Typical karaoke
- This is a pretty fun karaoke bar but it's narrow, stinky, and dirty.
- Karaoke is typical with lots of awful singers but if you drink enough, its good entertainment.
- No pitchers of beer.
I come here for the backroom experience during every UFC. This is secretly a mixed martial arts trainee's bar. The bouncers, the bartender, the staff, a lot of them train in Muay Thai and/or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and are wonderfully knowledgeable and educated about the sport.
Four stars, not for the food or drink, but for the sense of camaraderie I get here every UFC event. For sure, I haven't found another fighter's bar in Chicago.
We have only been there twice, as we are from Michigan and had a blast each time. It was packed in March and slow the weekend of Dec 21, 2012. Had a great time each time. We actually met the owner our last visit...nice guy...obviously TODD. And our bartender "BUCKETS" was the best!!!!! Gave us our first SHOT-SKI experience ever. Â If you are social and love to meet new friends and party... it's the place to be.. the fire pit in the back with the shipwrecked boat in the background brought back memories of Gilligan's Island.
I love you Chicago, you have always been very, very good to me.
I have never been a fan of Trader Todd's. Â The clientele is a little trashy and they rarely have drink specials. Â Oh, and the bathrooms are gross, with a tiny shower curtain as the "stall" door. Â
That said, I come here every once and a while, usually because friends love it. Â They have karaoke, which is fun, but it's one of the hardest in the city to get a song in, there's always a long line and the guy in charge plays favorites. Â They also support Tree House cat shelter and host a Mardi Gras party every year, which I appreciate. Â The servers are few and far between, but are good at taking care of you despite being so busy, which I also appreciate. Â They also do quirky events like the Chrstimas Carol sing-a-long in the party bus, taking you for photo ops at spots like Zoo Lights and Navy Pier. Â Oh, and the shotski is always a hit.
Overall, it's not my kind of bar. Â The events, however, will probably keep me coming back once or twice a year.
It gets two stars because 1) it was a friend's birthday-he loves the place; 2) pretty much everyone else loves it; and 3)it's not that bar's fault that I had a really unfortunate experience with one of their servers.
The server by the name of "Mariana" or something along those lines, was one of the rudest waitresses I've ever encountered...but only to me. Perhaps we met in a past life where I stole her firstborn child. I asked for a menu b/c she'd given the other two people at the table one. That apparently bothered her because she sourly told me "look around, this a small bar. you have to share. we're just a little kitschy little bar." With $11 drinks and only 8 people in the bar (at that time), I think asking for another menu is not unreasonable. By the sad south Florida-esque timeshare condo decor, obviously I wasn't at the Ritz. After doing as requested and sharing a menu, she impatiently waited for me to order and I told her, "I don't know what I want. I'll know by the time you get back. Please don't wait on me." Again, I think a pretty fair thing to say. She didn't like that either and snapped, "I won't" and gave a stank face.
I'm old-fashioned and can get drunk at home. I don't *have* to buy a drink, so I didn't. Upon telling her I wasn't ordering anything, she mumbles, "I didn't think so" as if I would after her horrible attitude! And the final kicker, she passed me and snappily said, "Excuse me!" Sorry/not sorry, but we're two grown women, there was no need for ANY of that.
I understand we all have rough days and no one really wants to work on a Monday, especially til 2 in the morning, listening to drunk people belt out Modest Mouse and Panic at the Disco. I am extremely sympathetic to that and can generally make allowances. However, not when I'm clearly being singled out and all for asking for another menu. I'm not from Chicago, so maybe asking for your own menu is like asking for ketchup on your hot dog.
I won't be returning to Trader Todd's, but I wish Ms."Mariana" all the best. And I'm sorry I stole her baby that one time.
dear god this place is quite the sh*thole! Â sticky tables, wobbly worn out chairs, horrible tv's, nasty bathrooms (thank god I'm a dude), and horrible singers!
ok, so I came here to watch UFC 153 (after trying 4 other bars that normally show UFC but weren't that night) for which there was no cover charge which was awesome, but there were only 3 tv's showing it in the back (one projector, an HDTV, and a small tube tv over the bar). Â so needless to say, it was not the best viewing option, but it was free. Â it was also quite difficult to hear the announcers over the horrible singers doing karaoke in front, but hey, beggars can't be choosers...
food was pretty decent actually, as their nachos were pretty good. Â their sandwiches were pretty decent too. Â Teresa was pretty attentive to us as well and kept the drinks coming.
