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- Nearest Transit:
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Damen-o'hare (Blue Line)
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
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$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
37 reviews for Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams
Review Highlights
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"Except that is is now smoke-free in that thar basement." In 10 reviews -
"...one thing in mind - to have some FUN and sing some KARAOKE." In 6 reviews -
"Trust me, with cheap drinks and rockin' Rory, 1am will be..." In 5 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Matt W.
Chicago, IL
2/14/2012
Lording over us all showering us with His magnificent presence stands Rory Lake, reigning Chicago champion of Karaoke. Don't let His amazing looks fool you, He's a 100% solid gold monster of rock and roll. Lesser beings quake in His shadow, His adoring public revel in His gaze. This demigod of performance holds court at the American Legion Post 923 once a month and on that day, and that day only, the world is a better place for the hours He graces us with His song.
Make no mistake, Karaoke Dreams with Rory Lake is not for the weak of heart, mind or soul. You'll need a near flawless combination of voice, courage and moral fortitude to stand before the teaming crowd of spectacled, skinny-jean clad hipsters exposing your talent, or lack thereof, for all to see. To the crowd's credit no one is getting booed, not tonight, and worst case scenario no one cheers once you're done. But once you're done you'll be wanting to get back up again. Such is the way of Karaoke Dreams.
Show up, tithe your $5 and assemble before your Lord for the night, Mr. Rory Lake. Karaoke Dreams are made of these, who am I to disagree? -
Review from Jennifer P.
Chicago, IL
2/19/2012
Rory Lake makes magical things happen. Geeks, sluts, hipsters with evil moustaches, veterans, inexpensive drinks, a great song list, and the most welcoming, friendly atmosphere in the city.
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Review from Lizzie N.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2012
I went here over a year ago but remember the night like it was yesterday. This is the kind of exciting experience you will have at Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams. A memorable night of dancing, drinking and singing. Be prepared: fun will be had!
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Review from Jen B.
11/3/2010
Rory Lake's Karaoke Nightmare was one of the most fun Halloweens I've ever had, and it almost didn't happen.
Our large group planned to convene on RLKN promptly at 9pm so we would be assured a chance to rock the mic. At 9:10pm, we were still prepartying and got a call from some friends that showed up on time that the place was D-E-A-D and that we needed to, as he put it, "call an audible."
We frantically scrambled to make alternate plans (i.e., take about a billion shots and dance around my friend's kitchen). Luckily, those same friends called back and let us know that the party was heating up and that we were back on track for a karaoke adventure.
We showed up around 10:30pm (who knows for sure) and were greeted by a sweaty mass of costumed partygoers. The upstairs was rocking karaoke and the basement was a Midwestern paradise of Xmas lights, beer signs, and low-hanging ceilings. The drinks were ridiculously cheap. The crowd (seemed like a lot of regulars) was ridiculously great. The bathrooms were ridiculously gross.
There was much drinking and merriment. Three of us (including myself) were selected to compete in the men's portion of the costume contest. I was the Oates-ier half of a Hall & Oates team, and did my best to bring home a W but alas, came in second to my cross-dressing amigo, Evan (aka Carolyn Treague of VPL Industries). Another friend, Dan, rocked his Mexican wrestler costume and delighted the crowd with his push-up abilities. We all took our victory shots with pride.
After our turn at the mic ("You Make My Dreams," natch), RL himself showed up and things got a little too crazy for our already crazy group. We bid the Karaoke Nightmare a fond farewell and make our way to Boystown. Thanks for the awesome night!! -
Review from Kiarash Z.
Lima, OH
2/3/2009 1 Check-in Here
Rory Lake heard I was from Ohio and made it a point to announce that fact several times during the night. When I returned to Ohio and friended him on Facebook, he offered to come out here and spread the Karaoke Dreams gospel. Love him.
He also has Echo and the Bunnymen, Pulp and Billy Bragg on karaoke. Bam. -
Review from Nathan W.
Luray, VA
3/26/2009
Michael G. and I did an 8 minute long Metallica song. If there aren't two sillier fucks to do that kind of music than you've obviously got a better ticket to the short bus than I do.
And Rory is a true MC. -
Review from Melissa B.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2008
Rory lake is quite possibly the smartest, coolest dude on planet earth. He knows how to throw a party and i want to hug him.
