I just saw Local H here last night, and all i can say is: Wow, what a shitty place to see a rock show. The acoustics are horrible and i don't think those that were working sound knew what they were doing. It took 20 minutes of monitors not working, mics not plugged in, feedback, more feedback, more feedback, mics not working again before it sounded OK and Local H could play. When i say "ok", I just mean "ok", there's no way anyone could call it good. vocals were too quiet and, mid range was muddy. I'm no sound snob at shows, but when all the reviews on yelp talk about "killer acoustics" and their own website touts "state-o-the-art acoustic design", I expected far more. I also had my doubts, since after all - it is inside a hotel in Rosemont.
Drinks inside the actual Montrose Room are limited (only 3 beers and a few cocktals, if i'm remembering correctly), but there's "The Ice Bar" just outside the doors of the room (still in the hotel) that has some decent bottled beers and a few tap beers available for a fair price.
...also, the floor is carpeted, which is nicer on the feet than concrete or wood, but weird. It reminds me of a room where people would sit and listen to a motivational speaker, or possibly watch a comedian more than a place where they go and stand for a concert.
The hotel itself is quite nic, the lobby has some neat artwork, and the staff was very friendly and as well trained as i would expect the staff at a nicer IC hotel to be. If i need to stay near O'Hare for any reason, or need to recommend a hotel in the "Priority Club family of hotels" - it'll surely be on the top of my list. It's just not a place I'll ever go to see a rock show again. read more