendly place.
(4)
Sarah T.

The shimmery sign is totally what got me into this place too, along with its convenient placement across from the X80 bus stop. It was pretty empty on a Sunday afternoon, but food and music were good. We both had Holiday burgers. The waitress was rude to us right off the bat, but the barman who ultimately served us was great, and I enjoyed his air-drumming antics. I'm a photo junkie and was totally hooked by the photo booth, if somewhat disappointed in the quality of our 4-frame strip. Overall it was a decent place; I think we'll probably check it out on a different day of the week next time.
(3)
joel b.

For about a year and a half I was at this place more than once an average week with a buddy or two. What to expect: Two rooms, a main one and an "event" room where they'll hold karaoke or dj dance parties or open mic. The main room has a few opensided booths and tables as well as an always busy pool table and photo booth. A decent jukebox plays occasionally a bit loudly but hey, it's a bar. It's always quite smokey. For a while they had 2-3 great servers but a couple of them are gone now. That said, Maria is a fantastic waitress and manages to take care of the entire bar by herself on a busy weekend evening. Couple of great friendly bar tenders. The doormen never remember us, despite the fact we've been in literally hundreds upon hundreds of times, but that's a mute point. The food is pretty decent for bar food, especially the chicken wings and chicken sand-which and reasonably priced for a bar in the neighborhood. The activities in the back room are hit and miss depending on crowd and weather. I've been to full and dead karaoke and open mic. The dancing on weekends has been quite fun on occasion - djs usually spin a mix of semi nostalgic stuff from 80s 90s. All in all, it's an ok place to meet up with 1-2 or 4-5 people. Not great for crowds, decent stuff goin on in the back room, decent food... But I'll give it an extra star for having the best server in Beuna Park.
(4)
matty z.

Karaoke Mondays. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Charles C.

Went there on a Sunday night so it wasn't too busy. The food was reasonably priced and the burger and tater tots I ate were tasty. The drinks weren't the cheapest but they were not at all expensive by any means.
(3)
Dennis K.

The Holiday used to be my stop and get a (some) drink (s) after work (midnight) destination, being on the way and a block from my old apartment. I'd never been to its former Wicker Park incarnation, but it really feels like it belongs right at the corner of IPR and Sheridan. Of course, being there, where Wrigleyville and Buena Park meet, means that some people will only see their anti-stereotypes. Oh noes, post-college frat boys! Oh noes, stuck up, secret-trust-fund neo-bohemians! Oh noes, Trixies and Brads! Oh noes, Latinos who aren't working in the kitchen! &c. It's really not like that, though. There are always going to be people who don't feel like they fit in, and want everyone to know it. These people are called assholes and they're a fact of life. I like the Holiday as a worknight place. Weekends are always loud and crowded (though not packed). Some of you may see this as a good thing. Dave, one of the employees, whom I think of as the "main guy" is friendly and knows his profession well. Actually, all of the bartenders are above-average mixologists. The beer selection is adequate and their whiskey selection is surprisingly varied, with several good single-malts and a couple of premium bourbons. My only complaint is that they recently replaced their excellent jukebox with one of those internet monstrosities--however, the bartenders retain their good taste and will kill anything too incongruous or awful that might come on. I originally was going give these guys four stars, but I've changed my mind: five stars, because they show the Sox games despite being 2 blocks due north of Wrigley. Verdict: the Holiday is a fine place to spend your time, especially on a weeknight.
(5)
Bradley M.

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.
(4)
Mike K.

I'd always seen this place and wanted to go, finally finding an excuse when my birthday buddy from Milwaukee came into town to see her sister,(we dont actually share the same birthday, but i'm a guy and guys do silly things when boobs are involved) as she lives across the street from here. Apparrently I'd been missing out on an amazingly fun time. The food was better than I expected, especially the chesse fries!!! The music was great and fun, and the crowd was into it! I love a great crowd. Plus I had my first black and white photo booth experience! It really is a great place to party, I loved it, and my friends really got into it. And just when you couldnt think it could get any better....yep, Sunday brunch!!!
(5)
Victor A.

