Pride Month | LGBTQ-Owned Businesses in Chicago
Pride Month has arrived in Chicagoland, and we believe that sharing your love and support for the LGBTQ+ community in the month of June starts locally. Many of Chicago’s favorite bars and restaurants, retail stores, and other small businesses are owned and operated by members of the LGBTQ+ community or its allies, so now is the perfect chance to frequent one of these spots and show your support for Pride!
Bars & Restaurants
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
Described by its owner as “Old Hollywood meets South Beach”, the Kit Kat Lounge melds contemporary cuisine and signature cocktails and martinis with table-side performances by a cast of talented divas.
Radical Joy Bakery
Radical Joy Bakery is a pastry studio specializing in painted botanical cakes and pastries. The bakery was founded by V, a bold and expressionistic pastry artist and second-generation Vietnamese American femme.
Nobody’s Darling
Nobody’s Darling is a Black woman-owned, queer cocktail bar in Andersonville that offers a classy, Nina Simone-styled atmosphere and delicious cocktail offerings on demand.
The Dearborn Tavern
Founded by sisters Amy Lawless and Clodagh Lawless, the Dearborn unites the owners’ passion for heartfelt service, a welcoming ambiance and classically rooted food. The menu includes traditional American tavern fare made with seasonal ingredients.
Drew’s on Halstead
This Lakeview neighborhood favorite restaurant has served American classics with an extensive cocktail bar and a cozy and elegant vibe since it opened in 1996.
Big Chicks
Big Chicks is a family-friendly meeting place for gay men and women and has been an integral part of Uptown’s LGBTQ+ community for decades, having sponsored LGBTQ+ sports teams, hosted fundraisers for AIDS and HIV organizations, and hosted artistic performances by the local artists of Chicago.
Meetinghouse Tavern
This Andersonville LGBTQ gathering place has pool, darts, skee-ball, board games and more. The bar also hosts drag shows and other events.
Retail
Petty Butter
Petty Butter’s handcrafted skincare products are all-natural and made with the goal of uplifting Black people, especially those in the LGBTQ community.
Barks N’ Rec
This LGBTQ-owned pet store is focused on pet education, healthy food options and various treats and toys.
Women and Children First
Women and Children First has been a dynamic force on Chicago’s literary scene for over 40 years, offering a wide selection of women and feminist authors and works. Part of the book store is also a community space that hosts regular events, from comedy to music and dance, all while exploring the subjects of intersectional feminism and queerness.
Here Here Market
This woman-, Indian- and queer-owned e-commerce startup highlights food and beverage products from Chicago chefs.
SPACE 519
Opened 10 years ago, SPACE 519 is a boutique offering women’s ready-to-wear, home decor and furnishing, all-natural beauty products and accessories.
CRAM Fashion
This Lakeview boutique sells seasonal shirts, shorts, swimwear and more menswear items.
Rebirth Garmets
This local fashion company is dedicated to creating gender non-conforming clothing and accessories for people of all genders, sizes and abilities.
Entertainment & Culture
The Chopping Block
The Chopping Block is a queer-owned recreational cooking school that combines entertainment with education.
PrideArts
PR!DEArts is the premiere not-for-profit organization that exhibits, promotes, and champions LGBTQ artists through all media and art forms.
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
Located in the Howard Brown Health Clark building, the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is the largest circulating library of gay and lesbian titles in the Midwest. The library and archives also recently launched a queer history podcast that pulls from its collection.
Windy City Times
The Windy City Times has been the go-to source for LGBTQ news for 31 years. The publication is on stands biweekly and online.
Professional Services
Brush Park Gym
Brush Park Gym, a family-friendly gym, was founded by a Lincoln Square mom who needed a space to workout with good child care. The business has held multiple events for the queer community since it opened.
Barbara&Barbara Salon
This hair salon fosters a safe, inclusive environment where people can get their hair done in a welcoming atmosphere.
Christy Weber Landscapes
For more than 30 years, Christy Webber Landscapes has offered award-winning landscaping services, including at prominent locations such as Soldier Field, Millennium Park and Navy Pier. 2900 W. Ferdinand St.
Chicago Male Salon
This salon offers a full range of hair styling, facial skincare treatments and body removal services for all genders.
Han Training
This Asian- and transgender-owned gym fosters an inclusive space where people of all backgrounds, body types and genders can train to get stronger.