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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Chicago has plenty to offer when it comes to nightlife, but if you ever find yourself in a club rut, it’s time to throw your evening into a Spin.
While located at the south end of Boystown, Chicago’s GLBT nightlife neighborhood, the club caters to a diverse clientele. No matter what your label or orientation, Spin provides plenty to look forward to. Just around the corner from Orange, there are weekly promotions, the most popular of which may be the midnight shower contest on Friday nights. Men and women get wet and wild every week, bearing nothing but a tiny towel …read more

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Tickets go on sale this weekend for the following Chicago events via Ticketmaster:

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
House of Blues
Mon, Jun 30, 7:30 p.m.

C U LaTour: Ministry’s Final World Tour
House of Blues
Sun, May 11, 5:00 p.m.

Edwin McCain
House of Blues
Thurs, Jun 19, 7:30 p.m.

Return to Forever
The Chicago Theatre
Fri, Jun 20, 8:00 p.m.

Stone Temple Pilots
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
Thurs, May 22, 8:00 p.m.

Alicia Keys
Allstate Arena
Sat, Jun 7, 8:00 p.m.

Steely Dan
The Chicago Theatre
Tues, July 15, 7:30 p.m.

Moody Blues
Genesee Theatre
Sun, Jun 8, 7:30 p.m.

Photo credit (via Flickr): Czilango, hizonic, maryatuab, tm marcello, Saffanna, riveri35, oxmour, Monique Hofland

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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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In honor of the gay pride events going on this weekend, here’s a rundown of just a few of the popular hangouts in the Boystown area.
For mixed drinks with a mixed crowd, head over to Berlin. Just a couple blocks east of the Pierogi Factory, the club attracts primarily a gay clientele during the week. However, a melting pot of homos, heteros, and every other label come to get their groove on over the weekend. I was there a couple years ago for my birthday with friends, after a long night of celebrating and bar-hopping. We found ourselves surrounded by …read more

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