If you know what's good for you, you'll do whatever it takes to get to one of his dreaming sessions. Do it, and bring yer friends. -
Review from Nick K.
Westmont, IL
10/1/2009
In my adventures to find cool shit to do in Chicago, I did a search for Karaoke here on Yelp. I found a few high rated spots, but the monthly Karaoke Dreams event caught my eye.
Upon seeing "Meet Rory," I KNEW I would be depriving myself of an experience had I NOT checked this place out at least once. I am sooo glad I did, and we all had a great time!
Here are a few things to know about Rory Lake & Karaoke Dreams:
--- Rory Lake ---
- He's not some douchebag Karaoke DJ you can find anywhere.
- He's a friendly guy who likes to meet everyone.
- He keeps the party going with cool jams between singers, and entertaining commentary throughout.
--- The Venue ---
- Rory supports a great non profit institution, The American Legion. (http://en.wikipedia.or...)
- The venue is different, and quite a refreshing change to the typical bar scene. You'll know the bartenders' by name.
- Sing upstairs, shoot the shit downstairs, shoot pool, play cards.
- Full bar on the cheap that supports the Legion.
--- The Crowd ---
What about the crowd? Will you fit in? Well, if you're worried about "fitting in," you might want to stick to your normal boring routine! The crowd is great, I saw all sorts of different people here:
- A cool guy with a Sergeant Pepper jacket
- A Rasta lookin dude with real dreads
- A college T-shirt party kid
- A Suicide Girl, A country chick
- A preppy chick, An 80's dude, A hip-hop guy
- Friends, bachelorette parties, a volleyball chick ...
All with one thing in mind - to have some FUN and sing some KARAOKE!
--- The Karaoke ---
Good singers, bad singers, nude singers.
(OK, no nude singers....... yet.)
- LOTS of good songs I haven't heard before!
- Pat Benetar (duh), Billy Idol (Go Dave & Chris!), 80's Rock/Pop
- Bell Biv Devoe!
- Violent Femmes, RHCP, Gorillaz, Green Day
- Neil Diamond, Some Motown, Tom Jones
- Disturbed, Bob Marley, No Doubt, Johnny Cash
Be sure to check the PDF on the site! http://www.rorylakepre...
--- Summary ---
In summary, I'm definitely going again as this is unlike other Karaoke I've been to and it actually serves people other than some greedy bar owner. Props to Rory and thanks for keeping the Dreamin' going!
...
P.S. On another note, after having such a good time at Karaoke Dreams I decided to check out Rory's band Cooler by the Lake. Wow, I'm not into local bands, but this was a fun and rockin show! Great live band. Keep up with Rory's events at http://www.rorylakepre... -
Review from Kelli E.
Chicago, IL
11/25/2008
I am a dreamer. I like karaoke. I like Bingo. I like cheap drinks. I like Vets. All of these things merge in one unbelievably short basement. It is as incredible as it sounds.
I won $6 at Bingo. And a free drink of choice. Amazing.
My friend won a sausage. No joke here. Seriously, a hand-made sausage.
Then the singing began. At this point, I think you could say we all won.
Rory is a positive presence hovering, dancing, singing behind his loyal minions.
This was my first attempt on the mike by myself.
It is truly fair to say the audience won.
"If I Could Turn Back Time", i would not change a thing.
I mean it. -
Review from Jill M.
Chicago, IL
12/7/2009
I've been here once and I had so much fun!
This is where the local dorks like to go to hang out, get wasted and sing their hearts out! Its like hanging out in your friend's basement in high school when his/her parents aren't home. Sometimes Rory Lake, the host, will sing backup for you, or rock an air-guitar solo! HILARIOUS!
There's a cover charge of $5 but its worth it cuz the drinks are cheap.
If you like to sing and don't care if you look silly, this is the place to do it. People will love you if you come here! -
Review from Olivia L.
Chicago, IL
8/10/2008
THE best thing in Chicago. I am a monthly attendee and brought some non-hipster acquaintances (crowd tends to be more hipster-cum-nerd based), unsure if they'd take to it, and all I heard about for the following week was how awesome it was and when the next outing would be taking place.
Seriously, kids. Best thing in Chicago. Descriptions are a little worthless; must be seen to be believed. -
Review from Val B.
