Gay chicago

Northalsted, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood

The first officially established gay village in the United States, Boystown Chicago is the commonly accepted nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood acknowledged as Northalsted that is home to Chicago's visible and active lesbian, gay, double attraction and transgender community.

Northalsted, the first official queer neighborhood in the country (credit: northalsted.com)

Northalsted is situated just southeast of Wrigleyville in Lakeview. The area is bordered by Broadway Ave. on the east and Halsted St. on the west, Grace St. to the north and Belmont Ave. to the south.

The two main (north-south) avenues of Halsted St. and Broadway dominate the heart of this commercial and fun district. Broadway primarily offers a variety of themed shops and restaurants stretching throughout the neighborhood while Halsted caters to a lively nightlife with more than 30 diverse gay and queer woman bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

The neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ people center that welcomes over 1000 people per day. Northalsted hosts a n

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Chicago impressed us on so many levels. It is a beautiful Midwestern town, with super friendly people, lots to keep you busy and an incredibly diverse and thriving queer scene.

Gay Chicago has a lot to offer and from our experience, the whole city appears to embrace and support its LGBTQ+ community.

We felt very safe, at ease, and welcome in Chicago as a gay couple. We never felt like we needed to look over our shoulder, fear holding hands or showing affection: just as its should be!

Our first visit was over the Chicago Event Fest weekend and was hosted by Choose Chicago so we really got to see just how gay Chicago can be!

In our Gay Chicago Reference, we will cover the gay neighbourhoods of Chicago, gay bars, Gay Identity festival Fest as well as what activities we did, where we stayed and ate so you will have all the communication you need to design your own visit!

Let’s earn started!

Gay Neighbourhoods in Chicago

Chicago has two very unique gay neighbourhoods, Northalsted (previous known as Boystown) and Andersonville (affectionately known as MANdersonville).

Northalsted (aka Boystown)

When you are looking into homosexual Chicago, Northalsted will and should be, right at the top of

LGBTQ+ nightlife in Chicago: gay and queer woman bars, clubs, and more

Chicago’s nightlife is a lot appreciate the city itself — inclusive, diverse, and welcoming to all. It’s also a whole lot of fun. Our gay and woman loving woman bars have a little bit of something for everyone, with late-night lounges, dance clubs,burlesque and drag shows, and long-standing neighborhood watering holes in almost every corner of the city. And each comes with their own singular history and vibe.

Check out some of the best queer bars and clubs to experience Chicago’s queer nightlife scene.

Jeffery Pub

One of the city’s oldest queer bars, Jeffery Pub is a neighborhood institution. The South Shore staple is also one of Chicago’s first black-owned gay bars, making it all the more meaningful for the spot’s many regulars. Don’t overlook the live amusement, 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. The walls are plastered with the owner’s personal collection of paintings and photos, including massive names like Diane Arbus. But don’t think for a second that makes the pla