I'm not sure if I'd come back here to watch a ufc fight again, but at least we know it's an option.
Regardless of whether you come to karaoke or sit back and watch it all unfold on the multiple screens, everyone lets loose and just has fun here. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel this way since it's always so busy that it gets uncomfortably close at times.
The song repertoire is filled with everyone's favorites; which only encourages sing-a-longs that you hope sometimes drowns out whoever is on stage. I have a high level of admiration for the bartenders that have to endure some of the ear splitting acts night after night and presumably sober. They always do it with a smile too!
In summer months there's an outside area open in the back that only enhances the Jimmy Buffet, parrot bay ambiance locals have come to love. The occasional appetizer special is much appreciated - wings and guacamole are good. I can't vouch for anything else on the menu, but I can assure you most people have a good time here.
I really enjoyed this place. Not a fan of all the karaoke singers, but some were damn good. I spent my time in the back, by the beer garden, watching UFC 152 (no cover!), which was just fine. Got pretty busy towards main-event time, and many of those who arrived at that time were almost insufferable (the guy and girl "couple" [?] apparently in the middle of breaking up and loudly doing so right at the bar; the over-dressed yet under-dressed [for the weather] girls screeching and tramping it up; the super-bro who dropped his beer bottle, shattering it, and then blamed it on his over-enthusiastic bro-hug), but the bar also turned the volume way up for the fight and drowned out most of the people.
Prices were, I guess, typical for the area, not too bad. I did not get any food, but it looked and smelled great. The karaoke in the front looked pretty crazy when I left, so if that's your thing, you could probably have some fun here. If not, there are other areas to just sit and watch whatever is on or chat with your friends, or watch the ridiculousness of Lakeview folk. Whatever suits you.
I went to Trader Todd's last night for a fundraiser and it was the first time I have ever been to Trader Todds. The food we ordered was good. The beer selection is decent and the service was above average. The back of the restaurant where the event was hosted was a little warm compared to the front of the bar but overall it is a nice place in the area to stop by and have a beer at. They do have a boat in the beer garden which is strange but different. They are a big karoake bar so if you are into that then maybe you should check it out.
Review Source:Go here soley for the server Juwan. She is awesome and one of the best servers i've had in a while.
1. Fast,
2. Friendly
3. Not annoying.
4. Let me get a little to wasted.
5. Not to shabby to look at ;).
This is unlike any other place, so get off your beaten path and order their pineapple margaritas, because they will transport you to Cancun.
We went to trader todds on st patricks day.....true to form there were a mob of people....it's cool that you can look up the songs on a computer but it defeats the purpose when you have to muscle through a billion people and then scream it out to the KJ, so there's also a tip jar which i firmly believe in gratuity...but I also firmly believe if I stick a $10 bill there my song will get paid soon lol (jk) but i did see a lot of people grease the kj.....for all of you green behind the ear i use the term greasing as in handing the kj a $10 or $20 to get ahead.....my $5 didn't stand a chance.
The bartenders on both ends were fast and efficient....
Favorite
the bathrooms were a disgrace to humanity....it was like a war zone...I can't believe not ONE person in the whole place had "bathroom cleaning job".
I give it three stars because it was st patricks day......any other day it would have been two stars.
One star for the good service.
One star for the location.
Other than that, nothing else. I went to this place because I found out it had Karaoke 7 days a week. We ended up singing one song because the PA system was TERRIFYING. The mic was at least a $20 one, the PA sounded like the $20 mic was plugged into a boom box from the 90s and the screen where the lyrics are is the size of my iPhone.
I ordered the chicken tenders with mashed potatoes and veggies. The chicken was decent and the potatoes and veggies tasted like the frozen kind that you microwave.
All in all, our tab was still $50 for two dinners and 2 beers and a diet coke. If I'm gonna drop $50 for Karaoke at least have a decent PA system, a screen and a good PA system.
