31 Pride Month Parties In Chicago: Gay Prom, Back Lot Bash, Rooftop Parties, Speed Dating And More
Happy Pride Month #HappyPrideMonth
CHICAGO — A sunset cruise, a roller skating party, disco dances, a music fest and more are all on deck for Pride Month.
Here’s a roundup of 31 Pride celebrations happening this month:
Credit: Provided/Jordan GravesInterior of Dorothy, a new bar in Ukrainian Village
6-10 p.m. June 1
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
With cocktails, a free photo booth, DJs and more, Gay Prom is the “queer beautiful dance party that you didn’t get to have in high school.” You can dance the night away to beats by DJ TORi, a Chicago-based Black, non-binary, interdisciplinary artist and co-founder of smallWORLD Collective. Entry is free and on a first-come, first-admitted basis. Attendees are encouraged to show up early before the venue hits capacity. Dorothy is a 21-and-older bar; you must have a physical ID to enter.
7-10:30 p.m. June 1
Summer of George, Chicago Lakefront Cruises, 800 S. Wells St.
Enjoy a view of the skyline while cruising down the river for a Pride Month kickoff cruise. DJs Mia Molsby, Cedeño and Megan Le Vine will be on board. Boarding begins 7 p.m., and the boat takes off 7:30 p.m. Get your ticket for $25-$45 online.
7 p.m. June 1-2 a.m. June 2
Metro/smartbar, 3730 N. Clark St.
Kick off Pride Month with drag and DJs at Reader’s Best of Chicago Celebration. Catch Lucy Stoole, Irregular Girl, Rae Chardonnay, Blesstonio and VITIGRRL. General admission tickets are $30, after-party tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $125. Buy them here.
Credit: ProvidedLighthouse Foundation hosts an annual Pride Skate Party centering Black LGBTQ Chicagoans. There will be roller skating, bowling and refreshements.
10:30 p.m. June 10-1 a.m. June 11
Martin Luther King Jr. Roller Skating and Bowling Center, 1219 W. 76th St.
Grab your skates and celebrate Pride Month at this annual party hosted by Lighthouse Foundation, a Black- and queer-led social justice nonprofit. Enjoy a night of free roller skating, bowling and refreshments. RSVP online.
8 p.m. June 1
Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N. Clark St.
Lesbian-owned, LGBTQ+-friendly sports bar Whiskey Girl hosts monthly “Laugh Dance” nights. Stop by for an hour of stand-up comedy followed by a dance party, plus whiskey, cocktails, beer and food. The bar and restaurant open 5 p.m. and show doors open 7 p.m. Get your free ticket online.
10 p.m. June 2-4 a.m. June 3
Berlin Nightclub, 954 W. Belmont Ave.
STRAPPED is a night of sapphic joy and celebration, featuring Chicago drag performers and DJs. This is a 21-and-older event. General admission tickets are $10 and will be available online June 2.
6-11 p.m. June 5
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Celebrate the first Monday of Pride Month by getting down to a custom playlist of music by LGBTQ+ artists, spanning decades and genres. Admission is free. RSVP online.
7-11 p.m. June 10
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St.
Put on your prom attire and join LGBTQ+ kickball team Some Tops Required for its inaugural Queer Prom. There will be music, dancing, performers, drag, a cash bar, silent auction and more at this 21-and-older event. All proceeds go to the Center on Halsted’s Youth & Family Services.
9 p.m. June 10-1 a.m. June 11
InterContinental Hotel Mag Mile, 505 N. Michigan Ave.
Sip on cocktails and take a swim in the InterContinential Hotel’s 1920s Spanish Majolica-decorated pool. Enjoy beats by DJ Martin and performances by Naysha Lopez from “RuPaul’s Drag Race: All-Stars” and Serena Fiierce. This is a 21-and-older event. Tickets are $60 online.
