Podlasie Club — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

I was really excited to try this spot but had never been before and not sure if it was my vibe or no. The techno artists were pretty obscure so I was really unsure for a $20 cash only cover. The door guy said “I guess you have to decide” I kind of figure that a solo person interested in trying out a place might get a break but there was no negotiation sadly to get my business. Smartbar is doing their obscure Format techno night tonight for $25 at the door and that is a slam dunk with well known and trusted artists and vibes. I want to support new/independent spots but please be real about how much ppl will reasonably spend if they aren’t sure they will like it :/ Also, another reviewer wrote that they had no cover and no cover was listed online so it was a bit shocking. 3 other ladies walked up the same time as I did and all 3 walked away as well after hearing the cover. It’s personally hard to get ladies to come out for techno as I also dj, and to have us feel shut out based on price is everything the techno movement is NOT. The original spirit of inclusion and people from all walks of life being welcome- well not all budgets are welcome at this...

I will never return here. I attended an event here last weekend when a known rapist showed up at the club. He is currently banned from multiple Chicago events as well as many in his home state of South Carolina. A friend and I spoke to the manager about this man and she said without proof and without him doing something at Podlasie specifically, they can not ban him. I offered to share screenshots of the victim explaining their experience and screenshots of the accounts of many others who know what he has done and have their own experiences with him. I also offered to put the manager in touch with the other event organizers who have banned him, and she was not interested. She said there was nothing she could do but the truth is she is in charge and it would be more accurate to say there was nothing she was willing to do. I will not hang out somewhere that isnt a safe space and has no dedication to making the effort to be one. It is very disheartening what dangerous men are able to get away with. I encourage those, especially women, who value their safety to stay away...

I went here with my Girlfriend on NYE and she said she felt very uncomfortable as the only Asian woman there. She drank too much because she was so anxious and then were asked to leave. I can understand being asked to leave in the scenario but what disturbed me was the manager who asked us to leave spoke exclusively to me and pretty much ignored my girlfriend. He never once asked her if she was ok or made any effort to ensure that I was actually her boyfriend. He just told me to get the girl out of there and go somewhere else. I would be very concerned as a woman attending this bar, they are more concerned with avoiding responsibility than creating a safe space...