The server was awesome, though.
A group of friends came here for Karaoke last weekend. Â The first time I was here - nearly a year before I had stumbled upon it to watch an Illini game. Â
This time we came for a birthday party of a friend-of-a-friend. Â It was neat that a smart phone scan of the menu takes you to their song list. Â I recommend that if you want to sing that you get on the list early. Â Else it can be a long wait. Â
There are plenty of beers on tap, but they have signature drinks that'll blow you out of the water after just a few.
This place is just PLAIN FUN!! Â Between the karaoke, GREAT atmosphere, huge margaritas (3x the alcohol and 2x the price of regular-sized), and awesome fun decorations, how can you not give this place 5 stars? Â
Had a nice little conversation with the bouncer about how the tattoos on his right arm are traditional American ones and the tattoos on his left arm are traditional Japanese ones. Â Also had a nice conversation with our server about her holiday plans! Â All the people working here just seemed to love this place, and all the other patrons were all just having fun. Â
This was our 3rd stop of the night, so I just had a Trader Todd's Red beer for $5. Â Would love to come back to share a huge margarita with friends while singing our hearts out!
How is it that I've lived in the city for 4 years now and have not written a review about Trader Todd's?? Â Trader Todd's is a shit show...plain and simple. Â A tiki vibe with a shot-ski and karaoke? Â Amazing. Â Bring in your Cubs ticket stub after a game and get 10 free (and really good) wings...this has become our post-game ritual. Â Their other food is actually really good as well as far (as bar food goes), I'm rarely there early enough to order but on the few occasions that I have I was pretty happy with it. Â
It gets crowded, the bartenders can be dicks, and the crowd is often times questionable...but go for the year-round tiki atmosphere and the hilarious karaoke performances and Todd's will be sure to keep you entertained all night long.
So between karaoke in the front room, scary movies in the back room and the gaudy "tiki- pirate" ambiance you can not go wrong!
This is definitely a place for enjoying fun drinks, fun friends and great entertainment! Friday nights are the best in my opinion... but check it out over the weekend for sure!
Oh, Trader Todd's. Whyyyy must you put me in a position to write a bad review about you?
I went to Trader Todd's for the first time about a year ago with my husband and we had SUCH a great time. We sat at the bar, drank, laughed, and enjoyed watching others sing. Note: This was a Sunday night, out of season.
Fast forward to this past Friday night when I went with 4 other friends.
Luckily we got their early enough to grab a large table in front near the stage (about 9pm). The place took a while to fill up, and even when it did, I never felt like I was crunched for space.
Here's a few things to note:
1. When we got there, there was a large group scattered throughout the bar who were totally wasted. One woman kept falling into my friend and at some point their group became obnoxious and annoying. We were glad when they left.
2. The drinks are overpriced, though some would say they're right on the money for the area. I just felt like I spent a lot of money for drinks that we just, "okay".
3. The drinks are STRONG. Although they're pricey, if you're looking for a way to kick start your night, order one of their specialty drinks.
4. The song selections are on one tiny wall monitor near the bathrooms. This is really a disadvantage because this place is pretty small to begin with, so if several people want to look through the HUGE song selection, it could really turn out to be a nightmare.
5. The microphones - UGH. The AV equipment here leaves much to be desired. First of all, good luck trying to get a group of your friends on the small stage. Add to that the fact that this place only has 2 mics, both of which don't work that well (and only 1 wireless) and you might as well do without the mic.
6. There was one girl who kept singing the most depressing songs ever. On a Friday night the last thing I want to hear is a man-bashing Alanis Morrisette song from a bitter ex-girlfriend.
7. This is definitely NOT the place to head if you're looking to meet hot guys/girls.
8. The girls bathroom is HORRIFIC! For a city bar, I'm not surprised that it's a small space, but there are NO DOORS on the women's bathroom stalls! Instead, there are light colored shower curtains that don't even touch the floor! Add to that the lipstick and grime all over said curtains and I'm officially GROSSED out and really turned off.
The one shining light in this whole mess? The service was RIGHT ON. I loved our waitress and felt well looked after the whole night.