10 p.m. June 11-2 a.m. June 12
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Celebrate gay pride at this rooftop patio party featuring DJ Jukie Tha Kidd. There will be tacos. Tickets are $5 online, or $100-$125 for bottle service.
10 p.m. June 16
D.S. Tequila Company, 3352 N. Halsted St.
Celebrate Chicago Pride “with a sugar rush like never before.” Groove to disco house beats by L.A.-based DJ Charlie B and catch performers Utica Queen, Kinley Preston, Boy J and more. Cover starts at 10 p.m. Make a reservation online.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 17
The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.
This family-friendly Pride celebration — which is being co-sponsored by Block Club — features a Slo ‘Mo dance party with R&B, house and disco sounds, drag makeovers and performances, house music dance lessons, a sing-along, skateboarding and more. There will be a food and maker market, plus adult beverages for purchase. Admission is free. RSVP online.
11 a.m. June 17-11 p.m. June 18
Kit Kat Lounge, 3700 N. Halsted St.
Enjoy Pride Fest in the comfort of Kit Kat Lounge’s VIP dance floor. You’ll be able to avoid the crowds and long lines while dancing the weekend away on a patio, rain or shine. There will be access to a full bar and views of the fest’s Waveland DJ stage. You’ll also get a wristband for in-and-out privileges. This is a 21-and-older event. Get a one-day pass for $25 or a weekend pass for $40 online.
4-10 p.m. June 17
The Dandy Crown, 694 N. Milwaukee Ave.
This annual pre-Pride Parade party features indoor and outdoor patios, a full bar, food menu and live DJs spinning tunes all night long. General admission tickets are $10 online.
9 p.m. June 17-3 a.m. June 18
Cell Block Chicago, 3702 N. Halsted St.
Break out your gear for this LGBTQ+ leather party and dance the night away to Chicago house music by DJs Saint Maison and Glanson. Tickets cost $20-$35. Get yours here.
3-10 p.m. June 18
Hydrate Nightclub, 3458 N. Halsted St.
Sweet Spot, a music brand by DJ Deanne, is coming back to Chicago for Pride Fest with special guest DJ Spencer Huff. Dance the night away to upbeat disco- and house-inspired tunes at this party focused on “good vibes, great music and providing a space where EVERYONE is welcome.” Tickets are $15 online. They will be $20 after June 17.
4-7 p.m. June 18
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
The Chicago Foundation for Women is hosting the free Pride Tea Dance party with DJ Rexi. Tea Dances started in the 1950s as afternoon gatherings for LGBTQ+ people to meet one another during tea time. Dance the night away, celebrate Pride, learn about the foundation and enjoy light appetizers 5-6 p.m. Dorothy is a 21-and-older venue. Guests must have a valid ID to enter. RSVP for free online.
4-11 p.m. June 18
Fantasy Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted St.
Taste the candy rainbow — and maybe dress up in it — at this Candyland-themed tea dance party. Groove with go-go dancers to circuit, house, tech and tribal beats by DJs Edwood and Kardona. Tickets are $15 online.
9:30 p.m. June 18-2:20 a.m. June 19
The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Keep the party going post-Pride Fest with this LGBTQ+-focused dance party at Logan Square bar The Whistler. The discotheque party “recalls the gay speakeasies of yesteryear” with classic and contemporary house music, synth pop and disco records. Dance the night away to Club Drippy tunes while the drinks flow all night long. The Whistler is a 21-and-older venue. There is no cover charge.
8 p.m. June 23
Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N. Clark St.
This Pride party features an all-inclusive speed dating experience, a happy hour, drink specials and beats by DJ ZEL. Tickets are $12 for speed dating and $25 for the full party. Buy them online.
9 p.m. June 23-1 a.m. June 24
BASSLINE, 2239 S. Michigan Ave.
Put on noise-canceling headphones and celebrate Pride at this silent party, where you’ll be able to switch between two DJs to control your party experience, whether you’re in the mood for hip hop or Beyoncé. Tickets are $35 online.
