Club Element
Campustown's newest Dance Club
2401 Chamberlain
Ames, IA
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Bar/Club
Club Element is a multi-level dance club with a bar on every floor. They feature the largest laser light show in central Iowa, live DJs, a dance floor, and a 1,200sq ft outdoor patio overlooking Campustown on Chamberlain.
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Features
Dance Floor
Laser Light Show
Live DJ
Large Outdoor Patio
Price Range
Attire
Casual
Dress Code
Semi-Casual
Crowd
Mostly college students
Web Site
82 User Reviews & Comments
November 28, 2012 



Just terrible, dirty with a constant turn over in staff that has no clue what they r doing, the owner should just give up and sell it
December 5, 2011 



Not fun or engaging. A$$hole staff. Dirty.. Stinky... and well boring.
October 27, 2011 



Thank god the city pulled your liqour license and finally will be closing you down lol! What a trash hole, really made the campus town bar scene look bad.
October 27, 2011 



I was very surprised at how much element has changed. The bathrooms were 100 times cleaner than before and the bartenders did a great job!
October 5, 2011 



This place is a poop hole. They seriously need to do something to fix this place. IF there was another bar in ames that offered hip hop dance music this place would close.
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May 29, 2011 



Dirty, sticky, and unpleasant. I saw the fights and the awkward grinding and I was out of there. I‘m never going back there.
April 17, 2011 



I witnessed an Element bouncer chase after a patron for supposedly breaking a glass and proceed to attack him and assault him. When I along with others attempted to stop him I was physically pushed by the employee and verbally assaulted. It was the most inappropriate behavior I had seen from a bar employee. Element is a waste of time and money and will not be getting business from me and many others for this incidence. Do not go to this club!
April 16, 2011 



trashy, douchey, bottle service? wtf? skanky, and DIRTY. All of the best words to describe this awful place. The DJ sucked too...
February 21, 2011 



Dark, smelly and sticky! The bathrooms scared me! I was worried for my life at several occasions because of the people I encountered and that were allowed in ugh I was treated very disrespectfully by guys there and no one really cared! I am new to town and from a bigger city so was expecting a real night club where I could find an upscale classy crowd with cute guys. Needless to say I was appalled at what I found. As long as trashy people and high schoolers are allowed in the "club" I will stay out!
February 4, 2011 



this is the most ghetto bar in ames.....i felt like i was in a rap video. i needed some bills to throw down on the dance floor, yo.
Added by hisandhearse
November 1, 2010 



i‘d heard a lot about element before i went. and i guess my first experience wasn‘t bad. it was my birthday and we went out (end of august) and ended up here. i got a pitcher of malibu and coke and the only way i could really tolerate it here was due to the massive outdoor patio. seems the decent people end up outside, anyway. so, i would only come here when the weather is nice and i can enjoy the outdoor patio. otherwise, the other reviews are dead on. the floor is sticky (not unlike quite a few bars here in ames) and the people are creepy. the bartenders are disinterested if you aren‘t showing some skin and it‘s just like high school, yes.
July 4, 2010 



Club Element changes the cover price based on who wants in. The dance floor is disgustingly sticky. Music is terrible. Lots of guys that don‘t respect women. Awkward and immature environment like a middle school dance.
March 21, 2010 



This is a fun place if you go the right nights. Its fun during viesha or football season. The downside is there a lot of undesirable/creepy guys that come to this club giving a bad reputation to guys who aren‘t that way.
October 13, 2009 



I would hate to be there when the lights are on -- seriously freaky cleanliness problems. When you (finally) clean the floor, please return to me the soles from my shoes.
July 9, 2009 



This bar is fun if you want to party with kids in High School. The last thing I want to hear from a girls is, "Oh yea, by the way I‘m still in high school." Check out Cy‘s Roost or Sips or Headliners for a real bar.....
June 8, 2009 



