Jackhammer

There was no one upstairs.. they should move the dancing up there. I was there for an event in The Hole. It was so much fun though they said it was dress code enforced, I had the most leather on.

Love it here! Great employees! Always Super clean in there! They handle the creepy people and the over bearing guys immediately after being informed! Mix awesome drinks! And good price!

Went there 5/27 and the guy at the door said I was too drunk to come in because I was trying to get my ID out of my wallet and I guess it took too long. Don’t know what his problem was. I wasn’t stumbling or anything like that. Pretty sure it was my skin color. Stay away Black People!!

I’ve come to REALLY enjoy their PLAYLAND dance parties on Friday nights! A very fun and inclusive way to bring in a move diverse crowd where everyone of ALL gender identities, body types, colors, etc can come and have fun! Nictotha is such a delight and the best! The Wednesday Lip Service is pretty fun too! Tim always makes them lively and fun! While it does have its occasional issue with a problematic character, the good HEAVILY outweighs the bad and it’s definitely worth the recommendation!

Please don’t come here if you’re black. I felt so uncomfortable where no one spoke to me, not even the front area bartenders. The back area bartender was amazing. However The patrons are very much not into socializing outside of whatever they are comfortable with so please don’t waste your time and money here

A joke . This place is wildly mismanaged . Coat check takes eons. The dress code for the door seems wildly random and seemingly based on whatever the door guy is feeling at the moment. Don't waste your time here you'll be better off waiting in line at the supermarket on a Sunday night.

Despite claiming to be inclusionary, we were denied entry to the lower level. We read the rules and visited your website and facebook page before coming, to check the theme and for any events or rule changes. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. We've been here before the pandemic, and after, and are aware of the dress code policy. We brought friends from out of town, just to come to your bar, primarily to enjoy the lower level. There were four of us, two of which could have passed the code without undressing. We were going to use the coat check downstairs. There is no way to know what we had on under our winter clothes as it was below freezing outside. Also, underwear isn't a fetish? We were told it was the remodel that changed being able to let us in, which is not true, since we had no issues getting in previously. We were offered a coupon to go next-door and purchase gear. Like, what? So, we go ask them if they could explain what would get us in, and got a conflicting explanations (to the hole guard's, and their own) on why we couldn't enter your space, including "looking like a skinhead would get us in" and "getting in trouble with the city" and "because of covid" and "the policy is stupid" Like what?? If you are going to practice discrimination and try to gatekeep your own exclusive space, denying entry without an explanation that makes any sense, good luck with that business practice. Hopefully, others read this and don't waste their time trying to be "included". If you don't fit into their profile and look, you are not welcome here. (You're welcome for this feedback): Also, we had a small sling fanny pack and there was no mention of searching it or checking it as we entered until we were enjoying ourselves upstairs, only to be interrupted with the need to pay to check it? We were finishing our drinks and were heading downstairs(so we thought, only to be denied entry) where we planned to check the bag. Understand the need to search/check bags as everyone needs to be kept safe, but we made it all the way into your bar! What if we had something in the bag with bad intent? Figure that out. Hopefully, this review helps someone.

Some may disagree, but maybe the long wait was worth it. The improvements to this bar are pretty incredible. Feels like the old Jackhammer, but shiny and new. Some may miss the grime, but I sort of love the new vibe. The place was thriving and busy last night which made it fun and energetic and downstairs was a blast.

Karaoke at Jackhammer is probably the best in the city! The karaoke host makes sure that everybody in the room is supporting and applauding each other. People are actually listening to others singing even if they don't know who they are! The patrons at Jackhammer aren't your cookie cutter Karaoke bar patrons. Everyone is authentic unto themselves and it's great to see.

Hell to the yeah. Best damn leisure lounge I've ever encountered. Hot, sweaty goodness everywhere you can possibly look. Wish I lived across the street from the place

Definitely watering down their alcohol. How can a straight shot of Jack taste like water. It was just brown liquid. Wtf did they serve me. Terrible bar and it smelled terrible too.

