I don't recommend this place to anyone, the owner Joe Hoffman doesn't condone consent in his bar. I was sexually assaulted and psychically assaulted, fought the guy back and because the guy had a busted lip, Joe took the aggressors side. Joe only cares about money and not his customers, I still have the police report. I worked around boystown 10+ years and this is the only place I've had this bad experience. read more

Stumbled in this bar while waiting on a Drag show at a neighboring bar. We enjoyed the music and Khabeer was super fun. This bar has other "parties" going on in the back but we stayed up front and didn't feel uncomfortable. I'd definitely go back. read more

Cell Block - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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

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 read more

See all

The weather was really nice and walked over to Cell Block. I heard it was jockstrap day(4PM and later). I really liked the back room and loved walking around in my jockstrap and watching the men in their jock straps. I didn't eat there but Zach the bartender was really nice and helpful as was Andrew who did the clothes check. Zach was nice and even bought me a drink. The advantages of having a nice ass and only wearing a pink jockstrap. The ambiance was nice and the back room was kinky but still quiet as it was a Sunday. I definitely will go back and can't wait for Spring!, read more

Was a regular for a while but the service was really lacking last few times I went. Two bartenders in the back: One couldn't get the drink made correctly (wrong mixer twice), the other continuously skipped me and only served 1/3 of his section. So do I choose to get a drink incorrectly or not at all? read more

I really liked this place as it was not overbearing nor crowded at the time we went. Bartender was super sweet (didn't catch his name) and great music playing. The only downside I would have to say about this bar is the drinks were a little weak and pricey (I guess no happy hour on Sundays in Boystown). Will definitely try to make it back during our stay! read more

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

I will say this. I have not been part of the bar scene in ages, due to work and other things. However, they did take a proactive part, along with Howard Brown, to be responsible and offer Monkeypox vaccines. I was lucky to schedule an appointment online. I expected the process to be complicated, wait to be long, and for there to be glitches. I was wrong. I arrived for my appointment a half hour before my time. Everyone, from the Cell Block staff, to the staff at Howard Brown did an excellent job. After I got my shot, I had to wait in the bar for ten minutes, to make sure I had no side effects. While there, I ordered a Screwdriver. The young bartender joked about it being a brunch drink, due to the o.j., and I read my e-book quietly while waiting for my time to be up and go home. There was no judgement, everyone was friendly and chatting politely, and I was impressed. This is definitely a "leather" bar, but for this weekend, it cared about the gay+ community to offer vaccines and education, and for that, I am grateful. While I do not act irresponsibly, I felt the need to get the vaccine as I work a government job, and am exposed to large numbers of people daily. I was really impressed with how the rollout was handled, and will go back to visit Cell Block in the future, and thank the staff for their efforts. This bar may not appeal to all tastes, but everyone has their niche, and should respect others' environments. I may not be an everyday patron of this establishment, but will go back, and have a drink or two, because they took a chance to reach out to the community. Kudos! read more

Randomly picked this business to be my last review for 2019 and it's a good one. I work with a lovely older gentleman who gave me a Cell Block t-shirt from his days frequenting different gayborhoods. So as an homage to him, I made it a point to stop by here and I did so several times on my Chicago vacation. I really liked this spot but would consider it more of a neighborhood bar than a tourist bar. The bartenders where super friendly and willing to have real conversations with you. I was there during the week so I probably didn't get the full Cell Block experience. Even so, i had affordable drinks and good conversation and I couldn't ask for more. Until next time, Cell Block. Hopefully If I ever go back, it'll be during Pride or at least during a weekend. read more

See all

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

Cellblock is hands down the #1 Kink Bar in Chicago's LGBT Scene! The staff and owners are committed to an inclusive, fun, friendly, and safe environment. Creeps beware- Consent is Mandatory and Enforced here! The bartenders are friendly, fun, and pour great drinks! You never have to worry about being shorted here! If you're a kinkster and it's your first time visiting Chicago, make sure you check it out! read more

