Progress Bar
Lakeview
Progress Bar is a unique site in the Boystown neighborhood, attracting a diverse crowd and maintaining daily drink specials. 16 beers on tap, decent-sized cocktails,...
- For Women
- Bar
Hop Leaf
Andersonville
One of the first gastropubs in the country, Hopleaf is a 21+ tavern & restaurant with over 250 craft brews to choose from. Located in Andersonville, this...
- For Men
- Bar
Big Chicks
Uptown
Just blocks from the Argyle Red Line station, Big Chicks has been dubbed the "friendliest gay bar" in Uptown for over 28 years. Woman-owned & operated, the décor...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Steamworks
Lakeview
This bathhouse is a favorite in the Chicago gay community, offering 24-hour dry gym, private rooms, a handful of play areas, steam rooms and sauna access. Membership...
- For Men
- Sauna
- 1
Second Story Bar
Streeterville
Strong drinks in a homely atmosphere is what characterizes Second Story Bar. Located just "75 steps from Michigan Avenue", as the owners proudly boast, this hidden,...
- For Men
- Cruising
Hydrate Nightclub
Lakeview
Internationally known and a local staple in the gay clubbing community of Chicago, Hydrate Nightclub has extremely late hours, top-tier DJs and strong drinks. Expect...
- For Men
- Nightclub
Marty's Martini Bar
Andersonville
The popular Marty's Martini Bar is intimate, upscale and Toulouse-Lautrec-inspired in its decor, serving top-notch 6- and 9-ounce martinis in both classic and more...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Sidetrack
Lake View
Patrons of Sidetrack have been indulging in video bar show tunes since the 1980s, when the LGBT spot set down roots in Boystown. Packed most nights, it's a...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Jeffery Pub
South Shore
A long time establishment in the South Shore neighborhood, Jeffery Pub caters to the south side gay community, providing hip-hop & r&b tunes to dance &...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
The Closet
Lakeview
The name of this neighborhood bar speaks volumes to the size of this cash only, decades-old drinking spot on the edge of Boystown. Lesbian-owned and operated...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Spyners Pub
Lincoln Square
This hole-in-the wall divey bar has a full calendar of events, cheap drink specials, a pool table and a popcorn machine, popular with a mixed crowd of women who love...
- For Women
- Bar
Touche
Rogers Park
Far north yet easily accessible by bus or train, this gay leather bar has been located in the Rogers Park neighborhood since 1977. Touche is where bears and leather...
- For Men
- Cruising
Beauty Bar Chicago
West Town
On the border of West Town and Ukrainian Village, Beauty Bar's Chicago location offers their famed, sixties-era, retro salon decor with an additional contemporary...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Other
Scarlet
Lakeview
Taking its name from the scarlet piece of cloth the LGBT community would wear to signify their alignment with each other in 1920s Chicago, Scarlet welcomes both gay...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Atmosphere
Edgewater
In addition to being an incredibly gay bar, dive-bar Atmosphere prides itself on no cover any night. Cheap jello shots on Tuesdays, male dancers Wednesdays thru...
- For Men
- Bar
Cell Block
Boystown
Behind darkened windows on North Halstead, Cell Block is generally frequented by a laid-back neighborhood crowd and bears over 40. Inside, it's a bit grungy but the...
- For Men
- Bar
Charlie's Chicago
Lakeview
This western cowboy gay bar is situated in the heart of Boystown. Free line-step dance lessons on Monday & Friday nights is the perfect opportunity for meeting...
- For Men
- Bar
Jackhammer
Edgewater
Jackhammer is known for many things in the gay leather bar scene, most notably "the Hole", a section of the bar where drinking in your underwear (or bra) is...
- For Men
- Other
Joie de Vine
Ravenswood
Joie de Vine is perfect if you're craving custom-made cocktails and small plates in a quaint, neighborhood setting. Mixologist bartenders means there's no official...
- For Women
- Bar
Kit Kat Lounge
Lakeview
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club prides itself on offering unique martinis, New American cuisine and diva drag performances all at the same time. Decor insists on...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Bar
The Glenwood
Rogers Park
Small bar area but large overall space, the Glenwood is gay-owned and operated, a staple in Roger's Park growing LGBT community. Enjoy Sunday Bloody Sunday where...
- For Men
- Bar
The Sofo Tap
Uptown
This corner gay bar in the heart of Uptown is know for its chill, neighborhood vibe and attracts a variety of people. Spacious patio area, dog-friendly (Saturday...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Bar
The Whistler
Logan Square
Voted in Zagat as one of the "16 Must-Try Cocktail Destinations in the U.S.", this small, hip music venue and cocktail bar is a hidden gem on Milwaukee Avenue in...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Bar
Berlin
Lakeview
Located below the Belmont El station, Berlin Nightclub has been the place for both gay and straight people to dance alongside each other at 3am for over 30 years....
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Nightclub
Dannys
Bucktown
Danny's is the hidden neighborhood bar that you see forming a line on some nights and desolate on others. Seen by many as the hip, dive bar that you can choose to...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Bar
Mary's Attic
Andersonville
Located above Hamburger Mary's in Andersonville, this second floor loft offers couches, tables, stools and even a bed near the DJ booth to sit at while you enjoy...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Roscoe's Tavern
Lakeview
If you're claustrophobic, Roscoe's might not be the place to check out on a weekend night. A notorious gay bar in Boystown since 1987, this multiple-room,...
- LGBTQ
- Bar
Slippery Slope
Logan Square
This neo-kitschy dive bar, easy to spot with its over-sized neon red signage, is located in the heart of the Logan Square neighborhood. A variety of DJs most nights,...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Bar
Smart Bar
Wrigleyfield
Right under the Metro rock venue and with one of the best sound systems in the city, Smart Bar is the place to dance all night to top notch DJs in a dark club with...
- LGBTQ-friendly
- Nightclub
Watra Night Club
Archer Heights
This far south side Chicago dive bar offers a selection of bottled beers and resident DJ's with an eclectic variety. Most importantly, every Thursday night is...
- LGBTQ
- Bar