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Now almost five years later, we are married, but I do not take that right for granted. When I met my now husband in 2014, at Sidetrack no less, we did not have the right to get married nationwide. I wonder what the men who stood strong in 1969 would say today about the progress we have made? I wonder what they would say about the progress we still need to make? I think we all wonder where we will be in five years, 10 years, another 50 years. So although I no longer frequent Sidetrack, it is good to know that it’s there supporting and embracing all the gay men out there who need a place to be, a place to feel welcome, a place for an embrace.Īlthough little has changed inside of Sidetrack since I was last there, I can’t help but think about all the changes our society has seen in the last few years since I have been out and the last 50 years since the revolutionary Stonewall Riots in New York City. The space gave me a place where I felt I belonged. The cocktails gave me the courage to talk to men who I thought were cute. Being around gay men gave me an embrace that I needed. The acceptance of the community and the people got me to where I am today. Going out to Sidetrack is not something that I think to do or even want to do all that often, but for that young 26 year old it was everything I needed and wanted. The bar is still playing videos and serving cocktails. The reality is that not much has changed. Each time I walk through the doors of Sidetrack I get the same rush and feeling. I think I have written about this before but having recently been to Sidetrack and it being Pride month, it is one of those feelings that I remember and will never forget. The moment I walked into a bar with all or mostly all men I took a huge sigh of relief, “THIS is what it is supposed to feel like to walk into a bar,” is what ran through my mind. The next week was the first time I ever went to Boystown and it felt normal and exciting and everything I needed and had been longing for for so long. I’m married now and honestly, don’t go out much to Boystown, but there was a time in my life that Boystown gave me life! I came out when I was 26, in August of 2002. I recently went to Sidetrack, one of the most popular gay bars in Chicago, for the first time in a long time. If you're visiting Chicago and looking for the best place to relax and have a drink, this is it.I had been in many bars before the age of 26, but it was never like that one time, that one time that I walked into a gay bar, for the firsttime.
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However, there are many different rooms where one may imbibe, including a darker video room, a nice glass room, a roofdeck, and outdoor area on the ground floor as well. They do not serve food nor is there a dance floor. The staff is very friendly and welcoming - it's a nice touch to an already great bar and unusual for a gay bar in general. A nice beer selection rounds out the menu. They have great mixed drinks on tap, including $7 Cosmopolitans, and a variety of frozen drinks as well. On Sundays it is more of an older crowd but still fun, especially if you like musicals or retro videos. The clientele is very mixed on Saturdays - from young 20-soemthings to older gentlemen.
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It's a great place to have drinks, socialize, watch videos (themed differently depending on the evening), and make friends. I have been going to Sidetrack regularly since moving to Chicago in June and have always had an enjoyable time, either alone or with friends.