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Gay Chicago
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Gay Chicago

Photo of Chicago

Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, is home to one of the country’s largest and most established LGBTQ+ communities. For visitors, the best-known gay neighborhoods are Northalsted, known as Boystown, and Andersonville. Northalsted, centered along North Halsted Street in the Lakeview area, is the city’s most prominent gay nightlife district, with a concentration of bars, clubs, restaurants and gay and trans owned businesses. Andersonville, farther north on the city’s North Side, offers a more relaxed mix of gay bars, restaurants, independent shops and community-oriented businesses. 

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[Photos] We went to Chicago to introduce you to some of the beautiful ordinary gay guys

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Chicago’s Market Days returns this weekend – these are the cruisiest places to hang out

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Drag Race alum Honey Davenport makes history by winning International Mr Leather

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The Chicago gay bar that throws a special event for your four-legged friends each month

All Chicago Articles

Upcoming Events

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

All day festival with night time parade and Costume Contest

Halsted Street

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade

Haunted Halsted

Halsted & Belmont

Saturday, October 31, 2026

International Mr. Leather

International Mr. Leather

World famous leather lovers

The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center

May 27 - 31, 2027

Chicago Pride Fest

Chicago Pride Fest

Party in Northalsted

Northalsted neighborhood

June 19 - 20, 2027

Chicago Pride Parade

Chicago Pride Parade

Walk with Pride

Boystown

Sunday, June 27, 2027

Northalsted Market Days

Northalsted Market Days

Party in Boystown

Halsted St. from Belmont to Addison

August 6 - 8, 2027

All Chicago Events

Bars & Clubs

Sidetrack

Sidetrack

Where bigger is always better

Northalsted
Roscoe's Tavern

Roscoe's Tavern

Iconic drag, bingo, booze & babes

Northalsted
Jackhammer

Jackhammer

Leather and Levis

Rogers Park
Hydrate Nightclub

Hydrate Nightclub

Energetic dance club

Northalsted
Touché

Touché

Cruise in leather

Rogers Park
Marty's Martini Bar

Marty's Martini Bar

Chic, intimate lounge with a French flair

Andersonville
Big Chicks

Big Chicks

Vibrant, colorful, and amazing food!

Uptown
The North End

The North End

Gay sports bar

Northalsted
Cell Block

Cell Block

Notorious leather bar

Northalsted
Lucky Horseshoe Lounge

Lucky Horseshoe Lounge

Getting lucky since 1989

Northalsted
Progress Bar Chicago

Progress Bar Chicago

Dance, drink & be merry!

Northalsted
Second Story Bar

Second Story Bar

Old-school, hidden away dive

Gold Coast
All Chicago Bars & Clubs

Restaurants

Kit Kat Club

Kit Kat Club

Upscale art deco entertainment space

Northalsted
Las Mananitas

Las Mananitas

The best margs in town

Northalsted
Angelina Ristorante

Angelina Ristorante

Authentic, romantic & intimate Italian bistro

Northalsted
Ann Sather Restaurant & Catering

Ann Sather Restaurant & Catering

Trusted Chicago institution

Northalsted
Joy's Noodles & Rice

Joy's Noodles & Rice

Casual atmosphere serving classic Thai favorites

Northalsted
Drew's on Halsted

Drew's on Halsted

Fresh American bistro fare

Northalsted
Tweet

Tweet

Great hangover breakfast spot

Andersonville
Frontera Grill

Frontera Grill

Fresh Mexican fare with a sophisticated twist

Gold Coast
Giordano's

Giordano's

Deep dish recipe passed down for generations

Gold Coast
Gino's East

Gino's East

It's pizza time

Gold Coast
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill

Modern & upscale with a traditional flair

Lakeview
Diva Thai and Sushi Bar

Diva Thai and Sushi Bar

BYOB - late night neighborhood sushi bar

Lakeview
All Chicago Restaurants

Hotels

Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace

Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace

In the heart of Boystown

Northalsted
The Villa Toscana Guest House

The Villa Toscana Guest House

Elegant & unique accommodations

Northalsted
City Suites Hotel

City Suites Hotel

Art Deco boutique hotel

Lakeview
Majestic Hotel

Majestic Hotel

English charm with a modern twist

Lakeview
Hyatt Regency Chicago

Hyatt Regency Chicago

Modern refinement with killer views

North Loop
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park

Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park

Top-rated luxury hotel

North Loop
House 5863

House 5863

Not your grandma's B&B

Edgewater
Eurostars Magnificent Mile

Eurostars Magnificent Mile

Polished hotel in the middle of it all

Gold Coast
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

Renowned historic hotel

North Loop
Hampton Inn Chicago-O'Hare International Airport

Hampton Inn Chicago-O'Hare International Airport

Reliable airport hotel

Suburbs
Magnolia Studios

Magnolia Studios

Charming family-owned B&B

Edgewater
The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop

The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop

Chic accomodations in Chicago's theater district

North Loop
All Chicago Hotels

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago LGBTQ friendly?

Chicago is very LGBTQ friendly. The city is a stronghold of liberal politics, and the long history of nightlife culture helped shape the city as a mecca for Midwestern gay and trans people. Boystown is one of the biggest gay neighborhoods in the U.S., and there are pockets of gay and trans culture all over the city.

What is the gay neighborhood of Chicago?

Northalsted, also known as Boystown, is on the north side of the city in the Lakeview neighborhood, just east of Wrigleyville. There is also a fun but more low-key gay neighborhood further north, in Andersonville.

When is Pride in Chicago?

The Chicago Pride Festival usually occurs around the third weekend of June, and then the Pride Parade is the following weekend, at the end of the month. Then there is Northalsted Market Days, an enormous street festival celebrating the Boystown neighborhood, in August, which is basically another Pride event. 

There are also events that are held downtown, and are billed as "pride festivals," but they are more oriented as music festivals that attract mainstream crowds.

Gay Chicago
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