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Saddle Up Saloon & Dancehall
4440 Ogden Ave, Aurora, IL 60504, United States
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Na
Review №1

Great line dance lessons, cheap drinks and top 40 and country mix after 10pm. Great spot!

Ke
Review №2

I love this place because even if I dont know how the line dance goes, I can pick it up pretty quickly by watching!

Ch
Review №3

Went in with some friends went to get a drink didnt get what I asked for and when I asked about it I was insulted by the bartender repeatedly before she went to grab a manager. The manager was nice but didnt do anything for me so I was out money and a tip that they didnt deserve. All I wanted was an apology for the insults and I didnt even get that. If I could give 0 stars I would but 1 will do. I would like to note majority of the staff is nice the place is cool and music is good but this experience just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Br
Review №4

Went there for the first time and was intimidated because I hate country music and stereotype line dancers, but boy was I wrong. They actually played country, hip hop and pop after 10:30pm. If you don’t know a line dance just jump in and random people help you. The crowd was very diverse too. People of many ethnicities and even lgbt couples. I was not expecting that. I’ll be coming back.

El
Review №5

I’ve gone a couple Wednesday’s nights. It’s pretty fun but food is consistently sold out and it’s not really that good. The waitress we have is always really kind and fun. She does a great job.

Sm
Review №6

This place is very against people of color. Let alone they don’t allow you in if your hair is a certain way (dreadlocked) which is so crazy to me. The reasoning is “we believe people with dreads smoke weed” WHAT!? I have never heard of such. I will for sure be moving forward with my lawyer on this one. Not only did I get denied because of my appearance but also because I’m being told that i smoke weed, when I don’t. But I’m sure everyone else in the place does.

br
Review №7

The female bartenders are very rude to the customers and swear at them. Its happened to me on multiple occasions at this place. They have free reign to treat customers however they want, with no consequences from management. The only nice bartenders are the male ones. When I go here, I go out of my way to only get drinks from the male bartenders, because they are the only ones who act professional and courteous. Its a shame that management lets their business operate this way. Maybe they just dont know how to make their female bartenders behave better?

Wi
Review №8

My wife and I love going here!!! We try to go at least once a month. We would go way more often if it wasn’t an hour drive to get there. But hey, totally worth the drive to this place.

Mi
Review №9

So disappointed with our interaction with the racist bouncers last night. The bouncer refused to allow brother in law who’s an active duty Navy sailor (and also happens to be black) in because he had a jersey on (totally didn’t realize the rules before we went). He took the jersey off and attempted to enter with his T-shirt and was told to walk to Walmart to get a new shirt. All of this was partially understandable until the a group of soccer players (all of which happened to be white) walked up... ALL in jerseys and let it without a blink of an eye. The bouncer even made a comment “this is what I’m talking about”. Even after calling the bouncer out for his actions, he still refused to let him in.My brother in law recently returned from a deployment overseas fighting for our freedom and it is absolutely disgusting watching someone treat him like that. We will never be visiting Saddle Up again.

La
Review №10

Incredibly disappointing. It’s a cult line dancers club. If you don’t know the steps, don’t you DARE come near the floor. The folks out there aren’t even smiling while dancing! The worst part— these dances aren’t even to country music so the spectators can’t even sing along or enjoy the ambiance. I was really looking forward to visiting this place, and I was let down— big.

We
Review №11

Went with 1 other couple. We had never been here or knew anything about The Saddle Up. There is a cover charge of $5.00, unexpected but worth it. We all had a great time! Food was very good. Great drink menu and a large cooler of water for everyone that is dancing. The dance floor was constantly busy. Great country music and watched great country dancing. They do offer dance lessons, which I would definitively need them. All in all we enjoyed our new find!

Ju
Review №12

Terrible experience. Our waitress Dixie was rude and slow and for the most part nowhere to be found. Music was not what we expected. If you dont know the steps to line dances all you can do is sit around because they wont play any song that a couple could dance to. Not going back there

Wi
Review №13

This place is absolutely terrible. It is not a country bar. I am here right now and its been 6 songs of hip hop in a row. I did not come here for hip hop. You missed the mark. By the way, I paid $10 cover.Worst. People actually line dance to anything that isnt country. I hate it.

