Excalibur
Chicago, IL 60610-3829
Phone: (312) 266-1944
- Cross Street:
- Ontario Street
- Directions:
- El: Red Line to Grand
- Best of Citysearch:
- Dance Club 2005, Dance Club 2004, Karaoke 2004
- Hours:
- Sun-Fri 7pm-4am, Sat 7pm-5am
Editorial Review for Excalibur – by Jennifer Olvera
The Scene
Formerly a church, makeshift morgue and home to the Chicago Historical Society, Excalibur has a spooky, gothic feel, energized by disco balls, exotic prints and bass-thumping melodies. Multiple bars serve swanky concoctions to locals, suburbanites and out-of-towners. A range of multilevel environments allows for prime people-peeping.
The Draw
This fantasyland for grown-ups offers three locales in one. In the main floor's candlelit Cabaret, DJs play retro tunes, and an adjacent lounge offers comfy seating. Club X, the three-floor dance area upstairs, kicks out edgier DJ-spun techno and hip-hop accompanied by strobes. Shoot pool on tiger-print tables in the downstairs billiard room, or order chicken pot stickers from the kitchen. Posh martinis are the order of the day; try the lemon drop with Absolut Citron, triple sec and lime juice, or the sugar-rimmed Double Vision with Bacardi orange, triple sec and a splash of OJ.
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Insider Tips
When to GoAmong the nightly promotions, the biggest draws are Wednesday's live band karaoke with the Durty Lounge Lizards and Thursday's Latin-infused party with merengue and salsa, free buffet and dance lessons from Lisa La Boriqua and Latin Street Dancing.
Know Before You GoThe nightlife complex is open nightly, but the high-tech upper dance space, Club X, is only open Thursday-Saturday.
Look GoodA secret VIP room located in Club X can be rented out for small parties, and the entire club can be rented out to host upwards of 3,000 patrons.
User Reviews for Excalibur
12/28/2006 Posted by entropyends
I live down the street from this place. My friends warned me of this place being a tourist trap. Well, I was tempted so I went. Ugh. The place is expensive, there were some decent looking girls... The crowd was too old for me (35+). The place is large and has variety so thats a plus. Unfortunately, I did not find something that fit. The music transitions were choppy. Well, I hope this place can re-invent itself and fulfill its pseudo-hype.
Pros: variety, tourists
Cons: music, price
08/14/2006 Posted by jenjen282
I really like the variety of music on the several different levels and dancefloors. The main floor had some contests that were more trashy than anything else. Cover and drink prices were decent. I like the lockers idea for coats! Not very many attractive people if that's what you're looking for. Overall I had fun, but don't know if I'd go back.
Pros: Varitey
Cons: Trashy