Fun spot. I like the renovations and the staff are nice. Very inclusive. Their events are coming together as they experiment with what works post COVID.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED! Jackhammer is a about as far away from a world class nightclub as you could possibly get. Apparently all that remodeling didn't include an upgrade to their light show (what little exists) or soundsystem. The music is a bland mix of Top Forty mainstream (you could sit in your car and have about as much fun). Their top DJ, Marc "Moose" Moder (a known drug dealer & user in the community) is about as tired as his not so cleverly named events which always have a subpar attendence. The main clues as to what type of place this is: bottle service isn't offered, and the bartender seemed clueless when I asked for Cristal. Also, I didn't see a V.I.P. room so my assumption is they don't have one. If you're someone who desires a Saturday night out on a budget this place is for you. If you desire something classy, do yourself a favor and avoid the trash. SAVE YOUR TIME AND MONEY SUMMER ON FIRE ISLAND

Email to owner on 03-17/03/18 You will let someone get assaulted and then blame them for being upset. I told someone 5 times to stop touching me, I grabbed his hand 5 times and said stop. My partner and I reported it because YOU have a "consent sign". Your policy is to warn someone once. Even though i came into contact with this person after reporting this. YOU asked me to leave because I was upset and "belligerent" and could smell alcohol on our breath. YOU support getting assaulted and victim blaming. YOU told my partner to "come back during off hours to have a "serious conversation". We're talking about non consensual touching. Period. As someone who has been sexually assaulted before and to come to a place that I feel safe and accepted in and have that turned around on me is disgusting. You allow this kind of misconduct to happen and then have no follow through on your policies. You have nothing to offer that I want but at he very least you can reply to this and explain yourself, your business and your manager's actions because at this point, you are running a dangerous operation and if is nothing is done or said I will put all of this on social media.

I really can't reccommend anyone go here. I was visiting before I moved to Chicago and decided to come here. The upstairs is pretty. Pretty Empty. I watched the bartender wait on myself and a few other average looking guys, but completely ignore the group of bigger, older guys at the other end of the bar. They had gotten there before us. After paying a cover and checking my bag (which is required) I went downstairs to do some cruising. The night overall went well, apart from watching someone drop a pill in someone else's drink. I grabbed the drink and told the person not to drink it as I had seen someone drop a pill in it. They were incredibly thankful. I walked with them up to the bartender and when they asked for a new drink because theirs had been spiked, the bartender told him he was lying and that he wasn't scamming a free drink. I attested on his behalf but the bartender told me that it was not possible for him to be drugged, because he wasn't attractive enough. This bar staff needs to be completely liquidated and restaffed. I'd expect better from 2Bears.

Really love the renovations to this place. The down stairs area is really fun and well laid out. Since they just opened, they are still working out the clothes check/locker situation on Sundays. The bartender Jon did a great job improvising and provided cubbies for anybody who needed them . He kept the items safely at the bar under his watch. He's also a super friendly individual. There is no place like this bar in the country so it is a must see for the gay community.

Great space and love the new renovations. $5 cover started at 9pm which was cheap. Drinks were priced well and way cheaper than any boystown bar or club. A wonderful balance of old school with new school. Code enforced on Friday and Saturday which is great for persevering a space for the leather and rubber community. Seeing diversity including cis women in code was a great vibe. If you have a problem with the dress code on Fridays and Saturdays then hang out upstairs or go back Sunday through Thursday. You can also go next door to Leather64ten and buy a harness off the rack for like $30. So it is accessible to anyone who wants to check it out. I can't wait to go back with my boy.

I usually make stop here when in Chicago. This visit, it was closed down for renovations. Hopefully next time it'll be open.

Not a bar for black people. I was there and the bar tender was not cordial at all. There was no one at the door and I proceeded to the rest room and the bar tender asked me if I needed anything and I said no. They followed me to the rest room and broke down the door and said I needed to clinch it. I was a regular customer and was never approached that way. I do not recommend for anyone of color.

