Sidetrack

Sidetrack

For over 35 years Sidetrack Video Bar is where Chicago comes to celebrate and serve Northalsted (AKA Boystown) a unique mix of music, comedy & show tune videos, and our world-famous Frozen Cocktails.

Sidetrack has expanded from a tiny one room pub established in 1982 to a sprawling multi-level complex with rooftop patio deck, cavernous main bar, giant video screens and more, with a capacity approaching 1,000 guests! Sidetrack specializes in thrice a week showtunes, singalongs and occasional preview performances by Broadway in Chicago cast members. There’s regular theme parties hosted by resident drag queen Dixie Lynn Cartwright and a cadre of other entertainers. Always an amazing time and no cover at Sidetrack.

Don’t forget to try a signature frozen cocktail or stop by with your dog the first Saturday afternoon of the month for Dog Day Saturday! Stop by and get Sidetrack’d!

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 3pm - 2am

Saturday 1pm - 3am

Sunday 1pm - 2am

Address

3349 N. Halsted St, Chicago IL

Phone #

(773) 477-9189

Website

http://www.sidetrackchicago.com/

Map

Reviews

Sidetrack

4.5

Based on 324 reviews

See all reviews Write a review

elliot velez

03:55 10 Dec 20

Great drinks. Amazing music. SHOW TUNES is a PLUS!!!!! The staff is super nice and friendly. The rooftop is super cool.If you are a visitor this is the place to go!!!!

David Davila

17:18 06 Nov 20

Love this bar. The staff is amazing and the entertainment is exceptional. We love it so much we were married on their deck. Highly recommended to visit whenever in Chicago!!

Ginka Jasovic

22:00 08 Oct 20

It is nice to go to a bar and not be hit on or harassed by the men everyone is always nice and polite I just wish I didn’t have to come pick Boris up here at such late hours of the night

Sebastian Raffo

05:21 05 Oct 20

Looks a great place, any event for Halloween ? Are you even open now?

Mobile Dev

04:25 25 Sep 20

Visited from Philly, had a great time

Greg Caporale

21:38 09 Aug 20

Good upstairs outside section for during COVID. The staff was friendly. I wish there was more seating in the shade. But I like that they use all disposable glasses now. No one wants to share glasses anymore. The Jennifer Lopez megamix was appreciated. Bathrooms were clean. Drinks were decently strong.

William Rosen

20:51 02 May 20

So much debauchery here. I've spent my formative years in the bars on Halsted. Sidetrack, from the start was the sponsored bar for the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus in the late 90s (maybe still is?) so we'd go there after Sunday rehearsals for...you guess it: debauchery. So it's been a source of the gays and their debauchery for many years or my life.

William Prieto

06:27 10 Mar 20

I visited this bar and spent a lot of money for more than 14 years, the bartenders are great, Nolbert is the best but all the other bartenders are excellent, great drinks and beautiful place. The only complain I have about this place is that when they hire some new staff they don't comply with the standard of the staff, on my last day before moving out of Chicago I was escorted out by this young skinny guy that was working as a security just because someone confused me with someone else. I tried to explain the guy it wasn't me and the behavior he was describing wasn't like me, but he wouldn't believe me, I even told him to go and ask my bartender who had seen me the whole night and could give a reference and he wouldn't believe me, I sadly had to leave the place without even saying bye to my bartender and my friends. The funny thing is I saw one of the other bartenders out on the street on my way home and I explained to him what happened and he said, that he had been my bartender in many occasions and he had never seen me being aggressive, and he said probably the guy working the door didn't know what he was doing. its' sad to leave a place that you have come almost every weekend and where almost everyone knows you there to be kicked out by someone who was an extra that night who didn't know you and made a bad judgement call just because he felt he was in power. People like this should not be hired at this places.

Shawn Rose

08:32 06 Mar 20

Best bar in Boystown! And Dave gives a great hummer 😂

Francis Z.

20:01 16 Feb 20

Great bar with good vibes. Drinks are affordable and the environment is nice.

O Moses

05:38 22 Oct 19

Went for the first time my past visit. Large venue, good music, strong drinks and nice upstairs open patio area. If in the area a definate go to spot.

Bryan Folstad

01:06 08 Oct 19

I’ve only been to Chicago a few times. This bar has an upbeat modern feel with music videos playing everywhere. It can get VERY crowded sometimes, especially on weekends or when Madonna plays on the screens :)The drinks are mixed well and are strong. However they don’t know how to make some of the classic drinks like a sidecar, Manhattan, Negroni or a French 75. This really isn’t the bar for that though.The upstairs patio can be a break down the crowds downstairs but it was closed early the last few times I was there.

