Sidetrack Chicago

Sidetrack Chicago: four decades of LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub on Halsted

Sidetrack Chicago is a nightlife venue aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community and visitors from around the world. It opened its doors in 1982 and, since then, has been expanding its facilities to occupy more than eight storefronts across multiple levels, with capacity for more than a thousand people at once. Its offering combines music, videos, shows and themed events throughout the week.

Spaces and capacity

The venue brings together eight different bar spaces, including the rooftop (Rooftop) and the street-level patio. Throughout its history it has added rooms such as BackBar (opened in 1988 and remodeled in 1998), CherryBar (1994), GlassBar and Courtyard (1999), as well as MainBar and other bars such as North, Side and Deck. The evolution of the building ranges from a venue with no sign in its early days to a facade with windows that allow you to see inside.

Weekly lineup

The regular schedule includes nights with music and videos. Mondays are dedicated to musicals with "Musical Monday Show Tunes" from 8pm to 2am. On Tuesdays there is trivia with Stew at 8pm, followed by pop videos until 2am, and the first Tuesday of each month "OUTspoken: LGBTQ+ Storytelling" is held at 7pm. Wednesdays are reserved for themed parties such as "All Things" dedicated to artists like Britney, Rihanna, Dua, Ariana, Taylor, Beyoncé, Gaga or K-pop, from 9pm to 2am. Thursdays alternate pop music in Glass Bar with Latin sessions, Pink Pony Club or K-pop in the Main, Cherry and North bars. Fridays begin with "T.G.I.F. Show Tunes" from 4 to 9pm, followed by a "Power Hour" and a dance party from 9pm to 2am. Saturdays open at 1pm with a post-brunch atmosphere, a dance party at night, and monthly events such as "Dog Day" on the first Saturday and "Sapphic Saturday" on the last Saturday. Sundays are dedicated to "Sunday Funday Show Tunes" from 3 to 9pm and "Sunday Funday After Dark" from 9pm to 2am.

Special events and screenings

The calendar includes screenings of TV shows such as "The Traitors", "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" or the MTV VMAs, as well as one-off themed parties ("Men's Room Glow Party", "Celebrate Dolly", etc.). The lineup is updated periodically and shared through the website and social media.

Drinks menu

The drinks offering spans specialty cocktails, spirits, classic cocktails and shots, beer, wine, frozen drinks and a selection of non-alcoholic mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. The menu is organized into distinct sections on the website.

Recognition

According to its own presentation, Sidetrack has been voted the number 1 nightclub in the Best of Gay Cities awards, named the number 1 gay bar in the United States by Yelp, the most popular bar in Illinois by Buzzfeed, the most visited bar in Chicago by LYFT and the best gay bar in Chicago in other distinctions. These recognitions come from information published by the venue itself.

Practical information

The venue serves guests 21 and over. Its general hours are Monday to Friday from 3pm to 2am, Saturdays from 1pm to 3am and Sundays from noon to 2am. The address is 3349 N. Halsted, Chicago. You can contact by phone at 773-477-9189 or by email at info@sidetrackchicago.com. The venue also offers the possibility of hosting private parties.

Location and contact

3349 N. Halsted, Chicago · Phone: 773-477-9189 · Email: info@sidetrackchicago.com · Hours: Monday to Friday from 3pm to 2am, Saturdays from 1pm to 3am, Sundays from noon to 2am