This place is wild. Wild, untamed and unashamed. It's also clean, with a well done interior. Filled with hot (albeit, gay) men. There's a lot for a straight girl to look at here as well. As long as you're not with a screamy, annoying bachelorette party - which, I was not. No one is happy to see the idiot Trixies in places like this. The bartenders are charming and adorable. Never too busy for a smile, even when working at lightning speed. There's a secret, special bar downtstairs called The Hole that has a dress code of sorts. Leather, fetish or nudity. Ladies you will be asked to remove your shirt. Wear a cute, black lace bra . . . if you dare to descend into the Hole. Otherwise, I stay upstairs to drink, dance and dish with my fabulous gay brothers in Andersonville and around. This place is friendly to women, as long as you're not an idiot, as mentioned above. Which . . . I am not. :-)

Jackhammer is on the brink of eviction, according to the Rogers Park Business Alliance. My wife's co-workers decided to go here this past Tuesday night, after work, so we met them there. We have lived in Chicago for almost eight months, and this was our FIRST time to hit a bar or club. The bar is okay, kinda seedy, and run down in the actual bar area. The upstairs appears to be nicer, but we sat at the bar. After a few drinks, we closed our tab out, and added a tip. The bar serves no food. We had food delivered from a restaurant to take home, as the restaurant would have been closed before we arrived home. My wife decided to eat a couple bites before we left. The bartender, HONDURAS, didn't like this, and basically insisted she move to a high top table to eat, which she did. After eating ONE chicken tender, she gave me the container to place back in the bag. Honduras made it a point to come over to me, INSISTING no eating at the bar. I told him, I wasn't eating, only placing the container back in the bag. He still INSISTED I move from the bar! As we were about to leave, one of the co-workers boyfriends showed up, so not to be rude, we ordered two more drinks, (one beer each), and cashed out. The same bartender became furious that l didn't tip on the second tab. I could hear him COMPLAINING to the other bartender about it. As a matter of fact, I placed a zero on the line of the receipt for the tip amount. I didn't see a point to give another tip for two beers, when basically not even 10 minutes prior we closed our tab out, and gave him a tip. PLUS the fact, how RUDE he became to my wife about eating a chicken tender. We WEREN'T aware until the NEXT day, that one of my wife's co-workers called ahead and arranged for us to receive the industry discount, which is apparently 50% off. Again, we HAD NO CLUE!! If we had known, we would have tipped more than we did on the first tab. When we found this out the next day, I thought to myself, since we received the industry discount, we paid $11.25 for two beers, so without the discount, those two beers would have cost $22.50, for two domestic bottle beers... SMH!! Discount or not, didn't give Honduras, carte blanche to be an idiot!! Apparently, they are jacking up the prices to generate money for the bar and/or themselves, in hopes to save the bar!! Two days later, we discovered, the bartender, Honduras, added an extra $10.00 to our first tab as a tip for himself!! We now have a dispute with the credit card company, as he added a one in front of the amount we authorized for a tip. Whether this place stays in business or evicted as scheduled, we WILL NOT return!! Forewarn everyone who visits during their last days to pay CASH, and verify what you are going to be charged for a drink!! If you do pay with card, make sure the tip amount you give isn't altered after you leave, or a couple days afterwards!!!

Great bar for a lot of different interests. Friendly front door and bars. Note lower level has outfit requirements (at least on the weekends). But any dress requirement there is worth it. Go, enjoy, have fun on all levels.

So... I might regret saying this... but I think Jackhammer is on my top five list of gay bars in Chicago. Now, mind you... I was never there before the upstairs opened. I have only been there on a Saturday ONCE. We participate in the dart league that has two teams out the bar... which means my experiences are mostly $1 Thursdays. I know, I know... $1 beers attract $1 clientele. But when you're there for dart night and you're used to paying $4-$7 for a beer throwing in the league, $1 beers are a refreshing change of pace. The bartenders are always SUPER sweet. I'm such a sucker for a hot dude calling me "baby" or "beautiful". Giggle. Blush. I think my favorite experience here was on a Saturday night when we were here with my Uncle and his partner. As we were leaving (having spent our time on the second floor where they show sports and videos), we had to walk by all the TVs playing porn... and my uncle grabbed me and covered my eyes so I couldn't see it. He thinks I'm so sweet and innocent...

