Bordel — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Not what I expected. So as our last night in the US, we decided to book this place as I have a huge love for speakeasy, burlesque and lounges; having been to more than my fair share. Awesome location and as you go up the stairs and through the door, the place is so dark and moody- really brilliant. We were instantly served and taken to a table all the way at the back in a different room. Provided with menus for food and cocktails and given a few moments. Suddenly we were a little confused as we booked the table over a month ago for the show (advertised starting at 10pm online). The seemed surprised we were staying for the show and I asked if there was any way we could see the stage or sit closer. Our server was brilliant and said she could see what she could do. We were then moved right next to the stage. Thank you for that but considering we wrote it in the notes on the booking, I'm not sure why this seating arrangement happened. We confused staff then as another waitress came over and introduced herself. I told her we had already been served by a colleague (not realising they were in grouped tables).

The cocktails were brilliant and the old fashioned went down a treat. The food menu was tapas and since I don't eat pork or seafood their was only 4 dishes on the menu I could eat. I know traditional tapas focuses heavily around these two food groups but I've been for meals in Spain and within the UK where there was a broader selection of food possibilities. We ordered bread and cheese and grilled chicken. Food was brilliant.

As a show that's advertised as a night of fetish, dancing etc. we were excited for it to start. We'd been told it would begin at 10. 30 (not the time advertised online). Eventually at 10.45 the first dancer performed for 4 minutes. Fabulous dancing by her. I was under the impression a show would continue but no, the next dancer came on at 11.21 for another 5 minutes. 40 minutes between performances!?!!!! This is not an evening of 'fetish, fantasy and glamour'. This should be described as a cocktail bar with the occasional short performance. We decided to leave after that it was cold in the bar (be warned it's chilly) and the performance was lacking.

Lastly paying and getting out was a nightmare. Moving tables seem to cause a lot of issues with retrieving the bill and after 10 minutes we were finally handed a check. I'd already asked to pay in cash (wanted to use it being the last night). I was told the card had already been run so it wouldn't be possible. I left disappointed that our last night here was not amazing at all. Not a great evening in...

This is definitely NOT worth the time or money. We went on a Friday night from out of town because of the reviews and burlesque. It ended up being flamenco night so there was no burlesque. Perhaps if their website was complete, this would have been obvious. On a Friday night I’d rather see burlesque instead of Flamenco with a less than mediocre “DJ”. This was complete false advertising on the show- which you have to pay $10 per person for.

The vibe was a little off-setting. The lights were too dim to see the menu- even with a tea light. There was incense burning that smelled of mold, velvet couches, dust, and spilled candle wax on the trays.

The food is very limited- I am vegetarian and they had 3 options, one of which is a 2-person minimum and none of my friends are vegetarian. I ordered a flatbread which was only mushrooms and zucchini on bread topped with shaker-bottle Parmesan for $29. The serving sizes were very small and my friends found the only scallops they ever disliked.

They did not have a wine list. When you scan the QR code they give you, it brings up the wrong cocktail list and menus so they had to guide us through their poorly designed website AFTER we already wasted time looking at the wrong menu (there is a time-limit to stay so that was annoying).

I had to use the restroom so I tried to ask the hostess where to go. There were three people at the hostess stand and they would not even look at me as I asked and they said the bathroom was busy. I tried to ask if there was another one and was ignored by all of them. My host walked by and I was able to ask her (Kassandra) and she was very kind and told me there was another restroom and apologized for the rude hostess. When I left the restroom I told the hostess that it was rude how she ignored me and called her out on it. She said “excuse me?” And I repeated myself and she proceeded to talk to her colleagues about it as I was one table away. Also, the restroom is RIGHT behind the hostess stand so there is no way to...

I love Spain, the countryside, the culture, the food, the people, specifically the South of Spain (Andalucia where the Flamenco hails from). I plan to retire there. Combining my love for good food, food drink and good music it was a no brainer to come check out Black Bull and Bordel.

It has the makings of a world class bar. Hidden speakeasyness for exclusivity, they don’t carry the ultra high end and rare stuff that only draws barrel hunters, the view is amazing.

It also has a letdown of being more European. Besides the Flamenco performances, carry coffee and wine, nothing really made me feel like I was in Spain.

“Burlesque” is the word I would describe the whole place. Lots of red, lots of velvet. Come for the Jazz Wednesdays instead of the Flamenco Saturdays. The rugs felt Moroccan the lighting Parisian (like the drink presentations)

The Tea’s did nothing for me, my friends and I split the Boston and I drank and Frederick by myself on a Wednesday. No Calimoxo which would be like an Argentinian Bar not carrying Fernet con coca (though I get the nature of not carrying coke, so I understand what era you’re going for). Drink menu was on the sweet side. Very loud, dark, almost so dark you can’t see how nice the décor is. Surprised the Prescription Saz didn’t have herbsaint or absinthe. Rules of the Game and Cat’s Meow were my favorites. I did like how the Porrons have a very South American more Latin Vibe. Made me water for some Costa Rican Guaro. I was hesitant to try the Brazilian Buck, but seeing as they had Cachaca I had to go with a Caipirinha. Not bad they had the proper ice for it. They really preferred the snowball and crushed styles to clear cocktail ice, which I shrugged at.

Staff is great from the doorman to the bartenders and servers who I got the feeling really wanted to interact more, but music kept conversations shouted and short. I’ll definitely come back to Black Bull for the food and maybe for 1 drink (nightcap) for the view, but I can get better drinks and...