Category Archives: Gay Bars
Gay Cities and Best Gay Chicago @ Scarlet Tonight
GAY CITIES.com
is in Chicago tonight hosting
a meet-n-greet at SCARLET !
GayCities is coming to Boystown!
GayCities is coming to town and will be throwing two fun parties to get you tipsy (read: free drinks) in Boystown the evening of Friday the 13th!
“We are taking on BoysTown for the GayCities Chicago Meet Up and would to see you out and about! Stop by and join us at Scarlet Bar (3320 N. Halsted) for a hosted happy hour from 6-8. Check-in, chat and get treated to some drinks on us. Just tell the bartender “I’m with GayCities”
We will be moving to the KitKat Lounge (3700 N. Halsted) from 10p-2a, where you can meet with us, get half price on our GayCities martini specials, and check-in with the fierce ladies of the night.
We cant wait to see all of you there. Tell your friends and dont forget that GayCities loves to get you in on the best of whats happening!”
Best Gay Chicago will be in the house as well! See you There!
Michael Snell
Derrick Sorles
Gay Chicago Performance Artist Zander Mander 30th Anniversary Party and Tour
July 2010
marks the 30th anniversary of Chicago’s iconic club kid Zander Mander. Dubbed the iconic club kid due to his longevity of being a part of the Chicago and national nightlife scene in one “form” or another for 30 years.
As a performer and host, he has entertained thousands over the years at clubs. Some clubs are now gone, but he is still here today at clubs that are thriving along with him. He has recently returned to the stages in preperation for his upcoming anniversary tour “GUITARS, GLAMOUR & GLITTER”. A tour that will take him across the country celebrating his tenure as a nightlife personality.
As an activist, Zander Mander has contributed most of his time supporting the Anti-Violence projects in hopes of unity between all.
Zander Mander will be appearing all over Chicago and surrounding cities during the month of July for different shows and parties. However the main event is being hosted by SPIN Nightclub (800 W. Belmont-Chicago)on July 16th. SPIN will be throwing the official 30th anniversary celebration.
Join in and celebrate one of Chicago’s true originals and make sure to bring your cameras!
ZANDER MANDER 30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAIN EVENT
Friday July 16, 2010 SPIN NIGHTCLUB
Doors open: 9:30pm / Hosted bar: 10:00pm – 11:00pm / Rock Show: 11:30pm
The rock show will feature excerpts from the upcoming GUITARS, GLAMOUR & GLITTER tour.
Roscoe’s Welcomes Ru Paul Drag Race Tour June 17th
After a season’s worth of hype and heels,
it’s time for the RuPaul’s Drag Race Tour
to hit the road!
And next stop is Roscoes !
June 17th.
Headlining the big shindig will be none other than Season 2’s glorious winner, Miss Tyra Sanchez. Can you handle it? Can she?
Get prepared to find out exactly why this diva snatched the crown — and find out if she can truly live up to the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
But fear not: Miss Tyra will not be alone. Joining her in Chicago will be Raven, Morgan McMichaels, Mystique, Jessica Wild, and Jade!!! Hosted by Frida Lay – $10 cover beginning @ 9pm – Show starts @ 10pm.
Yes, the best of season two will all the hit the stage for a night that’s sure to positively drench the place with “charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.”
Big Muscle.com Meet and Greet Coming to Roscoes Saturday May 29th
will be in town over Memorial Weekend,
celebrating their 10 year anniversary!
Stop by Roscoes
3356 N. Halsted
Saturday May 29th from 1-3 pm
for a MEET AND GREET afternoon of fun
and BIG MUSCLES!
Big Muscle.com Meet and Greet Coming to Roscoes Saturday May 29th
will be in town over Memorial Weekend,
celebrating their 10 year anniversary!
Stop by Roscoes
3356 N. Halsted
Saturday May 29th from 1-3 pm
for a MEET AND GREET afternoon of fun
and BIG MUSCLES!
Richard Cordova and Richards Riders Host Benefit at Wild Pug Wednesday April 21st
3 HOUR OPEN BAR
and BENEFIT!
Such a deal!
This Wednesday April 21st from 6:30 to 9:30 at Wild Pug (4810 N Broadway)
Richards Riders / Ride for AIDS Team will be having a fundraising party.
This is Richard’s third year in the Ride for AIDS and this year he plans to set new records! He is returning with a 21 person team this year and a goal of $30,000, which would be the highest amount ever raised by a team.
“Raising $30,000 is a lofty goal, but with so many people on the team I’m hoping we can rally enough support for such a great cause and make our goal,” said Cordova. He has also run five marathons and three half-marathons. Richard is a health educator at the Center on Halsted and he also is a spinning instructor at the Lakeview Athletic Club.
“The 2009 Ride was great because two of my closest friends, Zak and Andrea, did the ride with me, which really made it a lot of fun,” Cordova said. “I decided to start my own team this year because I knew I was going to do the Ride again and it just seemed like the logical thing to do.” The Ride for AIDS is July 10-11, but fundraising is underway now and the Wild Pug event will be the first in a series.