They've done a remarkable job renovating this place over the years, top middle and bottom. Lively, fun atmosphere with a younger crowd. The cover charge with drink coupon is added red tape and a nonsense feature. The upstairs bar, the drinks are weak and expensive in little glasses. Not good value for your Gay customers! :( The pit downstairs is interesting, steamy and oh so male. Love it.

This has been my home bar for almost 2 years now. I considered a lot of the staff as part of my chosen family. Best place I've ever stumbled upon.

I was having a decent time, until I came across bolts that hold the stage together. They were sticking out and cut my leg. As I was gushing out with blood, non of the bartenders would take their precious time to grab me a bandaid. I had to practically go from bar to bar begging for a bandaid. One of them actually told me their was a line and I had to wait. In the end, Kevin, a bar back knew it was the right thing to do and stop to render his assistance. I went to James to let him know what had happened. NOTHING! . NO RESPONSE.... way to manage your bar! It totally ended my night and your bottom dollar! Highly disgusted... anyone know a good lawyer?

My partner and I were visiting Chicago over the weekend decided to check out this bar. Living in Utah, we don't have the opportunity to experience places like Jackhammer very often. We got to Jackhammer a little before 11pm when the crowd was still pretty light, but within an hour things picked up. We spent most of the night in "The Hole" because what's more fun than having drinks in your underwear? Despite the fact that we are both into our 30s, this was the first time either of us had been at a bar in our underwear -- and we loved every minute of it! We both commented on how welcome the staff made us feel as soon as we walked in and the crowd was open and friendly as well. We're looking forward to our next visit to Chicago so we can visit Jackhammer again.

This is a really nice place to get some drinks. It is very dark and when we went on a late Tuesday night they had some karaoke thing going on but no the cheesy versions. The main attraction for us going there was to hang out downstairs at The Hole. The Hole is a sub club within the club. It was exactly what I was looking for: strong well drinks for $6.50; all males down here, no chics; hot porn playing on wall; naked bartender; dark men's room; and even darker back room lit only by a black light. The Hole is a men's area only. I had read they reserve the right to stop you from going in if your not dressed in leather or in underwear. But they were not concerned w that dress code the night I went. The back room was fun. In fact it was so fun that I splurged $18 poppers next door when went outside to smoke. The poppers really turned up the action! I have to admit the back room had some hot men that were extra horny. No one ever bother anyone back there and no workers ever went back there. Complete privacy to do men unmentionables. The place started a last call for alcohol around 3:30am to close at 4am. It was fast to get Uber to come back home. I highly recommend Jackhammer and the downstairs hole. Leave the gal pals upstairs, there are men to be had downstairs. Just take ID, cash, and phone. Leave your wallet at home so when your pants cum down, it's no big deal. 5 stars.

Great spot. It's nice to have a leather shop right next door. This spot has drag shows frequently! Our bartender was great.

In the past year, this bar went through a major remodeling, and transformed from a dive bar catering to bears and leathermen to a cute neighborhood bar catering to bears and leathermen. It's a lot brighter and cleaner now, with wall-length windows that look out onto Clark Street, an upstairs bar and dance floor, and a small back deck. In addition to the requisite male dancers and amateur strip nights, Jackhammer now hosts live music and other events. The clientele is still gay, but the bar now attracts a wider variety of gays and some straight folks. Be aware that the back bar on the main floor is still not safe for casual viewing, and the men's room -- while all clean and shiny, with new fixtures -- lacks any dividers between urinals -- or what would normally be stalls. So if you don't want guys checking out your material while you pee -- or worse -- you'd better hold it.

Be careful. Both my friend and I were pickpocketed here on October 26. Debit card used shortly after. Thankfully I locked my card before any major damage was done.

I had stopped in to buy a drink on 12/21/18 around 1am , and allow my phone to charge to call an Uber. As I walked in I laid my coat , on the back of a chair and went to use the restroom. On my way out, I was approached by one of the bartenders and another person stating get the FUCK out were closed. I tried to explain, that my phone had died and I just needed to charge my phone for 5 minutes or so to call an Uber . The bartender took my coat, and said you should follow your coat and I was push out causing me to fall to the ground . This was one of the worst nights of my life. Not to mention, I lost my bracelet somewhere in the area. I'm sure it was when I was thrown to the ground. I had no idea, the place was closed I walked in while the door was open . I felt disrespected, and violated. It made me feel awful, I'm still traumatized by this incident. Please ensure, that staff doesn't treat anyone else like this. It's sad, that the staff are so horrible here. If you're closed lock your doors, and you don't throw someone property or them out in the ground .

