Krave

We, the southwest LGBTQIA+ community is lucky to have this bar in our community. During a time where it’s easier to find a hook-up on the Apps, the owners of Club Krave offer an inclusive and entertaining spot where EVERYONE, can have a delicious craft-cocktail, can be unapologetically themselves, and maybe even find their other half IRL. Tuesday Trivia Night is an unexpected great way to break up the work week. Katie and Toni serve a memorable experience.

My first time visiting Krave was immensely enjoyable! It's a relatively small bar but leaves enough room to walk around and sit comfortably. I'm a director of home movies and two of my actors and I decided to have an early night - 7pm. From opening until around 10pm the bar was empty but we were met with exceptional service by both bartenders...house drinks were $2 until 10! As the night got later, more and more people showed up and it was a healthy crowd of young 20s to early 30 gay males with a sprinkle of women joining the crowd. The music choice in the bar was superb (a healthy mix of Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna to name a few). Definitely will be back.

Went for the first time with a group of friends! I wasn't really sure what to expect but we were presently surprised! The drinks were tasty and very affordable. The staff was very welcoming and nice. Theres a pool table to keep you entertained as well. The bathrooms are very cute, clean and well kept! At 10:15 there was a drag show and all the performers did a wonderful job! There was a good mix of performances too and the mc was a delight. We got there an hour after opening and there wasn't many people but once 9:30 hit the people started to trickle in and by 10:45 the place was almost full. From what I say the demographic seemed to be around late 20s/early 30s and up.

A lowkey intimate queer bar with affordable drinks and Switch Games on Mondays, Karoake Wednesday’s, and Drag on Saturdays. There’s a pool table and stage! Fresh and friendly service!Aaron and Toni are the best bartenders you could ever ask for #LGBTQIA

Came to Blue Island via metra from Chicago proper to explore the area and stopped in for a last drink before heading back. Place was cheap and cool but the bartender kept telling me and my wife to follow their Facebook page and neither of us use Facebook and mentioned that numerous times. Goofy lmao

It saddens me to have to say this, because I really believe in supporting local queer establishments, but whoever this new guy is who’s running security/being a busboy/directing traffic in the bar is a very unwanted addition to the Krave experience. He asked to check my bag upon entry and, instead of peaking in with a flashlight like any other security would do at any other facility, he dug both of his hands into my bag and roughly searched through all the items in there until he was satisfied. I’ve been here so many times, every time with a bag, and I’ve never gone through a rough search procedure like what I experienced tonight. Then we’re waiting at the bar to order drinks and he’s got a problem with where we’re standing? I’ve literally stood and ordered drinks many times in that same spot without issue countless times. This man, who donned a Chicago police dept beanie, has a presence that starkly contrasts the environment Krave is attempting to foster, and quite honestly, the toxic masculinity of it all is just uncomfortable and unwarranted in a queer space. If you need security, leave him at the door. This experience left such an awful taste in our mouths, we will no longer be returning.

No ginger ale, cool👍🏾 not the end of the world, but the bartender Moses, seemed really irritable, annoyed & unacomadating despite me being overly polite. It’s so frustrating being overly nice & still getting unprovoked bad service & expected to pay. When I explained I can’t taste any of the alcohol (tequila) in my drink he tried to fix it by adding more club soda & cranberry & saying I needed to just order a double, instead of catering to my request & re-making my 1 drink with just a splash of cranberry this time. I didn’t even drink the drink. It’s only $7. Im not by any means trying to get over. I asked him to taste it himself & he refused yet insisted it was made correctly… even if it was made correctly, I’m still nicely explaining to you, I don’t like it & asking you can you PLEASE make it a different way, yet you’re forcing me to pay for a drink I don’t like & barely even touched but this isn’t even the kicker he brought me another drink he made out of frustration that I NEVER ASKED FOR, & I thought he brought it to make up for the bad drink but when I asked to check out he CHARGED ME for 2 bad drinks. Un-freaking believable. I asked to speak to a manager & for him to take it off he claimed he was the manager & that I had to sign & leave. God is my witness I would never make something like this up….side note: the music being played doesn’t match me the vibe of customers that was there. Nobody seemed to be even enjoying the music. It’s not that it’s bad music it was just way too techno electronic & not matching the small crowd there…

Krave has been my home bar for the last 7 -8 years and it has changed so much within that span. Toni, the manager, has made it a better experience with everything they are implementing. The shows are getting better with new faces being brought onto the stage. The drinks that Aaron, Toni, and Katie make are top notch mixology level cocktails. It's always a good time here.

Nice quiet and quaint... Tony makes the best margaritas in any flavor... It was my first time there, I'm guessing that the "regulars" were seeing if I was an a**hole or not. Regardless I had a great time, good conversation and great margaritas... I shall return when during the summer

Very poor service. Barely even cool and flat tap beer. Music is way too loud and, usually not good.