Chicago, IL
11/22/2010
What a bizarre way to spend an evening. We came here on Halloween for karaoke, though hardly any of my friends came up in the queue. This place is a little dingy, a little small town, and feels a lot like Wisconsin. Drinks are cheap and gotten in a low-ceilinged basement, and the upstairs looks like your grandmother's living room.
I'm not entirely sure I'll ever be back, but I had a decent time here. -
Review from Jess S.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2009
WTF! A Yelp review thread for Rory?!?
Alright then: first time experiencing my own karaoke dreams was during a roller girl's birthday party back in the Fall of 2005. I will never forget the smoky and drunken raucous! All in the comfy confines of my local American Legion hall's basement.
So cheap! So fun! And now not at all smoky! Just do it! -
Review from Jaye J.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2009
This is the most random fantastic rockinrolla karaoke in a VFW basement ever!
I wish I could describe this madness, but you know how when you were a youngster and you wanted to go to house parties and you never got invited? Or worse, you DID get invited, but the good times never lived up to you imagination? Yeah, this makes up for all that.
Good time, cheap drinks, and a Gunny. -
Review from Nate B.
Chicago, IL
5/5/2009
Un-farkin-belivable
Rory is the man, and he now has three new die-hard followers, he even got my buddy to go up and help sing and my buddy DOES NOT SING PERIOD.
amazing dude, cant wait for the next go-round -
Review from carey C.
Chicago, IL
6/9/2008
The fact that I get to sing 'Gimme Just a Little More Time' in a tiny short-ceilinged basement whilst drinking a can of $2.00 Hamms, is okay by me.
You can also rent the place out for $200... top and bottom floor.
Support your local American Legion. -
Review from Brigette S.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2009
Nothing is cooler than Rory Lake. Except that is is now smoke-free in that thar basement. woot woot!
Rare, obscure, oddball songs du jour! Bring your mom, she'll be rump shakin' by the end of the night.
Don't expect fancy umbrella drinks or anything more complicated than PBR cans or gut-rot rum and cokes. But tips the bartenders well, they run their asses off all night for you cheap f'ers!
Get there early to sign up for rad songs, they close around 1am. Trust me, with cheap drinks and rockin' Rory, 1am will be plenty of time to get your groove on. Just don't sign up to sing "Fat Bottom Girls". That's MY SONG! -
Review from Erin S.
Chicago, IL
8/9/2011
hmmm, how do I describe Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams? It was entertaining, very cheap, and one-of-a-kind. Come here if you are looking for a very casual night out. It was a lot of fun.
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Review from Jay S.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2010
Rory on St. Patty's Saturday? You know it.
I rock the mic with "Nuthin But a G Thang"... Rory rocks the stage behind me like true Fly Girl would... Roof : Raised. Church. -
Review from Peter M.
5/23/2010
I'm kinda confused by all the five star reviews. It's cool and all but i can't rationalize a 5 star review myself. The book is fine but not extensive. It is a little less than an inch thick, no more. $5 cover at the door with all proceeds going to the American Legion where it is located.
The crowd seems to be o.k. A lot of people cheering for their friends but not a super communal atmosphere. However, some of that might have been a function of it being on Saturday night which tends to be a little more crowded. Rory puts in a hell of an effort but the book needs to be thicker. It is in a big room with no stage so it is a little hard to see who is up there.
Relatively cheap cans of PBR and Modelo for $2 and $3, respectively.
See my review for Planet Rose for a comparison.Comment from Rory L. of Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams 6/2/2010
Hi everyone. I wrote Peter a message about this, but felt I… More » -
Review from Emily M.
Chicago, IL
12/1/2011
I love me some Rory Lake and the ALP 923 as well. I once knocked a ceiling tile out whilst being overly happy and excited about "Video Killed the Radio Star". I also hired my dearest Rory for my bf's birthday and it was indeed amazing. How anyone can rate Rory as anything but a 5, is beyond me. It's fun, cheap, and musically and emotionally stimulating!
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Review from Andy B.
Chicago, IL
2/17/2011
Really enjoy my time with friends! One of the best place in Chicago to party all night and showcase your vocal talents (if you have) for a cheap price! The song list is good but there are some new songs that I can't find. Place is small and cozy but its okay for me as what matters to me is being able to do what I enjoy doing - that is singing! This place is surely a hit to anyone who loves to shout their voice out.
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Review from Alex C.