Karaoke? Â Beach bar? Â Wrigley?
If you are looking for a combination of those three things in a single location, then Trader Todd's is for you. Â Its always a fun place to hang out, but definitely a stop later in the night if you know what I mean (I mean when you're already drunk).
Decent beer selection, hilarious singers, and a rowdy crowd makes this the type of place you don't really plan on going to but enjoy anyways.
Trader Todd's is perfect for a night of booze, bar food, low-fi karaoke, and general debauchery. This place is not civilized. You should only come here if you're drunk or crazy enough to believe that doing the hula while drinking fruity cocktails out of a punch bowl is a great idea.
The ribs are surprisingly good (and cheap!) They have crazy specials here. On Mondays, everything on the menu is half-off.
They also have a ridiculous pink short bus, decorated with abundant grass skirts, that cruises the neighborhood on weekend nights. I hope that they are driving drunk people home and not picking them up, but who knows?
"We're duet it, duet it, duet well."
Spotted: Adriane P. who may have been participating in a karaoke sing-off.
This place is right around the corner from The Big City Tap (The Big Shitty). The fact that it is a walking distance alternative alone earns it three stars. But to toss up some glitter to those stars, it's tiki themed and is rumored to be or used to have been owned by Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds. I can neither confirm or deny this, but did see his autographed picture by the cash register of the bar. The Pina Colada is good, not too sweet or thick and they have a drink that looks and tastes like those red, white, and blue rocket popsicles you'd get from the Ice Cream Truck as a kid. The service is ok too. They have food which I've never tried but seems decent for a bar.
I'd recommend it and if we ever cross paths there, I may join you in some LL Cool J or old school jam.
This is my Cheers!!
Todd's is a great place to become a regular. Â The staff and the crowd are always SO friendly & interesting. Â Every night is a new story! Â One night, they're filming a reality show. Â Next night, I meet the son of a well-known Japanese celebrity. Â Another night, we're cheering the Cubs or enjoying the awesome beer garden. Â (Get there early to claim a seat in the real sailboat!) Â Every night, karaoke is over-the-top hilarious. Â People will randomly invite you to share a shot-ski. Â And the food is consistently awesome.
Just a great bar to easily meet people & feel like you fit in. Â I love going to a place where everybody knows my name!
Woah. Totally didn't realize I wrote a review for this place in 2008. I guess that makes me old. Especially compared to the patrons who currently frequent Trader Todd's.
This place embodies everything that is wrong with certain aspects of Chicago nightlife (or Western Civilization in general):
-No HVAC system (or it wasn't working when I had to come for a b-day party here last weekend)
-Groups of people barely out of their teens who behave like they're at a high school mixer in Podunk, USA
-Tourists
-The whole "luau-nautical-tiki" theme belongs in some trashy ocean-side tourist trap, not the Windy City
Granted, it's better than being some haughty, fake luxo-lounge, but not by much. Argh I'm old.
Are you looking for a fun karaoke bar? Maybe a little on the dive-side of things? This is your place.
Every time I've been to Trader Todds it really seems like everyone is having a good time. I've never seen anyone sitting in the corner looking mopey, or that girl in a big group that looks like she was dragged out that night.
The drinks are your average divey-kinda bar drinks. They aren't bad, they aren't mind blowing, but they are tasty and they work. The service is ok. It gets pretty packed in there and the servers seem to be doing their best to get through the crowd. The DJ (KJ? Karaoke jock?) is funny and entertaining.
I'm sure I'll be going back to Trader Todds sooner or later. It's a fun place for a relaxed night out.
Is it possible to *still* be tipsy four days later? Â I swear I am still swimming after several healthy doses of Todd's Twisted Tea! Â Wowza, those babies were amazing! Â And you'd never know how much Smirnoff Vodka was poured into it, since all you can taste is the crisp, light, refreshing taste of sweet tea. Â Oh baby, that's what I like!
Trader Todd's was the hot spot for last Saturday's bachelorette party extravaganza. Â We had three tables reserved front row for the best karaoke party seats in the house. Â Said reservations came equipped with a stellar server. Â Not only was he completely attentive, even as it became challenging with growing crowds, but he also managed to disband some ignorant and unwanted party crashers that attempted to bogart our food and libations.
