In this guide · 4 sections
Gay retail in Chicago mainly happens in Boystown. Shops along Halsted and nearby streets have served the community for years. You'll find bookshops, clothing, gear, gifts, and adult stores, many within walking distance of the bars.
Unabridged Bookstore
Unabridged Bookstore, on North Broadway, opened in 1980. It's one of Chicago's oldest independent bookshops. While it's not exclusively gay, its LGBTQ+ section is excellent—well-stocked and thoughtfully chosen. This is a proper general independent bookstore that just happens to do LGBTQ+ content really well. The staff know their books. Go even if you don't have a specific title in mind.
Boystown retail
The Halsted strip has the kinds of LGBTQ+-oriented shops you'd expect: gift and novelty stores, Pride merch, clothing, adult retail. These shops are overtly gay in a way that's still pretty rare, even in cities with established gay neighborhoods. They don't hold back. You know exactly what you're looking at.
Several shops on Halsted sell gear and apparel for the leather and bear communities. That reflects Boystown's strong presence in both scenes. The stores near the more leather-focused bars usually carry more specialist stock.
The shops
- Aaron's Apothecary — A gay-owned pharmacy in Lincoln Park. This independent spot sells medicinal and grooming products, but with personal service and a vintage look.
- American Apparel — In Belmont's quirky neighborhood, you can't miss this store. Its brightly lit windows display the newest looks for young people in the city.
- Art Institute & The Modern Wing — Chicago's premier art museum. The Art Institute has long been an international art destination. With the addition of the Modern Wing, its credibility just went up. Stroll the Pritzker Galleries, enjoy the Thorne miniature rooms, and see masters like Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.
- Barneys New York — High-end department store. If you're spending serious money on designer fashion, Barneys is it. Its new 100,000 sq ft store, with a Fred's restaurant on top, stocks everything from Gucci and Prada to Varvatos and Band of Outsiders.
- Beatnix — This funky shop gets packed before Halloween. It's a good place for accessories before a themed party or just for an eclectic night out.
- Borderline Music — An indie music shop with new releases. If you need a gay music fix, you'll find it here. Kylie, Madonna, Kelly, Britney, and all the dance compilations you could want are here.
- Brownstone Antiques — A great place for thrifting. Come treasure hunting at Brownstone. You'll find everything from furniture to clothes.
- Early to Bed — A feminist sex shop. Super fun and friendly, Early to Bed is a woman-run sex store with lots of toys and advice. The sales and specials are genuinely good. Good for those who want to try something new, whether male or female.
- Egoist Underwear — 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 need anything with rainbows, sex toys, or good old gay kitsch, you'll find it at Gay Mart. And if you can't, you probably don't need it.
- Haberdash — A Boystown essential: friendly, well-stocked, and deeply connected to Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.
- He Who Eats Mud — This card and gift shop is a Boystown favorite for its funny, irreverent cards.
- I.D. Chicago — This unique housewares shop sells gorgeous pieces and furniture for your home, many exclusive to the store. Furniture, wine racks, even prescription eyewear. Super friendly staff, too.
- Jonathan Adler — 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 deeply connected to Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.
Practical notes
Most Boystown shops are open during the day, roughly 11 am to 7 or 8 pm. Adult retail shops stay open later, sometimes until midnight or beyond. Hours can change, especially at smaller independent shops, so check before you make a special trip. Unabridged Bookstore keeps standard bookshop hours.
For more on Chicago: Gay Chicago Guide.
