The 34 best LGBTQ+ bars in Chicago

If size matters, there’s no better bar than this Northalsted juggernaut. Despite all that space, six big rooms and a gorgeous rooftop deck are always packed for weekend dance parties, summer day-drinking and, of course, the legendary "Musical Mondays," where regulars belt along to videos of their favorite showtunes. Grab one of their strong and sweet boozy slushies and join in the fun. 

Not a Boystown fan? Head to this laid-back Uptown saloon, where community matriarch Michelle Fire serves tasty victuals and cocktails to the sunburnt brunch crowd (when the space is known as Tweet Let's Eat), and keeps the rest of the week happening with tons of food and drink specials (like dollar off burgers on Mondays) and all-out dance parties on weekends.

This intimate Ravenswood bar has garnered many fans—including the selection committee for the James Beard Awards, who nominated Nobody’s Darling for Outstanding Bar Program in 2022. Come for the enticing, creative rotating cocktails named for trailblazers like Bessie Coleman and Celia Cruz; stay for the camaraderie and the bustling sidewalk cafe. 

What can possibly be said about Dorothy that hasn’t already been said in every article, TikTok or Lex post singing its praises? Over the past few years, the groovy ‘70s basement cocktaillery in Humboldt Park has become a favorite local queer haunt and a must-visit for out-of-towners alike. The seasonal cocktails are great, but what makes Dorothy special are the comfortable atmosphere and the queer community, facilitated through events like the intimate Fruit Salad open mic and Yellowjackets viewing parties. 

A popular destination for lesbians and queer women, Farraguts has been serving Andersonville since 1997. Known for its pool table, well-stocked jukebox and cheap Tuesday draft special, Farraguts is perfect for a lively night out or for grabbing a pint and a spot close to the window for a leisurely conversation and watching the world go by. 

This two-story Andersonville complex aims to have a little something for everyone, and with lots of activities, it’s a good choice for an early date or hanging with friends. Play Skee-ball, shuffleboard, darts or board games like giant Jenga upstairs, or hang out downstairs for theme nights like the lively Thursday karaoke (be warned that some performers can actually sing), the Tuesday “Big Gay Gayme Show” and Dungeons & Dragons meetups. 

This teeny taproom is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the clubs on Halsted, and it's a favorite unpretentious late-night destination for queer partiers of all stripes. Come for lively karaoke or party until the wee hours on weekends. 

This longstanding Boystown destination has multiple bars, a dance floor, an outdoor patio and all the music you want to hear, with theme nights dedicated to Madonna, Taylor Swift and more. The drink specials are excellent, and when RuPaul's Drag Race is in season, Roscoe's is the place to be, as queens from the season stop by the bar for rowdy viewing parties where they've been known to spill some behind-the-scenes tea.

For more than 50 years, the Baton Show Lounge has been entertaining Chicagoans and visitors alike with classic, elegant drag performances. Your mom probably went here for her bachelorette party. Drag enthusiasts flock to the Baton every Labor Day Weekend for the Miss Continental Pageant, one of the most prestigious honors in the drag pageantry world, but even outside of pageant season, the recurring drag, burlesque and variety shows are worth the trip.

The Andersonville outpost of the multi-location beer-and-bourbon arcade bar adds food to the mix, with burgers, brunch and more to fuel your retro gaming. The bar runs down the center of the space, though it's just one-sided—the other side of its rear wall is lined with video game consoles. The extensive beer list (26 rotating drafts listed on a giant chalkboards over the bar) and even bigger collection of bourbons are the reasons to visit—other than getting it on like Donkey Kong, of course.

Since moving into the former Circuit space, Fantasy has become a high-energy destination for drag, DJs and dancing well into the night—this club goes hard until 5am on Saturday nights (er, Sunday mornings). Fantasy is over the top, from the pounding beats and go-go boys to the elaborate performances from contestants of Survivor and So You Think You Can Drag, the cutthroat drag competitions hosted here.

This lesbian-owned Rogers Park watering hole keeps it simple and relaxed with craft beer, live music and friendly vibes. To complement the music from local artists and weekly queer-centric open mic (known as "Jarvis Squear") on Wednesdays, there's a craft beer menu (including 16 taps) that skews hyper-local with selections from Marz, Spiteful and Casa Humilde. If you’re not into alcohol, they’ve also got a fair amount of spirit-free mocktail offerings. Also, it’s dog-friendly, so your best friend doesn’t have to be left out of the fun.

A couple doors down from Jarvis Square Tavern in the cozy Jarvis Square enclave is R Public House, a chill, queer-friendly neighborhood spot slinging craft beer and comforting pub food. A sports pub at heart, RPH is also one of the best spots on the far north side to watch the Red Stars and Fire, Premier League soccer and even rugby. Like its neighbor, RPH is highly collaborative and neighborhood-oriented, co-hosting events with and promoting other nearby shops and local businesses. We love to see it.

Rogers Park continues to grow its roster of nightlife options for the LGBTQ+ community, including this friendly queer-owned cocktail lounge. Come for the colorful, well-curated space, stay for the creative and irresistible fresh cocktails. The Happy Hour, on weeknights from 4-7pm, offers a dollar off local drafts, $7 mules and $7 glasses of wine.

As the co-founder of Back Lot Bash, Christina Roberts stewarded one of Chicago Pride season’s destination parties. Now, she and her wife Heather are keeping the good times going in all weathers with their women’s sports-centric Edgewater bar, where locals can enjoy pizzas and creative cocktails while cheering on the Red Stars or Sky. If sports aren’t your jam, stop by for regular events like karaoke, open pool and trivia nights. 

