Reviews of Hydrate Nightclub (Night Club)

Omar Cattan

Cover charge to get in but worth it. The music is great!

Alex Cheverie

Great music. The bartenders and Barbacms are always nice. I does get busy. But it always adds to the fun and atmosphere ????

Michal Monroe-Beres

Very good place to spend a fun night out.

Corrie Svehla

A fun place to party in Boys Town lots of fun to party with your friends

Victor Emilio (Victor Emilio)

I personally used to frequent the bar before I was an entertainer there I love the DJ's they bring in and also the awesome entertainment.

Giuseppe Van de Kamp

I love this club every saturday they have and amazing Dj

Wade Gunderson

Fantastic time. Great music, dancing. Favorite bar experience to date.

marc kennedy

I love dancing here!! Its amazing place to be. The music is always up to date. One of my favorite places to go when im in boystown!

Liz Ortiz

Great time for a Girls night out!! Even better deal with Groupon!!

Israel Perez

This is a place that you will have to yell if you want a drink. Hydrate is the perfect place for after hours and it is open until 4am. This is also the place where you can come to makeout with someone and never get their name...that's because it is so dark in the back room. Great place to hang out at if you want

Jon Mindrum

The best late-night gay dance club in Chicago, the only place worth being after 3 A.M. Always the best DJs and the best crowd.

William McCord

Great place to go out and be social. Very cool atmosphere, if you like dancing you should come check this place out.

Eve C

Fun times!

Salah Kamal

One of the best places in the boys town. If you like to listen to good music, you should go there.

Gregory Halpern

Who doesn't like go-go boys at 2 PM on Sundays? Is there a better way to follow brunch?

Dane Peplinski

Security is not very friendly but the vibe and music here are great.

Manuel Colón

I appreciate that Hydrate has a later liquor license, because sometimes you just don't want your partying to end in Boystown and this bar allows you to continue on. Nothing too unique about the space; double bar, dance floor and periodic entertainment performances.

Juanito Del Cajou

(Translated) My first contact with the lgbt community in the United States. The Memorial Day party was just awesome. Friendly atmosphere par excellence !!! (Original) Mon premier contact avec la communauté lgbt aux États-Unis. La fête organisée à l'occasion du mémorial Day était juste génial. Ambiance friendly par excellence!!!

Barry Bennevolensz

hot guys!

Hayley Scoggins

My friend and I both came from out of state (Texas to be exact) and we were excited to have a fun night out in Boys Town. (It was both of our first times!) We walked into Hydrate, and got asked for our IDs (he’s 25 and I’m 22 so obviously we’re still getting ID which is fine) and the bouncer proceeds to take our IDs to the back for 5 minutes, asking other people what they thought about our IDs. After 5 or so minutes, the other bouncer that was waiting with us gets a call on his ear piece stating that our REAL IDS were fake and that they were confiscating them. Immediately we start to get upset because these are our REAL IDS and we need them for the flight home on Sunday. I work in the alcohol/bar industry back in Texas, so I’ve seen many fake IDs and any experienced or competent person would either 1) black light our ID or 2) scan it to see if the information was correct; not look up a google picture and almost ruin someone’s entire trip.

Jonathan Santiago

Fun drag show Friday nights

Luis Manon

Staff is rude and there is preference amongst different customers (not sure based on what). It was very difficult to get a drink despite having a table. Was ignored by manager and he was extremely dismissive. Definitely would not recommend.

Jonathan Iavarone

Hydrate is an ok place to go if you dont want to walk too far from boystown. Its open late and always packed so if you want to dance the night away, this is the place. Try to get there before 2 so you dont have to wait in line too long.

Brianna Sanders

Not a good experience. They need way more diversity in every aspect. ESPECIALLY MUSIC, it should be able to reach all of their audience. I like the lights but the smoke has to go. Similar do what others said, go somewhere else.

Sue Hingle

Fun must go great place to hydrate and meet folks.

N K.

If you really want to get a taste of boystown- this is the place to go. Open until 5am every night. Great music, great crowd.

R

Lighting system is awesome, great dance floor. Music kind of sucked that night!

Jason's Big Adventure

Fun bar in Boystown!

adam pierce

so... I went there with my best friend and we had a great time...until I told some guy to stop touching me and leave me alone. All the sudden we were being escorted out to leave......

Daniel Reyes-Irizarry

Great bar environment. Ordering can be difficult when it's crowded.

