Dive Bars in Chicago

Cruise in leather

Opened in 1977, Touché is one of Chicago's few surviving bars catering to leather lovers. They offer tons of theme...

Rogers Park · 6412 N Clark St, Chicago

• 30+
• 40+
• leather
• pool table
• bears
• cruising
• after hours
• $$
• dive
• themed
• casual

Drinks, dance, repeat

From wild dance parties to live viewings of Ru Paul, you will always have a fantastic time at the Scarlet Bar! Great...

Northalsted · 3320 N Halsted St, Chicago

• 20+
• 30+
• 40+
• dancing
• drag
• video
• mixed LGBTQ+
• cocktail lounge
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• dive

Delightfully raunchy dive bar

Whether you are looking for a night of dancing and delicious drinks or are coming for its strip bingo & trivia...

Andersonville · 5355 N Clark St, Chicago

• trans-friendly
• 20+
• 30+
• dancing
• go-go boys
• video
• cruising
• karaoke
• pub
• $$
• dive
• themed
• LGBTQ+ owned

Second Story Bar

Old-school, hidden away dive

Tucked away from the hubbub of the street sits this unassuming gay dive. Stop by for a no-frills cocktail to be...

Nominated for Best of GayCities 2023 - Dive Bar to Die For

River North · 157 E Ohio St #2, Chicago

• 30+
• 40+
• 50+
• cruising
• pub
• $$
• $
• dive
• craft beer

The Closet

Tiny lesbian bar with flair

This cozy bar in Boystown has been serving the community since 1978! What began as a lively & welcoming space...

3rd place in Best of GayCities 2023 - Lesbian Hangout

Northalsted · 3325 N Broadway, Chicago

• lesbian
• dancing
• video
• happy hour
• after hours
• karaoke
• mixed LGBTQ+
• dive
• LGBTQ+ owned

Dancers, drag & bartenders you wanna bite

A haven for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender crowd, Krave offers weekly events and spectacular drink...

South Side · 13126 Western Ave, Blue Island

• trans-friendly
• dancing
• drag
• go-go boys
• karaoke
• mixed LGBTQ+
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• dive

Cowboys, drag queens & go-go boys, oh my!

It doesn't matter what night you decided to visit Charlie's; you are always going to have an amazing time!...

Northalsted · 3726 North Broadway, Chicago

• 20+
• 30+
• 50+
• country
• dancing
• drag
• go-go boys
• leather
• happy hour
• bears
• after hours
• karaoke
• mixed LGBTQ+
• $$
• dive
• themed

Welcoming & laid-back south-side bar

For more than 70 years, Jeffery Pub has been creating a safe space for the black & brown LGBTQ+ community of...

South Side · 7041 S Jeffery Blvd, Chicago

• 30+
• 40+
• dancing
• drag
• video
• after hours
• mixed LGBTQ+
• pub
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• dive

No-frills and cheap drinks

Near Loyola University, this relaxed spot looks more like a '70s basement than a gay bar -- and that's the appeal....

Edgewater · 1137 W Granville Ave, Chicago

• 30+
• 40+
• outdoor seating
• video
• cocktail lounge
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• dive
• casual

Friendly dive just across the border

If you're driving south from Chicago, be sure to stop in and meet some new friends! The friendly staff & daily specials...

Suburbs · 1221 150th St, Hammond

• 20+
• 30+
• 40+
• drag
• pool table
• happy hour
• karaoke
• pub
• $$
• dive
• bar food