The Ride For AIDS is a 190-mile bicycle trek from Northwestern University’s Evanston campus to Lake Geneva and back. “The ride is tough. It’s fun, but tough,” Cordova said. “The winds can be brutal while the hills and long flat stretches in Wisconsin are mentally and physically draining. The camaraderie among the riders and the crew helps of course.”
“As someone living with HIV for over eight years now, I’ve come to look at physical challenges as my way of sticking it to the man, as they say, and ‘the man’ being HIV. It’s important that I prove to myself that even though I live with this virus every day that I must continue to stay positive and that having HIV doesn’t stop me from living my best life. Honestly, having this virus in some ways has helped me live an even better one because I’ve come to realize how destructive behaviors in my life were leading me to an early grave.”
Cordova added, “My team would love it if the kind and benevolent LGBTQ community could find it in their hearts and their wallets by helping us support Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) through a donation. No matter how big or small; every bit counts. Whether it be information dissemination, outreach, testing and prevention, and positive living support groups and more, TPAN is on the front lines every day helping those, myself included, who are living their best life possible with HIV/AIDS. We ride to do our part and when you make a decision to support our ride you are doing yours. Thank You!”
Frenchie Davis Helps Roscoes Celebrate 23rd Anniversary in Chicago April 1st, 2010
And this year, for the 23rd celebration, Jim Ludwig and the staff of Roscoe’s are pulling out all of the stops! FRENCHIE DAVIS, American Idol Diva, Grammy Nominee and Broadway Star will be in the house to help celebrate!
In November 2009 famed DJ/Remixer Tony Moran released Frenchie’s second dance single called “You Are” as a Cd single.
Last month, Frenchie in the #5 position on the Billboard Charts with this SMASH hit song that features remixes from over 10 different DJ’s.
Frenchie is also in the process of starting to record her “debut” Cd, which will be a combination of the “classics,” “broadway” and a few new “original” songs to be out later this year!
THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST • 9PM
Roscoes will be THE PLACE to be!
sponsored by
Frenchie Davis Helps Roscoes Celebrate 23rd Anniversary in Chicago April 1st, 2010
And this year, for the 23rd celebration, Jim Ludwig and the staff of Roscoe’s are pulling out all of the stops! FRENCHIE DAVIS, American Idol Diva, Grammy Nominee and Broadway Star will be in the house to help celebrate!
In November 2009 famed DJ/Remixer Tony Moran released Frenchie’s second dance single called “You Are” as a Cd single.
Last month, Frenchie in the #5 position on the Billboard Charts with this SMASH hit song that features remixes from over 10 different DJ’s.
Frenchie is also in the process of starting to record her “debut” Cd, which will be a combination of the “classics,” “broadway” and a few new “original” songs to be out later this year!
THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST • 9PM
Roscoes will be THE PLACE to be!
sponsored by
Best Gay Chicago 2nd Anniversary at Roscoes January 14th
COME CELEBRATE!
as BEST GAY CHICAGO celebrates our
2nd Year Anniversary! And You are Invited!
Thursday, Jan. 14th 7 – 9 pm @ Roscoes 3356 N. Halsted
Hosted bar by ABSOLUT 100 Proof
Private invite – You are invited but You MUST RSVP
by Jan 13th to get on the guestlist. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Just send an email or call with your names to be on the list.
bestgaycities @ gmail.com 773-878-5323
Best Drag Show and Best Martini in Chicago at KIT KAT Lounge and Supper Club
In case you have never been, the decor evokes Old Hollywood glamour–white sofas, stone-topped tables on chrome legs, old vintage black and white movies showing on the wall – and classy entertainment that includes celebrity look-alikes performing in glamourous cabaret-style Wednesday through Sunday.
veteran entertainer TRACI ROSS is one of our favorites – but ALL the talent is GREAT here! Traci has been involved in the art of female impersonation for over 20 years, and has collected many titles over those years. On any given night you can stop into the Kit Kat and see Traci as Anita Baker, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Lopez, and many other icons.
No drink is more famous or more identified with one character than the Vodka Martini and James Bond. The line “shaken, not stirred’ has been recited countless millions of times in pubs and bars around the world. Many Chicago restaurants would be glad to tell you how to make the perfect martini. And KIT KAT has been named to make the best in the city, more than a few times. – The namesake cocktail and No. 1 seller among the HUGE MARTINI DRINK LIST is the Kit Kat, which takes on a green glow from the bar’s lighting.
Voted BEST DRAG SHOW in Chicago, BEST MARTINI in Chicago and BEST LATE NIGHT DINING in Chicago! A destination spot for both intimate and group gatherings, the Kit Kat caters to every taste and is well recognized for it’s originality and creativity in menu, decor and entertainment.
Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest of course, but during the week you can save a little with sweet special deals! Like Sundays and Tuesdays half-price martinis, and Wednesdays you can buy an entree and get one free PLUS half-price cocktails!
