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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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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This weekend’s 26th Annual Northalsted Market Days is no ordinary street fair. It’s the Midwest’s largest two-day outdoor festival, held in the heart of Boystown—Chicago’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender neighborhood. Thousands of people come from across the country to check out the live music, food, arts and crafts, and of course, the hot men and women.
For sure, Halsted Street becomes not only the best place to browse unique wares, eat great food, and dance to 40 different musical acts, but also the best place for incredible eye candy. Pierced pecs are a common appearance as men (and the occasional …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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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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