Strip Club Reports

[Jc2490]

As promised in my review of Carl's, here's my report on Louie's. Like Carl's, I've visited Louie's about three to four times in the past month or so.

When did Louie's get the dancers back? This report describes the place from about 2 years ago.

[Chicagorfp]

As promised in my review of Carl's, here's my report on Louie's. Like Carl's, I've visited Louie's about three to four times in the past month or so. They're located on the east end of a small building that includes a Mexican restaurant called Rodeo; the club address is 4601 West Lake Street in Melrose Park, which is on the north side of Lake Street, also known as US Route 20. Note that if you're coming from the west via the I-290 expressway, there's presently construction on Lake Street that requires you to use North Avenue (IL Route 64) eastbound and follow a detour.

Parking is decent during the day, but can get tight at night. In addition to the lot directly in front of Louie's, there's two other lots to the east and west of the building where club parking is permitted. There's no driver's license scan nor cover charge--no matter the day of the week or the time of the day. Louie's does have security on the weekend nights, which is great because they keep an eye on the lots and on folks coming into the club.

Inside, the club is divided into an east space and a west space. The bar proper takes up the east side of the east space; it can seat about 20 people. There are additional seating areas in the northwest corner of the east space and a pool table in the southwest corner of said space. The west space is where the dances happen: there are tables and perimeter counters with bar stools. There are also two low couches but the dancers said they could only use those if no perimeter spaces are free. Everything here is out in the open, with regular, non-topless dances at $10 per song. Some dancers offer topless for $20 per song, which is akin to the pricing one finds at All Star in McCook (which I've reported upon in the past). Other dancers do occasionally flash a boob even on the regular dances. Note that they are no longer wearing lingerie, but sexy street clothes, which I find pretty neat.

In addition, there is a back room off of the east room that's available for better privacy: the cost is $60, with $20 going to the house and $40 going to the dancer. Some dancers measure the time period by counting three songs, while others set a 10-minute timer on their phones. Alas, the seating for the patron is a lone barstool that's rather awkward, but not much can be done about that.

The dancers at Louie's were an even mix of AA, Latina, and white of varying builds and dance skills. The day shift is much more relaxed than the night shift. Among my favorite dancers are Ari (white, exudes amazing sensuality); Bosi (AA spinner, very sweet, very skilled); Liz (petite Latina with good lap dance skills); Lola (petite Latina with a soft yet firm body, if you know what I mean); MacKenzie (white or Latina--pretty legs and body); Star (petite AA spinner who's really fun); Tonya (well-endowed Latina who's kind and extremely talented). There were some dancers who were nice but I didn't connect with them and felt my experiences were average (Ashley, Didi, Rosie). The bar staff are really cool!

I'd scans? No.

Pros: Not far from Carl's, mostly laidback atmosphere, especially days; no cover ever; jukebox tunes (no DJ to cut songs); private area available.

Cons: Some dancers only provided an average performance; sitting on bar stools is very awkward; can get fairly crowded on a weekend night, including parking.

Louie's still rocks with the best value in Chicagoland in my view, though others may disagree. Please keep the info coming my brothers. Be safe!

I undeleted this post, cops do not use this forum for information, before you posted it they knew there were strippers working there.

A2

[Chicagorfp]

Hey everyone! Sorry I've not had much of a chance to post. My personal life got fairly busy these past three months or so (home projects, vacation) and I couldn't easily break away to visit my favorite haunts until recently. Even then, my trips are limited in terms of time and are unpredictable in terms of schedule.

First up is Carl's Bar, which I've visited about three to four times in the past month or so. They're located on the south end of a strip mall at 1735 Mannheim Road in Stone Park, which is on the east side of Mannheim Road. Each time I went there was an available spot in the parking lot, though I also noticed free spaces on the street itself. On weekdays there's no driver's license scans and no cover; on weekend there's both a driver's license scan and a $10 cover.

Inside, the bar is on the south side of the main space, on the right as you enter and taking up the full length of the room. Most of the floor area is occupied by four pool tables which were in constant use during my visits. There's an upstairs area that was closed off. Dances take place in a secluded area towards the back of the space: there are barstools and tables along with smoked plexiglas about head-high. Dances are $20 per song, with tunes coming from a jukebox (so no cut songs). There is no back room or other private space for dances: everything is in the open once you've entered the secluded area.