A good bar in a decent location. A bit off of the beaten path for most, but worth the trip. the crowd does vary, but for the most part you will mostly be overrun with wrigleyville types. the nachos there are awesome. dont ever try to eat an order alone though. you will fail. a rather eclectic mix of music on any given night. theres a pool table and a photo booth. if you stop in, say hi to Russell. The best bartender north of diversey avenue....
(3)
Mitchell P.

Walking into this bar you feel like you are in some sort of time warp. Good crowd, fairly priced drinks. I didn't try any food.
(3)
Bruce W.

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.
(1)
mdo s.

I used to drink at the Holiday Club back when it was in Wicker Park on Milwaukee. I loved it there. I have fond memories of tiki night Sundays and giant bowls of flaming goodness made with "rum" brand rum. I don't miss the killer headache I would have on Monday morning at work though. Then one day the Holiday closed and moved up north. So I'm afraid my review is going to be slightly slanted since I constantly compare the new Holiday with the old Holiday. For instance, I can't say I like the new room. It seems really wide open and cold. The bar itself is kind of small and the pool table just seems out of place. That said, they brought the killer starburst light fixtures from the old bar along with all the other retro touches that make the Holiday Club the swingers mecca. All the bric-a-brac behind the bar is still there and that makes me happy. Some things from the old Holiday Club have not changed though. The bartenders here are still great. I was in the other night and it was very refreshing to see the bartender wearing a White Sox hat so close to Wrigley Field. On another night I sat at the bar with my friend and after pouring us one drink he remembered what we were drinking the entire night. That doesn't seem like much but on a busy Friday night I thought it was cool that he remembered and all I had to do was give him the nod and two more drinks were in front of us. The drink prices are really reasonable and the food is still as good as I remember from when they were on Milwaukee. The music is via the jukebox and it has just about anything you could want. Finish your night by getting your partner in the photo booth and getting your picture taken. Bottom line-physically not the same Holiday Club from before, but they still do it right and convince me to schlep up north for a drink.
(3)
Heidi H.

Finally had a chance to go to the Holiday Club when my friend from Minneapolis came down to visit. We were there realllllly early, so I don't think that I got the total feel of the place, but the server we had was great, the food was good, the drinks were even better. I also had some quality time in the famous photo booth! Good times and cheers to my first shot of Jager...
(4)
W Q.

They advertise Saturday as 90s night, but they only played a dozen songs from that decade mixed with 70s, 80s and current tunes. My friends and I were looking for a night of specifically 90s nostalgia and were extremely disappointed. Also, it was dyke night much to our surprise. It just didn't turn out how we expected. Take down all promos that say 90s Dance Party--it's a lie. The food was good though and the non-90s music was good, it just sucked that we planned an entire night around that theme and didn't get it.
(3)
Keely B.

My theater company has an event here on the first Tuesday of every month. The staff is really accommodating, and we all have a good time. Toots tends bar in the back, and she's awesome. I adore their tater tots. And...they have a photo booth. That is all.
(4)
Rebecca H.

One room was a party, the other, not so much. Great DJ spinning soul/mod stuff kept me here longer than I suspected. The crowd was an interesting mix, the drinks weren't so pricey which was good though there wasn't that much in terms of variety. There was a tranny hooker on the corner which was an added bonus for entertainment on the way out.
(3)
Ismael M.

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.
(3)
Betsy T.

Typical neighborhood bar, with decent food. They have food and drink specials everyday, so definitely worth checking out. It's usually never busy during the week, so getting a table isn't hard.
(3)
Tandra H.

Ton-Oh-Fun! They have great drinks and games! Pool table and big game hunter, even a photobooth! So much fun! I have always wanted to go there, now I know why! Thanks again for the good time!
(5)
Andy S.

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.
(4)
Sarah K.

The Holiday Club is okay. I go there sometimes, because it's near my house, but if it wasn't near my house I don't think I'd be upset and I know I wouldn't travel to it. The drinks are okay and moderately priced, and I've never had the food. But I really don't like how they seem to ride the fence between hipster and frat. It's very sports bar, especially with their "no haters" sign in the window, but it also has a lot of the hallmarks of a hipster dive bar, with the decent jukebox and photobooth (which is cool). Personally, I'd like it better, I think, if they just picked a side. Also I only gve 3 stars because they call themselves a "Swingers Mecca," and I used to know some swingers, and I'd rather not think of them anywhere I might be eating or drinking. Everytime I see their advert that says that, I find myself thinking "I do not think that means what you think it means."
(3)
bridget l.