This place should be called TICKLES! OMG, Me & my Bestie, the SEBINATOR, decided to go on a Monday, or was it Tuesday, maybe a Wednesday, ANYWHO, it was a day that ended in -Y. So, the SEBINATOR was looking good in his leather, so I said, "Where's MF-ing leather?". SEBINATOR responded with a slirk and a smap. So, we gallopped into KRAVE. Hello! Lovely people all around. I was so happy I wanted to go straight to the Boy's room and fart glitter I WAS SO HAPPY. Awesome place friendly people and very cool rocks glasses. THANKS #1 CUSTY SEBINATOR!

This was my first gay bar experience. The bartenders were so nice and kind, one kept refilling my water without asking and the other made these DELICIOUS spicy watermelon shots. It was so nice to escape and just chill here for awhile. It's like a family here, and they're all so welcoming. Definitely coming back, this is definitely my new chill spot. The playlist was fire btw, so many throwbacks.

Fun local spot for some reasonably priced drinks with events most days such as drag shows, karaoke, and more. Definitely recommend!

Not a very welcoming environment for visitors. Bartenders tend to favor regular clients. Bartenders should not be allowed to take shots offered by customers. Be Leary of bathrooms as I was followed. You make call is all I can say. Be safe

I absolutely love this bar! I come here most often for Karaoke on Sundays. It's a great crowd. Super fun and friendly, and the bartender Randy is awesome! He does bingo earlier in the day on sundays which is a lot of fun and then Donnell is bar tending! Awesom guys both, and great service! Also Craig who runs Karaoke does a great job! Makes the whole experience a lot of fun!

I feel safe.... drink's are off the chain very cool mixture of people. much always hot... best shows on earth .... website keeps you up to date with events.... I've even had a birthday party there.

Love this place : ) This is my "Cheers"! Get to know the regulars for a truly fun experience. The patrons, owners, and staff are all very welcoming. This a neighborhood bar. Nothing flashy but it has a lot of heart. They do a little bit of everything... Drag shows, Bingo, dancers, and theme nights. This was the first gay bar I ever went to. Lots of history here, and lots of love.

I FIND this place a perfect chill spot with lots of great activities for me and my friends. The drinks are solid and the music sometimes is o.k. but I FIND myself genuinely liking this bar!

Good portions, tortilla soup is amazing, very clean and good staff. Owner was helpful as well.

I would give it five stars if only the place had more people when I've been here. It's a little crowded, sure, but never to the point where you feel that the place is raging. The staff are very friendly and helpful, giving you suggestions to get the most bang for your buck (get a bucket of beers, basically). The drag shows they put on are highly entertaining. The patrons are nice with an occasional man glaring at me because I'm not a gay guy, how dare I be at his bar. It's also the only gay bar in its area (to my knowledge). Parking is no problem either. Sometimes there's a cover.

Only recently have I started coming to Krave. And the bartender Moises is always extremely friendly. Greeting my husband and I with our favorite drink, while always giving us life! Serving up comedic sass, mixed with never letting our drinks empty. It keeps us coming back again and again. Who says a local gay bar can't be as fun as going into the city?

Love everything on this bar, music, mood and the hospitality and costumer service, is the best.

The bar itself is nice! The staff very friendly(as all bartenders should be if they want to make any money). The crowd is very random somedays its packing other days its lonely. I must say just about the few times ive visited the bar its almost as if your walking into a high school lunch room where everyone has its little group. At times it can feel lonely if not a bit cold. I just wish there were a few more strangers to talk to.

Total rip off. Five buck for the single worse drag show I have ever seen. Watered down drinks and the "show" started late after long draw out pauses that went no where and let not forge the extremely rude door person and mysterious substance in the drink. There should be a warning before these (what can you possible call them) so we can avoid them. A good time was had by no one. A waste of money, time and space. This is the LAST drag show I'll be a victim of. I want to like this bar tonight makes it very difficult. A horrible time

Good music good drinks. Too bad it's so far away otherwise we'd go more often. Place could be bigger. The "dance floor" can fit maybe 10 people. Still prefer going to boystown even if it's one big clique. More people more fun.

Lively crowd with excellent service, people are friendly and affordable drink specials. You cant get better than $1 drinks every Thursday and kareoke Wed/Sun!

Love,LoveLove Club Krave!,.jason and the Proprietors and all the Staff Make Krave the GO TO place ,not only on the South Side of the Windy City,.but is Attractive Venue regionally as i have met folks there from wis,and indiana,..the place has a great Vibe,great Music,Reasonably Priced Drinks,.and nice little Patio in back for smokers,..if your tired of patronizing venues that merely "Tolerate" you Krave is a Place That Accepts and Welcomes you,..check it out,.you won't be Disappointed!

ALOT changed..well not the interior..but a $5 cover in a bar with 10 people is a little steep. Ordered a orange-vodka-seven....bartender comes back...ummmm..no orange.."ok-WHAT do you HAVE"?....goes..another bartender comes back..ummmm..."some raspberry?"..the 3 of us is like "oh my god..seriously'? okayyyyyyy...whatever...we plan on not coming back. Went down to John L's...clean and FULL BAR. Get it together. Completely changed my review from past. Dont know what happened here..but this bar is downhill all way. Do yourself a favor..just go to city.