KIT KAT LOUNGE AND SUPPER CLUB
(closed on Mondays)
The Best of Gay Chicago
An Evening with the Jersey Boys – A World AIDS Day Event – Benefit for TPAN
benefiting Test Positive Aware Network
featuring The Jersey Boys
hosted by LeeAnn Trotter from NBC 5
Monday, November 30
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sidetrack Bar
3349 N Halsted
The Jersey Boys will be singing some of your favorite tunes and raffling off some great memoribilia from the show to benefit Test Positive Aware Network.
Online tickets are $15. Tickets at the door are $20. Tickets include two drink tickets.
Stick around for more show tunes after the event!
The Best of Gay Chicago
Best Gay Sports Bar Chicago – North End
With 20 television monitors (and a few 60″ plasmas) , several pool tables and several dart boards, NORTH END is the best gay sports bar around Boystown.
Overlooked by many people, it draws a diverse neighborhood crowd of friendly people. Super-friendly staff (you may even be served by a porn star…) and reasonable prices on drinks and beer.
Even if you are not really into sports, North End is a great place to have a drink and hang out with friends – or make some new friends. However, if there’s a Cubs, Bulls, Bears or White Sox game happening, everyone here’s watching. But post-work or most times when there is no big game happening, the crowd is laid back and there to have a good time.
Located on the northernmost edge of Boystown
(3733 N. Halsted St., Tel: 773- 477-7999 ) – near the GayHOP (the notoriously gay IHOP), the guys at North End have other things on their minds besides drama—like sports, men and beer. Bartenders serve up brews like Bass, Guinness and Miller Lite, big selection of whiskey and liquor, they will make a martini or margarita for you (and not make a face) and they even have white wine!
Throw on your jock strap and stop in and see what you have been missing!
The Best of Gay Chicago and the New Gay Travel Guide
Best Gay Bars in Chicago
BOYSTOWN…
3160
3160 N Clark @ Belmont
male, female Cabaret style nightclub 773-327-5969
Berlin
954 Belmont
male, female, 4am, dancing, video, 773-348-4975
Bobby Love’s
3729 N. Halsted
mostly all male neighborhood hangout 773-525-1200
Buck’s Saloon
3439 N. Halsted
mostly male, seasonal outdoor patio 773-525-1125
Cellblock
3702 N. Halsted
male and leather 773-665-8064
Charlie’s
3726 N. Broadway 773-871-8887
mostly male, females allowed, late dancing also country/western
Circuit
3641 N. Halsted –
mostly male, female, latin, some drag and trannie, late, dancing
773-325-2233
Closet
3325 N. Broadway
male, female small neighborhood hangout 773-477-8533
Cocktail
3359 N. Halsted
mostly male, female, gay/straight, some dancing / strippers
773-477-1420
Hydrate
3458 N. Halsted
mostly male, female lounge and dance bar, late 773-975-9244
Kit Kat
3700 N. Halsted
male, female, restaurant and female impersonators 773-525-1111
Little Jim’s
3501 N. Halsted
male, neighborhood hangout 4am 773-871-6116
Lucky Horseshoe Lounge
3169 N. Halsted
male, entertainment / strippers 773-404-3169
minibar & wine bar
3341 N. Halsted St
mostly male, female, lounge 773-871-MBAR
North End
3733 N. Halsted
male – sports bar 773-477-7999
Roscoe’s
3354-6 N. Halsted
male, female, dancing, seasonal cafe 773-281-3355
Scarlet
3320 N. Halsted
male, female, entertainment / cabaret / piano 773- 348-1053
Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted
mostly male, huge video bar complex, seasonal rooftop 773-477-9189
Spin
Halsted & Belmont
male, female, dancing, video 773-327-7711
ANDERSONVILLE & NORTH…
@tmosphere
5355 N. Clark Chicago
(Andersonville) male, female 773-784-1100Big Chicks
5024 N. Sheridan – Chicago, IL
(Edgewater)
mostly male / female, gay/straight 773-728-5511Crew
4804 N. Broadway Ave.
(New North) mostly male/ female restaurant/sports bar 773 784-CREWEagle
5015 N. Clark –
male, leather (Andersonville) 773-728-0050
Hamburger Mary’s & Mary’s Attic
5400 N Clark St
(Andersonville) Restaurant and bar 773-784-6969Jackhammer
6406 N. Clark
(Edgewater)
mostly male, female, gay/straight, dancing, video 773-743-5772Scot’s
1829 W. Montrose
(Edgewater) 773-582-3253SoFo
4923 N. Clark St. (Andersonville)
Casual neighborhood hangout, eats, mostly GLBT crowd 773-784-7636T’s Bar & Restaurant
5025 N. Clark St
(Andersonville) 773-784-6000
Touché
6412 N. Clark – Chicago, IL
(Edgewater)
male and leather 773-465-7400DOWNTOWN…
Baton Show Lounge
436 N. Clark
male, female, impersonation shows 312-644-5269Second Story Bar
157 E. Ohio neighborhood hangout male 312-923-9356(this page will be updated soon!)
