Chicago gay area
Northalsted, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood
The first officially recognized gay village in the United States, Boystown Chicago is the commonly acknowledged nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood famous as Northalsted that is home to Chicago's visible and active lesbian, gay, attracted to both genders and transgender community.
Northalsted, the first official gay neighborhood in the country (credit: northalsted.com)
Northalsted is situated just southeast of Wrigleyville in Lakeview. The area is bordered by Broadway Ave. on the east and Halsted St. on the west, Grace St. to the north and Belmont Ave. to the south.
The two main (north-south) avenues of Halsted St. and Broadway rule the heart of this commercial and entertainment district. Broadway primarily offers a variety of themed shops and restaurants stretching throughout the neighborhood while Halsted caters to a lively nightlife with more than 30 different gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
The neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ community center that welcomes over 1000 people per day. Northalsted hosts a n
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 entertainment. Our gay and dyke bars have a minuscule 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 foremost gay bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s lgbtq+ 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 show, 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 believe for a second that makes the pla
Andersonville, a Neighborhood for Everyone
Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, known for its Swedish roots, historic architecture, and bustling urban main street, has one of the city's largest male lover and lesbian communities, second only to Boystown.
The welcoming North Side neighborhood stretches from Foster Ave. to the south, Victoria St. to the north, Ravenswood Ave. to the west and Magnolia Ave. to the east.
Recognized as the “shop local capital of Chicago”, Andersonville’s commercial district and main shopping highway, Clark St., features primarily independent, locally-owned boutiques and specialty stores.
In addition, the area features a number of gay and womxn loving womxn bars, nightclubs and some of Chicago’s best restaurants.
Andersonville hosts Midsommarfest, one of Chicago’s most legendary highway festivals, in early June. The annual event kicks off the summer neighborhood street festival season.
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is committed to equality, making Andersonville a neighborhood for everyone.
Explore Chicago’s Andersonville, a neighborhood for ev
Chicago Gay City Guide: A Midwestern Jewel for the LGBTQ Community
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is an industrious metropolis that’s an thrilling place for the LGBTQ community. An international hub of culture, commerce, and creativity, the city provides a multitude of same-sex attracted resources to make every new resident feel at home.
A Brief History of the Windy City
Like many Midwestern regions, the Native Americans were responsible for cultivating a lot of the land. The actual term “Chicago” is roughly translated from a Native American word that means “wild onion,” something which grows abundantly to this day.
The city was born in 1883 and in 1983, Chicago saw its first black mayor. In 2019, for the first time in history, all three city-wide elective offices were held by women. Chicago is a forward-thinking and progressive town that has a lot to offer LGBTQ residents.
Quick Stats About the 312
- The capital is 227.63 square miles.
- Chicago has both a commuter rail and rapid transit system. (Metra and cta).
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the Together States (approx. 2,705,994 people).
- Spray paint was invented in Chicago.
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