Good people, smooth drinks, and a great atmosphere. What could be better during the summer in Chicago? Not much, by our standards. Being Pride month, there’s no better time to celebrate at and support the many locally owned gay bars throughout the entire city of Chicago. From local dives to sports bars, casual spots to clubs, we’re taking a closer look at the best gay bars throughout the city, what makes them the perfect places to celebrate Pride 2022, and any and all of the fun activities they have going on this June! 

157 E Ohio St #2, Chicago, IL 60611

Picture in Email, Credit “April Speaks to Dogs” – GMB pic?

First up on our Tour-de-Chicago-Gay-Bars is Second Story Bar. This tucked-away bar sits near the corner of Ohio and St. Clair St, and is a classic, cash-only dive bar. Instead of blaringly loud music and flashing lights, you’ll find stiff drinks, a quaint space, and a small crowd that’s perfect for making friendly conversation. As we inch our way back to normalcy this summer, the best way to start celebrating Pride is by meeting some new friends over a classic cocktail, and your new go-to place for that will be Second Story. 

5024 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640

Not only is Big Chicks an iconic Chicago gay bar, but it’s absolutley loaded with history. The original bar that was in place of Big Chicks dated back to 1944, and was historically filled with straight men with hard exteriors. After a few coats of paint, some art, and TLC to the original patrons, owner Michelle Fire (electric name, BTW) turned Big Chicks into what it is today: a place for “men and men, women and women, and men and women” (source). That being said, you don’t to be gay, or conform to one sexual identity for that matter, to go out and have the time of your life at Big Chicks. 

3356 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

To most of Chicago, Roscoe’s Tavern is the OG gay bar. Dating back to the late 80’s Roscoe’s has evolved from a small spot, only occupying one half of a store front, to what it is now: an eclectic corner bar with huge open windows, a gorgeous patio for perfect summer days, and a regular host of some of the city’s best drag shows. Not only is the atmosphere lively, but the classic cocktails will have you buzzing too (literally). On this drink menu, you’ll find blueberry mojitos, prickly pear margaritas, and their signature River Deep, Mountain Highball made with Roscoe’s very own hyper-chilled, “ultra carbonated” club soda. You’ll be sipping and celebrating all night. 

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Sidetrack. Is. Huge. With that said, how does partying with 1,000 of your closest friends sound? Sign me up. Sidetrack, located in Northalsted, has a story that encompasses the meaning of truly creating a safe place for everyone to simply have a good time. Spanning eight store fronts, Sidetrack has multiple bars and even a rooftop deck to enjoy good vibes and good times with friends. This June, they’re also celebrating their 40th Anniversary, and you can catch this party on the 16th and 17th! 

3733 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613

Craft beers, pool tables, and sports on all the TVs? Yep, we’re talking about the North End. This sports bar is the perfect place to stop in for a drink, a game, and another disappointing Bears season. One of the best things about the North End is that while there is a full drink  menu, you can BYOF (bring your own food)! At the North End, you’ll find daily drink specials and an LGTBQ+ friendly and safe atmosphere to bring the city together on the one thing everyone can agree on: how disappointing Chicago sports are. 

4923 N Clark St 1st floor, Chicago, IL 60640

If you’re around Andersonville this Pride month, be sure to check out the SoFo Tap. This certified bear bar has everything you need for a sunny summer afternoon-turned-night- TouchTunes, a roomy patio to soak up the sun, and an expansive drink menu with daily specials like tangy signature margaritas and Big Ass long islands for $5!!). If you’re looking for some activities other than drinking, SoFo Tap hosts weekly trivia, doggy days so you can include your furry friend the next time you head out for the afternoon, and Bearaoke, which just sounds like a better version of karaoke, in my opinion. 

5355 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 

I’m fully convinced that Atmosphere is one of the best party spots in the city. Stripper bingo, Trivia Tuesdays, and theme nights (count me in for 80’s night) make the ambience consistently full of energy. The best nights of the week, though, to head out to Atmosphere are Fridays and Saturdays, when the enticing male dancers entertain and elevate the crowds from 10 PM to 1 AM. Sip on a delicious cocktail, grab a few shots, and wear some durable shoes because one trip to Atmosphere will have you dancing the night away and asking yourself, “why the hell haven’t I been here before?”. 

