Exit

EXIT looks intimidating to lots of people. The bar is a goth/metal/punk/S&M/God knows what I'm missing bar. But, if you are into that crowd, EXIT is up your alley. However, even if you are not into that scene, EXIT is still a fun place to go once in a while. Thursdays are particularly interesting as on the second floor you can watch some professional dominatrixs give people some pleasure and pain, or pay them to perform their devious fun on you... People are generally very nice, you run into your occasional scene-ster who thinks he is too cool for life, but jerks can be found at any bar in the world, so I won't hold it against EXIT. The atmosphere is so perfectly grimy. Seeing beat up motorcycles, gas masks and black walls, it feels like the bar belongs in the Mad Max universe or something. I give it the 5 star treatment. Pros: Nice bartenders, good drinks, crazy in the best way possible Cons: No food, but not a big con at all. more

The Last Friday of Every Month! May 29, 2009 10:00pm & 1:00am SHOWS Exit Chicago 1315 W North Av, Chicago IL 60642 Cover Charge: FREE! People always say “You get what you pay for.” We respectfully submit that you get a whole lot MORE than what you pay for when you come to the premiere FREE burlesque show in Chicago – “BROADZILLA!” Check out all the stuff you get for NO COVER! - TWO burlesque sets in one night! Come early for our 10:00 show and stay late for our 1:00am show - TWO sassy hosts: Vaudezilla’s very own Red Hot Annie and Wham Bam Pam keep the shows fast, funny, and ferocious with the help of the prettiest pickup girls in town, the Vaudezilla Vixens! - SWAG BAGS! That’s right. You get free stuff! Magnets, pens, candy, tee-shirts, and all kinds of fun stuff from Vaudezilla and sponsor PBR. - Plus performances by the most appealing peelers in Chicago: May 2009's Performers Include: Violet Vogue The Flaming Dames Siren Jinx Backdoor Aly Bizarre Sally Apple Venus Coo d'Twat Miss Teddy Bare MsPixy Viva La Muerte Jolie Roberson Petite Moll Vaudezilla's Red Hot Annie Vaudezilla's Donna Touch Vaudezilla's Wham Bam Pam Vaudezilla's Maria May I Dolls of Doom S.I.R. and so many more! Pros: free burlesque shows! more

OK....I hadn't been to The Exit in a good 8 years. I was just there on Saturday Feb. 17th 2007. What a difference. Apparently the city of Chicago re-zoned the area into what is basically classified as a "no dance club zone". So I digress.....there is really no longer dancing at The Exit. The music was also turned down MUCH lower than I remember on my previous visits. Tables and chairs were placed on what I remember to be the dance floor area. The music downstairs (jukebox) was also very low volume. The drinks are ridiculously overpriced, but that didn't stop me from dropping a good $150.00 on them with my wife. Anyhow, I give it a 7 or so. I do however want to really emphasize the change is not The Exit's fault. You have the typical politicians and city officials to thank for that. Pros: Music,Service Cons: Drink prices,Dancing not happening more

This place is a great place to dress however you like and not be afraid of sticking out like a sore thumb!! Great DJ music, different themes every night - $5 cover after 9? on weekends. The crowd seems generally cool. The only con is the drinks can get expensive and they are made really weak! though they do have drink specials on the weekdays, such as $2 black-and-blue beers...enjoy! ;) Pros: unique, diverse, after hours Cons: can get expensive more

I used to hang at the "ORIGINAL EXIT " on Wells St / North Ave back in latter 70s & 80s and this Exit now lives up to the Original name ..if your a PUNK or a ROCKER this still is your home RIP O'Banions - & La Mare Pros: music, music, chicks Cons: parking more

I Love the exit. The first bar I went to in the city that understands cool punk vibe crosstones of metal and industrial atmosphere is so cool I had my band Diamond Rexx record a a rock video there. If you want to spend a night in the coolest diviest rock and roll atmosphere the city has to offer the exit is the bar 4 U dont dress up. dress out there. lipstick leather and bring your laid back additude and hang with some cool cats and dolls. Its Like Partying in a Video/Movie But its realitytrendy for Rockers not the izod more

If you are looking for the alternative scene, Exit is the best bar in Chicago. Downstairs always plays punk rock and some heavy metal. Great music that, even though is loud, still creates an athmosphere that is good to hang out with friends and meet other people. Upstairs is the dance floor and the music they play will depend on the night. It ranges from Industrial Goth, Heavy Metal, Punk... The music is super loud and it is hard to talk unless you go to the very small room in front of the back bar. The athmosphere upstairs is however, the best! It is the most fun place and the people are very approachable and friendly. more

My girlfriend and I came up for the Das Ich show at The Bottom Lounge, which was cancelled. Later that night after driving around the city for a few hours we came across Exit. We stopped in because it looked like "our" kind of place (there's nowhere like it here in this crap-hole we call Cincy). But, I digress. We sat at the bar there on the bottom level taking in the sounds until we found out that it was Bondage Night. We headed up stairs into the best Industrial spinning bar I've ever been to. All the greats were playing, Ministry, KMFDM, NIN, TKK. My girl was rather bummed out when she heard that the DAS ICH show was cancelled. But once we came upon Exit it livened her up GREATLY! Thanks for a wonderful vacation Exit and to ALL Chicago. See you in October! JUSTIN & LORL Pros: GREAT MUSIC, GREAT STAFF, GREAT PEOPLE Cons: No RedBull for Vodka more

Exit has a reputation for being scary, where all manner of kinky stuff goes on. To me, Exit is like being home where music is hard and people dress like freaks. Downstairs, the bar is usually whipped into shape by Mistress Donna. In back, stairs lead up to the dancefloor. Bars at either end host Chicagos friendliest industrial bartenders - Christy, Carolyn and Kristin. Downstairs is like a local pub. However, these locals are tattooed, pierced and spiked. Music is loud Punk or Metal and cheezy porn plays over the bar. Dancefloor open Thursday Sunday where the less agile line the fence watching people dance to thumping industrial. Weekends can get packed, especially when the trixie bus arrives after 2. Depending on the night, Jeff Moyer, Joe Garza or Pascal spin. All informed on the latest industrial. Sundays, Moyer spins a variety of newwave, goth, synthpop and industrial. Mintie Pros: music, friends, music Cons: trixies who gawk, trixies making fun, trixies can't dance more

It's been more than a year since I've been to Exit. But what I do remember is that I loved the music, atmosphere, and the staff. I've never been to a bar that the staff was so courtious. Today is my birthday and I'm planning on making an appearence there this Saturday. Hopefully with a big group. Pros: lots of room, music, staff Cons: i'm a southsider more