Stop two with David S. and company was Scarlet. I believe Scarlet came out of the Gentry on Halsted, when it went out of business. This is the smallest of the Chicago gay bars I've been to and it's still pretty big, a great space, I thought. They have this cool stained glass art work, scarlet lighting and decor (shocker?!) but it all looks very sexy and chic. The drinks were really good, and some of their trademark cocktails had quite the spate of interesting names I have to say, sadly, I'd had one to many drinks to remember what they were. I do remember laughing about them with Andy F. and David though. The crowd was pretty cool, diverse and I definitely got checked out by a hoot of cuties and another spate of not-so-cuties. Always fun and very flattering! :-) I really enjoyed the music here, mainstream pop/rock, and a dance, good times all around! read more

Scarlet - a stained glass window in a bar - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Strong drinks, great music, and being surrounded by mancandy. What more can a girl ask for?? I'd call Scarlet a more sophisticated chic bar. The crowd was slightly older than Roscoe's and everybody seemed to be having a great time. It wasn't too full when we came by (I think it was 11pm?), but it filled up quickly after that. I stuck to my good girl drinks, but will definitely come back to try their other cocktails. This is the type of place to throw back a few martinis. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, but sultry at the same time. The bathroom has this great hook lock that makes it seem dungeon-ey. But it was at the top of the door, which makes it impossible for a shortay like me to lock the door. I will definitely be back to play. read more

Great atmosphere, staff, and music! Always a great place to visit when you really want to party. Lots of themed nights for several different crowds of people throughout the month. Entertaining and exciting drag shows! read more

My least favorite bar in this area! It's always way over capacity and too crowded to have fun. If you want to be squashed like a sardine and have flailing drunks bump your drink all over or out of your hand while dancing to crappy dance mixes, this is the place for you! read more

This is my second time being extremely disappointed by this establishment. First time, I dropped my phone and they could careless to help me find it. The staff was extremely rude and didn't want to help me, they just wanted to dance. The second time, I went there for my bachelorette party. It is unbelievably crowded which should be expected for this kind of bar. OH and THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR WATER!!!! It was clear I had been drinking and when I said I needed water, they refused to give me tap water. I am still not sure if that's illegal. Many states out there have laws where it's illegal to refuse water at a bar. Either way, this place DOES NOT care about your wellbeing. I will not be going back and I will make sure I stress how horrible the service is to everyone I know in the service industry. Do not go there unless you want to pay for VOSS water at a crazy price. read more

I was out the other night with a bunch of yelpers when we decided to leave our Roscoe's meeting place and venture forth in to the vast area of Boystown. Our virtual tour guide Andy F steered us toward Scarlet. This lovely little bar had a DJ dropping some hot beats, our door man told us there was complimentary coat check, the crowd was lively, the setting was chill and dimly lit with, scarlet lighting (what else would you expect?), and the friendly bartenders were imbibing people. I didn't stay that long here, mainly because it had been a really long day and my eyes were already starting to droop. However I did stay long enough to have a drink with this friendly crowd and to come away saying, "Not a shabby find.. I'll probably be back." read more

My roommate and I (both straight women) have never been treated so well in our entire lives. Scarlet was amazing from the moment we stepped in until the moment we left at closing. Literally every song that came on would prompt us to scream "That's my song!!!" The bartenders were so friendly and got us strong, delicious drinks immediately. The atmosphere was out of this world. It was crowded but that's exactly how I love my clubs, and we didn't have any problems with the crowd. Absolutely zero cons, Scarlet is 100% pros and we will definitely be coming back for more. read more

Hands down my favorite bar on the Halsted Strip. The prices are very comparable to everywhere else and the staff is amazing! I am a lesbian and many times at gay bars lesbians feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Well this is not the case at all at Scarlet. I love going there and I always feel welcome. This has actually become one of the new hangouts on the strip for lesbians. In seems as though in the last few months every lesbian bday party or celebration I've gone to has been here. Also, Sunday Funday is the BEST at Scarlet. Start drinking at 2pm with $12 bottles of champagne and you will be home and in bed by 8pm and ready for your workday monday at 8am after 12 full hours of sleep! :-) read more

