Seems like a chill bar until you get to know some of the regulars who totally ruin the experience and make it toxic. Two of my close friends(both female) were constantly hit on by a group of VERY sketchy and rude lesbians… one who could not keep her stories straight and kept butting into our conversation, one who could have been their mother, and one who sat there bragging about how great she and her family is the entire time. We were disturbed by a creepy man staring the girls down like they were pieces of meat and another dude with mood swings who sat there throwing obscenities at us only to try to talk two seconds later. My husband also got yelled at by an incoherent drunk for winning darts. We wanted to like The Closet but found ourselves unable to relax. Every time we have gone here it is like a freak show where people go when their BAC is .3. Avoid the bathrooms… you will never be the same. I equate this place to a small dungeon with lesbians who reek of cigarettes and regulars who need to get out of the bar and find the nearest psychiatrist.
Gerica D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
Great place to chill and yet a great place to party! Bartenders are GREAT! Love going there!
Rob W.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Chicago, IL
The bartender was nice, I’ve been here a few times and it’s okay. However, the last time we were there the bouncer was awful. We were playing darts and having fun, there were about 10 of us and only about 18 – 20 people in the bar total. She kept being really awkward and then was literally little standing in the middle of us and was watching us. We were being normal and enjoying ourselves. When we finished our game she took the darts and shut the machine off without explanation. It’s also cash only which in 2016 is kind of annoying. Anyway, typically only leave 5 star reviews but The Closet definitely earns the 2 stars. Pros– it’s open late.
Aisha Y.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
I like it! We from Detroit and Natasha made us feel welcome and the drinks are awesome…
Alexa D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
Bartenders are soooooo nice and down to earth. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming as soon as you sit down and grab a drink. Since I have been going here all the usuals have become my friend and that’s an amazing feeling.
Liza G.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
I had the worst experience I’ve ever had at this bar. I used to come here regularly. It’s mellow and I’d always meet a few people. Now I come by about once a month. I always bring a ton of cash and tip extremely well. I meet a few folks, buy them drinks, it’s all friendly. Last night I got verbally attacked by one of the bartenders. She was taller, fatter, buzzed black hair, not particularly attractive. I’ve never gotten into any sort of verbal altercation with anyone. I was completely taken aback. There are much better places for me to spend my money. I will never come back here again and I hope this shithole shuts down. Their drinks are terrible and their prices are highway robbery. Beer tap selection is the absolute worst. Get with the times, update your bar and take a fucking credit card. Ownership should get rid of that psycho, irrational bartender and put someone back there who has quite a few more brain cells.
Stephanie F.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
I go here a lot but mostly for the laid back attitude, music and friendly staff. It’s cash only and their drinks aren’t huge or great and their tap beer selection is no bueno. But it’s a great spot with lots of friendly people.
LeKari D.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
The woman in charge was very rude. I was there not to drink but to make sure my friend who wanted to keep drinking got home safely, since o came with him also. I tried to explain that I’ve had enough to drink that night but she rudely told me if I didn’t buy a drink that I had to get out. Now I was not rude to anyone or had any cruel intentions. In fact, I made friends with almost everyone close by. Honestly I’ll never go back to that bar and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. There are definitely better places to spend a night. My advice is to never go here.
Vivi I.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Manhattan, NY
Came here after my dinner party to get a drink with my home girls ended up getting my cocktail spilled all over my legs when I walked out to clam myself down two businesses down I THEN in returned got followed & yelled by the bartender. When I was never at fault I WILL never come back here again there way your bartender treats guest is ridiculous. For someone who works in the service industry DONOTWASTE your time when THe CLOSET doesn’t care about there guest
Chuck S.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
I was here around midnight with friends(2 dudes 2 chicks total) all straight. No resistance no bad vibes but no one would talk to us. It’s a lesbian bar. The drinks were small and not that strong. I tipped well but it’s just not a place I would go to again. Lots of gay women and men, me and my buddy were only straight guys except 1 other guy who was making out with a female in the corner. Lot of cat calls by the females towards other female. Music was okay, bar tender was friendly. It was fine just not my cup of tea.