Love the bags on the patio!!! The deck and beer garden are always packed. The new fishbowl specials are awesome too!!!
May 15, 2009 



I used to like this place. I went there every weekend for fishbowl night. This place is always full of scuzzy guys that think they can touch women inappropriately as they please. The bouncers are always rude also. There is always fights and the cops are always there.
April 22, 2009 



I love this bar. they always have great DJs and live bands on fridays. cheap drinks! i would go here over mickeys or sips ANY day. and it isnt as "thug" or "gangster" as it used to be. as for creepers, youll find those at any bar you go to. the staff is really nice, except the one blonde girl bartender who only serves her sorority/frat friends. but what can you do, its a college town. basically, you can get wasted and dance. love it.
March 6, 2009 



I haven‘t bee nthere since they redid the place a few months ago, but I really like going FAC, and sitting on the patio. The music is pretty decent early on in the night, and to patio is real laid back. The inside kinda sucks, unless you like trying to yell over the subwoofer. Cute bartenders
February 10, 2009 



I agree this place was packed last weekend and I loved what they have done with the top floor. My friends and I got bottle service for a birthday and we had a blast. I will definetly be back!!!
February 7, 2009 



Stopped in last night and thought I needed my bullet proof vest. All the girls looked scared and were not having fun. Guess thats what happens when you have the fishbowl special and you have people paying in exact change, with PENNIES. It was hilarious. It might be time to take a page out of Sips book, and turn this place around
February 2, 2009 



Are you kidding, last Saturday night was insane with soo many fine ladies and the whole place was packed. Saturday nights are the best as it is 18+ night and there is an upstairs for 21+ to buy drinks and then go downstairs when blasted. Fun stuff.
January 26, 2009 



I will never go back here, like the last poster mentioned way to many creeps hangin around that couldn‘t take a hint that we weren‘t interested in them. I will definately be heading back to Sips. I‘ve been hearin good things there.
December 31, 2008 



Wouldn‘t be bad except for too many weird/creepy guys that tend to hit on anything with a pulse.
July 3, 2008 



Not a bad place to go after FAC at about 8 then drink fishbowls the rest of the night. As for dress code, what dress code. Ive never had a problem with it. But I dont wear sweats or gym shorts to the bar...don‘t know anyone that works there but have not had problems getting a drink.
June 9, 2008 



Nothing incredibly special about this place. After 10 consists of whatever gangster thug "so you think you can dance" wannabes that didn‘t decide to go to sips.
Fridays before 10 though, great music, cheap alcohol pitchers, and good seating. The patio is great, and looking better. The Djs that play at 10 are pretty decent, as is most of the staff, but the crowd that frequents it can range from meatheads to the previously mentioned "thugs." Basically a good bar with a hit or miss crowd.
Fridays before 10 though, great music, cheap alcohol pitchers, and good seating. The patio is great, and looking better. The Djs that play at 10 are pretty decent, as is most of the staff, but the crowd that frequents it can range from meatheads to the previously mentioned "thugs." Basically a good bar with a hit or miss crowd.
April 24, 2008 



Element has a great atmosphere and the new decor gives it the best aesthetic appeal around campus town. The patio will be busy once the weather stays nice. If you‘re looking for a good time head there on Friday for fishbowls... the best deal in town!
April 14, 2008 



I love this bar, no place in Ames offers as much variety as Element does. You can chill out on the patio and listen to some live music and then go inside and dance your #$% off. DJ Episode on Saturday nights is awesome, you won‘t find a better DJ anywhere in Iowa. There isn‘t a better dance club in Ames, period!
April 14, 2008 



I noticed the previous poster bitches about the cost of a corona they must not what that costs a bar but if u want to go to the only true dance bar go here because the sound and light equipment cannot be matched by anybody else in town and the drinks are not that bad compared to most of the bars in campus tow I also can‘t wait for the patio and beer garden to open for the summer
April 13, 2008 



