Murder, Greed, Corruption..! You might find these in Chicago the musical, but in Chicago - the largest city in the Midwest -you're more likely to find beaches, "Boystown" and a host of gay friendly hotels and attractions to satisfy every desire.

Home to "Da Bulls," the Sears Tower and the grand dame of them all, Oprah, Chicago offers plenty of choices when you're in the mood to wine and dine. Fabulous shopping and fascinating museums await, and should you be visiting during the summer months, Chicago hosts stimulating activities on the waterfront and in a lush recreational park system. Much of Chicago's gay accommodations and attractions are just a walk or a cab ride away. Maybe that's why Chicago hosts more business travelers per year than any other US city?!


Where The Boys Are...

In every block of Chicago there is something noteworthy to see and learn about. From the influential architecture to the Sears Tower Skydeck and its 50 miles of visibility - the city is exhilarating. Your choices are limited only by your imagination.

The East Lakeview Neighborhood, appropriately known as Boystown, is the heart of Chicago's gay community. The leading gay neighborhood in the city, Chicago's Boystown hosts some of the hottest nightlife and gay-friendly attractoins for locals and tourists alike. To easily navigate the neighborhood, just keep in mind that two main avenues border Boystown: Halsted Street, which is the gay bar strip, and Broadway, home of many gay friendly restaurants, shops and bistros where you can catch your breath and catch a glimpse of those charming Midwestern men.

Adjacent to Boystown and bordered by Halsted and Randolph, the West Loop is another Chicago neighborhood bursting with flavorful restaurants and shops. The area has been undergoing a condo-induced gentrification so be prepared to dodge construction sites as it evolves. Here are more ideas:

* Like the outdoors? If you are in Chicago in the Spring or Summer and want a break from the boys, head for the shores of Lake Michigan where you'll find plenty of healthy outdoor recreation and water sports: biking, blading, hiking, paddle-boating; or how about a picnic on the beach? Click here to read about Lake Michigan attractions.

* Feeling dramatic? Chicago hosts fine theatres that feature traveling Broadway shows like "Much ado about nothing" and "Oliver!" Visit www.chicagoplays.com for the details. The Blue Man Group (www.blueman.com ) and The Second City comedy troupe (www.secondcity.com) are just two of the scores of productions performed each week.

* Looking for love? Boystown (aka:The East Lakeview Neighborhood) is Chicago's gay hub with enough chic bars, gay-friendly restaurants and bookstores to satisfy the most demanding diva. Two main avenues flank the district: Halsted Street's bar strip and Broadway's thoroughfare of restaurants and shops.

* Want to go on a spree? The Magnificent Mile hosts 460 stores in a melange of American and international style or search for bargains at the Chicago Premium Outlets just minutes from downtown in Aurora.


Gay Friendly Hotels in Chicago

When you plan a trip to Chi-town, think about what type of hotel you prefer and where you need to stay. This may depend a bit upon why you're hading to Chicago? Are you one of those business travelers coming in on an expense account- you might want to pretend you're a pampered guest of Oprah and stay at an upscale boutique which offers decor ranging from urban chic to uptown sophistication. Though Boystown is loads of fun, gay business travelers may find it more practical to stay along Magnificent Mile where you'll be close to the business district, and great restaurants for client entertaining.

If you are coming in for your own weekend of fun with that special someone or a group of friends you might want to stay in Boytown - perhaps at a quaint little bed and breakfast or a charming little Inn.

Our favorites are always those hotels that just do things differently - one example in Chicago is a hotel that boasts a blend of modern meets art-deco decor with in-room amenities including a playful harmonica and the company of a man in the bath - a bottle of Mr. Bubble! There are many four and five star gay friendly hotels just minutes from Chicago's main attractions; you are only limited by your wallet or time.

If you are traveling on a budget, there are several more affordable hotels that we have featured on our list as well - each offering spotless, sociable accommodations. No matter what your preference might be, Chicago has a hotel to meet the needs of any gay man.

Whatever gay accommodations in Chicago you seek, Pride City Guide will help find the hotel that's right for you. Just sort by "type" in the menu on the left and a list of that type of hotel will appear below. Prefer to keep your options open? Forget the sort and browse the entire list.


Gay Friendly Dining in Chicago

With over 6000 bars and restaurants -many of them gay-friendly - your toughest choice in Chicago will be which ones to visit. When it comes to dining - we say loosen the belt buckle and enjoy. Chicago is rich with a diverse selection of restaurants to tickle any taste bud, and the settings are magnificent. Dine atop one of Chi-towns sky-scrapers with a view of the city skyline or the endless miles of beaches and water. We've picked a few of our favorite restaurants in Chicago - so click on the Dining tab under the City Directory on the left side of this page.


After a wild night out or a wallet-busting day of shopping, you'll have to treat yourself to a head to toe massage. Chicago boasts some of the best masseurs in the mid-west. Our featured gay friendly masseurs offer all types of massage including deep-tissue massage, shiatsu and Swedish massage. Trust us -you can't leave Chicago without letting one of these massage therapists getting his hands on you!

Whether you're looking for shopping, clubs, or luxurious relaxation, you'll find it in Chicago. We invite you to visit any of our gay-friendly featured partners. Had a good experience? Tell them you found them on "Pride City Guide"!

Chicago offers a wide variety of nightlife: from loud and flashy dance clubs to more sedate, mingling-friendly bars. Throw in gay-friendly bistros, coffee shops and bookstores and an impressive array of live music clubs, you've got a nightlife that has something to offer everyone! There are video bars playing the latest hits interspersed with comedy bits, strip clubs featuring nearly naked studs, piano bars with enough drink specials to throw even the heartiest drinkers for a loop.

Like most large cities, Chicago's nightlife starts fairly late in the evening - at least in regard to the club scene - generally peaking between 1 and 2. Plan to make your entrance by midnight and you'll have plenty of time to hit the town for dinner and dessert and even to run back to your hotel room for a quick primp before heading out to the clubs. While the danceclubs don't get packed until later in the night, the neighborhood bars are a great place to start for an early cocktail. There are many fun little bars in the Boystown section of Chicago, so if you're heading out before midnight, plan on grabbing drinks at one of Boystowns' staples.

Chicago's gay population is well established so even if you are over 40, there are plenty of clubs and lounges with a mix of ages so you'll never feel like Pappy babysitting the grandchildren. And like any city, depending on the type of nightlife you pursue - bear bar, hi energy dance or drag club - you'll find ample company. Chicago is a big-city hub tucked in middle-America so the crowd tends to be a mix of Midwest "cornfed boys" who you'd be proud to take home to meet Mom and the usual gym crowd, tattoos and pierces types.

Most of the clubs are located within a short walk from Boystown, but there are some further out so be sure to take enough cab fare to get you there and back. Unlike coastal cities, Chicago quiets down in the early morning hours so you'll want to have figured out your sleeping arrangements before 3 AM lest the cabs turn into pumpkins and the bar patrons into frogs. View the Nightlife section under our City Directory on the left side of this page for a full list of Chicago gay-friendly bars and get ready for an evening of Midwestern fun.

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