Who would want to sit behind the wheel for 1/3rd of an hour after a tiring day at work just to grab a drink? You guessed it right, nobody! So what does one do if they want to enjoy a minute of leisure at an LGBTQ-centric nightspot without having to make a haul for it? Well, then they go to the buzzing bars in downtown! Although the city center doesn’t offer a lot of hangouts, the ones it does are unapologetically entertaining and inclusive. That said, the northern part of the city is the wealthiest in terms of having gay-friendly bars and clubs getting to those places necessitates unnecessarily long drives from the inner city, and that can be too much on a weekday. Hence, the LGBTQ community owes a lot of its success in gaining rights to the Windy City.īeing such a sanctuary for the queer community, naturally, Chicago houses many great LGBTQ hangouts all over town. Though the city itself barely survived a calamitous fire in 1871, it has always given refuge to people looking for acceptance. Nookies: Open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight during the rest of the week, this classic Boystown diner serves traditional American fare like burgers, cheesesteaks, and French toast.Witness to illustrious LGBTQ history, Chicago is undoubtedly among the most LGBTQ-friendly towns in America.On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant stays open until midnight. The kitchen turns out commendable international fare and many of the glamorous staffers dress in drag. Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club: One of Lakeview's swankier mixed gay-straight lounges and eateries, Kit Kat is a retro-hip hangout.The casual spot with a cheery patio out back has long been a friend to Chicago's LGBT community and stays open until 11 p.m. Chicago Diner: Since 1983, this old-school diner has been serving an entirely vegetarian menu, including some highly inventive fare that even meat-lovers rave about.
Lark: The trendy and inviting neighborhood bistro is a rustic-chic space that has cultivated a strong happy hour following and also stays open for post-midnight nibbles on Friday and Saturday nights.It's a relatively intimate space as far as Boystown dance clubs go, but that makes it all the more fun when you want to get closer to someone. Scarlet: This cosmopolitan, upscale gay lounge and dance club is known for its dandy drink specials and sleek decor.Mostly, it's simply a pulsing venue for dancing to some of the best music in the neighborhood. Hydrate: This eclectic dance club has earned a loyal following for its imaginative theme nights and occasional lube-wrestling competitions.The bar serves exceptional craft cocktails and boasts a nice selection of craft beers. The name is meant to evoke the idea that the LGBT community has come a long way toward being inclusive and all-welcoming, and indeed, the crowd is fairly mixed. Progress Bar: A swanky nightspot with a fanciful, eye-catching "cloud" ceiling, this bar draws in the well-dressed bunch.Berlin: A friendly dance club on the busy Belmont Avenue, Berlin has been a gay nightlife mainstay in Chicago for many years, its success due largely to its come-one-come-all vibe.