Copies a big city club effectively if you‘ve only seen them on TV. Hilarious dancing, worth watching! The drinks are cheap because they are made with the cheapest alcohol you can find. A simple Corona will cost you four dollars. I love to dance, but the dance floor was tiny and completely wet/sticky. Not to mention, the music was horrible. Go when there‘s no cover to get a few laughs.
March 29, 2008 



Sips? Are you joking me? Sips is much worse. This place is nice, clean, fun and has room to move. There may be a lot of crowds there that people don‘t like but what do you expect for a dance club! It‘s not a darn country bar!!
March 4, 2008 



This place is awesome. It is the only bar in Ames that gives you the feel of a big city club. What makes it better is they still have great drink specials. I especially enjoy their 2 for 1 shots after midnight.
March 3, 2008 



This place just needs to close. It‘s ridiculous. Go to Sips instead!
March 3, 2008 



I don‘t know what the last 2 comments were talking about, but I went there Friday and Saturday this weekend and the place was packed. The were no altercations at all and I watched a group of 3 thugs in line in front of me get turned away because of the dress code for wearing jerseys. This bar looks cool, the music is awesome, and the women are gorgeous, I will definetly be going back.
February 27, 2008 



2 words: Jersey Chasers
February 21, 2008 



if you want to stand back to back with a large crowd of unruly punks, then go to this bar. Been there 7 times, six of the seven there were multiple fights. Feels like this is were all recently parolled people go to party
January 6, 2008 



There was something in the air that night... the sound of Biz Marke‘s "You got what I need." The floors were sticky on each of the multi-levels, but I barely noticed due to the fishbowl (beer pitcher) of Long Island iced tea... which tasted a lot like rum and Coke. I entered unobstructed wearing a white t-shirt beneath a red windbreaker, but I didn‘t care to impress anyone. If you‘re looking for a good place to watch or participate in some awkward bumping and grinding, look no further.
January 6, 2008 



Really enjoy the new changes can‘t wait until this semester starts to see the finished product. With inexpensive drinks and a great atmosphere hope to see you guys again soon.
December 7, 2007 



The driks are good, the smell of the air too. The women are awesome!!! Especially when they are blond and wear red shirts.
November 22, 2007 



Nights that allow 18 and over are a complete joke. Wednesday nights frequently close early due to lack of business. The crowd here is not friendly, and I feel like fights break out on a regular basis. I can‘t believe so many people rated this place as high as they did. To each is own, i guess...
November 18, 2007 



I went there for the costume party, the bar/club is nice looking. The music could be better, add some more upbeat techno or something. We left before midnight because all the songs sounded the same
October 24, 2007 



Great atmosphere for dancing and listening to new music. The only "club" type bar in town. The bar upstairs is awsome looking...but prices aren‘t the cheapest.
September 30, 2007 



Not my type of place, as I am not really into the club scene, but if I were, I would more then likely frequent this establishment before Sips or GOD FORBID, The Zone.
August 22, 2007 



Best specials in Ames. Hands down!!! Fishbowls on Fridays Rule!!!
July 30, 2007 



i suggest that the previous poster not make fuss about something so mediocre. dress to impress? you live in ames iowa. i think that purchasing an outfit at your mall is sufficient for impressing people around here. this is an average at best bar although the best club environment that ames has to offer. the two times that i‘ve been here, it‘s been a decent time, but i think that the advertisement that it has multiple levels with a bar on each is somewhat misleading, since the upstairs bar is typically closed (from what i was told by a friend who frequents it)...but it‘s a good place to go to get hammered for cheap on a weekend
May 21, 2007 



To the fool that posted the last comment. The cover is never as high as you stated and the dress code isn‘t that bad if you compare it to other clubs throughout the country. I guess you like to go out dressed like a slob rather than dressed to impress. So far since classes have been out there has been no cover so i think you should check your facts buddy.
May 19, 2007 