Joel Cayton

23:25 11 Aug 19

Great space with pleanty of room to socialize with friends. Multiple bars and has a spacious rooftop bar which is usually packed during the warmer months. They have great drinks, tons of frozen drink options and it's fairly priced. One of the best spots to watch drag race with Dixie Lynn and Dida Ritz hosting when in season. It's a great place that's clean and packed most nights.

Nathan Bambenek

14:22 28 Jul 19

Sidetrack is just awesome. It’s a perfect go-to place when you/you and your friends aren’t sure where to go for a drink in a chill environment. Prices are as expected for drinks, lines get long on weekends but the staff work diligently and quickly and are very friendly. Cute men come here, so that’s especially nice. They have plenty of themed days (Dog Day is one of my favorites) and drag performers. Love this place.

Jason Shakula

03:03 26 Jul 19

Cool bar, I stopped in after work on a Thursday. Great atmosphere and nicely separated bars if you want to dance or just chill and relax. I will be back.

Steve S

17:11 21 Jul 19

By far the best club experience of our lives! The bar has some fantastic staff and drinks that could end your night fast and for cheap. There are so many spaces to explore that you are always moving. We loved all the videos to sing and dance to. Not much of a dance floor but the main bar does turn into the place to dance.

Rheyce Williams

02:01 06 Jul 19

Love the look of this place, a great place if you don’t want to waist an outfit! Great drinks, and different vibes in every room, and on every level. A great gay bar for people of all ages.

Dane Peplinski

14:58 04 Jul 19

Not much of a dance place but it’s a cool place to be. I love the design of the bar a lot.

Cesar Valdez

23:18 23 Jun 19

Meet the love of my life here. He is the best I’ve ever had.

A Melendez

19:46 22 Jun 19

I have to say I love coming here. Brian R. Is a bartender here. It was my first time seeing him here because I don't come often. I have to say he is the best bartender. I asked for a Tito's Vodka and Cranberry and that's exactly what I got. No skimping, no watered down drinks. My brother always told me that Sidetrack has the best drinks..... They sure do. Atmosphere is friendly and bar is clean. Love this place.Thanks Brian R!

Kevin Jaskela

19:40 31 May 19

Hands down the largest gay club I've seen in the mid-west if not the entire country. Sidetrack has multiple rooms with different floors each pumping out a different but none-the-less cruisey vibe. The people are usually friendly and the drinks are cheap! Then again, living in San Francisco everything else seems appropriately priced. The drinks are heavy, the boys are hot, and the club is bumpin'.

Daniel Shade

18:44 28 May 19

A great place to start your night or spend an afternoon. Lots of interesting events and community fundraisers. Barstaff is always friendly and enthusiastic and it is a hub of Chicago's gay social scene!

Gavin Williams

23:43 16 May 19

This place is packed. Definitely the best gay bar in Chicago. Great upstairs terrace too!

Lorenis Rosario

14:21 13 May 19

Always fun to hang out at the roof top. Their slushie drinks are always good

Chelsie Cain

05:37 07 May 19

Another great night at Sidetrack, it was bumping. The music is always great here, lines move fast and drinks are cheap. Cash only spot and super congested inside at times but it's almost like a bar/club lol. It's a mixed crowd, club is underground so it get humid in there. Of course the furniture and everything in there is old, it's been around for years.

Ana Silva

15:58 30 Mar 19

Visited for the first time and it was extremely crowded but the music was great and great vibe.

Brett Shuffler

14:42 18 Mar 19

I went there for saint patty’s yesterday. It was lit for sure. I had the frozae, which I highly recommend.

Tim Stride

18:34 09 Mar 19

The most fun in boys town, there's something for everyone!

Sean B.

22:11 04 Mar 19

Fun place! Actually serves bud light, unlike the other neighboring bars!

Stephanie Lawson

10:22 01 Mar 19

I was here over Thanksgiving weekend. It was pretty empty, but I didn't mind because that meant my friends and I could snag one of the booths. My glass of wine was pretty large and pretty good (I got the Cabernet)

Jennifer Y

17:08 26 Feb 19

Had a great first experience here! Bartenders were great and quick to serve you! Very spacious and you're able to venture off and check out another room if you're like me!

Richard

01:17 06 Jan 19

One of the nation's greatest gay bars. Best in the summer, when it draws a big crowd from all over the Midwest.

