Celebrating 54 years of entertaining audiences from across the globe
CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT: The Baton Show Lounge celebrates 55 years of entertainment this March 2024. After 50 years at 436 North Clark Street in the River North Area of Chicago we are now located at our new location in Uptown, 4703 - 4713 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. The Baton is the longest running and most prestigious show of its kind in the country and across the globe. The club’s founder and original owner and current co-owner, Mr. Jim Flint, a native of Peoria, Illinois and a long time resident of Chicago opened the original Baton in 1969. In order to attract customers to the area he soon starting having shows using a stage made of only beer crates with plywood, and few energetic entertainers which began to attract local audiences to the venue. Soon the audiences grew and the club’s reputation for fabulous unique and risque entertainment become known across the country and around the globe.
Through the years the Baton has become famous across the world for presenting the best of the best in the art of female impersonation and male review with today’s cast carrying on the tradition of the original “Top of The Nation Revue”. Much credit for the success of the Baton is extended to Irv Kupcinet whose article on the club helped to lead to Jim Flint and the cast appearing on the Phil Donahue show numerous times. Also, Mr. Flint and his cast have made appearances on many other shows throughout the years such as Maury Povich, Oprah, Sally Jesse Raphael, Jenny Jones, E! Entertainment Network, People are Talking, 190 North, Fox Entertainment Network, ABC 7 New Year's Eve Celebrations and many more.
Over the years, the walls of the club have seen many special visitor’s including Madonna, Janet Jackson, RuPaul, DaBrat, Joan Crawford, Sammy Davis, JR, Carol Channing, Dinah Shore, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner, Stephanie Powers, Lauren Bacall, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Rivers, Tracy Ross, Tim Curry, Chris Farley and even the Kennedy family and their security during the 1984 Presidential Election. Many professional athletes have enjoyed the shows including Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Jimmy Connors, Gayle Sayers and many, many, many more.
Today, the Baton has become a favorite tradition for bachelorette parties to celebrate the bride’s last night of freedom. So dress up or dress down . . . just be comfortable and come enjoy the shows at the Baton Show Lounge.
If you’re celebrating a friend’s night out, your anniversary, a birthday, having a bachelorette or bachelor party or just looking for an evening of entertainment and fun please visit us and enjoy one of the most entertaining night clubs in country. The bachelorette season is always in high gear ... so make your reservations early to secure your space at the club to celebrate your special occasion. The Baton is the longest running revue of its kind in North America.
Come in, relax and enjoy your favorite beverage with the "ladies" of the Baton Show Lounge. For more information about making reservations or attending a show at the Baton see Reservations. Thank you for making us a part of your night and as always, we thank you for your patronage and hope that you enjoy the time you spend with us ... we look forward to seeing you soon at Chicago's best place to relax & have some fun . . . call 312.644.5269.
CELEBRATING 54 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT: The Baton Show Lounge celebrated 54 years of entertainment this March 2023. After 50 years at 436 North Clark Street in the River North Area of Chicago we are now located at our new location in Uptown, 4703 - 4713 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640. The Baton is the longest running and most prestigious show of its kind in the country and across the globe. The club’s original owner and current co-owner, Mr. Jim Flint, a native of Peoria, Illinois and a long time resident of Chicago opened the original Baton in 1969. In order to attract customers to the area he soon starting having shows using a stage made of only beer crates with plywood, and few energetic entertainers which began to attract local audiences to the venue. Soon the audiences grew and the club’s reputation for fabulous unique and risque entertainment become known across the country and around the globe.
Through the years the Baton has become famous across the world for presenting the best of the best in the art of female impersonation and male review with today’s cast carrying on the tradition of the original “Top of The Nation Revue”. Much credit for the success of the Baton is extended to Irv Kupcinet whose article on the club helped to lead to Jim Flint and the cast appearing on the Phil Donahue show numerous times. Also, Mr. Flint and his cast have made appearances on many other shows throughout the years such as Maury Povich, Oprah, Sally Jesse Raphael, Jenny Jones, E! Entertainment Network, People are Talking, 190 North, Fox Entertainment Network, ABC 7 New Year's Eve Celebrations and many more.
