Part of the Gay Chicago Guide — bars, events & things to do.

Thursday, September 17, 2026
Life is a Queer Cabaret invites performers to reclaim traditions of cabaret, burlesque, and variety in a queer space.
Have feedback on this description? Let us knowDrag brunches, circuit nights & every party worth knowing in Chicago — in your inbox every week.

Tue, Aug 25
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Dorothy, Chicago
Pitch Your Peeps: Late Bloomers is a slide-deck matchmaking show at Dorothy in Chicago, centering LGBTQ+ folks who came into it later in life.

Wed, Aug 26
6 PM - 11 PM
Dorothy, Chicago
IRL is a no-cover singles mixer at Dorothy in Chicago, an unstructured evening for LGBTQ+ singles to meet in person rather than on an app.

Thu, Aug 27
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Dorothy, Chicago
Rhinestone Microphone, Dorothy's queer open mic hosted by Twinka Masala, returns Aug 27 with ten performers spanning comedy, music, and drag.

Fri, Aug 28
9 PM - 1 AM
Dorothy, Chicago
Monthly Latin dance night with DJ Jenny Fox at Dorothy, Chicago's underground lesbian cocktail lounge. Every Friday with all Latin music and queer community vibes.
Monthly
Sun, Aug 30
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Dorothy, Chicago
The Bi Wives Club comedy showcase returns to Dorothy Aug 30 with a stacked lineup of queer Chicago comics — ASL interpretation included.

Mon, Aug 31
7 PM - 11 PM
Dorothy, Chicago
Sapphic Serenade karaoke night takes over Dorothy Aug 31 — sign-ups at 6pm, Monday Musicals power hour at 7pm, singing until last call.
Let people know you're going, see who else is attending, and share the event with friends.


Your complete guide to LGBTQ+ Chicago — the best gay bars, annual events, neighborhoods, hotels, and things to do in the Windy City.

Everything you need for Chicago's Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade — the route, the costume contest, the Northalsted bars that go all out, and where to stay that's gay.

Parvati Shallow's Survivor brunch, Queen! celebrates Lucy's birthday, and G.E.M. turns five at Jackhammer — plus 92 ways to fill your weekend.

A citywide guide to the best gay bars and clubs in Chicago — Northalsted's neon-lit video bars, Andersonville's laid-back locals, historic South Side spots and everything between.

Laid-back patios, karaoke, and the least pretentious crowd in the city — here's where Chicago's bears, cubs, and otters actually hang out, night by night.

From cruise bars in Rogers Park to the Chicago Eagle, here's every corner of Chicago's leather and kink scene — the birthplace of IML.