Chicago nightlife just got a little stranger after what appeared to be a confusing set of gender neutral bathroom signs turned out to be the entrance to a full blown underground gambling den. Customers at a popular bar in the Loop had been puzzled for months by the restroom symbols that looked less like human figures and more like a mash up of hieroglyphics and IKEA instructions.
The mystery was solved last weekend when one patron decided to push through the door after assuming it must be the restroom. Instead of finding a row of stalls he stumbled into a staircase leading to a sprawling casino complete with poker tables, slot machines and roulette wheels.
Witnesses said the basement was buzzing with activity. Bartenders carried trays of free cocktails and sharply dressed dealers kept the games moving while patrons casually dropped thousands in cash on the tables. One astonished customer said he thought the sign on the door was some sort of progressive art piece about identity. Instead it was a golden ticket to a blackjack pit.
The operation only came to light after a series of negative Yelp reviews began to draw attention. Customers complained that the bathroom was impossible to find and always seemed occupied. One reviewer joked that whoever was inside must be betting away their savings.
When police finally raided the bar the gamblers reportedly showed little surprise and some even tried to place last minute bets as officers cleared the room. The biggest shock belonged to patrons who were simply waiting for the restroom.
Bar management has denied any knowledge of the scheme and blamed the signage on an unnamed consultant who has since disappeared. Authorities are investigating whether other establishments in the city are hiding similar basement casinos behind misleading bathroom doors.
One frustrated regular summed it up best. He said he did not care if the bathroom was labeled male female or alien. He just wanted a toilet that did not lead to a roulette wheel.
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