Howl at the Moon Chicago

Address:	26 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Phone:	+1 312-863-7427
Site:	howlatthemoon.com
Rating:	4.2
Working:	6PM–2AM 6PM–2AM 6PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–3AM 7PM–2AM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Chris W

I attended Howl at the Moon - Chicago on February 20 and loved it. I was unsure what to expect due to the reviews I read and what I quickly learned is that the experience can be as great as one wants it to be. I was worried about the service as most reviews talk about the staff being rude and uncaring, they will provide the same level of respect as they are shown. I took the time to meet my server, (Roy) was respectful and in turn I had the best service I had my entire trip in Chicago. I did see staff being direct and forceful at times however that was only when they were dealing with a drunk and insubordinate customer. I would recommend reserving a table or rail in advance as it was WELL worth the investment. It was great to have a space dedicated to me that I knew would be there until I left. The music was amazing and the musicians did a fantastic job of keeping the audience engaged and happy. My reasons for the 4/5 stars is: 1) there wasnt any dueling of pianos, they simply took turns playing amazing songs. 2) as the night progressed the atmospheres changed from a piano bar to a night club, while the songs were still played on the piano they seemed to stop taking requests and just played a specific style repeatedly. 3) the beer selection is limited Overall a great experience and I will absolutely be back. Great job Roy and thanks for making our experience there amazing!

Angela Minielly

I was so extremely disappointed with my trip to Howl at the Moon Chicago location. I have been to the San Antonio location and the difference is unreal. The San Antonio location was so much more thought out with the layout, in the way that people actually had space on the dance floor to dance rather than too many tables packed right in front of the band. The Chicago location barely has any room for standing guests - which is just dumb if youre going to let patrons in without table reservations. I understand that management wants to offer customers tables, but have a separate location for them rather than directly on the dance floor. I went with a bachelorette party, there were 9 of us, and we stayed for maybe 30 minutes because we were so uncomfortable and had no where to stand/dance. We were also extremely disappointed with the band and thoroughly unimpressed compared to the band we saw in San Antonio. The music was drab and not entertaining. I wish I hadnt made all 9 of my girlfriends pay for the skip the line passes because it was just a waste of our money. Many of the people at tables even seemed uncomfortable and upset that they spent the money they did to get a table. If management was smart, they would move locations to host a better layout for those who want to dance and stand, and still be able to seat guests at tables.

Ron Roelfs

Paid $175 for the privilege of sitting down at a table. We made the great mistake of assuming a dualing piano bar would be at least a BIT upscale. We were greatly disappointed!!!!!! Its in an older building with ATROCIOUS restrooms! The womens restroom is up a flight of stairs. Two stalls for hundreds of people with a "worker" sitting on a chair playing video games with a bowl in front of her for "tips" for handing you a paper towel!!! REALLY??? Now for the music.....the musicians were very talented, I will say that!!!! Very talented! They did play a FEW....just a few...songs that were tasteful. Most of the songs had lewd, gross, disgusting lyrics that patrons would jump up to "dance" while humping each other all over the stage!!! REALLY????? Maybe this is what some people find entertaining, but what a waste of one of our few nights in Chicago!!!!!! To make matters worse....we actually took our guests to this place!!!!!! So embarrassed!!!!! DONT go here unless you like lewd language and displays of sexual "dances"!!!! Never again!

Robert Sikorski

Went here for a party that someone won so we didnt have to pay cover. In a party, they have some decent drink deals, but their appetizer bar is mediocre. The dueling piano set up, which is periodically supported by electric bass, electric guitar, drums, and sometimes other instruments, is pretty great though. The band is pretty talented and they will take a swing at nearly any genre. If they dont know a song well, they appear equipped with iPads on stage to look up chords, so I would guess that theyll take a stab at anything theyve at least heard before – we heard Billy Joel, Weezer, and Beyonce in rapid succession, for a example. It gets super crowded; very nearly standing room only by 7:30. The wait staff was friendly and reasonably quick for how crowded it was. We actually won another party in a drawing from this one and plan to go back again – its fun when there is no cover but Im not sure Id go there if I had to pay to get in just because of how crowded it gets.

Shawn E

Had the dumbest experience here tonight with the power tripping bouncers. My girlfriend told me she needed to use the bathroom so I went with her upstairs and waited on the window sill in the hallway leading up to the womens bathroom. All of a sudden a bouncer comes upstairs and starts freaking out saying, "Theres a guy up here." Following him is another bouncer saying you cant be up here. Alright, fair enough. I walk downstairs and they tell me I have to leave. Their reason being someone said I was "being creepy staring out of the window looking outside." I was calm the whole time and tried explaining that I was waiting for my girlfriend. Our entire group had to leave and go to another bar because of this. Of course it was after all of us paid our $10 covers and bought a drink each. This is my first time ever writing a negative review on the internet. I will never come back here again.

Juan Noguez

The music cool however their service howls more like "BOOOOOO"! I went there with family about a month ago and arrived before it got busy. There was a bachelor party of 10 I believe and just a few other people here and there. Went to the bar to get drinks and wasnt even acknowledged by the bartender. Not even a nod. After I got his attention I asked him if we can get some drinks. He proceeded to attend the Bachelor group again. So I was started waiving my credit card and cash. Nothing. FINALLY another bartender came in, I asked him for 3 drinks. Says yea, and immediately started attending other that had just walked up there. So after 15 mintues of waiting we got our drinks. Went to our table and got better service from the waitress that was servicing the 7 other tables then we got from the 2 bartenders. So, music is cool but their service sucks.

Tom G

Last night was an attempt to give the place a second chance. I figured Howl at the Moon would have been a great way to save a night gone bad. We didnt even get past the door... Standing Room Only (Posted at the door) and PACKED wall to wall! I assumed theres no food available. I have spent many GREAT evenings at the Orlando, FL Howl at the Moon (As well as others around the country)..... By far (Without Exaggeration) there is no comparison. Nothing of the up-scale atmosphere experienced at other locations, and club music as we walked in the door. I assume that they did as needed to save the place, but its a disgrace to the Howl at the Moon reputation..... The Chicago Howl at the Moon was nothing more than a packed club venue both times Ive tried to share the Howl at the Moon experience with a friend.