Featured Image Credit: Second Story Bar

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Former National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette and potential top-10 NBA draft picks Ausar and Amen Thompson headline the 2022 field for The Basketball Tournament.

The 64-team TBT bracket, which was released Wednesday, features a record 71 players with NBA experience as well as 29 college alumni teams.

For the first time in the event’s history, the TBT will have games played outdoors as one of its regionals is being hosted at historic Rucker Park in New York City. The other seven regional cities include Omaha, Nebraska; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Wichita, Kansas; Syracuse, New York; Charleston, West Virginia; Cincinnati; and Dayton, Ohio.

“This year’s field is electrifying,” TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar said. “Nine years ago, we set out to be the home for high stakes, open-to-all basketball, pitting people against one another from all walks of life. This year’s field demonstrates how far we’ve come. It is exceptionally diverse and talented. I can’t wait to see what team wins six straight games.”

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The teams will compete for the $1 million, winner-take-all championship prize.

Fredette, the former BYU guard who led the country in scoring in 2011 and won consensus National Player of the Year honors before being selected 10th overall in the NBA draft, is headlining The Money Team.

“I’m going to get out and play again and have fun,” Fredette told ESPN. “My brother [general manager TJ Fredette] is part of getting the team together. It should be a lot of fun to get back out on the court again and play competitive basketball.”

After playing for the Shanghai Sharks in China in 2021, Fredette opted to stay home this winter and spring as he and his wife welcomed their third child. He is joining a team that reached the quarterfinals last season and features the likes of Trevor Booker, Jeremy Evans, Charles Jenkins and Jordon Crawford.

“I feel pretty good,” Fredette said. “I stayed working out the entire time. I’ll always work out, keep working on my game. I’ll be excited to play in front of some fans, playing with some guys I really like.”

Fredette played in the TBT in 2018, leading the tournament in scoring – including a 41-point effort to help Team Fredette advance.

“It’s always great,” he said. “At this point, it’s just about trying to win. Just doing whatever it takes to advance. I was fortunate last time to have a really great tournament, be the leading scorer. That’s cool, but it’s about surviving and advancing. It’s about trying to win these games and move forward. Get toward that one million.”

Fredette’s The Money Team is the 1-seed in the Dayton region. Other 1-seeds include YGC (Rucker Park), Gutter Cats (Omaha), Heartfire (New Mexico), Florida TNT (Xavier), Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse), AfterShocks (Wichita State) and Best Virginia (West Virginia).

The TBT began in 2014, when Notre Dame Fighting Alumni won the first championship. Overseas Elite won the next four titles before their streak ended in 2019 at the hands of Carmen’s Crew, a team of Ohio State alumni. Marquette-centric Golden Eagles Alumni won in 2020, with Syracuse-focused Boeheim’s Army taking the title last season.

Boeheim’s Army will defend its title this summer by adding first-time TBT players Tyler Ennis, Rakeem Christmas and Marek Dolezaj — all Syracuse alums — to a group that already included five-time TBT champion D.J. Kennedy and four-time champion DeAndre Kane.

As ESPN reported earlier this month, projected 2023 lottery picks Amen and Ausar Thompson are headlining Team Overtime, a squad put together by the sports media company Overtime. The Thompson twins suited up for Overtime Elite this past season, as did Jazian Gortman, another projected draft pick who will play for Team Overtime in the TBT. It will mark the first time NBA draft-eligible prospects will participate in the TBT, although the team also features several pro veterans, including former San Diego State star Malcolm Thomas. Overtime is the 6-seed in the Omaha region.

Sideline Cancer, the 2-seed in the Xavier region, is looking for its third consecutive quarterfinal appearance. They bring back scorer Marcus Keene, but also add former South Dakota State star Mike Daum and longtime NBA veteran C.J. Miles.

Other players with NBA experience expected to play in this year’s TBT include Zhaire Smith (Air Raiders), Omari Spellman (Eberlein Drive), Antonio Blakeney (Florida TNT), Semaj Christon (Zip ‘Em Up), Justin Patton (Omaha Blue Crew), Jacob Pullen (Purple & Black), Kosta Koufos (Red Scare), Xavier Munford (The Money Team), Jacob Evans (Nasty Nati), Markel Brown (Stillwater Stars) and others.

