Went today. Illinois Derby was the 8th race, hence the big crowd, as well as WGN's and others radio stations' presence. Hawthorne has renovated some areas, and it appears as if they now take credit cards at the bars. Nice, but whatever. I like this place. I liked it last year, and the year before. And I like it today. Employees are friendly and down to earth. Great place to watch thoroughbreds run, renovations or not. Went to customer service to check on the number of points I've earned on my Hawthorne card. Too funny....righteous man in in his Sears suit coat was issuing a very long complaint to the Hawthorne employee, whose expression was increasingly glazed. I mean LONG, and without a breath in between various disappointments. God love her, because 10 seconds in I wanted to tell the guy to STFU and enjoy the day for what it was. (I actually had to shove him over, verbally, to speak to the other employee.) "And then..our waitress took FIVE minutes to bring our drinks...and THEN..." And then what? She didn't bow down to your vast superiority? She didn't weep tears of joy and admiration for your Miller Lite orders? She didn't appreciate your Sears jacket or artfully arranged thinning hair?" Really, dude, what the F*** do you want? This guy was talking nonstop for at least 7 minutes (before I left the area)....that poor girl. I have enough points for a windbreaker, by the way, but am saving them up for a hoodie. I suspect the complainer is still there, explaining to that poor girl that he deserves better service...I'll have those points by the time he's done. read more

Always a good time at Hawthorne when the thoroughbred meet is in town. So much history here, so wish they would do the much needed repair / upgrade work to the fan stands, concessions, restrooms that is needed because of age wear & tear. read more

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First time here and we had a great time!! The races were fun and excellent service the alcohol was not expensive and We met some nice folks there. read more

Well, at least it didn't cost anything to park or enter. The entire grandstand is walled off. If you want to watch the race live, you can stand on the rail at the south turn and hope the race isn't a short one ... read more

Dirty Dusty and Old Old. Chicago deserves so much better. I have been to more than a half dozen tracks in the last five years and this by far is the worse and most under underwhelming place ever. Remodel or Demolish it can never be as bad as it is now. Will not ever go back unless its a life or death situation. Just Shut The Doors. read more

What a poor excuse of a race track! Went on Kentucky Derby Day and was really disappointed. Charged $30 for entry for a small corner of the track with no seating. Constantly hassled by poor old time management as where you could stand, sit or go the bathroom. Hopefully renovation and new casino will get rid of the Karen's running this place! Will not be back until then. read more

We are not big gamblers but after attending college in Kentucky, it is fair to say that celebrating derby is a tradition. This year instead of traveling to Louisville we decided to attend a derby event at Hawthorne hosted by our college's alumni association. Hawthorne is a no frills, standard old school racing facility. Thankfully we were with a group and the food was excellent along with an attentive staff and nice bar offerings. I don't think I would hang-out at Hawthorne outside of derby festivities as the crowd leans toward an older demographic. Additionally, the venue is in dire need of updating - for starters the women's restroom reminds me of a 1980's Dynasty/Falcon Crest replica that hasn't been updated in thirty years. Besides the need for an update, it is a great space to rent for celebrations given the ample parking, easy entry and solid menu. read more

Hawthorne Race Course - 8th Annual Kentucky State University- Chicago Alumni Chapter Derby Party! - Horse Racing Near Me - Cicero, Illinois

Beetles cover band? Check. Drunk Bukowski-like dudes? Check. Old chain-smoking women with Hollywood Casino hats? Check. $1 hot dogs and $1 Beers? Check People yelling at horses? Check. Awesome...? Obviously. Check this place in Cicero out for an alternative night out. It's something different and can be surprisingly cheap - assuming you are not addicted to gambling. Sadly the track was near empty - support a historic sport by placing a bet at the actual course... instead of your local OTB.... read more

Given that there are two horse racing options in the Chicagoland area, this facility does not hold up well to Arlington for the casual horse racing fan. (This place is probably more appealing to the serious aficionado of the ponies because there are not as many casual fans walking around.) Place is a little dirty and outdated. Food options are not the best, but drinks are somewhat cheap (for basic fare). Parking is convenient. You can watch races and bet, so from that perspective, the joint gets the job done, but there is not much else going on at this facility. read more

First time at a horse racing track but I really had a good time. 3 bucks to park, 3 each to get in and low minimum bets make for a fun day...and you can bring your kids too! If you've never been I say try it, just make sure to ask for a program for first timers...that sets you back $3.50. Looking forward to trying a track near me and if I lived in Chicago I'd take this over the casino 9 times out of 10. read more

My boyfriend's uncle invited us to go with them 'cause they had a horse, racing that day. I've never seen an actual horse race so I was ecstatic to go. My poor man was sick the day we got invited, I didn't think we would make it. Thankfully he had me to take care of him. LOL! He got better and we made it. I like that you didn't need to be in to cold to watch the horse race! The area is enclosed in glass windows and there is an option for you to actually be outside. Watching the race is like being in a sportbar, yep, drinks and food served to your table while watching the race and hoping the horse you bet would win! Or were we on a VIP? 9 horse race, I did not win any. I had fun tho. read more

