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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In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that it has been a long, long time since I’ve been to Hydrate on a weekend evening. That’s because the lines are long, the drinks are small and expensive, and the dance club is wall-to-wall crowded. But in spite of all that, this place can still be fun. You just have to know when to go.
Chic 20-somethings hypnotized by the deep bass emerging from Hydrate (just north of Beatnix) enter via the “blue room,” where a bar island sits in the middle of an aquamarine-colored room. There are only about …read more

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For many people, the thumping beat of dance music goes through them like an electric current, giving them energy to move and groove for hours. So appropriately enough, one of Boystown’s premier dance clubs is called Circuit.
At Circuit (just south of Kit Kat Lounge), you can find lesbians, gay men, and even straight couples moving their bodies to the beats of dance mixes and Latin rhythms. Many start the evening quietly sipping cocktails in the front bar lounge named Rehab, where they restore themselves from a trying work week. The night doesn’t stay quiet for long though. The club features …read more

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• Check out two local designers and their earth-friendly clothing for women at EcoFashion: Beyond the Basics. Sip on pomegranate martinis with organic vodka at Pivot, while seeing how scarves are made with natural pomegranate dye. (Apr 4)
• The 24th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival features more than 100 short, animated, documentary, and feature films from the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, and Spain. Screenings take place in several venues across the city and explore politics, race, sex, and social issues. (Apr 4-16)
• Doug Benson, as seen on VH1’s Best Week Ever, will be appearing at Lakeshore Theater. (Apr 4-5)
• …read more

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• Alinea: Chef Grant Achataz is the frontrunner of progressive cuisine. The word “unique” doesn’t even begin to describe his dishes… many of which don’t even come on a dish! He’ll be presenting his cuisine at two seatings. The first seating offers a ten-course meal; the second offers 15 courses and a champagne toast. Wine pairings are also available. Reservations required. Jackets recommended, jeans not allowed. (5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., $175-$250) (map) (link)
• Salud Tequila Lounge: This popular spot has about 85 different tequilas to choose from, available straight or in a margarita. They’ll …read more

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June is National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month, and the GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning) community here in Chicago has their fun and colorful celebration this weekend.
Located at Halsted St and Waveland Ave (where you’ll also find the Kit Kat Lounge), the 5th Annual Pride Fest takes place on Saturday, June 23, the day before the Parade. Festive and exuberant, Pride Fest is a non-stop party held in the Boystown streets on the north side of the city. Food, arts & crafts, clothing, jewelry, and a good helping of drag queens and leather harnesses, this neighborhood …read more

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The Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will have you saying, “What a drag!” and enjoying yourself the entire time. With its campy entertainment, playful menu, and neon drinks, this place certainly isn’t your grandfather’s supper club. Stylishly-dressed clientele are seated on white-leather banquettes amidst flickering candles, flashing disco lights, and pulsing club music. And of course, there are the divas. Approximately every half hour, female impersonators (everyone from Tina Turner to Diana Ross to Madonna) strut their stuff through the restaurant, “singing” and dancing in a manner that is no less than fabulous, dahling.

The menu takes comfort food for …read more

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