Cuvee

Probably have a bias towards Cuvee because I’ve had some of my funnest nights in Chicago here. A reservation is the way to go, and staff are always super friendly. Music is good although wish the crowd wasn’t so house-​music obsessed. I like house but more variety would be nice. It does get dark in there and crowd can be off every now and then, but been here enough, know that if you have a good group, you’ll probably have fun. If you’re not in the mood though or just want a chill spot, this isn’t for you.
Pro-​tip: The party only really starts after 1:30 a.m. here.

No… it was my first nightlife experience in Chicago and it was dead for a Saturday night. The place is type small — the bottle service tables are not worth it, the space is tight, and they have all these policies (ie: I couldn’t order a cocktail to the table). Also nobody was dancing, and just a bunch of dudes standing around the bar.

This is my first, and hopefully last, bad review of any place. If you want to be treated with respect and have money to spend, do yourself a favor – spend it elsewhere. This place is for amateurs, and you get treated like one.

Honestly wish there was a lower rating! This place is disgusting. First of all, we had a table reserved for my friend’s birthday. We had a group of about 5 girls and my boyfriend. The so called ‘bouncers’ let all of these underage girls in for free, but when it got to my boyfriend they started shit. They wouldn’t let us in, even though we had a table for a party. Are you serious?
Then while waiting for my friends to talk to the manager, I literally saw them letting every chick in for free but charging every guy over $ 20. Just to pocket cash… It’s sad how these pathetic guys think they are tough and big shots cause they’re bouncers at a club. We ended up getting so pissed off that we just left. This ‘club’ is for trashy underage girls, and guys who don’t care. I would recommend going a few blocks over, to literally any other place in Chicago, then go back here.

My friends and I avoid this place like the plague. The venue is actually really beautiful and located close to where I live, but I just don’t have fun here. Because I’m a girl and only come here with other girls, I’ve never had a problem with service or doormen. This doesn’t seem to be the case for others that wrote reviews, however.
The location is a little strange. If you take a Lyft/​Über to the address that comes up on the app, it drops you off at the nearest corner and the entrance is in this weird alley not too far away. I think my main qualm with this place is that I don’t like the music or the table layout. You can’t stand on the couches.
The first time I came here was on Halloween, and they had everything decorated like a Carnival. It was actually really cute, and I even saw someone blow fire. I still didn’t really have fun though lol… so I don’t know. Would not recommend.

DO NOT DO BOTTLE SERVICE HERE. Was charged 1300 for two bottles. These guys never fixed the charge after I repeatedly communicated with them. I was told I was getting a bottle plus a champagne for 300. It was my birthday. They bring the receipt for 380 which I questioned why if we were told 300… «Ohhh tax and stuff» ok tipped 50. We were told we would get a discount on so we ordered a 650 bottle for 500… The second bill I get is for 1000 dollars, I said your crazy PLUS I had already payed for the first bottle. They come back 30 mins later with a 780 check and promised me that the first transaction was voided. BOLD FACED LIE. DO NOT DO BOTTLE SERVICE HERE. They WILL Rip you off.

Decided to head to Cuvee at 2am for New Years after party. First impression, why am I standing in a dingy alley to make a line for this place? Second impression, why are there so many desperate-​looking people in line? Finally, I thought it was interesting that one of the «bouncers» (a tall, slim, unattractive, white guy with an unkept beard) kept telling those in line, «are you going to take care of me?» So that they could get in. These kids in line would literally pull out $ 100 and give it to the bouncer. At that moment I laughed because I couldn’t believe how desperate the bouncer was for money. Does this place not pay him enough? I thought
they were a «classier» spot. It was a pretty pathetic looking scene, so I decided to take my friends to a nicer place instead.
Cuvee needs to work on their appearance. It may be a pretty venue inside, but the «face of the club» (it’s staff) are not easy on the eye and do not have a clue how to conduct themselves. I felt like I was in a 90s movie scene standing in the line of a ghetto club. I couldn’t take my friends to this place and give them a bad impression of Chicago night life.

This place was cool when it first opened but now it’s just another blah euro place where Russian hair dressers and thirsty Albanian truck drivers hang out. I used to go here a lot because my douche friends have hookups and it’s open late, but as it is always a case with a super trendy club that essentially has no character, the place can only go downhill, as it did.
Interestingly so I see everyone here had an experience with the callow doormen (with the exception of Josh). As much as I think those guys are bottom feeding tools at best, it kind of works both ways. I don’t mean to be rude but if you are so shallow that your night out just has to be at a place filled with contrived vanity to the point that it bends you out of shape then maybe you deserve to be curbed for an hour and then rejected. Get some character. There are plenty of solid parties in the city. And you shouldn’t be looking for a celebrity hangout type of place in Chicago anyway — this is not NY, not LA, not London, not Paris, not Dubai… it’s just some random phony joint behind a parking lot with metric tons of flashy trash inside.
Having said that, I feel genuinely bad for the people that were flat out scammed.

love this club! good place to drink and dance!
they don’t let to come in to everybody, and I love this, is really the best dress and face control (Joshua is the best there)
:)
me and my friend love this place…
we now that we can find us there on weekend!
thx guys

Worst Club Ever! We obviously got in and spend a LOT of money. Won’t be coming back due to lack of social decorum. Manager is arrogant, pompous and condescending. He has no concept of running a club and he will drown the business to the ground. BEWARE New Yorkers… This is nothing like 1OAK! He can proclaim exclusivity all he wants, but a «monkey dressed in silk, is still a monkey»

For everyone leaving these wack reviews… is it cause you can never get in this place?! I think this is by far my favorite place in Chi town. Great music, delicious drinks and great vibes from security to the bartenders. What an amazing night. Best Chi town experience yet!!!

