Categories: Nightlife
LGBT Chicago
Author: Audarshia Townsend
Chicago’s gay and lesbian community is thriving, and those looking for solid nightlife action will not be disappointed with the many options.
“Boys Town,” located in the Lakeview area, is one of the most well-known gay neighborhoods in the world. By day, it’s a shopper’s heaven, with unique boutiques, novelty and gourmet shops, but by night the streets are teeming with barhoppers and clubby crowds.
For dancing, most young professionals head to North Halsted Street for late-night spots like Hydrate, Sidetrack and Spin. Deejays spin pop remixes, house and hip-hop, and the crowds are 80 percent male. And what sets Spin apart is its Friday night party, which features a “shower” contest in which scantily clad customers dance under water for a cash prize. Trendier crowds tend to hang in the newer venues in the area, where there’s usually more “posing” than dancing. The fashionable who flock to Lakeview Broadcasting Co. (3542 N Halstead St; 773-857-2444), Minibar|Winebar and Scarlet look like they’ve stepped off the set of “Gossip Girl.”
But Boys Town isn’t only for the young and fabulous. There are plenty of low-key bars such as Little Jim’s (3501 N Halseat St; 773-871-6116)—which is supposedly the oldest gay bar in the city—as well as The Closet (3325 N Broadway; 773-477-8533) for those who wish not to bop around. Video bars are a major attraction in Lakeview, but Halsted’s Bar & Grill is the only spot with a video jukebox, which shows all the divas, including Mariah, Madonna and the Miss Divine Bette Midler. And speaking of divas, diners can enjoy live performances by female impersonators at Kit Kat Supper Club. The biggest shows happen on the weekend, but they also host special parties to honor the birthdays of super-sized divas such as Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Diana Ross.
Farther north you’ll find a number of gay and lesbian institutions, particularly in Andersonville, which is known for its large lesbian community. For dancing, there’s Atmosphere (5355 N Clark St; 773-784-1100) and Star Gaze, where deejays spin mostly popular music for an all-female crowd. And in Uptown, you’ll find a good GLBT mix socializing at Big Chicks, which has been going strong for almost 10 years.
Because there are so few lesbian dance clubs in the city, a number of gay and straight clubs also cater to lesbian crowds for weekly events. Ongoing parties “Outdanced!” at Funky Buddha Lounge on Tuesdays, “Dirty Girl Thursdays” at Lakeview Broadcasting Co. and Wild on Wet Thursdays” at Wet Nightclub are some of the more popular events.
Check out places of interest near LGBT Chicago:
Horseshoe Hammond Casino
777 Casino Center Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Already the premier gambling facility in the Midwest, the Horseshoe Hammond Casino has stepped it up a notch with a serious expansion happening summer of 2008. Check out the new 3,300-seat entertainment facility, The Venue. Choose from a wide range of tables and slots, plus entertainment and dining options here.
Le Passage
937 N. Rush St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
A top Chicago nightclub for going on a decade, this Gold Coast neighborhood nightlife haven attracts a high-profile crowd. It seems likely that this will be a club destination in Chicago for years to come.
NV Penthouse Lounge
116 W. Hubbard St.,
Chicago, IL 60610
This ultra-hip modern lounge sits atop 7 floors and serves an exclusive crowd. Take in the sweeping views of the Chicago skyline while the new-wave DJs keep the pop music thumping in the background. The outdoor terrace is a popular place to imbibe a pricy, but well-made drink.
Horseshoe Hammond Casino
777 Casino Center Dr,
Hammond, IN 46320
Already the premier gambling facility in the Midwest, the Horseshoe Hammond Casino has stepped it up a notch with a serious expansion happening summer of 2008. Check out the new 3,300-seat entertainment facility, The Venue. Choose from a wide range of tables and slots, plus entertainment and dining options here.
