With only 32 lesbian bars operating in the United States as of 2024, Chicago is incredibly lucky to have not just one, but four lesbian bars around the city!
Chicago’s home to Andersonville (AKA Lesbianville—Chicago’s unofficial lesbian neighborhood), four inclusive lesbian bars, and tons of monthly sapphic-centered events and lesbian-owned businesses sprinkled throughout the city. There are tons of opportunities for lesbians and queer womxn to connect, and you can easily find plenty of lesbian parties, hangouts, and meetups to fit any vibe.
Whether you’re looking for a sapphic dance party, poetry night, queer POC meetup, or lesbian speed dating, Chicago’s lesbian scene has your back!
Here’s a guide to exploring Chicago’s lesbian bars and sapphic events.
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Your Guide to Chicago’s Lesbian Bars
Dorothy
Dorothy, named after the phrase “friend of Dorothy” (used by members of the queer community between the 1930s and 1980s to discreetly disclose queer identities), is a sexy, ‘70s-inspired sapphic lesbian cocktail lounge in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood.
Dorothy is known for its delicious, creative cocktails and ever-growing calendar of monthly queer events like Fruit Salad, a monthly queer open mic; Lust for Life, a bi-monthly rock ’n’ roll burlesque; and many more!
Dorothy is open Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 6 PM to 11 PM, and stays open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed on Tuesdays.
Address: 2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
The Closet
Since 1978 the Closet has been a go-to late-night dive bar in Chicago’s gayborhood, and is known for being one of the longest-running bars in Northalsted!
The Closet is a neighborhood favorite, popular for its unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere that caters to a mix of devoted regulars and frequent newcomers within a cozy, string-light-decorated bar space. The space features a jukebox, darts, and a small dance floor, along with a variety of events, karaoke nights, themed parties, and weekly specials like Bloody Sunday Fun-Days (Bloody Mary specials) and Tear It Up Tuesdays (industry night).
While The Closet caters to everyone and isn’t a lesbian-specific space, it is lesbian owned and has a historically sapphic undertone. Though this isn’t somewhere that I would specifically classify as a lesbian bar, it does deserve recognition for its time in the Northalsted community and for being a long-running lesbian-owned bar in Chicago.
The Closet is open Monday through Friday from 4 PM to 4 AM and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 5 AM.
Address: 3325 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Nobody’s Darling
Nobody’s Darling is a queer, Black-women-owned cocktail lounge that offers elevated libations and high-end spirits in a classy, upbeat atmosphere. This Nina Simone-style lounge caters to all members of the LGBTQ+ community and hosts a variety of rotating monthly events, DJs, and weekly happy hours. Nobody’s Darling expanded and renovated their space in 2023 – I’d definitely recommend stopping by to check it out.
Nobody’s Darling was also a 2022 James Beard Award – Outstanding Bar Program finalist!
Nobody’s Darling is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 PM to 11 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 12 AM, Saturday from 2 PM to 12 AM, and Sunday from 1 PM to 11 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 1744 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Whiskey Girl Tavern
Whiskey Girl Tavern is a lesbian-owned sports bar in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood that specifically showcases women’s teams, leagues, and athletes. The walls are decked out with women’s sports memorabilia, with plenty of big-screen TVs to catch your favorite game. They also have multiple pool tables available and even host APA leagues on Monday nights!
The bar offers a full menu of brews, wines, and spirits, along with a selection of appetizers like personal pizzas and pretzel bites.
Beyond the sports games, Whiskey Girl Tavern also plans weekly trivia nights on Mondays, stand-up comedy open mics, and Wednesday night karaoke.
Whiskey Girl Tavern is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 PM to 11 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 1 AM, Saturday from 2 PM to 1 AM, and Sunday from 2 PM to 9 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.
Address: 6318 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660
Chicago’s Lesbian Parties, Meetups, & Event Organizers
The Lincoln Lodge
The Lincoln Lodge is a local comedy club that hosts a monthly lesbian comedy show, “The Lesbian Lodge.” This event provides a platform for queer comedians to showcase their talent, and is a must-visit for anyone looking for a good laugh while supporting lesbian performers!
Sapphic Saturday at Sidetrack
Sapphic Saturday at Sidetrack is Chicago’s monthly lesbian party, hosted on the last Saturday of every month. Meet up at Sidetrack to dance, socialize, and have a few cocktails in one of the city’s most popular gay bars.
