Pre-NYE Fun --
The coming weekend is chock full of fun activities to help link Christmas with New Year's Eve. The guys at Clubhouse productions are busy busy busy with their collection of events featuring the urban musical blend (hip-hop, house, R&B, and reggaeton) of DJs Kenae and Anton: Friday, December 28 at CIRCUIT with "Urbano"; followed by "Xotic" on Saturday night at TOKYO 21; and concluding with "Penthouse Sundays" at CLUB 720.

The monthly "Nitro" party at CIRCUIT takes place on Saturday, December 29 with DJ Billy Steele (NYC) returning to the DJ booth. The theme of Nitro this time around is Pandora's Box and features décor by Visuwil and performances by Cyon Flare and Eddie Couture. The big suburban gathering this weekend is at HUNTERS for "Resolution," the 'lights out' party with DJ Lawrence K at the helm on Sunday, December 30. That same night in the city DJ Kimberly S. is at HYDRATE.

Showing Some Skin --
If you are looking for hot boys to take off some or all their clothes, there are lots of options. The totally nude Men of Sarabia appear every Friday and Saturday night at MAN'S COUNTRY while super stud Nate joins Giorgio and Martin for a special New Year's Eve performance. The Spank Go-Go Boys are featured five nights a week at COCKTAIL dancing to the house beats of DJs Michael Serafini (Tuesdays), Freddie Bain (Fridays), and Pete Augusta (Sundays). On the northside at @MOSPHERE, DJ Timmy Loop gets the strippers and patrons movin' and groovin' on Saturdays. The amateurs get to show some skin every Friday for SPIN's "Shower Contest" (with DJ Chris Eterno in the booth) and the last Thursday of the month (December 27) at ROSCOE'S "Wet Boxer Contest." And of course, there's always LUCKY HORSESHOE with their collections of money-maker shakers each night of the week.

There's no official stage or platform at STEAMWORKS, just a bunch of horny men walking around in towels. This full-service all-male club, gym, and sauna, features a "Lights Out" party every Thursday and DJ Dick's sexy beats during after-hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Que Pasa? What's Up?
For those wanting a Latino party atmosphere, a new offering has been added to the Chicago nightlife menu. JACKHAMMER is home to the new Sunday night gathering with DJ Rich providing the music. Steady long-time favorite options in the city continue to be "La Noche Loca" featuring Miss Ketty's Latina Review on Thursdays at CIRCUIT (DJ Rock-O-Mix on December 27) and "Cowboy Rage" on Fridays at CLUB CHESTERFIELD.

Hip-hop rules at SPIN's "Ear-otic" parties the next two Saturdays (December 28 and January 5) with DJ Stoney. He also handles the musical chores for "Mz. Ruff 'N Stuff's New Year's Day" party at CIRCUIT on Tuesday, January 1. For a hip-hop and house music NYE extravaganza with DJs Ransom, Anton, and Stoney, be sure to make your way to the RAILS @ PROP HOUSE on Monday, December 31.

Brains North, Brains South --
NERDS AT HEART present "Dating for Queer Nerds" on Thursday, January 17, 7pm-10pm, @ The Spot (4437 N. Broadway). $20 in advance ($25 @ the door) lets you play board games, including Homogenius, and show off trivia skills with other smart GLBT singles. There's also a complimentary cocktail and chances to win geeky giveaways. Info: www.nerdsatheart.com or 312-265-6085

To satisfy the other male brain in his other head, BIJOU, Chicago's all-male porn movie house and sex club, presents new releases every Friday, pre-condom classics every Monday, and live nude Chicago Beef dancers every third Friday. Plus they have a full dungeon and glory holes galore.

You Like To Do What!?!
Chicago's fetish communities have several options from which to choose including popular leather watering holes CELL BLOCK (in Boystown) and EAGLE (in Andersonville). On the far north side of the city, TOUCHÉ hosts "Hardcore Leather Night" every Tuesday, "Handballer Night" (for the Red and the White hanky crowds) every Thursday, and the "All Day Beer Bust" (for the Yellow hanky crowd?) on Sundays.

Northside Hangouts --
Sly but noticeable cruising is par for the course at BIG CHICKS, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when dance music pulses through the Salon. The "Formerly Known As " trans dance party takes place on Thursday, January 3. Easy pick-up conversations about your fave athletic teams can be had at CREW day and night of the week. Don't like sports? They have "Man The Mic Karaoke" on Tuesdays and show "Project Runway" every Wednesday.

The atmosphere in MARY'S ATTIC lends itself to friendly conversation and a potential neighborhood pick-up. DJs Shoshana and Plez spin on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively, while there's Mary-oke on Sundays & Wednesdays. If you're looking for great drinkers bar, then you can't beat THE ANVIL with its great mix of patrons or SCOT'S in the Ravenswood neighborhood.

Homo Central -
The northern tip of Boystown includes NORTH END (for pool and darts), CHARLIE'S (for early evening country line dancing and late night hi-energy clubbing) and KIT KAT LOUNGE & SUPPER CLUB (for drag divas, dinner, and drinks). In the heart of it all, MINIBAR caters to the stylish and trendy (with DJs Oskar and Chris Eterno on Fridays & Sundays, respectively), while Little Jim's and Buck's are no-nonsense drink and cruise watering holes. Still introducing itself to the denizens of Boystown, SCARTLET is the newest addition along the North Halsted strip with DJs Thursday - Sunday. Familiar to just about anyone who's been in the city for more than a week, the video bar SIDETRACK is best known for their potent slushy drinks, Showtunes on Mondays, and Comedy Clips on Thursdays. Late night clubbers dance up a storm at BERLIN with Chi-town favorites such as DJs Greg Haus (Fridays) and Heather Doble (Thursdays).

Homos Elsewhere --
"Boom Boom Room" @ GREEN DOLPHIN STREET continues its legendary Monday night house music parties featuring resident DJs Michael Serafini, Diz, JustJoey, and Uncle Milty. Other popular weekly gatherings include that of downtown office workers on Friday evenings at either GENTRY or 2ND STORY BAR.

Fans of live cabaret performances hang out at DAVENPORT'S in Wicker Park, 3160 in Lakeview and CORNELIA'S in the heart of Boystown.