Was in town for Market Days, and every time we walked past this bar, I said, "They are playing the best music!" And it took us until Sunday evening to finally go in. And omg, we had so much fun! I will definitely come back here whenever I'm in town. Great music, nice people, friendly service, and normally priced drinks. Thanks for a good time, see you next time! read more

Scarlet is indeed always a hit I love it so much. The bartenders are great and they make the drinks really good. Security can be a bit iffy but I don't really mind. The line definitely does be long so if you wanna get it make sure to go early!!! Thursdays are chill tho and free cover I love it. But Fridays and Saturdays can be packed. One of my favorite places! read more

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This place was made successful by Lesbians. The only reason it exists is lesbians. Now, it's all straight couples who are extraordinarily rude. The bouncers and bartenders are all men, and horrible to lesbians- completely ignoring us, serving straight couples before. The line is a million miles long for nothing. This was the OG lesbian spot. It was great. Now it's a freak show. Stop giving them your money. Horribly disappointed in ownership read more

A super fun club! Loved the energy, dj, and music. Very fun ambience with lights and disco ball.

Loveee this bar! They play the best music and the coat check comes in a clutch in the winter when you don't want to hold your coat read more

Scarlet - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came to Chicago with my partner in September and decided to hit every gay bar we could in one night. Scarlett was the last we could fit in before a concert, and maybe that's for the best that our time was cut short. I was excited by the number of afab and trans / queer people I saw walking in, but that quickly diminished. The bar was fairly empty, which made the cold air a bit colder. The music playing didn't match the videos on display at all. The drinks were the weakest we had on our mini-crawl, unfortunately. Disappointed that the only lesbian-centric bar we visited didn't live up to the hype. Hoping to come back soon and give the crawl another read more

Amazing, I would always come back for more. Service was professional I felt like I was home

what a treat to be able to dance with assorted drinks and friends! I can't tell if charliXCX is my favorite or Nick-E Minaj! At midnight they dance a lot too read more

First time coming to Scarlett for a friend's birthday and I have the day that the vibes are immaculate. Music was fire and constantly playing songs that my friends knew the lyrics to so everyone was enjoying themselves. The walls were gorgeous with an assortment of magazine pictures featuring Taylor Swift and other icons. And the lighting was bopping for my eyes! Definitely enjoyed the servers or bartenders getting on the bar and scrolling club-goers with free Fireball shots! Felt safe there and even tho the place is smaller than expected, I will definitely be coming in again to party!! read more

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Current Covid state means no co-mingling. You can only breath the are of those you cane with. No dancing, only getting up from your assigned place to sit to use the bathroom. You have to wear a mask to go to the bathroom and walk amongst others. This place seemed one of the stricter places. This was my observation from driving through Boystown. A lot of people were not wearing masks. Boystown might be a COVID hotspot, but whatevs. I suppose you're taking that risk. Service was friendly and prompt. Was it Rihanna night? This place loved her music. No qualms because I love her too. Had a good time with my friend, by ourselves. Haha. Drinks were priced as expected and very strong, so greatly appreciated. read more

Scarlet - two cocktails on a table at a bar - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The security staff at Scarlet are on a consistent power trip. They're rude and dismissive. If you leave your group in line for even a second they will single you out and tell you to go to the back of the line. They never hear you out and they are never understanding. I partially understand the severity due to Scarlet being insanely small and cramped but, the poor treatment sours the experience nonetheless. Personally, I will continue avoiding Scarlet. read more

The staff here has got to start being kinder to women. I come here often with other lesbian friends and often find the staff to be extremely rude to us while not keeping the same energy with our gay male friends. We have had multiple bad experiences with security, specifically the blue-haired security guard who I have never seen not having an attitude. I get that Scarlet wants to keep the bar a safe space for queer people, but queer women come in many different forms, and it's upsetting to have a space that's supposed to be safe for queer people only seem to keep that energy with gay men. Do better and stop assuming that any woman with a purse is straight. read more

Good staff. Comfortable environment. Amazing music nights amazing drinks. I highly recommend.

This gay club was super cute. They played good music and it was super fun to dance and sing along. Although they close at 2, they kicked us all out around 20 min earlier. read more

i love this place the music is good and it's a good dance bar to CLUB!!! so hot in there though omg

Played cha cha slide one night and then proceeded to play YMCA. Disappointing for the fact that there were no songs by Chappell.

