Wed. August 6, 2008
The big deal event in the city is of course Market Days on August 9 & 10. So let's focus on it first and then the normal weekly goings-on afterwards.
"In a galaxy … "
The biggest of the parties during Market Days weekend will be "Space Disco 2: The Revenge" @ Crobar with DJs Ralphi Rosario and Ted Eiel on Sunday, August 10. Presented by Box Boy Rich and the Superstar Sundays gang, this year's edition of Space Disco also features a performance by Jipsta and DJs Ron G and Joel Rodriguez in the Mezzanine. The Crobar party on the Sunday night of Market Days weekend has, since the 1990s, been FABULOUS-ly Fun! This year's Space Disco party should continue the tradition.
On the nightclubbing front, Hydrate's inside party groove will be just as strong as its outdoor Market Days vibe. After DJ Greg Drescher lays a down a solid Thursday night musical foundation, Ralphi Rosario will kick the weekend off to a grand start on Friday, August 8. He's then followed up on Saturday (August 9) and Sunday (August 10) by DJ Chris Cox and Alyson Calagna, respectively. Further down the Halsted Street strip, just outside of the Market Days festival zone, Circuit Night Club has NYC legendary DJ Junior Vasquez coming to the Windy City for the "Meat Market" party on Saturday, August 9.
If you're looking for a unique musical environment for Market Days, maybe check out Steamworks, Boystown's full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna. Their "48-Hour Spin Cycle" will feature live DJs all weekend long outside at their Market Days booth and Guest DJ Willy Vela (Ft. Lauderdale) inside on Saturday (August 9) and Sunday (August 10) nights from 9pm-2am.
For a different type of Market Days experience, do something a bit more cerebral and attend the "Dating for Queer Nerds" event @ The Spot (4437 N. Broadway) on Sunday, August 10. Admission ($20 advance/$25 door) includes a cocktail and a chance to win geeky giveaways. Info & registration: www.nerdsatheart.com , 312.265.6085.
In The Thick Of It All --
Starting on the northern end of Boystown near the Broadway & Halsted intersection, there's the sports bar North End and it's next door neighbor Bobby Loves, a neighborhood drinkers' paradise. The diversity of options continues with Cell Block, the only leather bar in Boystown, and Charlie's, the only gay country bar in the city.
Circuit Night Club boasts the most diverse line-up of parties and events in the ‘hood with "Girl Bar" scheduled on Friday, August 1; the new "UBU" hip-hop party set for Saturday, August 16; and popular weekly Latin nights on Thursdays ("La Noche Loca") and Sundays ("Noche Latina") with the likes a Miss Ketty, Veronica Zaid, and DJs Rock-O-Mix, Alex Perez & Fast Freddy.
South of Addison on Halsted, men's bars Little Jim's and Bucks Saloon, institutions that have been around for years, join relative newcomer, at only 5-years old, Hydrate (featuring DJ Jeanette on Sundays and DJ Laura B on Mondays) near Cornelia Street. Further south at the epicenter, Halsted & Roscoe, Roscoe's Tavern features video in the front bar and a hi-energy dance floor in back. Large crowds are always on hand "Drag Race 2008" hosted by Frida Lay on Tuesdays and "Male Call" w/ the effervescent Miss Foozie on Sundays.
Across the street, dancers strut their stuff five nights a week with the "Spank Go-Go Boys" and house music on Sundays (DJ Pete Augusta), Tuesdays (Michael Serafini), Thursday (Timmy Loop), Fridays (Freddie Bain) and Saturdays (a rotation of Diva DJs). Next door at the video bar Sidetrack, potent frozen slushy drinks are the popular drink of choice for many as they enjoy "Showtunes" on Mondays, "Comedy" on Thursdays, and "Energy Videos" on Fridays and Saturdays. Their neighbor Minibar is popular with the cute and trendy crowd who groove to a weekly line-up of events that include "Power Hour Wednesdays" (DJ Jon Roberts), "Mystique Thursdays" (DJ Phil Da Beatz) and the ultra-fun "Theme Party Sundays" (DJ Chris Eterno).