César Enrique Prieto Suárez

Love this place, it was an amazing night!

bk

cool lasers and great show, but bad DJ lol, the only “pop” song he managed to squeeze into his set was turn my swag on…felt a little 2009 in there

Desiree Cowling

If you want to go to night life establishment that is taking covid and the covid vaccine seriously I highly suggest this bar. In order to get in I had to have my vaccination card and my mask. After that the rest of the evening was smooth. I was able to watch at least four drag queens perform. Drinks were reasonably priced. Bathrooms are all genders welcome. An staff was very kind and helpful.

AlejaNBR

(Translated) The companies that sent me the email that I now touch you in the afternoon and have not sent it as soon as possible so that as soon as you can see from the DM that has been produced by the DM many graciss of the company in the profile complete in advance many things more than anything so that you start well and that has been sent from Samsung tablet of the app that brings the mail of Windows and Mac of the company in the profile of the user name of the app that I sent you the invoice of the app that the DM provides in advance thanks on your part is a pleasure to say hello and wish you a good end. (Original) Las empresas que me enviaste el correo que te toco ahora ekisde de la tarde y no lo ha enviado a la brevedad posible para que lo más pronto que puedas ver desde el DM que se ha producido por el DM muchas graciss de la empresa en el perfil completo de antemano muchas cosas más que nada para que empecéis bien y que se ha enviado desde Samsung tablet de la app que aporta el correo de Windows y Mac de la empresa en el perfil del usuario nombre de la app que te envié la factura de la app que aporta el DM de antemano gracias por tu parte es un gusto saludarte y desearte que tengas buen fin.

Katie Taylor

D.J. XTASY IS THE BEST ON THURSDAY NIGHT'S. #100 THURSDAY IS HYDRATE FRIDAY NIGHT TBH.

Scerrr

Went there on my first night in Chicago and couldn't have been more disappointed the moment I got there. Stood in line way to long before someone decided to offer "vip" wristbands and immediate entrance for a $10 cover charge?>> How "vip" can it be if they made us stand in line for an hour before someone decided to offer that advantage? We paid and walked in to total mayhem. The people around the bar were chillin but around it there was the world's smallest hallway that was "supposed" to fit 2 lines to the only 2 bathrooms, a way in and out of the back room and another row of seating for the bar...all this for the likely 85 people that were trying to use the space and walk through at the SAME time!! Why are they letting sooo many people in at the same time?<< There was a MAJOR clustef*** of people stuck in the middle of the space<

elias orozzo

a lot of hot guys and girls, i like the drinks and the sprinklers, the bartenders are but ugly and they smell bad, and the drag queens can't perform, wish they stayed up later

Jose Baggett

Love this place best Dj’s and super fast service

Chan Woo Park

It opens later than most other clubs in Boystown.

Julz 117

The annual drag show is awesome! The performers were on point and the crowd was into it! All the queens came down and took pictures when they were done performing. And the proceeds go to a good cause!

Alexander Hernandez

This is a cute bar that is more chill than their neighbor bars because it’s easier to have chat in and have conversations with new people. It has decent music and lighting Just be careful of the people who chat with. Met what I thought was a nice guy and his gal pal. Added me on Facebook, was disappointed I was taken so he had the audacity to message my boyfriend through FB and told him that I tried to pick him and his boyfriend up(who wasn’t even there). He tried ruining my relationship because I was already taken ????????‍♂️

Junior V

Love the show on Wednesday

Jeremy Autry

the front bart tender at night facing the cash register facing halstead.would not serve me or my friends we waited 45 mins at least the.barback noticed and.finallybstepped in... we watched ppl get served that walked up to the bar way after us. the.barback.should be given a promotion he is worth keeping he is dressed up like a clown...time 351 am sat 12th market days

Cesar Martinez

7 unrinals no working water in the one sink none of those boys were washing their hands...DISGUSTING!!!!!! Oh yeah no tp in the bathrooms that do have a working sink sorry ladies.

Mr. Vance

Crowded bar.

Los A

Where should I begin, a couple of friends and I were enjoying this place when out of the blue a bouncer named Jacob I believed stormed thru and said get out of the way. We usually stand in the same spot to see the drag show but apparently we were on the way. So one of my friends asked Jacob what his deal was and Jacob was like you and your illegal friends need to get out of here. We were so disgusted we were about to leave and my friend told Jacob don't worry with that nasty bigot attitude we will leave. All of a sudden Jacob shoved us, almost knocked my drink out. Was pushing and shoving my friend in his 50's and wanted to fight him for no reason. This bouncer was in his 20's. I told the Bo the bartender what had happened. Him and the other staff couldn't control this bouncer, who was out of line. There was a lot of telling the staff apologized, I just hope that if we do go back this nasty attitude bouncer is not there. That is no way to be treating customers, who all they are doing is having a good time. I do hope that one of the managers reads this and does something about that bouncer. The only reason I give it a 1 star is because of the bad experience.

