Most of Chicago's gay bars are conveniently clustered on a stretch of North Halsted Street in Lakeview (in what's known as Boystown), making it easy to sample many of them in a breezy walk. Men's bars predominate -- few places in town cater exclusively to lesbians -- but a few gay bars get a mix of men and women. A helpful free resource is the weekly entertainment guide Nightspots. The gay bars and clubs recommended in this section don't charge a cover unless otherwise noted.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.