Big Chicks

About this place Big Chicks

Big Chicks has been in Uptown since 1986 and represents a distinct tradition in Chicago's queer scene: the neighbourhood bar that serves everyone, builds genuine community, and defines itself through inclusion rather than niche identity. The walls of Big Chicks are covered in original artwork — the owner has collected and displayed the work of local artists for 40 years, giving the bar an aesthetic that is genuinely unlike any other gay venue in the city. The crowd reflects the bar's inclusive ethos: gay men, lesbians, trans and non-binary people, straight allies, and regulars from the Uptown neighbourhood who have been coming for decades. Weekend nights get busy and the dance floor opens; weekday evenings are more relaxed and conversation-oriented. The connected brunch spot Tweet is one of Uptown's best-known neighbourhood restaurants. Big Chicks is located north of Boystown proper — the Uptown neighbourhood has its own character, more residential and diverse than the tourist-oriented stretch of Halsted Street. For visitors who want to experience Chicago's queer community beyond Boystown, a visit to Big Chicks is essential.