Cover is too expensive! Dress code is rediculous! The music and dancing are great, but it‘s just not worth it to pick through your closet to find something that meets their requirements and then pay close to $10 just to get in the door!
January 9, 2007 



Element is my favorite place to go in Ames on Friday nights.
January 3, 2007
Well if you missed the New Years Eve party you missed out on one hell of a good time. It was one of the best parties of the year.
November 5, 2006
Great scene!
October 30, 2006
Iowa‘s version of a P-diddy hang out. Sound‘s pathetic, that‘s up to you. It is funny to listen to a bunch of Iowa guys and girls party like they are strait out of the Atl and watch the DJ entertain the entire crowd with the mickey mouse version of rap. If you are planning on heading to "CLUB E", make sure you throw down a few Colt 45‘s before just to add to the experience.
October 11, 2006
Great when you need to get drunk and grind on some hotties. However, every once in a while certain groups come in, take up the entire dance floor and make it hard for other people to dance. The dance floor really isn‘t big enough in my opinion... It‘s good for a Thursday night activity, though.
September 7, 2006
The foam party was for sure off the hook..... The drink specials are to kill for at this place and the DJs are always playin what we wanna hear! Other places in Ames should take after Element.. The have lots of theme parties and we like those!
September 3, 2006
The foam party was insane on Saturday night. The other bars need to take after Element. The DJ did a great job on Saturday night too.
August 21, 2006
This bar is full of drama and the drinks are made with the cheapest alcohol available. drinks are ok priced but taste like rubbing alcohol. i would rather go somewhere else and acually get captain or jack instead of the cheap stuff
June 7, 2006
This place is OK. The service was sub-par. The staff needs to concentrate more getting people their drinks other than getting drinks for themselves. They have a lot of special treatment people which makes for slower service to the first timers. Drinks good though and reasonably priced.
May 5, 2006
Finally, Ames has a real nightclub that is refreshing to the old bar scene. I hope more future bars and clubs follow in Element‘s footsteps.
All these other "free or $2 bars" are dirty with sub-par service, and they play the same hip & hop and rap that you hear on the radio all day long. Element has an incredible, high-class atmosphere with a real dj that plays fun, energetic dance music that you can actually dance to. Plus, there‘s a bar on every floor.
The service is quick and friendly, and the drink specials are excellent. Yes, you have to pay a small $5 cover, which is nothing compared to big city clubs where you pay $20 or more. You just can‘t expect great dance music, great service, and great drink specials for free. For $5, you definitely get your money‘s worth.
If you want a high-class, unique, energetic environment, go to Element!!
All these other "free or $2 bars" are dirty with sub-par service, and they play the same hip & hop and rap that you hear on the radio all day long. Element has an incredible, high-class atmosphere with a real dj that plays fun, energetic dance music that you can actually dance to. Plus, there‘s a bar on every floor.
The service is quick and friendly, and the drink specials are excellent. Yes, you have to pay a small $5 cover, which is nothing compared to big city clubs where you pay $20 or more. You just can‘t expect great dance music, great service, and great drink specials for free. For $5, you definitely get your money‘s worth.
If you want a high-class, unique, energetic environment, go to Element!!
March 22, 2006
This is where the party is in Ames, but everyone has to admit that Element could learn a few things from it‘s predecesor, Big Shots. The environment was awesome, and the staff was the best in town. Nothing has topped it yet!
March 16, 2006
Slow Service and there was a fight. I will never go back.
February 17, 2006
I have to say if you are looking to find fun in Ames, Club Element is probably your best bet. They play energetic dance mixes, and if they had better bartenders, this would be one of the best clubs around.
February 17, 2006
This place is AMAZING! Definitely what Ames needed for along time. I wasn‘t too impressed with the bartenders, but all in all, if you want a dance club....you got it at Elements.
January 24, 2006
