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    Sidetrack

    4.1 (528 reviews)
    ModerateGay Bars
    Tue 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Wed 3:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sidetrack Photos

    SIDETRACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for dancing

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    Laura G.

    Such a great bar in boys town Chicago! Every Sunday night they have broadway videos and it's pretty much a sing a long. So much fun! Multiple bars in one bar. They have a few frozen drinks and full bar. It was packed for a Sunday late afternoon!

    Taco B.

    Definitely a great place but sometimes the music is iffy in my opinion. Me and my girlfriend love to go and get the frozen cocktails tho they are quite tasty and cheap. The black cherry flavor is my favorite!

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    Ed U.

    Oh man, this place was wildly popular on an early Friday evening when Jamie W. and I stopped by... so what's new? You simply can't cruise Boystown without converging on its epicenter. Much like The Abbey in WeHo, it's the essential Northalsted stop we knew we needed to make, and of course, there was a line. Even in my advanced years, I was carded. Turned out they were looking for expired IDs, not trying to flatter me...dammit. Once we were in, we slithered though the densely populated rooms. Bartenders were crazy-busy, and access to a libation appeared elusive. We passed by the mini-stage where Broadway sing-alongs were well underway as part of TGIF Show Tunes. Drag queen Veronica Pop was really belting 'em. Jamie and I finally made it to the center bar where we were finally able to get their $10 Slushie Mugs. Jamie went for the Frozen Margarita and I had the Black Cherry Buzz (photo: https://yelp.to/2v4Ah0TDqR). They were blessedly fully loaded. The margarita was saturated with Hornitos tequila, while Effen vodka well informed the buzz. We were able to find a quiet corner in the patio. Peace at last. DRINKS - 4 stars...mighty potent slushies AMBIANCE - 4 stars...quite a cacophony here and all in close-up SERVICE - 3 stars...not much of an impression...except the locker guy who helped me find the restroom TOTAL - 4 stars...the Midwest Abbey RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

    Jane Z.

    Come here for your fun and being your authentic self. Come here for the MALORT MARTINI that the awesome bartender during the first-Tuesday-of-the-month queer storytllijg hour bravely, creatively concocted for me. (No, not concock-ted for me, you dog, you) Sidetrack how the win!

    John P.

    We went on a Friday night around 11pm. There was a long line, but moved pretty quickly. We were def in after 15 mins. The coat check is in the front. We had to wait a while to check in our stuff because the attendant went to go somewhere. I feel like there was no one there that was fully focused on working the coat check cause whenever I passed by, people were always waiting for someone to help them. When we left, we had to wait for the guy to come back again. Plssss have someone there the whole night! The club itself is huge. If you want to dance or if you want to socialize, this place has it all. I love that there were a lot of rooms and floors to check out. The art on the walls were cute. Good music and fun vibes. Overall, we had a great time!

    Booze
    Christopher F.

    We came in for a night of drinks and dancing. I love all the different parts of the bar from patio to rooftop. The dance floor gets crowded so plan to serve a little early. Bartenders are efficient and taking. Great place

    Slushie

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    2 months ago

    very nice staff & amazing vibes! can't wait to come back to chicago and party here again!!

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Sidetrack is the go to bar in the Summer. They outdoor patio and frozen drinks are to die for

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    Bryan S.

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    5 months ago

    Horrible customer service at coat check! Omg! This guy was so rude. Not sure that I'll be returning.

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    Bryan S.

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    6 months ago

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    Bryan S.

    Thanks Maddi! We love our monthly Dog Day Saturday too.

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    2 years ago

    The sound blaring from all those speakers is so loud you cannot have a conversation without screaming. And even then still cannot be heard.

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    2 years ago

    Nice facility and staff. Recommend this for any age but especially for business/professional happenings to hour!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Sidetrack Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sidetrack

    Can 18 year olds come here?

    No, you have to be 21 years old with valid ID. They card everyone, even older men in their 50s like me!

    Is this primarily a men's bar or just generally queer?

    There are women here too, but far less than men.

    Is there a cover charge?

    Never

    Would this place allow a 19 year old in, since they wouldnt order any alcohol?

    No. You have to be 21 to enter and they are very strict about checking ID's, I'm over 50 and they still ask for my ID. I am pretty sure Roscoes is always only 21+ over. Lucky Horseshoe used to allow 18+ in but not sure if that is sitll the case

    How are the prices?

    The prices are very decent and the amount of the drinks very generous!

    View All 9 Questions

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    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

    Sidetrack - gaybars - Updated May 2026

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