The North End

A staple video bar in the Boystown community, The Closet walls have been a second home to many since 1978. The Closet is a great place to kick back with friends or meet new people, whether you're looking to relax after work, or kick start your night. The Closet attracts a mostly lesbian crowd who pack the small bar and create a super friendly atmosphere, so all identities are welcome for dancing, games, and karaoke.

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.

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.

The North End is a long-running gay sports bar in Boystown that provides a laidback and unpretentious atmosphere. There are plenty of drinks specials to keep you in the moon as you watch whatever sports are on the TV or have a friendly game of pool or darts with the new friends you'll inevitably make. This is a classic sports bar at heart with a modern and stylish twist that suits the local gay community.

For excellent cocktails and an effortlessly cool atmosphere, Nobody's Darling is one of Chicago's standout LGBTQ+ bars. This Black-owned, women-owned Andersonville favourite has built a loyal following with its creative drinks, welcoming spirit and emphasis on creating a space where queer women and the wider community can feel at home. The cocktail programme is a serious attraction, with imaginative combinations and carefully crafted classics, but the mood is refreshingly unpretentious. Come for a leisurely afternoon drink, meet friends for happy hour or enjoy one of its community events and DJ nights. It's a particularly good alternative to the louder nightlife further south in Northalsted.

Lucky Horseshoe Lounge in Boystown is open seven nights a week for plenty of boys dancing on stages throughout the venue. This enduring male adult club also has more fully clothed bartenders serving relatively inexpensive drinks, and there are plenty of places to sit back and enjoy the show. The interior is nothing fancy but the dancers are the main attraction, drawing a mixed aged male crowd.