Chicago, IL
2/21/2011
A true entertainer. I wish there were more events. Rory gets the crowd into the music and the mood of the night by his positive attitude. His personality is one of a kind. The drinks were cheap and I will be there singing the next opportunity I can get. Every Thanksgiving, I thank God for Karaoke Dreams.
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Review from Nilda R.
Chicago, IL
7/28/2008
For no discernible reason, karaoke always made me feel very sad. I never imagined that would change over three hours in the basement of an American Legion hall.
Listed in: Our Urban Underground, What you wanna do tonight?
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Review from Mayfly D.
Chicago, IL
3/14/2010
There's a lot of negative energy that's been burbling up at Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams over the past half year or so... The type of person who comes has been changing, and for the worse.
I've overheard people laughing at how cheap the bar looks, or making fun of Rory's schtick (it's funny, but you laugh with him, not at him!) . Also people who laugh at the veterans playing bingo.
I think the people who say these things are trying to be cool, but that's just not cool.
The bachelorette parties who have started coming in tend to be on the obnoxious side and do all sorts of bull-shitty drunken antics that just aren't cute and can be super-annoying.
Also, I think Rory is making a heck of a lot less in tips than he used to He gets paid by donations, and does this to draw people to the post bar to help out the post, but while the bar is cleaning up, I don't think he is! It goes to show you how nice he is that he keeps on doing this. I feel bad for him, getting stiffed by all these rich young kids in designer clothing and with major self-esteem problems that get externalized as sneering. -
Review from Jay M.
Chicago, IL
9/16/2008
K. Dreams is the definition of magic. If you cannot have an experience here short of mystical, you are lost in the ether, and therefore useless to me.
Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Riley C.
Chicago, IL
8/30/2009
I hate karaoke normally. I really do. But I always have a blast at Rory Lake's gigs. He rocks my socks off. And sometimes other garments.
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Review from Lee C.
Chicago, IL
12/1/2009
Rory Lake has the best karaoke I've ever been to. Instead of karaoke being just the background noise, it's the center of attention. If you love karaoke and want to go to a place where others love it just as much, then come on down to Rory's Karaoke Dreams! I only had one beer while I was there, which proved to me that I don't need to get drunk to have fun singing.
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Review from greg b.
Chicago, IL
2/14/2010
went last night for the first time for a birthday party. it has moved upstairs and was a blast!
cheap drinks! -
Review from Melissa G.
Chicago, IL
11/17/2008
I could be a karaoke dreamer for eternity, but unfortunately I have to wait once a month to get my fix. I am not sure what is best, the $3 cocktails, the dream catchers, Rory Lake, the Hamm's panorama wall light, or the dreaming?!
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Review from jourdan s.
Chicago, IL
9/29/2009
Caught his show on a whim last weekend...effing awesome. Rory is not only rad, and funny, but dude actually rocks shit. REAL TALK-
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Review from Sarah D.
Chicago, IL
9/28/2009
When we showed up, we had no idea if we were at the right spot. One of the two doors was locked and the other said "Members." Don't let this scare you off. Once we got in, we discovered that Rory Lake's Karaoke was amazing! We had two Australian friends with us, and we couldn't have shown them a more uniquely American experience. The main floor has the karaoke and the basement (with a very low ceiling) is the full bar with cheap drinks and pool table. The karaoke selection is great. I almost convinced myself to sing Dolly Parton...but was too scared in the end. Next time!
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Review from Suzanne C.
Chicago, IL
4/28/2010
I wanna go! It sounds like a karaoke girl's dream come true!! When is the next one at the Hall? I have $10... well, I don't but I will surely make sure I have it for this event! email me: violet_skies66@yahoo.com
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Review from Grace M.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2010
Rory Lake is outrageously friendly
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Review from Deacon C.
Chicago, IL
4/22/2009
Can't no one do you like Rory can do you! I knew this cat back in the day when he kicked the k-jams back in Kankakee at River Rats!!!!!! Sarge -keep on rockin in da free world.
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Review from Kelly B.
Chicago, IL
10/5/2009
We went here on a stop of a bachelorette party and were sad when we had to leave. The karaoke list is huge, Rory is cool as hell, the crowd was fun. What more can you want? Oh - and the drinks are dirt cheap.
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Review from Anoop B.
Chicago, IL
3/5/2010
It. Is. Awesome!