Jason Fein

Amazing place, great music, friendly staff — highly recommend. Be sure to find Laz when you are there and ask him for the Hydrate’s signature Chocolate Martini, you won’t regret it!

Elaina Saccal

The Drag Show was fabulous. Great vibe, dancers and entertainment. the Bottle shots of Jameson were a definite plus too. Everyone that worked there was great, nice and very accommodating. I would definitely go back. The only reason for minus one star is for the DJ after the drag show. The vibe and momentum was totally lost... however... we went down the street to Roscoe's and couldn't walk, breathe, let alone get a drink or to the bathroom. We went back to Hydrate for room to dance and drinks.

Cassi Landeene

If you are in the lgbtq communty you want to check out tis night life. You will have a blast. Get there early though. Have fun. With friends, parters, love one, family, I t is a ten in my book for clubs in the city. It is the center of boys town on Holseted.

Tony Borgetti

During previous visits, Hydrate has been a fun place to go BUT last Friday my friend's iphone was stolen right out of her hands. We stepped outside and another blonde girl got her phone stolen. Looked at reviews and found this is a reoccurring issue. I felt so bad that I dragged my friend here. The worst part is that this individual feels comfortable enough to come back and steal phones over and over again.

Laylee daa

So much fun

Pao P

RUDE!!!

Anna Smith

The stuff is rude and absolutely out of control, especially the light skinned scammer and a thief bartender in the front of the club. He supposed to be promoted to a manager position. LMFAO????????????

Taylor Gillen

A pretty good set up for a bar and club with plenty of space. Sadly it gets a little chaotic on certain nights, so only go if you want to be in a big crowd.

Taxton

Great place for mingling and for couples and singles of all walks of life!

David Couch

So lame. Paid cover after door guy said there were people inside dancing on a Friday nite at 12:30. He lied. Waste of time/money. Don’t go here unless you want to be disappointed.

Α lυςαδ

I couldn't post a question so this is the only way . Is this place open this days ? Today is April 20 2020

Matthew Strudl

Went to visit this place and there is a $5 to $10 cover depending on time. The music was ridiculously loud and drinks were way overpriced. Sidetrack was a lot more fun! The only positive note is they're open until 4AM.

Heidi Cochran

This place is hit or miss with me. Sometimes they have good music, but they definitely have their off days. Still, this is one of the best late night bars to go to in Boystown.

Matthew Smith

One of the greatest gay bars in chicago

Marcus Wade '93

Amazing atmosphere. Proof of Vaccine Required. Always a cover charge$$$. Friendly staff and great music selection. Highly recommend!!!

A AS

I enjoy spending my Sundays between 2:30 to 7pm drinking and hanging with friends at Hydrate, but last Sunday there was a door guy, tall,dark and bearded who kept walking by and pushing me and others out of his way when he walked by, he had a bad attitude, I wasn't sure if he was straight. later in the evening he walked by with glass's in his hands and instead of saying excuse me he just pushed through rudely again. I spend a lot of money on drinks and in the future I will spend it somewhere else.

Keenan Johnson

Door staff took my ID claiming it was a fake. Their explanation as to why they thought it was fake was that they simply knew (some form of clairvoyance I suppose). Chicago police were ultimately able to get my ID back after verifying it. I would have considered returning; however, there was no apology from Hydrate after falsely confiscating my driver's license. Unapologetically rude and unprofessional. Like other reviews remarked, there's a myriad of other clubs that have cheaper drinks, friendlier environments, and most importantly better music. Roscoe's, Berlin, and Sidetrack are great choices. Save yourself a headache and some money by avoiding Hydrate and their bumbling idiots.

Jesse Dominguez

I really only go for DJ Xtasty! Everything else is lame.

Najati Elusta

Very nice place to make friends

Marko Loncar

Good crowd.

B B

I went last night to celebrate my 37th b-day, the host, show, atmosphere and drinks were all amazing ... I can't wait to go again, this was my first time BUT not my last time.. Rock on ladies

Angel Gandia

Best club I’ve been too this far!

