Funky Buddha Lounge

(312) 666-1695

728 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8993 -87.6364

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

FUNKYBUDDHA.COM

Hours:

Sunday To Friday From 09:00 PM To 02:00 AM Saturday From 09:00 PM To 03:00 AM

Last updated 6.23.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Adult Entertainers, Singles Bars, Dance Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Celeb Hangout

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, After Hours, Romantic Nightlife

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

Special Offers

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Funky Buddha Lounge

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

With the intimacy of a jazz club yet the musical capabilities of a larger venue, this River West Lounge offers casual yet discerning evenings out. The place to smooch a date in a private booth or hang with friends over conversation and drinks, the joint appeals to eclectic music tastes. Bhangra, hip-hop, R&B--no stone is left unturned in delivering fresh cut, DJ-spun tracks to the public. Popular nights are Sundays (for Supasoul) or Thursdays, when regulars groove to reggae beats. – – – –

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
The $10-$20 cover charge is waived if you get in before 11pm. Thursday through Saturday (doors open at 9pm).
Parking:
You can park in the corner lot for free Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday--but only those nights.
Know Before You Go:
Yes, that juice in your cocktail is organic.
Look Good:
A dress code on Friday, Saturday and Sunday entails no work or athletic wear of any kind.
Know Before You Go:
Cover charges can be avoided by simply sending an RSVP email to the address from the club's website.
Where to Sit:
Plunk down at one of the tables in the main room near the DJ, the projection screen showing vintage films and with a view of the crowd.
The Extras:
Party packages accommodating 2-400, offering private and semi-private booths and table options. Contact the management for more details.
ambiance
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The vibe and atmosphere are perfect for a night of great dancing.”
  2. “good parking, and a good-time party croud!”
  3. “The atmosphere was great and the DJ.”
  4. “Not a bad place, however, sometimes it is super fun, and other times it's just not.”
  5. “The atmosphere and environment was nice.”
  6. “Good club but what ever you do do not thrust there valet service we went for new years and the valet guy broke in my trunk and stole purses and other items that were inside the car he was the only one with acces to my keys and my trunk not a good price fo”
  7. “The incense is at just the right level, and the Therevada Buddhist decoration is superb.”
  8. “This Funky Buddha is for people looking to meet different types of individuals, a trendy, romantic, high energy dance club.”
  9. “Funky Buddha is so fun.”
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. “the drinks were good and the music could have been a better mixture.”
  2. “Keep in mind, the drinks are overpriced and the dance floor is so packed you can't even move let alone dance.”
  3. “Luxuriant lounge-y feel, funky music, friendly staff, beautiful people, nice-sized drinks”
  4. “The drinks weren't that great.”
  5. “The bar staff was nice.”
  6. “To top it off, there was a $20 cover charge and expensive drinks.”
  7. “The only downsides are the expensive cover and drink prices.”
  8. “Good service, great drinks, fantastic music.”
  9. “Yah i have frequently come here on thursday nights, DRINK before you go in, overpriced alcohol for water down drinks.”
  10. “The drinks are good and normally priced for a Chicago night club (I'm from Indianapolis-so everything in the Chi is expensive to me).”
  11. “Reasonable priced drinks, awesome service, and friendly patrons.”
  12. “The bartender was very nice and mixed good, strong drinks.”
  13. “It was way too crowded, the drinks were overpriced and weak, and the bar tenders were rude.”
  14. “The drinks were good, and the air quality was better than most small night clubs.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The intimacy created by the dim lights and small dance floor made it a great place for dancing.”
return potential
0.0% positive
  1. “Terrible place - would never go back there again.”
service
70.68999767303467% positive
  1. “They played weird techno music with people dressed like MTV moon men.”
  2. “THE door people act like youre going into a club that is for the elite famous which is also a downer.”
  3. “The bartenders are good looking.”
  4. “The music was awsome, service was great, inexpensive(at least for a gal!)”
  5. “been in business since 1996 and still bringing in people, famous djs, and artists.”
  6. “It was way too crowded, the drinks were overpriced and weak, and the bar tenders were rude.”
  7. “Great staff especially the hot blonde manager.”
  8. “the staff is incredible and the crowd is hot!”
  9. “We got there at 10:15 and the bouncer was extremely rude and told us it was $20 each, even though citysearch says it is $10 for women.”
  10. “really appreciated this because i am from the south and really don't get that warm feeling from too many people in chicago.”
  11. “Good club but what ever you do do not thrust there valet service we went for new years and the valet guy broke in my trunk and stole purses and other items that were inside the car he was the only one with acces to my keys and my trunk not a good price fo”
  12. “Every staff member there was very friendly.”
  13. “Luxuriant lounge-y feel, funky music, friendly staff, beautiful people, nice-sized drinks”
  14. “The bartender was very nice and mixed good, strong drinks.”
  15. “The bar staff was nice.”
  16. “BONUS: The bartenders are fantastic.”
  17. “The staff is very friendly and courteous.”
  18. “This place is horrible, the staff is rude and not helpful, and completly unprofessional.”
  19. “Reasonable priced drinks, awesome service, and friendly patrons.”
  20. “Great service.”
  21. “This Funky Buddha is for people looking to meet different types of individuals, a trendy, romantic, high energy dance club.”
  22. “Great vibe, considerate staff”
  23. “Good service, great drinks, fantastic music.”
  24. “Once we were in, the bartenders were very attentive and the music was great.”
  25. “Snotty attitudes galore, and the people at the door were the worst-- their little bit of power has completely gone to their heads.”
  26. “bad service”
  27. “The doormen and barmaids are very friendly and unpretentious.”
  28. “The staff was absolutely terrible.”
  29. “The bartenders are friendly, but the people at the door can be rude at times--but, hey, you're not there to party with them--hand them your money and be about your way.”
value
35.0% positive
  1. “Yah i have frequently come here on thursday nights, DRINK before you go in, overpriced alcohol for water down drinks.”
  2. “Keep in mind, the drinks are overpriced and the dance floor is so packed you can't even move let alone dance.”
  3. “It was way too crowded, the drinks were overpriced and weak, and the bar tenders were rude.”
  4. “The bartenders are friendly, but the people at the door can be rude at times--but, hey, you're not there to party with them--hand them your money and be about your way.”
  5. “The only downsides are the expensive cover and drink prices.”
  6. “The drinks are good and normally priced for a Chicago night club (I'm from Indianapolis-so everything in the Chi is expensive to me).”
  7. “To top it off, there was a $20 cover charge and expensive drinks.”
  8. “Great value before 10PM”
  9. “Good club but what ever you do do not thrust there valet service we went for new years and the valet guy broke in my trunk and stole purses and other items that were inside the car he was the only one with acces to my keys and my trunk not a good price fo”
  10. “The music was awsome, service was great, inexpensive(at least for a gal!)”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “The music started out bad with slow hip hop songs but the DJ did start playing better hits later in the night.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/18/11

