Excalibur   

632 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610
312-266-1944
www.aceplaces.com

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People say a lot of things about Excalibur. That it's a tourist trap, or that only suburbanites go. But one thing is for certain: it isn't letting anyone's opinions keep it down. Years after Elixir, Shelter and Karma have faded away, this former Roman church turned club is still going strong. ALA Carte Entertainment's sprawling crown jewel (father/son team Fred and Mark Hoffman also own White Star Lounge, Leg Room, Alumni Clubs and others) stays busy seven nights a week, and its weekly salsa night, "Tropical Thursdays En Fuego" has been going strong for years. The first level is a casual lounge with two bars, a gift store, and a dance floor where the DJ spins Top 40 hits and favorite 1970s and 1980s music. Nearby is the lounge, which offers low lights, lava lamps and a cooler environment to get cozy in. A few steps down is the gaming area, where patrons can shoot pool, play video games or chow down on bar fare. Excalibur's alter ego 'cool club' Vision is adjacent. However, it has a different entrance and cover charge. North Dearborn's premiere gothic inspired castle becomes the place for silly song once a week with the Durty Lounge Lizards' live karaoke. True to regular Excalibur nights, anticipate drunken college girls, clueless out-of-towners, and business folks looking to unwind.