I like this place because it attracts a refreshingly diverse crowd compared to all of the people you run into in Boystown. They host various events throughout the week and the weekends I usually like to stop in for a drink or 10. The bartenders have always been friendly and nice. Never really done it, but I imagine it is a good chill place to visit during the week if you are meeting friends for a quick drink & to catch up. On the weekends if you are feeling bold and adventurous you can check out "The Hole", in the basement space of the club. It is a private club space, so if you have leather, you can walk in as is. Otherwise you must strip down to your underwear, OR you can just take off your shirt if you have descent sized upper body tattoos. Even though this is a review for Jackhammer, it is kind of hard to leave out the fact that there is a leather & fetish type store next door if that tickles your fancy, as well as Touche, a darker and more raunchy bar/club worth checking out.

This review is for The Hole, the seedy bar-in-a-bar occupying Jackhammer's basement. As someone "in the lifestyle" who prefers quality over quantity and doesn't "play" in bars, sleazy places tend toward less comfortable and pressured encounters. However, while The Hole certainly offers the opportunity for casual vice, I felt very comfortable. The bartender was a bit snippy, but the clientele was welcoming and gregarious. There's not much of a crowd here until 11:30 or so. Others mention the strict dress code: gear or shirtless men only. Tattoos help. The crowd was a mix of muscle men, bears, slim and average bodies, covering all age groups but tending toward early 30s to mid 40s--still with a fair number of 20-somethings like myself and a spattering of older men. They pour heavier here than at Touché next door, but prices are a tad higher, too, particularly for called liquor.

Great service, music and drinks for a fun night out amongst good people. Open till 4am and 5am Saturdays.

Okay, maybe my first experience wasn't the best but I have this to say about Jackhammer. I got stink eye for kissing a boy on the dance floor I stepped in puke I had to pay a cover Yeah, end of story.

Came here on an adventurous (drunken) Saturday night, and enjoyed myself here, but wasn't really my scene. I was surprised it wasn't too busy, but it at least had more people and diversity than their neighbor Touche next door. They had a live performer doing some guitar ballads... which is kind of a party killer so the main room emptied out. I explored the infamous "Hole" downstairs. I guess we were there early because it wasn't too busy and they even let us in without taking out shirts off. I could tell it gets raunchy down there though. Anyway, I'd come back if a friend wanted to explore, but the farthest north I'd go on my own would be Big Chicks.

Sweet! Well more like ROUGH! I really enjoyed this bar, I've heard about it but never ventured out to the area. Last week a bunch of friends decided to try a new scene (more of a leather type scene) other than the usual B-town scene. Yeah, they charge a $5 cover but you get a ticket for a free drink which makes up for the cover charge. The music is great and the bar is super spacious. Yeah, they have "The Hole" downstairs, can't really comment because I didn't venture down there but maybe one day...heeheehee

I have mixed feelings about the 'Hammer. On one hand, there's usually great guys here, the bartenders are nice, and the hole can be fun if you're in the sort of mood to indulge in such activities... or just watch. On the other hand, there's some seriously negative juju under the earth up at the 6400 block of Clark. From all the stories I've heard, to my own personal experiences I feel like the entire stretch of land from Devon up to the police station is an Indian burial ground. No, I've never seen poltergeists here, but it certainly feels like something is just, just... ...off for lack of words. The one thing that I truly don't like about JH though is the awkward layout. They play good music, have a decent stereo - but they shove the dance floor to the front, and have huge glass windows which ruins the intimacy. Plus, since you have to walk through the dance floor to either go upstairs or down into the depths of the hole, you have to walk through anyone who just wanted to shake their booty, leading to less booty shaking. Ultimately, hardcore patrons of JH are only there for the Hole, which is fine. It is just a missed opportunity to be great place for both the seedy and the prudish alike.