The dancers at Carl's were mainly white and Latina, with one petite AA dancer, a MILF called Francine, who's pretty fun. Also of interest was someone named Nuvia, a thick Latina in her 30's with D cups who was very sensual during our time together--I would repeat! Average dances were had from Sarina (white) and Melanie (Latina) --they had good attitudes. Another person who had a great personality was Missiesta (unsure of the spelling) who is a tall buxom Latina that had just started at Carl's.

DL scans? Yes, on weekends.

Pros: Not far from Louie's, decent parking situation, laidback atmosphere, especially during the week; no cover on weekdays; jukebox tunes (no DJ to cut songs).

Cons: No private area with accompanying options; dancer roster seemed a bit limited; some dancers only provided an average performance; sitting on bar stools for dances is very awkward.

I'll report on Louie's in a separate post. Please, brothers, keep the information flowing!

[StanleyStankas]

Not trying to be a jerk, but that's sort of been the entire topic of discussion on this thread since Melrose put a ban on dancers around 8-10 months ago. Not going to rehash the entire situation but it's all here in the thread. Start back in November post #956.

Looks like the guys here are on top of things so the only new thing I had was the sports bar sign I just saw in front of what was j's. Thanks to all for the updates. Sorry for my rambling.

[StanleyStankas]

So I recently drove by J's while out running an errand. Seems to be a lot of work going on. Some contractors vans, lots of paint buckets etc. By the dumpsters. Even resurfaced the parking lot. Rumors is that it's about to re-open under new management with no dancers or any type of entertainment. It looks to be going the way side like playpen did. Nothing else to report.

If it's been already reported, fellas. As most know I am up and down heim on a regular basis. Confirmed as well that j's is long gone forever and it has a sign now that says sport's bar something on the way. I also cruise by louie's on my way to and from the flea and it appears to be open, however do not know what is happening inside. Imo- that murder in front of j's killed it forever. Once the po po reviewed the surveillance videos which was rumored to have happened here and confirmed in the news, that was their ticket to be gone! It was announced publicly that there was a back room where questionable things happened the local politicos had to move to change or amend ordinances. I am not that knowledgeable at all on any of this so just really reporting what I just saw last Friday coming back from the flea. I do know that the pen did turn into a mexican food place. So even though parts of the strip are still very sketchy I. E. Those stop and flop kitchenette places as well as those day rate joints on the east side of heim, fashion show places or since I am so old refer to them as bikini bars that era seems over. I also saw some strange activity in front of one of those day rate places and sure enough no sooner did I turn my head dart's boys were straddling the center and turning into the place within seconds. So I think it's been confirmed that j's is / was in a unincorporated sliver of cook darts boys are involved and once that video was known and released publicly they must have put pressure on the areas to change ordinances allowing dancing to no dancing just all imo. Thanks to mayor and others that have more first hand knowledge. Peace and stay safe men. Stosh.

[Mayor Quimby]

Wow J's got totally nuked and I just started going there during the pandemic because of the lack of nightlife elsewhere. I feel like it could've all been avoided but they got too comfortable.

So I recently drove by J's while out running an errand. Seems to be a lot of work going on. Some contractors vans, lots of paint buckets etc. By the dumpsters. Even resurfaced the parking lot. Rumors is that it's about to re-open under new management with no dancers or any type of entertainment. It looks to be going the way side like playpen did. Nothing else to report.

[FitnessBuff200]

So, I have been holding off on commenting here until I heard from one of the people I trust to get back to me with the straight story. As things stand now, there has been no reversal on the dancer ban for Melrose Park. None of the bars we consider the lingerie / bikini bars are allowed to have dancers by ordinance. The question has come up regarding why the Gentlemens clubs can & it has to do with the entertainment license. That license comes along with requirements like security, capacity etc. That doesn't mean bars won't stop trying to figure a way around the ordinances. That's how the lingerie bars started. They called it a Fashion show, used an outside company to run it & sold raffle tickets instead of charging for a dance. All ways of stepping around the rules. If you may recall, since the dancer ban, Louies tried bringing the girls back a few different ways. They were just customers (that happened to dance for other customers), as massage girls etc. Each time they did that they received a slap on the wrist. The last time it happened, the bartender & the girls all received hefty tickets / fines (500-750 each). So that's what keeps them at bay to answer that question. Please note, this is all confirmed information.

