Though it’s definitely a great place to shop, I wouldn’t say Schaumburg is an especially cool hotspot. It’s totally commercial, it’s streets lined with crappy restaurants, Pier Ones and other chain establishments. But when my friends and I learned our favorite Beatles cover band was playing a show there, we decided to make the trek out to John Barleycorn in this ‘burb for something a little different.

John Barleycorn Schaumburg is similar to its locations in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park in its atmosphere and menu, which let’s face it, is really nothing special.  However, the Barleycorn in Schaumburg is just HUGE. Walk in downstairs, and there’s plenty of room for dining and drinking. The second floor masquerades as a “club area”, with a dance floor with tons of space and multiple bars to keep the drinks flowing.

We paid ten bucks for the show, which was normal, but the drinks weren’t super cheap. In my own humble opinion that is usually always right, if you’re in the ‘burbs, a vodka soda should not cost the same as it does in the city.  Period.I was really impressed with the concert space. The stage was vast and elevated, giving the audience a great view of the band. The concert was awesome, but who doesn’t like a Beatles band that changes their super queer outfits with each era? When the show ended at about 10:30, the place transformed from a casual, laidback older crowd to a club-a-club dance scene playing the latest songs and beaty remixes.  If you like places that are sort of obnoxious, this is your new place.

If you like Affliction t-shirts and somehow Ed Hardy turns you on, you’ll be delighted with the crowd at Barleycorn, you can fist pump to their live DJs and watch the half-naked go-go dancers on stage. Even though this place wasn’t really my typical scene, my friends and I owned the dance floor despite being the most conservatively dressed women in our shirts with sleeves and average cleavage. But we started to fit in after doing our best impression of the Jersey Shore kids and ordering more vodka sodas from the over-bronzed but super-friendly boobalicious bartenders.
Bottom line: If there’s a band you want to see playing at this venue, it’s definitely worth checking out. The space is truly what makes John Barleycorn bearable, amidst all the bros bro-ing out and the girls skanking it up. It’s not the classiest establishment, but if you like making fun of the people around you and grinding with strangers, you’ll probably have a great time. Just remember to bring extra cash for those expensive vodka sodas.

By:

Ashley Spencer