Not bad. dimly lit, cheap food, good music and a decent crowd. I like it.
(3)
Jason L.

Much smaller than the original on Milwaukee but still a great place to grab a quick drink or hang out and socialize. Burgers are much better than average pub grub. French fries are hot and crispy and the mashed potatoes and gravy are really good too.
(4)
Jeff F.

I was just here the other night and I liked it. We were lucky enough to get parking right next to the place because some very nice people gave us a guest pass. It has a nice little bar comfort-ness without the normal winos that frequent little bars. It has a cool 50s martini bar theme to it that is easy to miss if you don't look around. Although I did not eat the food it smelled wonderful. I say try it!
(4)
Krys J.

Once you overcome your uncertainties based on the gold sign glistening and flapping in the breeze, it's easy to realize that this place is pretty cool. The premise of the bar is based on the Rat Pack. How could you go wrong with that kind of sweet decor? During the week the crowd is pretty relaxed (I'm surprised to see Trixie references). Basically, I come in here to grab a few beers, take in a game and some grub. They have a pretty good portabella sandwich, the fries are decent and the mac & cheese...mmm. Beware of pool cues when sitting in the front area of the bar and I don't recommend sitting outside during the warmer days. Since the H-Club is right off of a busy intersection the exhaust ingestion may be higher than the alcohol consumption.
(4)
liz d.

I haven't been yelping lately, cause I have been spending my free time drinking it up at my new favorite spot! I love the diversity of this bar, so many different types. Peeps w/ piercing, next to the suit and dress couple. Everyone chills w/ some jukebox music, sipping either their martinis or draft brewskies. The staff is oober cool and friendly, always ready to throw a suggestion your way, in case you're in need for your next drink. I noticed they have food, but haven't checked that out. Yet.
(4)
Adam M.

Ok, I heard back from the business owner, Tim J, and he said the woman who works on Sundays is Maria and she's been there forever. She is AWESOME! Everyone needs to hang out at the Holiday Club on a hungover Sunday.
(5)
Rachel H.

I hadn't been here in a while but I was meeting up with a friend from out of town and this was where she wanted to meet. This bar is a little bit like what would happen if I accidentally had a baby with a frat boy. The retro feel is fun but I was a little weirded out by contrast of the sports on tv and boys wearing hats and button down shirts untucked. Not really my thing. What is my thing is that they were playing Barbarella and also that they have a photobooth. I could waste my last dime on that shit, no joke. The bartender was nice and it was a decent time. Its far North but I'd come back if someone else wanted to meet up there.
(3)
Steve O.

I used to go here frequently because it was close to my apartment, and yet even then I couldn't quite gather what to expect here. On the weekends there were a bunch of striped shirt guys mingling with the tight t-shirt alternative guys they should have been beating up. There's usually about two conventional hot girls, a handful of foxy weirdo chicks, and then a few male couples making out in the back room. A number of construction workers play pool frequently. The deals are okay, and music is interesting, the tv layout is both confusing and frustrating. Good to watch football on sunday's for $5 pizzas and half price pitchers. Wait staff reasonable.
(3)
Angelique I.

Holiday Club is an old standby which started back at the Wicker Park location. I never went to the uptown one until well after the other closed, but it's become to be fave. I like the food, especially the Thai Chicken wrap, and love the ability to order it until 12 or 1am. I've had many a good times in their photo booth. In recent years I've come to love Friday nights in the back room, where Planet Earth spins the best 80s new wave and beyond. It's a way different feel than Neo on Thursday, but fun just the same. You always get a table if you go at a reasonable time, you get to eat, you get to hear more variety and requests, and you have video eye candy to watch, even if the tapes aren't changed often. Even on other nights, I've never had a bad time at Holiday. For sure some nights have been better than others, but never have I felt like I had to get out of there. Now if the night is *especially* fun and I end up drunk enough to think Nick's Uptown is a good place to head afterwards, the same can not be said. That place always sucks! Pray I never go back.
(4)
Robert S.