My Favorite

by annalockwood16

As a young woman in the prime of my life, I LOVE CLUBBING. And I cannot emphasize enough how much I love Funky Buddha. Their martinis are to die for. Visit them, I promise you'll never regret it!

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/12/09

Terrible

by Best Reviewer Ever

Terrible place - would never go back there again. They played weird techno music with people dressed like MTV moon men...it was strange. Of course, everyone made a move to the "hip hop" area which quickly became way overcrowded as they people were definitely hip-hop heavy. Further, the bouncer to the hip-hop room pushed my girlfriend for no reason and kept giving me attitude when I told him to stop. Otherwise, the music was ridiculously loud and I could barely talk to any of my friends. Lastly, the drinks were watered down unless you asked for a "strong" one.

I would not recommend this place for any sort of party and will not be going back.

  • Pros: Didn't have to wait too long for the bathroom
  • Cons: Watery drinks, too crowded, too loud, terrible music, etc
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/29/09

Bitchin'

by TravelinDalia

Diverse crowd. Bomb music. Always poppin'. Great dance floor. This place is off the hook. BONUS: The bartenders are fantastic. We got a drink that was patron and Ty Ku liqueur. The bottle lights up. Legit.

Go here for a fun night.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/03/09

they get it crackn

Contributor

as a first timer, I loved it and will always come back. the staff is incredible and the crowd is hot!

  • Pros: Example: best croissants in town
  • Cons: What are the drawbacks?
3 Star Rating: Average

02/04/09

do not thrust there valet

by sentil

Good club but what ever you do do not thrust there valet service we went for new years and the valet guy broke in my trunk and stole purses and other items that were inside the car he was the only one with acces to my keys and my trunk not a good price for trying to have fun

  • Pros: good music
  • Cons: valet guys are thives

The Details on Funky Buddha Lounge

Place Categories:

  • good hip hop music
  • great considerate staff
  • not recommend place
  • great good service
  • great high energy dance club
  • overpriced drinks
  • very attentive bartenders
  • not helpful staff
  • nice atmosphere
  • very cool dj
  • little obnoxious pla
  • not helpful management
  • great vibe
  • like hiphop
  • terrible seating
  • great dance music
  • pretty good music
  • good time
  • expensive chi
  • best hook
  • recommended funky buddha lounge
  • overpriced alcohol
  • good strong drinks
  • worst people
  • bad wouldnt

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