The best part about this bar are their bathrooms. I love a single stall bathroom, and this one always seems to be clean. The decor is pretty, but the clientele are a bit obnoxious. The music always seems pleasing, but I never stay around long enough to see if that's consistent. The prices are pretty high for Boystown, and it really isn't worth dealing with the crowd. read more

Ok, let's get something straight. Scarlet's is not the most 'gay' bar in boystown. And it doesn't need to. They create their own image that doesn't need to fit stereotypes. The look of the bar has a great 'scarlet' theme. The staff are very quick and friendly to get a drink and are great multi-taskers. When I try to take some str8 peeps I know who are 'scared' of the whole boystown look, I take them here. They feel very relaxed and is a great way to show off boystown. The drinks are always fantastic and the music is pumping. It's not supposed to be a dancing bar but it can if you want it to be. But it's a very relaxed way to meet people at least to start off your evening. They're always setting up new events and have great people working there and the company complements it. Again, it's not the most 'gay' bar but it's somewhere I would recommend to stop by first. One more thing: Never a cover so there's no confusion where to go even late at night for 'free.' Only complaint is that I wish it were open longer. read more

used to be great - now a fine example of how to suck. Doorman = jerk. PSA for him and all other (jerky) doormen. You have an ultra simple job. A moderately trained ape could perform the same function... Smile and act like youre not a frustrated twink losing his looks. Bartender = nice enough. A little slow and seemed distracted when my party was there. But he did seem like he was trying so Im not gonna fault him too much. Some people are just slow... Bathroom situation = are you kidding me? The pocket door thing just randomly plopped in the middle of the room is so weird. Music = Hard to say... Some of the mixes/songs were good and some were just so different that it was hard to get a feel of what kind of vibe they were going for. Sound system seems quality though; just needs better selections being played. Crowd = met a few nice guys here last visit. But, If im honest I just wanted to kidnap them all and take them down to Minibar with us. I think they know the owner or some employees and just patronize the place out of some misplaced loyalty... I dunno. Atmosphere = other than the aforementioned cluster#$ck situation by the bathrooms the place does look OK inside; although it was VERY dark in there... Verdict = Dont see any reason to ever go back. The drinks are cheap enough where if you dont feel like trekking down to bucks or little jims, this dive will do, I guess. Overall you could probably randomly throw a stone and hit a better gay bar on halsted. read more

Great club, always crowded (so avoid if you don't like crowded dance floors) and full of amazing staff. Bartenders and bar backs are always nice and make incredible drinks for a fair price. What really makes this bar special is their Events. Almost everyday you can find a different event happening there and almost all include a FANTASTIC drag show. Sunday nights are the "Takeover" where they only play one artist or genre of music and have a killer drag show to go with it. Love this place. read more

straight guy in a gay bar, but I had fun. good music, good drinks and fun straight girls! staff and bouncers are actually really cool people. I like this place read more

Weakest drinks in town. The barstaff are too preoccupied with each other's bare, adolescent chests to tend to customers. This bar is a pass-through on the Boystown crawl. read more

Reading yelps is always fun, especially when you throw the gay element into it. I don't know who is more funny db, the old strip joint loving guy who went to frat night at Scarlet and was upset that there were drunk young people playing games or gayb, the obvious disgruntled ex-employee. The visual of someone hanging virtually upside down to feel the water's temp did make me laugh though. Scarlet's a fun bar with good specials and friendly bartenders. Thursday and Sunday afternoons seem to be a don't miss for the non- Sidetracks crowd. Weekends get busy a little later, so we always stop by for a pre-drink or two and end up back there. As most people know Scarlet was closed for most of 2009 recovering from fire damage. The street definitely missed going there as an option. read more

