Rumba

07/15/08

Great entertainment

by tnoves at Citysearch

I went here about 3 years ago to celebrate my birthday with my family and two of my close girlfriends. We sat at a table near the stage, and we able to be very interactive with the band. They were dominican, as was one of the girls that came with me. They pulled us up on stage, and we danced quite a bit. I remember the food being very good, and the desserts were delicious. Luckily, we sat on a side table, as they clear the middle ones around 10pm for dancing. The booths looked very nice though, they're circular and very high backed, so I would recommend trying to reserve one of them instead. I wouldn't suggest this place for kids. I was a minor at the time, and only because I was with my parents they did not kick us out when the club setting kicked in. Overall, it is a great place if you want a nice band and if you're willing to dance.

• Pros: Fun band, dancing
• Cons: Not the best latin food in Chicago

05/18/08

Bad Service

by bru2008 at Citysearch

The food was ok, service bad. The host walked past all of the nice open tables/booths and stuck us in the crappy corner location. We were then given conflicting reasons by the owner and the host for seating us in the worst location while other locatons were open. The owner did buy a round after extensive complaining but lying to customers to save the better tables is unacceptable. I wont be back, nor will my friends.

Go to Nacional 27. Much Much better place.

12/16/07

The worst place EVER!

by pichachoon at Citysearch

This is the worst latino place I've EVER been to! When a waiter pushed one of my girlfriends out of the way, with callous force, that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. What was even more ridiculous was that when I had approached the manager to take care of this issue he ran off telling me he would be right back. I ended up waiting for him by the bar and he was a no show. This place must be run by nimrods. I feel sorry for the men, no wait, animals, that think they can act like that, what's even more sad is how no one there would take responsibility for it. I will never set foot in that place again, Nacional 27 all the way!!! Better food, better music and better service.

09/10/07

THE BOMB!

by donishacrump at Citysearch

My Husband and I had dinner at Rumbas Saturday. I have to say I was impressed with the decor the ambience, food and service. At 9pm a Salsa instructor came out and taught us a few moves which was so much fun! I highly reccomend Rumba for a date for two or a group outing. It was great to see people of all races, age, and backgrounds enjoying themselves. The band is fantastic you can't help but to get up and dance. I had the cake martini it is very good, and the pina colada IS fabulous! My husband had a steak that just melt in your mouth. We had a good time,,, I definitely recommend Rumbas!

• Pros: GREAT FOR GROUP OUTINGS
• Cons: If you don't want loud music... don't come here

06/03/07

Dont Do It

by neciee1 at Citysearch

We went out for a friends birthday. We called a month in advance an made reservations. We get to the rumba room the manager and the hostess both tell us that we cant be seated until half of our party was there we reserved seating for 15 seven of us was there we were then told atleast 10 people had to be there to be seated. Finally because it had gotten late and we were tired we told them to seat who was there and the rest would find a sest. Management would then not let the rest of our party in management was rude and unprofessional. They were more concerned with making sure that tabs were paid instead of taking care of customers. to make a long story short they ruined the persons birthday she ended up crying and management did noting dont go here!

• Pros: Good atmsopher
• Cons: worst customer service ever in life

04/22/07

Worst Customer Service Ever!

by vanessaabron at Citysearch

My boyfriend and I had been to Rumba on a few occasions before I decided to have his surprise birthday party there. Both he and I enjoyed the drinks, food, and atmosphere. However, when I made reservations for a party of 20 people, I was told that we would have an area by the bar for our guest and all we had to do was guarantee the house that our party would spend $300. However, when my guest arrived, there was no where to sit, and our reservations were not kept. I spoke to the manager and he then told me that they couldn?t accommodate a group that size and that we would just have to wait until something became available. My guest and I waited over an hour! He was unapologetic and tried to make it my fault, when they were the ones that should have told me that couldn't accommodate my group when I initially made the reservations. I was totally livid because of course that sort of ruined the surprise aspect of the party and my guest were upset that they had to stand around and wait. In the end, it was the servers, hostess, and assistant manger who tried to help me the most. But I know feel uncomfortable going to a place and spending money where the head manager doesn't value their customers, especially those who will guarantee to spend a certain amount.

• Pros: Good Food Nice Ambience
• Cons: The manager was very rude and obviously doesn't value good customer service. His employees can teach him a thing or two!

01/29/07

A MUST GO for Latin Dancing, but foodwise...?

by vegitoboi at Citysearch

I went here on a Saturday night for my 25th birthday and me and my guests had a lot of fun just absorbing the ambiance, listening to the live band and then the DJ playing some HOT Latin sound, and sipping on a mojito made the traditional way. They even have a dance instructor who will teach the crowd the basic steps to Salsa/Mambo, Meringue, Cha Cha, and Bachata starting at 9:30PM so you can dance the night away. Yeah, it's the place to go to dance and I don't know why this place isn't in the Bars and Clubs section. But eating there...that's another story. Their menu is fairly limited compared to its nearby mid/high price competitors or the lesser establichments, and portions are smaller and not worth their price. Although we only ordered mainly appitizers, it was clear by their menu and service that it was best to eat somewhere else before coming to dance. Speaking of service, our waitress was petty stuck up looking like she wanted out of the place and fast, eing she was only nice to us when we asked for the bill. The drinks were good and worth their price though, especially the mojitos. Bottom line, skip dinner here and come for the lesson, the drinks, the live band, and one fun night.

• Pros: Awesome music, good drinks, free lesson before live band and dancing
• Cons: Service could've been friendlier, food not worth it's price, limited menu

06/18/06

fantasatic evenings of entertainment

by heinz5861 at Citysearch

I had a fantastic evening out where the food would be rated mediocre but the atmosphere is superb and the dancing, salsa, merenge was the best I have seen anywhere. If you love to dance latino salsa this was great where everyone was dancing with each other and the floor was packed. Would definately do every time I am in Chicago.

• Pros: Dancing, go with a group
• Cons: busy

02/21/06

Well worth it!!

by tatiniki at Citysearch

I have to disagree with the summaries written already. I went there for my birthday last year and had a wonderful time. The food was absolutely delicious; they weren't large portions, but were fully satisfying. Our table was right by the stage where two singers and full band were playing wonderful Latino music all night long. Later in the night a salsa teacher came and taught some steps, and then the tables opened up and everybody danced for hours on end (don't sit in the middle or you'll be moved right when you finish eating.) The ambience was perfect, dim lights and rich colors, and the people were dressed very well. Overall a wonderful experience!

• Pros: Food, Music, Ambience
• Cons: Price

River North Nuevo Latin restaurant features a breezy, comfortable atmosphere and dancing on weekends.

by Contributor at Citysearch

Big red upholstered booths, mustard walls, and an exposed wood-beam ceiling set a sophisticated mood in this River North room, where a live band plays Latin jazz for a buzzing crowd of well-to-do, 30-something diners. It's a comfortable, elegant space. The Latin fusion menu features dishes like coconut and plantain-encrusted sea bass, rib eye with ancho pepper sauce and broiled rack of lamb with a sangria glaze.

• Pros: comfortable atmospherefun live entertainment
• Cons: uneven foodinconsistent service