Jasmin Sanchez

Great drag shows, with great music

Sean Carter

Update: Went on a Tuesday. Empty. But no cover. Walked in and turned around and left. Music was techno. Came back after 2am. Busy and music was better. Came back on a Monday DJ started at 2am. The staff is REALLY nice here. Good drinks. But the DJs could be better at their mixing skills. 4 stars.

Shanera Wilson

I have never been so disappointed in management. Security got his feelings hurt, so he wanted to kick us out for ASSUMING one person was vomiting Drinks were over priced and watered down. Music was too loud and not enough variety. I’m disappointed in the manager I spoke with who believed a “He say she say situation”. Never again.

Chris Fleming

This nightclub is located in the heart of boystown. Chicago's prominent GLBT community sits on North Halsted where Hydrate shines as one of its greatest attractions. Club catters to EVERYONE with an awesome staff and a variety of weekly events including drag shows, male entertainers, themed parties and much more. Hydrate has a great mix of music, decent bartenders and it stays open till 4 am.

Supa Giirl

Awesome club, great music and awesome drink.

Royal Queen

Love it

Simeon Cunningham

On Monday's it is a really fun atmosphere and the $2 drinks are on point

Victoria Nugent

Came for a girl's night out and was not disappointed! With Groupon, my friend and I had 2 tickets with reserved seats right to the side of the stage and 2 glasses of champagne for a Saturday night show for $22. Hydrate does a fantastic job of making an intimate, fun atmosphere for this show, which included 5-6 talented female impersonators and 2 extremely attractive male dancers strutting through the crowd and giving entertaining performances over a 2 hour period. Several performances are interactive, and it's highly recommended you go on stage when invited. The friendly camaraderie between performers and staff is also very welcoming and truly makes this show a treat. Whether for a party, special occasion, or just a night out, highly reccommend this event to add to your evening in Boystown. Bring some singles and enjoy!

YaYa Wali

Music is pretty decent (especially if you're into the "club mix" of every song), drinks are pricey but potent, and the covers are usually high. I've run into $20 covers on multiple occasions. It is the late night spot on Halsted, though, so it's a great place to flock after the 2am places close.

Tyler Davis

Great place to go when all the other bars close! Really fun to dance here

Fluffyb85 (Desi)

Me and my friend love going here because the atmosphere is so great and the music is amazing! We always have a great time whenever we go here ????????????...question though, what is the best night to go where you play reggaeton and hip hop?

Jenipher Jones

If i could give this place ZERO stars I would. I have loved this place until tonight. I learned that racism still exist at its finest. I was totally disrespected tonight and will NEVER visit this establishment again. You can’t talk and treat people a certain way and when they react cry wolf. Plenty of different races visit this establishment and i hope that no one else has to undergo the type of treatment i received tonight!!!!!!! This is very unfortunate!

Dill Y

Rude inconsiderate take yourself over to sidetrack or roscue way better Also looking at both of the others I mention if they have a negative review they will see the comments and will ask and try to improve and make their customers happy this place won’t even consider it!

Alexavius Sorto

a great after hours bar to end the night. they are open usually 2 hours longer than the rest of the bars on the strip

Whit

Used to be fun but went recently , door staff isnt friendly or welcoming to all, Requires vaccination to enter.

ANTHONY VEGUILLA

Most LIT bar on the strip hands down <3

Nu Moon

Pretty fun place

Kalman Varga

Its either here or Berlin at the end of the night. Always beautiful men here though!

Agnes Baker

I went to Hydrate for a drag show and it was excellent. It wasn't my first drag show but it was my first one with a host that interacted with the crowd so much. Plus it was hilarious. I would go back for another show the next time I am in town.

Kyle Fennigan

I met some tall drink of water there, we had fun

Dillon Yannaki

#trash and rude Sidetrack and Roscues are better with amazing staff just enjoy your time there

Char-Li Ali

Only been here once and had a terrible experience. My friends and I all had to use the bathroom, so we went in together and within 2 minutes of being in there, people started banging on the door and yelling at us to get out, mind you all 4 of us had to go. Then security came and damn near kicked the door down and forced us out of the bathroom. Plus the music was wack and we had to pay $10 cover. Would not recommend.

MARIAN KHRUSHCH

Nothing interesting. The same like another place

Nathan Bambenek

Great drag show, however, they are not upfront about the $10 cover at the door, and, this venue feels very whitewashed and fatphobic. You walk into this club and there is absolutely no one that isn’t skinny and/or white. I hope they work on diversity and inclusion efforts.