Had so much fun at this place! Went here for a friend birthday. I like how they gave us lighters and glow sticks! Fuck yeah! And 5 dollars pitchers!? I'll be here again! read more

I literally have called this place 16 times between last night and today and no one answers. They don't even have a voicemail box it just reaches the end and states "goodbye". Super unprofessional of them and inconvenient for their customers. There is NO way to contact this bar at all other than to e-mail them about being hired. Ridiculous. read more

Love this place. The nicest and hottest twinky bartenders/bottle servers. Great door guys. Strong drinks and not expensive. And a free bottle now and then. Perfect. read more

The nightlife is great and the bartenders are very considerate and apt to take your order when a big crowd comes through so that is definitely a plus. However the bouncer chick with her glasses and tattoos don't make the entrance welcoming. She discriminated me because I wasn't the ideal quota for their nightclub and that I can't excuse. I understand you have rules to rely on but you should never have a bouncer that undermines you're motto of what equality's suppose is to be. Honestly, I was more disappointed of the bouncer than the nightclub. My thoughts is to be open and acceptable to various sexualities and personalities. If you don't have a staff that understands those values then you can't become an asset and model to your community. Not disappointed with Scarlett but it's female bouncer! read more

I've been here a few times now, and I'll probably end up here many more times in the future. While I'll admit it can be fun - but you better be really drunk to enjoy it. It is soooo crowded on the weekends that you can barely move. I like a poppin' club and all, but there's a point where it goes from being fun to feeling like you're as squeezed-in as canned tuna. read more

I LOVE scarlet and have been a loyal customer for YEARS- However LAST NIGHT I was escorted out of the bar (by a guard that refused to listen to the manager (that I was direct messaging online) or myself to as to why he; the bar back and guard; were kicking me out which is VERY UNPROFESSIONAL and I felt I was being discriminated) due to the fact months ago I use to lightly date a bar back and he didn't take it the right way. I was mature about my feelings and he's continued to take the low road and be malicious in a public setting (scarlet bar). I was not drunk, barely drinking and had a tab. the Bar back who's name is Brandon Tesch deliberately walked into the bathroom as I was waiting for friends to finish and says and points in a loud rude way " YOU HAVE TO LEAVE NOW" I took it with a grain a salt because he does not own the building but he continued to harass me and finally had me escorted out for NO REASOn except his personal vendetta against me. I'm asking for the owners name or whomever I can talk to about this establishments - employees repor and how they conduct themselves with great loyal customers. read more

Ok, I'm not one to leave bad reviews unless is it well deserved... Being too negative just isn't a good shade. Hiring bartenders based on their ability to fill out a sleeveless shirt really gets in the way of my ability to tie on a good buzz... especially when I'm spending 60 bucks at your establishment. news flash bartender... just because I'm gay doesn't mean all you need to know how to make is a vodka cranberry. Either train your staff, or don't charge me 10 bucks for something that was premixed before I even got there.. Word of advise party people, either rip shots before you go here, or order beers, at least you'll know you're actually getting alcohol in your drink read more

One of my favorite Lakeview bars with a pretty laid back feel to it. The bartenders over the years have been attentive and fun to talk to. I've seen it both busy and non, and it's fun either way. read more

Another vodka free hosted bar. What can I say broke hipster lead us to a free drink night that got me and my friend tore up from the floor up. It was free vodka and red bull for one hour. The interior design was great very cozy an cute. The bathroom was very dark and the toilet was clogged. But oh well. I had a great time for a free night out. The workers were extremely funny and friendly. read more

I went to the new Sunday night party here and hand a great deal of fun. It was busy but not too packed. The environment is very classy/loungey but with that pornstar dancing on a box kind of appeal. There is plenty of seating and room to move in. I appeared here as mini cher and was well received, so all in all not bad. read more