Progress, located in the former Cocktail space, features a cloud-like overhead sculpture installation made up of 19,000 twinkling light bulbs. It also boasts a better selection of craft beers on tap than most bars on the Halsted strip.

At this shoebox of a cocktail bar, the drinks are skillfully prepared, the crowd is kept to a minimum by the doorman and the music never gets so loud that it drowns out your insights on Jean Genet. The clientele is of a diverse age range, and everyone is on their best behavior, which makes it an altogether more sophisticated and adult experience than Elixir’s next-door sister, Hydrate.

Even if you haven’t seen Bobby Love’s, you’ve probably heard it—with a big window opening out onto Halsted Street, this small but mighty neighborhood spot has been giving a stage to Northalsted’s bravest karaoke warriors for years. If the stage isn’t calling to you, visit after work during the week for a quieter atmosphere that's often compared to a certain television show bar where everybody knows your name. 

You wouldn’t believe the brand of tie-loosened debauchery that happens at this fantastic dive on a nightly basis. Unless, of course, you climb the carpeted stairway—following the thumping bass and uninhibited laughter coming from behind the heavy, unmarked door—and step inside. Once you see this place, you’ll believe anything.

This upscale Andersonville martini lounge burns through olives and vermouth faster than a steakhouse. Marty's is truly a bar for all seasons, with festive, elegant holiday decorations around Christmastime, and a lush, inviting patio perfect for a fancy evening cocktail in the summer months. 

Named for its spot at the north end of Halsted's nightlife strip, this laid-back gay sports bar is the perfect spot to cheer on the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bulls, Sky or any other local team you're passionate about. And with plentiful pool tables and dartboards, you can have a friendly competition of your own. 

If you have a friend who can’t stop singing “Texas Hold ‘Em,” it’s time to take them to Charlie’s. This compact country-western bar may be part of an international chain of bars, but it’s the programming that makes the Chicago outpost unique and special. Of course, there’s the line dancing hosted by the Second City Country Dance Association Wednesdays and Fridays, but if country isn’t your jam, you’ll find ‘80s and ‘90s dance parties, karaoke twice a week, monthly video game competitions, and of course, Queeriod, a weekly Sunday afternoon showcase of up-and-coming drag talent.

There are plenty of places to dance in and around Northalsted. But if you prefer to spend your one wild and precious life vigorously defending your favorite pop divas on social media, you’ll be right at home at Scarlet. Whether you’re in the Beyhive, a Swiftie, a Little Monster, a Blink, a Barb or whatever Charli XCX’s stans are called, there’s a Power Hours, No Skips album or other dance party celebrating your fave.

Thanks in part to an ebullient drag show hosted Thursdays and Saturdays by the legendary Mz. Ruff ’n’ Stuff, this club wins the blue ribbon among South Side queer bars. The drinks are cheap and stiff and the live acts are off the charts. DJ Tiger spins iconic Chicago house records on special occasions, or swing by for R&B, hip-hop and throwback jams on most nights.

Hot and sweaty clubgoers pack themselves in like sardines for all-night dancing at this popular after-hours club. A rotating menu of shenanigans includes the Dragilicious Saturday night drag revue, RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties and the Sunday Funday after-brunch day party.

Chicago's oldest Black-owned and operated LGBTQ bar is known for strong drinks poured by beloved long-standing bartenders, a.k.a. "startenders." The Jeffery Pub has been serving South Shore and beyond since the 1960s, and while times change, the party continues, with regular nights like variety show "The Hot Spot" and "Blame it on the Tequila." 

Andersonville’s friendly bear bar is fun in all weathers with weekly activities like karaoke and trivia, but really shines in the summer with its cozy back patio. Your four-legged pal can even make new friends as dogs are welcome to roam free during “doggy days” on Saturdays from noon to 3pm. 

If you don’t know who Marilyn and Joan are, don’t bother. This slick nightspot only gets campier with age, so prepare to be entertained by black-and-white Hollywood glamour movies and performances by female impersonators of Hollywood icons. The cheeky, colorful drink list is a draw, and chef Nate Hamilton puts the focus on dishes like the biscuits-and-gravy "Big Hot Mess" and chicken and waffles. But you didn’t actually come here for the food, did you?

This Ravenswood neighborhood mainstay is welcoming to everyone—except whoever’s playing the Packers on Game Day. If you can handle a place that bleeds Green Bay Green every Sunday, you’ll find a low-key, queer-friendly hang with drag bingo on Thursday nights and a packed calendar of drag shows throughout the week, including the thrilling competition “Reign Supreme” and the theatre and film-inspried Casting Call.

Boy bar Atmosphere put Andersonville on the gay male map when it opened its door in 2002. These days, it’s mostly a low-key place to have a beer with one of your mates, although on weekends the thump-thump of the DJ keeps the go-go boys shakin’ and the crowds stirring.

This Rogers Park neighborhood staple, steps away from the Morse Red Line station, is the perfect place for a casual evening catch-up, especially with an expansive summer alfresco area and daily drink specials. If you're looking for something a little more interactive, try their weekly karaoke or trivia, or quirky one-offs like Hooper Day, a marathon of all the Jaws movies with marine-themed snacks and guests in scuba gear. 

2Bears Tavern opened in the former Nick’s On Wilson space in March 2022. This friendly neighborhood spot offers nightly drink specials, free pinball and darts and even a Nintendo Switch where you can challenge your friends to some Mario Kart. Oh, and like its brother bar SoFo Tap, you can bring your dog. 

A relative newcomer to the Northalsted strip, Splash aims to be an inclusive neighborhood lounge, and it’s quickly becoming a go-to destination for some of Chicago’s best drag. A must are the themed brunches honoring stars like Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa and Ethel Cain, perfect for the pop music stan.