Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cell Block

    3.6 (64 reviews)
    InexpensiveGay Bars
    Open 1:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Cell Block Photos

    CELL BLOCK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Divey
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Cell Block

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Montage of images from Cell Block
    Ed U.

    The name kinda fits the place though there were no bars. Or rather, there was just one bar. It wasn't seedy in here, just dark since everything was painted black. It's a leather bar on the northern edge of Boystown. However, if you're here in the middle of the afternoon during the week, it's just a fairly generic watering hole with reasonably priced drinks. Nothing wrong with that. It's not a place to ask for craft cocktails if you were wondering. I made the mistake of asking the bartender if he made a Mai Tai to which he replied curtly, "Dude, this is Cell Block". OK then. Jamie W. and I stuck with our regular orders - Makers Mark & Ginger and Tequila Sunrise - just $7.50 each (photo: https://yelp.to/xzNz6YV3aM). They had the desired effect before we headed to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field just down the street. Nothing wrong with that either. Da Cubs. DRINKS - 4 stars...potent enough, cheap and nothing fancy AMBIANCE - 3 stars...pretty much a dive, dark and leathery SERVICE - 3 stars...been there, done that TOTAL - 3 stars...wait, this is a gay bar? RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

    See all

    1 month ago

    Great atmosphere, friendly employees , great for fun, even more fun in the back area, I recommend sundays fun day and fridays.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shani H.
    930
    1377
    2410

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Rude staff, weak drinks, avoid this bar at all cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D K.
    0
    1
    0

    2 years ago

    I've been to several bars in the neighborhood and this one, hands down, has the best free ATM in the neighborhood!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    This place is the tits for Los gays. Sergio is an incredible bartender. #yaaaaassssss #love #slay

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    This place makes me happy to be gay. Diverse crowd, chill vibes and good music. Something for everyone.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J B.
    1
    151
    68

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Locked doors early. Closed out any new walk ups 30 min early? Maybe you should close on time... Service was awful.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great place to hang out. comfortable space. Great drinks. Attractive people. Enjoy!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don L.
    154
    62
    70

    4 years ago

    Very fun bar. Very diverse crowd. Don't come if you're shy though. Drinks are a little pricy.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark R.
    18
    71
    0

    3 years ago

    Bartenders and patron are very friendly. Made an out of towner feel welcome. Will definitely be back when in Chicago.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Top-three bar in Chicago. The perfect amount of wrong. Always a good time and a destination while out for the night.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay B.
    150
    124
    198

    17 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Cell Block Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cell Block

    Does cell block have a coat check for winter months?

    Yes, in the front bar. And there's a full clothing check in the back playspace for guys who want to be naked back there.

    Does the Cell Block have a backroom?

    Yes. Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun. Many groups meet there regularly: Bear Naked Chicago, Chicago Puppy Patrol, Chicago Feet Buddies, and some others. It's also open for random play on weekend nights from 10pm. Male only, of course.

    Is this 21+ only?

    Yes. All bars in Chicago are.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Cell Block

    The front bar is more social and the back bar is more for cruising.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Gay Bars 6,079 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Hydrate

    Hydrate

    (169 reviews)

    $$

    Lakeview

    As I post this review, Hydrate has an average rating of 3 stars, which is about what it deserves…read morebased on my experience. We were in this section of Boystown on both Thursday and Friday nights, and Hydrate never seemed busy. On Thursday evening their lighted sign above the sidewalk advertised "Sexy Gogos", but none of the staff could tell us when they'd be performing, and a bit after midnight one of the employees was on a ladder removing that wording from their sign. I guess no sexy gogos that night after all. This place features a bar room at the front, and dance floor/performance space in the rear. I imagine Hydrate could be lots of fun if and when it ever fills up with people. I personally never saw that happen during my time here, on either visit.

    Ahh I had so much fun here when I went. I'm honestly starting to love going to gay clubs because I…read morefeel so much safer as a cis & straight woman than at regular clubs. Plus everyone here was soo freaking nice. I even met a girl that is from the macomb michigan area too here and I was like how did you get here lmaoo. But really tho, I want to go back like asap. Next time ill get a better video and pictures. *My only small con about this place is that they only have two individual bathrooms and the line is LONG af for both of them. I was doing the needtogotothebathroom waddle dance at some point in line because I was dying. Thankfully I made great conversation with the other people who were also waiting and dying. Please add another bathroom or something *

    Elixir - Montage of images from Elixir

    Elixir

    (119 reviews)

    $$

    Lakeview

    We have been to Elixir a few times and it is always a great choice for unique and delicious…read morecocktails! It is a cozy little bar with dim lighting perfect for a date night drink. The bartenders are always very friendly and check in often which is always appreciated. You're always immediately given little pretzels to snack on which I love as a unique touch. This time we both chose a more standard cocktail, but they also always have very unique and delicious seasonal cocktails which are always amazing! I would definitely recommend Elixir to anyone looking for a spot to grab a quick and delicious cocktail!

    On our first night in Boystown, Jamie W and I were pretty overwhelmed by the crowds at Sidetrack…read moreand Roscoe's, so we ended up coming here to make Jamie's virginal gay bar debut. It was the right move because it had the kind of chill vibe we were seeking after a long flight from SFO. Fortunately there were two seats at the bar with our names on them. Figuratively speaking. They had quite a signature cocktail list on hand, and we felt it was our obligation to try as many as we could. At least that was what we said to ourselves as the evening wore on. Each cocktail was $14. We started with a couple of familiar libations. Jamie ordered the Mint Julep, a delightfully Deep South mix of bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint (photo: https://yelp.to/u-td8LdPLj). I went further south with the Pineapple Margarita which was emboldened by a tropically potent mix of pineapple infused tequila, lime juice, and agave (photo: https://yelp.to/V-Sf6Q_2qK). We got a bit bolder with our second round and found mixed results. Jamie had the Not Your Mom's Daiquiri which amped up the margarita by blending pineapple-infused tequila with Bacardi 8-year rum. Along with fresh lime and simple syrup, this one definitely had more of a kick (photo: https://yelp.to/1ZijDf6wMV). However, my order, the Pontiac Pony, was a spicy miss for me. It was a rather oddball mix of apple-cinnamon infused vodka, pear liqueur, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and ginger beer (photo: https://yelp.to/5dQoFdzG98). There was just a harshness that didn't sit well on my tongue. Oh well, the mellow vibe was cool. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...three out of four cocktails were aces, just one clinker AMBIANCE - 4 stars...very chill, fairly quiet for Boystown SERVICE - 4 stars...cool bartenders TOTAL - 4 stars...check it out when you take a break from your Boystown cruising RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

    Cell Block - gaybars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...