The karaoke was certainly the best I have seen in the city. Â There was not a single song that we requested that he did not have. Â And every song was of radio-version quality. Â None of this piano interpretation crapola you might find stocked by a lesser quality KJ. Â And the bar, while eventually housing quite the crowd, was small enough that you could get in a couple songs in rotation. Â Most of our party sang at least three songs over the course of the night. Â And had we not been engrossed in other conversations and activities, we probably could have done more. Â As added bonus, the bar staff was more than tolerant of our silly antics as the drinks really set in and we danced around the stage. Â A good time was had by all.
Holy shit. I went here on a Friday a few weeks ago and it was a clusterfuck of 21 year olds humping one another and spilling beer on me. I mean, if that is your thing, by all means, go for it. The back room was a decent respite, but really I am too old for a place full of college students (let's be honest -- the 21 year olds were probably some of the older patrons) that smells like poop, particularly if one is unlucky enough to stand outside the bathrooms.
Two things really put the nails in the coffin: first, a young patron got up to sing (rap?) "Lose Yourself" by Eminem (they have karaoke, which I love, though I kind of hated it here). From the crowd's reaction, one would believe it was the anthem of a generation. Please god, no.
So then in order to deal with that, I decided to do a shot of tequila. I thought it would make me less of an old, surly bitch. I ordered cuervo and was told that they only had flavored cuervo. WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS THAT? I think one of the flavors was pineapple! Gross. I got lime-flavored, thinking it couldn't be that bad. It was still pretty bad.
I made my friends leave with me shortly thereafter. I gave it two stars because I came another time with 3 friends, and it was nearly empty, and I sang "Thunder Road" and had a good time. That was a weekend night, too, so I don't really know what's going on here.
Funny story: I came here with my bf and his sister's friends after one of her friend's engagement party. Â My bf introduced me to the step-mother of the groom as his boyfriend and I went to shake her hand and she refused to shake mine. Â Ah. Â
There exist only two explanations:
1) The concentration of aging-bro and middle -aged bro and college-bro combined with rising trixie levels multiplied by the brutal slaughtering of various eighties hits from the karaoke area aurally raping anyone within a half block radius left her completely brain-dead.
or
2) She couldn't believe two gays stumbled into this shit hole.
Eau de vomit + Karaoke + packed + drunken slobs = :(
For a better time: Stay home, make some pina coladas, invite over 20 or so people you'd never want to hangout with, cram into your broom closet, sing god-awful Jimmy Buffet songs (and similarly bad 80's songs) at the top of your lungs, vomit, then hang yourself with a lei.
Wow! Â What a find! Â Stopped in during the Cubs-Cards series in early August and watched the Olympic opening cermonies on the patio, where smoking is blessedly permitted provided you stay outside the foul line.
Just an overall cool joint, from the decor, to the karaoke, to the game shuttle.
Look forward to a return trip!
I'm actually mad at yelp right now for not allowing zero stars. Â This was the worst bar I've ever been to. Â They could do absolutely nothing right. Â My friend had his 25th birthday party here and it was supposed to be $20 dollars, we showed up and they demanded $30. Â They acknowledged that it was supposed to be $20, but they said that the price "had changed". Â
The open bar included well drinks and bud light.  I believe everyone who  worked there had obtained their marketing degree from ITT Tech, because they all tried to convince everyone I was with that we were getting a good deal.  If you'd been to any of the other 10,000 bars in Chicago you'd know that a $30 dollar open bar always includes top shelf or call drinks. Â
We all had no choice but to get the wrist band deal because it was our best friends birthday. Â We went out and sat in the beer garden, until we were told that there were only a handful of tables in between the front of the bar and the beer garden that we were allowed to sit. Thrilled, we went to the center of the bar. Â We were only allowed to order from our server who then would have to put our order into the bartender (they only had one bartender for approx 100 people). Â
If you are looking to open a bar this place would be the perfect example of how not to run anything right. Â They did everything wrong! Â I can't imagine a more horrible bar. Â The location is the only thing that may keep this place running. Â If you've read my reviews you'd know that I like just about anything, but this place needs a serious change in management in order to gain any respect from me. Â
Also they somehow have gotten away with the no smoking law. Â Their entire back deck is the smoking area. Â I don't know or understand the new laws, but I guess they've found the way around them, because they had at least 50 people smoking inside the place.
