Exedus II

Honestly one of the best places in Wrigleyville. I was in town for a Cubs game. After the game, this street comes alive. Walking past all the other bars, you hear the same olé music. When I heard reggae it was like when Pepe Le Pew smells the female skunk and drifts in the air. I was hooked.
Live reggae, kick back place and tons of fun. At some point a limbo game started up. Smiles were plentiful. A great place to stop by. Ya mon.

This place is in serious need for an UPDATED review so here ya go…
Went to Exedus II on a Saturday back in February 2015, me and my two female friends arrived around 11:15pm and we had to pay $ 10 (it’s $ 20 for males I THINK). Exedus II is supposed to be free before 11pm, but we just didn’t make it in time.
Anyway, we paid and when we walked in it was DEAD y’all. There were probably 20 people in there, none of which were dancing except for a drunk Rastafarian guy. The crowd was mostly men in their 30’s it seemed, but there were some young ladies there too in their 20s.
There is little to no seating and there are no seats at the bar (this place is designed to make you dance). Do NOT get the rum punch, there’s NO alcohol in it and mixed drinks and shots are way too expensive. The bartender tried to charge me $ 9 for half a shot in a plastic cup. Like tf? Seriously? Not even in a glass y’all, I got the plastic Jewel Osco cup service. Beer is cheap though, but just drink before you come here, Luckily I was already drunk. The whole layout looks like a basement with a wooden dance floor you might see in a school gym. Yeah I’ll admit the décor is lacking… a lot.
BUT…just listen to the BUT
As the night went on the DJ was just freaking AMAZING. Even if you don’t dance you couldn’t help but at least do a little hip swing. The place didn’t get crowded until 1am and when it did it was jumping. Lots of Haitians and Jamaicans, but there was still some diversity among the crowd. This isn’t a place to start your night, but it’s the best place to end it. No pushy bouncers, no rude bartenders, just pure fun. There’s a three dollar coat check (shout out to Jamante).
*Note* The men can get a little too clingy, had to duck and dodge some guy who «fell in love» just because I talked to him and threw it back a lil bit haha

Thumbs down to this place. I meant to review this a few weeks back while I was in in the area. The ONLY place in Wrigleyville that charges a cover to get in so please be aware that there is a $ 10 charge which turned me off. The employees were very rude– which I wouldn’t expect especially since I just paid my hard earned $ 10 to get into YOUR establishment.

Place is total ghetto. Dirty. Not recommended by me.

If your drunk as hell and want to dance your ass off and don’t care about horny guys guys hitting on you then go there and wild out. I’ve been going for a few years but it recently just got worse. DJ Swacky can not stay on a song and I think is getting too drunk to DJ… When i asked if he could play some dance hall he had an attitude. Don’t know why they charge 10 after 11 because it’s not like theres a band or anything… bartenders tend to be rude… the puerto rican girl cussed me out one time for not tipping… too ghetto… but it is what it is…

This place was dead on Halloween night, surprisingly. Huge dance floor but it didn’t matter since there were only 10 people in the bar. They play awesome music though. Lots of hip hop & reggae. It was fun until they started playing graduation/​cruise songs.

This place looks like someones basement. My friends and I stopped here for my 33^rd bday. Wrigleyville was NOT popping, and we were about to leave for boyztown! We desperately needed somewhere to shake our asses, and the bars were doing boring things dueling pianos, country nights etc. It was during our walk to boyztown that employes from Exedus II shouted at us from across the street to come check them out. They lured us in with the promise of hip hop music!
When we walked in I was like Hhhhheeeeeeeeyyyyyy the DJ is killing this shit! Within 15 mins I was sick of what he was playing because he kept playing the same reggae beat (Chaka Demus «Murder She Wrote») over and over but with different song lyrics. He would play things like The Notorious Big, Nelly, etc, but then we’d get back on that same beat again! Now you would think the DJ would pay attention to his crowd and what made them react, and play some good music, but every time he got us engaged he lost us with a bad music choice. After awhile of that we all got bored and left. The drinks were cheap. I had my pretty gang with me– seriously I was the only guy with 15 of my Gurls. The guys were like sharks, and none of my Gurls were feeling them! We just wanted to dance and forget about everything else! I would go back in the future. But just pop in and out cuz that DJ would kill my buzz!!!

