The landscape of Chicago’s gay and lesbian bar scene is forever changing, but in recent months the changes have been large and significant. Here’s a sample survey of what’s new.

Spin Nightclub

The club that has become the destination of choice for many on Wednesdays for its “WTF $1 Drink” night has undergone a drastic physical change and is now competing fiercely on all nights of the week. Gone is the dance parlor that was to the west of the main bar as the popular Boystown nightspot has expanded northward along Halsted with a gorgeous bi-level addition that features a larger new dance floor. As for non-Wednesdays, Spin is attracting a wide variety of patrons with its very popular “Teri Yaki’s Game Show“ and “Foxy’s Basement” dance party with DJ Mike Bolante, both of which are held on Sunday nights. On Saturdays they offer a rotation of monthly themed night, including “Boy Bar” with DJ Chris Eterno and the “Fish Tank” party for lesbians. Other promotions and guest DJs such as Psycho Bitch, Greg Haus, and Teri Bristol are sure to boost Spin’s appeal. spin-nightclub.com

Sidetrack

No Chicago area bar embodies the word “change” more than Sidetrack. From its narrow one room beginning back in the 80s, the ever-expanding video bar is now one of the biggest and highest-grossing gay watering holes in the country. Receipts are destined to remain robust thanks in part to their new bar area that extends the venue southward as well as the enhanced patio area near the entrance. Where Sidetracks grows from here nobody knows, but with their varied comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and yummy frozen slushie drinks, long-running themed video nights such as “Showtunes” on Mondays and “Comedy” on Thursdays - as well as the newer “U-Video All 80s Request” on Tuesdays - will continue to be very popular.

sidetrackchicago.com

Minibar Ultra Lounge and Café

In its continuing attempt to redefine Boystown nightlife with an upscale approach to service, décor and cocktails, Minibar has added a jaw-dropping expansion that extends the club  back eastward and also down to a basement level dance floor. Featuring an LCD lighting system that changes with the rhythm of the music, the addition is stunningly beautiful and fits most appropriately with the hip clientele that crowds into the bar nightly. Even Perez Hilton was on hand for the recent grand opening party for the new space, blessing Minibar with a celebrity seal of approval. minibarchicago.com

Mary’s Rec Room

Over the years both Hamburger Mary’s and Mary’s Attic have been popular successes in Andersonville thanks in large part to a winning formula of friendly service and affordable prices in a fun and inviting atmosphere. They are now about to apply that winning formula to Mary’s Rec room, which opened up next door in the old Tomboy restaurant space. Featuring micro-brews crafted on the premises, the Rec Room is principally a sports bar with lots of beautiful new HDTVs and a tasty late night appetizer menu.

hmchicago.com

Roscoe’s Tavern & Café

Converting a potential long-term disaster into a fantastic opportunity that will pay dividends well into the future, Roscoe’s new dance floor is in a word: spectacular. It rose from the ashes of a devastating fire back in November that pretty much ruined the back half of the popular neighborhood bar and features the brand new “ButtKickers” technology. Sure to be a popular feature for years to come, Roscoe’s is the first club in the U.S. to have this state-of-the-art technology that allows the thunder and rumble of the bass beats to be transferred directly to the dance floor: the vibrations felt by the feet of the dancers. A great enhancement to a night of dancing, you really must feel it to appreciate it. The new dance floor comes also with a brand new light and visual effects system along with the talented DJ Ron G added to the roster of resident DJs.

roscoes.com

What else is new?

Remember the nightclub Ka-Boom on the corner of Halsted and Chicago. Well, the space is being refurbished; will be called Tantrik; and is expected to open soon under the musical stewardship of Teri Bristol. … No physical newness at @mosphere, but they’ve added go-go dancers and DJ Chris Eterno to Manhunt Thursdays/Hot Mess Thursdays and have 50 cent well drinks on Wednesdays… Still in it’s first year, the Wild Pug in Uptown has found a winner with its monthly “Gaysia” party on the last Thursday of the month with DJ Oskar. … The ever evolving Wicker Park now has the weekly “The Boys Room” party on Sundays at Plan B Bar & Kitchen. … The new DJ line-up at Hydrate has Greg Drescher moving to Sunday nights while Phil DaBeatz takes over for Greg on Thursdays. … The late night offering at Charlie’s now includes DJ LuLu bringing yesterday’s club hits back to life during “Resurrection Sundays.” ... The newest bar in Chicago, Cattle Call in Andersonville, is successfully finding its sea legs, attracting folks with a blend of new and classic country, pop, retro and dance music. As well, they present “Cattle Call Revue” with Angelique Munro, Ashley Morgan, and other divas on Wednesdays. ... A new monthly party for lesbians called “Circuit Girl” is about to start up every first Friday at where else? Circuit Night Club.