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Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood is home to the popular district known as Boystown - widely known as the first officially recognized gay village in the U.S. It has been the Midwest epicenter of gay life and culture since well before 1970, when residents organized the first annual Gay Pride Parade. Rainbow colors on art deco pillars along Halsted Street and echoed on flags hanging from most buildings proclaim Boystown’s proud culture and extend a friendly invitation to businesses including vibrant and colorful bars which cater to folks of all flavors.
 Lakeview is home to such hotspots as Sidetrack the Video Bar, which spans eight storefronts and features nightly entertainment including videos, showtunes, and comedy. Ultra Lounge & Café promises “mighty drinks and mighty eats” in a hip “hotel lounge” environment with a different theme party every week. In a 19th century three-flat, Lakeview Boradcasting Company offers a “musically-inspired nightlife experience” and such events as Dirty Girl Thursdays and Sye Young Saturdays.
In quaint Andersonville - long considered Chicago’s second gay neighborhood - the scene is heating up and diversifying. This area north of Lakeview is sometimes called “Girls Town” because of its large GLBT population, including numerous lesbian-owned and -friendly businesses. Generally lower-key than Boystown, Andersonville’s vibe is getting louder as visitors join locals in enjoying the eclectic and welcoming mix of dance clubs, leather bars, and taverns.
 Popular Andersonville spots include dance and party bar Cattle Call which also offers in-house entertainment, Jackhammer, and Touche – Chicago’s leather bar since 1977. You'll also find Big Chicks, which presents Homolatte - a spoken word and performance series featuring local and national GLBT performers.
And in River North, the not-to-be missed Baton Show Lounge has presented legendary female impersonation and entertainment since 1969 in the longest-running and most prestigious show of its kind in the country.
Hungry for more? Time Out Chicago recommends three bars for boys and three bars for girls every week.
Subscribe to Chicago: Inside Out - the e-newsletter for GLBT travelers.
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