Baton Show Lounge

(312) 644-5269

436 N Clark St (Between Hubbard and Illinois Sts)
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8902 -87.6313

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

TONYDESARIO.COM

Hours:

Wed-Fri, Sun 8pm-2am

Sat 8pm-3am

Last updated 5.10.11

Category:

Lounges, Gay & Lesbian Bars, Nightclubs, Bars & Clubs, Cabarets, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

Cash, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Rock & Pop

Bar & Club Special Features:

21 & Over

Minimum Age:

21

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

What People Are Saying About Baton Show Lounge

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – When Jim Flint opened Baton Show Lounge (formerly Baton Club) in March 1969, River North was a seedy, nameless area. Things changed, and the drag show, where men are men and men are women, is now considered mainstream fun. A disproportionate number of bachelorette parties and curious suburbanites and tourists pack the long narrow tables down in front, while the brave line up at the stage steps for the chance to tip the performers. – – The Draw – Bawdy cabaret shows enliven the club five nights a week, with three sets a night. Most are a mix of comedy…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Beware: Performers adopt different personas from coy to domineering, and the mask doesn't drop in the face of waving dollar bills.
Save Time:
Reservations are highly recommended for weekend shows and can most easily be made by calling after 6:30pm Wednesday through Sunday.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Even if the Baton Club is a really fun place to go, I will never give my business to an establishment that so disregards customer service.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The drinks are generous, the crowd is upbeat and the entertainment is the best.
service
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. Knowing not to expect flawless service in such a tacky place, this was the absolute worst nightclub experience of my life.
  2. Even if the Baton Club is a really fun place to go, I will never give my business to an establishment that so disregards customer service.
  3. After waiting way too long for the un-busy bartender's attention, we were served a manhattan so bad we sent it back twice only to have our instructions ignored, finally opting for a Maker's and water.
value
100.0% positive
  1. The drinks are generous, the crowd is upbeat and the entertainment is the best.
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. After waiting way too long for the un-busy bartender's attention, we were served a manhattan so bad we sent it back twice only to have our instructions ignored, finally opting for a Maker's and water.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/17/10

Lots of fun!!!!

by jami0821 at Citysearch

You can have some serious fun here with your friends. The show is really great and entertaining. Very funny and beautiful!! I wish they moved into a bigger place because it's always so packed. I can't believe anyone didn't have a great time seeing a Baton drag show.

I've been to a show for a baccalaureate party, a birthday party, and also just a nice evening out with friends. I've never been dissapointed.

Also, Sunday nights is buy 1 get one free admission. Just go to their website and print out the coupon. Totally worth it.

  • Pros: The performance is extremely entertaining
  • Cons: 2 drink minimum
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/26/09

WHAT A LOAD OF CR@P!

by dancingdaisies09 at Citysearch

S_CKS!!

1. Cover charge is ridiculous

2. The place is a dump!

3. 2 drink minimum...if atleast it was worth it. Had a pina colada and I had to ask for a water afterwards to wash it off. It was disgusting!

4. Waiters....is that who they were?

5. Performers....ummm, some are too old and one is too fat! Fine, show off your cushion, but damn, don't perform if you look like you're going to pass out (cause of the weight issue)!

6. BORING! BORING! BORING!

7. Peformance...was so blah! Again, BORING! I expected something better!

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

  • Pros: NONE
  • Cons: everything
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/26/08

Phenomenally Bad

by shychigayguy at Citysearch

Knowing not to expect flawless service in such a tacky place, this was the absolute worst nightclub experience of my life. We were treated as though we were lucky to be there instead of welcomed. After waiting way too long for the un-busy bartender's attention, we were served a manhattan so bad we sent it back twice only to have our instructions ignored, finally opting for a Maker's and water. Strikes 1 and 2. Then we were callously ushered to a table and repeatedly denied service being told our server was coming. 20 minutes passed, the show was starting and the server never came. Strikes 3 - 20. Our party of four decided to leave before the show started. We explained our dissatisfaction to the OWNER at the front door and, not having seen the show, asked for a refund of the $15 per person cover charge. It was unabashedly denied, we were treated as thieves and literally yelled at by the owner. I was very nearly spat upon. Strikes 21 - death. Righteous indignation ensued, voices were raised, and I got my refund. The real losers here are the performers who were cheated by the house out of our patronage and deserve a better venue.

  • Pros: table cloths, music
  • Cons: frighteningly bad service, disdain for customers, bad drinks
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/28/07

THE BEST PLACE TO BE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT

by ladysnika at Citysearch

OMG THIS PLACE IS AWSOME... I MEAN I HAD A BLAST! THE PERFORMERS WERE VERY LIVE AND WELL TALENTED! YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE REALNESS OF THE PERFORMERS... YOU HAVE ARTIST FROM WHITNEY HOUSTON TO CHER! I MEAN THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! I WILL DEFINATLY DO IT AGAIN!

  • Pros: FOR THE MONEY SPENT IT IS WELL WORHT IT CAUSE THOSE DIVAS LET IT ALL HANG OUT
  • Cons: THERE IS A 2 DRINK MINIMUM
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/18/06

Reservations Ignored and Then Billed

by nderiley at Citysearch

Where do I begin?

First I'd like to mention that I made my reservation for a party of 10, 2 months in advance of the show. I wrote down every detail I was given on age limit, cover charge, drink minimum, cancellation policy, etc. I called a few days before the show to confirm my reservation. At NO TIME during EITHER CALL was I given any type of arrival time policy.

When I arrived the night of the show, my party and I were 10 minutes late. Please imagine my horror (and more the bachlorette's horror) when we found our that our seats were given away because we had "falied to arrive 10 mintues early". Again, this was never mentioned to me.

Now, as I check my credit card statement, I am delighted to find that I have been charged $140.00 for what I can only assume is a failure to keep my reservation. I kept my reservation, the Baton Club did not keep theirs.

I do not believe I need to elaborate on how frustrating of an experience this has been for me and how unprofessionally the Baton club has handled themselves.

Even if the Baton Club is a really fun place to go, I will never give my business to an establishment that so disregards customer service.

  • Pros: I wouldn't know because they wouldn't let me in
  • Cons: CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Details on Baton Show Lounge

Place Categories:

  • really fun place
  • really great show
  • worst nightclub experience
  • ridiculous cover charge
  • not flawless service
  • best entertainment
  • bad manhattan
  • nice evening
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