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chi&beyond Great Rivers Land of Lincoln Trails of Adventure

Discover Broadway plays, scenic state parks, wonderful wine trails, fascinating museums, important historic sites and nightlife.

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About Face Theatre

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

For the past 15 years, this innovative theater has presented original plays that challenge audiences and seek to advance the national dialogue on gender and sexual identity.

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Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

A museum unlike any other enables visitors to experience the entire Lincoln story for themselves under one roof: in a modern television control room on Election Night 1860, the Blue Room of the White House, an Indiana log cabin and at Ford's Theatre.

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Aerie's Riverview Winery

City: Grafton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Enjoy regional and national wines while overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers on the open deck, screened porch, or indoors next to the stone fireplace. Wine, cheese, sausages and pizza are available.

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Andersonville & Edgewater: Chicago Neighborhood Tours

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Discover the gay-friendly shops and restaurants of Andersonville, then head to Edgewater to see Art Deco and Tudor Revival architecture in the Bryn Mawr Historic District. Tours depart from the Chicago Cultural Center.

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Argosy Casino-Alton

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Enjoy three levels of action on the first riverboat casino in Illinois, with more than 1,000 of the most popular machines, from penny to $25 slots. Try your luck at the tables with blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud poker, pai gow poker and craps.

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Berlin

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This inclusive dance bar features some of Chicago’s best DJs spinning everything from new wave to disco music, theme nights and live acts.

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Big Chicks

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This friendly bar in the Uptown neighborhood caters to a lesbian and gay clientele. Try Big Chicks’ next-door restaurant, Tweet, for a delish breakfast, lunch or brunch made with organic ingredients.

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Boystown Tour

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This 90-minute walking tour, led by improv veteran Margaret Hicks, strolls through Chicago's Boystown neighborhood, stopping at gay bars and other local businesses while offering a history lesson on the first officially designated gay neighborhood in the country.

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Broadway in Chicago

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Broadway In Chicago presents the hottest shows in Chicago's bustling Downtown Theater District. On the stages of the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, Bank of America Theatre, Auditorium Theatre and Broadway Playhouse, you will discover theater productions direct from Broadway, along with world premieres.

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Bubby and Sissy’s

City: Alton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Located just a few blocks from the riverfront Argosy Casino Alton, this bar hosts drag shows every weekend, karaoke on Thursdays, amateur drag queen and king shows the last Wednesday of the month, and dancing to DJ-driven music.

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Buddies on Adams

City: Peoria
Region: Great Rivers Country

Stop by this laid-back bar to play pool and darts, or just have a casual drink.

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Chester Street Dance Club

City: Champaign
Region: Land of Lincoln

Located in downtown Champaign, this huge dance club features DJs spinning everything from Top 40 remixes to electro-industrial dance. Cool down on the outdoor patio.

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Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

More than 150 singers make up this chorus that presents choral, cabaret and musical theater all rolled into one. The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performs at various venues and special events throughout the city.

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Circuit Night Club

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This favorite nightclub, located in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood, features a high-tech dance floor with DJs, Rehab cocktail cafe, Latin theme nights on Thursdays and Sundays, and Urban Hip Hop on Saturdays.

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Club Escapade

City: Belleville
Region: Great Rivers Country

In business since 1998, this Belleville gay bar features karaoke on Wednesdays, and dancing to live DJs on select Saturday nights.

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Club Krave

City: Blue Island
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This south suburban gay club features DJ-driven dancing, male dancers, karaoke and monthly drag shows.

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Club Traz

City: Carbondale
Region: Trails to Adventure

The only gay club in Carbondale features drag shows, Salsa Night on Thursdays and ‘80s dance music on Saturdays.

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Emerald City Lounge

City: Champaign
Region: Land of Lincoln

The Emerald City Lounge is a clean, contemporary Martini Bar welcoming diverse communities to the venue. A place where family and friends of all communities can feel welcomed and at home!

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Esteban’s

City: Naperville
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Known for its live salsa music and dancing, Esteban’s hosts Expression Nite on Thursdays, featuring drag performers. The dinner menu, served Wednesday through Saturday evenings, offers Latin American specialties.

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Forest View Lounge

City: Forest View
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This neighborhood lesbian bar, with a relaxing North Woods tavern vibe, is a great place to catch the latest game, play pool or enjoy the outdoor beer garden. The grill menu includes the popular Large Marge Volcano Burger, oozing with cheese.

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Harrah's Metropolis Casino

City: Metropolis
Region: Trails to Adventure

Located on the picturesque Ohio River, Harrah's offers 1,172 classic and new slots, along with 27 table games. Harrah's Riverfront Event Center presents live shows, including big-name entertainers and professional boxing matches. Harrah's often offers special stay-and-play packages at its 252-room hotel that's located adjacent to the casino.

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Hunters Nightclub

City: Elk Grove Village
Region: Chicago & Beyond

A gay hangout near O’Hare Airport since the early 1980s, Hunters features a dance floor with a Friday night Video Dance Party and Hunters Hunks male dancers on Thursdays.

