Velvet Rope: User Reviews

I'm new to the area, and a friend suggested this place. What a relaxed atmosphere!! When I walked in I felt like I was home. The staff was nice. Drinks were amazing. I thought they were a little pricey, but boy they don't skimp on the alcohol. The crowd is mixed, which is fine. There aren't many clubs in the suburbs where both gay and lesbian are welcome. I've been searching for a fun hip place to hang out and I found it! Music is good too.

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If you are looking for a place to go and have a relaxing time this is the place. If you are looking a diverse mature atmosphere then this is where you should be on Friday nights. Velvet Rope has a wonderful atmosphere, the staff is great and the drinks are wonderful. The menu was different for me but it was exactly as advertised. We celebrated my partners 44th, birthday at this facility in the VIP lounge one Friday night and all 8 of us had a BALL. My hats goes off to the owners (or at least I believe she is) she immediately took us on tour of the place and asked if we wanted to sit upstairs. The color scheme was soft as were the sofas. Absolutely a great time. I'm thinking of having my book club meeting there soon.

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The service is quick and courteous.
I loved the mini burgers and cosmos.
A nice place to meet new friends.
Once you visit it will become your new hangout.

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This is a neat little lounge bar in the middle of downtown Oak Park. The owner is really enthusiastic about the business and personally greets each person that comes in. Drink prices are more comparable to Chicago ($9 for a martini), but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. No twinkies or nazifems (yet) invade the place so it is a nice place to relax with some friends and have a drink.

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My 2 friends and I went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It is a fabulous place and here are the reasons: 1) Staff are very friendly including the owner, 2.) Great music (when they move tables, it gives people room to dance), 3.) Fabulous martinis (try the chocolate martini), 4.) Awesome food (try the brie w/ the walnuts, honey & strawberries), 5.) close to home with plenty of parking on the street and 6.) Its clean (I could live in the bathroom cause it smells so nice). I reccommend this place for a night out on the town or just for a quick drink.

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This place is fabulous! Finally a gay place that is classy but yet fun. Love the staff. Love their martinis! Another Velvetpolitan please! :) It's my new naughty pleasure.

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You people that are negative towards Velvet Rope needs to RELAX!!! I LOVE THIS PLACE and the STAFF! Especially Carol the owner. She is one of the few owners of a establishment that actually takes time to get to know as many of her customers as possible. It's a new establishment give them a break! As many times that I've been there. I never experienced anything bad. Reading the comment below... Lady??? I highly believe that they didn't offer you other vodka! Ha! Stop being petty! Keep up the great job Velvet Rope! Thank you for finally giving us a place to enjoy our food and drinks openly.

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Horrible service and stupid business decisions. Really unfortunate because I wanted this place to be good. At one point it took 20 minutes to get a martini. It was 7 pm and wasn't busy - bartender/mgr was eating behind the bar. Grey Goose was the special, they ran out after making me one. How at 7 pm on Friday do you run out of the special? They didn't offer anything else. It's was a disappointment, but with the great interior I'm hoping service improves.

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Friends,

I just thought I would give you my own little personal review of visiting one of the new local gay bars, here in Oak Park,IL! The Velvet Rope, located at 728 Lake St. (Oak Park Ave & Lake St-in the former Abbey rest.) in Oak Park,IL.

My roomate and friend Chris went with me this past Saturday night for something different. I doubled checked the dress code of course, before just showing up in a sleevless shirt and shorts, and sandles( there is no dress code). The first thing I noticed besides the beautiful woodwork, and high class look, were the black velvet curtains surrounding each doorway, and front window booths, with of course, the velvet rope ties! Awesome, cause they actually coordinated the name with the actual atmosphere of it.

The next and most important thing was getting out drinks! We decided on the Blackberry Martini's, which by the way are out of this world awesome! I'll tell you though, after three of those, I was glad we walked and had not driven! Those babies were delicious, however, they have many other flavors and drinks besides those!

Food was of course on the menu, which actually serves until midnight during the week, and 1am on Friday and Saturday! They have an all natural wood bar, and awesome seating throughout the bar. We actually got to be in a window booth, which of course my friend said I just loved the attention (I didn't say that wasn't true)!

Here is part of what there add says, just to give you an idea of there menu, which for bar food, is quite nice, different, and of course gay! :

(A menu of shareable small plates includes grilled mini-filet mignon sandwiches with blue-cheese sauce, Thai lettuce wraps and grilled foccacia with goat cheese-roasted tomato fondue. Flatbread pizzas come topped with barbecue chicken and gouda, or more traditional ingredients such as tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. Order yourself a martini -- or Velvetini, as they're called here -- in flavors such as blackberry, key lime or pomegranate. )

Ok, and here's one of my favorite things, they have a V.I.P room on the second floor, which includes couches, chairs etc. This room can be rented out for private parties, etc in advance of course. We are seriously considering renting this out for our upcoming birthdays!

The staff is unbelievably nice, friendly, and very professional. The crowd is a mix between gay men, lesbians, drag queens, and a few metrosexual couples! It's not more of one or the other! I completely loved it. They do have a DJ on the weekends, as well as, stand up comedy drag queens, live music, and special guests performances. I did inquire with the owner "Carol" if there was going to be male strippers in the future (yes, I was trying to plug some business for myself and friends) but due to the Oak Park regulations, they cannot have strippers when food is being served, but heh, I totally understand! That's why I strip at Hideaway in Forest Park!

Anyway, for something different, this is not a huge dance club, but more of a relaxed, upper class feel type of bar. So, to try out something new (by the way the average martini cost $9.00- but trust me, its so worth it) that has great service, awesome drinks, and a great atmosphere, go check out The Velvet Rope, trust me, you will enjoy yourself!

Have a great week!

XOXOXO,

Ray Daniels

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Wonderful to have a relaxing but beautifully appointed restaurant/bar in Oak Park area. Servers and owner are extremely friendly, service if very friendly and prompt. Food is interesting and very good.

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