Ta
Review №14

I am shocked by this, however this bar only lets Americans in. No one from England, Scotland, Australia or any other country is allowed in the bar. Seems pretty much like blatant racism to me. This has been going on at least a year. Isnt this illegal? Come on guys, is this really the kind of place you want to run? Doesnt say much for the ownership. Stay away from here!

Me
Review №15

I generally really like this place, but the blonde bartender who worked on Halloween last night was incredibly rude and yelled at us when we were asking for drink prices. This just made getting drinks an uncomfortable experience all night because she was so unpleasant and snappy. Rude staff can easily ruin your night when you just want to go out and have a good time.

Kr
Review №16

Went here for ladies night/country night and had a blast! Music was on point with many different genres appealing to all. Shot girls did a great job coming around with shots! Drinks were great as well!

Je
Review №17

Wow so my ID picture is coming off bc its old. They have let me in before with the same id and now all of a sudden its we cant let you! Wow! You just looked at the same id 3 Wednesday ago and let me in!

Ni
Review №18

Ive been going here to learn country dancing for almost as long as theyve been open! Great place to learn and great exercise! If you are going to learn get there by 7 and put yourself in the mide of the floor. There are lessons every night. If youre going there for the night club atmosphere, wait until after 10pm,thats when the music changes and the crowd picks up. Before then its mostly country and the focus is on line dancing!

Ri
Review №19

Refused to let people in. Will never come back

ka
Review №20

Friendly people and good music loved the pop music part my favorite music was played. But the website doesn’t say it cost money to get in. It’s five bucks per person. It was a blast though.

Da
Review №21

I love the country dancing. They teach you how to line dance. You just gotta find a dancer who will help you learn. Very friendly and positive atmosphere!

Ki
Review №22

The security looks for any reason not to let minorities in. Any photo ID showing your DOB should be acceptable. He wouldnt let my Mexican friend in with her legal ID and also wouldnt let me in with my FOID card. He asked if I had a license, I said yes but not on me. Then he proceeded to say they dont accept FOID cards. Ive used my FOID card for things like doctors office visits etc...but it doesnt suffice for your Country Line Dancing joint...FOH, me and my Black friends went to Bar Louie in Naperville where the people were much friendlier. The people at the door in Saddle Up used to be welcoming, now the staff treats you with disdain and why are you here looks as soon as you walk in. Ive read the previous reviews and others have experienced racism as well. They might as well put a WHITES ONLY sign on the door. People of Color and our White Allies, please pass on this place!

Yu
Review №23

Power tripping security and bouncers are a thing here. Heard them discussing sharing racist remarks about minorities amongst each other. Theres no room for that kind of hate in this world. Take your business elsewhere.

Br
Review №24

They discriminate people. Don’t bother going here

Ca
Review №25

So here is how it goes... while my sister were dancing and drinking, yah know the normal — and on a side note I have horrific asthma — I begin to notice I am in definite need of my inhaler. And as all stories goes... earlier that day I had forgotten to put it back in my purse. Fast forward... in a panic I call my boyfriend to immediately bring me my back up. I look to the security personnel and ask “can I sit in you freezer?”. Not only did he and his manager immediately rush me back and set me up with a chair in the freezer until my boyfriend could get there with my inhaler, but the security personnel stayed by my side the entire time! Making sure I was doing okay and breathing okay. They offered me water and whatever else (including calling an ambulance) I needed to help me get through my asthma attack until my boyfriend was able to arrive with my inhaler. Thanks to all the staff for that one.

Jo
Review №26

Well, its like 80% country. Theyll teach you line dances to literally every song... And the songs that have an actual dance? Not even close...

Sa
Review №27

This place is honestly the funnest place I have EVER been to. I had my 21st birthday here and we rented out the private room and took a bus there. I danced and laughed and drank the night away. Honestly such fun! I am for sure going back because the people and the atmosphere are just amazing!

Ja
Review №28

I would never return here after the way the staff treated us.

