About Northalsted
Our Neighborhood
Northalsted is a vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhood located on the north side of Chicago. Colloquially known as “Boystown” or “Boys Town” for much of its history, in 1997 then-Mayor Richard M. Daley officially designated the district as Chicago’s gay neighborhood, making it the first in America to receive such a designation. With its rich history and inclusive atmosphere, it spans fourteen lively city blocks of Halsted St. from Belmont Avenue to Grace Street and on Broadway from Grace Street to Irving Park Road.
The neighborhood is home to a bustling LGBTQ+ community, offering a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, self-expression, and pride. It regularly makes lists and rankings for the most popular, safest and liveliest gay-friendly neighborhoods in the world. The area is truly one of the most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods in the city.
With more than 120 businesses located within its boundaries, Northalsted offers an impressive range of queer-friendly restaurants, shops, health & beauty services, and bars. Its many daytime/evening businesses offer locals and visitors alike an array of options for eating, shopping and pampering, and its collection of bars and nightclubs make for a lively evening of drinks and dancing wherever you end up!
The neighborhood is famous for the annual Chicago Pride Parade commemorating the successes, struggles, and continued fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. It attracts a supportive crowd of people from all over the country and from all walks of life who come to see the celebration of diversity and tolerance.
In addition, the extended neighborhood boasts other impressive spaces such as lakefront parks, playgrounds, golfing, running/biking trails and sports fields along Lake Michigan just a few blocks east and historic Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs, just three blocks west.
Northalsted Business Alliance
Northalsted Business Alliance is the Chamber of Commerce working to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for the area through programming, business services, and events that celebrate our LGBTQ+ history, promote tourism and foster a welcoming, safe community for all. Since 1981, the Northalsted Business Alliance has worked collectively to enhance and beautify the district while supporting its LGBTQ+ community.
Through the chamber’s efforts, anyone visiting Northalsted for the first time (or the hundredth!) will immediately see LGBTQ+ pride on display — such as the 35 multi-colored “Boystown” bike racks that the Alliance commissioned and installed in 2020, the 13 first-of-their-kind rainbow crosswalks that it designed and paid for in 2019, its 22 signature rainbow pylons, and the many “Instagrammable” murals and sculptures it has added within the district.
Representing over 100 businesses, the Northalsted neighborhood became the nation’s first recognized LGBTQ enclave in 1997 and in 2019 the 22 rainbow pylons were honored by the city commission as a Chicago Landmark. Northalsted provides programs, services and events that increase investment, security, and opportunity throughout our community.
Northalsted Business Alliance is the sole service provider for SSA #18.