I've had drinks here before with friends and had a great time. However, the last two times I visited I couldn't get a waiter/ess to take my order, even after looking them in the eye! I could understand if it was late and bar only time, but this was during dinner. I also stopped in another time to check out the advertised open mic night, but there wasn't anything happening. Maybe I was too early. I'll stop in another time I guess.
(2)
Jason Z.

I like the Holiday Club. It's a great bar, the crowd is a mix from the Wrigleyville residents who live south of Irving Park, to the hipsters who live north. It's a great mix, plenty of room to move around, a crowd but never crowded. One piece of advice, don't buy a macro beer (ie, Miller lite, bud light), it's $4.50 a bottle. This isn't some club downtown, it's a neighborhood bar. That being said, their imports are really reasonably priced, I'd rather pay $5 for a Hacker, than $4.50 for a Miller.
(3)
Jess S.

The brunch is delish. Always. I've only been there once at night, to meet up with a great old friend for his last night in town. It wasn't really my thing. Lots of rude, too-cool-for-school types. Although there was a mix of people, which I would usually approve of, its wasnt the mix I like. Thank god we all left shortly after I arrived. Just thinking about their brunch, I want a bloody mary. Aw yeah.
(3)
Sean K.

I couldn't hate the Holiday Club more if I tried. I guess I should preface this review by listing the things I like in a bar. They are as follows: Quiet enough to hold a conversation with friends Cheap alcohol Nice atmosphere. The Holiday Club, (on weekends anyway) is extremely loud, the drinks cost way too much, and the atmosphere is similar to some of the larger meat market bars on Clark- though maybe not quite that bad. I realize that for some people, it's a perfect sort of place. They have a decent sized dance floor, and lots of DJ's, but it's just not my cup-of-tea.
(1)
Mark S.

Sentimental favorite- I killed so many braincells in the Wickerpark location before it closed. This spot wins me over for the continued great staff, music and decor, and it's a good bet to run into some old familiar faces there. Plus- it's an easy hop over after a show at the Metro... The down side is the neighborhood trixies who sometimes call it their home- what exactly runs through their mind when some Social Distortion song comes on the jukebox? Not much as usual I suppose... So it could use an extra dose of patron coolness on weekends, but still, the 80s room on Friday nights is a treat- if that DJ dude (Dave Roberts from Thursdays @Neo) doesn't have every legit 80s alterna-disco hit that you can dream up I'd be shocked- I've not been able to stump him yet! And watching the 80s throwback types dance around by themselves in the corner can really be hypnotic...or hysterical depending on your mood! I generally don't go there for food, but I have enjoyed the spicy chicken pizza every once in a while- nice to order something that is seriously spicy for a change (and not watered down-spicy).
(4)
Rob L.

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....
(4)
Randy W.

I love this place Maria and sonny rock
(5)
Blanket J.

I really do not know why I like this place, but I do. Perhaps it was because it knocked the socks off of Nick's across the street, perhaps because it has two rooms from which to choose (and consequently two very different music styles...). Bottom line: not too expensive, kind of retro-cool.
(4)
Kristin C.

The Holiday Club is very laid back retro-cool. I have only been there once when it was in "full swing" on a Friday night (which I enjoyed but definitely was different than my usual laid-back pub scene style). The other times I visited, I went early in the evening to eat and grab a few drinks. I must say one thing - they have excellent WINGS. Just how I like them, buffalo style and not breaded. . .very tasty. They also make a mean bloody mary so Holiday Club gets a fat "A" in my book.
(4)
Maciek R.

I've driven by this place a million of times and have always thought it was all yuppie, bitchy pretentious run-of-the-mill diner. Then my friend asked me if I want to go for a $5 burger to HC. I thought to myself..what the heck?. To my surprise it wasn't a diner...it's actually an open space bar with high and low tables, a stage, a photo booth and the greatest atmosphere you can find in the vicinity. My friend introduced me to the great bartender vixen, Danielle. I've had their turkey burger...fingerlicious (not on the $5 special menu) as well as the burger special menu. If you feel like having a GREAT burger done your way, go to Holiday club. No regrets and a definite GO BACK place for me.
(4)
Nick H.