Me and my friends went there right before midnight and the whole situation with getting in was crazy. One of the people who was at the door was with the worst attitude ever. Not only that he was rude but at least he should of dress better. A navy blue jacket combined with a cave man beard is a big no no in the world of fashion. WTF. Horrible service in any way. If the want business they should change their security guards, who should remember — they are just door men not the president’s security.

By far one of the worst club I’ve experienced.
The staff is nightmare of unprofessionalism.
Be careful to your cards, they often charge you «by mistake» the double of what you are suppose to pay. I’ve been there two times, and it happened two times. They steal your money, and that is pretty much it. Music sucks. Staff sucks. Netflix is far better on a Saturday night than going to Cuvee. I tried once, I hated it, I gave it another shot, still hated it.
So 100% of disappointment. Don’t waste your time going there.

Such a horrible experience !! Door staff act as if they are paid to act snooty n snobbish. Super pissed. We not coming back for a long time !!
We went to sound bar next door. Loved it!

I don’t understand the appeal of Cuvee.
I was lucky to get in late on a Saturday night when I was with a friend who worked at the Trump Hotel but I was even a little offended when a guy, who’s group had been let in but he wanted to smoke really quick, was denied entry and the bouncer would only let him in if he purchased a $ 1000 table. When the guy asked him what he got with the table the bouncer said he’d «throw in a bottle of Grey Goose» like he was doing the guy a favor. I’m sorry but when you can get a bottle of Goose and a table for a third of that price a few blocks away, that just doesn’t fly.
Once we got inside the place was packed. Literally packed to the brim. I could barely dance and instead had to settle with a subtle bounce to the music. I’m also not a fan of the layout. Having all the tables in the center with all the bars around each of the outside walls means anywhere that us lowly non-​VIP folk could’ve stood becomes routes for traffic to the bar.
Security inside is also very weird. I saw two guys who were beyond hammered, eyes rolling back in their head who could barely sit up. Instead of asking their coherent friends to leave, three security guards literally just hovered over them, watching their every more, almost daring them to leave. This went on for the two hours I was there.
I also feel INCREDIBLY bad for anyone that wants to smoke when they’re at Cuvee. Smokers are corralled into a tiny outdoor patio with gates all around it, literally treating people like cattle.
There are way better clubs downtown than Cuvee. With all the places closing over the years, I’m surprised they’ve still managed to stay open.

Oh boy, let me stretch a little first. I haven’t written a one-​star review in a quite a while.
This review will mainly focus on the doormen. I’ve been here once before and last night just confirmed my feelings from the first time… the doormen are incompetent.
First thing you’ll notice walking up is there is no line. And five doormen. Interesting staffing ratio. I think it leads to a three stooges type situation, where one doorman’s incompetence then gets amplified by another’s as you’ll see.
I was part of a birthday party that had prepaid a table for the night. In addition to the money, we were instructed to send a list of names as well. I walk up to Doorman #1 and tell him I’m on the list. He asks for my name and then asks me to pay the $ 20 cover. I tell him I already prepaid the cover and we sent in a list. For some reason, Doorman #2 comes over, who hasn’t checked the list, and tells me I’m not on the list. After repeatedly instructing him to show me the list, Doorman #3 brings it over and I point my name out on the list.
Doorman #1 starts creating an explanation, which I then tell him to stop. His tone was obnoxious as well. It’s simple. We prepaid. There’s a list of names. I have now just physically pointed my name out on the list. Let me talk to the manager.
While I’m waiting for the manager, Doorman #2 is getting hostile. Starts using expletives, «F**k you» and the like. I learn his name is Hank. I ask Hank if his language is always like that and ask him to repeat what he said with my hand cupped over my ear to hear better. He gets defensive. Tells me the block is his property and I need to leave before I get «checked.» Sure buddy, I’m fine thanks. I call management on my phone and stay put. Doorman #5 comes over for some reason and starts taunting that I’m not getting in. Totally cool bro, I’m really just here at this point to issue a complaint.
The manager comes out. Real short guy. I explain the situation: We prepaid. There’s a list of names. My name is on the list. Plus, your doormen have professionalism issues. He starts going into this long explanation about thirty men already coming in earlier and wants me to pay again. Great, his whole reason for the hassle is it’s a sausage fest in there. I’m here to wish a colleague happy birthday, thus I explain the situation again, and he realizes I’m not going to pay cover twice, especially after my earlier dissatisfaction with his staff. He walks off mumbling to himself. #useless
As I leave, I give the doorman feedback about their roles and how to respectfully work with patrons. Also, I ask Hank if he wants to repeat what he said earlier or if at least in the last five minute he’s learned how to do his job more professionally. He tells me he wants to go to church. Okay.
My friends at Cuvee ended up leaving soon after because the place is just not fun. Perhaps the attitude with the staff outside translates inside. We went to Rock and Roll McDonald’s, I had happy meal, and then we had a blast at Stout.
If I was a mean person, I’d say: «To the doormen, not surprised the entrance is in a parking lot alley… because that’s where you belong.» But I’m not. Instead I’ll leave a summary:
Unprofessional doormen who have trouble understanding how a list works, use expletives and physical threats towards patrons, and management that just really seems to not be interested in guest satisfaction. I think the staff is used to people tolerating their behavior to get in. With all the other good nightlife options in the city, it’s just not worth it to put up with poor attitudes for a low tier bar in terms of music, drinks, people, and just overall fun. Read the other reviews, hovering around two stars is no good.
I’ve personally let our organizer know to avoid Cuvee in the future. We brought in a large group of people, but that business is better served at a different establishment.
Oh yeah, Hank. I hope you made it to church. Seems like you were candid about that.