As far as lost business goes, the ones that are hurting are the bars & that does absolutely suck. I have been going to these places for a few decades & I hate to see this happening. The rest of Melrose isn't likely to feel it. Keep in mind how big Melrose Park actually is. Consider things like car dealerships, grocery stores, home centers, etc. , the village isn't going to feel the pain of losing tax revenue from 3 bars. Costco & Menards alone completely dwarf anything that came in from these places. The occasional tank of gas or drive through meal any of us got isn't a make or break for any of those businesses (it's not like it's the only place I ever got these things). Stone park is a different story. It's tiny compared to Melrose. I don't know if there's a gas station, grocery store or any major business in that small town. They definitely can use that money & that's most likely the reason they reversed the ban on Carls.

I have not been in to Louie's lately & have not asked anyone if they are aware of any changes there. I may go in & see for myself & see but I've sort of steered away from that whole area in the past few months. I've been asked if I have any affiliation to these bars or any other entity & the answer is no. I just happen to know a few business owners in the area (not bars or clubs or anything related to this scene) & they keep up on what's going on with things & really seem to know the right people for credible fact based info.

The status of J's & Playpen has come up. Playpen is completely no more. The building is home to a Mexican seafood restaurant now called La Ancla. The only snapper you're likely to get there will be on a plate with a side of rice. As far as J's goes, it's my understanding is they were permanently stripped of all licenses & permits to operate & will not be allowed to reopen. What happens to the building is yet to be determined.

Wow J's got totally nuked and I just started going there during the pandemic because of the lack of nightlife elsewhere. I feel like it could've all been avoided but they got too comfortable.

[SouthSideRed]

Not trying to be a jerk, but that's sort of been the entire topic of discussion on this thread since Melrose put a ban on dancers around 8-10 months ago. Not going to rehash the entire situation but it's all here in the thread. Start back in November post #956.

Any word if and when they are going to allow dances again?

[Mayor Quimby]

What happened to Louies? That was the SPOT the dances for $10 and the grimy backroom.

Not trying to be a jerk, but that's sort of been the entire topic of discussion on this thread since Melrose put a ban on dancers around 8-10 months ago. Not going to rehash the entire situation but it's all here in the thread. Start back in November post #956.

[ChiGuy489]

On an earlier June weekend, I managed to spend time at Carl's at night, for as Visconti5683 aptly notes, they are the only action in Melrose Park / Stone Park in terms of lingerie bars. Had good times with Foxy (petite AA MILF), Jasmine (thick, white), and Maddie (or Maddy) (mixed or Latina, med build).

I didn't sync so much with Anna, an extremely sexy Latina spinner, but who never once turned to face me during the dance--it was all booty and not sensual, nor would I repeat with Emily, a thick AA with huge breasts--she was my type body-wise, but was extremely quiet--she said nothing beyond her name to me; even though I tried to engage in conversation with her, she just offered me a thin smile that didn't look genuine. Maybe she was having a bad night? Also had a dance with Ruby, who was very athletic--too much bouncing to the point that I was in pain--and no grinding / not sensual. She was also a high pressure seller, which was a turn off.

Did I mention that I miss the old Louie's?

What happened to Louies? That was the SPOT the dances for $10 and the grimy backroom.

[SouthSideRed]

So, I have been holding off on commenting here until I heard from one of the people I trust to get back to me with the straight story. As things stand now, there has been no reversal on the dancer ban for Melrose Park. None of the bars we consider the lingerie / bikini bars are allowed to have dancers by ordinance. The question has come up regarding why the Gentlemens clubs can & it has to do with the entertainment license. That license comes along with requirements like security, capacity etc. That doesn't mean bars won't stop trying to figure a way around the ordinances. That's how the lingerie bars started. They called it a Fashion show, used an outside company to run it & sold raffle tickets instead of charging for a dance. All ways of stepping around the rules. If you may recall, since the dancer ban, Louies tried bringing the girls back a few different ways. They were just customers (that happened to dance for other customers), as massage girls etc. Each time they did that they received a slap on the wrist. The last time it happened, the bartender & the girls all received hefty tickets / fines (500-750 each). So that's what keeps them at bay to answer that question. Please note, this is all confirmed information.

As far as lost business goes, the ones that are hurting are the bars & that does absolutely suck. I have been going to these places for a few decades & I hate to see this happening. The rest of Melrose isn't likely to feel it. Keep in mind how big Melrose Park actually is. Consider things like car dealerships, grocery stores, home centers, etc. , the village isn't going to feel the pain of losing tax revenue from 3 bars. Costco & Menards alone completely dwarf anything that came in from these places. The occasional tank of gas or drive through meal any of us got isn't a make or break for any of those businesses (it's not like it's the only place I ever got these things). Stone park is a different story. It's tiny compared to Melrose. I don't know if there's a gas station, grocery store or any major business in that small town. They definitely can use that money & that's most likely the reason they reversed the ban on Carls.

