As pole dancing becomes more popular, local clubs are adding dance poles to their venues.

There probably aren't any nightclubs out there that put in a dance pole for the "fitness" aspect of pole dancing, however it seems that some venues put up a pole with the sole interest of seeing some women wiggle and gyrate around it so they can say they had fun "pole dancing" or to entertain the men who are watching. At some of these locations, safety may not have been considered when the pole was installed or they may not realize what kind of pole tricks some dancers can do, requiring a sturdy pole or one with safe space around the pole.

Of course, there are those of us who are excited to learn that local venues now have poles and we can do something other than go to class or dance on our home pole in the living room. Eventually, many of us want to get out and try a spin on the pole in a club. So...where can we go?

We've compiled a list of local clubs and bars that have dance poles and have submitted our reviews on the locations we've visited as a resource for your next night out.

Anyone who knows of other venues or has their own reviews, please email me at MaryEllyn@ETEDance.com

Ratings: based on a combination of attributes including the diameter of the pole, the material the pole is made from, the dance space around the pole, general construction/stability, as well as the atmosphere of the venue. Ratings are only provided for venues which ETED has visited.

0-3   : Unsafe, poor quality, undesirable pole location, multiple negative aspects
4-7   : Acceptable quality, some aspects could be improved
8-10 : Great venue for pole dancing with little to no concerns for pole dancers.

Please note: our ratings are only in relation to the dance pole and pole dancing at this venue.
These ratings in no way reflect any other aspect of the venue, it's services, food or it's atmosphere.

Chicago Venues:

Betty's Blue Star Lounge
http://www.bettysbluestarlounge.com/
1600 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
312-243-8778

We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club. 

Buzz The Club: 7 's
http://www.buzztheclub.com/
308 West Erie
Chicago, IL 60610
312-475-9800
Visited December, 2007

Two poles, both on small podiums/stages.
2 inch diameter stainless steel.
Approximately 9 feet high

On the Saturday night we visited, the club was moderately crowded at 12 am, music quite loud and the flashing lights occasionally glare into your eyes. There is one dancer who works at the club who is paid to dance on the pole. The other was open to patrons
The podiums are rather small in diameter and cramped in behind the bar on one and next to a post on the others.

Cabaret
http://www.cabaretchicago.com/
15 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 245-3100

Appears to have one 2 inch stainless steel finished pole on a platform
Club hired dancers are usually present but patrons get to use poles too.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club. 

Club 38
http://www.partyatclub38.com/
243 West Roosevelt Road
West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: (630) 231-6000

Has one "Stage" pole with what appears to be a stainless steel finish.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club. 

Coyote Ugly: 6 's
http://www.coyoteuglysaloon.com/chicago/
316 West Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312-642-2400
Visited December, 2007

One Pole
2 inch diameter, galvanized steel
Mounted onto a free standing podium/stage
Approximately 11 feet high

We wandered into CU out of curiosity and didn't expect to find a dance pole as they do not advertise that they have one but they do. We didn't even notice it at first until a couple of ladies started dancing on it. It's a crude finished piece of pipe, smooth but not polished. Appears strongly mounted.

Exit Chicago
www.ExitChicago.com
1315 West North Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60622
773-395-2700

Information provided by Exit:
One pole, stainless finish, 15 feet high located on the dance floor - not on a platform.
We have not yet visited this venue.

Finn McCools
(The Loft)
www.finnmccoolschicago.com
15 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 337-4349

Information from the internet:
This Irish sports bar has two dance poles located in the upper level section called "The Loft" which is a separate section above tyhe main area of the bar. Cameras project shadow dancing to the bar below.

We have not yet visited this venue.
 

Five Star Bar
http://www.fivestarbar.com/
1424 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
312 850 2555

Information provide by Five Star Bar:
One 2 inch chrome pole, approximately 7 feet high.
Situated on a 3'x3' platform/podium in a "secluded" area of the bar that is open to all guests..
This is a spinning pole though it can be put on static mode upon request.
We have not yet visited this venue.

