Gay retail in Chicago is centred in Boystown, where the shops along Halsted and the surrounding streets have been serving the community for years. The mix includes bookshops, clothing, gear, gifts, and adult retail, much of it within easy walking distance of the bar strip.

Unabridged Bookstore

Unabridged Bookstore on North Broadway has been running since 1980 and is one of the longest-surviving independent bookshops in Chicago. It has an excellent LGBTQ+ section that is well-stocked and thoughtfully curated, but it is not exclusively a gay bookshop -- it is a proper general independent that does LGBTQ+ content well. The staff know their stock. Worth visiting even if you are not specifically looking for a book.

Boystown retail

The Halsted strip has the expected mix of LGBTQ+-oriented shops: gift and novelty stores, pride merchandise, clothing, adult retail. The shops here are unapologetically gay in a way that is still relatively rare even in cities with established gay neighbourhoods. They do not hedge. You know exactly what you are looking at.

Several shops along Halsted carry gear and apparel oriented toward the leather and bear communities, reflecting Boystown's strong presence in both scenes. The shops near the more leather-oriented bars tend to carry more specialist stock.

The shops

    • Aaron's Apothecary — Gay-owned pharmacy Along with all your medicinal and grooming products, this independent pharmacy brings a touch of personal service with a vintage décor to Lincoln Park.
    • American Apparel — Downtown LA in Belmont Located in the heart of Belmont's quirky cool neighbourhood, you can't miss this store with its brightly-lit windows display of the hippest new looks for young things in the city.
    • Art Institute & The Modern Wing — Chicago's premiere art museum The Art Institute has long been an international art destination and now with the addition of the Modern Wing, it just upped its cred. Stroll the Pritzker Galleries; relish in the Thorne miniature rooms and view masters like Picasso, Matisse and Chagall
    • Barneys New York — High-end boutique department store When you're looking to drop some coin on the best designer fashion, there's nowhere to go but Barneys. Its new 100,000 sq ft store, topped by a Fred's restaurant, is filled with everyone from Gucci and Prada to Varvatos and Band of Outsiders.
    • Beatnix — Drag queen's attic This funky shop gets packed right before Halloween. Perfect spot to check out accessories before a themed party or just for an eclectic night out.
    • Borderline Music — Indie music shop featuring hot new releases If you have a need for a gay music fix, you can find it here. Kylie, Madonna, Kelly, Britney and all the dance compilations you could wish for are all here.
    • Brownstone Antiques — Fabulous Thrifting! At Brownstone, come treasure hunting. With everything from furnishing to attire, this place is fortune foretold.
    • Early to Bed — Feminist sex shop Super fun and friendly, Early to Bed is a woman-run sex store with a ton of toys and advice. The sales and specials are truly impressive. Great for those who want to try something new, whether male or female.
    • Egoist Underwear — Dressing Boystown's bums No gayborhood is complete without a fancy underwear store. This one carries Andrew Christian, Cocksox, XTG, UDY, Gigo and more.
    • Gay Mart — All gay all day If you're in need of anything with rainbows, sex toys or good ol' gay kitsch, you can find it at Gay Mart. And if you can't, then you don't need it.
    • Haberdash — A Boystown essential — friendly, well-stocked, and firmly embedded in Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.
    • He Who Eats Mud — Cards for every sense of humour This card and gift shop is a Boys town favourite for its funny, irreverent cards.
    • I.D. Chicago — Gorgeous pieces and furniture for your home This unique housewares shop stocks fabulous pieces, many exclusive to the store. Furniture, wine rack seven prescription eye-ware. Super friendly staff to boot.
    • Jonathan Adler — Happy home furnishings A little kitschy and a little modern, the Jonathan Adler store is full of interesting, stylish pieces for the home.
    • Leather 64Ten — A Boystown essential — friendly, well-stocked, and firmly embedded in Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.

Practical notes

Most Boystown shops run daytime hours, roughly 11am to 7 or 8pm. Adult retail shops stay open later, often until midnight or beyond. Hours can vary, particularly at smaller independent shops, so check before making a special trip. Unabridged Bookstore runs standard bookshop hours.

For the broader Chicago picture: Gay Chicago Guide.