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Rainbo Club |
 1150 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Tel: (773) 489-5999
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13 Review(s) Total
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m. lynn says:
On Friday 1/4/08 9:43 PM
truly a gem. part vintage polka joint, part art gallery, and 100% dive bar charm.
my only complaint is that the staff--and much of the clientelle--don't do much to dispel the "elitist indie" stereotype. as a friend's (inarguably preppy) boyfriend proclaimed one night, "we're way too squeaky-clean for this place. no one here is taking us seriously."
mind you, that same prepster had a full appreciation for the miles davis album that was spinning (start to finish) on the turntable that particular night...which i can't say for a good portion of the rest rainbo's visitors.
(side note on the background music: it's bartender's choice, and their taste is impeccibly eclectic. one memorable visit had us tuned in to mozart, followed by hendrix, followed by the speed racer theme song.)
my point being, rainbo is an incredible place if you're confident in your inner indie...regardless of whether your outfit gives you streed cred with the hipster crowd.
...and you'll leave with a nice buzz, some cash left in your wallet, and a souvienir photo strip to boot.
Doogie says:
On Thursday 10/11/07 6:06 PM
Bar has seen better days. Lot of druggies hanging out recently. Also, they really water down the drinks there, stick with the bottled beer.
mrod says:
On Tuesday 6/12/07 3:10 PM
to all the rainbo haters...go to cans. music nerds beware- the bartenders are a "who's who" of chicago underground music history- their drink serving may get you overly excited. great place, good prices, excellent people watching. still keepin' it real old school WP-style.
Lalo says:
On Wednesday 1/31/07 11:45 AM
Maybe it's because I went on a Tuesday night...maybe it's because I wasn't looking to get hit on...maybe it's because I tipped the bartender $2 on a $4 tab...or maybe it's because I didn't expect much more than cheap beer and decent music, but I really enjoyed the Rainbo Club. All the negative posts were expecting far too much from this bar. When entering a place like this, you have to expect that it's a divey, public house setting. If you enjoy the company that you walk in with, and are courteous to the doorman and bartenders (just like at any other establishment), you will be treated with respect. I can't recall the last time a bartender lit my cigarette without me asking! But I'm sure that if I was acting high and mighty, he would have passed right by me...as he should.
smokey says:
On Wednesday 1/24/07 10:41 PM
i like rainbo. but i'm a hipster, so of course i do. drinks are always cheap, art is always interesting. music is always informed. if you're looking for a bar to blow smoke up your ass, be afraid. this place doesn't take anybody's shit, but it'll get you fucked up. i love you rainbo! see you friday.
bella says:
On Monday 10/23/06 3:27 AM
the experience depends on what you're expecting. no, the bartenders aren't oozing with insincere friendliness, but they aren't rude either-make what you will of them, but every time i've gone there, they've been fairly pleasant. if you're looking for someone to address you as sweetie or darling with a huge smile, stay away.
it's a hipster bar, folks. the jig's up. DEAL WITH IT. that said, don't let that dissuade you from going because everyone there is usually pretty friendly, you just have to put some effort into breaking the barrier of strangerhood. while it can be a meat market, that's not it's main concern. if you expect someone to come up and hit on you every time you're at a bar, don't go here. if you're looking for a laid-back atmosphere with some drunk hipsters and great eye candy , you'll have a good time.
the doorman, by the way, has always been great to me.
rawk sista says:
On Thursday 8/17/06 9:16 PM
Rain-BLOW!! Nothing wrong with hipsters if most of them dropped their "too cool for school" attitude and actually tried being friendly by socializing with strangers. Good luck here, these record-store and Urban Outfitters minimum wage employees think they're waaay better than you. Staff has the same attitude too.
TGIF says:
On Friday 6/16/06 10:52 AM
Hey, it is what it is.
John Barleycorn = not Rainbo.
If you want "service" you might try Charlie Trotter's, I hear their servants are great there.
If you want to grab a beer that doesn't cost a terrible amount more than a retail store price, or if you desire a top shelf whiskey on ice with a healthy pour for $4, the Rainbo is great.
Maybe some staff there has an attitude. If I had to "serve" some of the douchebags I see come in there, I'd have my guard up, too.
Welcome to the real world, not Russian Tea Time.
Chicago Resident says:
On Monday 3/6/06 5:34 PM
Bartenders here are rude. Don't order a mixed drink without requesting a specific brand of alcohol, otherwise they use the cheapest brand. I made that mistake here. After realizing my drink tasted horrible, I requested a replacement. Not only did the bartender stare me down, but he refused to make me the same drink with a better brand of rum that would've cost the same price. What happened to customer service?
Lindsay says:
On Wednesday 9/28/05 2:15 PM
As far as the negative reviews from the guys who complained that the bar was "crawling with hipsters"-- it's mostly a hipster bar. People who are hipster-y, who like to see other artsy people and who don't want to go to really mainstream bars go to Rainbo. It is cheap and divey, it has a great photobooth and people-watching is always fun. The bouncers and bartenders aren't overly friendly, but they're not rude if you are not rude to them. The fact that taxi-loads of guys in baseball caps are getting dropped off there on the weekends means that on Fridays and Saturdays the artier kids are going elsewhere to avoid being hated on. Thursday is a good night to go if you want to show off your new vintage dress and tattoo.
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NOTICE: This is NOT the OFFICIAL Rainbo Club website. These reviews are a forum for opinions about the venue that other Centerstage Chicago users may want to know, not to order merchandise, apply for a job, etc.
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