The Playboy Club, which saw 130K guests per quarter in its first years, eventually closed in 1984.
That being said, it actually outlasted Hefner’s creation in Chicago nightlife history. More talented they may have been, but The Gaslight Club was perpetually in Playboy’s shadow.
We wore French-cut velvet corsets, modeled after the original nineteenth-century Victorian undergarments, trimmed in sequins.” – Mary E. Really, really well… Bunnies were eye candy in bowties. The bunnies had their tails and their ears and their trays of drinks. Any Gaslight Girl, and a whole lot of keyholders, will tell you that we were better – much better – than the bunnies. “We were the Other Club, mentioned in the same breath as Chicago’s Playboy Club. Speaking of, there’s apparently some long-simmering ill feeling between the Gaslight Girls and the Bunnies. Belle epoque Paris inspired the atmosphere, especially the Gaslight Girls’ outfits and revues. The club’s luxurious interior design stayed consistent across several different downtown locations. Founded in 1953, the Gaslight Club set the template for the va-va-voom aesthetic and atmosphere that Playboy made so famous. The famous Playboy Club (which opened on the Mag Mile in 1960) and its iconic Bunny outfits were both inspired by a haunt Hef knew well: The Gaslight Club. Hugh Hefner was many things, but original was not one of them.
#GAY BARS IN CHICAGO ILLINOIS FREE#
S ome of the best jazz and cabaret music takes the stage most nights, and on Saturday afternoons, an array of local (and, occasionally, famous acts) comedians, musicians, and storytellers perform at The Paper Machete, a free "live magazine" that embraces diverse, original voices.So, yes, USO tours in Vietnam are not typically considered part of Chicago nightlife history, but there’s only so many accessible photos. This retro cocktail lounge is one of the city's most famous music venues-and for good reason. While it’s a tad divey, the clientele here is as friendly and diverse as they come and the patio out back is a great place to kick back when the weather allows. Located half a block west from Gino’s North, this no-frills gay bar is worth popping into if only to marvel at the low set circular bar that sometimes doubles as-much to the bartender’s dismay-a catwalk for those looking to strut their stuff once a quarter’s dropped in the jukebox. Don’t miss the free summer BBQ on Sundays and their oh-so-delicious vodka lemonades! This LGBTQ staple also features DJs and dancing after dark in the adjoining Tweet space. If that’s not a winning combination we don’t know what is, which is why this place is a sure-fire favorite of locals. Our favorites include The Raven Theater on Clark Street, the Rivendell and Steep Theatre companies, and the NeoFuturists on Ashland Avenueīig Chicks in Uptown, Tweet’s boozy sibling, has an amazing back patio, fun atmosphere, and well-priced drinks. With over fifteen theater companies based in Edgewater, the neighborhood is a hotbed for the kind of theatre that’s put Chicago on the map and helped make Edgewater the vibrant, exciting community that it is. Edgewater Theater DistrictĬhicago is known nationwide for its iconic storefront theatre scene–it’s the kind of theatre where you’ll experience knock-your-socks off acting and innovative, jaw-dropping productions from intimate 50-100 seat theaters.
You’ll also find a friendly, down-to-earth crowd with a lot less attitude than other Chicago area beaches.
#GAY BARS IN CHICAGO ILLINOIS FULL#
The beach is full of sandy stretches that, on a sunny Midwest day, makes you feel as if you are in Florida rather than Illinois. It is apt that the gay beach in Chicago, popularly called Hollywood Beach, is officially named after Kathy Osterman, the Chicago politician who fought for gay rights in the 1980s.