Ok.....so I know I'm spoiled living in Chicago with a plethera of gay bars but some friends and I decided to check out this bar in the South burbs this past weekend. I have to say that it was fun but it was missing something. The stripper was HOT but there was only one all night. They were a little too quick to take our glasses (some still had drinks left in them) and it was really hard to get a drink! The bartender passed me up at least 4 times before I finally shouted I was ready for a drink. Usually a sign when someone stands at the bar, drinkless with a $20 in their hand. I would give it another shot, but I won't be back for a while.

The Place may be in the burbs- Blue Island yes, the wrong side of the tracks? NO. If you think this is in a bad neighborhood, please let me know so that I may take you on the real tour of the Chicagoland area. The staff is attentive, friendly and can be a riot and a half nowadays.- Monday nights are a great relaxing alternative to the rest of the week where everyone sits, talks and enjoys what is playing on the tvs- Weekends are always a good time and the bingo on Sundays hosted by two of the most hillarious drag queens i've ever seen is guaranteed a fun time to be had by all - check this place out you won't be disapointed!

I really like this bar--the appearance and the bartenders are great! However, my experience there on Friday, March 17, 2017, was very disappointing. Advance info said the show was going to start at 10:30, so my friends and I arrived at 10:00 to get a drink and be ready. Then the handout sitting on the bar said the show starts at 11:00. 11:00 came and went, then 11:30, and still nothing and no announcement. Finally the show started at 12:00 midnight, with a small apology from the producer/emcee: "Sorry to be 15 minutes late" (Actually, 1 or 1-1/2 hour late!). The show started with a few very weak acts before a good performer came on stage. (If you are going to grab your audience, at least start strong!) We didn't stay to see the rest of the show because we had to get up and work on Saturday morning. The show started way too late! The producer is to blame for the lateness, and the bar itself should insist that shows start at the announced times. (Also, the producer/emcee, though articulate, should not wear an outfit with the back out and huge fat rolls hanging down. Just saying!)

I've been going to this bar for ages it used to be the "Edge" but was bought and the name changed. To be honest its not the kind of place to go to when you want to seriously party. Its a neighbourhood bar where everyone knows each other. that's not to say its bad its just not for everyone, they do offer lovely drag shows featuring the house divas. The drinks are pretty reasonably priced and the bartenders are pretty nice. so if your looking for a place to unwind and have few drinks its a good place to go.

Great bar, fun atmosphere! People are very friendly! I came to this bar as a stranger and now consider everyone I have met as family! Club Krave is alway looking to provide the best for their customers. Tell them what you want to see and they will try their best to make it happen!! What bar can deliver on ideas that their customers have, and actually deliver on their promises?? Only Club Krave!!

I mean the place was friendly enough. But don't go before 11 or 12 unless you want to talk to yourself and the bartender. Other reviewer was right about everyone knowing each other, and that's probably a good thing, although nobody under 40 seemed interested in meeting anyone else. But my big complaint was truth in advertising. The web site shows all kinds of hot young guys hanging out, and lots of pics from the monthly "lights out underwear party." By about 1am on a Saturday and the place had maybe a dozen guys under 30 and not even the bartenders stripped down. I hear it's a better crowd when strippers show up. Maybe next time.....

If you want to deal with attitude, go to the bars in Boystown. If you want to deal with cold clickish gays, go to suburban bars like this one. You know, the kind when you come in, everyone turns around and looks at you like 'who's that?', I've never seen him before'. Not a very comfortable feeling especially since the bar is so small. Very clickish indeed. If you go alone, you'll feel like a freak and don't hold your breath waiting for someone to come up and start a conversation. Very typical for the suburbs. Given the choice, I'd take the lesser of 2 evils. I'd rather go out of my way and drive 30 miles north to Boystown. There's attitude there, but you're not limited to just ONE bar, you can stroll to several.

This bar has a few people that work here that are genuine and nice. However, the bar is more about the show than the customer. Drinks are reasonable.

Bartender David was extremely rude. Took over 15 minutes to get a drink on a night when there was less than 10 people in the bar. The bar was also ill equipped; there were no garnishes or fruit for our drinks.

What a terrible place! Very small crowd - mostly friends of the owners. Poor bar service - need to fire and emergency flare to get an overpriced and lousy drink. What small crowd that is there is very cliqish with attitude. Bad music, too. What a poorly run dive.

Very cute & friendly bar in blue island. The staff and everyone is very warming. Prices are very fair and you won't blow your bank account. However, the drag show that I saw last night was horrible! I always love a good drag show, but was highly disappointed in the participants. Most of them hardly moved on stage and their lips singing so so far off I felt like I was watching an old Japanese movie! I still would very much recommend this club! I liked it and had a good time. If you're in the area please visit this bar