I had a lot of fun here. I was only able to stay long enough to have a drink, say hi to a few people I haven't seen in a while, then head out... but I had a great time. No bad vibes, no pushing and shoving even thought it was crazy packed. I definitely want to go back! read more

Stumbled over here on a Friday for an advertised hipster party and FOUND NOTHING OF THE SORT. For the most part boring, the DJ ignored us, more than one time a friend was told to stop hopping up on the DJ booth, she also fell a bunch of times and threw up in the sink in the bathroom. Soooo, fun times? read more

I went to Scarlet for an advertised hipster dance party. Upon arrival there were no hipsters, no dance, and certainly no party. The bar is small, cramped and there weren't even that many people there. All the people that worked there acted entitled and were rude. Me and my friends tried to bring the dance party to scarlet, but just ended up leaving because we were getting so many weird looks. read more

Based off other reviews this seems to be a pattern. The employees are incredibly disrespectful and discriminating. I would give the place zero stars if possible. I saw a male bouncer forcefully and aggressively remove a female customer, physically shoving her out of the doors, when she was not sloppy, drunk, or disrespectful by any means. It's disgusting to witness a male physically push a female. To add to that, they also treated me disrespectfully, physically removing me from the bar when I was already peacefully exiting. I respectfully made sure that I was off to the side of the crowd walking towards the exit during the drag performance. A bouncer came up behind me and put his hands around me escorting me out. By no means was that necessary. He was friendlier than the other male bouncer that I saw shoving the woman but Scarlet in general seems to not exactly be LGBTQ friendly. It seems like based off other reviews the establishment is not friendly, welcoming, or inclusive of women. read more

This bar tends to have good music but their customer service is absolute crap. My brother forgot his ID when he didn't close out his tab & called to see if they had it. They said they did, so he went to go get it. When he got there, a woman refused to give it to him & even went so far as to cuss him out for simply asking for his ID back. After a lot of arguing & blatant disrespect from Scarlet's side, they finally gave it back to him. This place is absolute trash. read more

Loved stopping here first with my manpal and we had some great bacardi specials and a "forty"..lol : ) Nice people. Nice view. Great music, where we were singing and dancing to the tops of our lungs. We made lots of new friends here. I will def go back here and party it up. My fav bar in boyztown! read more

So I personally LOVE Scarlet Bar. Is it perhaps too small and crowded? Yes. But I always have a blast dancing here because the DJ and music is amazing. It's never obscure EDM music you haven't heard of or ghetto rap/R&B, but really fun current and older songs that everybody enjoys. I know so few clubs that I can rely on to play great music where I can spend the entire night dancing away with no problem. The crowd is an energetic group of mostly gay and some straight people in their 20s and 30s. A very friendly and very drunk crowd. Plus there is usually no cover or a low cover of $5. Definitely not a classy joint, but the perfect place to get smashed with your friends and dance unabashedly. If you go in knowing that it can be a hot and crowded mess, but ultimately super fun with great music, you won't be disappointed. read more

So , we ended up on Halsted for Greek Fest, had a great time, then @ about 1am, I found my self ,on the dance floor, having the time of my life, with some hottie, from Naperville, of all places.. great lights, cool dj,etc.. drinks also high end, including the fiji water.... read more

Just wanted to update to add more awesomeness to my review. I just love dancing at Scarlet. It is the best music and most fun crowd, gays and lesbians. Love it!!! read more

I like this bar. Its my favorite bar in boystown. Im a striaght girl but I enjoy going here for the music. They usually play top 40, hip hop, techno. The only cons are that the club is soo narrow and tiny but its soo popular. It gets way too crowded. No where to sit. Too many people. Hard to dance becuase so.many people. Another con is that this was one.of.the few.clubs in.boystown that never had a cover but.last night thwy had a 5 dollar cover. And even though it was my birthday they didnt even let me in free. But a pro is that eveeryone got a small tube of free alcohol. read more

