Gay nightclub chicago

Been there, done that? With Pride Month in full swing and the Chicago Pride Parade just around the corner, there's no better time to dive into the city's vibrant queer nightlife.

Now, she and her wife Heather are keeping the good times going in all weathers with their women’s sports-centric Edgewater bar, where locals can enjoy pizzas and creative cocktails while cheering on the Red Stars or Sky. If sports aren’t your jam, stop by for regular events like karaoke, open pool and trivia nights. 

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Progress, located in the former Cocktail space, features a cloud-like overhead sculpture installation made up of 19,000 twinkling light bulbs.

To complement the music from local artists and weekly queer-centric open mic (known as "Jarvis Squear") on Wednesdays, there's a craft beer menu (including 16 taps) that skews hyper-local with selections from Marz, Spiteful and Casa Humilde. Whether you're a local or just visiting and looking for queer nightlife, here are some top-notch gay and lesbian cocktail bars, dance clubs and dive bars in the Windy City.

Get ready to paint the town rainbow, Chicago!

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Chicago’s nightlife is a lot like the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. Play Skee-ball, shuffleboard, darts or board games like giant Jenga upstairs, or hang out downstairs for theme nights like the lively Thursday karaoke (be warned that some performers can actually sing), the Tuesday “Big Gay Gayme Show” and Dungeons & Dragons meetups. 

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This longstanding Boystown destination has multiple bars, a dance floor, an outdoor patio and all the music you want to hear, with theme nights dedicated to Madonna, Taylor Swift and more.

Head to this laid-back Uptown saloon, where community matriarch Michelle Fire serves tasty victuals and cocktails to the sunburnt brunch crowd (when the space is known as Tweet Let's Eat), and keeps the rest of the week happening with tons of food and drink specials (like dollar off burgers on Mondays) and all-out dance parties on weekends.

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This intimate Ravenswood bar has garnered many fans—including the selection committee for the James Beard Awards, who nominated Nobody’s Darling for Outstanding Bar Program in 2022.

The bar runs down the center of the space, though it's just one-sided—the other side of its rear wall is lined with video game consoles.

The laidback spot is primarily known as a lesbian bar, but all are welcome. And this is how it had been for decades.

Following the Second World War, gay bars were the only place a person could reliably find other folks from the LGBT community since they were the place where LGBT folks could gather in public legally.

Come for happy hour, Sunday afternoon mimosas, or late night.

Second Story

Looking for a gay bar near downtown Chicago? 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 spot is part LGBTQ hangout, part art gallery.

Big Chicks

Address: 5024 N Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60640

Located in Uptown, Big Chicks is a beloved queer bar known for its inclusive atmosphere, affordable drinks and cocktails, and hearty food menu. Known for their creative cocktails, outstanding event programming (including drag shows!) and the coziest place to be yourself, it’s an incredible place to spend a queer night out with friends.

Chicago isn't just known as the Windy City it also boasts a rich and diverseLGBTQ+ community, with a thriving nightlife scene to match. The lesbian-operated and owned establishment was originally introduced as a place where women could proudly drink and be themselves, but later became a popular option for gay men as well.

One of the city’s newest lesbian hot spots, it’s quickly becoming known for its classy, sexy vibe and great cocktail menu that includes elevated classic, extra boozy drinks, and alcohol-free/CBD options. Such events, combined with a lesbian open season following softball games, video bowling, darts, bingo, karaoke, and other assorted games, is why The Closet Bar, as tiny as it might be has been a popular destination for more than three decades.

In addition to being a popular entertainment and lesbian pick-up joint, The Closet Bar in Chicago is also a popular destination for drinking enthusiasts.

The tiny little bar opens from Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 4 am, on Saturdays from 1 pm to 5 am, and on Sundays from 12 pm to 4 am. Well, okay perhaps a big Gold Coast walk-in closet. Gay men and lesbians mingle delightfully at The Closet over a game of darts, and the bar hosts a king show and a monthly drag queen spectrum. The small gay bar located in Boystown has been serving locals and non-locals since 1978.

The SoFo Tap

The SoFo Tap is the epitome of a laid back neighborhood bar. Those looking to dance the night away, sing and enjoy the spectacle of performers crooning in Spanish or dancing with giant robots and pyrotechnics (no, really), take the trip to 26th Street and you won’t be disappointed.

For more than 50 years, the Baton Show Lounge has been entertaining Chicagoans and visitors alike with classic, elegant drag performances.