9 p.m. June 23-2 a.m. June 24
D.S. Tequila Company, 3352 N. Halsted St.
Very Pride! with DJs Derrick Carter and Joey With The Mustache is very queer, very house and all about Pride. This is a 21-and-older event. Guests must have a valid ID for entry. Tickets are $35 online.
Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club ChicagoKaley, 31, and Sky, 36 hang out at Back Lot Bash on Sunday, June 26, 2022. Back Lot Bash started in 2004 in response to the lack of women’s events in the Chicago LGBTQ+ community. This project is a visual ode to Chicago’s queer spaces. The special places across town that are LGBTQ+ identified, where various members of the queer community can perhaps find a home, support and unpologetically be themselves.
Noon-11 p.m. June 24
5238 N. Clark St.
Now a Pride staple, Back Lot Bash began in 2004 as a response to the lack of women’s events and the limited presence of female artists in the city’s LGBTQ+ community. This four-day outdoor festival in Andersonville draws thousands of attendees and features local and emerging musicians and performers. A portion of the event’s proceeds go to charitable organizations focused on women’s and LGBTQ+ issues, such as A Sister’s Hope, Girls in the Game and UCAN. Tickets are $20 online.
4-9 p.m. June 24
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
smallWORLD is celebrating Pride and six years of space-making for the queer community. ENERGY is a monthly event meant to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, center queer joy and “leave it all on the dance floor.” At this month’s celebration, party with DJs like Ca$h Era and TORi, plus performers Mocha Mocha 2.0 and Uncty Vic. Tickets are $15 for individuals, $150 for a table section and $250 for a couch section. Buy them online.
6-8 p.m. June 24
The Wagner & Zeng Residence, 1312 N. Leavitt St.
Chicago Fringe Opera is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to the performing arts with a Pride party. There will be specialty cocktails, light appetizers, an intimate musical program and more. All proceeds will support the Chicago Fringe Opera and establish a scholarship for queer, non-binary and trans students at The Voice Lab. Tickets are $15 for people in the arts or nonprofit industries and $30 for general admission. Buy them online.
10 a.m.-noon June 25
D.S. Tequila Company, 3352 N. Halsted St.
Watch, cheer and celebrate Pride in the heart of Northalsted from a festive outdoor patio, where DJs will spin jams all day. You’ll have a curbside view of the Pride Parade at this 21-and-older dance party, which includes a Tex-Mex brunch buffet, mimosas, beer and other drinks, live video coverage of the parade on TV screens and more. Tickets are $111 and available online.
2 p.m. June 25
Deuce’s, 3505 N. Clark St.
Keep the celebration going after the Pride Parade by heading to Deuce’s for an after-party. Guests will receive two complimentary vodka cocktails and express entry before 4 p.m. Get your ticket for $10-$20 online.
10 p.m. June 25-2 a.m. June 26
The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave.
Celebrate Pride Month on The Promontory rooftop once again. There will be DJs, food, drinks and more. Tickets are $10-$20 online or $25 at the door.
6-11 p.m. June 26
Dorothy, 2500 W. Chicago Ave.
Celebrate Pride Month at Dorothy’s Music Mondays event by getting down to a custom playlist of music by LGBTQ+ artists, spanning decades and genres. Admission is free. RSVP online.
Credit: Facebook/Pride South SidePeople applaud during a previous year’s Pride South Side celebration.
Noon July 1-7 p.m. July 2
The DuSable Black History Museum, 740 E. 56th Place
Pride South Side started in 2017 as a small picnic for Black queer people and other LGBTQ+ people of color to celebrate Pride. Now, it’s a full-scale festival with musical performances, dances, parties, tents from local organizations and more. General admission tickets are free. Get yours here.
10 p.m. July 1-2 a.m. July 2
Visions Event Center, 11901 S. Loomis St.
This party keeps the Pride celebrations going into July. There will be a full kitchen, hookah, vendors, a mini ball, best-dressed prizes and more.
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