Lez Get Together
Lez Get Together curates booze-free events and gatherings for Chicago’s lesbian community. These events provide a welcoming space for those who prefer sober socializing, while hanging out with fellow queers!
Fruit Salad
Fruit Salad is a monthly queer open mic at Dorothy, held on the third Wednesday of every month. The event aims to be a radically safe and queer space for local artists, and provides a venue for queer performers to share a wide range of talents, whether it’s music, poetry, or comedy, or something else! The sign-up sheet is open to all forms of creative expression.
Lust for Life
Lust for Life is a bi-monthly burlesque show at Dorothy, featuring rock ’n’ roll-inspired performances that celebrate queer artistry and expression. The event is a celebration of all bodies and rock n’ roll, and is held on the last Sunday of every other month.
Dorothy’s Silent Book Club
Dorothy’s Silent Book Club is an introvert’s happy hour where attendees bring their own book and enjoy a quiet evening of reading in queer company. It’s a perfect event for book lovers looking to unwind, connect, and share reading recommendations with other bookish babes.
Eden Chicago
Eden Chicago is PrideFest’s largest after-party for queer womxn. This is a lifestyle-and-entertainment focused event with music, dancing, and DJ’s. If you’re looking to keep the Pride party going late into the night, Eden’s the spot to be.
Lesbian Speed Dating at Tabu
Lesbian Speed Dating at Tabu provides a fun way to break the ice and make new, sapphic connections outside of the world of dating apps.
Sapphic Before Sunset
Sapphic Before Sunset organizes fundraising events for Chicago’s 35+ queer community. These events support various causes while offering fun, social soirées that are both enjoyable and impactful.
Strapped
Strapped is a lesbian/lesbian-adjacent night held every first Friday at Empty Bottle. Featuring DJs and dancing, this event offers a vibrant atmosphere where attendees can let loose and enjoy the music.
Slo ‘Mo
Slo ‘Mo is a lesbian-organized monthly slow jams and vinyls party held every second Saturday. It offers a laid-back, music-centric gathering for the LGBTQ+ community, where attendees can enjoy soulful dance music and queer company.
SmallWORLD Collective
SmallWORLD Collective organizes monthly pop-up events for the Black queer community. These events provide a space where QWOC can connect, celebrate, and create together in an uplifting community environment.
Hoochie Hotspot
Hoochie Hotspot hosts Black, queer pop-up parties and events for folx 18+ at various locations. Past events have consisted of bonfire raves, bikini car washes, and oil wrestling. Next event TBD!
Peach Presents
Peach Presents is a QPOC-run event organizer that hosts pop-up parties and events for queer womxn and femmes, while prioritizing BIPOC voices and performers. Peach creates elevated and inclusive event experiences with a mission to unify LGBTQ+ womxn and femmes through music, food, art, and entertainment,
Party Noir
Party Noir is an inclusive dance party organizer for Black femmes, QWOC, and Black womanhood across the gender spectrum. Their mission is to create a space that celebrates all forms of Black joy, through experiences that uplift and affirm the lives of Black womxn.
Queer Self Care Sundays
Queer Self Care Sundays are self-love socials for queer folx, with various events held on Sundays throughout the year. These events promote well-being and connection, offering activities that focus on self-care and LGBTQ+ community support.
Lesbian Social Club
Lesbian Social Club is a party and event organizer for the lesbian community, offering a variety of social gatherings and activities from dance parties, happy hours, to meetups at sporting events. Their events are designed to foster WLW connections and create a fun, energetic, and supportive environment for members of the lesbian community.
Lovers and Friends
Lovers and Friends organizes vibrant dance parties at clubs and venues around Chicago, for 30s+ lesbians, queers, and allies.
BackLot Bash
BackLot Bash is an annual outdoor festival during Pride weekend in Andersonville, celebrating LGBTQ+ pride with music, food, and community. This festival has been a staple of Chicago’s PrideFest for the last 20+ years and brings in top queer celebrities and performers. In 2024, BackLot Bash will be hosting Kate Moenig, Liesha Hailey, Ruby Rose, Mary Mac, and Fortune Feimster, to name a few!
Girlfriend Hours
Girlfriend Hours is a sapphic party held monthly at Scarlet, offering a vibrant and inclusive space for lesbians and queer womxn to gather and have fun. These parties are known for having an artist theme for each event. Past theme nights have focused on Chappell Roan, Victoria Monet, Lorde, ect.!
For even more ideas for gay things to do in Chicago, check out these other articles!
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