Hollywood Beach Beaches in Chicago – GayOut Guide
Gay Beaches LGBTQ+ Friendly

Hollywood Beach

GayOut (32) 3.5
Google (401) 4.7
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3.5 G4.7
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Address
65 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago
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About this place Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach, officially Kathy Osterman Beach, is where Chicago's LGBTQ+ community gathers. You'll find it at 65 West Jackson Boulevard, right on the lakefront, an easy stop for anyone exploring the city's gay scene. People come here to hang out, to catch some sun, and to connect. It feels more like a community living room than a commercial spot, which makes it special. You'll see all sorts of people just enjoying Lake Michigan, but in a space that feels genuinely affirming. It's a beach, so expect beach things: bring a towel, some sunscreen. It’s casual, low-key, and pulls in a crowd year-round. If you’re in Chicago, it’s a good place to spend a few hours unwinding, whether you're on your own, with friends, or with a partner. Just remember to check the weather and water conditions; it is Chicago, after all.

Features

Gay Gay-friendly (straight venue) LGBTQ+ Casual Community oriented Walk-ins welcome

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Community Reviews

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Google Reviews

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4.7
401 reviews

Based on 401 Google reviews.

A S
A S Jun 2026

Based on the other reviews, this does not feel SAPPHIC/LESBIAN friendly and welcoming. Even though it's a GAY beach. Also, there is a review here that refers to lgbt as glbt (misogyny btw). So if you are not a gay man, I guess that you should avoid or proceed with caution. Like just look at the pictures. I wanted to go but now I don't feel safe which is very heartbreaking.

Denis Braga Rocha
Denis Braga Rocha Jun 2026
Cheesio
Cheesio Jun 2026

Very nice during summer, and you can wade a really long distance.

Sydney Wagenecht
Sydney Wagenecht May 2026

Love coming to this beach

Sarah Nieves
Sarah Nieves Mar 2026
Lloyd Jones
Lloyd Jones Feb 2026

Nice place for a walk along the lakefront.

CARL M.
CARL M. Jan 2026

Hollywood Beach has always been it's real name! However, the official beach house name is Katherine Osterman Beach House, known as the only cabana gay beach bar in the Midwest. This beach is the official and only gay beach in Chicago, located at the farthest point of Lincoln Park in the Edge Water Beach district, along the west shore of Lake Michigan, 8 miles north of Buckinham Fountain. Area air B&Bs are GBTL friendly, offering views of the lake, and only steps to the beach. This beach is famous for it's bluest waves, no pun intended, it's long, wide sandy beach facing north, and the celebratory pride lighthouse on the pier at it's eastern end, iconic to this gay beach distination that draws draws guys from all over the world. It's the most international, cruisiest banana-hamock beach outside of Rio de Janiro. It's definately where the boys all go! Sorry girls, but you have those other guys at North Avenue Beach. It's always featured as "Edge Water Beach" on Channel 9 News weather since they have installed a camera overlooking the beach. Although, the right wing TV station owner seems homophobic not to call it for what it really is. Who can trust the media any longer anyhow?

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Last updated on 4 August 2026

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