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via Stay22About this place Scarlet
Scarlet, on North Halsted Street, is a handsome lounge in Chicago's main LGBTQ+ neighborhood, with a crowd that’s more varied than you might expect.
Before this, it was The Gentry, a piano bar. Now, it's a place that actually acknowledges Chicago’s gay past, even its "pansy days"—a rare enough thing. They’ve managed to make a space that feels both contemporary and connected to history.
The place changes moods as the day wears on. It's a casual neighborhood bar if you stop in during the day, then it turns into a slightly more polished lounge when the evening crowd arrives. It works for a quiet drink with locals or a dressier night out.
Halsted Street has a bunch of LGBTQ+ spots. Scarlet is right in the middle of it all, so you can walk to other bars, restaurants, and gay-friendly businesses without much fuss.
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Verified by GoogleBased on 601 Google reviews.
Scarlet is a place I will go to again and again in Chicago. The space is a great size, the bartenders are nice, they play music people want to hear, the drinks are pretty good prices, I love the music videos they play, the drag is awesome, and it is even fun to go on weekdays when they have themed nights. Go on a night when DJ Ca$h Era is DJing!
Checking my fanny pack as I enter? Great! After searching it, commenting how if I vape inside I'll be asked to leave? Not so great. :(
I have been to this club a couple times. I will say they do an exceptional job with the aesthetics! The music and dancing was a blast! This club didn’t disappoint! ;) Edit: I did not mean to give it three stars lol whoops! I did have a great time! Stars fixed :)
your fave pop divas will never sound better than through their sound system.
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Last updated on 3 August 2026