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Sidetrack
Gay Bar and Night Club$$$$
Lake View East, Chicago
The folks at Time Out Chicago and Redeye Chicago like this place. Would you agree?
"A Boystown icon and the best Showtunes video bar ANYWHERE!"(19 Tips)
"Black cherry slushy drinks and showtunes...GAY HEAVEN!"(5 Tips)
"It's my favorite bar in Boystown!!!!!"(3 Tips)
"Amazing slushy drinks and Monday Night Showtunes"(2 Tips)
157 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- showtunes
- slushies
- boozy drinks
- rooftop
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Jason AstorgaDecember 16, 2012Great bar, make sure you get your drink from Paul, great and handsome!
zoomvacations.comMay 31, 2011Come to Sidetrack for friendly people, a nice open space, and the best videos in the country!
There's a bar upstairs that has the frozen drinks that are on the way out that they stopped carrying downstairs ...sometimes
Gary L.August 16, 2011My go-to bar while in Chicago. Showtunes nights are silly and fun... Nothing else like it anywhere...
This used to be a fun bar but everyone associated with this place including the owners have a major attitude.
Fidel CalderonMay 15, 2010Visiting from California -- Sidetrack is much better than most SF and LA venues hands down but your soundsystem sucks! Drinks are just as cheap as SF!
Time Out ChicagoSeptember 14, 2010On warm summer nights, the two bars at this multi-tiered rooftop are bustling with Boystown boys. Read more
Go on Sunday or Monday evening for Showtunes and during the summer have the ketel one crush, a grape slushy drink! yum!
MalloryFebruary 4, 2013when in doubt find Stewie Griffin.....he knows the guy that owns this place :-D
- Adam Scott SmithMarch 26, 2015Hey Sidetrack, you should join Freebie! The benefits are amazing for both you and me. Read more
If you go at 7pm, it looks like an AARP meeting. If you go at 12pm, it looks like a NAMBLA meeting.
strong drinks reasonably priced. if you need to get your night started, start here... my drink: midoori long island
Boystown LiveAugust 8, 2011Enjoy a drink at one of the many bars in one of the most talked about gay bars in the world.
Agreed- stay away from the jerk bartender (the aforementioned balding guy with glasses) named Rick. Otherwise wonderful place for showtunes!
Come on Thursday night at 10pm for Comedy Night! They show funny clips from Family Guy, MadTV, and other shows!
If its summer go for the slushies. Always a good choice.
If you're a light-skinned black man, these white men aren't checking for you... unless they're wasted.
LogoTVJune 22, 2010Sidetrack was nominated for the "Best Gay Bar in the World" by Logo's 2009 TripOut Gay Travel Awards! Check out the winners & other nominees at http://www.tripoutgaytravel.com/awards/
- If you like sweet drinks, get a slushie. I have a friend that always says "I got drunk on purple!"
Ask for a glass and an orange wedge with your Blue Moon.
Glee shown in Glass Bar every Tuesday at 7pm CST. Fun to watch with a crowd.
check out Night of 100 Drag Queens, Oct 19-20 2010 ...... Dragtastic good time! Attention straight guys .... girls LOVE drag shows ;-)- Happy to report the bitchy bartender with the glasses at the main bar has been fired! :)
Don't mess with the Showtunes Queens. This is their religion, cardio and lifestyle. They'll cut you!
Kettle One Krush: The perfect summer drink. It's not just for breakfast anymore!
987 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Sidetrack...The Video Bar has entertained standing room crowds for 33 years with a unique video mix of comedy, pop, retro & show tunes.
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 3:00 PM–2:00 AM
- Sat
- 1:00 PM–3:00 AM
- Sun
- 1:00 PM–2:00 AM
(773) 477-9189
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Music
Live Music
Parking
Street, Valet
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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Adam Betzold - 7.0
"This is a very progressive bar. Unisex bathrooms, affordable drinks, and fun atmosphere."
Forrest
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