LET ME BE VERY CLEAR: I have NEVER left anything less than a 5 star review before. Please check my previous Yelp reviews to see. This is the first time a place genuinely earned a 1 star.
I entered The Boss Bar and said, “Hey, I’m just waiting for my Uber. It’s arriving in about three minutes.”
IT WAS 10 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL OF -11. It was a Monday night and the bar was essentially empty.
The security guard, who told me his name was Romero, immediately said they do not allow entry unless you are purchasing something. I explained again that I was just trying to stay warm briefly. He responded, “Why don’t you go to the Starbucks next door?”
That made no sense. Why leave a bar I was already inside of to wait somewhere else for a ride that was about to arrive?
He kept repeating that it was “policy.” I even said I was not blaming him personally, but that kicking someone out into freezing weather is a bad and irrational policy.
For clarity, there were no raised voices or confrontation. Romero was calmly speaking with another security guard, and I was speaking calmly as well. Despite that, I was told to leave.
Once outside on a public sidewalk, I began recording. The security guard came out threatening to call the police and said I was not allowed to film.
This was not about buying a drink. It was about being treated like a problem for trying to stay warm for three minutes.
NO HOSPITALITY. NO EMPATHY. NO LOGIC.
I will not be back, and management should seriously reconsider how they want their staff representing this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Estevan
Don’t buy into the fake 5 star reviews. You can easily spot them. I believe this bar shares the same security as the Taco Window next door (Same Ownership). I came for tacos late night, and left roughed up and pepper sprayed by security (Dude that has the Pringle mustache) for no reason.
File a police report if you’re treated this way.
Mike Sassano
NO more happy hour! Very disappointed!! Great service but will go to other local happy hours and skip this place now.
Freddy Gomez (Ice)
Amazing service, our waiter Kennedy was awesome! Brought food and drinks on a timely matter and the environment was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ashley kelley
If you want to be berated and spat on then come here!!! First customers of the day, and the service workers were already pissed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
TJ
The Chicago dogs are probably the worst I’ve had. Get something else. Bar service is ok
Gelo Petsvona
Great bar, good drinks, awesome service.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Monica Loring
Beautiful little patio out front to have a cocktail and we ended up ordering an appetizer for our group. Waitress was nice and the gentleman out front helped us out getting a table was super friendly. Definitely would stop back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
laila a
Alexandra is a queen come for her!! Best server here, so attentive and super friendly
Service: 5
Jeff Hart
My native Chicagoan friend took me here. The Boss has had the same owner for over over 30 years, and he was sitting right out in front of the place when we walked up at 4 in the afternoon. He even remembered my friend from back in the day! This bar is an established venue right downtown with great atmosphere and surroundings. A perfect place to have a drink or two and enjoy the company of friends.
Sit and drink! Not much else going on here when I was there. Just had some shots and went to the next spot. Clean bathrooms, door guys were friendly
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
Christopher Moyers
They leave the garage doors open during the hottest days of the summer , thanks cheap owner , cheaping out on the air conditioning.
Ben Terpstra
Not quite a Pool Bar, but a solid Bar With A Pool Table. Solid vibe, great traffic, good players. Drinks are expensive enough to sting. Pool costs $2/game for a fairly decent table, which works for the bar's target demographic.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Praveen Ghimire
I’m from Chicago, and I’ve been to a lot of bars in this city — but what happened here was completely out of line. I stepped outside for a smoke, and when I tried to go back in, a security guard ended up slapping me in the face — twice — over some words exchanged. I’m not exaggerating. I’ve filed a police report and plan to take legal action.
There’s no excuse for security to put hands on a customer like that. We go out to have a good time — not to get assaulted. It’s not what you expect at a bar that’s supposed to be a staple of River North.
If you’re thinking of stopping by — be careful. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. Management needs to take this seriously.
⭐️ 1 STAR UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE
LET ME BE VERY CLEAR: I have NEVER left anything less than a 5 star review before. Please check my previous Yelp reviews to see. This is the first time a place genuinely earned a 1 star.
I entered The Boss Bar and said, “Hey, I’m just waiting for my Uber. It’s arriving in about three minutes.”
IT WAS 10 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL OF -11.
It was a Monday night and the bar was essentially empty.
The security guard, who told me his name was Romero, immediately said they do not allow entry unless you are purchasing something. I explained again that I was just trying to stay warm briefly. He responded, “Why don’t you go to the Starbucks next door?”
That made no sense. Why leave a bar I was already inside of to wait somewhere else for a ride that was about to arrive?
He kept repeating that it was “policy.” I even said I was not blaming him personally, but that kicking someone out into freezing weather is a bad and irrational policy.
For clarity, there were no raised voices or confrontation. Romero was calmly speaking with another security guard, and I was speaking calmly as well. Despite that, I was told to leave.
Once outside on a public sidewalk, I began recording. The security guard came out threatening to call the police and said I was not allowed to film.
This was not about buying a drink. It was about being treated like a problem for trying to stay warm for three minutes.
NO HOSPITALITY. NO EMPATHY. NO LOGIC.
I will not be back, and management should seriously reconsider how they want their staff representing this place.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Don’t buy into the fake 5 star reviews. You can easily spot them. I believe this bar shares the same security as the Taco Window next door (Same Ownership). I came for tacos late night, and left roughed up and pepper sprayed by security (Dude that has the Pringle mustache) for no reason.
File a police report if you’re treated this way.
NO more happy hour! Very disappointed!! Great service but will go to other local happy hours and skip this place now.
Amazing service, our waiter Kennedy was awesome! Brought food and drinks on a timely matter and the environment was great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want to be berated and spat on then come here!!! First customers of the day, and the service workers were already pissed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The Chicago dogs are probably the worst I’ve had. Get something else. Bar service is ok
Great bar, good drinks, awesome service.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Beautiful little patio out front to have a cocktail and we ended up ordering an appetizer for our group. Waitress was nice and the gentleman out front helped us out getting a table was super friendly. Definitely would stop back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra is a queen come for her!! Best server here, so attentive and super friendly
Service: 5
My native Chicagoan friend took me here. The Boss has had the same owner for over over 30 years, and he was sitting right out in front of the place when we walked up at 4 in the afternoon. He even remembered my friend from back in the day!
This bar is an established venue right downtown with great atmosphere and surroundings. A perfect place to have a drink or two and enjoy the company of friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Sit and drink! Not much else going on here when I was there. Just had some shots and went to the next spot. Clean bathrooms, door guys were friendly
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 3
They leave the garage doors open during the hottest days of the summer , thanks cheap owner , cheaping out on the air conditioning.
Not quite a Pool Bar, but a solid Bar With A Pool Table. Solid vibe, great traffic, good players.
Drinks are expensive enough to sting.
Pool costs $2/game for a fairly decent table, which works for the bar's target demographic.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
I’m from Chicago, and I’ve been to a lot of bars in this city — but what happened here was completely out of line. I stepped outside for a smoke, and when I tried to go back in, a security guard ended up slapping me in the face — twice — over some words exchanged. I’m not exaggerating. I’ve filed a police report and plan to take legal action.
There’s no excuse for security to put hands on a customer like that. We go out to have a good time — not to get assaulted. It’s not what you expect at a bar that’s supposed to be a staple of River North.
If you’re thinking of stopping by — be careful. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. Management needs to take this seriously.
Service: 1
When everything closes. Boss bar is there!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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