Gi
Review №29

Saddle Up has been my spot for the last month or so! Ive been country dancing since 2004 and started out at Cadillac Ranch. It had been years since the first time I had tried out Saddle Up and am so glad I gave it a second chance! This place is the best bar in the area for these reasons:#1. The Dancing. People are dedicated to their dancing! For me, as a dancer for over 18 years, this is very important. They are dedicated, very good at what they do, and fun to watch! It is mostly line dancing. If you get there early, there is more couple dancing but mostly it is line dancing! So if youre single, this is the place for you because you dont need a partner!#2. The People. People here are super sweet! Very welcoming. I dont feel bad vibes from anyone...everyone is friendly and they are also nice to look at! Both the men and women are good looking. I always come with my date but we definitely like to watch! By the end of the night, we are making new friends and dancing with everyone! Its hard to find nice people anymore. If you want to meet cool, younger, nice people, youll find them here!#3. The Energy and Vibe. The vibration of the place is welcoming, upbeat, and friendly. Yes, you can tell who the regulars are but they arent jerks. They are nice and sweet! Being in the dance scene a long time its very rare to find this. (I know you dont know me, but if you are a dancer, you might understand that some dancers are not always so nice as they think they are the best.) That isnt the case here! The vibe is nice and not tense at all! This is important to me!#4. The Food. We eat here every time and the food is good. Yes some might be fried (thats what I order) but its good and its not the only thing they have...its just what I order. Ha!#5. Events. Everytime Ive come here someone is celebrating something. I am actually celebrating my birthday here tomorrow! Employees are nice and not grouchy, they like their job! They act like they care and are sweet.Some other things: the cover isnt bad, the country music is always good (which is very important too), Im not a drinker so I cant speak to that but it seems like their bartenders are good and drinks look good from what I can see. And most importantly theres a ginormous chandelier in the middle of the dance floor that I love to look at. (This is why I really wrote the review, yes, for that chandelier! Kidding!) Its just a fun place. If you come here, you wont be disappointed. I promise!!

di
Review №30

They dont accept customers with consular ID and discriminate 4 any reason

Al
Review №31

Came here for a buddies birthday and had a surprisingly awesome time. Not a big fan of country music and they played a good amount of variety. Definitely a place to dance!

Da
Review №32

Went here on a recommendation. Was fun but I cant line dance. They make it look so easy lol

Ph
Review №33

Cover charge was $5 which was not too bad, but without a live show I dont get why they were even charging. Line dancing was fun, and the music was good. The dance floor is large and the service was good. Beer prices were a little higher than others in the area.

Jo
Review №34

I got hassled by security because I was wearing a white T shirt. They asked me to put on a jacket because its against their policy. Meanwhile there are multiple people with white shirts on. Sign on door say No Jerseys but nothing about plain white Ts. I usually had an ok time with previous visits

An
Review №35

Thsy are definitely racist

Ve
Review №36

Good music.... Good dancing environment.... Must visit if you love line dancing n country music

Ra
Review №37

I went there so far for the second time this past week since Friday. The DJ whoever his name is refused my request twice in a row for a dance song in a venue where dance routines are regular. However, the DJ tells me he is playing music outside of the standard playlist for whom? Seems like there were some prejudice going on there because this request was made by someone with melonin, in other words myself. The atmosphere was not a problem at all because people going to be people, but if the DJ is going to sneak in tracks out of their playlists for others, then there’s something going on. All I asked was for them to request one specific song yet others get their request on a low profile. I’m not going to this place again spending my money if they cannot play one song that I politely requested as a regular club member there for years. The club staff don’t look out for the people, they only look out for certain people like the latinos and caucasians. When it comes to blacks with decency, they say they can’t request that song but want to give me their business card and check them on Facebook. What kinda stuff is that? How you run a club for the people but want to isolate a certain group of people and take their money? That’s not right at all!!!!!

