Hydrate Nightclub

Fancy a gay bar where you can actually have a conversation, make new friends and perhaps get a little competitive? Meeting House Tavern is a wonderfully sociable Andersonville hangout where games and good company take centre stage. With communal tables, comfortable seating and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, it's an easy place to settle in for a few hours. There's plenty to keep everyone entertained, with free pool, darts and board games alongside a lively programme of drag-hosted trivia, bingo, karaoke and themed social events. Drinks are reasonably priced, the crowd is welcoming and there's no pressure to dress up or hit the dance floor. It's especially good for groups of friends or solo visitors looking to meet people away from the louder club scene.

As the name suggests, Second Story Bar is hidden away above a restaurant in the River North area of Chicago. This bar is dark and divey with an old school charm that has remained untouched by the upscale modernity of the street below. Inside a sketchy looking unmarked entrance, you'll find a perfectly friendly bar serving cheap drinks to a soundtrack of camp dance classics. This is a true hidden gem and a unique venue among its modern neighbours.

Fancy a friendly queer neighbourhood bar without the full-on Boystown party atmosphere? Fathom brings something refreshingly different to Lakeview, with a nautical-inspired interior, comfortable booths, a long bar and a genuinely welcoming, mixed LGBTQ+ crowd. Opened in 2026 by the team behind Chicago's much-loved Dorothy lesbian bar, Fathom feels more like a place to settle in with friends than somewhere to compete with a thumping dance floor. Expect thoughtfully made cocktails, relaxed conversations and changing events including karaoke, pop-ups and community gatherings. It's particularly appealing if you enjoy discovering the neighbourhood bars where locals actually spend their evenings.

A little nostalgia goes a long way at Replay Andersonville, where classic arcade games, cocktails and American comfort food provide the ingredients for a fun, sociable night out. Located in one of Chicago's most LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhoods, this relaxed bar and restaurant attracts a welcoming mix of locals and visitors. Replay is particularly appealing when you fancy doing something together rather than simply standing around with drinks. Challenge your friends to an arcade game, enjoy a burger and a beer, or drop in for trivia, karaoke and other regular events. It's not exclusively a gay bar, but its inclusive atmosphere makes it an easy addition to an Andersonville evening.

Jeffery Pub is a classic south-side institution that caters to a mixed crowd. Pitchers of brightly coloured cocktails along with lively music from a range of genres make a vibrant and fun space for parties or getting together with friends for a night out. The atmosphere is always welcoming thanks to friendly patrons and staff, so people keep coming back for great value happy hours and nights of dancing.

No visit to Chicago's gay scene feels quite complete without a stop at Sidetrack. One of the biggest and best-loved LGBTQ+ bars in the city, this sprawling Northalsted institution has something for almost everyone, from its famously strong frozen cocktails to enormous video screens, multiple bars and a fantastic rooftop deck. Sidetrack attracts a wonderfully mixed crowd, including plenty of bears and their admirers, and its different spaces make it equally enjoyable for a relaxed afternoon drink or a big night out. The legendary show-tune singalongs are a Chicago tradition, while themed pop parties, drag performances and weekend dancing keep the energy high. On sunny days, head straight for the rooftop and enjoy some of the best people-watching in the neighbourhood.