The championship team earns $1 million in a winner-take-all title game to be televised on ESPN. This summer’s championship game will be played at Dayton on Aug. 2.

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Her name is Odesza.

Charles Wong’s bright red, 14-foot, 500-gallon mobile road pit comes from Texas, and so does the barbecue she smokes—at least in terms of method and material.

But the flavors and textures of his brisket banh mi and smoked crab rangoon come from other lands. “I’ve always wanted to marry the Asian flavors I grew up with with smoke,” says Wong, who’s been been smoking new-school barbecue since 2015 under the name Umamicue. “Every cuisine has some kind of barbecue.”

Wong and Odesza have pop-ups and catering events booked every weekend until September, but this Monday, June 27, they have a very particular engagement in Irving Park when they play Monday Night Foodball, the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at the Kedzie Inn.

Odesza, in the wild. Credit: Charles Wong

Odesza herself may or may not make an appearance—I’m petitioning for the sweet narcotic haze of smoked meat to haunt the streets and alleys of Irving Park. But those brisket banh mi will be there, and so will the crab rangoon, bulging with white and post oak-smoked molten cream cheese. Wong’s also frying up brisket-stuffed egg rolls, which will also make their way into a Texas-style bowl of buncha, the same symphonically textured and flavored, herbal-cool-hot noodle dish Bourdain and Obama shared in Hanoi—this time given extra-dimensional mojo with smoked lemongrass pork patties. For you plant-fed organisms, smoked Impossible patties and egg rolls, and fish-free nuoc cham are available.

“To me barbecue is about bringing people together,” says Wong. “It’s a universal language. We don’t have to speak the same verbal language—you can just look, see, smell, and be able to tell: ‘Hey, that’s delicious.’” That’s why Wong has enlisted Jennifer Pham of @cocktailswithnuky (and also Celebrate Argyle and Haibayô) to create the night’s cocktail, a Ginger Soda Chanh, with your choice of poison—gin or vodka—and calamansi, muddled ginger and sugar, and mint.

You can procure that from Jon Pokorny at the bar, starting at 5:30 PM. And you can order your Umamicue from Wong right here, right now, via Tock.

There will be some limited availability for walk-ins too, and while I can’t guarantee Odesza will be available for selfies, she will be certainly be smoking for your pleasure in her secret Lincolnwood lair. If she doesn’t make it this time, look for her when Umamicue returns to the Kedzie in September with a cast of collaborators that, if you’re any kind of Foodball fan, you will know and love.

Meantime, check out the full Monday Night Foodball summer schedule, restarting after an Independence Day break:

7/11: Dawn Lewis of D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine

7/18: Mazesoba from Mike “Ramen Lord” Satinover

7/25: Asian stoner snacks from SuperHai

8/1: Keralan food from Thommy Padanilam of Thommy’s Toddy Shop

8/8: Indonesian home cooking with Waroeng and friends

8/15: Dylan Maysick of Diaspora Dinners

8/22: Vargo Brother Ferments

8/29: the triumphant return of Funeral Potatoes

9/5: Labor Day break

9/12: TBA

9/19: Global Asian barbecue with Umamicue and friends

Kedzie Inn
4100 N. Kedzie
(773) 293-6368
kedzieinn.com

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The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week and distributed for free to the more than 1,100 locations on this map.

The latest issue

The latest print issue of the Reader is the issue of June 9, 2022, the Pride Issue.

You can download the print issue as a free PDF.

The next print issue will be the issue of June 23, 2022, the Summer Theater and Arts Preview issue.

Subscribe

Never miss a copy! Paid print subscriptions are available for 12 issues, 26 issues, and for 52 issues from the Reader Store.

Please consider donating.

Chicago Reader print issue dates

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week. Issues are dated Thursday. Distribution usually happens Wednesday morning through Thursday night of the issue date. Upcoming print issue dates through December 2022 are:

6/23/20227/7/20227/21/20228/4/20228/18/20229/1/20229/15/20229/29/202210/13/202210/27/202211/10/202211/24/202212/8/202212/22/2022

Download the full 2022 editorial calendar is here (PDF). See our information page for advertising opportunities.

Read More

Her name is Odesza.

Charles Wong’s bright red, 14-foot, 500-gallon mobile road pit comes from Texas, and so does the barbecue she smokes—at least in terms of method and material.

