Gay street in chicago
Northalsted, Chicago's Proudest Neighborhood
The first officially recognized gay village in the United States, Boystown Chicago is the commonly accepted nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood known as Northalsted that is home to Chicago's visible and active lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Northalsted, the first official gay neighborhood in the country (credit: )
Northalsted is situated just southeast of Wrigleyville in Lakeview. The area is bordered by Broadway Ave. on the east and Halsted St. on the west, Grace St. to the north and Belmont Ave. to the south.
The two main (north-south) avenues of Halsted St. and Broadway dominate the heart of this commercial and entertainment district. Broadway primarily offers a variety of themed shops and restaurants stretching throughout the neighborhood while Halsted caters to a lively nightlife with more than 30 different gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
The neighborhood is also home to the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest
Northalsted (Boystown)
Why we love it
Northalsted (also known as Boystown) is one of the most country&#;s inclusive LGBTQ+ communities and the oldest officially recognized gay neighborhood in the United States. It&#;s known for its welcoming vibe, nonstop nightlife, LGBTQ-owned businesses, and excellent dining options. It&#;s also the center of some of Chicago&#;s most popular events and festivals.
Explore like a local
Insider tips
Stroll the award-winning Legacy Walk, the world&#;s only outdoor LGBTQ history museum. Located on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Grace Street, the Legacy Walk commemorates LGBTQ+ heroes and historical events with colorful monuments.
Along the way, verb into funky boutiques, cool vintage clothing stores, and independent shops that capture the casual, funky spirit of the neighborhood — CRAM Fashion, Unabridged Bookstore, Ragstock, and Reckless Records are just a few.
Enjoy a meal at one of the many charming neighborhood restaurants: Drew&#;s on Halsted has American bistro fare and a popular patio, The Chicago Diner has been
Andersonville, a Neighborhood for Everyone
Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, known for its Swedish roots, historic architecture, and bustling urban main street, has one of the city's largest gay and lesbian communities, second only to Boystown.
The welcoming North Side neighborhood stretches from Foster Ave. to the south, Victoria St. to the north, Ravenswood Ave. to the west and Magnolia Ave. to the east.
Recognized as the “shop local capital of Chicago”, Andersonville’s commercial district and main shopping street, Clark St., features primarily independent, locally-owned boutiques and specialty stores.
In addition, the area features a number of gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and some of Chicago’s best restaurants.
Andersonville hosts Midsommarfest, one of Chicago’s most legendary street festivals, in early June. The annual event kicks off the summer neighborhood street festival season.
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is committed to equality, making Andersonville a ne
As one of the busiest industrial centers and transportation hubs in the United States, Chicago at the beginning of the twentieth century attracted thousands of single women and men with new employment opportunities and nonfamilial living arrangements in the lodging-house districts of the Near North and Near South Sides. The anonymous and transient character of these neighborhoods permitted the development of Chicago's lesbian and gay subculture. During the early years of the century, much of this subculture was centered in the Levee, a working-class entertainment and vice district. Here, several saloons and dance halls catered to gay men and featured female impersonation acts. By , the Vice Commission of Chicago noted the presence of “whole groups and colonies of these men who are sex perverts,” many of them working as department-store clerks in the Loop. The lesbian presence in the capital was less visible during these years, in part because many working-clas