This place is sort of a dive. The service is hit or miss, the drinks are moderately priced, and the food is mediocre at best. The best way to do the Holiday Club is with a large group of friends when there are not too many other patrons. Then you can take over the juke box which is the best thing the bar has going for it and have a rocking good time.
(3)
Brandon H.

What can I say? It's the Holiday Club! Very diverse and eclectic clientelle, but everyone is genuinely nice and more than happy to chit chat and hang around. The bartenders are very charismatic and are always attentive. I've never had a bad time here.
(5)
laura heather h.

I went here last summer once it was cool. A little more than I wanted to spend but I think I was ultra divey then totally wanting all beers to cost as much as they did where I worked which was $1.00. SO! All in all the Holiday was F U N there was a photobooth which is always fun to cram everyone into, karaoke in the back which was super fun and I went there with a extra-amazing crew that night so it was really great. I remember it being extremely annoying at how long it took to get back considering it is up north and east of me and I am in Logan, so ya know, cta is frustrating. anyhoo, go go go!
(4)
Erb B.

No I won't kiss you in the photobooth. oh, hi phil.
(5)
Sasha R.

One more star since the owner/manager? sent me a nice message via Yelp. Good customer service means a lot.
(4)
Jaz P.

My beach volleyball regularly headed over there on Tuesday nights, and all 20 of us would order the burger specials with beer. Nice little patio area to sit in. Owner is attentive and has come by to talk to our group.
(4)
Sheila G.

On my first outing to the Holiday Club I enjoyed a fine night of karaoke (observing, not singing), excellent cosmopolitans, and a pile of delish cheese fries as big as my head. Can it get much better? Well done, Holiday Club. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Jeffrey V.

I had a friend who worked the door there on weekends and i stole a 20 dollar bill that some lady dropped one night. Also one time a cougarish chick shook her ass on me and asked me if she looked old. 3 stars just for that. Would i go there by choice? NO, but i wouldn't avoid it at all costs.
(3)
Michael S.

Good food, nice big place. The drinks were good as well. Overall, a great experience!
(4)
Katie H.

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.
(4)
Carolina P.

I've been here a couple of times. I like that the bar has two different areas but I hate how loud it gets when the DJ starts up. I know I sound old but its annoying. Its right off the redline though so its easy to get to even though I live on the opposite side of the city. I would recommend this place for a party with a large crowd.
(3)
Tina G.

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.
(4)
Lee A.

Been to Holiday a few times. The wait staff and bartenders have always been nice. Unlike others, the food has been good. Nothing special, but standard bar food. Overall the place is chill and usually not crowded making it a nice place to have a beer with a couple friends.
(4)
Tiff D.

I was walking home from the Red Line after a bad date, and I was still hungry. I went into the holiday club on a monday night, which was open mike. Knowing that this is mainly a bar, I chose to order from the appetizer menu (thinking that this is what the Holiday club would be mostly stocked up for). I came alone, but the vibe was so friendly that I ended up drinking with another party and they even bought me a shot (which I kindly accepted, sipped, then gave to a neighboring drunkard because I'm not much of a shot girl). Looking around at what others were munching on, I saw nachos that looked decent and fries with cheese. I ordered tater tots with cheese, the cheapest thing on the menu. Interesting. The Holiday Club is what it is, a place to drink moderatly priced beer and eventually take photos in their awesome photobooth. Come with friends and you will instantly feel comfortable. The only stand-out thing I can think to mention was the open mike talent. Very Very good local singers!
(3)
kc a.