Exodus was my fav reggae spot besides the wild hare. Equipment was pumping the beats loud and proud. This is true reggae music, Jamaican style irie feelins. People were always nice here from the door staff to the regulars. Had a few altercations with some angry Jamaican bitches because I was a white girl with dreads but my rasta friends would rally around me at the first sign of trouble so mostly people never messed with me. Sometimes I rotated between both EX and WH even in the same night to catch all the bands playing there at night. Hardly ever paid cover at either place so you guess i was a bar fly back then. The bartender at Ex was my fav, Diamond, not sure what happened to her but she and the bands kept me coming back for more but i always ended up cursing her at the end of the night for the many shots she threw my way and had to crash at her pad a few times due to the too many. All in all met some pretty amazing people and made some life long friends from my frequent visits to this place just coming to feel the good vibrations and listen to some awesome reggae music.

I don’t want to give this place one star because I didn’t really give it much of a chance. But from the 10 minutes I was in the club I didn’t like it. First of all there was a cover. It was either 10 or 20 dollars but luckily someone paid for me. Then, when I got in I paid 10 dollars for a long island ice tea but it was in a little plastic cup. The drink was weak. No one was really dancing. The music wasn’t that great. But who knows maybe it got better as the night grew. I was there at like 12 am and it wasn’t good at all. I would go back to this place and give it another chance if it was free entry and if I was already drunk cause the drinks there are just ridiculous.

Exedus II was our dancing destination for a night of bday celebration. We arrived aproximately 10 – 10:30ish, was great since we werent charge, maybe cover charge starts at 11 on Saturdays… My group of 6 were early since at a glance there were maybe 10 people standing in the club when we arrived. The dj was already warming up the club and good for us since we were ready to dance considering our limo would be back to pick us up by midnight. By 11 – 11:30 the dance floor was «hopping» with more people arriving and everyone enjoying the raggae music.
Not much to the décor but club is good for a night of reggae. Crowd 20−40yrs old, security appeard adequate and music wasn’t bad. Coat check available and bathrooms decent. My friends and I enjoyed our selves and there were some mature, polite men who even bought us drinks w/​o expecting more.
We would certainly returm for some JA music!

Horrendous.
HIGH POINTS
— Girls actually talk to each other. They weren’t catty, snooty, or nasty to each other here. Very friendly. And nope, they weren”t drunk either. Wow, manners in the club. A rarity.
— The bathroom attendant was very nice too
— Free to get in & $ 2 coat check
— Good music, for what I COULD hear of the songs *sigh*
Which leads me to…
LOW POINTS
— DJ had some SERIOUS ADHD. What. the. hell? You can’t stay on a song for more than 10 – 20 seconds. This is bull… Ain’t nobody got time for that. Because of this people weren’t even dancing cause you can’t when the DJ can’t stay on a song, let alone transition properly into other songs either. It was a mess. He would have been annihilated here in the city. Oh help me…
— The dudes here were bold. Was with boo and they came in like vultures when he moved elsewhere in the club. Wow.
And unfortunately the first low point outweighed my high points cause we only stayed for 30 minutes and then went home. I’ll dance for boo in my drawers & THE SONG WILL NOT CHANGE AFTER 10 – 20 SECONDS.
Thanks. Bye.