Over the years, the walls of the club have seen many special visitor’s including Madonna, Janet Jackson, RuPaul, DaBrat, Joan Crawford, Sammy Davis, JR, Carol Channing, Dinah Shore, Kirk Douglas, Robert Wagner, Stephanie Powers, Lauren Bacall, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Rivers, Tracy Ross, Tim Curry, Chris Farley and even the Kennedy family and their security during the 1984 Presidential Election. Many professional athletes have enjoyed the shows including Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Jimmy Connors, Gayle Sayers and many, many, many more.
Today, the Baton has become a favorite tradition for bachelorette parties to celebrate the bride’s last night of freedom. So dress up or dress down . . . just be comfortable and come enjoy the shows at the Baton Show Lounge.
If you’re celebrating a friend’s night out, your anniversary, a birthday, having a bachelorette or bachelor party or just looking for an evening of entertainment and fun please visit us and enjoy one of the most entertaining night clubs in country. The bachelorette season is always in high gear ... so make your reservations early to secure your space at the club to celebrate your special occasion. The Baton is the longest running revue of its kind in North America.
Come in, relax and enjoy your favorite beverage with the "ladies" of the Baton Show Lounge. For more information about making reservations or attending a show at the Baton see Reservations. Thank you for making us a part of your night and as always, we thank you for your patronage and hope that you enjoy the time you spend with us ... we look forward to seeing you soon at Chicago's best place to relax & have some fun . . . call 312.644.5269.
And ever since his clubs and entertainers have been pleasing audiences from around the world.
The Baton Show Lounge, America’s premiere drag showcase celebrates 54 years this March 2023. Founded in 1969 by Jim Flint, the Baton’s “Tops of the Nation Review” have been pleasing audiences from across the globe featuring the best of the best in female impersonation and male revue. The cast of the Baton Show Lounge has entertained for Hollywood's top celebrities, recording artists and professional athletes. You will not believe your eyes as the entertainers take the stage in their one of a kind solo numbers and extravagant group productions.
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The man who started it all ... learn about the years of change throughout Chicago and the world as Jim Flint help to shape the direction of gay rights across the country.
Jim Flint ... a man with a vision and desire ... JIM FLINT:The Boy from Peoria is a book written by Tracy Bain and Owen Keehnen that documents not only the life of Mr. Flint but tells all the details of how the Baton Show Lounge started and the history of the club that is known around the globe. With stories and photos of the numerous entertainers that have performed here through the years but also of the numerous famous and infamous characters that have entered the doors and spent time inside its walls. From the Kennedy's to the underworld .... They’ve all been here at one time or another.
The book is available for purchase here or on Amazon.Com ... As a youngster growing up in Peoria, Illinois Mr. Flint began working at an early age to help support his family as his mother worked two jobs to make ends meet ... with astrong work ethic as he grew so did his dreams. The book "Jim Flint: TheBoy from Peoria" tells his story in detail about his accomplishments through the years ...get your copy today.
For information about getting an autographed copy of the book please send us a request using the contact form below (Authentic Autographed books can only be purchased directly through us). Regular copies either in color or black and white available through Amazon. *Purchase through Amazon.
For information and reservations please give us a call and let us assist you with your questions. General reservation hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until 4:00pm (CT), Sundays from 12:00pm until 3pm (CT) and Tuesday through Sunday evenings after 6:30pm (CT).
For information about getting an autographed copy of the book please send us a request using the contact form below (Authentic Autographed books can only be purchased directly through us). Regular copies either in color or black and white available through Amazon.
CONTACT US AT 312.644.5269Please contact us to let us know how we may assist you. If you would like a call-back from the Baton Show Lounge's main office or would like reservations please make sure to leave a valid phone number so we may reach you. Should you have any further issues or need assistance please contact us directly Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until 3pm at 312.644.5269.
For information about getting an autograph copy of the book please send us a request and order directly from us. Regular copies in either color or black and white are available through Amazon.
