Chicago's gay bar scene is concentrated in Boystown on North Halsted Street, which means you can walk from a leather bar to a dance club to a quiet neighbourhood pub without needing a cab. That density is one of the things that makes the city's scene distinctive. Most large American cities have gay bars scattered across different parts of town. Boystown has them on the same strip.


The variety is real. Leather bars, circuit-style clubs, dive bars, sports bars, and karaoke spots all operate within a few blocks. The crowd is mixed and the options change depending on what night you go and what you are looking for.

Halsted Street

The main strip runs along Halsted between Belmont and Addison. The rainbow pylons mark the stretch and the bars fill the street-level storefronts. Many of the venues here have been operating for years, some for decades. There is genuine institutional history in several of these bars alongside newer openings that have moved in as the strip evolved.

Weekends are the busy periods. Friday and Saturday nights fill the bars from around 9pm onward and some stay open until 4 or 5am, which is later than closing times in New York. The extended hours are a genuine advantage for night owls. Sunday afternoons can also be active, particularly at bars with outdoor patios during warmer months.

Weeknights are much quieter. If you want to talk to people without competing with music, a Tuesday or Wednesday in Boystown is a different experience from a Saturday. Some of the bars do themed nights midweek to bring in crowds.

Leather and bear scene

Chicago has a strong leather and bear presence, tied in part to IML being held here annually. The bars that cater to this crowd are on the Halsted strip and in surrounding blocks. They tend to run their own themed nights, which might include gear requirements or dress code expectations. Worth checking each venue's social media before going out on a specific night.

Sports bars and neighbourhood pubs

Not everything in Boystown is late-night oriented. Several bars function as neighbourhood pubs that happen to be on the gay strip, places with sports on TV and a comfortable crowd. These work equally well for a quiet evening as for pre-gaming before moving somewhere louder.

Andersonville

Andersonville on Clark Street has a smaller bar scene that tends toward the quieter end. A couple of bars here have a historically lesbian-leaning crowd and a neighbourhood feel very different from Boystown's concentrated strip. Worth including if you are spending multiple nights in Chicago and want some contrast.

The bars

    • Arie Crown Theater — The Arie Crown Theater was named after Lithuanian immigrant Arie Crown, who was the father of Henry Crown, the American industrialist and philanthropist. The theater is situated on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
    • Atmosphere (@mosphere) — Dive bar & dance spot with weekend go-gos Atmosphere's large dance floor and daily drink specials -- not to mention the nearly-nude male dancers Thursday through Saturday -- beckon North Side boys to the bar, which also offers free WiFi. Now hosting a drag show every Sunday. Located in the heart of the far north geighborhood, Andersonville.
    • Bar Allegro Chicago — Chic accommodations in Chicago's theatre district Surrounded by theatres and shopping, the Allegro offers luxurious and comfortable Art Deco rooms, a full service spa and personalized amenities. They also offer guests a yoga basket and yoga classes, and a 24-hour fitness centre. The pet-friendly package provides guests' furry friends with their own gift basket.
    • Baton Show Lounge — Known for nightly drag shows... and what? If you're going to catch some of the world famous shows, make sure to book your reservations in advance for shows Wednesday through Sunday at 8:30, 10:30, and 12:30. Reservations are taken M-F 11 am - 4 pm
    • Big Chicks — Campy and fun neighborhood bar. Michelle Fire runs one of the most successful and oldest gay bears (oops, we meant bars) in all of Chicago. Every square inch of wall space is dedicated to her extensive art and photography collection. This bar is a favorite for locals and out-of-towners alike of all ages. Big Chicks hosts a free (yes, free) BBQ every Sunday, $1 Burger nights on Mondays and Bear Den cocktail hour every Thursday. The second Friday every month is host to the trans*-inclusive queer
    • Bobby Loves — Small and sweet neighborhood bar This bar is tiny but has a loyal following, especially with people who love friendly bartenders, strong drinks, and karaoke. Typically the crowd is a bit older and more subdued. It's a great place to meet up with friends.
    • Cellblock — Notorious leather bar Casual levis/leather in front; serious leather in the back bar. For those craving visual stimuli, check out the porn video showing in the back.
    • Charlie's Chicago — Fun country western bar/after-hours disco Join a fun crowd dancing to Charlie's country western music in their wranglers, cowboy hats, and boots. (Yes, it's part of the Charlie's chain of bars.) On weekend late nights (after 1 a.m.) the music changes dramatically and Charlie's becomes an after-hours dance club with house/dance/hi-NRG music til 5 a.m. You've never seen a crowd go from Cowboys to Go-Gos so fast! Hit it on Monday nights for It's Just Bingo Bitch and Sunday and Mondays for Karaoke.
    • Chicago Symphony Center — Symphony Center is a music complex located at 220 South Michigan Avenue in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois.
    • Circuit Nightclub 2.0 — Almost every night is a circuit party Circuit, which was completely remodeled in the mid-2000s with a brand new sound system and new layout, caters to a largely Latino crowd but boys of all races and ethnicities come to dance their asses off. Theme nights and a large dance floor are big draws. Check out circuit girls.
    • Closet — Lesbian bar with a mix of men/women Cozy bar on Broadway in Boystown near great restaurants like Ping Pong and Wakamono. Fun lively crowd that gets pretty rowdy and drunk on weekends -- especially after 2 a.m. when other bars close. Lots of lesbians but welcoming to gay boys. Small dance floor. Bingo night on Thursday.
    • Club Escape — South Side neighborhood bar This is a super friendly bar where everyone seems to know each other, featuring nightly dancing to hip hop, R&B and house. Thursdays are ladies nights.
    • Club Krave — If you're craving a night out of Boystown Expect a mixed crowd at this suburban watering hole.
    • Crew Bar + Grill
    • D.S. Tequila Company — Tequila! Founded on the belief that tequila cures the ills of the world, D.S. Tequila is a newcomer to the Boystown scene. Because you shouldn't drink tequila on an empty stomach, you'll find a full food menu to go along with your drinks.
    • Davenport's — Up scale piano bar featuring cabaret lounge Live music is performed Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday -- sometimes by the talented wait staff. During the week, no cover in the piano bar (on Friday and Saturday nights, cover is $2 beginning at 10 pm). Monday nights is open mic.
    • Double Door — Music club with a diverse lineup of up-and-coming acts & big-name bands in a somewhat small space.
    • Elixir Lounge — Mixology bar Hydrate's new classy cousin has moved in next door. One of the only places where you can sip on a well-made drink without having to go through a crowd of wannabe Prada models (read: Mini bar)
    • Granville Anvil — Casual & friendly neighborhood pub A hole in the wall on the Far North Side set near Loyola University. Looks more like a '50s basement than a gay bar -- but that's the appeal. Venture to the outdoor beer garden in the summer
    • Hydrate — Lounge & dance club with big name DJs Hydrate filled a dance-bar void on Halsted near the center of Boystown. Usually no cover before midnight, which is when it starts to fill up. Go early and avoid the line when the bars close at 2 am.

Practical notes

Chicago bars close at 4am on weekdays and 5am on weekend nights, which is later than most American cities. Drinks run around $7-12. Some of the older bars are cash-only or charge a card processing fee; bring some cash. Cover charges apply at the larger clubs on weekend nights.

For the broader Chicago picture, see the Gay Chicago Guide.