Gays en chicago

LGBTQ+ Chicago weekend itinerary

You’ll need more than two days to hit all of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ hotspots — but a weekend here is a good commence. Whether you affectionate the nonstop party vibe or a little Midwestern charm, Chicago’s inclusive neighborhoods offer something for everyone. Here’s how to spend a weekend exploring Chicago’s LGBTQ+ communities.

Saturday

Morning
Dwelling to boutique shopping, vibrant nightlife, and one of the oldest LGBTQ+ communities in the Joined States, the East Lakeview neighborhood of Northalsted (aka Boystown) has an strength all its own.

Stroll along North Halsted Street — lined with fabulous shopping, trendy restaurants, lively bars, and active dance clubs — and grab some brunch at laidback mainstay Drew’s on Halsted. Fill up the rest of your morning with a self-guided tour of The Legacy Walk, a one-of-a-kind outdoor museum stroll that celebrates Gay history and heroes.

Afternoon
Enjoy elevated pub fare in cozy surroundings at Wilde (grab a leather booth or a spot by the fireplace). Then accomplish a little neighborhood shopping at the spots like Foursided, where unusual gifts and chic decor stack the shelves.

LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: gay and lesbian bars, clubs, and more

Chicago’s nightlife is a lot favor the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. It’s also a whole lot of fun. Our gay and lesbian bars have a minuscule bit of something for everyone, with late-night lounges, dance clubs,burlesque and drag shows, and long-standing neighborhood watering holes in almost every corner of the town. And each comes with their own unique history and vibe.

Check out some of the leading gay bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s queer nightlife scene.

Jeffery Pub

One of the city’s oldest gay bars, Jeffery Pub is a neighborhood institution. The South Shore staple is also one of Chicago’s first black-owned queer bars, making it all the more meaningful for the spot’s many regulars. Don’t miss the live entertainment, like karaoke nights, Silky Soul Sundays, and a lively dance floor featuring everything from pop to house music.

Big Chicks

This lively and colorful see 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 think for a second that makes the pla

Chicago: so nice, you’ll think it’s hitting on you

For a gay ol’ age, follow the rainbow to the Midwest. In this part of the nation, Chicago is “the city,” but one that largely puts aside those big-city rules. In online dating terms, Chi-Town doesn’t wait two days to call you back after a date. Friendly and inviting, it’s the city that forgot that big cities are supposed to have an attitude.

Architecture aficionados and novices keep their eyes facing upwards to take in the grandeur. For closer-to-the-ground fun, do your duty as a tourist and chief to Millennium Park. Get out your camera because you’re about to join “The Bean” (which sounds like a horrible come on). Officially, the stunning sculpture is called Cloud Gate, but for reals, it looks like a big shiny bean. Try as they might, no gay can resist a reflective surface. There’s lots more to see in and around the park, including the Art Institute of Chicago. Not just for art fags, this is an era-spanning collection that will even impress those who don’t fond museums.

During nice weather, can you really pass up a day at the beach? Though technically landlocked, Lake Michigan does a wonderful ocean impression. An astounding 2

Northalsted, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood

The first officially recognized gay village in the United States, Boystown Chicago is the commonly acknowledged nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood acknowledged as Northalsted that is home to Chicago's visible and active lesbian, gay, multi-attracted and transgender community.

Northalsted, the first official gay neighborhood in the country (credit: northalsted.com)

Northalsted is situated just southeast of Wrigleyville in Lakeview. The area is bordered by Broadway Ave. on the east and Halsted St. on the west, Grace St. to the north and Belmont Ave. to the south.

The two main (north-south) avenues of Halsted St. and Broadway lead the heart of this commercial and entertainment district. Broadway primarily offers a variety of themed shops and restaurants stretching throughout the neighborhood while Halsted caters to a lively nightlife with more than 30 different gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

The neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ community center that welcomes over 1000 people per day. Northalsted hosts a n