The best weekend spot in Ames, hands down. No matter how busy it is the bartenders are quick on their feet and you dont have to wait an hour like at SIPS (the shit hole of Ames). Sorry for those of you who like Sips, but they dont have a clue on how to treat a customer that has any class. Element is clean ALL the time and very personable wait staff. Go there already, damn!
January 21, 2006
the place kicks ass still, its alot better than any other dance bar in town, its only competion really which is reign which sucks is trying to change formats and, to be honest sips sound and lights suck. and the dude at the door the shorter guys is kind of a dick
January 12, 2006
Club Element is the best place to go all week and weekend long. Anyone that goes to Sips sucks! The staff is sooo cool and everyone has a great time.
January 12, 2006
It was a cool bar when it first opened and now it‘s the last place you want to go. Reign and Sips are alot better than this place is now.
December 17, 2005
Yah the big girl at the door...not cool. My friends and I waited outside for a good ten minutes while she viciously collected cover, only to be budged in line by a group of football players, who were NOT in fact asked to pay cover. Hmm wonder why
December 4, 2005
Ok, I agree. The girl at the door is horrible! I know she has a job to do but she‘s not CIA, you work at a bar in ames, Iowa. Bar is fun but you have to pay $5 cover even after the specials are over...not fair.
November 23, 2005
Its a meat market in there, I think it sucks!
November 15, 2005
Well I think i am a huge customer of club element. Yeah My name is Chad. Otherwise known as Jack and Diet. I think you should do somthing like Mickeys does a VIP card. Just a thought
November 15, 2005
yeah, the big girl checking id‘s is definately rude, nothing to do with id‘s but just overall. I asked how much cover was 4 times before she answered me when i was standing right next to her, then finally when she decided to answer she yelled at me for asking so many times......nice girl though.......
November 9, 2005
Element rocks!!! I LOVE LOVE this bar always come out of the bar w/ new friends and completly trashed! Ohh, and almost everybody who party‘s at Element are totally hot!
November 8, 2005
If you like going to a bar where the staff has no idea what they‘re doing(usually because they‘re drunk) this is the place for you. Otherwise just go downstairs to Chasers and party your ass off!!!!!
October 21, 2005
Great bar with finally some good dance music to dance to! It‘s pathetic that Ames lacks so many decent dance clubs, but this one is an exception. But I gotta admit the girl at the door is rude... if you can‘t stand the job give it to someone else. Can‘t maintain good business with rude service.
October 18, 2005
I thought this was a great place to hang out. My friend & I had a blast on the packed dance floor. The DJ played great music. The dude at the door was just fine, don‘t know what girl they are talking about. And the drink specials were pretty good, too.
October 12, 2005
I LOVE Element!!!!!!!!!! My friends and I go all the time. The girl at the door is super nice and does a really good job even when she has a line.
October 10, 2005
Great bar, I 2nd a couple comments already made, 1. stopping any coin any drink at midnight is rediculous, and the lady at the door also didn‘t let me back in because I was "Too Drunk", that was ludacris.
October 10, 2005
If you think that the girl at the door is rude, obviously doesn‘t go there much. Me and my girls go there all the time and she is awesome.The poor girl has to freeze outside. I haven‘t seen her take sh*t from anyone. It‘s finally a place in Ames where you can have a GREAT time and for cheap. So everyone go to Element!
October 7, 2005
This place is fun, but yeah, the girl at the door is really rude
September 20, 2005
I found it to be fun, a little crowded and it would have been even better if the very rude girl at the door taking the money would have let me back it, after I asked if i could get some fresh air because it was so packed in there..she told me I could come back in and didn‘t allow me back in. I found her to be rude to many of the customers that were waiting patiently in line and even to those who were already in. It‘s a bar, people are supposed to be friendly not rude, especially if you want good business.
September 16, 2005
Thursday were awesome til they decided to that any coin any drink ends at Midnight.
September 9, 2005
Good for Thirsty Thursday‘s
September 7, 2005
it‘s fun for a gay bar.