This place is only getting two stars because of the good music otherwise it gets a 1 star… bouncers are horrible and if your a white girl who can dance be warned. The black girls hate on one and stalk you the whole time your in their?
The bouncers do nothing except try to get down your pants? One won’t let me outta the bathroom? My man was upstairs? Are you kidding me?
If it wasn’t for One Blood being great at what they do… I would never go here again!
Oh. and don’t let me forget the men are all horny wanting to get laid… so even if your man is dancing next to you letting you do your thing… those nasty’s will grind their small cocky on you…#yuck!
Been their twice in the past few months and was so irritated after a half hour… we left:(

My bff wanted to go here for her bday Saturday night. I went along because it was her bday and she was allowed to call the shots. $ 10 cover but i do think the entry would have been free if we had arrived before 10:30. $ 4 rum punch was tasty but i don’t think it was very strong. Had two and was not where I wanted to be.
I didn’t really enjoy the music partially because I am more into old school reggae and partially because the dj’s constant homophobic ranting kind of killed my vibes. I mean what the hell is this??? A party or a recruiting mission for people who wish to eliminate «batty mon». This is 2012! To each his own! Why not promote love and kindness and just nice up the party instead of all the negativity.
Also had to kind of push off a couple of guys who thought it would be okay to just come up behind me and start grinding their wieners/​anacondas into my ass. 0 – 0 Maybe if I was 21 and hammered it would have been cool, but for a married LADY of the 35+ age rage I just don’t get down like that. Only my husband is allowed to grind up on me like that. lol

Come for a real Reggae/​Dancehall place in Chicago, stay for the staff (Bouncers, DJs, Bartenders). The 4 $ Jamaican Rum Punch is not to be ignored! If they did not have the nicest staff in town, it would probably be half a star less for the 4 $ water (seriously?)…

I just don’t get it. I try and try and try and try and try (add one million more tries) to adore this place. I try to go and have a good time, however, this NEVER happens. Wait, it happened once. My cousin’s bachelorette party, when I was HIGHLY TOASTED… well over a YEAR AGO!
When the other Reggae spot that was down the street closed, folks were forced to go here as a result of no other options.
This is what’s going on with Exedus:
1) The DJ, regardless who he is, is just HORRIBLE. Playing a song for 10 secs, switching it, and repeating is not bee’s knees!
1a. The DJ apparently doesn’t know that this is a Reggae club. I say this because he plays top 40 now AND top 40 three years ago! It’s just bad.
2) They charge you $ 2 for a cup of water! ARE YOU FRIGGIN SERIOUS???
2a. The drinks are in PLASITC CUPS! COME ON SON!
I don’t mind that Exedus is small. I like the intimacy, but it’s just not working. Unfortunately, they aren’t going to be forced to change anything because they are the only option on this strip that sometimes offers reggae music.
I can’t subject my life to this again. I just can’t. Won’t be returning sober.

I’ll start this with. «Took One For the Team» and finish with.“Totally agree 500% with what Iman W posted!”
I ended up at this «fine» establishment because my friend was celebrating her birthday and wanted to go somewhere that did some major dancing to the tunes of reggae. Prior to coming to this place, I had just sworn off paying any more covers to drink and/​or dance. I mean I am paying you to drink. idea blows my mind.
So needless to say, I was quite miffed when I arrive to be told there was a $ 10 cover! Hence, I took one for the team. When we walk in, it is a few go-​hards dancing wildly (yes wildly) in front of the elevated DJ platform with some other folks just looking around and mostly at them and each other. Weird for this to be a «dance-​hall».
So let’s back up a second. I’ve never been to a well lit dance hall anything. It felt like I was at an olden day prom with chaperones and bright lights to make sure that your date didn’t move his hand to the lower part of your back.
But okay, the music had its highs and lows. I guess when i think dance hall, I don’t expect to hear BBD and the East Coast family in between (in bright light). I want all reggae/​socca/​island so I can stay in motion. THEN if you want to completely switch sets, then do so.
Let’s talk about the drinks. $ 4 for water is ludicrous, especially if you can get a rum punch for $ 4 as well. I think they are encouraging drinking here. So much for non-​drinkers! Or is it a ban against Chicago for taxing water in the city? Either way foolishness!
Now you may say if I feel so strongly, why 3 stars, because I was thoroughly entertained between my self-​proclaimed body guard, the highs and lows of hearing «my song», and seeing my friend have a great time — it was okay.
I think I may stick to that spot on Thursdays though *wink* for some through and through reggae!