OK - I am going to smack myself for giving this place five stars because it certainly is not fancy... but I love it so much I have to.
Ever been some place where the waitstaff becomes your friend? That is Trader Todd's in a nutshell. The folks there are amazing.
Chicago winters are depressing and the best cure is Trader Todd's. I always wonder if I've accidentally stepped into a time machine and ended up much further south. If you sit so you can't see outside it is easy to get lost.
The food, albeit only fancy bar food, is quite tasty. I highly recommend the Maui Pulled Pork or Sloppy Joe. And when you are ready for a drink there is nothing like a hurricane or two to bring you to your senses.
I am going to list a number of things I don't approve of:
1. Tiki anything.
2. Anything reminiscent of Key West.
3. Cubs baseball (when combined with drinking)
4. Billy Joel (especially on karaoke)
5. Jimmy Buffett.
What do these things all have in common? Â Trader Todd's. Â I HATE HATE HATE so much about this place, yet you see that I have rated it with four stars. Â How can this be?
We are talking about a bar that has karaoke EVERY NIGHT until 2:00, a crowd that generally ambles over to Big Sh*tty after clearing out, tropical themed everything....wow. Â It is a sensory overload of things I do not like.
But...there's karaoke every night. Â You can walk by, feeling like doing karaoke, and you know, "I can make this happen right now." Â Fridays and Saturdays, as anywhere are super disgusting, and here is no exception.
Mondays though....wow...half-price everything. Â They have a line of cocktails that cost $8 any other night...$4 on Mondays. Â Think about it. Â You can have a pain killer - Appleton Rum and Bacardi 51, coconut milk and orange juice on the rocks (which is more palatable than it sounds) for $4. Â So you can easily get completely obliterated for about $12 plus tip. Â The food is pretty good...I highly recommend the chili. Â And again...on Mondays, all food is half-priced.
I forget if it's Tuesday or Wednesday that they have Guitar Hero in the back room. Â You'd be surprised how fun that can be when you're riding the drunk train to Awesometown.
What really makes me come back though is the staff. Â Everyone who works there is awesome, Todd and Virginia are awesome, Cliff is awesome. Â I can't even begin to list the bar- and waitstaff, but chances are you can find them at Big Sh*tty after hours as well. Â They are total troupers, super patient, and as long as you can tolerate a modicum of kitsch, you can definitely find yourself having a good time among good people.
Somehow, I end up here more often than my good sense should allow. It's always winter, and the contrast between subzero windchills and tiki bar decor always strikes me as ironic...
Even funnier, one of my best friend's used the Trader Todd's tiki bus to move her stuff into my apartment a few years ago. It's our little claim to fame. We even got to use the loudspeaker and everything. But...shhh!
I do not think I've ever been in here and been able to get a seat, so people out there must like bad karaoke, faux tiki and American beer. Ah yes, karaoke...such a guilty pleasure. I've never belted out bad versions of bad songs at this particular locale, but I'll put it on the list...maybe.
Best bet for a good time: eat somewhere else, arrive early(ish), grab seats, get good and buzzed (enough to forget what you are about to do), and sing some tragic ballads.
Oh and hell, drink a mai tai while you are at it for me.
This place is UBER crowded on weekends. Â Don't even try it. Â Unless you like waiting over two hours for your karaoke song, being so crowded that you're practically cornered into the bachelorette party of the week, or paying for weak overpriced drinks -- then you should pass on Trader Todds.
But I'm a karaoke whore, so I'm a little easy on this place. Â I love the cheesy trashy tiki decor and shots on the ski. Â Genius! Â I think if I went on a weekday I would have had a completely different (and better) experience. Â
I also would have had a better view of the hot karaoke maestro (not the guy with long hair). Â I probably wouldn't have had to listen to such cheesy overdone songs like Sweet Caroline. Â And I probably wouldn't have had to bite off the candy g-string of said bachelorette.