Joe C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Newcastle, WA
I can’t believe the Closet is still open. I went there for the first time in 1979 and eventually met my life partner there in 1985. It used to have a clothes line painted on the window with women’s undies hanging from the line. It was a cool spot to meet people from the neighborhood. I used to put my clothes in the washing machine next door and run into the Closet between cycles. I had lot so fun meeting people near the pinball machine near the front. They had a pinball machine with The Fonz on it for a while. Got lucky many times thank to The Fonz. Haha Hope you are all enjoying The Closet. Good drinks, friendly bartenders and a great show out side the front window.
Edmund T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
The best 5am bar in Chicago! This is the sort of place where you get what you give — if you treat the staff with respect, they’ll look after you for life. Act like an entitled yuppie and, well, let’s just say you won’t enjoy it…
Daniel F.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
Overall it is a pretty average gayberhood bar. Cash only which I still find weird and drink prices seem a little high for what is named and pretty much is a closet to drink in. Music is good but way too loud for the size of the space. Mixed crowd and refreshingly female. Basic, real basic.
Naomi L.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
My boyfriend and I come here pretty often to hang out. We discovered this place on a random night leaving busy Halstead St. The bartenders here are super friendly! Our favorite is Natasha. She always takes care of us and is always in a good mood. I really don’t have anything negative to say BUT it can get super SUPER crowded to a point where walking around in there is nearly impossible ok i am lying ITSIMPOSSIBLETOWALKAROUNDWHENITSBUSYINTHERE. The drinks are ok priced but i wish this place was bigger. The crowd has always been very cool in my book. I honestly like this place because even though it can get very busy/crowded its still not as crazy and wild as the other bars in that neighborhood!
Nathan S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Chicago, IL
I asked for water, and they told me I had to buy something. Bought a drink, and then they still wouldn’t serve me water. Isn’t that illegal?
Jennifer P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bloomingdale, IL
I haven’t been to The Closet in YEARS! I must say that past experiences weren’t favorable(overzealous bouncers and cover charges). A friend had a Going Away/Birthday Bash last weekend, though, and I made a return trip. The place is small, but it suffices: there are a handful of TVs, the music was a little lame, and there isn’t much room to dance.(Though, as with most things, the more you drink the less it matters.) The bar is CASHONLY and not necessarily cheap. Drinks aren’t generous by any means(we went through nearly $ 200 between three of us), but my immediate party ended up getting pretty sloshed. During said«slosh-making» I mistakenly handed the bartender $ 20 too much, which she gave to the bar back to return to me. I definitely appreciated the honesty! I don’t think I’d make The Closet my destination when in Boystown, but I wouldn’t mind stopping in for a drink or two.
Adriane P.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
The Boystown«Cheers.» You know, a neighborhood bar where people know each other’s name and newbies are welcomed in a lowkey atmosphere. There I’ve seen people walk in and greeted by name enthusiastically and everyone just super friendly to strangers. While it’s known as a gay bar that tends to be more female, some nights I’ve been the sole female and with a guy in a crowd of guys. The ages and orientations run the gamut, and it’s very chill and cozy. The music is really good. They let the bartenders pick the music and videos they show. Which actually exposes you to new music and let’s you see a bit of their personality. They sometimes have kareoke or trivia nights. There’s a dart board and arcade game and that bar top computerized game system. The shining star is the service which is outstanding! The bartenders don’t just make your drink with care and artful execution but follow up to ask your feedback. And are smiley and fun. Rachel is great. You can order in food for delivery. And I like the green holiday lights. I raise a glass to you, The Closet, Cheers!
Rick T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
This joint’s a big old trunk of dive bar fun. There’s a disco ball, but it doesn’t spin. Nice stiff drinks and good folk. Cash only.
Drew B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Chicago, IL
This is a pretty cool late night bar :) The bartenders are real nice, the music is great and the drinks are cheap! The place is a little small and can become over crowded quick, especially around 1:40am when the 2am bars are shoving out the gays. Besides that, it’s definitely a place to check out.
Damian C.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Chicago, IL
Nothing screams«Best Idea EVER After a Night of Wrigleyville Antics Is Shoving A Hundred Sweaty Drunk People Into a Bar the Size of a Studio Until 5AM» better than The Closet. Fortunately I’m close by so I can roll home in case the 2:100 toilet: person ratio becomes a bit treacherous. And Miller Lite drafts are $ 2.50 now. I think. Who knows — I was hammered.