Here's an interesting story - stick with it, my stories can be lengthy/detailed: I live less than half a block from the Holiday Club - and my fiance and I used to go there frequently. It's always been a fun, welcoming atmosphere, great staff - and unique for being so close to the plethora of overcrowded Wrigleyville, dude bars. UNFORTUNATELY - we had an AWEFUL experience there less than 1 hr ago. I worked in the restaurant/bar industry for 7+ years, I still work in customer service - my fiance currently works in the restaurant industry - rest assured we are not "difficult" people!!! Each person of the 4 in our party tonight had no more than 3-4 beers over the course of a 3 hours - we were not intoxicated!! Seated at a table for four, our waitress was sweet and the pitchers of Elliot Ness were fine. No complaints. After a while, an intoxicated patron suddenly approached us and started a very confrontational, argumentative conversation. I will admit, I am not one to cow-tow to drunk, rude, uninformed people, so I did respond to his remarks - correcting his cultural comments, and rebuffing his affronts - but I made clear he knew I didn't know why he was approaching us and being combative - there was no need. After he PUT HIS FOOT ON OUR TABLE (yeah, literally, in between our drinks) and I tried to wave a staff member down, "jokingly" saying, "whoa! sanitation codes! ha! check this out, not appropriate" another member of our table finally put an end to the unpleasant experience by basically saying "excuse me, I think we are all here as friends and are not looking for this argument - was there a point to you coming over to this table? I think we'd like it if we all just went on our way" He went back to the bar. He was clearly belligerent, but he also clearly knew the bartender and was wildly gesticulating to him while talking loudly about how "shitty" we were. He even had the bartender purposefully make us "bad" shots (we found out he called them "dirty sandals") and brought them over as a false apology! Though our waitress was very nice, when we tried to let her know this guy might be costing the bar customers, she excused his actions, saying he was "like that all the time" and didn't "know what he was talking about, he always does this to people" We asked the waitress if there was a manager to talk to, recognizing she shouldn't be accountable for some guys general ass-like behavior - she told us there wasn't and seemed to feel helpless in the whole situation. GET THIS: we did not look at the guy, talk to him, etc for the rest of the evening. He then sent us a note written on a bev napkin saying that we all suck, we are all bad people and we all wish we were like him. HE THEN TOLD US WE "WERE NOT WELCOME THERE" when I asked if he had ownership in the establishment he said "no, but I could" Good for him if he could buy the Holiday Club tomorrow. Congrats. But the fact that nobody seemed to care that this guy is a regular and is regularly belligerent to customers - that's just not ok - not professionally handled at all! Look at this objectively: even if he's a regular (you think, "maybe he's a really good regular and the bar kinda caters to him") we were a party of 4 people who all live within 5 block of the Holiday Club, being easy going, good customers that night. And 3 of us had been there numerous times before - not that they are supposed to remember that or care. His "regular" business could be potentially costing them up to 3 otherwise repeat customers a day. THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT THE ENTIRE STAFF LET HAPPEN. THIS GUY WENT BY "SANDALS" I really hope the staff/management starts to take it upon themselves to invest time and attention to the goings-on of their establishment - I don't see myself going there again any time soon, nor do any of the other members of our group - and my neighbor used to go there, guess what I'm telling her about?! And so on and so on... I hope "sandals" business is worth losing professional credibility. I also hope Holiday Club gets their act together - again, they used to be a fun place. I don't want to judge on ONE experience, but it was numerous staff members' response to a bad situation that has turned us off - not just the jerky customer.
(1)
Mia M.

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!
(5)
Justin R.

I have been to this place many times throughout my years in Chicago. It is fun. The jukebox is good. The vibe is good. The owner and the people who work there are all pretty cool. This is a fun place to go any night of the week.
(4)
Jamie R.

i loved it. people were dressing the part, dancing the part. it was funny to see the jocks i was with intimidated by scrawny buddy holly look-alikes. i even heard one of them say, "thank god i'm in my twenties now. i would have never got laid back then. i can't compete with that."
(4)
Evan D.

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.
(3)

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Address : 4000 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL, 60613
Phone (773) 348-9600
Website https://holidayclubchicago.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :6:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Holiday Club

4000 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60613

Holiday Club Menu

Starters

Sandwiches, Etc.

Pizzas

Holiday Choice Pizza*

Holiday Wraps - With Meat

Healthy Meal suggestions for Holiday Club

Starters

Sandwiches, Etc.

Pizzas

Holiday Choice Pizza*

Holiday Wraps - With Meat

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