Mervet Molinari

Don’t give them your money. The staff is unprofessional. The place is highly overrated

Katelyn Fairley

Music: not that good unless you're drunk tbh, it's suuuuper repetitive and not super hype Bar: drinks tasted good, overpriced though (and inconsistent, some people overcharged you if you looked drunk) We went in on a Friday night, entry fee was $5 Bring ID and a pic of your vaxcard Overall experience was nice though, they were open until 4AM when we went

Anyhiel Black

Great show!!

Tim Wells

A bar whose only main offering is a clear space for people to get wasted and dance on each other. Their remodeling wasn't much of a remodeling as it was a publicity stunt to get people to return. Poor service & mediocre facilities.... only plus side is a great sound system!

Terry Dodd

i know i shouldn't say this but it's been a long minute since i been here cause of life lmao. my late best friend andre brought me here either the same year or after it opened, after i came out the closet. like most people i was nervous and didn't know what to expect but glad i decided to give it a shot cause honey i had a blast!!!! the music was bumpin and people were friendly and the men were sexy friendly. i'll be makin my return very soon to my first gay home wit welcomin arms since i'm a local celeb in boysotwn and chicago

Andrew Kauffman

The Drag Show was fabulous. Great vibe, dancers and entertainment. the Bottle shots of Jameson were a definite plus too. Everyone that worked there was great, nice and very accommodating. I would definitely go back. The only reason for minus one star is for the DJ after the drag show. The vibe and momentum was totally lost... however... we went down the street to Roscoe's and couldn't walk, breathe, let alone get a drink or to the bathroom. We went back to Hydrate for room to dance and drinks.

Will Milligan

Can't tell a real ID from a fake. Is dead until 2, then they charge a cash only cover

elliot velez

Great drinks, the staff is super nice, and the music is super good. :D

Frederick Hyland

This is a great late night place. The music is always pumping and the drinks are flowing. My friends and I always enjoy ourselves

Gary Ryckewaert

Went here sunday 9-11-16 around 5 before meeting up with friends and man is it awful. No door person checking ID's, so any yahoo off the street strolls in. Most everyone in the bar was disgustingly drunk and the bartenders kept serving them. The floors were all wet from the drunks spilling their drinks, customers were acting like college kids, lifting eachother up, screaming, bumping into people. There was one guy that was so drunk he couldn't get his drink to his mouth and it ended up on the floor. I mean he literally did not have the coordination to get the glass to his mouth because he was so drunk. He should have been cut off a long time ago. And yet, he stumbles up to the bar and orders 5 more drinks and the bartender serves him. So yet again he is stumbling around trying to get his drink to his mouth but just spilling it all over people in the bar. Several people walked in the bar, walked around and turned right back around with a disgusted look on their face. There was another guy who was also extremely intoxicated, but he was also snorting coke on one of the rails.......nice. A few minutes later he is up at the bar to order drinks and starts bleeding from his nose all over the bar. The bartender said something to the effect of Ew, clean that up.....and then serves him 4 more drinks. I know it was a sunday but this place was an absolute mess. You don't overserve people like they do, it's not right and not in the best interest of the bar. "IF" I ever go in there again and it is like that I am going to call the cops because with the way they overserve people, someone is going to die from alcohol poisoning, or kill themselves or someone else if (god forbid) they get behind the wheel of a car. The last thing I want to mention is that despite all the people who were over served, there were quite a few people in there ordering nothing.....just hanging out and or dancing because no one is controlling the door. Those were seats that could have been producing revenue but did not. Does anyone actually manage this bar?

princeavg

Great place to have a great time

Nataly Alatriste

Absolutely love coming here, great atmosphere, drinks are always on point! Great music! I recommend it you won't be disappointed!

Juanita Cornell

Love the environment and shows ????????

Daisy Perez

NOT OPEN. PLACE IS TRASH

Damian Vill

My first night at this Club visiting from out of town. go go dancers were Hot, club was Hot, the music was same beat throughout the night or may be i wasnt drunk enough to get into the beat but drinks were not at all good not the long island, not the tequila sunrise and not the screw driver, definitely got screwed on the drinks.

Joe Lovelady

Do not! Go here! Spend your money somewhere else. Owners are the absolute worst. Staff is awful and rude. Place is filthy. Your better off going somewhere else. Don't waste your time.

Britney Johnson

Hydrate or die-drate! A Chicago must-see