A real cold feeling in this place. It's a huge dump. Like being in a big garage. Dreary and depressing. Terrible food. Ice cold atmosphere. read more

You'll find the typical horse track cast of characters here, salty old dudes, drunken douchies and men in miniature. (There are also some solid folks too and yes sometimes I fall in the drunken, albeit far less douchie category) This track sports little to no pageantry. The staff is polite and reasonably attentive. The guy selling pens and programs at the lower level entrance will sell you a pen that doesn't work, but will also exchange it for one that does if asked. Anyone who has been to half a dozen tracks has probably seen far better and much worse. The facilities are dated, but clean. This place hits the spot for handicappers jonesin' to play the ponies when Arlington isn't in session, or if you're not of a mind make the hike. This is not a location that CTA serves well, so by car is your best option. In any case make your bets early. read more

This place is basically a dump. Decor is outdated and food is horrible. For some reason, I bid on a day here at a charity auction a few months ago. This package was valued at $200, (i paid $75) but was more like 30 bucks, and this is being generous. First, the lady at the gates was rude as hell when directing us where to go, I can not understand why she was so hostile. Bad day? No excuse. Next, half of the elevators were out of order. And when I asked where the stairs were, I was instructed I had to use the elevator.... Ok hope there isn't a fire while I'm here... We get to the 2nd floor and get seated. The waiter (that has worked there for 7 years) told us that the only white wines were Cabernet and Pinot Grigio. Really? Get w the program dude and learn your stuff. I tend to get tanked on Sunday afternoons and this guys knowledge of the drinks was definitely getting in my way of doing so. We sit through a horrible lunch, like 4 things on the buffet that were dried out and nasty. If I would have paid with my hard earned money instead of my 75$ gift certificate i won at the auction I would have been furious for the lack of quality. Drinks were not included on our certificate, no biggie, but then the server put a gratuity of like $21. Really? That's cool I get it, you're worried u might not get a tip, but it was a little extreme, I woulda thrown the guy a twenty either way. But oh well. The only reason there are 2 stars are because the horses were beautiful and the actual races were cool. And part of the package i won was to include a winners circle photo. when i asked the server how to get this picture he tells me some BS that they will call me on the loud speaker and ask me to come down. it never happened. Although, this server didn't know jack, and the place was not even close to being organized enough to actually execute this photo op. Save your frustration and hard earned money and check out a dif race course. Never again. Total waste of a day. read more

We were trying to come up with something special for celebrating my husband's 70th birthday. We haven't been to a race track in a very long time and decided this would be perfect. We got special reserved seating at the club level and had a wonderful time being served by our very attentive waiter, Edward. He made sure we never had empty glasses! They had a special on wings (Sundays) and we chowed down on heaps of them throughout the race. By making arrangements ahead of time, we were invited to the winner's circle after one of the races to meet the winning horse and jockey. To top that all off, they took a picture of all of us with these winners! A wonderful keepsake was created for my husband using the photo and presented it to him before we left, he now has it on his bulletin board. Oh yea ... we didn't win any money :-( But we didn't really care, it was so much fun :-) read more

Hawthorne takes me back in time to my high school days (late 80's) when we would go all the time - it's the place I fell in love with horse racing....I've since been to many different tracks all over the country.....and like your 1st car - it still holds a special place in my heart.....is it old? Yes - a little run down? Yes - but it's still a great place to go if you get a jones to go bet the ponies in the winter - last year, we got a table in a special section for basically free (had to order $15 of food and drinks per person...OK.....) - plus it's run by an alum of MC....... read more

I lived at this place half my life what can u say about it alot of the people have passed. I miss the old days never be the same ..

This is only for their party room. I was here for an event and very unimpressed with the event room. It seemed old and not very pristine. It was hard to hear the PA system and the food was only average. read more

Renovations and a friendly staff make this an excellent choice in the city to watch horse racing! The bar area is all new and loaded with TVs showing live racing from across the country. Individual booth and table areas can be found just about anywhere on the main floor. Food and beverage prices are reasonable and servers are friendly. read more

Came hear on an outing with the bar I hang at it was like $65 dollars per person and it was all you can eat and all you can drink (top shelf). We were seated in the Cigar room which was really nice you had you own bar and the food was set up right in the room. The food was pretty good and the alcohol was even better but all in all I had a great time and I can't wait to go to next years outing. Did I mention it was my first time there didn't know how to bet but caught on quick....My husband on the other hand won like $330 bucks .......Lucky read more

A great place to watch 'real dirt racing, still live, near the city, easily accessible, with fine food, great LG t'v's , wonderful racing personalities AND added turf racing, that is affordable to families, seniors, near CTA, Metra, with low admission, some FREE parking and daily shuttle bus. SAFE and secure and well lit. Many p.m. options! TPD read more

went to hawthorne today. for about a week they took the tables away from the teller area. today I pulled a table and chair where they used to be about a 1 hour later security said they had to move the table to where is was. what gives I was not hurting anythingbad customer service place is okay to bet read more