This bar embodies exactly what a leather and kink bar should be. I visited here with a friend on a puppy night after a bad experience with a different fetish bar in town. The ambience is a bit off and is the only reason I only give four stars. The decor is dated, but on point for the dive bar vibe. If it is a dive bar though, why are they playing nightclub music? The drinks were strong and cheap. The bartenders and staff were friendly. Two guys were walking around handing out nasty shots of some liquor they love; but hey it was free. There were also a lot less creepy lurkers here than at the other bar. Everyone was super friendly, and this one trans girl or guy who works for the pup group helped me be a little more social. Its good to see a true LGBTQIA+ Bar that welcomes trans individuals and not just cis gay men. I will definitely be back now that I live here! Oh and the front bathroom stall doesn't latch, but there is a private bathroom around the corner and a bathroom in the cruising room! read more

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

Bartenders are crazy!!! They cater to young hot guys before anyone else. They don't even try to hide it. The bouncer was even worse...treated people in line like they were idiots, even though their VIP versus Ticketed versus non Ticketed lines had no rhyme or reason to the system. I mentioned some of this to Joe, the manager, at the end of the night and he was a complete asshole and told me not to come back. I would stay far away from this dysfunctional place. read more

Had a terrible experience here last night. I used their clothes check, and they could not find my stuff. I waited for 2 hours, and they never found them. Staff was rummaging through bags for an eternity while the GM was just standing there. When I tried to say something to the GM, he had the audacity to yell at me as I was standing there with no shirt desperate to leave this godawful bar. Eventually I had to leave in a t-shirt they pulled from the lost & found. I had to walk around in Chicago in January at 3am wearing only a t-shirt. They did nothing to make this right. I didn't even get so much as a free drink. I received a text at 5:30am from one of the bar staff to let me know they found my stuff, so I had to return for them the next day. There are other issues I could get into with this bar. Topping the list would be the rancid smell. It always reeks of raw sewage. I didn't go here for a long time after another bad experience 5 years ago when a bartender literally kicked me out because I wouldn't have sex with him on the pool table. I wouldn't hold that against the bar at this point because I think it has changed management, and that bartender no longer works here. Anyways, they ruined my night. As someone who worked in the Chicago service industry for a long time, I think the GM has no business in this industry. How are you going to sit there and yell at your paying customers when they're upset about something your bar messed up??? Unacceptable. read more

The bartender in the second bar is angry and negative. I work as a go-go dancer , but I will never allow myself to talk badly to clients if they don't give me tips. horrible man. spoiled the mood . Monday 11 pm !! I buy two whisky 15 dollars . First bartender was nice read more

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

I used to come here all the time on visits and when working in Chicago sometimes. It used to be a bit quiet but glad to say on this visit it seems to have taken off a bit more. The front bar is more social and the back bar is more for cruising. Recommended. read more

This bar is under new ownership (as of spring 2019) and I've had a chance to visit a few times. I guess the reviews here prior to 2019 are no longer valid. Staff is new, front bar is remodeled, and the back play space is stunningly beautiful. The earlier reviews from the 2000s and 2010s reference certain smells, physical shortcomings, and crass staff. None of this applies now in fall of 2019. BNC has monthly sex parties in the second Thursday of each month in the back room. The Puppy Patrol has play parties as well. I have heard the Chicago Male Feet Club meets there as well. The front bar is for drinking, the back bar is for playing. There is a clothes check in the back, the lighting is intriguing, and bathrooms were clean and well stocked. Bartenders in the back play space at a recent BNC event were lovely. This is a wonderful facility and a welcome addition to the male play spaces in Chicago! read more

I love this bar! I frequently go here for one drink only to find myself in the same spot 6 hours later. Don't come here unless you're willing to spend all night making new friends. Expert tip: order the chicken wings. read more

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

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

I found the whole experience wanting. Being asked to leave right after entering a bar is highly unusual for me. Stating something weird about slurring words. I had just walked in and hadn't said a word. Apparently women are not welcome. Too bad! read more

Sergio the bartender is amazing. He is so nice and so freaking cute.. thanks cellblock for hiring amazing people who are so nice. Even the door man was so sweet. read more

