THE PREMIER L G B T Q + BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY Vol. 10 CHICAGO
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS RESTAURANT GUIDE EVENTS SCHEDULE BAR GUIDE LGBTQ+ ORGS & ATTRACTIONS BUSINESS DIRECTORY ABOUT 04 06 15 18 22 24
LGBTQ+ Chicago
Chicago is the nation’s third largest city and boasts a large gay community. Like New York or Atlanta in their regions, Chicago serves as the Midwest’s cosmopolitan hub and attracts young and old alike--all looking to escape to the freedoms and opportunities of the big city.
Queer life (and LGBTQ+ bars) in Chicago is mostly concentrated in two areas: Boystown (really “East Lakeview”) and Andersonville which is farther up the city’s north side.
Bars and clubs have one of two licenses: most close at 2am (3am on Saturdays) and a few stay open after-hours until 4am (5am on Saturdays). If you’re up for a late night, you’ll find the after hours bars packed after the other bars close.
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ABOUT
RESTAURANT GUIDE
Alinea
Chef Grant Achatz draws foodies with New American tasting menus featuring creative plates.
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Angelina Ristorante
Longtime neighborhood standby for classic Italian dining.
3561 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL
Ann Sather Restaurant
Easygoing mainstay offering SwedishAmerican breakfast & lunch standards.
3415 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
Artango Bar & Steakhouse
Argentinian fare, classic cocktails & tango dancing in a swanky, 1920s-inspired setting.
4767 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Avec Restaurant
Inventive small & large plates served in a cozy, minimalist space.
615 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL
Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf
Upscale steakhouse with an American menu in an ornate, dimly lit wood & brick setting.
218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL
Boka
Creative American cuisine in a stylish, modern setting with a lounge & candlelit back garden patio.
1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Drew’s on Halsted
Cozy, laid-back mainstay featuring American bistro fare with global accents plus a full bar & patio.
3201 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill
A huge tequila menu paired with Mexican standards including tableside guacamole in a casual setting.
3906 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Classic fare at the original location of the chophouse chain.
1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL
Giordano’s
Deep dish recipe passed down from their Piedmontese roots.
730 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL
Girl & The Goat
Hot spot serving up innovative small plates from a dramatic open kitchen. 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL
Italian Village
Romantic Italian restaurant serving classic dishes & has an extensive wine list.
71 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Steak & seafood fare with signature stone crab claws, served by a tuxedoclad staff.
60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Joy’s Noodles & Rice
Neighborhood spot serving Thai classics. 3257 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
Drag-queen divas perform nightly at this upscale American restaurant. 3700 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Las Mañanitas Restaurant
Standard Mexican favorites & margaritas. 3523 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Chicago-style deep dish pizza. 6649 N Lincoln Ave, Lincolnwood, IL
Mi Tocaya Antojería
Colorful, laid-back spot serving multiregional Mexican small plates, desserts & cocktails.
2800 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL
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RESTAURANT GUIDE
Osteria Langhe
Italian joint serving Piemontese fare in casual digs with bare wood tables & a rustic bar.
2824 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL
Parachute
Funky-chic place serving modern, creative Korean-American fare plus wine & cocktails.
3500 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL
Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden
Neighborhood bar serving BBQ, bar food & craft beers inside or in the large beer garden.
3258 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL
Smoque BBQ
Popular BBQ spot slinging ribs, brisket, pulled pork & more.
3800 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL
The Gage
Inventive American eats, a long list of beers and a lively space with Millennium Park views.
24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The Publican
A creative seafood & pork-focused menu with global brews in a hip setting. 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL
The Purple Pig
Adventurous small plates with a lengthy wine list in small, lively quarters. 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Topolobampo
Rick Bayless’ innovative, refined Mexican cuisine served in an art-filled space. 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Tweet
American comfort & gluten-free fare.
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EVENTS SCHEDULE
merchandise vendors. For more info visit: northalsted.com/pridefest
JUN 23
CHICAGO
IS A DRAG FESTIVAL
Chicago’s annual celebration of Chicago’s finest drag is back! This exclusive showcase will feature some of Chicago’s very best trans and non-binary entertainers in a cast of 35+ kings, queens, and everything-inbetweens. This year’s festival, for the first time ever, will be a free event, made possible thanks to DCASE.
For more info visit: gay.do312.com/chicagoisadrag
JUN 23-24
PRIDE IN THE PARK
Pride In The Park is an annual outdoor music festival held in Chicago’s Grant Park featuring LGBTQ+ performers, artists, vendors and more. For more info visit: prideparkchi.com
For more info visit: bit.ly/3VXEuxl
AUGUST
AUG 19
CORRIDA DEL MARIACHI 5K RUN Run or walk to the beat of Mariachis, Folkloric dancers, and a Dj throughout the bungalow lined street of Berwyn! Join us at 8AM for our 4th Annual 5K Run!
