Gay Bars & Clubs in Chicago, Illinois
From the neon-lit bars of Boystown to Andersonville's cozy queer cafés and cocktail lounges, Chicago offers one of the deepest LGBTQ+ venue scenes in the U.S. Explore gay bars, clubs, restaurants, and community spaces across the city.
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100 venues
Sidetrack
Northalsted's sprawling video bar and frozen-cocktail institution.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Jackhammer
Rogers Park's leather and cruise bar, with a basement called The Hole.
Rogers Park · $$
Roscoe's Tavern
A lively Northalsted mainstay with drag, dancing, and a big patio.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
The SoFo Tap
Andersonville's laid-back bear bar with a dog-friendly patio.
Andersonville · $$
Hydrate Nightclub
A high-energy Halsted nightclub with a late-opening dance floor.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Kit Kat Lounge
Northalsted's drag supper club pairing dinner with nightly shows.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$$
Cell Block
A gritty Boystown leather bar with themed kink and fetish nights.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Charlie's
Boystown's country-western bar with line dancing and late-night DJs.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Love's
A no-frills Northalsted neighborhood bar known for nightly karaoke.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Meeting House Tavern
Andersonville's game-filled tavern with pool, darts, and trivia.
Andersonville · $$
Progress Bar
A Northalsted dance bar famed for its responsive 'Cloud Ceiling.'
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Scarlet Bar
A Northalsted dance bar driven by resident DJs and themed pop nights.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Splash
A club-forward Boystown dance bar with go-go dancers and drag.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
2Bears Tavern Uptown
A bear-friendly Uptown neighborhood bar with games and free karaoke.
Uptown · $$
Atmosphere
An Andersonville dance bar with drag, go-go dancers, and DJ nights.
Andersonville · $$
Dorothy
A subterranean lesbian cocktail speakeasy behind an unmarked red door.
West Town (Ukrainian Village) · $$$
Second Story Bar
A hidden upstairs gay bar tucked above a Streeterville restaurant.
Streeterville · $$
The Baton Show Lounge
A historic Chicago drag revue, female-impersonation shows since 1969.
Uptown · $$$
The Closet
Boystown's tiny dive bar since 1978, with late-night karaoke.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
The North End
Boystown's gay sports bar since 1983 — pool tables and game-day TVs.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $
Cowboys and Astronauts
An LGBTQ+ lifestyle shop and men's apparel boutique in Andersonville.
Andersonville · $$$
Big Chicks
An Uptown bar since 1986, its walls covered in the owner's art.
Uptown · $$
Fantasy Nightclub
A two-level Northalsted nightclub with Latin, hip-hop, and drag nights.
Northalsted (Boystown) · $$
Full Kit Gear
Andersonville's leather, rubber, and fetish gear shop.
Andersonville · $$$
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