I am going to be in Chicago for business meetings in mid-March. My one "free" evening/night while there is a Monday (3/14). I have never been to Chicago -- layovers in O'Hare and Midway excepting -- and am interested in seeing a bit of the gay scene in another city. Nothing wild, I just want to wander Boystown, maybe grab a drink or two in a bar or club. Can any of the locals or experts give me advice re good clubs, shopping, and a good neighborhood place to grab some dinner on a Monday night? I'll likely be staying in the Loop… is it easy to take a cab to and from Boystown? Thanks in advance!

I hear Sidetracks and Crew (a sports bar) are both happening places, but I can't speak from experience. Tho, if you like good beer, the Hop Leaf (on Clark Street way up in Andersonville) or closer in, the Goose Island Brewery, are two nice places. Have fun. Spend freely. wink

Aquaman...

Boystown is 'out' and Andersonville is 'in'.

Although, having said that, Monday nights are SHOWTUNES video night at Sidetrack. And although it has been ages since I've done Sidetrack on a Monday night, I know it can be fun.

CREW, which is neither in Boystown nor Andersonville, can be a lot of fun too. It is THE sports bar in Chicago (located next to Green Mill on Broadway in Uptown).

My first suggestion though would be T's Bar and Grill on Clark in Andersonville <home of the Chicago T-Baggers>. The Starbucks a few blocks north is a great place to hang out and boy watch too.

Aquaman, you may want to try El Jardin if you like Mexican food...killer margaritas and good food. Do you like Cajin? Heaven on Seven, in the loop, 100 block of N. Wabash is the place, French Bistro? Bistro 110, across from Watertower place, off of Michigan Avenue. I have to agree with Sidetracks, if memory serves me, it had a lot of really hot men there. If Big Chicks is still there, that is a fun place...I believe it is in the 50-hundred block of North Broadway, on the north side of the city. Monday nights are a bit hit-or-miss in the club scene. As for shopping, I still like State Street better than Michigan Avenue, as I feel the prices are better on State. My vote, hands down, for shopping is the Marshall Field's flagship store on State Street. Not only is it an architecturally beautiful building, there are actually great bargains to be had, bargains not found at the store in Watertower Place on Michigan Avenue. I sure hope the weather cooperates with your visit. March can be a brutal month in the city of Chicago. Enjoy your stay!

By the way, El Jardin is at the corner of Clark and Buckingham, in the Wrigleyville/Boystown neighborhood.

Big Chicks is still there. It is located on Sheridan just north of Argyle. There is a Redline stop at Argyle and it is a short walk from there. Monday nights has gotten a little busy since they have implemented the $1 burger night.
I agree with Chiathlete, T's is a great option as well. Good food and very friendly patrons/workers. All of the other places mentioned are good as well. The Andersonville/Uptown area is approximatley a $6 cab ride from boystown and is also accesible by the Redline. Crew can be seen from the Lawrence stop and the Berwyn stop is probably the most convenient stop that will lead you to Andersonville and to the Starbucks previously mentioned which is at Berwyn and Clark.

I definitely think you should go to Big Chicks. I love going there since there aren't many out of towners that go to Big Chicks since it is out of the way of Boystown. Many of my Chicago buds take me there when I am in town. The vibe of the bar is so warm and welcoming. Good times!!

Hey, guys, thanks for all the guidance. I'll have to print out your suggestions as the time approaches. Thanks again!

I am disappointed that I neglected to mention Big Chicks in my initial post. You should DEFINITELY check it out, great local neighborhood bar and the owner, Michelle, is the most amazing bar owner..she truly loves taking care of her patrons...with free drinks, great food specials, free shots at midnight <for everyone>, good music, pool table. She also sponsors anywhere from 6-12 gay sports teams a year!

As for El Jardin, it has been there for many, many years...I have not had very good experiences there and the margaritas are made with FAR TOO MUCH triple sec, in my opinion. If you are looking for a fun Mexican restaurant in Boystown, I'd suggest Las Mananitas instead (on Halsted just south of Addison). It is VERY gay, food is decent and the frozen margaritas, in my opinion are the best in the city - try a raspberry/banana margarita. :-)

Thanks to everyone who tried to help me out but, alas, I never ventured much outside of the Near North and Loop areas. I'll have to save Andersonville and Boystown for my next trip to Chicago.

A few words about Chicago -- it is absolutely beautiful. It's obvious to me when a city takes pride in itself and Chicago has every reason to. I will definitely go back.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. Come back for a real vacation sometime (preferably when it's warmer). Cheers.

Yes, Chicago can be lovely, but better to see it in the summer. I cannot wait to get on the plane in a few days and get out of here for a while. Endless cold, gray days, and now it's raining...dreary, dreary, dreary. But the lake is only 4 blocks away, so...April ought to be nice.

Glad you liked your visit! I do hope you can make it back when it is warmer. Chicago really rocks in the summertime. Take heart...today's expected high...54 degrees...a veritable heat wave for us in mid-March!

The weather forcast for July, 2006 is supposed to be PERFECT!!

eek!