Replay Andersonville

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.

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.

Chicago's gay scene extends well beyond the North Side, and Club Escape is one of the best reasons to explore South Shore. This longstanding LGBTQ+ nightclub combines lively drag entertainment with dancing, house music, hip-hop and a friendly local crowd that spans different ages and identities. The venue is particularly known for its regular drag productions, with performers bringing plenty of personality and theatrical flair to the stage. Friday nights lean towards music and dancing, while other evenings feature shows and special events. There's also a spacious outdoor patio for taking a break from the action. It's an excellent choice for experiencing Chicago's vibrant Black LGBTQ+ nightlife.

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.

Who says a gay night out has to mean endless pop remixes? Charlie's Chicago brings a distinctly country-western flavour to Northalsted, combining its longstanding cowboy-bar heritage with late-night dancing, drag and plenty of good-natured fun. This lively institution is particularly popular for country line dancing, with regular sessions welcoming newcomers alongside experienced dancers. Later in the evening, the soundtrack moves towards club favourites as the party continues into the small hours. Whether you're arriving in cowboy boots or just fancy trying something different, Charlie's is an entertaining alternative to Chicago's more conventional gay dance clubs, and one of the neighbourhood's great survivors.

Touche is one of Chicago's few surviving gay bars that caters specifically to the leather community. Plenty of themed events are on offer here, specific to leathermen, bears, and more. Touche has a neighbourhood bar vibe with draught beers on tap, pool table, darts, and pinball machines, but it also offers a less traditional back room where you can spend time with the leathermen you just met...