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Irene’s Cabaret

City: Quincy
Region: Great Rivers Country

Open since 1976, Irene’s features dancing to live DJs, drag shows and live entertainment.

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Maneuvers

City: Joliet
Region: Chicago & Beyond

A Joliet staple for more than 30 years, this LGBT bar features dancing to live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Maneuvers Diva’s Den drag shows and live entertainment.

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Miss Kitty's Grape Escape

City: Galena
Region: Great Rivers Country

Located in the heart of downtown Galena, this is a great place to relax and unwind. Enjoy wine, specialty martinis and craft beers. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays, Bloody Mary bar Saturdays and Quiz Show Sundays. Gourmet apps until 1 a.m.

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North End

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This gay sports bar has been a neighborhood staple for more than 25 years, offering pool, darts, all the games on giant flat screens and a great beer selection.

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Piasa Winery

City: Grafton
Region: Great Rivers Country

Visitors can savor warm breezes or watch the sunset from the winery's expanded deck overlooking the Mississippi River. Piasa offers a variety of award-winning Illinois wines, in addition to beer, breads, gourmet cheeses, sausage and coffees.

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Roscoe’s Tavern & Cafe

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

A long-time Boystown favorite, Roscoe’s features live events (including live band karaoke on Monday nights and Sin Thursdays with burlesque performers), a huge dance floor and a sidewalk cafe that serves a full menu in the summer months.

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Scandals Nightclub

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

This gay and lesbian show bar features drag shows, comedians, and dancing Wednesday through Saturday nights.

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Scarlet

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This beautiful bar is decked out with stained glass windows, antique furniture and cozy banquettes. The Sunday Liquid Brunch (with $12 bottles of champagne) starts at a reasonable 2pm.

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Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

City: Carbondale
Region: Trails to Adventure

Make a cozy winery bed and breakfast your base as you explore this scenic trail through the Shawnee National Forest that’s home to 13 unique wineries, including one modeled after a beautiful Tuscan villa.

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Sidetrack Video Bar

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This multi-level gay bar spans eight storefronts and has room for 1,000 revelers. Be sure to check out the chic courtyard, along with U-Video Request Night on Tuesdays featuring all ’80s songs.

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SPIN Nightclub

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This huge club features two dance floors, four bars, several spacious lounges, drag queen hosts and music spun by live DJs. Regular live events include singers (complete with go-go boy dancers) and special theme nights.

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Springfield PrideFest

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

Held in downtown Springfield, this annual PrideFest features food, music, live entertainment, dancing and wine tasting.

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Starved Rock State Park

City: Utica
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Seasonal waterfalls, awe-inspiring bluffs and rugged canyons dominate the storied landscape at Starved Rock. Rich with history and beauty, Starved Rock’s hiking trails meander through towering trees and scenic overlooks along the Illinois River. Outdoor activities include hiking, canoeing, paddleboat cruises, cross-country skiing, trolley rides, fishing and picnicking. Visitors can stay at the historic Starved Rock Lodge or in one of its cozy cabins.

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Temptations

City: Franklin Park
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This lesbian bar features a huge dance floor with a stage, Sunday karaoke, live bands and Boys Night on Tuesdays with male dancers.

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The Bistro

City: Bloomington
Region: Land of Lincoln

One of the oldest gay clubs in Central Illinois, The Bistro features friendly bartenders, dancing, drag shows and DJs in downtown Bloomington.

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The Call

City: Chicago
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This dance bar. located in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, plays music that ranges from retro to pop and show tunes. Themed video nights include Britney Spears videos all evening long on the last Friday of the month.

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The Office Niteclub

City: Rockford
Region: Chicago & Beyond

Located in downtown Rockford’s historic River District, The Office offers dancing, drag shows, karaoke and an outdoor patio in warm-weather months.

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The Station House

City: Springfield
Region: Land of Lincoln

Part of the downtown Springfield nightlife scene for more than 15 years, this LGBT-friendly dance club features karaoke on Thursday nights.

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Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge

City: Oak Park
Region: Chicago & Beyond

This gay and lesbian Oak Park lounge features a dance floor, martini bar and a menu of small plates. Catch live DJs, drag shows and dancers on the weekends.

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Wabash Valley Wine Trail

City: Lawrenceville
Region: Land of Lincoln

The Wabash Valley Wine Trail is made up of five wineries located in the southeastern part of the state. Visitors to this area can enjoy the scenic Wabash River Valley, historic towns, and quaint bed and breakfasts.

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Join in a pride parade or catch one of the many gay-friendly events around the state that are uniquely Illinois.

Illinois is the sixth state to allow civil unions, providing same-sex couples with the same state-level rights as married couples. Passing the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act into law was an important priority for Governor Pat Quinn. Since June 1, 2011, civil union licenses have been available at any County Clerk’s office in Illinois.

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CONTACT US PRIVACY STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pat Quinn, Governor Adam Pollet, Acting Director Jennifer Hoelzle, Deputy Director Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
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