Medusa

This being my first experience going to a nightclub, might I say it will probably be the worst as well. Within five minutes of entering, I was sure I wanted to leave. I must not have been the only one, because it seems anyone that walked in did a quick look over at the crowd, or well, a lack of one, and they turned right back around and left. There were no more than four people on the dance floor at any given time. For a venue only open once a week, you’d think it would have more buisness.
You begin by getting your ID checked at the door, which despite some people’s reviews, I believe was thorough, maybe because there was no one in line. The staff was friendly, although the coat check woman made note of it to mention it was her birthday each time we encountered her. I wonder how many times a year they pull that stunt. Anyway, don’t get your hopes up about the interior just yet, if you’re not quite 21 years old, you’ll be directed up another flight of stairs to a large room that I would say closely resembles a dungeon, which is questionably not intentional in the design scheme. The only positive thing I have to say about it is the music and lights.
Serious waste of time and money. I almost didn’t join my friends on this outing because of the reviews I saw. Take my advice and don’t make that same mistake.
If you are 21 and up, there are a plethora of better places to be.

I think overall it’s a pretty decent venue that has a lot of potential. If security could step it up just a tad and let people in the door faster, we would definitely have a great night club. The drinks are good, the DJ’s are usually good; now mind you this is when we do come to a specific show not just on a random saturday.
Located in elgin right in downtown. easy to get to from the western suburbs and chicago about a 30 to 40 minute drive. but at the cost of the tickets and some of the acts they bring in its fairly worth it.

If you’re in high school, this is the place for you if you’re looking for a «club» scene. I went in high school a few times and it was fun! However, after going to college and going to 21+ clubs in the city, Medusa is definitely a letdown.
I went recently with my friends (who are 20, which is why we went to an underage place). I hadn’t been there in a while so I still had memories and expectations that I had from high school. When we got there, it was much different than we remembered.
We laughed at the try-​hard, scantily clad high schoolers. Girls nearly stripped down to their underwear and guys with over-​gelled hair lurking and hovering around said girls made up most of the crowd. It was kind of ridiculous seeing underage kids acting as sexually as possible in an awkward way. But, that’s basically high school in a nutshell, just with music and strobe lights added.
Honestly I’d have more fun in a smelly frat house basement than going to medusa again but if you’re in high school I think it’ll be a fun time. The music is good, the staff is okay. If you’re in college or older, I wouldn’t go. It’s fun as a club for underage kids but after that it’s not really good for much.

Shit hole. Mostly dead, no one is ever there. But if it is busy, they can’t handle it. Or don’t care to. But it’s Elgin. So where else is there to go? Save your money. Bring a flash. Braindead staff to busy to check!

At one time it was a decently fun place with slick theming, despite the overpriced drinks and staff who treat everyone like they’re criminals (which I guess is necessary to try to deter actual criminals). But it was only a matter of time before they really started going downhill: they moved toward blasting trance/​EDM «music» constantly, while at the same time becoming patronized more and more by douches and douchettes, with frequent visits by Elgin’s finest. Not to mention, they appeared to have just given up on cleaning their restrooms. Last time I was there, some guy told me the place had really gone downhill since he had last been there 6 years earlier — no doubt he was spot on.

I went to Medusa a few weeks back and have been there a handful of other times before. Every time I have gone even on the weekend… a Saturday at prime dance-​bar time about midnight or later the 21+ area is NEVER full of people. I think the dance floor has as many as 5 people max on it at any given moment through out the night. I love to dance when I go out and sometimes I am THAT girl just dancing with a total random other «that» girl and making my own fun. But it is one of the only places that plays good EDM beats so is it worth it? Basically when you drink you don’t really care anyway if you are dancing on an empty floor as long as your date or friends are there having fun with you.
Nice place to party but lack of people. Decent bar, usually no drama but it connected to an underage no drinking club so its possible. If you like to dance to EDM, come here… if not find another bar.

We entered this place at 3 am, an hour before closing. We were not asked for cover, we were checked and let in. The place still had some decent crowd and we got probably 4 rounds of drinks amongst 6 of us. Spent about $ 250 overall for the group, which kinda puts about $ 10 – 12 a drink. In downtown Chicago, I guess this is Ok, but in the Suburbs, I think they were overpriced. The music and lights were pretty good, DJ was pretty good. We had an awesome time. The staff I guess were a little moody, because she was irritated one time but other time she was nice. (Guess, the end of a long night).

