The key addresses in Chicago — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
The Atmosphere Andersonville is a gay bar in the Chicago neighborhood of the same name and a popular meeting place for the LGBTQ+ community. There is daily live entertainment with go-go dancers and DJ music, from flashback dance parties to RuPaul's drag race viewing parties. Cocktails with specials and a friendly team characterize the casual atmosphere, which becomes especially lively on weekends.
Big Chicks is a café-style bar in Chicago's uptown neighborhood, where a diverse community gathers. Food comes from the neighboring Tweet restaurant, which often uses organic ingredients; the weekend brunches and the free BBQ on Sundays are popular. Art by Diane Arbus and Leon Golub hangs on the walls, and there are dance parties and sports evenings.
Located on Chicago's South Side, Club Escape attracts a mixed LGBTQ+ community. On the dance floor, DJs play hip-hop, R&B and house. The program includes regular drag shows, karaoke nights, and vogueing competitions in the style of classic ballrooms. Cheap drink specials and a friendly team round off the evenings.
The Hydrate is located in the Northalsted neighborhood, the center of Chicago's LGBTQ+ scene. DJs play on the dance floor, plus drag shows and theme nights such as 'Sunday After Dark' or 'Mondays are Ruff'. The bar serves cocktails and craft beers. The party runs here until the early hours of the morning.
The Jeffery Pub on Chicago's South Shore is one of the oldest black-owned LGBTQ+ bars in the city. Hip-hop, house and pop are played at the DJ nights, and drag shows are added on weekends. The programme also includes karaoke evenings and events such as the Silky Soul Sundays. The dance floor and stage make the pub a meeting place for the Black LGBTQ+ community.
Located in Lake View, Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club features Art Deco décor with velvet curtains, brass bars and chandeliers, complemented by LED projections. The menu includes dishes such as truffle mac and cheese and steak frites, as well as over 200 cocktails. The Kit Kat Divas provide entertainment with drag shows, live cabaret and go-go dances; a terrace completes the offer.
In the Andersonville neighborhood, Marty's Martini Bar is known for martinis and classic cocktails. Gilded mirrors and stylish posters create an intimate atmosphere with a Parisian appeal. The martinis come in two sizes, including variants like Black Velvet or Pineapple Upside-Down, plus spirits, wines, and non-alcoholic options. In the evening, the bar becomes a meeting place for the queer community.
Chicago's Moody Tongue Brewery blends home-brewed craft beer with fine dining. In an intimate atmosphere with a dark design, cosy seating areas and a bar invite you to linger. The offer ranges from fruity ales to complex lagers, plus a seasonal menu with targeted beer pairings.
The Progress Bar is located in the middle of Boystown and stands out with its decoration with a large blanket of clouds. 16 beers on tap will be on tap, plus cocktails and daily specials such as Industry Night or free tacos on Tuesdays. Resident and guest DJs, music videos and drag shows make the bar a dance hall of the Northalsted scene.
REPLAY Andersonville combines sports bar and arcade game area: large screens show sporting events, classic video games provide variety. The menu includes American dishes such as burgers and salads as well as weekend brunch, plus craft beers, cocktails, bourbon and whiskey. Family-friendly at certain times, the LGBTQI+-friendly spot attracts a mixed crowd.
In the middle of Chicago's Boystown lies Roscoe's Tavern, a meeting place for the LGBTQ+ community. The cocktail menu complements an à la carte selection for the small appetite. The place is known for its drag shows, and on Fridays the stage is the center of attention. Reservations are made via OpenTable, walk-ins are welcome. Admission from 21 years.
The Scarlet Bar in the Northalsted district offers theme nights with DJ music from pop, hip-hop and throwback classics, as well as a dance floor. The bar offers cocktails, beers and standard drinks, plus a self-service water dispenser. The compact location is perfect for happy hour, an after-work drink or a long night out; on Sundays it is suitable for meetings after brunch.
Tucked away on the second floor above Ohio Street is the Second Story Bar, a classic gay dive bar. A maze-like counter and dim lighting create an intimate atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle. There are strong, cheap drinks in generous portions, and you only pay in cash. The audience is mixed, and surveillance screens on the stairs provide security.
Sidetrack is one of Chicago's largest gay bars and is located in the Northalsted neighborhood. There are several bars with their own flair under one roof, from the main bar with large screens for music videos to the rooftop terrace. Strong, inexpensive drinks such as frozen cocktails and slushies are offered, as well as showtune singalongs and drag shows. Admission is not charged.
In the Lakeview neighborhood, The Closet is a neighborhood bar with colorful, eclectic décor and music videos. As a cozy meeting place for the LGBTQ+ community, it is open to everyone, regardless of gender or orientation. In addition to cocktails and beers, there are darts, karaoke nights, and the occasional dance event. The dive bar charm attracts regulars in particular.
In Northalsted, The Elixir Lounge specialises in artisanal cocktails, such as mint, basil or cucumber. Dim lighting and a relaxed mood are suitable for dates or meetings with friends. In addition to the drinks, there are craft beers and wines. Located right next door to sister club Hydrate, they praise the friendly bartenders and the music that doesn't drown out conversations.
Located in the Rogers Park neighborhood, The Glenwood is a bar-café and gathering place for a mixed community of LGBTQ+ guests and residents. There is a wide selection of beers, classic cocktails and light dishes for lunch or dinner. The mixture of gay and heterosexual guests is characteristic. The bar is wheelchair accessible and open around the clock.
In Northalsted, The North End is a laid-back bar with a focus on sports broadcasts on big screens. In addition to beers and cocktails, the Bloody Mary is popular. There is no separate kitchen, but you can bring food. Pool tables, dartboards and karaoke evenings provide entertainment, while gender-neutral toilets underline the open character.
In Boystown, Wang's combines the bar and lounge with a Shanghai-style décor of floral wallpaper and woodwork. The restaurant is known for artisanal cocktails, especially the pear martinis, often served with floating orchids. There is also sushi and Asian cuisine. The LGBTQ+ friendly place attracts locals and visitors alike.
Gay bars in Chicago are mainly located in Northalsted, the neighborhood that many continue to call Boystown and that is considered the oldest officially designated gay neighborhood in the USA. The scene is concentrated along North Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison in the Lakeview neighborhood, recognizable by the tall rainbow pylons that line the street. A permanent fixture is the Sidetrack. The restaurant has existed since 1982 and extends over several rooms and levels, with large video screens and evenings such as the well-known Musical Mondays. Across the street is Roscoe's Tavern, which stands for its weekly drag show and has an outdoor patio. If you want to dance, go to Hydrate, which runs until the early hours of the morning on weekends. One of the few remaining places with a lesbian focus is the Closet, open since 1978, but where everyone is welcome.
The easiest way to get to the neighborhood is to take the CTA Red Line: The Belmont stop takes you to the southern end of the bar mile, Addison to the north. Traditionally, Saturday is the strongest evening. During the week, however, there is also a lot going on, from drag shows to theme nights. If you like it quieter and less touristy, head to Andersonville in the north of the city, Chicago's second queer center with more neighborhood bars. The following addresses will help you find the right restaurant depending on your mood.