This bar used to be a lot of fun, but now it's gross and the bartenders all have attitudes and are so drunk behind the bar it's ridiculous and embarrassing on their part. You have to stand around forever to get a drink and half the time the glasses are to dirty to drink from. I think they need a whole new crew that will actually work and knows how to bartend

I went to The Jackhammer last summer to see my boyfriend's band, The Flying Aarons, play in The Flesh Hungry Dog show. While none of the members of his band are gay (and probably very few of the groupies that came to see them play that night), it was still a fun experience. The Flesh Hungry Dog show is a sweet variety show that transcends any sexual orientation lines. They had some great bands the night I ventured to the Jackhammer---definately worth going to this bar for TFHD show, alone. The Jackhammer, itself, is a kind of a neat, divey-ish bar, but I did definitely feel out of place being 1 of about 5 straight girls in the bar. If you're straight or a female, I don't know if I would recommend going to it on a night when there is no live music. It's not that it's a "questionable" bar or anything, but obviously the clientele is going to be gay men. You just might feel oddly out of place.....especially when gay porn is being blasted on every tv. But if I were gay, I'd be here every night of the week. There is some major beef in the house.

Another mostly fun bar away from the silly N Halsted bar strip. The Hole, in the basement, is where the sex parties happen. Very erotic playspace. Clothing check available. The Bear Naked party ever 4th Wednesday of the month is well attended and you're practically guaranteed to score!

I am not really qualified to assign a star rating to Jackhammer. You see, there is nothing leather about me. I wouldn't even presume to try. But as an experiential collector, this provided an enjoyable escape from the 'mos down in the hood. The music isn't fantastic, but the place is tidy and there is an adjacent leather shop. I do love commerce! The leather daddies are all welcoming, and indeed pleased to see non-leather types checking out the scene. Should you decide to stick around and strap on a harness all the better. But that is an individual decision left to the individual. Let me tell you, while others say the leather daddies are not fashion conscious, i beg to differ. These blokes drop some serious coin on their wares. Do you think custom made leather wear is inexpensive. As for the evening, there was a performance by some Sheena the Warrior Goddess woman. I saw some things I don't believe I've seen before, but that was the purpose of the evening. I didn't check out the downstairs bar- it was closed for a special event (a bar mitzvah??)- so I can't opine on that. In short an enjoyable experience for the collection.

I went through a period of mourning when the Jackhammer transformed from "cozy gay dive bar" to what it is now, which is a not-as-cozy and not-so-divey bar. Now it looks like a dance club. The clientele is pretty much the same, but I've noticed a lot of younger people coming in. So, the mourning is over and I've accepted the fact that the Jack is not the same as it used to be. The old Jack is now relegated to nostalgia. Generally I only come on Tuesday nights for Creaoke karaoke, which goes on until 4 am. It's always a lot of fun, and the bartenders are a friendly lot. And yes, there's gay porn playing on the TV's, but it's a gay bar called THE JACKHAMMER, with a new bar in the basement called THE HOLE, which has a dress code and is supposed to be very sleazy. I only went down there once and was turned away the second time because I wasn't wearing leather or a jockstrap or a leather jockstrap.

Lots of types of guys here, but definitely leaning towards bears and leather guys. I had a good time despite not being in the scene. The bartenders were pretty nice and hot. I know the Hole was open, but I didn't check it out. I'll definitely go back if I'm not feeling Boystown.

They steal your money once you check your stuff downstairs. Not even worth it to risk getting your stuff stolen. The underwear contest was okay if you're drunk. Drinks are reasonable and not over priced but over all it's a sex club pretty much and I won't visit again..

I went to the business next door leather 64ten and was planning to buy a few pieces of leather but Eric there was very rude and drunk so I changed my mind. He started screaming and cursing so I walked out and went to Jackhammer. Eric followed me there and continued screaming I was not welcome there. I am giving three stars because the employee at the door was very polite and apologized and said the manager was not there and he had no option. I also give them credit for maintaining close relationship with other local businesses. However, I think it is a very poor business model to refuse service to a client purely because the client did not wish to make a purchase at the business next door.