But the flavors and textures of his brisket banh mi and smoked crab rangoon come from other lands. “I’ve always wanted to marry the Asian flavors I grew up with with smoke,” says Wong, who’s been been smoking new-school barbecue since 2015 under the name Umamicue. “Every cuisine has some kind of barbecue.”

Wong and Odesza have pop-ups and catering events booked every weekend until September, but this Monday, June 27, they have a very particular engagement in Irving Park when they play Monday Night Foodball, the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at the Kedzie Inn.

Odesza, in the wild. Credit: Charles Wong

Odesza herself may or may not make an appearance—I’m petitioning for the sweet narcotic haze of smoked meat to haunt the streets and alleys of Irving Park. But those brisket banh mi will be there, and so will the crab rangoon, bulging with white and post oak-smoked molten cream cheese. Wong’s also frying up brisket-stuffed egg rolls, which will also make their way into a Texas-style bowl of buncha, the same symphonically textured and flavored, herbal-cool-hot noodle dish Bourdain and Obama shared in Hanoi—this time given extra-dimensional mojo with smoked lemongrass pork patties. For you plant-fed organisms, smoked Impossible patties and egg rolls, and fish-free nuoc cham are available.

“To me barbecue is about bringing people together,” says Wong. “It’s a universal language. We don’t have to speak the same verbal language—you can just look, see, smell, and be able to tell: ‘Hey, that’s delicious.’” That’s why Wong has enlisted Jennifer Pham of @cocktailswithnuky (and also Celebrate Argyle and Haibayô) to create the night’s cocktail, a Ginger Soda Chanh, with your choice of poison—gin or vodka—and calamansi, muddled ginger and sugar, and mint.

You can procure that from Jon Pokorny at the bar, starting at 5:30 PM. And you can order your Umamicue from Wong right here, right now, via Tock.

There will be some limited availability for walk-ins too, and while I can’t guarantee Odesza will be available for selfies, she will be certainly be smoking for your pleasure in her secret Lincolnwood lair. If she doesn’t make it this time, look for her when Umamicue returns to the Kedzie in September with a cast of collaborators that, if you’re any kind of Foodball fan, you will know and love.

Meantime, check out the full Monday Night Foodball summer schedule, restarting after an Independence Day break:

7/11: Dawn Lewis of D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine

7/18: Mazesoba from Mike “Ramen Lord” Satinover

7/25: Asian stoner snacks from SuperHai

8/1: Keralan food from Thommy Padanilam of Thommy’s Toddy Shop

8/8: Indonesian home cooking with Waroeng and friends

8/15: Dylan Maysick of Diaspora Dinners

8/22: Vargo Brother Ferments

8/29: the triumphant return of Funeral Potatoes

9/5: Labor Day break

9/12: TBA

9/19: Global Asian barbecue with Umamicue and friends

Kedzie Inn
4100 N. Kedzie
(773) 293-6368
kedzieinn.com

Read More

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week and distributed for free to the more than 1,100 locations on this map.

The latest issue

The latest print issue of the Reader is the issue of June 9, 2022, the Pride Issue.

You can download the print issue as a free PDF.

The next print issue will be the issue of June 23, 2022, the Summer Theater and Arts Preview issue.

Subscribe

Never miss a copy! Paid print subscriptions are available for 12 issues, 26 issues, and for 52 issues from the Reader Store.

Please consider donating.

Chicago Reader print issue dates

The Chicago Reader is published in print every other week. Issues are dated Thursday. Distribution usually happens Wednesday morning through Thursday night of the issue date. Upcoming print issue dates through December 2022 are:

6/23/20227/7/20227/21/20228/4/20228/18/20229/1/20229/15/20229/29/202210/13/202210/27/202211/10/202211/24/202212/8/202212/22/2022

Download the full 2022 editorial calendar is here (PDF). See our information page for advertising opportunities.

Read More

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of looking for their new full-time head coach. Derek King took over for Jeremy Colliton early in the 2021-22 season and it went okay. King was certainly better than Colliton but the Hawks probably need an overhaul.

A former Blackhawks player is someone for them to consider as Andrew Brunette might be looking for a head coaching job now. He replaced Joel Quenneville as Florida Panthers coach at the beginning of the season after he stepped down.

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Former National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette and potential top-10 NBA draft picks Ausar and Amen Thompson headline the 2022 field for The Basketball Tournament.

