CONTENTS FEATURES RESOURCES CHICAGO PRIDE GUIDE Pride is in full force at these LGBTQ-friendly shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots found in the city’s welcoming neighborhoods. BY LISA SHAMES Andersonville’s Cowboys and Astronauts believes shopping for men’s apparel, accessories, travel supplies, home goods, self-care, and gifts should be a fun adventure, with each hand-selected item offering a unique story. Equal parts bookstore and art showplace, River West’s Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery celebrates community and inclusion, reflecting its provenance as the city’s first bookstore owned by a Black woman. In the heart of Logan Square, female-owned and operated Wolfbait & B-Girls lovingly celebrates artisan clothing, gifts, personal care, art, and jewelry made by more than 300 Chicago designers. Family-owned Hing Kee Restaurant has been a Chinatown favorite since 2007, earning plenty of loyal fans for its handmade soup dumplings, traditional pulled noodles, and authentic Cantonese food. From the same owners of one of the city’s oldest gay bars, the South Loop’s Williams Inn Pizza & Sports Bar celebrates Chicago’s Black and LGBTQ+ communities, serving made-to-order deep dish pizza. Specializing in comfort food made with impeccable ingredients and paired with inventive cocktails, West Town’s Split-Rail is a cozy neighborhood restaurant paired with a retro basement cocktail bar called Dorothy . At Kale My Name , Albany Park’s globally inspired, 100% plant-based restaurant and bar, dietary restrictions are fully (and deliciously) embraced, with dishes ranging from cauliflower buffalo wings to veggie sliders. SHOPPING With new items coming in daily, Northalsted’s CRAM Fashion offers the latest in casual menswear designer brands plus athleticwear, swim, and loungewear in its Underwear Lounge. A knowledgeable, friendly staff and unparalleled selection of books, including an extensive collection of LGBTQ+ literature, has earned Northalsted’s Unabridged Bookstore many fans. Check out the sale book section. Stocking more than 20,000 books, including works by and about women, children’s books, and the latest LGBTQ+ literature, Andersonville’s Women & Children First is one of the country’s largest feminist bookstores, celebrating underrepresented voices since 1979. DINING Expect continuous party vibes at Northalsted’s Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club , which features nightly drag queen diva performers, 30-plus martinis, and delicious contemporary American cuisine. Six-time Michelin Bib Gourmand-recipient Wood , a stylish Northalsted restaurant, spotlights local purveyors in dishes like house-made charcuterie and pasta. Its innovative bar program adds to its charm. Coastal Southern cuisine, heirloom ingredients, heartfelt hospitality, and an extensive whiskey and bourbon selection all define Andersonville’s charming Big Jones , from beloved chef Paul Fehribach. Paying homage to her grandmother, chef Dominique Leach of Pullman’s Lexington Betty Smokehouse offers Chicago-style barbecue brisket and pork with plenty of soulful sides, including gussied-up candied yams. NIGHTLIFE Since 1982, Northalsted’s Sidetrack has been providing a welcoming and inclusive space for its many fans with boozy slushy drinks, a year-round rooftop, showtune nights, and pride for the community it serves. Since its Pride Week 2003 opening, Northalsted’s Hydrate quickly became Chicago’s top place for dancing, drag shows, theme nights, and music sets from the industry’s best DJs into the wee hours of the morning. Nobody’s Darling , a James Beard Award nominee in Andersonville, offers a classy, laid-back lounge vibe with a menu of creative cocktails inspired by influential women. ADAM ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY Pride in the Park 18 choosechicago.com
Chicago Visitors Guide 2023: Page 18
