Decent spot, but keep an eye on your wallet

I’ve been to Blackjacks a couple of times now—once on a boring Tuesday afternoon and again on a Saturday night—and it’s definitely a unique spot. It’s tucked away on a country road south of Elgin, and honestly, if you aren’t paying attention, you’ll drive right past it. The vibe inside is way more relaxed than the big clubs in Stone Park or Chicago because they don't serve alcohol. Since it’s a "dry" club, you don’t have to deal with loud, messy drunks or a sketchier "thug" crowd. It’s pretty clean, safe, and the bouncers are actually decent guys who don’t treat you like a walking ATM.

​The dancers are a good mix of girls, and since they aren't pushing drinks, they actually talk to you. On my first trip, I met a girl named Harmony (Hispanic, very cute) who was super chill and didn't make the whole thing feel like a sales pitch. The DJ plays the standard stuff, but it’s not so loud that you can't hear yourself think. The "bar" just has $5 waters and Red Bulls, and while they have some snacks, it’s mostly just a juice bar setup. It’s a smaller room, so you get a good view of the stage from basically anywhere you sit.

​As far as the money goes, it changes depending on when you show up. My weekday visit was only a $5 cover, which was a great deal. But when I went back on a Saturday, it was $28 at the door, which stung a bit since their website said $20. Once you’re in, a basic topless lap dance is $30. If you want the "full nude" version, you’re looking at an extra $20 to $50 on top of that. I learned pretty quickly that if you want the high-contact experience everyone talks about, you have to be ready to drop a lot of cash—it’s easy to look down and realize you’ve spent $200 in twenty minutes.

​Overall, it’s a solid spot if you want to kill some time in a safe environment without the chaos of a "party" club. My advice? Go during the day or a random weeknight. It’s way cheaper, it’s less crowded, and the girls seem to have more time to actually hang out. Just make sure you hit an ATM before you get there because there isn't much around the club besides a gas station and the bike trail.