The 64-team TBT bracket, which was released Wednesday, features a record 71 players with NBA experience as well as 29 college alumni teams.

For the first time in the event’s history, the TBT will have games played outdoors as one of its regionals is being hosted at historic Rucker Park in New York City. The other seven regional cities include Omaha, Nebraska; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Wichita, Kansas; Syracuse, New York; Charleston, West Virginia; Cincinnati; and Dayton, Ohio.

“This year’s field is electrifying,” TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar said. “Nine years ago, we set out to be the home for high stakes, open-to-all basketball, pitting people against one another from all walks of life. This year’s field demonstrates how far we’ve come. It is exceptionally diverse and talented. I can’t wait to see what team wins six straight games.”

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The teams will compete for the $1 million, winner-take-all championship prize.

Fredette, the former BYU guard who led the country in scoring in 2011 and won consensus National Player of the Year honors before being selected 10th overall in the NBA draft, is headlining The Money Team.

“I’m going to get out and play again and have fun,” Fredette told ESPN. “My brother [general manager TJ Fredette] is part of getting the team together. It should be a lot of fun to get back out on the court again and play competitive basketball.”

After playing for the Shanghai Sharks in China in 2021, Fredette opted to stay home this winter and spring as he and his wife welcomed their third child. He is joining a team that reached the quarterfinals last season and features the likes of Trevor Booker, Jeremy Evans, Charles Jenkins and Jordon Crawford.

“I feel pretty good,” Fredette said. “I stayed working out the entire time. I’ll always work out, keep working on my game. I’ll be excited to play in front of some fans, playing with some guys I really like.”

Fredette played in the TBT in 2018, leading the tournament in scoring – including a 41-point effort to help Team Fredette advance.

“It’s always great,” he said. “At this point, it’s just about trying to win. Just doing whatever it takes to advance. I was fortunate last time to have a really great tournament, be the leading scorer. That’s cool, but it’s about surviving and advancing. It’s about trying to win these games and move forward. Get toward that one million.”

Fredette’s The Money Team is the 1-seed in the Dayton region. Other 1-seeds include YGC (Rucker Park), Gutter Cats (Omaha), Heartfire (New Mexico), Florida TNT (Xavier), Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse), AfterShocks (Wichita State) and Best Virginia (West Virginia).

The TBT began in 2014, when Notre Dame Fighting Alumni won the first championship. Overseas Elite won the next four titles before their streak ended in 2019 at the hands of Carmen’s Crew, a team of Ohio State alumni. Marquette-centric Golden Eagles Alumni won in 2020, with Syracuse-focused Boeheim’s Army taking the title last season.

Boeheim’s Army will defend its title this summer by adding first-time TBT players Tyler Ennis, Rakeem Christmas and Marek Dolezaj — all Syracuse alums — to a group that already included five-time TBT champion D.J. Kennedy and four-time champion DeAndre Kane.

As ESPN reported earlier this month, projected 2023 lottery picks Amen and Ausar Thompson are headlining Team Overtime, a squad put together by the sports media company Overtime. The Thompson twins suited up for Overtime Elite this past season, as did Jazian Gortman, another projected draft pick who will play for Team Overtime in the TBT. It will mark the first time NBA draft-eligible prospects will participate in the TBT, although the team also features several pro veterans, including former San Diego State star Malcolm Thomas. Overtime is the 6-seed in the Omaha region.

Sideline Cancer, the 2-seed in the Xavier region, is looking for its third consecutive quarterfinal appearance. They bring back scorer Marcus Keene, but also add former South Dakota State star Mike Daum and longtime NBA veteran C.J. Miles.

Other players with NBA experience expected to play in this year’s TBT include Zhaire Smith (Air Raiders), Omari Spellman (Eberlein Drive), Antonio Blakeney (Florida TNT), Semaj Christon (Zip ‘Em Up), Justin Patton (Omaha Blue Crew), Jacob Pullen (Purple & Black), Kosta Koufos (Red Scare), Xavier Munford (The Money Team), Jacob Evans (Nasty Nati), Markel Brown (Stillwater Stars) and others.

The championship team earns $1 million in a winner-take-all title game to be televised on ESPN. This summer’s championship game will be played at Dayton on Aug. 2.

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