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Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
A proposal to open this gay bar at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport has already been submitted.
Chicago could be the first city in the U.S. to have a gay bar in its airport. The idea originated from restaurateur Germán González, who pitched the concept of bringing Chicago's most popular queer bar, Sidetracks, to O'Hare International Airport. He told the two owners, Art Johnston and his husband, José “Pepe” Peña, about the idea, and they loved it so much that they teamed up with González to make it happen.
The all-queer team feels that starting this project during Pride Month is a powerful statement to make, especially during the Trump administration's assault on LGBTQ+ rights. They initiated the process earlier this month, on June 5, by submitting a proposal to the city, in which they shared that González's Somos Hospitality Group would oversee day-to-day operations, and Johnston and Peña would be the establishment's primary investors, sharing the licensing for the brand.
Johnston, who is a longtime activist and philanthropist, told the Chicago Tribune that he feels adding the gay bar to the airport would "create ways for people to see gay people and see that not only have we done well in Chicago, we have thrived in Chicago." He added, "We have made this a better city, a stronger city, and why not show that to the world?”
For those who don't live in Chicago, Sidetracks has been operating for over four decades, opening its doors in 1982. Since then, the two-story bar has been a place for the LGBTQ+ people of the city to have fun on weekends, and also, as the Tribune writes, a community center for meetings, fundraisers, and celebrations, where powerful politicians, community leaders, and activists gather.
According to the Tribune, the bar would be located in Terminal 1 at the airport, which served over 80 million people in 2024 alone. Johnston told the publication that he and his husband believe adding the bar is a step in the right direction, not just from a business perspective, but also for LGBTQ+ advocacy. "Pepe and I, we’re just blown away by the notion, knowing the number of people who pass through here every day who could see that there are (gay) bars here, where the people there don’t have horns and tails, and we’re not trying to steal anybody’s children," he said. "We’re trying to live our lives and make life better for all of us."
The city's decision is still months away, but for now, they will continue to make their case.
Moises Mendez II is a culture journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He covers internet culture and entertainment including television, movies, music, and more. For the last two years, he was a Culture Reporter at TIME Magazine. Before that, he was a freelance journalist and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and more. Moises holds a master's degree in Arts and Culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
Moises Mendez II is a culture journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He covers internet culture and entertainment including television, movies, music, and more. For the last two years, he was a Culture Reporter at TIME Magazine. Before that, he was a freelance journalist and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Fast Company, and more. Moises holds a master's degree in Arts and Culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
