Chicago

Chicago's LGBTQ+ community is centered around Boystown (now officially called Northalsted), the first officially recognized gay village in the United States. The area features iconic venues like Sidetrack, Roscoe's Tavern, and The Closet. The city also has vibrant queer scenes in Andersonville, Lakeview, and the South Loop. Chicago Pride is one of the largest Pride celebrations globally, and the city hosts numerous LGBTQ+ events including Market Days and the Chicago International Film Festival's LGBTQ+ programming. The city's diverse queer community spans multiple neighborhoods and includes strong representation across all identities.

Men's Room Chicago is a shop in Chicago. Located at 3343 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.

Men's Room Chicago

Rattleback Records is a shop in Chicago. Located at 5405 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

Rattleback Records

Han Training is a venue in Chicago. Located at 743 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613, USA.

Han Training

Refined boutique for women's & men's clothing, beauty & grooming, with home decor & accessories.

SPACE 519

Playful shop selling leather attire for men & women, including pants & underwear, plus accessories.

Leather64Ten

Salon Glow is a venue in Chicago. Located at 2766 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.

Salon Glow

Veteran bookseller featuring a wide variety of general & children's literature plus LGBT titles.

Unabridged Bookstore

Wish Me Luck Tattoo is a venue in Chicago. Located at 3323 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA.

Wish Me Luck Tattoo

Indy-minded all-around bookshop known for its feminist & kid focus, with regular author appearances.

Women & Children First

Steamworks Chicago is a sauna and bathhouse in Chicago. Located at 3246 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.

Steamworks Chicago

Upmarket retailer specializing in cooking tools, gadgets & pots & pans plus culinary & wine classes.

The Chopping Block

Get in the Kitchen is a venue in Chicago. Located at 3617 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, USA.

Get in the Kitchen

Educational & historical museum for adults offering exhibitions with wearable leather & kinky props.

Leather Archives & Museum

Chicago Sugar Daddy is a shop in Chicago. Located at 3243 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.

Chicago Sugar Daddy

Cozy, laid-back mainstay featuring American bistro fare with global accents plus a full bar & patio.

Drew's on Halsted

Burgers & Tex-Mex eats pair with margaritas & house tequila drinks in cozy tavern digs with a patio.

D.S. Tequila Company

Pride Arts Center is a venue in Chicago. Located at 3656 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613, USA.

Pride Arts Center

Quaint local bakeshop offering unique cakes, cupcakes, breakfast pastries, brownies & more.

Jennivee's Bakery

Upscale farm-to-table bar eats & a large beer & whiskey menu served in a traditional Irish pub.

Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant

Rustic-chic bar offering elevated pub grub, including wood-fired pizzas, plus TVs & weekend brunch.

R Public House

Upbeat, colorful LGBT-friendly bar with basic eats & weekend DJs amid art-lined walls.

Big Chicks

Industrial bar offering craft beers & seasonally inspired cocktails, plus a lounge with board games.

Rogers Park Social

Sfera is a restaurant in Chicago. Located at 5759 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660, USA.

Sfera

Stylish American hangout serving seasonal dishes and cocktails in architectural digs.

The Dearborn

Western-themed Boystown bar & dance club with drag shows, karaoke, bingo & late-night hours.

Charlie's Chicago

Windy City Times is a venue in Chicago. Located at 5315 N Clark St # 192, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

Windy City Times

The Lunchroom is a restaurant in Chicago. Located at 200 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

The Lunchroom

American spot attached to a B&B offering Angus steaks & Sunday gospel brunch since 1985.

The Polo Inn

Cozy cafe featuring java drinks, light fare & Wi-Fi in a laid-back ambiance with comfy seating.

Two Hearted Queen

2Bears Tavern is a bar in Chicago. Located at 1140 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

2Bears Tavern

Dorothy is a bar in Chicago. Located at 2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA.

Dorothy

Energetic gay dance club with theme nights & open very late.

