Gay clubs chicago suburbs
1. Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge
Recognizable for service with a smile—and sometimes a sugary-sweet drag-queen smirk—this suburban identify offers a menu that goes beyond pub grub (mini filet mignon sandwiches, $16). Bottle service starts at $150. 728 Lake St., Oak Park; velvetropeultralounge.com
2. Inn Exile
Not far from Midway, this club could be called the Sidetrack of the South Side. Like Boystown’s grande dame, it’s a video bar with a 10-foot screen above the move floor playing Foremost 40 and nation hits. 5758 W. 65th St.; innexilechicago.com
3. Chances Dances
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. North Ave.), Danny’s (1959 W. Dickens Ave.), and the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia Ave.). chancesdances.org
4. Temptations Nightclub
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. DJs spin Wed
The 34 best LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago
Photograph: Courtesy Sidetrack
Northalsted, aka "Boystown," is the historical center of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ scene, but wonderful gay bars are all over the city.
Chicago has always been a trailblazing city when it comes to spaces for the LGBTQ community. One of the first American LGBT rights organizations, the Society for Human Rights, was founded in Chicago in 1924, more than 40 years before Stonewall. And Northalsted, the gay nightlife hub also recognizable as "Boystown," became the first officially-designated gay village in a major city in 1997.
These days, while a night out on Northalsted is still a joyful blur of boozy slushies and death drops, queer nightlife in Chicago is expansive, creative and thriving all over the city. From Rogers Park to South Shore, from James Beard-nominated cocktail bars to beloved, homey dives, there's a queer bar to fit your vibe. Oh, and don't forget about drag brunch. You'll need it after a blackout out on the town.
RECOMMENDED: Swallow at the best bars in Chicago
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LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: same-sex attracted and lesbian bars, clubs, and more
Chicago’s nightlife is a lot like the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. It’s also a whole lot of joy. Our gay and womxn loving womxn bars have a short-lived bit of something for everyone, with late-night lounges, dance clubs,burlesque and performative shows, and long-standing neighborhood watering holes in almost every corner of the city. And each comes with their own one-of-a-kind history and vibe.
Check out some of the leading gay bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s homosexual nightlife scene.
Jeffery Pub
One of the city’s oldest queer bars, Jeffery Pub is a neighborhood institution. The South Shore staple is also one of Chicago’s first black-owned gay bars, making it all the more meaningful for the spot’s many regulars. Don’t miss the live show, like karaoke nights, Silky Soul Sundays, and a lively dance floor featuring everything from pop to house music.
Big Chicks
This lively and colorful spot is part LGBTQ hangout, part art gallery. The walls are plastered with the owner’s personal collection of paintings and photos, including big names like Diane Arbus. But don’t believe for a second that makes the pla
Chicago Gay City Guide: A Midwestern Jewel for the LGBTQ Community
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is an industrious metropolis that’s an thrilling place for the LGBTQ community. An international hub of culture, commerce, and creativity, the capital provides a multitude of gay resources to make every new resident sense at home.
A Concise History of the Windy City
Like many Midwestern regions, the Native Americans were responsible for cultivating a lot of the land. The actual term “Chicago” is roughly translated from a Native American word that means “wild onion,” something which grows abundantly to this day.
The city was born in 1883 and in 1983, Chicago saw its first black mayor. In 2019, for the first period in history, all three city-wide elective offices were held by women. Chicago is a forward-thinking and progressive town that has a lot to propose LGBTQ residents.
Quick Stats About the 312
- The city is 227.63 square miles.
- Chicago has both a commuter rail and rapid transit system. (Metra and cta).
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States (approx. 2,705,994 people).
- Spray draw was invented in Chicago.
- Chi