What's not to like really! Bartenders are all friendly. Customers are laid back. Not a pretentious place at all. The Hole downstairs is big time fun. Dan is a well known bartender in Chicago and one of the ones that work "The Hole" you'll have a great time. .check out underwear night! Jimmy pops in sometimes very friendly also.

I went to the Jackhammer to see a band play. I didn't really know what it was going to be like until I got there. I will be honest and say that I didn't really care for the extremely graphic porn on the television but that was fine because I just didn't look at it. I am a straight female and didn't feel at all alienated here. There was a lot of leather-clad bodies. The bartenders were nice, the patrons were all extremely friendly and I especially liked Barbie the hostess. Gay bars aren't really my thing but I would definitely consider stopping in again if the occasion came up.

I know this divey bar isn't a neighborhood "gem", but after our brief visit last weekend (June 2015) I can now say this place has deteriorated to a legitimate DUMP. We used to come here to play pool but now, the pool table is trashed and looks more like an autopsy had been performed there at some point. Shame on the management of this place for not keeping it at least tolerably clean. We won't be back.

Great music and actually people dance.... it's not taken over by all the straight girls out to obverse... not that it matters but wow sometimes some bars it's more or less we are at a straight club sadly.... jackhammer offers great vibe, dancing, pool, leather and more ...

The upstairs bar is mediocre with overpriced drinks. I don't like the cover charge--for what exactly? The "hole" (downstairs) smelled like poo the night i was there. but, when i was down there it was like i walked into a time warp. it was kind of magical and there were many attractive men around. it's a good place to go if you're sloppy drunk and looking to get lucky, though i don't advise that. i wish there were several star ratings for this bar: drinks: 1.5 stars sexy men: 5 stars smell: 0 stars (unless you're into that) atmosphere, in general: 3.5 stars

Once again a frustrating, disappointing way visit up north to the Jackhammer. I've been going out to the leather bars since before this bar existed. I might have had a good time, were it not for the staff/employees and their attitudes. Can there be any excuse for shouting that customers need to leave, a full hour before last call? Can there be any reason for arbitrarily enforcing a dress code that only exists in the head of the staff member who decides who can go downstairs & who can't? If you post a sign with your dress code requirements, you need to enforce what it says, and not leave it up to one person's whim. What is the reason for opening and closing various spaces on the lower level at arbitrary times? Customers have no way to know when they can go where or for which reason. Customers cannot plan their evenings or know whether they are OK with the staff or in jeapordy of being screamed at for violating unposted, unannounced, unmotivated, and nonsensical requirements. I enjoy being around people who wear leather. I don't enjoy or apreaciate being abused and mistreated by bar employees whose job should be to ensure that paying customers should enjoy their evening. You tell me why I should ever go back there again.

Go get your skank on. The place is best when is packed or completely dead. Fun venue, modern gay

I went in on a Monday night. I must say if the shenanigans were that entertaining on a Monday, this place must be good every day of the week. The weekends must be out of control especially with a backroom. The bartender in his sparkle pants with the fur boots made good drinks.

My only experience ever being at a gay bar had been when a friend of mine who had came out while in college wanted to go out but was tired of going to where we guys chased women, strip clubs and the regular straight bars he had little chance of mingling. Here I was, years later, divorced from my wife and hesitant to go being the older, straight but leaning a bit bi completely naive chubby guy. I am so happy I went. I met a lot of great people who were not pushy or assuming as I had imagined. The drinks were cheap(er), the bartenders and patrons genuinely friendly and accepting of the guy who was sorta in shock he was there. I did go and check everything and while tense at first I began to simply relax with how clean, safe and sane everything was. I do not know what is in store for me in the future other than I will go back again. I am giving it 5 stars as i was comfortable, it was clean and people were nice. I have nothing to compare it to at this point but we shall see.

Fun looking sprawling gay bar in Rogers Park. I can't really review Jackhammer itself as mostly I head towards The Hole downstairs, a tiny Leather bar with ambience oozing out of it's pores like the sweat on a boy being worked over on a St Andrew's cross.