This place isn't a gay club, half the crowd was made up of straight cis couples. The drinks are decently priced, music is alright, and it's objectively a cute spot but the crowd is rough. The bouncers were nice. read more

Though this place looked fun from the outside and had posters in the front window advertising shows and events that take place here, once we got inside it was really nothing special. The security staff checking IDs at the door seemed to be more interested in chatting with each other and cracking low humor jokes than just checking IDs and allowing people in. Once inside we found dark barroom, with a long bar to our right, a few tables with patrons at them on the opposite wall and maybe 1/2 dozen people near the front, dancing away. We wanted to check out the back of the place as we figured there must be more to Scarlet's than what we were seeing, but it was stanchoned off. From what we could see, there was simply a second, smaller bar back there. The DJ was decent, and beers were reasonable at $6 each. The drinks they were serving in miniature pitchers looked really good and were also inexpensive, but since we were planning to be in the Boystown district for at least a few more hours, we decided to stick with beer. There were a few drag queens walking around the place (two of whom we saw perform later on this night at another establishment), but again, for us Scarlet was small, needed more A/C though the place wasn't even full and nothing much seemed to be happening here, so we finished our drinks and left. read more

Love Scarlett but got my phone stolen DURING PRIDE MONTH of all months. It's always fun and everyone (besides the phone thief) is a good vibe. I am not sure if I will return until they catch the perp, but if you keep your stuff safe you should check it out. read more

Blue hair bouncer is actually insane. I was deep in the bar and had only 2 drinks when randomly he came in to get me accusing me of being too drunk. I had literally no problem walking or talking and wasn't stumbling. I'm very aware of when I'm intoxicated so to randomly get taken out for no reason was irritating. I get that's their job but maybe actually focus on the people that are on the floor or on people that can't communicate. I never had an experience like that and they really need to check their priorities. I wanted to go off but held in my emotions cause I was over it at that point. read more

honestly wow!!!! i love scarlett so much its my favorite place to be. sad? go to scarlett. happy? go to scarlett. i could not stress this enough. i love this place with all my heart. amazing music, amazing vibe, and i adore the decor. lets go to scarletttttttttttt read more

Scarlet - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was extremely disrespected at the entrance of this bar by the 2 bouncers. They thought my id was fake and throughly quizzed me about my id, and the city I got my drivers license at. I had to pull multiple other documents to prove my identity and they still were feeling suspicious abt me. I felt mocked right in my face and felt horrible when entering this establishment. Will not be coming back read more

I've been to Scarlet several times before and I think it's a great atmosphere with good drinks and fun music. But when I went last weekend I was really disappointed by how I was treated. After one drink I was dancing with my friend against a wall and I closed my eyes for no more than two seconds to absorb the music. When I opened them again I was being told I was getting kicked out for "falling asleep." Without even letting me explain, I was rushed out of the bar without my friend, my coat, my wallet, my keys or my phone. They didn't notify my friend, so I had to stand outside in the cold until they inevitably figured out where I'd gone. Assuming I had been as drunk as they suspected, I can't believe they'd kick a girl out on the street in 5 degree weather with none of her belongings or the safety of her friends. Honestly really disappointing behavior. read more

Wasn't sure what I was going to walk into here. You only get so much from online and it is hard to get an honest depiction from old reviews and pictures. I wanted to form my own opinion and I have to say that after one visit, that was a stupid idea. We decided to make this our last stop for the night before heading back to the hotel. The place looked like a hole in a wall before we even walked inside. We wanted a place where we could just dance the remainder of the night away. Walked in, paid a cover, stamped my hand and over to the bar we went to get a libation. The place was packed. And not in that good, energetic way. More in that annoyance type of way. Done with my drink I made my way to the bathroom and then to the dance floor. Here is the thing that I did not like, nor appreciate, about this place is the amount of unwanted groping going on. If I had to use the facilities in a hurry, someone would have pulled back a wet hand. Also, if you didn't like these unwanted solicitations, then the grabby-patty will form an attitude and then they seem to target you the rest of the night. One particular kept following me around and bumping into the rest of the time I was here. That was my cue to leave and call it a night. read more

Amazing vibe, atmosphere is top tier. Only issue... the bartender, Eric, sucks. He will insult you for your tips being insufficient and overall kills your vibe. Be warned! read more

Very young crowd tried to wave a bartender down for 6-7 mins (for the duration of 2-3 songs) but they were too busy dancing and singing to even notice walked out immediately after never returned. Vibes were way off. read more

wouldn't let me girlfriend in w an expired ID as if her birthday would suddenly change on a renewed one.

your phone will be stolen. the will take your phone out of your purse. they will take your phone out of your pocket. it's so severe that the staff when you ask them say, " you too?!" they will steal your phone keep your hand on your phone the whole time you are in this bar or your night will not end how you think it will. read more

The DJ was rude on 11:40pm on 8/11 . After I requested a song WITH A TIP he agreed to use the song he said he had on the playlist and hadn't played it so I asked for an update after 30 minutes of waiting. He asked me to leave. I noticed the same experience with other people at the club who agreed they played a song WITH A TIP and didn't play it: So all of my 10 friends and I left. Even in Arizona (where I'm visiting from) they have better music. This is sad for Chicago I expected better. read more

As others have said -- this is pretty much a pure dance club without much of anything else. Good if you want to be in a very loud, dark environment with lasers and fog with tons of people dancing around you -- but not good if you're looking to have any type of conversation or looking for much more than cheap beer and fireball shots. read more

