Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
music on weekends.
1260 N. Dearborn St. (north of Division St.).
&
312/649-0730.
Subway/
El: Red Line to Clark/Division.
Uncommon Ground
When you're looking for refuge from the riotous exu-
berance of Cubs game days and party nights in Wrigleyville, Uncommon
Ground offers an oasis of civility. Not only that, but this two-room cafe com-
mits what some might view as a coffeehouse heresy: Smoking is not allowed.
Located just off busy Clark Street, the cafe has a soul-warming fireplace in win-
ter (when the cafe's bowl—yes, bowl—of hot chocolate is a sight for cold eyes)
and a spacious sidewalk operation in more temperate months (where smokes are
permitted). Breakfast is served all day, plus there's a full lunch and dinner menu.
Music figures strongly at the cafe; the late Jeff Buckley and ex-Bangle Susanna
Hoffs are among those who've played the place. The cafe has even issued a CD
compilation of favorite performers. Open until 11pm Sunday through Thurs-
day, midnight Friday and Saturday.
1214 W. Grace St. (at Clark St.).
&
773/929-3680.
Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
6 The Gay & Lesbian Scene
Most of Chicago's gay bars are conveniently clustered on a stretch of North Hal-
sted Street in Lakeview, making it easy to sample many of them in a breezy walk.
Men's bars predominate—strangely, there are very few places that cater exclu-
sively to lesbians—but a few gay bars get a mix of men and women. A couple of
helpful free resources published each week are the entertainment guide
Nightspots
and the club rag
Gab.
The bars and clubs recommended below don't
charge a cover unless otherwise noted.
In addition to the clubs below,
Red Dog
(p. 274), 1958 W. North Ave., at
Milwaukee Ave. (
&
773/278-1009
), hosts the exotic gay-themed Boom-Boom
Room on Mondays, when club kids, drag queens, platform dancers, and every-
body else bobs to a house beat. Cover is $6 to $10.
Berlin
Step into this frenetic Lakeview danceteria, and you're immediately
swept into the mood. The disco tunes pulse, the clubby crowd chatters, and the
lighting bathes everyone in a cool reddish glow. Special nights are dedicated to
disco, amateur drag, and 1980s new wave; male dancers perform some nights.
Don't bother showing up before midnight; the club stays open until 4am Friday
and 5am Saturday.
954 W. Belmont Ave. (east of Sheffield Ave.).
&
773/348-4975.
www.
berlinchicago.com. Cover after midnight Fri-Sat $5. Subway/El: Red or Brown line to Belmont.
Big Chicks
One of the more eclectic bars in the city, Big Chicks is a mag-
net for the artsy goateed set perhaps a bit weary of the bars on Halsted Street,
some lesbians, a smattering of straights, and random locals from the surround-
ing rough-hewn neighborhood (the bar's motto is “Never a Cover, Never an
Attitude”). They come for owner Michelle Fire's superb art collection, the mid-
night shots, and the free buffet on Sunday afternoons. There is also dancing on
weekends.
5024 N. Sheridan Rd. (between Argyle St. and Foster Ave.).
&
773/728-5511.
www.
bigchicks.com. Subway/El: Red Line to Berwyn.
Circuit
It's got all the necessary nightclub elements: flashing lights, a killer
sound system, the biggest dance floor in Boys Town, and plenty of eye candy.
Open 'til 4am on weekends, Circuit attracts a hard-partying, minimally dressed
crowd after all the other local bars have closed.
3641 N. Halsted St. (at Addison St.).
&
773/325-2233.
www.circuitclub.com. $5-$10 cover. Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
Finds