Pat downs at the door and nobody even in the club on a friday night… about 6 – 8 patrons… Whattt? it was around 1 am… Don’t know whats going on but I won’t haul out an hour and some to go back. Nice interior pretty cool but no customers…

Went this past weekend with a few friends of mine, don’t plan on going back. They would only play a handful of decent music then just stick a bunch of fillers in for the remaining night. I think it’s stupid they wont let the guys get up on the stage and dance, oh well company policy i guess. Oh and lets not forget that this place was a total sausage place too. There’s about 9 girls all dancing around/​on the stage surrounded by 22+ guys. I guess you cant win it all.

Place is a joke of a club, might as well visit the other nightlife establishments in Elgin or go to the Cadillac Ranch. Over priced drinks and mandatory coat check-​in with a fee. This business will try to nickel and dime you. I won’t be returning here in the future.

If you’re going for the Halloween costume contest — DON’T DO IT!!!
They lured us in with the promise of $ 1500 in cash and prizes a couple years ago and they never actually held the contest. We kept asking the staff when it was going to happen and no one had any idea what we were talking about. I think they may be scamming people to get more people in the door.
In any case, the bar was lame and it wasn’t worth our time. I’d suggest going somewhere else.

There’s three main floors dancers can use which are the first floor (21+), the second (main) and third (balcony). I never went into the first floor but the other two were fair game.
As I first lay my steps into the second floor I was welcomed into a dark room that was only illuminated by the colorful lights. The music was loud as a club should have it and the patrons were dancing along quite well. Along the walls, on various spots were seats where you can take a break.
Other than that there were two «bars» that sold water and other non alcoholic beverages. Be aware, the drinks are overpriced. The third floor contained an empty bar, a balcony with bar chairs you can sit on and the men’s bathroom.
The place doesn’t look well kept as it once was in my opinion. It looks to have been a good spot back in the day but since then it seems to be standing on it’s last feet. It could be so much better but there seems to be something missing and I can’t quite put a finger on it.
Nonetheless, my friends and I had a fun night dancing to the music. In the end, it’s what you make of it.

I suppose this just really isn’t my scene so I can’t be bothered to give it a better rating. It seems pretty typical for what it is. Multi-​level building, with one floor specifically for 21+ and another for 17+ (why a 21 year old would choose to come here beats me; however, don’t forget your ID). 21 level has a bar, while the 17 level has a «bar» where you can get redbull and other non-​alcoholic drinks.
Music is a hit or a miss, sometimes good, sometimes eh, very loud. They do pretty well with the lights. There is sufficient seating if you get tired, and thankfully (choking on my sarcasm) always near a raised stage of some sort to watch high schoolers in bras and panties dancing on them. Seriously, some of the people there I’m wondering about their curfew and if their parents will be there to pick them up at midnight, while others look like they should be at the bar next door (*shiver).
Club attire is expected, which apparently in many cases means put on your PINK undergarments and grab some fluffy boots while the guys dress like Jersey Shore thugs. I loved seeing scantily-​clad, shocked girls running from creepy guys as if genuinely surprised at their actions.
As I mentioned before, there are stages to dance on, and though people say it is girls only (and on occasion it is), guys can get up their too (trust me, I know, my boyfriend was up there bouncing his booty with his friend). If you’re worried about your dancing skills, don’t worry! just about no one there can dance (except those Latina girls, they know how to move their hips, seriously).
Price: $ 20 a person (CASH, ATM is available). However, if you go to the Medusa website and print their flyer you can get in for half-​off before 11:30. Also they have some sort of birthday special where if you reserve you get in for free and all your friends you put on your list get in for half off (or so they say). They also have themed nights occasionally. A perk is there is free garage parking right across the street and since the club doesn’t open until late, you’ll find parking no problem.
Bathrooms: guys bathroom is on the balcony floor above the dance floor and I don’t much about it (clearly) but the girls bathroom… I admit I’d never been more confused going into a bathroom. It is on the same floor as the dance floor, you go in through some curtains and through another set of curtains and walk into a room that looks a bit more like a brothel changing room than a bathroom; however, it seemed clean.
On that note however, if you want to dance and are under 21, go for it. Though it isn’t my scene because I don’t prefer the perverse view of young people, I’m not saying it isn’t a place where one can’t have a good time, I still had fun. Get there by 11:53 latest though, because that seems to be the time when the male shirts come off (lawlz) if you want a good chuckle ;)

Awesome, has 21+ section too. It’s also 17+ so no minors. It’s really fun.

Mandatory coat check and won’t give me a cup of tap water with my tiny $ 6 drink? No thanks. Too bad, the place is great looking and the music was great too.