I agree that the bars are just a small tax generator for Melrose Park. But I look at it for the trickle down effect. Since I don't live any where near the area, so going there is trip for me. So when I'm in the area, I usually put gas in the car, have lunch, and then hit some stores. I know the city could care less for people like the bar patrons and getting rid of the bars would make the city happy.

[StanleyStankas]

So, I have been holding off on commenting here until I heard from one of the people I trust to get back to me with the straight story. As things stand now, there has been no reversal on the dancer ban for Melrose Park. None of the bars we consider the lingerie / bikini bars are allowed to have dancers by ordinance. The question has come up regarding why the Gentlemens clubs can & it has to do with the entertainment license. That license comes along with requirements like security, capacity etc. That doesn't mean bars won't stop trying to figure a way around the ordinances. That's how the lingerie bars started. They called it a Fashion show, used an outside company to run it & sold raffle tickets instead of charging for a dance. All ways of stepping around the rules. If you may recall, since the dancer ban, Louies tried bringing the girls back a few different ways. They were just customers (that happened to dance for other customers), as massage girls etc. Each time they did that they received a slap on the wrist. The last time it happened, the bartender & the girls all received hefty tickets / fines (500-750 each). So that's what keeps them at bay to answer that question. Please note, this is all confirmed information.

As far as lost business goes, the ones that are hurting are the bars & that does absolutely suck. I have been going to these places for a few decades & I hate to see this happening. The rest of Melrose isn't likely to feel it. Keep in mind how big Melrose Park actually is. Consider things like car dealerships, grocery stores, home centers, etc. , the village isn't going to feel the pain of losing tax revenue from 3 bars. Costco & Menards alone completely dwarf anything that came in from these places. The occasional tank of gas or drive through meal any of us got isn't a make or break for any of those businesses (it's not like it's the only place I ever got these things). Stone park is a different story. It's tiny compared to Melrose. I don't know if there's a gas station, grocery store or any major business in that small town. They definitely can use that money & that's most likely the reason they reversed the ban on Carls.

I have not been in to Louie's lately & have not asked anyone if they are aware of any changes there. I may go in & see for myself & see but I've sort of steered away from that whole area in the past few months. I've been asked if I have any affiliation to these bars or any other entity & the answer is no. I just happen to know a few business owners in the area (not bars or clubs or anything related to this scene) & they keep up on what's going on with things & really seem to know the right people for credible fact based info.

The status of J's & Playpen has come up. Playpen is completely no more. The building is home to a Mexican seafood restaurant now called La Ancla. The only snapper you're likely to get there will be on a plate with a side of rice. As far as J's goes, it's my understanding is they were permanently stripped of all licenses & permits to operate & will not be allowed to reopen. What happens to the building is yet to be determined.

In my book you are our president! All of this makes sense as an observer and being up here for a few years now I get around the area all the time so I have been nodding my head in confirmation all of your appreciated intel. I was just going to post that pen was now a restaurant as well. Since the flea opened up down there and I have not been visiting the little self serve car wash near fullerton I take another way down and over to lake and heim. Looks like that with all of the negative publicity those little pockets are being exposed. J's I mean yea who really knows, however what was will never be again imo. Even that kitchenette flop house that burned several months ago is still in the same condition! Again you go up to rosemont and it looks like little vegas. You go east on north and melrose has an abundance of tax revenue from major retailers. Then you go down by lake in that little pocket west on lake at heim and north on heim through stone and yep it's just little places. Some of which have been there for years and years!! Thanks again, mayor! Stosh.

[Mayor Quimby]

You think the city would be happy to re-open the bars for dances again, just to get the tax income from the businesses. The few times I have been at the bars here, it has been a ghost town, maybe one or two guys having a beer. Can't make much tax income from that kind of business. But on a happy note, I have been saving a lot of money!

So, I have been holding off on commenting here until I heard from one of the people I trust to get back to me with the straight story. As things stand now, there has been no reversal on the dancer ban for Melrose Park. None of the bars we consider the lingerie / bikini bars are allowed to have dancers by ordinance. The question has come up regarding why the Gentlemens clubs can & it has to do with the entertainment license. That license comes along with requirements like security, capacity etc. That doesn't mean bars won't stop trying to figure a way around the ordinances. That's how the lingerie bars started. They called it a Fashion show, used an outside company to run it & sold raffle tickets instead of charging for a dance. All ways of stepping around the rules. If you may recall, since the dancer ban, Louies tried bringing the girls back a few different ways. They were just customers (that happened to dance for other customers), as massage girls etc. Each time they did that they received a slap on the wrist. The last time it happened, the bartender & the girls all received hefty tickets / fines (500-750 each). So that's what keeps them at bay to answer that question. Please note, this is all confirmed information.