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

Fun bar but it SMELLS horrible. I seriously think they only clean the bathrooms once a month. You have to hold your nose to go here. The owner must be negligent, the stench is so bad. read more

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

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

My new favorite hangout. Good afternoon bar. Reasonable prices and the bartender John is a great guy. Haven't been here past 7 in quite a while but I'm sure it's just as good. read more

Still a great neighborhood bar. Will make you what ever specialized drinks you want to order. Not the biggest crowds on a Sunday afternoon, but still very welcoming! read more

I love the Cell Block. They loved me I loved them but I digress. Some guy got down on his knees in front of me in the back bar. I was just standing there! The bartender didn't like that so he shwed us away. Anyway, I had a good time and always have a good time their. Warning, they love hairy chested men there with beards! read more

Pretty cool dive bar! My friend and I walked in on a Friday night, and it wasn't too crowded with just a few people sitting at the bar. The bar is cash only, but there is an ATM in the back. The bartender was very chill, and so was the general atmosphere. My friend and I drank and played pool the entire night; one of the regulars of the bar ended up joining us, and he was awesome. Overall, it was a chill, low-key night. I loooove Boystown.. I've never felt safer in a bar where I was the only female in the place. read more

Love the bar and the concept. The back is awesome sometimes. They have a policy stating they have a strict no consent policy, but they don't follow it. There is a guy that's always there on the weekends with longer gray hair that is very aggressive to everyone he "wants" and will not take "no" for an answer. Many people complain every night he is there, but they never do anything about it. So why have the policy if you don't enforce it? Great bar for the most part, but get rid of the creepers and more people will come there. read more

I like the place. If you have ever gone to a bar and it feels like all eyes are on you, this place is not like that. Cell block seems very chill and laid back. Two bars area one front and a back bar help (in my opinion) people get the attention they want. Front bar has a pool table, darts and is just friendly fun. The back bar is a little darker with Porn playing on the tv's. There's also many dark corners for you to be naughty. I have come here a few times when I lived in the area, and after being away for years coming back to this place I feel like something has changed. I wouldn't mind being a regular here. read more

The moment I walked in with my friends we all stopped and looked at each other and asked what that stench was?! I will admit my understanding that it's a leather & fetish themed establishment, but was immediately taken back by the bathroom which was covered with a urine stench, which honestly smelled better than the rest of the bar, but I will admit again, bleach could go a long way. On a positive note, the staff was very friendly and accommodating. read more

I've visited here plenty of times in the past and have enjoyed myself. But tonight it was different. I was here for the Organized Crime L.O.A.D party. I was told it was an inclusive party and the bar itself was too. I didn't get that experience once the crowed started to pick up. The bartender in the back right corner bar started ignoring me after having a tab open with him for an hour. He was deliberately serving everyone else around and even the people that walked up after me! It got to the point where I needed to ask a friend (who was standing to my right after noticing me being ignored) to ask them to close my tab. They then proceeded to ignore my fiend after that. I wasn't over-served, and I was invited to be there by a host of the party... I'm not sure what I did to deserve this treatment, but it really bothered me to the point I went home. I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon. read more

Not a bad little bar. I'd consider it a "dive bar" but it's a nice relief from the typical loudness of the area. On my visit we had several basic, yet good drinks. We also had nice conversation with the bar tender and several other patrons while watching the Olympics in high definition. We were also able to play a fun round of Wii Bowling! read more

This bar has become our sponsor bar for darts and I loooooove it. Matt and Mark behind the bar on Thursday nights are awesome and they take good care of their customers. We've hosted a few dart league events at Cell Block and everyone has gone above and beyond to help us out! Love this bar and the guys who run it! read more

Cell Block in Chicago. A Chicago Classic. Cellblock seems to be hanging on to a leather world that is getting smaller and smaller. But, on weekends a leather family can still be found hanging out. The place is dark and has many rooms for lounging and drinking. Depending on the night, Dance music or country classics can be heard jammin out the speakers. Once a month Cellblock hosts bear night called Furr, that in resent months has packed the place to the gills. The night features a live DJ and drink specials all night long. Furr is on the 3rd Saturday of the Month read more