Watershed ★ 4.3
$$River North{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': '17:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-00:00', 'thursday': '17:00-01:00', 'friday': '17:00-02:00', 'saturday': '17:00-02:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
Watershed in Chicago tucks beneath Pops for Champagne at State and Ohio. A staircase marked with a large W drops to a basement of stone walls and seasonal cocktails.
Tip: Walk-in only, no reservations. The cocktail menu rotates by season; ask the bartender about the rotating themed list pulled from TV shows.
Sidetrack ★ 4.7
$$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '15:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '15:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '15:00-02:00', 'thursday': '15:00-02:00', 'friday': '15:00-02:00', 'saturday': '13:00-03:00', 'sunday': '12:00-02:00'}
Sidetrack on North Halsted opened 1982 as the Northalsted video bar with six rooms, a rooftop deck and themed video nights from Show Tunes Monday to Musicals Sunday.
Tip: Show Tunes Monday and Musicals Sunday are tradition; no cover any night. The rooftop is the warm-weather spot, the Glass Bar handles overflow.
Roscoe's Tavern ★ 4.5
$$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '15:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '15:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '15:00-02:00', 'thursday': '15:00-02:00', 'friday': '15:00-02:00', 'saturday': '12:00-03:00', 'sunday': '12:00-02:00'}
Roscoe's Tavern in Chicago has anchored Halsted Street since 1987 with a pool table room, fireside chat area, sidewalk patio and a dance floor that runs late on weekends.
Tip: No cover before 22:00 most nights. Saturday closes at 03:00, the latest in Northalsted. Drag bingo and trivia rotate through the weekday calendar.
Charlie's Chicago ★ 4.4
$$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '15:00-04:00', 'tuesday': '15:00-04:00', 'wednesday': '15:00-04:00', 'thursday': '15:00-04:00', 'friday': '15:00-04:00', 'saturday': '15:00-05:00', 'sunday': '15:00-04:00'}
Charlie's on Broadway is the Chicago country and western gay bar opened 1993. Line dancing lessons run nightly from 21:00 before the floor switches to dance music at midnight.
Tip: Line dancing nightly from 21:00, lessons most weekdays before that. Saturday runs to 05:00, the latest in Northalsted. No cover before 22:00.
Hydrate ★ 4.4
$$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '20:00-02:00', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': 'closed', 'thursday': '20:00-04:00', 'friday': '20:00-04:00', 'saturday': '20:00-05:00', 'sunday': '14:00-04:00'}
Hydrate in Chicago has been the Northalsted dance club for two decades, with a sit-down drag show in the back early and the floor opening to DJs and dancing after 23:00.
Tip: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Saturday runs to 05:00. The back-room drag show before 23:00 is the chill-entry move; the front opens up after.
Replay Lincoln Park ★ 4.3
$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '16:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-02:00', 'thursday': '16:00-02:00', 'friday': '16:00-02:00', 'saturday': '12:00-03:00', 'sunday': '12:00-02:00'}
Replay on Sheffield is the LGBTQ arcade bar with 65 free vintage games, 50 craft beers and themed pinball nights that pull a queer Lakeview crowd seven nights weekly.
Tip: Free arcade entry with any drink purchase. Themed Drag Race watch parties and trivia rotate weeknights; arrive before 21:00 for game machines.