Hydrate Nightclub

The Jeffery Pub is a bar in Chicago. Located at 7041 S Jeffery Blvd, Chicago, IL 60649, USA.

The Jeffery Pub

Nobody's Darling is a bar in Chicago. Located at 1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

Nobody's Darling

Behomoth gay club drawing a diverse crowd, serving up slushy drinks & known for showtune nights.

Sidetrack

La Cueva Nightclub is a nightclub in Chicago. Located at 4153 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623, USA.

La Cueva Nightclub

Chic, low-lit lounge serving classic cocktails amid Toulouse-Lautrec-inspired decor.

Marty's Martini Bar

Meetinghouse Tavern is a bar in Chicago. Located at 5025 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

Meetinghouse Tavern

Barbara & Barbara Salon is a venue in Chicago. Located at 2925 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA.

Barbara & Barbara Salon

Neighborhood gay bar with games & theme nights in laid-back surrounds with a patio.

The SoFo Tap

Longtime, low-key gay sports bar with flat-screen TVs, darts, billiards & occasional karaoke.

North End

Laid-back gay bar with billiards, Wii & darts, plus theme nights & drink specials.

Cell Block

Classic & modern craft cocktails are hand-shaken in this small, stylish lounge with low lighting.

Elixir Lounge

Barks N' Rec is a shop in Chicago. Located at 1809 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.

Barks N' Rec

Thrift store selling clothing, furniture & books in support of the Howard Brown Health Center.

Brown Elephant Thrift Store

Store for designer men's casualwear with a large selection of underwear, plus bags & accessories.

CRAM Fashion

Chicago Male Salon is a venue in Chicago. Located at 3418 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA.

Chicago Male Salon

Early To Bed is a shop in Chicago. Located at 5138 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640, USA.

Early To Bed

Landscape provider for residential & commercial areas, from design to maintenance & enhancements.

Christy Webber Landscapes

Psyche Fine Jewelry

Brave Space Alliance

Brave Space Barber Shop | Free, walk-in barber services

A community event offering free, walk-in barber services.

Fabric Health will be at Brave Space Alliance to provide drop-in support with applying for, renewing, and making use of your SNAP, Medicaid and Medicare, and Marketplace benefits. Free assistance for folks and families looking to get insurance assistance.

SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare Benefits Assistance

A community event offering free help with applying for or renewing SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace benefits.

Transformation Tuesday | Hair/makeup services

A community event offering hair and makeup services for trans individuals.

Event to help apply, renew, and use benefits such as SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and marketplace benefits. Free assistance for insurance and benefits.

Fabric Health at Brave Space Alliance

Fabric Health and Brave Space Alliance

Free legal assistance for Cook County residents looking to change their name and/or gender marker. Please bring a photo ID and birth certificate if available. Assistance may be provided in obtaining these documents. If you have any criminal convictions, bring information about your cases.

Name Change Clinic

A free legal clinic helping Cook County residents change their name and gender marker.

Roscoe's Dinner & Disney Musical Bingo hosted by Kimberly Summer

Roscoe's Tavern

Disney Musical Bingo

A weekly dinner and Disney-themed musical bingo night at Roscoe's Tavern.

Join us for Social Hour on February 25, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:00. This event provides an opportunity to connect and socialize with others in the community.

Social Hour - Feb 25

Watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK VS The World with hosts Kara Mel D’Ville and Ari Gato. Watch along in Roscoe's Front Bar.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK VS The World Watch Party

Kara Mel D’Ville and Ari Gato

A watch party for RuPaul's Drag Race UK VS The World at Roscoe's Tavern.

Join the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party at Sidetrack in Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood! Celebrate with a night full of Mardi Gras festivities, lively atmosphere, and fun activities. The event is hosted by Sidetrack The Video Bar and is open to the public. Don't miss out on this vibrant celebration!

Sidetrack Chicago

Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party

Your favorite pop music videos every Thursday in Glass & Side bars till 2am.