New kid on the block, Scarlet Bar, has quickly established itself on the scene with DJs Sean Richard on Thursdays and Carla Starla and AJ Dubbz on Fridays. Guest DJs are featured on Saturdays while the raucously fun "First Ward Ball" party takes place every Sunday. At the south end of the Halsted strip @ Belmont, the young and the fun call Spin home on Wednesday nights for their $1 drink night. Kitty-corner, Lucky Horshoe hosts the young and old alike: one generation dancing in g-strings on top of the bar while the other generation feeds them dollar bills like they were expiring downtown parking meters.
In Boystown, but not directly on the Strip, you'll find Berlin still going strong with a late-night line-up of dance parties that include "Elevated Thursdays" w/ DJ Heather Doble, "Cosmix Fridays" w/ DJ Greg Haus, and "Cheap Ass Tuesdays" w/ DJ Chester and Host Jay Jay. Other nightspots include Cornelia's with its cabaret performances, 3160's and Kit Kat's drag diva performances, and the neighborhood bar Closet, which is popular with lesbians early in the night and with everyone after-hours.
Beyond Boystown
Up in Andersonville, you'll see the fairer sex everywhere, from T's to the south to Star Gaze to the north to Joi De Vine to the west. On Thursdays, Mary's Attic has recently launched "Ladies' Night" with DJ Shoshanna. The men get entertained @mosphere on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights w/ DJs Chris Eterno, Eric Hall and Timmy Loop, respectively, supplying the music. Also up in Andersonville, you'll find the Chicago Eagle leather bar and the all-nude stripper shows @ Man's Country, Andersonville's bath house outpost, featuring the men of Sarabia every Friday and Saturday night. General merriment and joy are had nightly at martini bar Marty's while "Attic-tion Saturdays" @ Mary's Attic features DJ Plez and his house music groove on a weekly basis.
Elsewhere on the northside Jackhammer hosts quite the diverse crowd with the "Flesh Hungry Dog Show" on Friday, August 1 and DJ Oskar spinning every Wednesday and Thursday. Next door, the fetish community finds a home at Touché with "Hardcore Leather" night on Tuesdays. Granville Anvil is an Edgewater neighborhood bar that sometimes counts Loyola students as patrons. In Uptown Big Chicks is popular on Sundays with its free BBQ buffet while Tuesdays are in demand at the sport bar Crew with its "Karaoke Night." Scot's is a friendly and very relaxed gathering spot in the Ravenswood neighborhood.
Traveling toward downtown, Manhandler sits as a gay oasis in the Heart of Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is also the home of the new "Lucky Sunday" weekly event at Olé Lounge with DJ Oskar. Downtown, there are two outposts that serve officeworkers and shoppers alike: Gentry on Sate and Second Story Bar, both of which host terrifically fun Friday after-work crowds.
Over on the West Side of town, house music reigns supreme every Monday night at the long-running "Boom Boom Room" @ Green Dolphin Street with host Byrd Bardot and residents DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, JustJoey & Uncle Milty. It's also the music of choice at the "Monday Social: Beats + Bass + Rhythm" party @ Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave.) with DJ Brian Gardner. Hip-hoppers hang at Prop House on Fridays with their opposite counterparts take in cabaret fare @ Davenport's in Wicker Park.
On the southside, Jeffrey's Pub hosts DJ Dana Powell's Chicago house music extravaganza every Friday, while Chesterfield Club serves a loyal and growing Latino clientele on the weekend. Technically downtown, but with a decidedly southside "track-y" house music vibe to it, the new "Eargasm" takes places every Monday night @ Shadow Bar (811 W. Lake St.) w/ resident DJs Andre Hactchett, Craig Loftis, and David Sabat.
Suburban Highlights
If you want to celebrate Market Days but in the the suburbs, check out Hunters Nightclub's "Where The Boys Are Weekend Beach Party" on August 8 & 9 w/ DJs Lawrence K & Laura B. Other venues outside the city limits waving the lavender and rainbow flags include Hideaway in Forest Park (featuring DJ Teri Bristol on Wednesdays and Chicago Beef dancers on Saturdays), Club Krave in Blue Island, and Encompass Nightclub in Lake Station, Indiana.
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