Joe Erbentraut, Burly organizer and resident DJ It happens the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. Balmoral St.įabitat brings a much-needed freaky, queer vibe to the Northwest Side, thanks to its eclectic range of guest artists and DJs who bring live music and performance to the stage, all under the direction of host and organizer Lucy Stoole, Chicago's favorite bearded drag queen. Marty’s Martini Bar is located at 1511 W. But if you prefer an adult beverage over a video game arcade concept-this is the place for you. Boystown stalwarts Replay and Elixir are opening locations smack-dab next to Marty’s this summer, bolstering Andersonville’s gay bar scene. Clark St.Ĭozy and chic without being pretentious, Marty’s Martini Bar is an outstanding place to tuck yourself in at the bar-order a mouthwatering martini from one of the largest martini menus in town- and people-watch or prepare for a night out on the town. So channel the spirit of Frankie Knuckles (a dance floor favorite, always) and get moving. Sure, you’ll witness drag queens and club kids dressed to impress but you’ll fit in just fine dressed down and hanging out near the excellent sound system at Smart Bar. Chicago legend JoJo Baby plays host along with Sissy Spastik at this anything goes party. Holy Ghost! will be stopping by next month, and last month one of my favorite musician crushes, JD Samson, had the dance floor swooning. Photo: Queen!'s Facebook/Tasya Menaker PhotographyĬome Sunday if you need to find place of worship, I’d advise heading to the holy house of, well, house music and paying a visit to the DJ booth altar of Derrick Carter at Queen! This Sunday night party at Smart Bar features Carter and Michael Serafini spinning on the regular as well as a rotating cast of guests taking over the booth. The Welcoming Committee rotates its locations often, so sign up for the mailing list to get the details. Sign up for their mailing list to get the names of bars that are not typically known as gay bars, but will soon be the host to one of their fun and friendly events. Much has been written about the decline of the stereotypical gay bar and many neighborhoods in Chicago don’t really have one specific “gay bar.” Sadly, that leads to a loss of community among LGBTQ people, but The Welcoming Committee is here to help. Rachel CromidasĬhances Dances host events all over the city check their website for more details. In the fall they'll be back at the Hideout. Chances are good you will like Chances if you like a little more self-awareness with your drinks and dance numbers. I especially appreciate the organization's emphasis on consent, wheelchair accessibility, gender-inclusivity, supporting local artists through its Critical Fierceness grant program and creating more queer-friendly spaces outside of Boystown. I've never been, but organizers bill Off Chances as the more "cruisy and conversational sister" to Chances, with good people, drinks and music. Founded in 2005, this party now takes place on the third Saturday of the month at Subterranean, while its counterpart Off Chances takes place on the second Tuesday of the month at Danny's. If only I were the dancing type, Chances is one of the first queer dance parties I would hit up more often. Slo 'Mo host events all over the city check their website for more details.
There's good reason this party is a repeat winner of pretty much every award for queer Chicago parties that exists.
On the third Thursdays of every month the Logan Square bar is packed to the gills with friendly, happy queers bopping along to the sexiest of slow jams, new and old. But it is in its element at its original home, the Whistler. Founded in 2011 by promoter Kristen Kaza and DJ Tess, Slo 'Mo has taken a number of different forms over the years-with satellite parties in Hyde Park, on a boat on Lake Michigan, in the South Loop and the Near West Side.