For one week beginning on July 15, Chicago will host what has become one of the most prominent gay and lesbian gatherings in the world, the Gay Games, which are expected to draw more than 11,000 participants and countless more spectators. America’s third-largest city, Chicago has become one of the top gay destinations in the country, known for its exceptional museums, restaurants, hotels, architecture, and performing arts.
Even if you’re in town primarily to play in or watch the Games, try to set aside at least an afternoon to visit a few key attractions in the Loop, the central business district that contains Chicago’s most noteworthy museums and architectural marvels, including the leviathan Marshall Field & Co. department store, the Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop and Tour Center (which gives excellent walking tours), and Grant Park. Don’t miss the superb Art Institute of Chicago, whose astonishingly comprehensive collection spans more than 40 centuries and includes the most impressive display of Impressionist and post Impressionist works outside of the Louvre. Other Grant Park musts include the John G. Shedd Aquarium and the similarly humongous Field Museum of Natural History.
North of the Loop, you’ll find a collection of lively and eclectic neighborhoods - some rich with galleries and nightclubs, others known for shopping and fancy apartments and hotels. In River North, Michigan Avenue (aka the Magnificent Mile) compares with the finest American and European shopping districts. Still farther north you’ll find 1,200-acre Lincoln Park, which has several museums as well as the small but impressive Lincoln Park Zoo. To the west, Bucktown and Wicker Park are white-hot centers of avant-garde arts and offbeat dining and shopping.
Chicago’s gayest neighborhoods, Lakeview and Andersonville, lie well north of downtown and pulse with hip shops, see-and-be-seen restaurants, and chic lounges and clubs. In hopping Lakeview, Matsuya serves excellent sushi and Japanese fare, including such knock-out starters as deep fried chicken wings and whitefish with smelt roe. Although many imitators have opened nearby, Mia Francesca remains the best place in the neighborhood for sophisticated but simple Northern Italian fare. HB is a cozy spot that features the creative down-home cookin’ of the Food Network’s much-loved “Hearty Boys,” Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith. X/O is a swanky newcomer that serves up a tantalizing three-course champagne brunch, plus such innovative creations as grilled short ribs with Vietnamese cabbage salad, and seared sea scallops with pumpkin dumplings. Moxie is a trendy place for tasty tapas, designer cocktails, and great people-watching - it draws a mix of the neighborhood’s gay and straight folks.
You could survive solely on the flaky, freshly baked cinnamon rolls that accompany every meal at the hallowed Swedish diner Ann Sather, which has several gay-popular locations. Athletes seeking healthy food should head for the Chicago Diner, which specializes in creative vegan and vegetarian fare and serves delicious baked goods. An attractive little Thai restaurant where the rice and noodle dishes are delicious and cheap, Joy’s Noodles serves a terrific ginger chicken with a fragrant bean sauce. If you’re a java junkie, keep in mind that the cozy Lakeview outpost of the Caribou Coffee chain is known locally as “Cari boy” and “Queeribou” - that should tell you all you need to know about the crowd.
Boys’ Town is the heart of the city’s gay-male nightlife scene. The guppie bar Roscoe’s is practically a Chicago institution, fun for dancing and cruising any night of the week. A guy guzzling Bud longnecks and another sipping cosmos can feel right at home together at Cocktail, an intimate storefront bar where friends often meet up before heading out to larger clubs. Chicago’s classic stand and model video bar, SideTrack has plenty of rooms for mingling. Hydrate is one of the hippest gay bars in town, great for after-work cocktails or late-night dancing and cruising. A swank, smoke-free lounge known for its colorful cocktails and slick crowd, Minibar opened in fall 2005 and has become a favorite after-work spot. A circuit-boy favorite on weekends, Circuit pulses with a feverish late night dance crowd even at midweek, when Latin nights are a hit. The stylish Berlin disco draws a decidedly funkier and more alternative crowd than most of the preppy haunts in Lakeview. Nearby Spin is an eclectic gay club with an all-ages crowd and fun dance music.
Charlie’s brings in fans of country-western music, while the Gentry on Halsted is a Boys’ Town branch of downtown’s popular piano bar. (The original is called Gentry on State, and if you think the trading is heavy at Chicago’s Commodities Exchange, check out the cologne dipped suits milling about this dressy cabaret.) Leather and Levi’s types cruise the Cell Block. North of Boys’ Town you’ll find one of Chicago’s friendliest and most diverse bars, Big Chicks, which draws an eclectic mix of hipsters, artistes, and jocks - devotees flock here from all over the city to soak up its inviting atmosphere. Next door, the same owners run the fabulous and hip restaurant, Tweet, which is known for its festive brunch and for tasty organic fare. Another fun Uptown hangout is the Crew Bar, which draws sports fans (there are 16 televisions airing big games) and serves delicious food, too.
One of the granddaddies of Chicago clubs, the Jeffrey Pub anchors the South Shore African-American gay community. In the artsy, alternative Bucktown and Wicker Park neighborhoods, virtually all of the area’s smoky, hipster-infested bars draw a share of the lavender set, especially the Rainbo Club, a favorite of art students, rockers, and slackers. Cafe Absinthe draws a grunge-y bunch but ranks among Chicago’s most esteemed neighborhood eateries. Francophiles swear that Le Bouchon cooks up the most authentic French bistro fare this side of the Atlantic. For delicious Cuban and Latin American food, book a table at kicky and gay-popular Cafe Bolero. And head to hip del Toro for tasty, relatively affordable Spanish tapas in an snazzy space with Art Nouveau-inspired decor.
