Though it’s always been a diverse neighborhood, Andersonville was unofficially dubbed “Girlstown” in the 1990s due to a flourishing lesbian community. With so many options, it’s hard to choose one, and it’s not uncommon for partygoers to try out multiple establishments in one night. A few local favorites are Sidetrack, Replay, and Progress Bar. You can’t go wrong with any of the many bars and clubs found along Halsted St. The Chicago Diner is one of the city’s oldest vegan restaurants, where you’ll find award-winning milkshakes and burgers that are so good you’ll never tell the difference.įor nightlife, Boystown is the place to be any night of the week. Novelty shop Beatnix has everything from drag costumes and vintage clothing to gag gifts and other knick-knacks. Places to visit in BoystownĪs the top visited Chicago gay neighborhood, Boystown doesn’t disappoint when it comes to things to do. The community also hosts an annual street festival called Market Days, which features a concert lineup of prominent LGBTQ artists and booths filled with food, drinks, and crafts. It’s one of the largest pride celebrations in the world, with over a million in attendance each year. Events in Boystownīoystown is the official home of the Chicago Pride Parade.
Since the 1970s, this area has been a center of acceptance and free expression where the Chicago LGBTQ community thrives. Visitors to this vibrant, walkable neighborhood will find themselves greeted by rainbow-colored posts that line the streets. There’s no mistaking Boystown for anywhere else. The original and most frequented Chicago gay neighborhood, Boystown stretches along Halsted Street on the north side of the city. NerdWallet even lists Chicago as the 10 th most gay-friendly city in the US. But keep in mind that practically everywhere in the city is a safe bet for LGBTQ acceptance. The neighborhoods listed here are known for being the best gay areas in Chicago. Whether you’re searching for thriving nightlife or underground culture, check out the best gay neighborhoods that Chicago has to offer. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village huntersnightclubs.As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago is a hub for people of all different backgrounds. It’s kind of like being in your high school gym.” 1932 E. One city dweller who has visited calls it “delightfully suburban”: “The dance floor is huge. The name says it all: This place is cruise central, shirtless-style. The self-described “hottest suburban nightclub with a downtown feel,” a mostly lesbian destination in Franklin Park, offers one amenity that’s distinctly un-Loop-like: plenty of free parking. This roving outfit welcomes all to its popular LGBTQ dance parties-“full of young hipsters drinking PBR and dancing to Beyoncé,” according to one recent attendee-that hop between Subterranean (2011 W. Like Boystown’s grande dame, it’s a video bar with a 10-foot screen above the dance floor playing Top 40 and country hits. Not far from Midway, this club could be called the Sidetrack of the South Side. Known for service with a smile-and sometimes a sugary-sweet drag-queen smirk-this suburban spot offers a menu that goes beyond pub grub (mini filet mignon sandwiches, $16). (Second) Story Time: One Infamous Night at the Mag Mile’s Only Gay Dive
Review: Downtown, Plus a Revisit of River North’s Other Gay Bar, Second Story