Chicago gay bars
The 34 best LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago
Photograph: Courtesy Sidetrack
Northalsted, aka "Boystown," is the historical center of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ scene, but fantastic gay bars are all over the city.
Chicago has always been a trailblazing city when it comes to spaces for the LGBTQ community. One of the first American LGBT rights organizations, the Population for Human Rights, was founded in Chicago in , more than 40 years before Stonewall. And Northalsted, the gay nightlife hub also known as "Boystown," became the first officially-designated gay village in a major city in
These days, while a night out on Northalsted is still a joyful blur of boozy slushies and death drops, queer nightlife in Chicago is expansive, creative and thriving all over the city. From Rogers Park to South Shore, from James Beard-nominated cocktail bars to beloved, homey dives, there's a queer bar to fit your vibe. Oh, and don't forget about kingly brunch. You'll need it after a night out on the town.
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Been there, done that? Think again, m
Chicago could open the country's first airport gay lock at O’Hare
- A Chicago restauranteur has proposed opening a branch of the well-liked gay bar Sidetrack at O'Hare International Airport.
- If prosperous, this would be the first airport gay prevent in the United States.
- Sidetrack's owners believe an airport location would increase Gay visibility and representation.
If a Chicago restaurateur's plans operate out, the city could soon be home to the country's first airport gay bar.
The Chicago Department of Aviation, which operates O'Hare International Airport, is looking for vendors to fill open concession spaces in the terminal. Among the recent bidders is Germán González, a managing partner of Somos Hospitality Group (Tzuco, Ummo), who wants to open a satellite of Sidetrack – arguably the Windy City's most popular gay exclude – at O'Hare.
The Chicago Tribune was the first to report on González's bid, and it said it would likely get months before the airport operator decided who should fill the space.
Still, the owners of Sidetrack's main location in Boystown/Northalsted, Chicago's
LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: gay and female homosexual bars, clubs, and more
Chicago’s nightlife is a lot enjoy the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. It’s also a whole lot of fun. Our gay and womxn loving womxn bars have a little bit of something for everyone, with late-night lounges, dance clubs,burlesque and drag shows, and long-standing neighborhood watering holes in almost every corner of the city. And each comes with their own unusual history and vibe.
Check out some of the best queer bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s queer nightlife scene.
Jeffery Pub
One of the city’s oldest queer bars, Jeffery Pub is a neighborhood institution. The South Shore staple is also one of Chicago’s first black-owned gay bars, making it all the more meaningful for the spot’s many regulars. Don’t overlook the live show, like karaoke nights, Silky Soul Sundays, and a lively dance floor featuring everything from pop to house music.
Big Chicks
This lively and colorful spot is part LGBTQ hangout, part art gallery. The walls are plastered with the owner’s personal collection of paintin
Chicago impressed us on so many levels. It is a pretty Midwestern city, with super warm people, lots to keep you busy and an incredibly diverse and thriving gay scene.
Gay Chicago has a lot to propose and from our experience, the whole city appears to welcome and support its LGBTQ+ community.
We felt very safe, at ease, and welcome in Chicago as a gay couple. We never felt like we needed to look over our shoulder, dread holding hands or showing affection: just as its should be!
Our first visit was over the Chicago Pride Fest weekend and was hosted by Choose Chicago so we really got to see just how gay Chicago can be!
In our Gay Chicago Guide, we will cover the gay neighbourhoods of Chicago, homosexual bars, Gay Pride Fest as well as what activities we did, where we stayed and ate so you will hold all the information you want to plan your own visit!
Let’s get started!
Gay Neighbourhoods in Chicago
Chicago has two very distinct same-sex attracted neighbourhoods, Northalsted (previous known as Boystown) and Andersonville (affectionately acknowledged as MANdersonville).