Chicago gay bars
Chicago impressed us on so many levels. It is a beautiful Midwestern municipality, with super friendly people, lots to keep you busy and an incredibly diverse and thriving lgbtq+ scene.
Gay Chicago has a lot to offer and from our experience, the whole city appears to embrace and support its LGBTQ+ community.
We felt very safe, at ease, and welcome in Chicago as a gay couple. We never felt like we needed to look over our shoulder, fear holding hands or showing affection: just as its should be!
Our first visit was over the Chicago Lgbtq+ fest Fest weekend and was hosted by Choose Chicago so we really got to see just how gay Chicago can be!
In our Gay Chicago Instruction, we will cover the gay neighbourhoods of Chicago, gay bars, Gay Self-acceptance Fest as well as what activities we did, where we stayed and ate so you will have all the facts you need to intend your own visit!
Let’s acquire started!
Gay Neighbourhoods in Chicago
Chicago has two very separate gay neighbourhoods, Northalsted (previous known as Boystown) and Andersonville (affectionately known as MANdersonville).
Northalsted (aka Boystown)
When you are looking into lgbtq+ Chicago, Northalsted will and should be, right at the top of
LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: homosexual and lesbian bars, clubs, and more
Chicago’s nightlife is a lot like the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. It’s also a whole lot of amusing. Our gay and sapphic bars have a brief bit of something for everyone, with late-night lounges, dance clubs,burlesque and performative shows, and long-standing neighborhood watering holes in almost every corner of the city. And each comes with their own singular history and vibe.
Check out some of the leading gay bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s gender non-conforming nightlife scene.
Jeffery Pub
One of the city’s oldest same-sex attracted bars, Jeffery Pub is a neighborhood institution. The South Shore staple is also one of Chicago’s first black-owned gay bars, making it all the more meaningful for the spot’s many regulars. Don’t miss the live fun, like karaoke nights, Silky Soul Sundays, and a lively dance floor featuring everything from pop to house music.
Big Chicks
This lively and colorful spot is part LGBTQ hangout, part art gallery. The walls are plastered with the owner’s personal collection of paintings and photos, including big names like Diane Arbus. But don’t consider for a second that makes the pla
Out and About: Best Queer Bars in Uptown Chicago
Find Uptown Chicago's LGBTQ+ Nightlife Scene
Uptown Chicago has adv become one of the city's most vibrant Gay nightlife destinations, offering genuine experiences without the tourist crowds. The neighborhood's gay bars in Uptown Chicago create a perfect mix of historic charm and modern inclusivity that locals treasure.
The area boasts six standout venues, each with its own unique nature. The Baton Show Lounge has been dazzling audiences with legendary drag performances since 1969, while Big Chicks offers a cash-only neighborhood vibe with content hours that locals swear by. Dog owners flock to 2Bears Tavern Uptown for its pet-friendly policy and late-night craft cocktails, while those seeking leather and fetish-friendly spaces produce Jackhammer their home away from home. Night owls appreciate Touche Chicago staying open until the wee hours (4-5AM), and karaoke enthusiasts can choose from over 100 beers while belting out tunes at Uptown Lounge.
"LGBTQ+ bars are much more than places to get a drink," explains Rick Karlin, local historian. "They served as the only places where comm
The 34 best LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago
Photograph: Courtesy Sidetrack
Northalsted, aka "Boystown," is the historical center of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ scene, but fantastic gay bars are all over the city.
Chicago has always been a trailblazing city when it comes to spaces for the LGBTQ community. One of the first American LGBT rights organizations, the Community for Human Rights, was founded in Chicago in 1924, more than 40 years before Stonewall. And Northalsted, the gay nightlife hub also known as "Boystown," became the first officially-designated gay village in a major city in 1997.
These days, while a night out on Northalsted is still a joyful blur of boozy slushies and death drops, queer nightlife in Chicago is expansive, creative and thriving all over the city. From Rogers Park to South Shore, from James Beard-nominated cocktail bars to beloved, homey dives, there's a queer bar to fit your vibe. Oh, and don't forget about kingly brunch. You'll need it after a night out on the town.
RECOMMENDED: Liquor at the best bars in Chicago
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