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If you talk to your average gay male floating in and out of the bars throughout a weekend night in Boystown, you'd probably get the idea that all of Chicago's gay nightlife revolved around the intersection of Halsted & Roscoe with strict borders of Belmont on the south and Irving Park Road on the north. The fact of the matter is that Chicago's gay nightlife is geographically spread out these days and includes popular mini-entertainment zones in Andersonville, both south and north of Foster, and up on the far north side at the intersection of Clark and Devon Streets. Even further off the beaten path, however, are dozens of bars and nightclubs that cater to gays and lesbians who don't consider Halsted Street to be the center of their nightlife existence. These establishments, in the city as well as the suburbs, have just as devoted a customer base as the Boystown watering holes and add richness and vitality to Chicago's nightlife. The five places featured below demonstrate the diversity of options that exist in the Chicagoland area to meet the diversity of needs and wants of the LGBT community.
GRANVILLE ANVIL On the far northside of the city in Edgewater, a block away from the CTA Red Line's Granville stop, sits the true definition of a neighborhood bar: the Granville Anvil. A bit on the dark and dive-y side, the Anvil is a friendly no-attitude place that has a jukebox pumping out tunes of all types at all times and TV monitors that show "instructional videos" of the all-male variety at night. Beers and mixed drinks are relatively cheap, a fact that 1) keeps customers coming back; 2) attracts budget conscious students from nearby Loyola University; and 3) explains why the crowds here always seem to be so drunk and happy. The Anvil opens at 9am each morning, making it a very attractive spot for those work the overnight shift and for those who like to have a liquid breakfast.
SECOND STORY
BAR
GENTRY OF CHICAGO
SCOT'S
THE EDGE BAR
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If
you want a fun, cozy, and relaxed atmosphere to unwind in after
a full day of Michigan Avenue power shopping, then Second Story
Bar is the perfect place. If you want to get out of the Boystown
rut and meet new and friendly downtown Chicago faces, then Second
Story Bar is the perfect place. If you want to meet a future
big money lawyer from nearby Northwestern University Law School
or future successful businessman from the University of Chicago
Business School downtown campus, then the Second Story Bar is
the perfect place. If you want the anonymity that a hook up with
a visiting businessman or conventioneer staying at a nearby hotel
affords, then Second Story Bar is the perfect place. If you
want to hang out after work on Fridays with others celebrating
the end of the work week, then Second Story Bar is the perfect
place. If you want to possibly meet a doctor who works at nearby
Northwestern University Hospital, then the Second Story Bar is
the perfect place. If you want a home base bar near the brand
new downtown condo you just moved into, then the Second Story
Bar is the perfect place. Basically, for a bunch of different
reasons, Second Story Bar is the perfect place and given all
the residential development occurring in Streeterville and other
parts of downtown, its perfectness will be around for a long
time to come.
Adding
to Chicago's rich diversity of nightlife options for almost 25
years, Gentry has been a popular outpost serving the city's professional
class and upscale downtown denizens. Originally located on Rush
Street (near Chicago Avenue) in a three-story townhouse and featuring
a beautiful large Swarovski crystal chandelier in the bar area,
Gentry moved into its current State Street digs near the CTA
Red Line's Grand station in 1997. Despite the move, the bar
retained its long-established distinctive cosmopolitan flair,
along with the chandelier, and even to this day it continues
to be THE after-work destination for Loop and Michigan Avenue
office workers. While from the outside it may be perceived as
a bit snooty and high-falutin', the fact of the matter is that
fun can be had by any and all who come to Gentry. Live performances
by an impressive line-up of top-notch talent are offered nightly
in the internationally known Cabaret Lounge while a younger crowd
tends to congregate downstairs in the Video Bar. Other happenings
at Gentry include an "Open Mic" night on Mondays hosted
by Becky Menzie for those budding singers out there who think
they have the chops and karaoke on Wednesdays for those who know
they need a little more assistance. 
What
Scot's lacks in physical space yes, the place is small
it more than makes up for it with a genuinely warm and
friendly atmosphere. Located just a few steps away from the
CTA Brown Line's Montrose station in the Ravenswood neighborhood,
Scot's ably serves a refreshingly diverse mix of gays and lesbians
from the surrounding neighborhood and an increasing number of
"outsiders." It's a simple place that works on so
many levels, complete with bartenders who always wear smiles,
some dart boards, incredibly cheap drink specials during the
week, a couple of TVs that show anything from sports to American
Idol, and a digital jukebox that's sure to have something that
you especially want to hear. Devoid of the "glitziness"
associated with Boystown, Scot's is also devoid of the attitude,
even on weekends, which you find at many other gay bars. As
well, Scot's serves up a complimentary BBQ during the summer
on Sundays from Noon until 4pm. 
Like
an oasis in the desert, The Edge Bar, located in Blue Island,
expertly quenches the south suburban thirst for LGBT nightlife
and entertainment. [Note to all you city dwellers who think
that all life ends south of Roosevelt Road: Blue Island is just
south of the city limits off of I-57, the interstate highway
that takes you to The World/Tweeter Center/First Midwest Bank
Amphitheater in Tinley Park and downstate to the U of I in Champaign.]
The nightclub boasts a strong line-up of events and parties
six nights of the week with bingo on Sundays, karaoke on Wednesdays,
and free pool on Thursdays. The dance floor is the center of
attention on Friday nights for themed dance party such as "Frat
Boy Fridays" and "Madaona-Rama" with DJ Rockin
RC. Saturday night has DJ Pervy (what a name!) in charge of
the dance music programming. Rounding out the entertainment
offering at The Edge is "Diva Bitch Slap & Bad Boy Throwdown",
a competition pitting lip-synching performers who channel their
favorite singers.