Once upon a time– a few years ago, actually…
I was a huge club-​head. I loved spending my weeknights and weekends with my girlfriends dressing up in tiny outfits with our big teased hair venturing Chicago’s nightlife scene. At the time, we had the «hook up» because of someone I dated, as well as my best friend’s next door neighbor who promoted. Nothing was better than drunk-​texting your friends and dancing until you couldn’t feel your feet!
We went everywhere– from Manor (it’s gone) to Underground to Lumen– to Y-​Bar– Rino (it’s gone, too) and Geisha house (no more!). However, the one elusive club at the time was Cuvee.
[Note: at the time, Cuvee had just opened and unless you were a model, athlete, lead singer– it was just a faraway thought. I know I know– it’s just a club but when you are in college– the exclusivity of getting in made you feel like hotshit for the week.] #slightlyvapid
Finally went to Cuvee over the weekend. Got in because it was a dear friend’s birthday and his friend knew someone at the door. We waited about 2 – 3 minutes and the «guards» let us in. All I remember was walking up the stairs and a doorman opening a door (Titanic-​style) to a different world. Dark lights, beautiful chandeliers and typical techno/​top40s mix music.
That awe lasted for a hot second followed by painful feet and a lack of chairs. The bathrooms were always full and the place was crowded. There were bouncers everywhere and the walls were kind of soft-that’s pretty much all I remember.
That and that our cab driver was from Siberia– which is kinda cool considering my group was mostly Russian!

For a couple years Cuvée was the absolute hotness in Chicago. One had to blow the who’s who of half river north to get in line outside and actually getting in this small club lounge required a black card, a recent leading role on the silver screen or an absolute act of God.
. It was not uncommon to see absolutely stunning girls waiting in line with little to no chance of getting in. And while I love anything that acts as a metaphorical slap in the face to some Naperville nine that thinks she’s entitled to bottle service and caviar served to her on a silver spoon on someone else’s dime, this place is just not that great.
Nowadays the place is equally pretentious but not nearly as swanky of sought after as it was a couple years ago.
I can’t say that any girl inside was worthy of going to war for – and yet if you’re a dude you still have to be willing to lose your life or at-​least two grand of your net worth to get inside. Or, like myself you have to be one hell of a bullshit artist/​operator with just the right amount of luck and name dropping arrogance delivery.
Once inside it’s really small with quite a few chandeliers. The security is laughably tight even once you get in – every 5 feet there’s a men in black reject watching your every move talking on his fisher price ear piece headset to his Buddy. As a larger guy in stature with a much greater propensity to draw scrutiny from bouncer because of a size-​height-​alpha dynamic, this annoyed the hell outta me and really threw me off my game.
Still a pretty fun place but time is better spent at underground /​Paris club.
I was successful in owning some face. :)

I love cuvée! I have no idea why it has bad reviews! Honestly…
Great space, service, drinks, scene
They are a late night place so prepare to have a long night!
I think this place would get better reviews if the ppl that went out in the city had better dispositions! If you’re cool, they’ll be cool to you. Golden rule.
Great dj, nice bouncers, strong drinks…
I’ve seen Black hawk players hanging out here… It’s a trendy late night spot.

WARNING: Racist management and racist staff.
Never been treated so despicably by any establishment actually. Kept at the door without a line, full blown lies about capacity as they ushered every non-​black person in and past us.
When we asked the bouncer with the porn ponytail (with the politest tone we could muster) if he thought it was ok that the only people they didn’t let in were five black students, he answered affirmatively. Actually said this was fine by him!
This was supposed to be a night of celebration (for well deserving Booth graduates) and this soured us for the better part of the night.
Small consolation was the fact that music was terrible, friends coming out said it was empty and a bust, and even patrons on the balcony (giving to a parking lot, nice) looked bored shitless… Like they would jump if the balcony they stood on wasn’t a mere metre off the ground.
The joke that is this place.
Nota bene.