Casual 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

Cold drinks & giant flat screens

Enjoy sports games, drink specials, a friendly bar staff, and karaoke at this local favorite spot! Since 1983 The North...

Northalsted · 3733 N Halsted St, Chicago

• 30+
• 40+
• 50+
• pool table
• video
• sports
• happy hour
• bears
• karaoke
• pet-friendly
• $$
• casual
• craft beer

Dog-friendly, LGBTQIA+ Bear Bar

Come enjoy a tasty brew on their large patio or bring some buddies for trivia and darts! Offering weekly events...

Andersonville · 4923 N Clark St 1st floor, Chicago

• trans-friendly
• 20+
• 30+
• 40+
• outdoor seating
• pool table
• happy hour
• bears
• karaoke
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• casual
• craft beer

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

Intimate & stylish lounge

Find sophisticated, pre-prohibition style craft cocktails along with new concoctions in this low-key & atmospheric...

Northalsted · 3452 N Halsted St, Chicago

• trans-friendly
• 30+
• 40+
• 50+
• cocktail lounge
• mixed gay/straight
• $$$
• bar food
• casual

Intimate & wonderfully decorated hideaway

Those in the know order the incredible pear martinis at this Shanghai-themed lounge. Known for amazing sushi and...

Northalsted · 3317 N Broadway, Chicago

• trans-friendly
• 20+
• 30+
• 40+
• mixed LGBTQ+
• cocktail lounge
• mixed gay/straight
• $$$
• live entertainment
• casual

Dorothy

Friendly neighborhood lesbian bar

This queer cocktail lounge has been cultivated as a classy and exciting lesbian bar but is welcoming to everyone who...

Nominated for Best of GayCities 2023 - Greatest Comeback

2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago

• lesbian
• trans-friendly
• 20+
• 30+
• 40+
• mixed LGBTQ+
• cocktail lounge
• $$
• casual

Nobody's Darling

Inclusive lesbian bar

“Be nobody’s darling; be an outcast,” reads the Alice Walker poem and namesake of Chicago's...

Nominated for Best of GayCities 2023 - Newcomer

Edgewater · 1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago

• trans-friendly
• 20+
• 30+
• outdoor seating
• mixed LGBTQ+
• cocktail lounge
• mixed gay/straight
• $$
• casual
• LGBTQ+ owned
• BIPOC-owned
• women-led