Gay bars in boystown
The 34 best Homosexual bars in Chicago
Photograph: Courtesy Sidetrack
Northalsted, aka "Boystown," is the historical center of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ scene, but great homosexual bars are all over the city.
Chicago has always been a trailblazing municipality when it comes to spaces for the LGBTQ society. One of the first American LGBT rights organizations, the Society for Human Rights, was founded in Chicago in 1924, more than 40 years before Stonewall. And Northalsted, the gay nightlife hub also recognizable as "Boystown," became the first officially-designated gay village in a major urban area in 1997.
These days, while a late hours 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 exclude to fit your vibe. Oh, and don't forget about drag brunch. You'll need it after a night out on the town.
RECOMMENDED: Drink at the best bars in Chicago
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Chicago is one of our favourite places in the US. We arrived with no expectations and were completely blown away.
Not only does Chicago have a gigantic and vibrant gay scene, it is a beautiful city with incredibly friendly people and so much to do.
For a complete guide on everything to carry out in Chicago (hotels, activities, celebration etc), check out our ‘Complete Gay Travel Guide to Chicago‘.
For this mini guide, we are focusing on the best queer bars in Chicago broken down into the gay bars in boystown and the gay bars in Andersonville.
Boystown and Andersonville (affectionately coined MANdersonville) are the main gay areas in Chicago and therefore where the majority of the gay nightlife can be found.
Flying the flag proudly in Chicago at the Pride Party in the Park!
Best Gay Bars in Chicago (Boystown & Andersonville)
You can find gay bars all across Chicago but the majority are found in Boystown and Andersonville. We went to Sidetrack twice during our trip and loved it!
Here are some options to keep you busy!
Gay Bars in Boystown, Chicago
Our favourite same-sex attracted bar in Chicago with the boys of Sidetrack!
Sidetrack was a finalist in Logo Tvs ‘Best Gay Bar in the
Wide Selection of Drinks and The Best Customer Services at The Closet
The Closet often hosts big parties. One of the establishment’s most popular annual events is the Pre-New Year’s Eve bash. It is also one of the bar’s busiest nights of the year as each year features a alternative theme. Such events, joint with a lesbian unlock season following softball games, video bowling, darts, bingo, karaoke, and other assorted games, is why The Closet Bar, as tiny as it might be has been a widespread destination for more than three decades.
In addition to being a popular business and lesbian pick-up combined, The Closet Bar in Chicago is also a popular destination for drinking enthusiasts. If you would like to indulge in a delicious drink, you will be happy to learn that the establishment offers a wide selection of tasteful drinks to enjoy. The drink selection is quite extensive and there is a short-lived bit of everything for everyone. You will be hard-pressed not to detect something you like as you scroll down the menu. It is also worth noting that the drinks are quite reasonably priced. It’s hard to find a nearby exclude with better prices than The Closet Bar. This combined with the
LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: gay and queer woman 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 lgbtq+ 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 yearn the live business, 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 paintings and photos, including great names like Diane Arbus. But don’t think for a second that makes the pla