Choosing the Greatest Gay Bars in the World

MIDWEST U.S.A.

CHICAGO, IL 



Mary's Attic

www.hamburgermaryschicago.com

5400 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640

773-784-6969
The main level hosts the first gay restaurant franchise of its kind, serving sandwiches, burgers, mac and cheese, and meatloaf. But, nestled above this Chicago staple is a cute purple attic laden with ample bar space, tables, disco lights, and a lone bed. Did we mention that karaoke is an option?



Minibar
www.minibarchicago.com
3339-41 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-871-6227
Attentive and, more importantly, hot model-esque guys serve your every whim -- from delicious cotton candy martinis to paninis. Walk upstairs and tilt your head back for a stunning light show in this attractive, modern venue.



Spin
www.spin-nightclub.com
800 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657

773-327-7711
Head to Spin to dance the work-related stress away and mingle with a diverse crowd. You can play pool in the back room of the chic, remodeled first floor or walk upstairs to watch TV with drink in hand. Make sure to check in on Wednesdays for $1 drinks.



Sidetrack
www.sidetrackchicago.com
3349 North Halsted
Chicago, IL 60657
773-477-9189
Word of caution: hold hands or risk losing your partner. Sidetrack is teeming with gays and undoubtedly the best bar/club this side of Boystown. A massive venue with bars to suit any mood littered throughout (and an open terrace), Sidetrack offers delish alcoholic slurpees if you’re strapped for cash but crave a buzz.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN



Jetset Bar

www.jetsetbar.com

115 N 1st St.
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1411

612-339-3933
Eclectic drinks, minimalist décor, and amiable bartenders attract a sophisticated clientele to the Jetset.



CINCINNATI, OH 



Adonis

www.adonisthenightclub.com

4601 Kellogg Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45226

513-871-1542
Check out the cabaret, the drag, the deep house -- there’s room for everything in this sprawling club east of downtown Cincinnati. While Adonis boasts trademark Midwestern friendliness, you’ll also find plenty of heat, especially on summer Sundays when scantily clad men from throughout the region lounge around the swimming pool.



DAYTON, OH



Club Masque
www.clubmasque.com

34 N Jefferson St.
Dayton, OH 45402-2008

937-228-2582
Trannies, drag queens and kings, lesbians, gays, bis, and heteros dance the night away under one roof. Strippers, amazing drag shows, reasonably priced drinks, and theme nights hosted by talented DJs.

WEST COAST U.S.A.

LOS ANGELES, CA



Akbar

www.akbarssilverlake.com
4356 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90029

323-665-6810

Perhaps the social epicenter of hard-partying Alterna-Wood, Akbar is the go-to spot for Los Angeles’s antigloss neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Echo Park. Great indie music on the jukebox, stiff drinks, hot guys, good times. When Dirty Dirty House Club takes off on Thursdays, the crowd gets pretty diverse -- the racially mixed vibe is a welcome change in the often-segregated L.A. nightscape.



The Abbey
www.abbeyfoodandbar.com

692 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069

310-289-8410

Perennial “Best of L.A.” champ, this 16,000-square-foot party place attracts celebs aplenty (mostly queers and straight lassies, but occasionally a famous straight lad). Famous for creative cocktails (mmm, creamsicle!) and the perfect patio, this is where many a gay Angeleno brings his or her out-of-town pals to see -- and experience -- the heart of WeHo.

SAN DIEGO, CA

Rich’s San Diego
www.richssandiego.com
1051 University Ave.
619-295-2195
San Diego, CA 92103
Especially bumping on the weekends, Rich’s is everybody’s end-up—steamy, slightly sleazy, with no small amount of cruise to a dance-pop beat.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA



Hole in the Wall Saloon

www.holeinthewallsaloon.com
1369 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA 94103-3830

415-431-4695
Muster up the courage to walk through the dark doors of this intimidating facade, and you’ll find a friendly staff serving cheap (strong) drinks. What did your mom tell you? Looks can be deceiving.



Badlands

www.sfbadlands.com

4121 18th St.
San Franciso, CA 94114-2407

415-626-9320

Badlands compensates for its small size with 2-for-1 drinks (at less than $5) and a lively crowd and a time-tested dance soundtrack.


SANTA FE, NM



Silver Starlight Lounge
500 Rodeo Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-795-7555
Yes, this bar is located in the RainbowVision gay retirement home -- er, "condominium, independent and assisted living community" -- but the Starlight offers the best damn pomegranate margarita (made by Mike) you’ll ever have.



SCOTTSDALE, AZ



BS West

www.bswest.com
7125 E. 5th Ave.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-945-9028
This popular gay bar for the Scottsdale and out-of-town crowd is a laid-back, flip-flop and shorts dive bar with gorgeous guys and 2-for-1 Wednesdays.


SEATTLE, WA

RE-Bar

www.rebarseattle.com
1114 Howell St. (between Boren Ave. & Minor Ave.)
Seattle, WA 98101

206-233-9873

Off the beaten path in the Belltown neighborhood, Re-Bar is full of surprises. Patrons compete in spelling bees, bingo, and video game tournaments, but the biggest events take place on Re-Bar’s stage. With offerings ranging from comedy and Shakespeare to drag shows and a cappella performances, it’s like being in college on speed. On Saturday night DJs playing pop and hip-hop are the major draw.