Funk Bar: 3 's
http://www.chicagofunk.com/
5 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312-951-9001
Visited December, 2007

Two 1.5 inch diameter poles, galvanized steel
Approximately 8 feet high

Mounted either end of the small stage along the back of the dance floor, these poles are very  narrow, and made of crude pipe, unfinished but smooth. They are close to the back corners and edges of the stage with narrow dance space and each has a large fan (portable) situated closely behind it. Not often used on the night we visited.

Hogs & Honeys: 3 's
http://www.hogsandhoneys.com/
1551 N.Sheffield
Chicago, IL 60622
312-397-1277
Visited July, 2006

One 1.5-1.75 inch diameter galvanized steel pole with black powder coated finish.

One pole situated at the far end of the bar - on top of the bar. Limited dance space around the base of the pole and the pole is wobbly, somewhat flexible.

Mannequin Nightclub
http://mannequinchicago.com/
306 North Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
312-850-0065

3 free-standing stage poles, situated side by side. 2 inch diameter stainless poles, not secured at top to ceilings.
Stages approximately 4'x4'. Pole approximately 7 feet high.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

McDuffy's Chicago
www.McDuffysChicago.com
3300 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
773-779-3033

One pole, located on top of bar. 2 inch diameter, stainless pole. Dancers are not allowed to climb the pole.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

The Original Mother's
http://www.rushanddivision.com/mothers.html
26 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 642-7251

Reported dance pole on premises - no information yet available about type of pole.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Plan B Bar & Kitchen
http://www.planb-chicago.com/
1635 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (773) 252-2680

Info provided by Plan B:
Two poles on 4'x4' platforms - raw steel - regular diameter
The pole is there for any who want to use it and to show what you got
We have not yet visited this venue.

Rockstar Dogs 4 's
http://www.rockstar-dogs.com/
801 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (312) 421-2364

Grab a hot dog and swing on the dance pole! 

Approximate 9 foot ceilings, 2 inch stainless pole mounted to floor and ceiling. Slightly loose at top but felt secure. Unfortunately it's a novelty as the pole is located only about 18 inches from the one wall...with narrow space on the other sides as well. Can still do some good poses though! See photo here

(we gave this place a 4 even though the pole itself rated a 3 as it's just too unique to pass up a pole trick in a hot dog joint...not exactly a place to pole dance but just to flip up on the pole)

Rockwell Lounge
http://www.rockwellchicago.com/
710 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 787-2675

Two dance poles situated on top of the bars.
Apparently this lounge has it's own dancers and offers an "open pole" night for customers.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Ruby Nightclub
http://www.rubynightclub.com/
151 West Ohio Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
312-832-1436

One dance pole, appears to be brass and situated on platform/stage.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Shenanigans House Of Beer
16 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60686
(312) 642-2344

Reported dance pole on premises - no information yet available about type of pole.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Studio 31
5147 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60632-4761
(773) 284-8913

Reported dance pole on premises - no information yet available about type of pole.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Transit Nightclub: 8 's
http://www.transitnightclubchicago.com/
1431 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60607
312-491-8600
Visited December, 2007

Two 2 inch diameter poles, stainless steel
Approximately 12 feet high

These poles are also situated on raised podiums about 4x5 feet in diameter. While they are worn a bit from customer use (some scratches) they are securely mounted and in reasonably good shape.  The only disadvantage is that the club has mounted huge speakers for their sound system so that they are about 2 feet away from the upper part of the poles, about 9 feet up on one side of each pole. So if you're going to climb or invert, you have to watch out that they aren't in your way.

Xavier's Players Club
4456 South Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60609-3023
(773) 376-1992

Appears to be a 2 inch stainless pole on top of a platform or stage.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Joliet Venues:
 

Sammy's Bar and Grill
http://www.samysbarandgrill.com/
3151 Voyager Lane
Joliet, IL 60431
Tel: 815.439.9330

Website reports having dance poles.
We have not yet visited this venue. We are awaiting updated information from this club.

Lansing Venues:
 

Pick Ups Bar and Grill: 6 's
http://pickupsbarandgrill.com
21000 Torrence Avenue
Lansing, IL 60438
708-758-0424
Visited November 2007

One 2.25 inch diameter pole
Approximately 14 feet high

Secure galvanized steel pole located on large stage area has been painted about half way up to improve grip.

Other clubs which are reported to have a pole but not verified:

Vision Night Club
632 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
312-266-1944

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