The Chicago Traveler

Chicago is renowned for its culture and diversity, bringing together people from all backgrounds and labels. The gay and lesbian community plays a significant part in the Windy City’s population, attracting men and women from less resourceful rural areas across the Midwest. Two of Chicago’s most thriving gay neighborhoods are Boystown (inside the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area) and Andersonville (and consequently its surrounding Edgewater neighborhood). A high concentration of bars, shops, and restaurants can be found among the colorful pylons of Boystown. Andersonville has a few bars as well but is better known for its boutiques and “hip” eateries.
While it is by …read more

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If you think all gay men are lisping, fashion-conscious, and limp-wristed, you’d be sorely mistaken. There are entire subcultures dedicated to expressions of masculinity and the body “anti-image.” Take, for example, the leather culture. If you’re unfamiliar with this scene, think of the stereotypical biker bar. (In fact, many conjecture that the leather world emerged from the biker culture in the late 1940s.) There are no Harleys involved here though. Just leather in all shapes and sizes: everything from a simple leather jacket to a full-on leather outfit.
One of Chicago’s well-known leather bars is the Cell Block. With its dark …read more

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If you’re young, fun, and like to shake your bum, you’ll probably find yourself dancing the night away at Roscoe’s.
Once you get past the occasionally haughty bouncer at the door, you’ll be greeted by a labyrinth of a bar and, on the weekends, wall-to-wall crowds. The front section contains a bar island which fills the room, surrounded by a few stools where you can sit, chat, and watch music videos. If you can, grab a stool in the side bar’s front window, where you can do some prime Halsted-Street-people watching. A crowded hallway leads to the washrooms (which could use …read more

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My brother’s service in Iraq with the U.S. Marines is soon coming to an end, and my family is relieved that he will be coming back to the States safely. Marines have several nicknames, generally used among themselves and not by outsiders. One well-known moniker is “Jarheads,” which is also the name of a bar in Rogers Park. But don’t fret; this bar isn’t just for Marines. It welcomes members of all branches of the military as well as respectful civilians.
The tavern is a military haven from the décor to the owner himself. Retired Marine John Kolodzeij, known simply as …read more

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I can admit I went to my fair share of keg parties while I was in college. Back then, when the alcohol was free and I didn’t have much cash to buy my own, I didn’t get picky about what was in that keg. And let me tell you, I encountered plenty of nasty brews. Yuck.
Now that I’m older, I know that some of the best beers don’t have amusing commercials during the Super Bowl. Paramount Room offers a beer menu that has style without being stuffy, offering 12 rotating beers on tap and more than 20 bottles and cans. …read more

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Start the New Year with a little color…
• Hydrate: Why celebrate 12 midnight just once? Ring in the New Year for every time zone! The celebration includes an exclusive pre-NYE party, a hosted bar featuring Effen Vodka and Pilsner Urquell Beer, a delicious appetizer buffet, and a complimentary champagne toast. DJ Jeannette spins tracks well into the wee hours of the morning. (8 p.m. – 4 a.m., $30-$50) (map) (link)
• North End: This bar is all about beer, boys, and bowls—college bowls, that is. Stop by for some barstool football with the guys without having to worry about a …read more

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Chicago Cubs fans are easy to spot. Decked out in blue and white, they usually have a beer in one hand and, well, a beer in the other hand too. So it’s no surprise that there are several bars within walking distance of Wrigley Field. However, if you’ve got a taste for something other than Bud Light or Old Style in a plastic cup, you might want to check out Sheffield’s.
Just half a mile south of Wrigley Field, the bar attracts many of the pre-/post-game Cubs fans. But even on non-game nights, you can usually find a good collection of …read more

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When you’ve had a rough day, you need a great place to blow off some steam. Pressure Billiards & Café in Edgewater is a chill place where you can play a little pool, have a few laughs, and even grab a few bites.
Wahib Merchant, owner and avid pool player, opened this neighborhood favorite back in 2005. This pool hall may be a bit upscale, but the atmosphere is friendly and inviting. I love to play pool, and even though I’m not very good at it, I never feel intimidated or out of place when I’m there. The hall has about …read more

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The old-school barber shop is part of a dying breed, but in Roscoe Village there is a spot that still gives guys the traditional shave and haircut but with today’s style: the Belmont Barbershop.
No frou-frou spa treatments here: just haircuts and shaves. Although the owners are trying to stick with tradition, this barber shop has some modern luxuries that some old-fashioned guys may not be used to. The simply-named business has become a focal point in the neighborhood, where men can come together and talk about things going on in the world, much like the barber shops from back in …read more

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The best place to see live local and indie bands in Chicago, the Empty Bottle is crowded, dirty, smoky, loud… everything you would expect a good rock club to be. And even though it sits right on the corner of its intersection, you may have a hard time finding it. That’s because the Empty Bottle’s sign isn’t easily recognizable from the street, so you’re better off just looking for the faded black awning that declares “Dancing” and “Friendly” over the door.
Once inside, the front room greets you with a few couches, a pinball machine, and a pool table. The venue …read more

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