JTLYK: The Chappell Report
By Terrence Chappell

Just To Let You KNOW that Chicago's professional crowd all gathered last month at The Underground for the holiday edition of the Big Gay Cocktail Club. As a self-proclaimed The Underground reveler, I must say I've never seen so many gay, cute and well-established men at this mostly straight nightclub. Ok, maybe one other time: when Lindsay Lohan's "special" friend DJ Samantha Ronson was in town during this past summer's Lollapalooza. This usual celebrity destination has played host to special guest DJ Nick Cannon, Billy Zane, Jeremy Piven, and a slew of other big names. As a result of the Cocktail Club gathering, The Underground can now also claim to have been a hospitable host to many of the city's gay professionals and members of Chicago's thriving, gay business community.

The Big Gay Cocktail Club, or BGCC for those in the know, is a roving monthly event that takes place at different bars and clubs around Chicago. BGCC events are typically held on a Thursday evening with all door donations benefitting a chosen community organizations (AIDSCARE, Heartland Allaince, and AIDS Legal Council of Chicago just to name a few). Cocktails begin at six so expect to rub elbows with a lot of men who just got off from work. Whether you're a recent college graduate seeking a great opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals or simply a husband prowler looking for Mr. Right, BGCC is the perfect gathering.

This particular holiday event also featured half-naked men wearing Santa shorts and sporting Santa hats that read naughty or nice. Yea.most of them wore the naughty hats! While appetizers and other tasty treats were provided, the absolute highlight of the night was my drink: its preparation, its presentation, and its deliciousness. My very cute bartender, Forest, went over the top in preparing my potent potable: an iced tea infused with whatever dark and heavy liquor he placed in it, complete with a fiery flame that pleased the crowd and had other people ordering the same drink. I had two actually, just to let Forest know he did a good job.

While at the event, I bumped into Jeffrey Ward, director of public relations for Rockit Ranch Productions, which owns The Underground. The PR director looked collegiately chic with his faded pinstripe blazer and, V-neck sweater, a tie and button down. His military inspired hat pays homage to The Underground's bomb shelter environment and adds a hip flare to his overall look. However, more importantly, Ward hinted to me that he would like to attract a more gay clientele to the night club. I also ran into Benjamin Newby, general manager of The Underground, who was busy making sure things progressed smoothly on the floor and in the back. Even more so, he's the man in charge of the velvet rope on those busy nights.

Overall, going to a BGCC event is a great way to meet other professionals, do a little flirting and check out some of the other really cool venues in the city that lie outside of Boystown. And in the process you get to contribute to Chicago-based GLBT organizations that are doing vitally important work. For more info about BGCC check out their website at www.thebgcc.com (the secret password is FABULOUS).