Glass/Side Bars

Let's Go Thursday

A weekly party where your favorite pop music videos are played in a bar until 2am.

$3 premium signature Frozen Cocktails every Thursday this Winter.

Frozen Cocktails Special

A weekly event offering $3 premium signature frozen cocktails every Thursday at Sidetrack during winter.

Feel dignified and brave in your skin — freshen up for free at Brave Space.

Brave Space Barber Shop

A free community event offering haircuts to help trans people feel confident and proud in their skin.

Roscoe's opens for cocktails, snacks, and dinner.

Roscoe's Opens for Cocktails, Snacks, and Dinner

A bar opening where people can enjoy cocktails, snacks, and dinner.

Lou brings Trans / Enby Night back to Dorothy for a much requested clothing swap! Guests are welcome to bring a maximum of two (2) items per person to donate to our clothing swap. Items must be clean and in good condition. Ideal items spark a sense of nonbinary / trans gender euphoria. We want body inclusive items so please bring items of all sizes as well as accessories for all. Guests may take as many items as inspire them night-of. Any remaining items will be donated post-event.

Trans / Enby Night Clothing Swap

Dorothy's Downstairs

A clothing swap event where trans and nonbinary people can exchange gender-affirming and body-inclusive clothing and accessories.

Meet & Greet with Secret Queen and Plane Jane before the Premiere Party.

Meet & Greet

A meet and greet event before the House of Villains premiere party at Roscoe's Tavern.

An intimate, powerful conversation with Darius Bost, co-author of A Black Queer History of the United States. The event will include a panel-style conversation on Black queer and trans histories, gender expression, liberation movements, and the radical joy of being seen, followed by audience Q&A and time to connect over drinks.

Center on Halsted

Queer Connections Presents: Black Queer Histories

Mycall Akeem Riley

A discussion about Black queer and trans histories, gender expression, and liberation movements with a panel and audience Q&A.

Introductory sessions for Senior Tai Chi, designed for adults ages 45+ who are interested in learning about Tai Chi or continuing their skills. Movements can be done seated or standing.

Billy Jean King Recreation Hall

Senior Tai Chi - Intro Session

A beginner Tai Chi class for adults aged 45 and older, with options to sit or stand.

Pozitively | Support for those impacted by HIV

A community event providing support for people affected by HIV.

Join us for the Roscoe's RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party with hosts Naysha Lopez, Batty Davis, and Kara Mel D’Ville along with special guests Athena Dion and Juicy Love Dion! Roscoe's opens at 4PM for cocktails, snacks, and dinner. Doors open for standing room & cover begins at 6PM. 21+ only.

Roscoe's RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party

Naysha Lopez, Batty Davis, Kara Mel D’Ville

A social event where people can watch RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 with live hosts and special guests.

A vibrant drag queen event featuring special guests Juicy Love Dion and Athena Dion, hosted by Batty Davis, Naysha Lopez, and Kara Mel D'Ville.

Roscoe's Drag Queen Party

The ONLY place to be EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT is under the lights at Roscoe’s! Big thank you to our special guests this week Nicole Paige Brooks and Tammie Brown!

Friday Night Lights

A weekly Friday night party at Roscoe's Tavern with special guests and entertainment.

Latin Night featuring Jenny Fox

A monthly party featuring Latin music and dancing.

Hydrate Nightclub presents 'Freshman 15', a drag event taking place on Friday, February 27, 2026, starting at 21:00. The event features the next generation of drag performers competing on stage, with the audience cheering on the student body, faculty judging, and a winner crowned. The cover charge is $5.

Freshman 15

Martin takes the decks at Hydrate for 'Now That’s What I Call Fridays,' playing chart-topping hits and sexy gogos. The event starts at 11:30 pm and continues until 4:00 am.

Martin at Hydrate - FastPass Event

Join fellow LGBTQ entrepreneurs for a casual morning meetup hosted by StartOut at Eli Tea Bar in Chicago. The event provides an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and network in a safe and inclusive environment. The meetup is scheduled for February 28, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM Central Time, and attendance is free.

