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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