Before Stonewall, Chicago was home to one of the first American gay rights organizations called the Society for Human Rights. Now it’s a vibrant center for LGBTQ+ nightlife, with an entire neighborhood dedicated to it known as Northalsted or “Boystown”—though the fun doesn’t stop there. Whether a booming nightclub or casual dive bar is calling your name, Chicago has it. Here are the top 14 LGBTQ-friendly nightlife spots for a spectacular time in Chi-town.
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954 W Belmont Ave. / Website
This unique destination is both a late-night dance club and an art gallery. The bar boasts its pan-cultural identity and plays electronic dance music along with hosting live performers and drag stars. There’s always a new and different event going on at Berlin, keep up with their Instagram to stay posted on all the festivities.
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5024 N. Sheridan Road / Website
An Uptown institution since 1986, this quirky, eclectic neighborhood bar and grill features a relaxed vibe, an expansive menu of satisfying pub grub and a jaw-dropping collection of art covering nearly every inch of the walls. Next door, weekend brunch crowds pack sister restaurant Tweet (get it?), while the fun continues in the bar with Sunday $4 vodka lemonades.
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6406 N Clark St. / Website
Head to Jackhammer for the ultimate kinky nightlife. The main level features a dance floor and bar, while the basement is home to The Hole, a leather and fetish club. All guests over 21 are welcome in the bar and safety is highly championed throughout the BDSM club. The inclusive club even offers classes for patrons to get educated about kinks and determine their own. To plan your fit, head next door to the conveniently located leather and kink shop, Leather 64Ten. Check Jackhammer’s Instagram to stay up to date on closures and events.
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7041 S Jeffery Ave. / Website
Hailed one of the oldest LGBTQ bars in the country and the only Black-owned gay bar in Chiago, this bar is definitely worth a stop. The dance floor is always lit with revelers, strobing lights and drag queens both professional and amateur. Open every day of the week, there’s always a dance and a drink to be had at Jeffery Pub.
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1511 W Balmoral Ave. / Website
Enjoy a variety of classy martinis at this tiny hotspot. Its calm, vintage interiors are a far cry from the strobing lights of other Chicago LGBTQ establighments. Between the wooden bar, ornately framed and hung artwork, the warm multi-tier chandeliers and the large wine bottle display, drinking martinis in Marty’s just feels right.
1744 W Balmoral Ave. / Website
Known as one of Chicago’s few lesbian bars, there’s so much more to Nobody’s Darling. Try an array of aptly-named, tasty craft cocktails like the Frido pisco sour, the Kahlo margarita, the Eartha Kitty, and a variety of more. The menu also has a section for alcohol-free cocktails sure to please your whole crew.
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3356 N. Halsted St. / Website
Head to Roscoe’s for classic drinks and plenty of drag shows. The front of the location is a bar while the back is a dance floor and nightclub. The bar is known for hosting regularly boisterous viewing parties for RuPaul’s Drag Race and hosts its own drag events weekly as well.
157 E. Ohio St., Second Floor / Website
Tucked away just off the Mag Mile, this shoebox of a watering hole draws a diverse crowd of downtown workers drawn by the promise of potent cocktails and an unpretentious scene.
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3349 N. Halsted St. / Website
For fabulous nightlife and equally fabulous frozen cocktails, head to Sidetrack. The massive location has multiple floors of lounge areas, dance floors and bars, along with colorful lights and ample Insta-worthy locations. There’s even a rooftop deck for warm days. Check out their lengthy drink menu, which features multiple flavors of mules, a variety of cocktails, non-alcoholic CBD drinks, and their famous frozen cocktails.
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1508 W Jarvis Ave. / Website
Watch sports, dig into a burger and chug craft beer in a friendly, casual environment at R Public House, located in quaint Jarvis Square. Widely loved by the local community, R Public House is usually fairly packed on weekends and hosts karaoke on every first and third Sunday of the month.
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3733 N Halsted St. / Website
Another cozy spot for cheering on your favorite Chicago sports teams, The North End in Boystown is exactly where you want to be for sporty comradery while shooting some darts.
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3458 N Halsted St. / Website
Things can get a little rowdy at the Boystown late-night dance club Hydrate, where dancing shirtless on elevated surfaces is often the norm. If you’re looking for a high-energy rave spot, look no further.
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2500 W Chicago Ave. / Website
The extremely popular ‘70s-inspired cocktail lounge Dorothy is for the ladies and “every friend of Dorothy,” located in a kitschy basement that hosts open mic and viewing parties on a regular basis. Upstairs you’ll find Split-Rail, where classic American comfort food will warm your soul before an evening on the town.
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3320 N Halsted St. / Website
Scarlet is known for its themed nights and dancey vibe, where the drink specials are flowing and the DJs are spinning in a vintage atmosphere.
Photography by: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