Funky Andersonville is the heart of the lesbian scene - as well as just being an all-around-cool neighborhood with a fast-emerging dining reputation. A lively and atmospheric bistro with a decidedly queer following, Tomboy serves tempting fare like pan seared duck with crimini mushrooms and a port glaze. T’s is a friendly, gay-popular restaurant and bar - its Retro ‘80s Women’s Night on Tuesdays is a hit. You could spend the whole night at Star Gaze, the neighborhood’s top lesbian club, which serves dinner and also has DJs on weekends, lesbian comedy and live-music nights, and a convivial beer garden. And there’s Atmosphere, a lively Andersonville dance bar and lounge with a mixed gay male and lesbian crowd.
The neighborhood also has a few men’s (mostly hard-core) leather bars, such as the Chicago Eagle, which is attached to a bathhouse and decorated like a motorcycle garage. If you have a place in your heart for fitted jocks and Tom of Finland drawings, don’t miss the city’s Leather Archives and Museum, which is packed with erotica, fashion, and fascinating memorabilia from various international leather contests.
Until recently, standard chain hotels dominated the lodging landscape in Chicago, but quite a few hip hotels have opened in the past several years, including three run by the gay-friendly Kimpton group: the French deco inspired Hotel Monaco, the stylish and musically themed Hotel Allegro, and the swell-elegant Hotel Burnham, which is set in the historic 1894 cast-iron Reliance Building. The superb Atwood Cafe occupies the ground floor. Another option that offers style and luxury plus a fun attitude is the Hard Rock Hotel, which is set inside the landmark 40-story Carbide and Carbon Building, a fashionable property that’s also home to the popular China Grill.
Up near Boys’ Town there are fewer lodging options, but an excellent resource is the gay-friendly Neighborhood Inns group, which runs a trio of boutique hotels with charming rooms and great locations. City Suites sits along busy Belmont Avenue, closest to the dining and club action, while the more romantic Majestic and Willows hotels are set along peaceful residential streets a few blocks from the action. The city also has a handful of great inns and B&Bs, including the gay-owned Flemish House of Chicago, a restored 1890s row house with five handsomely furnished bedrooms in the city’s tony Gold Coast neighborhood.
Ultimately, the Gay Games will provide a wonderful opportunity for Chicago to show off its world-class attractions, and for travelers to get to know - or become reacquainted with - the great “City by the Lake.”
Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA and nine additional travel guides. He can be reached care at OutofTown@qsyndicate.com.
The Little Black Book
Ann Sather (929 W. Belmont Ave., 773-348-2378; 3411 N. Broadway, 773-305-0024; 3416 N. Southport Ave., 773-404-4475; 5207 N. Clark St., 773-271-6677). Atmosphere (5355 N. Clark St., 773-784-1100). Berlin (954 W. Belmont Ave., 773-348-4975). Big Chicks (5024 N. Sheridan Rd., 773-728-5511). Cafe Absinthe (1954 W. North Ave., 773-278-4488). Cafe Bolero (2252 N. Western Ave., 773-227-9000). Caribou Coffee (3500 N. Halsted St., 773-248-0799; 3300 N. Broadway, 773-477-3695; 3025 N. Clark St., 773-529-6366). Cell Block (3702 N. Halsted St., 773-665-8064). Charlie’s (3726 N. Broadway, 773-871-8887). Chicago Diner (3411 N. Halsted St., 773-935-6696). Chicago Eagle (5015 N. Clark St., 773-728-0050). Chicago Office of Tourism (312-744-2400 or 877-CHICAGO, www.877chicago.com). Circuit (3641 N. Halsted St., 773-325-2233). City Suites (933 W. Belmont Ave., 773-404-3400 or 800-248-9108, www.cityinns.com). Cocktail (3359 Halsted St., 773-477-1420). Crew Bar (4804 N. Broadway, 773-784-2739). del Toro (1520 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-1500). Chicago Gay Games Information (www.gaygameschicago.org). Flemish House of Chicago (68 E. Cedar St., 312-664-9981, www.chicagobandb.com). Gentry on Halsted ( 3320 N. Halsted St., 773-348-1053). Gentry on State (440 N. State St., 312-836-0933). Hard Rock Hotel (230 N. Michigan Ave., 312-345-1000 or 866-966-5166, www.hardrockhotelchicago.com). HB (3404 N. Halsted St., 773-661-0299). Hotel Allegro Chicago (171 W. Randolph St., 312-236-0123 or 866-672-6143, www.allegrochicago.com). Hotel Burnham (1 W. Washington St., 312-782-1111 or 877-294-9712, www.burnhamhotel.com). Hotel Monaco (225 N. Wabash St., 312-960-8500 or 866-610-0081, www.monaco-chicago.com). Hydrate (3458 N. Halsted St., 773-975-9244). Jeffrey Pub (7041 S. Jeffrey Blvd., 773-363-8555). Joy’s Noodles (3257 N. Broadway, 773-327-8330). Le Bouchon (1958 N. Damen Ave., 773-862-6600). Majestic Hotel (528 W. Brompton St., 773-404-3499 or 800-727-5108, www.cityinns.com). Matsuya (3469 N. Clark St., 773-248-2677). Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St., 773-281-3310). Minibar (3341 N. Halsted St., 773-871-6227). Moxie (3517 N. Clark St., 773-935-6694). Rainbo Club (1150 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-5999). Roscoe’s (3356 N. Halsted St., 773-281-3355). SideTrack (3349 N. Halsted St., 773-477-9189). Spin (800 W. Belmont Ave., 773-327-7711). Star Gaze (5419 N. Clark St., 773-561-7363). Tomboy (5402 N. Clark St., 773-907-0636). T’s (5025 N. Clark St., 773-784-6000). Tweet (5020 N. Sheridan Rd., 773-728-5576). Willows Hotel (555 W. Surf St., 773-528-8400 or 800-787-3108, www.cityinns.com). X/O (3441 N. Halsted St., 773-348-9696).
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.