Ch
Review №38

Pretty great atmosphere until about 12 it gets a little roudy. Great staff, even better music and line dancing. I will probably return some time this summer

Sc
Review №39

Hate this place and love it at the same time. its hit or miss

C
Review №40

Cool atmosphere but almost exclusively line dancing so not much opportunity to dance if thats not your thing

Fe
Review №41

Fun line dance bar that plays top 40 after 10PM. Decent drink prices and low cover

Ot
Review №42

Wow, this place is huge and looks amazing inside. A fun place to spend time with friends.

St
Review №43

Security sucks. A guy hited me for nothing and security did nothing, they are friends. This is not serious.

Jo
Review №44

More for younger kids, good line dancing but switches over way too early to disco thump music.

je
Review №45

Fun place, deffinatly for the younger crowd. Great service

Da
Review №46

If you like country and line dancing this is where you want to be. Great priced drinks

T
Review №47

I have never been so mistreated. The Head of Security, who claimed to be the General Manager, got in my face and accused me of stealing something off someones table. I had not even been near said table and Im a professional businesswoman, not a hoodlum. He never even apologized when it was found that it was not me and that no one had stole anything.All of the tables in the entire place had been reserved for private parties ahead of time, so there was nowhere to sit even though we had gotten there early. We hung our purses/coats on hooks next to a ledge and someone hung a banner right over our stuff, so we couldnt even get to it.What used to be a fun place to go dancing has now turned into a sub-par, cheesy suburban nightclub with douche bag, power-tripping staff!

Br
Review №48

The workout you never thought you would get! we love to go there just to hang out and pretend we can line dance...

Ge
Review №49

Good atmosphere, I loved it on my first time, love the prices.

Da
Review №50

Great place good music and a very awesome crowd.

Xa
Review №51

I am usually not a fan of country music but I enjoyed the hell out of it when I came down here with friends. It was also crazy how most dancers here had a country dance for every type of music out there. I just wish they had more lessons though.

Be
Review №52

Awesome place, great environment, always have a great time there.

Ch
Review №53

The security kick people out for absolutely no reason.

An
Review №54

Amazing atmosphere but not my type of bar

Ni
Review №55

This place is not like a typical bar....if you want to listen to country the whole time then go here and like dance the entire time but I wont EVER come back here even over my dead body

Ed
Review №56

It was a fun place with a great atmosphere, but like others have noted, the music can at times be corny and the bouncers are on a power trip.

My
Review №57

Bob the security personnel is absolutely unprofessional

Ro
Review №58

Did not get change back from my drinks

he
Review №59

The bar does not let you leave. If you do, you cannot get back in. All I have to say about that is full liability for any drunk driving deaths.

Pa
Review №60

Love it!!! So much fun and good people!

J.
Review №61

The best

De
Review №62

Fun nice staff

Ti
Review №63

Good

Ji
Review №64

Lots of fun....

Mi
Review №65

All kinds of country fun

Mi
Review №66

Cant believe a place like this exists lol

An
Review №67

Fun place to be.

Jo
Review №68

Security can get annoying, but so can the people that go there.

Ri
Review №69

I like eveything at Saddle up. Friendly Helpful dancers and staff on the floor.

Pa
Review №70

Love it

Information
42 Photos
70 Comments
3.4 Rating
  • Address:4440 Ogden Ave, Aurora, IL 60504, United States
  • Site:http://saddleupsaloon.org/
  • Phone:+1 630-585-8600
Categories
  • Night club
  • Bar
  • Bar & grill
  • Barbecue restaurant
  • Dance hall
  • Live music venue
Working hours
  • Monday:6pm–2am
  • Tuesday:6pm–2am
  • Wednesday:6pm–1am
  • Thursday:Closed
  • Friday:6pm–12am
  • Saturday:6pm–1am
  • Sunday:Closed
Service options
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great beer selection:Yes
  • Great cocktails:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Offerings
  • Alcohol:Yes
  • Beer:Yes
  • Cocktails:Yes
  • Dancing:Yes
  • Food:Yes
  • Food at bar:Yes
  • Happy-hour drinks:Yes
  • Spirits:Yes
  • Wine:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
Crowd
  • Groups:Yes
  • Tourists:Yes
Planning
  • Accepts reservations:Yes
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