“Gay Music Being Played on 17 Different Speakers”: Madeline’s Guide to Queer Chicago
“Gay Music Being Played on 17 Different Speakers”: Madeline’s Guide to Queer Chicago
While Chicago is globally recognised as the birthplace of house music – born from queer nightclubs in the late 1970s – few underground spaces remain today. Plagued by the epidemic closing clubs worldwide, the city arguably has fewer independent venues for underground electronic music than it did a decade ago, challenged by regulations and rising costs.
Smartbar stands out as a beacon that preserves Chicago’s electronic music legacy, dating from 1982 - the club is a haven of underground music, a home for both longtime Chicago legends and emerging dance floor talents. Every Sunday, the club hosts Queen! a dedicated queer house & disco party that preserves and celebrates the queer legacy of Chicago dance music.
For resident DJ Madeline, Smartbar is one of the most important spots in the city for celebrating dance music’s queer roots. A genderqueer lesbian, they moved to the Illinois city when they were a teenager, some 13 years ago. “Chicago is where I started DJing and found myself as an artist and person. I’m super grateful for the community I have here, for my chosen family, and everything I've learned from the city.”
Despite the Trump administrations ongoing hostilities towards Chicago - and towards the LGBTQ+ people specifically - Madeline describes their home as a resilient, progressive city that will go to great lengths to protect its communities. “While it is scary, I have a lot of faith in people who live in Chicago to do whatever we need to do to protect the city and protect the people in it, both within the queer community and outside.”
Below they share their tips on the best queer spots to check out in the city - from museums, bars to beaches.
In this Guide
Smartbar
3730 North Clark StreetChicago, IL 60613United States of America
+1 773 549 4140
“Smartbar has been around since 1982, it's a very important institution for us and has one of the best sound systems in the city. Although the venue itself is not technically a queer space, Queen! on Sundays or any nights hosted and curated by queer residents (Ariel Zetina, Shaun J Wright, Harry Cross, myself) carve out necessary space for queer bookings and dancefloors. Queen! is the iconic weekly house party that celebrates the LGBTQ roots of dance music. ”
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The Baton Show Lounge
4713 North BroadwayChicago, IL 60640United States of America
“This is one of the oldest running drag establishments in Chicago. It was founded in 1969 and it's where the international drag pageant Miss Continental happens. It's a very old-Chicago type of space - a stairway down into a basement, classic stage with red velvet curtains, carpeted floors - a specific vibe that's becoming more rare in the city. It’s actually just been bought and is being turned into a leather bar but hopefully the new owners will preserve the energy of this historical space. ”
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Dorothy Downstairs
2500 West Chicago AvenueChicago, IL 60622United States of America
+1 773 770 3799
“Dorothy is one of the only lesbian bars in Chicago! It's only been around for a few years and filled a necessary gap. A cocktail bar with a lot of charm and character to it - very plush with cushions and vibey with mood lighting, the drinks are lovingly concocted by all- queer, trans, and femme bartenders. They have DJs and live music regularly and host a variety of events and themed nights there: spoken word, poetry, theater, film screenings.”
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Second Story
157 East Ohio StreetChicago, IL 60611United States of America
+1 312 923 9536
“This is another historic establishment that's been around since 1984. It's effectively a gay dive bar, a relic from a time when the downtown "Tower Town" area was more of a queer epicenter than the contemporary Boystown. Most of the bars in Boystown are a bit more commercial and corporate, but Second Story has more of a classic dive character. Lovably tiny and a bit gritty, the drinks are really cheap and it's cash only. It's the type of place that isn't around much anymore.”
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The Leather Archives Museum
6418 North Greenview AvenueChicago, IL 60626United States of America
+1 773 761 9200
“This is a museum that celebrates the history of gay leather culture, fetishism, and alternative sexual practices in general. A great place to learn more about queer kink and leather history in Chicago and look at a lot of interesting leather garments, old murals from leather bars, and more. ”
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Hollywood Beach
IL 60660United States of America
“The gay beach in Chicago! Where "the grinder grid comes to life" as my friend Ben Trotter once said. Hollywood Beach is sort of a spiritual successor to Belmont Rocks which was one of the few places for gay men to be openly queer/cruise in public in the 70s and 80s. Hollywood is less of a cruising spot and more of a place to socialise outside of nightlife and enjoy the sun in the summer, in addition to being more gender inclusive. You can be comfortable in a thong or topless on the beach compared to most family-dominated beaches. The southern half of the beach is queerer than the northern half - look for the rainbow lighthouse on the end of the pier and follow it. Or just follow your ears because there’s usually gay music being played on like 17 different speakers.”
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Brave Space Alliance
1515 East 52nd PlaceChicago, IL 60615United States of America
+1 872 333 5199
“This is one of the only Black and trans-operated spaces in the city that functions as a community resource for trans and gender-nonconforming people. It's effectively a community centre with support groups and mutual aid programs. They collect and redistribute food donations through a pantry program, offer lockers for unhoused individuals, provide free wigs and other gender-affirming beauty supplies, and have a temporary housing program. It's a great resource for folks who need some extra support or want to spend time with community in a judgment-free space.”
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Lucky Horseshoe Lounge
2524 Southeast Clinton StreetPortland, OR 97202United States of America
+1 503 764 9898
“The gay strip club in Boystown. I have many friends who have worked there over the years. It's a fun first stop on the more commercial Boystown bar circuit - a place to do a fireball shot and give the dancers some dollars before hitting the standard bar/drag institutions in the nearby area (Roscoe's, Sidetrack, Splash, Scarlet, etc - all walkable within a few minutes of each other)”
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Nobody's Darling
1744 West Balmoral AvenueChicago, IL 60640United States of America
+1 312 544 0993
“Owned and operated by two Black lesbians in the lesbian-heavy neighbourhood of Andersonville, this is pretty much the only other lesbian cocktail bar besides Dorothy. It has a sleek and modern lounge vibe with trivia nights, singles mixers, music, a private events space, and many loving homages to Black femme icons like Nina Simone, Eartha Kitt, and Summer Walker.”
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