In this guide · 6 sections
Chicago's gay bars are mostly in Boystown on North Halsted Street. You can walk from a leather bar to a dance club to a quiet neighborhood pub without a cab. That density makes the city's scene unique. Most big American cities scatter their gay bars; Chicago puts them on one strip.
The variety is real. Leather bars, circuit clubs, dive bars, sports bars, and karaoke spots all operate within a few blocks. The crowd is mixed, and your options change depending on the night and what you're looking for.
Halsted Street
The main strip runs along Halsted between Belmont and Addison. Rainbow pylons mark the stretch, and the bars fill street-level storefronts. Many of these places have been around for years, some for decades. There's real history in several bars, alongside newer spots that have moved in as the strip changed.
Weekends are busy. Friday and Saturday nights fill the bars from about 9 pm, and some stay open until 4 or 5 am. That's later than New York, a real advantage for night owls. Sunday afternoons can also be active, especially at bars with outdoor patios in warmer months.
Weeknights are much quieter. If you want to talk without competing with music, a Tuesday or Wednesday in Boystown is a different experience from a Saturday. Some bars do themed nights midweek to pull in crowds.
Leather and bear scene
Chicago has a strong leather and bear presence, partly because IML is held here annually. The bars that cater to this crowd are on Halsted and in surrounding blocks. They tend to run their own themed nights, which might include gear or dress code requirements. Check each venue's social media before you go out on a specific night.
Sports bars and neighborhood pubs
Not everything in Boystown is late-night oriented. Several bars function as neighborhood pubs that just happen to be on the gay strip. They have sports on TV and a comfortable crowd. These work equally well for a quiet evening or for pre-gaming before you move somewhere louder.
Andersonville
Andersonville, on Clark Street, has a smaller bar scene that leans quieter. A couple of bars here have historically drawn a lesbian crowd and have a neighborhood feel very different from Boystown's concentrated strip. Worth a visit if you're spending multiple nights in Chicago and want some contrast.
The bars
- — The Arie Crown Theater was named after Lithuanian immigrant Arie Crown, father of American industrialist and philanthropist Henry Crown. It sits on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
- Atmosphere (@mosphere) — This dive bar and dance spot has weekend go-gos. Atmosphere's big dance floor and daily drink specials—not to mention the nearly-nude male dancers Thursday through Saturday—draw North Side boys. Free WiFi too. There's a drag show every Sunday. It's in Andersonville, a far north side neighborhood.
- — This spot is in Chicago's theater district. Surrounded by theaters and shopping, the Allegro has comfortable Art Deco rooms, a full-service spa, and personalized amenities. They also offer guests a yoga basket and yoga classes, plus a 24-hour fitness center. The pet-friendly package gives furry friends their own gift basket.
- Baton Show Lounge — Known for nightly drag shows. Book reservations in advance for shows Wednesday through Sunday at 8:30, 10:30, and 12:30. Reservations are taken M-F 11 am - 4 pm.
- — A campy, fun neighborhood bar. Michelle Fire runs one of Chicago's most successful and oldest gay bars. Every square inch of wall space is dedicated to her art and photography collection. Locals and out-of-towners of all ages like this bar. Big Chicks hosts a free BBQ every Sunday, $1 Burger nights on Mondays, and Bear Den cocktail hour every Thursday. The second Friday of every month is a trans*-inclusive queer night.
- Bobby Loves — A small, sweet neighborhood bar. This bar is tiny but has a loyal following, especially people who like friendly bartenders, strong drinks, and karaoke. The crowd is typically a bit older and more subdued. It's a good place to meet up with friends.
- Cellblock — A notorious leather bar. Casual levis/leather in front; serious leather in the back bar. For those craving visual stimuli, check out the porn video playing in the back.
- — A fun country western bar that turns into an after-hours disco. Join a fun crowd dancing to country western music in their wranglers, cowboy hats, and boots. (Yes, it's part of the Charlie's chain of bars.) On weekend late nights (after 1 a.m.) the music changes dramatically, and Charlie's becomes an after-hours dance club with house/dance/hi-NRG music until 5 a.m. You've never seen a crowd go from Cowboys to Go-Gos so fast! Hit it on Monday nights for It's Just Bingo Bitch and Sunday and Mondays for Karaoke.
- — Symphony Center is a music complex at 220 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop, Chicago.
- — Almost every night is a circuit party. Circuit, remodeled in the mid-2000s with a new sound system and layout, draws a largely Latino crowd, but boys of all races and ethnicities come to dance. Theme nights and a large dance floor are big draws. Check out circuit girls.
- — A lesbian bar with a mix of men and women. A cozy bar on Broadway in Boystown near restaurants like Ping Pong and Wakamono. A lively crowd gets pretty rowdy and drunk on weekends—especially after 2 a.m. when other bars close. Lots of lesbians but welcoming to gay boys. Small dance floor. Bingo night on Thursday.
- Club Escape — A South Side neighborhood bar. This is a super friendly bar where everyone seems to know each other, with nightly dancing to hip hop, R&B, and house. Thursdays are ladies' nights.
- Club Krave — If you're craving a night out of Boystown. Expect a mixed crowd at this suburban watering hole.
- Crew Bar + Grill
- D.S. Tequila Company — Tequila! Founded on the belief that tequila cures the ills of the world, D.S. Tequila is a newcomer to the Boystown scene. Since you shouldn't drink tequila on an empty stomach, you'll find a full food menu alongside your drinks.
- Davenport's — An upscale piano bar with a cabaret lounge. Live music is performed Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday—sometimes by the talented wait staff. During the week, no cover in the piano bar (on Friday and Saturday nights, cover is $2 beginning at 10 pm). Monday nights is open mic.
- — A music club with a lineup of up-and-coming acts and big-name bands in a somewhat small space.
- Elixir Lounge — A mixology bar. Hydrate's new classy cousin has moved in next door. One of the only places where you can sip a well-made drink without going through a crowd of wannabe Prada models (read: Mini bar).
- Granville Anvil — A casual, friendly neighborhood pub. A hole in the wall on the Far North Side near Loyola University. Looks more like a '50s basement than a gay bar—but that's the appeal. Venture to the outdoor beer garden in the summer.
- Hydrate — A lounge and dance club with big-name DJs. Hydrate filled a dance-bar void on Halsted near the center of Boystown. Usually no cover before midnight, when it starts to fill up. Go early to avoid the line when the bars close at 2 am.
Practical notes
Chicago bars close at 4 am on weekdays and 5 am on weekend nights, later than most American cities. Drinks run around $7-12. Some older bars are cash-only or charge a card processing fee; bring some cash. Cover charges apply at larger clubs on weekend nights.
For the broader Chicago picture, see the Gay Chicago Guide.