I went to Exedus the other night for the first time in about 2 years. Some things have changed. Others have not.
I was surprised to hear hip hop songs being played in the midst of the reggae. Not that I mind, but I don’t remember them doing that before.
I see that the cover is still about $ 10. That still perplexes me. I believe the cover at Wild Hare (gone but never forgotten!) was about the same but anyone who went to Wild Hare remembers that it was a club. You know… a CLUB. Exedus is very no frills, so I never quite understood why their cover was $ 10. I also don’t understand the high cost of water there. Rum punch (which is really tasty) is a reasonable $ 4…$ 4 for water though? You don’t have to mix anything together to make water, it comes straight out of nature! And if you want water from the faucet, you still have to pay about 2 bucks. Insane.
Like I mention, Exedus is no frills. You don’t go to Exedus to sit down (there’s no seats anyway) and look cute, why would you? The music is too fun to not be up dancing. And there’s no shortage of people to dance with… okay, some are way more overzealous than others, but overall I have not had anyone get too fresh with me. I usually can’t say that about Clark St. bars.
To sum it up, while I have my issues with Exedus, I’m glad it’s still around. I never leave there saying that I didn’t enjoy myself to some degree.

C’mon people!
Is it Exedus’ fault that its staff cannot crack a smile? Sure, but people have bad consecutive days and nights!
Is it Exedus’ fault that it charges $ 4 for bottled water and $ 2 for a cup of good olé Chicago tap water? Definitely, but it’s water and it’s disappearing so you gotta pay for it!
Is it Exedus’ fault that customers cannot rest their coats on the bar and have to pay for an overpriced coat check? Yeah, but it’s Chicago in the winter and everyone has to wear a coat so people might as well make more money off it!
Is it Exedus’ fault that the drinks seem hella weak even when the bartender is pouring a full shot or so in the glass? Ye… well, maybe not. Depends on what you consider weak… ahem.
But seriously, there is some great reggae and soca in this place! If you like to dance or grind or some combo of the 2, this is the place! Yes, the drinks suck; get a beer. Yes, the coat check and water situation is some BS; be prepared. But, the music is loud (really loud) and good!

I came here several times only because my bestie makes me come here (love to hate him!). Anyways… Let me begin
It’s Black Wednesday, busiest night to get f’d up and apparantly a night to get treated like a piece of shiznit at Exodus bar. While they do have good reggae, they lack professionalism. Let me say I have always been mistaken for a younger being my whole life, when I get carded I get the double take! So when I came to Exodus for the umpteenth time I finally get carded by the owner! He wanted $ 5 per person. I’m sorry mister, I don’t think you realized I’m a girl who’s trying to brin other hot girls with me into YOUR place of business to bring more business and now you’re going to argue with me over $ 5.
Eventually, he let all of us in without cover. He did not card my friends but for some reason he carded me. Of course my Asian immortal looking ass would get carded at Exodus. I show him my id (not a fake) I am of age so I thought to myself … La la la give me my id back so I can join my frwends on the dance floor. He gives me my id back and I’m almost through the door when he grabs my arm and takes my id and tells me 19 – 20 years olds can’t get in! First off, you already said I can go in! Second, I am not 19 – 20 years old. He shows my id to another doorman and the doorman says it’s legit me and I am of age.
Now, I was born in October 1990… It’s 2011 … That’s elementary math. If you’re the owner and can not do simple math then that shows me you should not be an owner.
I will not come back. Not even with the bestie.

While Wild Hare may capture the feel good vibe of Reggae, Exodus II captures the party atmosphere of dancehall. Its a good place to go if you want to dance (bump and grind) and if you’re advanced you may can even get your Dagger on here. Nothing pon de floor-​like but come on, its Chicago, what do you expect.
Drinks are comparable for the area and rum punch is their specialty.
There’s a cover here too, I paid $ 10 when I came here both times but I hear it can be 20 bucks at times. So I advise you to check out the vibe from the outside to make sure its gonna be worth it and that there’s not too much riff raff.