Chicago's circuit scene runs on stamina and a good pair of sunglasses for the walk home. The marquee weekend is Northalsted Market Days in August, when CircuitMOM — the promoter that basically defines circuit in this city — takes over the Aragon Ballroom for back-to-back mega-parties while M.E.A.T., Furball, and BRÜT pack out Radius, Metro, and Sound-Bar until the sun is a rumor. Year-round, the floors that matter are Smartbar (a genuine queer institution — Monday's Queen! is the stuff of legend) plus the big-room afterhours that bloom around Pride and Market Days. Come for one night or build a whole weekend around it: this is where Chicago goes to lose its voice and find its people.
7 PM - 12 AM
Chicago Theatre Works
Latine queer perreo party with DJ Gloria & Clandestina at Chicago Theatre Works, Aug 7.
9 PM - 4 AM
Radius Chicago
M.E.A.T. XXL — Year 6 — takes over Radius Chicago with two rooms, two stages, and seven DJs. Men’s circuit kick-off for Market Days weekend. Doors 9 p.m., 18+.
10 PM - 4 AM
Sound-Bar Chicago
BRÜT’s Pink PUSSSY Rave fills all three rooms at Sound-Bar in River North — Dan Darlington, Jaytech, Abel, Kitty Glitter, and Ted Eiel. Friday, 10 p.m.–4 a.m.
10:30 PM - 4 AM
Metro Chicago
Joe Fiore’s Furball bear dance party at Metro in Wrigleyville — Market Days Friday, doors 10:30 p.m., 21+. Heavy sound, packed floor, short walk from the festival.
9 PM - 3 AM
Cell Block, Chicago
L.O.A.D. — Organised Grime’s strict no-photos leather-and-fetish party — returns to Cell Block on Halsted for Market Days Saturday, expected 9 p.m.–3 a.m.
9 PM - 7 AM
Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
CircuitMOM’s Queendom — Market Days’ biggest night — takes over the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom with full circuit production. Doors 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., 21+.
9 PM - 6 AM
Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
CircuitMOM’s Take Flight closes Market Days at the Aragon Ballroom Sunday night — production-heavy circuit until 6 a.m. Doors 9 p.m., 21+. Two-day pass available.
10 PM - 4 AM
Smartbar, Chicago
Queen!, Chicago's queer Sunday house party at Smartbar beneath Metro, Wrigleyville.
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