Gay Chicago - Boystown/North Halstead Street
Northalsted Market Days is August 6-7, 2005 (click here for the official website and more info)
Berlin
954 W. Belmont Ave.
(773) 348-4975
Berlin is the very first club I went to when first in Chicago. It's right across the street from an L stop (red line), so it seemed a logical starting point. It is a staple of the club/bar scene in Chicago, so you might want to give it a go. There is a dance floor and a bar that stretches the length of the room. From here you will want to walk down Belmont to Halstead, where Boystown 'officially' begins.
Bobby Love's
3729 N. Halsted St.
(773) 525-1200
Bucks Saloon
3439 N. Halsted St.
(773) 525-1125
Map
Cell Block
3702 N. Halsted St.
(773) 665-8064
Map
Charlie's Nightclub
3726 N. Broadway
(773) 871-8887
Map
Circuit Nightclub
3641 N. Halsted St.
(773) 325-2233
Map
I happen to really like Circuit. It has a very large dance floor, several platforms for showoffs, and a really good sound and light system. It was packed with lots of Latino boys when I went a couple times last summer, but whether or not that's your thing, it gets packed and is a lot of fun.
Cocktail
3359 N. Halsted St.
(773) 477-1420
Map
Felt
3343 N. Halsted St.
(773) 404-8100
Map
Gentry On Halsted
3320 N. Halsted St.
(773) 348-1053
Map
Hydrate
3458 N. Halsted St.
(773) 975-9244
Map
One of the newer bars on the Halstead strip, this has become a very popular place to see and be seen. It's a little on the smaller size, there is a dance floor, and two main bar areas. The sound and light system is very good, with lots of cute guys hanging out. They also open the dance area for an outdoor feel in the summer. It's especially fun for boy watching!
Little Jim's
3501 N. Halsted St.
(773) 871-6116
Map
Lucky Horseshoe
3169 N. Halsted St.
(773) 404-3169
Map
The Lucky Horseshoe is a classic strip bar. I was a little shocked the first time I entered, as the moment you enter, you are in a large crowded bar area, with strippers dancing on the bar itself. As you proceed towards the back of the bar (along the left), there is another smaller bar and stripper area. Go for the experience, unless you are into that sort of thing!
Manhandler
1948 N. Halsted St.
North End
3733 N. Halsted St.
(773) 477-7999
Roscoe's
3356 N. Halsted St.
(773) 281-3355
Map
Roscoe's is simply a blast! I have never not had a good time here! It can get very very packed inside, so beware. There is so much to offer here. As you enter there is a full island bar. As you get past the bar and travel to the left then take another left, there is another small bar and pool tables. If you take a right past the front bar, you first enter another much smaller bar area. As you continue on, the dance floor is all the way to the back. It tends to get very dark, which can be a lot of fun. Across the dance floor is another small bar, with an out door area. This is one of those places you have to go for the full Halstead experience.
Sidetrack
3349 N. Halsted St.
(773) 477-9189
Map
This is the grand daddy of all Midwest stand-and-model bars. It's huge, with video monitors everywhere. There are three distinct bar areas, all with their own personality. There are raised areas for watching, lots of corners, wide open spaces - it is about the perfect bar of its type. The photo here was taken the day before Market Days - one of the big summer festivals on Halstead - so please know the blue awning is not usually there. Sidetrack is right across the street from Roscoe's!
Spin
Belmont Ave. at Halsted St.
(773) 327-7711
Map
Spin is my very first Halstead bar experience. It's a bit smaller than you might think judging from the large exterior. As you enter, there is a classic island bar to the left. To the left in the back are a couple of pool tables. There is a dance floor here, but you have to know where to look to find it! It's sort of hidden, up a couple of steps just about straight ahead of where you enter. There is a small doorway to pass through and voila! There is a rather small dance floor and bar, and seating area (although that seems to come and go depending on when I have been there). I have had fun there, as people seem to be more inclined to talk to you here. Again, the huge rainbow flag is not usually there - they dressed it up for Market Days.
Steamworks
3246 N. Halsted St.
(773) 929-6080
Map
Beware! This is not your normal 'club', although it is a club. It is the sort that requires a special membership....Enjoy!
Voltaire
3441 N. Halsted St.
(773) 281-9320