Join the North Berwyn Park District in promoting health and wellness in our community by running/walking and celebrating in our Fourth Annual 5K Run/Walk!
Proceeds from this event benefit North Berwyn Park District Art programs. For more info visit: bit.ly/3VSM2lb
AUG 26
WEATHERTECH BERWYN
RT66 CAR SHOW
The 31st Annual Rt 66 Car Show will be held on Ogden Avenue in Berwyn from 10AM to 4PM. Berwyn has always been a great Route 66 town with a thriving,
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EVENTS SCHEDULE
the singer herself. For more info visit: jmonae.com
SEP 15-16
OKTOBERFEST
Berwyn’s Oktoberfest is the western suburbs biggest party of the year taking place on Friday, September 15 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm & Saturday, September 16 from Noon to 11:00pm. The event’s mid-September kick-off coincides with the original Munich Oktoberfest, which starts on September 16th this year. The event boasts live music, an international food court, and let’s not forget the Beer Garden, which will feature special Oktoberfest seasonal selections among others!
For more info visit: bit.ly/3NZ5f2v
OCTOBER
OCT 10
BERWYN’S BAGS, BEER, & BBQ TOURNAMENT
This event is modeled after our popular
For more info visit: berwynparks.org
NOVEMBER
NOV 1-30
HAMILTON
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. For more info visit: broadwayinchicago.com/show/ hamilton
NOV 24-16
FANTASIA IN CONCERT
Join us for a thrilling performance of Disney’s groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation, Fantasia. Magnificent repertoire from the original 1940 version and
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BAR GUIDE
2Bears Tavern Uptown
LGBTQIA+ Tavern and neighborhood bar.
1140 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL
Atmosphere
Neon-filled gay bar offering male go-go dancers & fun events.
5355 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Berlin
Cavernous nightlife mainstay with a diverse crowd.
954 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL
Big Chicks
Upbeat, colorful LGBT-friendly bar.
5024 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL
Bobby Love’s
A neighborhood gay karaoke bar.
3729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Cell Block
Club Escape
Energetic, gay-friendly venue.
1530 E 75th St, Chicago, IL
Elixir Lounge
Stylish lounge with hand-shaken cocktails.
3452 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Fantasy Nightclub
Hopping, gay-friendly nightspot.
3641 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Granville Anvil
Unpretentious gay bar.
1137 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL
Hydrate Nightclub
Energetic gay dance club.
3458 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Jeffery Pub
Black owned neighborhood stalwart.
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BAR GUIDE
Meeting House Tavern
LGBTQIA+, one-of-a-kind gathering space!
5025 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Progress Bar Chicago
Hip nightclub offering craft brews, DJs & dancing.
3359 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Replay Lakeview
Funky arcade bar.
3439 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Roscoe’s
Neighborhood gay & lesbian bar.
3356 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Scarlet Bar
Vintage-inspired gay bar.
3320 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
Second Story Bar
Splash Chicago
Narrow, dimly lit gay bar.
3339 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
The Baton Show Lounge
Drag queens take the stage at this longstanding nightclub.
4713 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
The Closet
Unpretentious lesbian & gay bar.
3325 N Broadway, Chicago, IL
The North End
Low-key gay sports bar.
3733 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
The SoFo Tap
Neighborhood gay bar with games & theme nights.
4923 N Clark St 1st Floor, Chicago, IL
Touché
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LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
AFC mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with and vulnerable to HIV or chronic conditions.
aidschicago.org
200 West Monroe Street #1150, Chicago, IL
Brave Space Alliance
The first black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center located on the south side of chicago, and designed to create and provide affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ+ community of chicago. bravespacealliance.org
1515 E 52nd Pl 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL
Center on Halsted
the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the
Equality Illinois
Building a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice for the LGBTQ+ community. equalityillinois.us
Gerber/Hart Library & Archives
The Midwest’s largest LGBT library. gerberhart.org
6500 N Clark St 2nd Fl, Chicago, IL
Howard Brown Health Center
Access LGBTQ affirming primary care, STI/STD testing, HIV/AIDS services, TGNC healthcare, and women’s health services at clinics across Chicago. howardbrown.org
4025 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL
Rincon Family Services
Providing counseling, case management, prevention, and treatment services.
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24 BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO REPAIR SHOP Chicago Car Care Inc .............. Back Cover BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY Lakelaw .................................................. 14 CONTRACTOR Finishing Chicago .......... Front Inside Cover CUSTOM TAILOR Richard Bennett Custom Tailors ........... 3 ESTATE PLANNING John R. Russell Ltd.......................... 10-11 LOCAL RETAIL GUIDE Berwyn Development Corporation ... 17 MEAL PLAN SERVICES The Fresh Plan ....................................... 12 NON PROFIT Red Cross ............................................... 23