I swear to you fellow Yelpers - one thing you will NEVER see me do is karaoke. Â I am completely tone deaf, have an awful singing voice, my stage presence is frightening, and quite honestly I would just embarrass myself. Â Public shame is something I do not need. Â I am not even a fan of karaoke bars because they seem full of people who feel they have some special singing talent.
Fortunately, the crowd at Trader Todd's knows nothing of the phrase "public shame", and if so, they completely embrace it.
I saw the mediocre reviews of this bar, located about 2 blocks from my place, and wondered, "if this place has an average of 3 stars, why does it look like everyons is having so much damn fun in there?" Â Every time my friends and I tried to go there, we got too drunk and ended up at our usual Wrigleyville spots. Â Last Friday some fellow Yelpers (and my co-workers, who came later) made our way into the land of tiki torches, shot skis, and wailing stage bianchis. Â
$45 worth of beer and shots later, I learned that even the most anti-karaoke of people can still be lured up on stage and make an abomination of themselves. Â Even if I do not remember singing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" with two random girls, the pictures tell the story. Â
It seems like everyone in this bar suddenly became friends joined in song towards the end of the night. Â Think: Â music camp? Â I can't remember the last time where I had so much fun with completely random people who I may never see again. Â Or maybe I will see them again -- next time I go back. Â Maybe I'll even go on one of those tours... they have a tiki trolley, ya know?!
UPDATE: Â The Pain Killer drink is ridiculously strong. Â Drinker beware. Â That is all :)
What is a great way to end mourning and pay tribute to your friend that has gone to a better place? Â Go karaoke to his memory at Trader Todd's! Â Lots of good times here and only saw a few trixies and chads here. Â
Sang a song to his memory.
would give it five stars but the ventilation is terrible... definitely lost a few months of my life from all the sick smoke...
I luvs me some karaoke, so I liked Trader Todd's. Â I think that Trader Todd's is best when you go with a group of fun people. Â Going on your own or with one other person isn't quite the same. Â
I love the tiki bus! Â Right before Christmas, my friends and I did the Holiday Light tour on the tiki bus and had such a great time! Â Where else can you grab the microphone and tell the tourists on Michigan Ave. what the unwritten "rules" of Chicago are? Â "Do not stop in the middle of the street...move to the side and then stop. Â Do not walk 4 abreast on the sidewalk...we will push one of you over." Â Or go past the Lincoln Park Zoo and say "Stay away from alcohol kids or this will happen to you!!" Â
It all made me feel so warm and fuzzy.
Last night was the first time I have ever been to Trader Todd's and actually done karaoke. I heart karaoke and I actually really like Trader Todd's so I figured it would be a good time.
The key is to go to this place when it's not packed so you can get your sing on. Â The song book is not really up to date at all but I like a challenge. Â My FAVORITE thing about the roake here is the 10 minute delay screen - how brilliant is that? Â You can watch yourself on TV after you sing! Â I found this very amusing (even though the camera adds ten pounds). Â Other things I love about Trader Todd's:
-The Beer Garden out back. Was out here one afternoon with friends and it was like our own Jimmy Buffet-themed garden. Â Hooray!
-Ogre. Â He.
-Twisted Teas. Â One, Two, Three - Floor! Â
-Free basket of wings after Cubs games with your ticket stub.
-The tiki transit
There are only a few things about Trader Todd's that keeps it off my five-star list.  It's not that cheap so try to catch a night with deals.  Also, the karaoke  DJ last night was NOT friendly.  I was complimenting him on his excellent song choice in between karaoke sessions (which is genius really.  Good tunes between bad renditons of Meatloaf is fine by me).  He grunted at me!  Hey dude I was a DJ once too, just trying to give you some props.  Go brush your ponytail. Finally, I don't know who loves and or invented the drink entitled "Pain Killer" but it was not for me - blech.
All in all, I will be back to Trader Todd's soon. Â Whether it be for my free post-Cubs wings or to satisfy my fans' hunger for my karaoke encore.
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