I'm literally trapped. I was sat at a table in the back corner of the bar. I have been waiting literally 30mins to pay my tab and leave. I want out!! read more

The door woman was extraordinary rude. We had a $200 tab we were trying to get in to pay it but she kept attacking us and freaking out, acting like we had not been in for 2 hours giving our business. We went out to smoke a cigarette. She kept us out for over an hour. Would never suggest this bar unless you're ok with with the Gestapo denying you because they hurt their sensitive ass feelings. Gay bars should be free and loving. None of the above was considered. Just rude ass decisions and people. Not worth it. Go literally anywhere else. read more

Good music, nice space, cool bartenders. Only issue when I went was an announcement about pickpocketing. Keep your purses, phones, etc. close. Also, they closed at 1:45 not 2am so don't show up last minute. read more

Ryan makes the best drinks ever. Berlin could neverrr. He is very kind and gets the order done as soon as possible. read more

This place just keeps continuing going downhill. Apparently recently they've removed the raised booths inside the establishment and replaced them with tiny tables in the corners. Scarlet has always felt crowded but now it feels like there is nowhere to stand that isn't in the way of some bottle service table. As for music, they've decided to upgrade their door man to being a "DJ" and it's basically just trainwrecking early Britney and Taylor songs without even a slight hint of beat matching or DJ'ing. It sounded like your drunk friend Becky @ a house party accidentally got control of the iPad and keeps just flicking through songs. Someone has to fix that, it's unbearable. The current "Glow" party also looks like they spent about $5 on neon chiffon and neon finger pants. Imagine less rave party and more middle schooler black light haunted house. The bartender in the pack was awesome though, as was our bottle service helper. No complaints for service. read more

They advertise drink deals and don't follow through when you get there. Crooks. Do not go here.

Of all the gay bars in Boystown I think scarlet has the best music to dance to (at least for my personal taste). They add in a good mix of hip hop and rap which, in my opinion, is the best music to get down to. They also mix in pop and some good early 2000's hits too. Unfortunately, my friend always wants to start at Scarlet and leave pretty early so I haven't gotten to experience Scarlet past 8:30/9pm but I'm sure it'd be even more fun later on when it's more crowded and dancey. Regardless, I always have a great time. I only wish it were a bigger place so there was more room for dancing. read more

Love this place, always a good time with great music and friends. Open concept for dancing but drinks could be cheaper lol

SO.MUCH.FUN. I'm not even going to pretend like I have been to all the bars in Boystown, or even that I regularly go to gay clubs/bars, but this one was definitely a lot of fun. I came here on Sunday afternoon right after drag queen brunch at Kit Kat right down the street. We actually met some fabulous divas at brunch and even though we were pretty wasted, they demanded that there was no way in hell that we were going back to our hotel because we MUST continue the party at Scarlet. Every Sunday, Scarlet has a "liquid brunch" in which the doors open at 1:00pm (and close at 2:00am) and you sip on $12 bottles of champagne and cheap drinks and shots. When we walked in (after I fell out on the sidewalk because 1) I was drunk and 2) my stilettos may or may not have given out- nevertheless, I didn't feel anything) it felt like a nightclub in the middle of the day; there was a doorman, a DJ and even VIP sections with bottle service and champagne bottles with sparklers. I knew that I walked into heaven. What I loved most is that every one was extremely friendly and since there were only so many girls there, a lot of guys were buying us a lot of drinks and shots. Everyone was also gettin' down on the dance floor like it was midnight...but it was only 3:00pm. I don't think I've danced so much in my life and my friend who always tries to "keep it classy" and acts reserves was dancing like she was auditioning for a Beyonce video. Even though some random girls pulled me into the bathroom with them as I was waiting for it, and proceeded to ramble to me as if we were bff's, this was seriously one of the best times of my life. I can't wait to go back. read more

This place is goals. All of my queer dreams came true last night at Scarlet's Spooktacular drag show. This grungy drag bar was the perfect medicine for a night on the town with my people! It was no surprise, but the Chicago queens were doing WORK last night. After seeing Saltine perform her T Swift number, I thought it couldn't get better. Wrong. When Nice and Slow by Usher comes on at a drag show, things are going to get a little wild, at least if I am there. And they did. Xo Carrington spotted how down with Usher I was and seduced me in the best way. When she started unzipping my jacket I was a unsure if any of my clothes were going to stay on. So lit. They had me at $5 Fireball specials. There were also points throughout the night that they would announce they were $3 and everyone (me) would rush to the bar to take full advantage. Additionally, couldn't pass up my love, Miller Lite. Had a healthy amount of both. After the show the bar turned into an early 2000's emo night? Couldn't have been happier to be interpretive dancing on stage while shouting the lyrics to Ocean Avenue. What a sexy blast this place is! read more