James Wilkinson

13:44 05 Dec 18

Best Gary bar I've every been too. So much fun with the sing along nights

paddy pilkington

20:23 24 Sep 18

Great bay bar in boystown. It is huge with lots of different areas and nicely designed interiors. Good music and reasonably priced drinks. There is no cover which is nice and a coat check.

Taylor Flores

04:40 27 Aug 18

Love this bar!! My favorite in Chicago. Never a cover and staff is always friendly and nice. Drinks are amazing and strong. Love the multi levels and socializing. Great decor. Great place to visit!

Marco Gymnopoulos

20:25 25 Aug 18

3 level gay bar in the heart of boys town Chicago. Very friendly crowd and attentive bartenders. The frozen drinks are fantastic.

Kendall Box

14:59 15 Aug 18

Just go. Solid drinks with heavy pours for a decent price. Almost always like the music. The crowds are fun and lack hoards of creepy straight men.

Mary Zinfon

03:00 12 Aug 18

We came here during Market Days and loved it. Not only were we served immediately, but the bartenders gave us the best service we’ve ever had at a bar and were so fun to talk to. The rooftop is great too. Recommend to anyone in boystown!

Pedro Dominguez

20:41 05 Aug 18

Great bar, drinks aren’t too overpriced and the staff is friendly. If you get there past 11pm you will likely encounter lines to get in. The inside is spacious and fun. Worth visiting.

Jazib N.

04:18 01 Aug 18

The events here are surprisingly fun to be a part of. Beyoncé Wednesday’s and Britney (whatever day) are fun. There’s always a good vibe and energy flowing. Look around, explore the many bars in this complex.

Gary Ryckewaert

23:27 31 Jul 18

First of all, the place is HUGE! The staff is always friendly, professional and courteous. The drinks are made by great bartenders and the slushies are yummy and potent, be careful. The music varies by night, weekend nights are all the latest dance hits but other nights it is best to check and see what they are playing. I say that because I am not a showtunes fan and they do showtunes often since I seem to be one of the few who does not enjoy it. This place does extremely high volume yet nobody ever seems stressed in their job. A very fun, professional place with nice patrons.

Fredy Rincón

03:13 16 Jul 18

Great LGBT bar in Chicago, moderately priced, the place to go if you like videos of your divas, good eye candy, great space, music and ambiance!

Jose Baggett

16:30 10 Jul 18

Super fun Super fast serviceAmazing fun bar staffGREAT MUSIC and the place is gigantic. Deff the best bar in Boystown

Christopher Richardson

08:14 24 Jun 18

Love it here. Favorite spot for drinks with friends at the moment. Those frozen drinks are delicious. Musical Mondays has been a blast both times I've gone. The monthly story telling event here is amazing. I wish I was able to attend every month. Heartfelt stories and some laugh out loud ones. Always a great set of storytellers. I love it .

Rolf Kroh

04:38 15 Jun 18

Great stuff. Every day party. It’s a great place for fun

Andrew DeVaughn

06:16 12 Jun 18

Sidetrack is a Boystown staple. It's well decorated, the staff handles the volume well, and there's always something interesting to see.

DaliusD

06:04 05 Jun 18

Great staff, nice atmosphere. If you like show tunes, Sundays & Mondays is the place to be.

Timothy Rissel

15:32 21 May 18

Very cool bar. Great space and good cocktails. The rooftop is fantastic when the weather is nice.

Matthew Martinez

07:49 07 Apr 18

Fun place. No cover and drinks were good price. Lots of good looking guys talking to one another.

Kelly Harrold

16:52 28 Mar 18

Sunday Fun Day!! Love me some sidetrack. All my gay friends live here on Sunday's!

Lexi Lipper

20:27 22 Mar 18

Great place, loved everybody, great environment, very friendly. I will be choosing this bar again for future.

Chris Haen

20:33 23 Jan 18

One of the best gay bars in the United States. Best known for show tunes and music videos, Sidetrack has a large, welcoming space that is always clean with a friendly staff.

Patrick Dixon

19:31 16 Dec 17

It is a giant barn full of booze and screens. Everyone loves Monday nights.This is the sort of thing you'll like if you like this sort of thing.

Stephan Roberts

17:48 12 Nov 17

Never had a bad time here at all. Good music, very spacious and great drink prices (at least for spirits. I don't think I've ever seen anyone drink beer there). Would even recommend as a one-stop spot for the night, as far as 2am clubs (3am Sat) go