As far as lost business goes, the ones that are hurting are the bars & that does absolutely suck. I have been going to these places for a few decades & I hate to see this happening. The rest of Melrose isn't likely to feel it. Keep in mind how big Melrose Park actually is. Consider things like car dealerships, grocery stores, home centers, etc. , the village isn't going to feel the pain of losing tax revenue from 3 bars. Costco & Menards alone completely dwarf anything that came in from these places. The occasional tank of gas or drive through meal any of us got isn't a make or break for any of those businesses (it's not like it's the only place I ever got these things). Stone park is a different story. It's tiny compared to Melrose. I don't know if there's a gas station, grocery store or any major business in that small town. They definitely can use that money & that's most likely the reason they reversed the ban on Carls.

I have not been in to Louie's lately & have not asked anyone if they are aware of any changes there. I may go in & see for myself & see but I've sort of steered away from that whole area in the past few months. I've been asked if I have any affiliation to these bars or any other entity & the answer is no. I just happen to know a few business owners in the area (not bars or clubs or anything related to this scene) & they keep up on what's going on with things & really seem to know the right people for credible fact based info.

The status of J's & Playpen has come up. Playpen is completely no more. The building is home to a Mexican seafood restaurant now called La Ancla. The only snapper you're likely to get there will be on a plate with a side of rice. As far as J's goes, it's my understanding is they were permanently stripped of all licenses & permits to operate & will not be allowed to reopen. What happens to the building is yet to be determined.

[SouthSideRed]

Mr. South side. However one of the guys that is an over seer I like to call them in melrose does security for the flea. What I didn't know and this all happened right around the time of the shooting and murder at j's (read down in melrose here) as some of the guys actually know the girls, there was also a killing that wound up as a car chase through the city and out in this area to near that real strip club at lake and mannheim. There's a couple of places right there to the east of heim on the north side of lake. These private clubs and really I don't know what they have other than the obvious one that has been there for years. So that said there were two immediate murders and then I am sure when covid hit it was all over. I doubt darts boys are going to allow j's to ever come back as it was as surveillance tape was confiscated and then this all hit the media so the politicos are just not going to allow this on their watch. I mean that entire area up and down heim from say after the hill which under is addison so say south of belmont all the way until lake. Those notels, the day rate places, kitchenette rooming houses, slot joint and shot and a beer joints and of course those biikini bars we used to call them it's been shady for 60 years and no one has made any changes. It's really a depressed area. Not dangerous really as there are some decent homes and communities on both sides. So it's a wait and see imo.

You think the city would be happy to re-open the bars for dances again, just to get the tax income from the businesses. The few times I have been at the bars here, it has been a ghost town, maybe one or two guys having a beer. Can't make much tax income from that kind of business. But on a happy note, I have been saving a lot of money!

[StanleyStankas]

Thanks for the updates on what's going on with the bars in the area. I was just wondering what is keeping them at bay (covid, shooting, etc) and how long it is going to last. I work in the area every now and then, and enjoy a beer and dance after work.

Mr. South side. However one of the guys that is an over seer I like to call them in melrose does security for the flea. What I didn't know and this all happened right around the time of the shooting and murder at j's (read down in melrose here) as some of the guys actually know the girls, there was also a killing that wound up as a car chase through the city and out in this area to near that real strip club at lake and mannheim. There's a couple of places right there to the east of heim on the north side of lake. These private clubs and really I don't know what they have other than the obvious one that has been there for years. So that said there were two immediate murders and then I am sure when covid hit it was all over. I doubt darts boys are going to allow j's to ever come back as it was as surveillance tape was confiscated and then this all hit the media so the politicos are just not going to allow this on their watch. I mean that entire area up and down heim from say after the hill which under is addison so say south of belmont all the way until lake. Those notels, the day rate places, kitchenette rooming houses, slot joint and shot and a beer joints and of course those biikini bars we used to call them it's been shady for 60 years and no one has made any changes. It's really a depressed area. Not dangerous really as there are some decent homes and communities on both sides. So it's a wait and see imo.