I go for the monthly darkwave event. It’s nice, clean, drinks are decent. Staff is friendly. Dance floor smooth, atmosphere is nice. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it’s in Elgin. So for city folk without a vehicular device it can be a hassle to get out to. Thankfully I know people who go to the same event who give me rides. I had to drive a friend’s car back once and I started freaking out when the road went into tree mode and I was surrounded by nature, I was waiting for a figure with a hatchet to step out of the brush but thankfully that didn’t happen. I was able to find civilization again and find my way back to the busy city with it’s lights, concrete and people.

I was there last night, but wasn’t able to finish my review. Half of this was written in the club. This is the worst club in the world. I had to jump through hoops to get actually into the place. I felt like I was in jail full of ugly high schoolers. I would never recommend this place to anyone. They frisked me more times then needed. They treated me like I wasn’t a person and made me sign up for something I did not wanna sign up for. My friends wanted to go outside to smoke and take a breather from the annoying atmosphere, but were told that they couldn’t. My reaction was «Will we ever get out of this place?». When we finally left we were chilling outside and we were saying bye to friends when the bouncers called us retarded… IF YOU GO HERE BE PREPARED TO HAVE A HORRIBLE TIME. #neveragain #doesntdeserveonestar

I’ve been here multiple times and for the most part it’s just was is expected of a club. The fun thing about Medusa’s is that the first floor is just a set of stairs that leads to the second floor, which is where the 21+ section is (alcoholic beverages here.) then more stairs to the third floor, which is where the dance floor is, an a small flight to a fourth floor balcony-​type area.
Music isn’t the greatest, but it’s decent enough and sometimes good. Pretty dark, very loud, VERY loud music.
Theme nights are cool. Only girls are allowed to dance on stages.
My main complaint is that A) there are fools who get so drunk/​drugged up that they stumble around and their friends have to help them stand. B) There is ALWAYS a surplus of guys compared to girls there, and they generally tend to mill about the edges of the dance floor.
AWESOME light lasers and all that!

My preconceived notions about this place weren’t too promising. First of all, it was in Elgin. How many good things can you possibly say about Elgin? I can’t think of anyone who’s voluntarily been to Elgin. They’ve either had jury duty or had fallen asleep on the MD-​W and missed their stop in Franklin Park. Even the exit to get off I90 to State St. in Elgin is camouflaged as if it’s trying to warn you to stay away like a Victor Salva horror movie. What I’m trying to say here is Elgin sucks.
The reason I came to Medusa was a monthly Industrial night called «Darkwave» so this review is going to be based on that. Darkwave is no cover if you have the flyer. I forgot my flyer, but I figured since I didn’t have to pay for parking in the garage, it would be an even trade. But the bouncer took one look at me and saw me in my childish Industrial getup and just let me in without paying. I guess the flyer isn’t necessary if you know about the event beforehand.
The atmosphere of this place can best be described as.. . airporty. Fair enough, they’re going for the executive lounge part of the airport look, but it still feels like a goddamn airport. Not that it’s a bad idea. Airports are cool, and every club has to have its theme, right? Like Bourbon Street attempts a «Mardi Gras» feel and V Live has a «you’ll probably get date raped so for the love of God hold on to your drink» feel. It’s also very clean, and that goes for the bathrooms too. And since I’m used to watching out for cracked and missing tiles at Neo, dancing on their smooth dance floor was a luxury.
What really sold me on this place was the staff. When you think of nightclub staff, you typically imagine smug and unhappy men who would rather microwave their own genitals than spend all night watching you have fun, and use their ability to kick you out as irresponsibly as an eight year old who’s discovered a hidden super power to turn broccoli into Happy Meals. But the Medusa staff are just the opposite. They’re extremely friendly. They want to know your name, if you’re having a good time your first night there, and if you plan on coming back. At one point a friend and I were looking at this one room that was blocked by a velvet rope. We were just talking to ourselves wondering if that was the VIP section. The bouncer at the doorway told us that it wasn’t and ENCOURAGED us to walk in. This was a big deal for me because, except at the bank, I’ve never been on both sides of a velvet rope before. And keep in mind, he said this to two guys dressed in all black wearing combat boots and gas masks. I’m starting to think that if you really wanted to, you could reenact the scene in Goodfellas where Henry Hill walks into the Copacabana from the back.
Ultimately it was a great night. I was a bit disappointed that there was no beer on tap and had to drink soda all night, but honestly, having to drive thirty miles back to the city at 4am on Saturday morning, maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve never been happier to drive out to Elgin in my life.