It gets packed on the weekends but isn't "rowdy" like a lot of other boystown places. It could be located anywhere else in the city and it's one of those come-in-and-order-a-drink-and-just-do-your-thing kind of places. It is the only bar which does not give off a boystown vibe and is the only bar I frequent. Town hall- Town hall is a super solid bar that is entirely unique in this neighborhood. DS if you are looking to sit down and nourish yourself with alcohol and food and Roscoes if you are looking to stand/ walk around and talk to/meet people. I don't really know what the orientation ratios are as I do not frequent these spots, but they might be what you are looking for. Roscoes, DS Tequila - These are a little bit more traditional as far as bars go. Expect to be fondled gently on the dance floor, regardless of gender expression or identity. Hydrate, Berlin, Sidetrack, scarlet Bar - These are all primarily dance clubs. Circuit, Chicago: Address, Phone Number, Circuit Review: 3/5. in Chicagos Northalsted neighborhood Americas first recognized gay village and. Lucky Horseshoe - gay dudes wear jock straps and dance while you pay too much money for drinks and watch Market Days is ranked in the top 10 Chicago festivals by BizBash. I can't really give you what you want so I'm just listing a bunch here
Hamburger Mary's is more mixed during the week, but more by on the ends. Bobby loves is karaoke.Īlso, there are gay bars in uptown, Andersonville, Rogers park, ravenswood and river north. Charlie's is country before 12, then club until late. Halsteads is more sporty but feels like a restaurant more than a bar. Cell block is leather/kink, go if you wanna see something different, jumping at 1. Lucky horse shoe is a "strip club" but only fun if you're looking for tragedy. Hydrate is open late and more of a typical club and hookup place. Weekends is crowded with a different scene than sidetracks. Roscoes on Thursday night is tons of fun, alt night for them, with fire twirlers and power grinder girls, much more chill too. Scarlet is a tightly packed loud dance floor with the more twink/alt crowd.
If you're looking for a place with only unisex or single toilet bathrooms, then kit kat, halsteads, town hall, bobby loves, north end, hydrate.I can't remember others.Ī run down of other places: Big chicks is good, but unless its a party night, it can be dead or filled with older creepers. All bars have at least one unisex bathroom, but they can be hard to find in the larger places. But aside from town hall, these places are more gay than mixed.Īll gay bars by default are trans friendly - officially. Other places that are more chill and mixed company would be north end, town hall or replay. Progress is pretty welcoming but right now is more guys only and pretty popular. Unfortunately, the reason why I think it's bi is due to the time and location, middle of lake view near wrigleyville, and most people there are looking for drunk hook ups. And you're lucky if there's even one lesbian bar.īerlin is probably the most bi-type bar there is, but it's a late night place and doesn't get jumping until 1. There are certain bars that can be more "mixed", but you won't necessarily find an equal distribution of genders or preference. Such a party may feel less like a celebration in the presence of men who feel they're being discriminated against.First, a heads up: most gayborhoods are gay-centric by nature. That's the issue."įor others, though, the issue is gay marriage, and women who are considering hosting these parties should think about that issue. "But it comes down to ignorant, bad behavior.
"As gay men who understand discrimination, none of us want to look like we don't welcome folks," Johnston said. I found it ironic that, as the women got liquored up, they were the ones doing the pawing and clawing until soon they resembled the straight guys they were trying to avoid.Īnd this, more than the equal rights issue, is why Art Johnston, the owner of the popular Halsted Street bar called Sidetrack, prefers not to hold bachelorette parties in his establishment. One woman from Kansas City told me that she enjoyed being able to drink as much as she wanted and not having to worry about being propositioned by a straight guy or waking up the next morning in his bed. "Gay men are far more reserved," said Hussey, watching and laughing from the sidelines.