GLBT CHICAGO
No shortage of pride
Chicago Pride
In Chicago there is no shortage of pride. Whether you’re here to experience Chicago gay events like the Annual Gay Pride Parade with thousands of enthusiastic supporters or put your personal stamp on a Chicago experience, the city’s endless options won’t disappoint. Our unique mix of global attractions and local charm make Chicago one of the most welcoming cities.
TAG® Approved Hotels
Chicago’s diverse hotel inventory offers the best in style and comfort. And you can rest assured that accommodations in Chicago will be inviting. This includes a wide selection of TAG® Approved gay-friendly hotels. These approved businesses ensure that their employment policies and services support the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender (GLBT) community. Find TAG® Approved hotels on our website.
Boystown Chicago
Chicago’s Boystown is the epicenter of Chicago’s GLBT community and the perfect place to show your Chicago pride. The streets of this Lakeview neighborhood are lined with rainbow-colored Art Deco pillars marking its prominence as the first officially recognized gay community in the United States, as well as one of the largest in the nation.
Boystown Chicago boasts a thriving nightlife scene with clubs such as the Kit Kat Lounge & Supperclub, where you’ll be wittily serenaded by drag queens, and Sidetrack, a video bar which is widely popular for its show tune-themed nights. Clubs, restaurants, shops (including a variety of adult novelty shops) and coffee houses make this neighborhood a hot spot for residents and visitors alike.
Andersonville
In addition to being one of the most concentrated areas of Swedish culture in the United States, Andersonville is home to a vibrant gay and lesbian community, including a concentration of lesbian-owned and lesbian-friendly businesses. It's also a mecca for home interiors.
This north-side neighborhood is crawling with restaurants, including the famous Hamburger Mary’s, where the home brews and burgers impress, and Big Jones, where coastal southern cooking will tantalize your taste buds. Not only is dining an experience to remember in Andersonville, but the lively nightlife scene will have you partying all night long.
Theater/Entertainment
Chicago’s performing arts scene is nothing short of dazzling. The city is a hot bed for Broadway productions and exciting world premieres from Broadway in Chicago that will leave you wanting more. Also, Chicago’s Tony Award-winning regional theaters like the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Goodman Theatre regularly ignite the stage with passionate productions.
About Face Theatre, Hubris Productions and Bare Boned Theatre are among the theatrical companies that explore GLBT issues through interpretations of classic and contemporary works and original plays. And the legendary Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus combines choral, cabaret and musical theater with a “twist of gaiety” for unforgettable performances.
Arts & Culture
Ponder breathtaking art from past to present at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Chicago’s renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Or explore one of our many galleries that populate Chicago’s neighborhoods. River North, a chic, cultural hub aptly named for its location north of the Chicago River, is filled with art galleries, antique stores and boutiques. Along the river is Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart. Not only is it one of the largest commercial buildings in the world, boasting four million square feet of floor space, but it’s home to the Chicago Design Center for all your custom home furnishing and interior design needs.
Dining
Chicago’s culinary reputation is skyrocketing. With seven prestigious AAA Five Diamond awards under our belt, Chicago has become one of the world’s culinary epicenters. From avant-garde cuisine at Alinea, the top restaurant in North America, to tasty neighborhood pub grub at Halsted’s Bar and Grill, you’ll find what hits the spot.
Shopping
Look no further. Chicago is the perfect city for some retail therapy. Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Oak Street and State Street could keep you occupied for days. And whether you’re shopping for yourself or your pooch, Chicago’s GLBT-friendly shops abound. Check out Wiggleyville, a lifestyle boutique for pets in the Boystown neighborhood, and just steps away you’ll find the latest in men's and women’s fashion at CRAM boutique.
Civil Unions
Looking to celebrate your committment? Take to the water and get a dazzling view during a cruise aboard one of the beautfiul Chicago's First Lady luxury vessels. They take pride in serving GLBT clients and will help you create the event of a lifetime.
GLBT Blog
For the latest happenings in Chicago, make sure to check out the GLBT posts on our Chicago Like a Local blog.