Eli Tea Bar

LGBTQ Entrepreneur morning meetup w/ StartOut

Roscoe’s Drag Brunch hosted by Batty Davis! Seatings at 12PM & 2PM • Roscoe’s is serving you brunch with a side of divalicious drag EVERY Saturday with our $50 Bottomless Mimosas Bubbles & Brunch Package! À La Carte options available as well!

Saturday Drag Brunch

A weekly drag brunch featuring performances and bottomless mimosas at Roscoe’s Tavern.

Roscoe’s is serving you brunch with a side of divalicious drag EVERY Saturday with our $50 Bottomless Mimosas Bubbles & Brunch Package! À La Carte options available as well!

Roscoe's Drag Brunch

A weekly drag brunch featuring performances and bottomless mimosas at Roscoe's Tavern.

Sidetrack’s Sapphic Saturday is a “No Cover” event in Main/Cherry/North Bar celebrating girls’ love. Join us for an evening full of queer women’s anthems, drag performances by karibunne & lovelybedhead, games, and more!

Sapphic Saturday

A free social event celebrating girls' love with music, drag performances, and games for queer women.

Be here EVERY FRIDAY for the Roscoe’s RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party with our hosts Naysha Lopez, Batty Davis, and Kara Mel D’Ville!

Roscoe’s RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Viewing Party

A weekly event where people watch and enjoy RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 with live hosts.

Another amazing night with our cast Naysha Lopez, Batty Davis, Allura The Doll, Angelíca Grace, Enza, Kenya J Sanchez, Keri Traid, Sasha Love, and Serena Fiierce! Big thank you to our special guests Kim Chi and Naomi Smalls!

A drag show featuring performances by various drag artists and special guests.

Join us for an energetic night with Chris Cox performing live at Hydrate Nightclub in Toronto. The event is scheduled to start on February 28, 2026, at 23:00 and will continue until 05:00. Experience a night of great music and vibrant atmosphere. For more details, visit the event page.

Chris Cox at Hydrate Nightclub

Roscoe's Drag Brunch hosted by Batty Davis! Seatings at 12PM & 2PM. Serving brunch with a side of divalicious drag. $50 Bottomless Mimosas Bubbles & Brunch Package. À La Carte options available.

A drag-themed brunch event with performances and bottomless mimosas.

Brunch hosted by Kimberly Summer with showtune stylings by Batty Davis, XO Carrington, Kenya J Sanchez, Chanel Mercedes Benz, Sutton Fister, Bosston, and Astro.

Off Off Off Off Broadway Brunch

A drag brunch with live showtune performances hosted by Kimberly Summer.

Bring your pooch and come grab a drink and treats.

Dog Day

A community event where you can bring your dog to enjoy drinks and treats.

Chicago

Upcoming Events

Brave Space Barber Shop | Free, walk-in barber services

SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare Benefits Assistance

Transformation Tuesday | Hair/makeup services

Fabric Health at Brave Space Alliance

Name Change Clinic

Disney Musical Bingo

Social Hour - Feb 25

RuPaul's Drag Race UK VS The World Watch Party

Upcoming Pride & World Events

Chicago Pride Fest & Parade 2026

Sports Leagues

Badminton: Athletic Alliance of Chicago

Beach Volleyball: Athletic Alliance of Chicago

Bocce: Stonewall Sports Chicago

Bowling: Chicago Pride League

Community Groups

Businesses & Venues

Men's Room Chicago

Rattleback Records

Han Training

SPACE 519

Shop Queer-Owned in Chicago

Aphrodite's Shell | Olympus Vol. 4

Chicago Star Charm

Hermes Wing | Olympus Vol. 8

Eye of Athena Signet Ring 18k Metal Charge

Take Chicago's queer scene with you

Explore LGBTQ+ Chicago

Where Things Are Happening