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    Charlie's Chicago

    3.3 (127 reviews)
    InexpensiveGay Bars
    Open 3:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

    Charlie's Chicago Photos

    CHARLIE'S CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    DJ
    Happy hour specials

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    a neon sign on a brick wall - Bright blue neon sign shows 'Charlies' with a smaller 'Chicago' sign underneath, mounted on a brick wall.
    Jacob D.

    We were making our rounds in the "gayborhood" aka "Boystown" and this was our last stop of the evening before dinner. Chatted with a bartender (didn't catch his name) who was super friendly and a really nice guy. He gave us a sampler shot of their homemade apple pie everclear concoction and I was hesitant at first so I sipped on it very carefully but it was really tasty and not like a typical "squint your eyes and wrinkle your nose" shot! Regular drink prices were on the average side (6 bucks) so I guess they do not have happy hour on Sundays. Will definitely try to make it back before we leave.

    A group of four women and one man stand together in a dark, indoor setting, holding a poster with vibrant colors, possibly at a nightclub or event.
    Shelby B.

    Came for a movie screening, moving in the musical, and had such a blast :) perfect location (literally right next to the bus stop!!) and loved the service. Highly recommend the espresso martini shot

    20% service fee, not a 227% increase. - A receipt from Charlie's Chicago restaurant showing payment information, date, and a signature line, with some details blacked out.
    Jacob M.

    We left celler, 2nd time ever being there. Walk to Charlie following other friends of my friend. First time ever at Charlie. Only order a $8 captain and coke w a $3 bottle of ice mountain water vs just being given a cup of tap water from the beverage dispenser that they use to make the drinks. I was appalled about the water and they couldn't use my first card to open a tab. He ask me to switch cards, from my pre paid netspend card to my 5/3 bank card. Was given an agreement to sign. I keep the document and decide to switch to cash and to close out and leave. Agreement was for 20% surge for any tabs left open. Bartender, Felipe Oliveria is a light skin Hispanic, about 5'11, 180 lbs. In a white button shirt open at the top. With black slacks. He either flat rate charge me, or added extra drinks rather then close my tab as requested. $11 in total, so I only gave $12 cash, cuz I didn't like the feel and the other people we followed had left as soon as we got in so we bounce to hydrait. There is no way a 20% surge of an $11 tab equates to $25. That's a 227% increase. This is theft. Bad customer service. And a establishment I'd never recommend. Counting the cash payment. That was $37 in less then ten minutes for a captain and coke w a bottle water.

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    5 months ago

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    24 days ago

    Fun lively had good drinks, dj lightning lulu is fab, close to home, been going for decades

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    2 months ago

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    4 years ago

    This place is so so so fun but there is no reason that the restrooms should smell this way!!!

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    2 years ago

    great prices...Michael is a great bartender...makes you feel very welcome...it's the only bar I like

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    5 years ago

    I really liked the large stage with lots of bench seating around. The cast was great and gave a great show!

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    4 years ago

    This place is the best! I love it! My husband and I go when we can, we have a blast. From drag to spandex, I'm in heaven

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Charlie's Chicago

    Review Highlights - Charlie's Chicago

    Could be the patrons, could be the atmosphere -- could be the fairly spacious layout or the drag queens.

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    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

    Charlie's Chicago - gaybars - Updated May 2026

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