This past weekend, during Pridefest, my girlfriend and I came into town to visit friends and celebrate a great weekend with people like ourselves. When we got into town, we met our friends at Scarlet. I have been there several times before and have not had any issues, but this weekend we had a terrible experience that unfortunately ruined the fun and sense of community that we were looking for. My girlfriend and I had been at the bar about 2 hours and had ordered 3 drinks each. On the 4th visit to the bar, my girlfriend ordered us each another drink, got the receipt, and paid left a 20+% tip, same as the previous 3 times. After a second, before even walking away from the bar, my girlfriend decided that it was time for a Redbull and asked the bartender for a can. She paid the price of the Redbull and handed the receipt to the bartender. After noticing that she did not leave a tip for the Redbull, he said something to the bouncer and then turned back to my girlfriend and said "you didn't tip me, have fun tonight b****" and the bouncer came over and kicked us out, saying my girlfriend had had too much to drink and was stumbling around. This was beyond upsetting considering neither of us were anywhere near the point of having too much to drink, but we had to leave the bar and our friends. Thankfully our friends chose to leave too, disgusted and confused as well. Everyone knows what goes on at clubs and how much alcohol and other things people consume, especially during Pride when all guards are down and the main goal is fun and celebration...we were nowhere close to as intoxicated as other people in the bar. I was mad, my girlfriend was frustrated and embarrassed that she was kicked out unjustly. This was totally wrong, and I went back to the front door to speak with someone. I spoke to a bouncer who said that they were actually trying to kick out the girl behind us, not my girlfriend. Ok, well that did not make sense knowing about the nasty comment the bartender made to my girlfriend. Then a manger came over and confirmed that it was my girlfriend that was supposed to be kicked out and it was because she had too much to drink and was stumbling. HA! I was honestly in disbelief. The manager was so rude and based off of his behavior alone, I would never go back. I explained to him that we had had 3 drinks over 2 hours, no one was stumbling (in fact my girlfriend did not miss a step of the Baby One More Time choreography). I told him I felt sad that this was happening when we had come from out of town to visit our friends for a weekend that is supposed to be inclusive. The line and the wait were extremely long and I told the manager that I believe the entire encounter occurred as an attempt to remove women from the bar to allow more men in. I'll never go back and I hope that the parties involved feel ashamed for their behavior during such an important weekend. Actually, I might go back to hand the bartender the 50 cent tip he is owed and that he ruined my night for. read more

Look, I have been a patron of Scarlet for two years now. I am only twenty-two and I can understand how based on a purely agist assessment, myself and my group of friends may appear to be delinquents, but the fact of the matter is we go to the bar to dance. On several occasions, the same doorman has been a complete jerk to us. This is the kind of larger man who always wears a baseball cap. On one occasion, he would not let my friends and I back into the club because he assumed we were on recreational drugs (which we were not), even though we started the 11pm dance party. Tonight, before we even entered the space, I had ten dollars in hand to pay the pride weekend cover, and he instantly starts berating us, saying we were lying (about what, I have no clue) when we were about to pay. Needless to say, it really put a damper on our night. I like dancing. I like having a good time. Scarlet is a pretty fun place to be, but this man has really made me loathe the establishment. Just because we are younger than you we are not stupid or mischievous people and there is no need for your senseless power trips. Dude, I hope you read this. Learn a little respect towards your customers. I am now avidly telling people not to return because of this repeated poor customer service. read more

Yess haveing a date night with the wify and just our luck a drag queen show Heyyy Heyy 2019 looking awesome

This past Thursday I decided to try out Scarlet because everybody talks about how Thursdays night are the only good night to go. Over all i was very disappointed.... The 40oz beers are a novel idea, but unfortunately the entire crowd was most definitely over served. i spent the entire hour i was there having cheap beer spilled on me by questionably 21 patrons. the beer pong served as a catalyst for a beer soaked floor and smelt awful. if that's what frats are like now I'm glad i graduated college long ago. Over all I would of had more fun watching the strippers at the Lucky Horseshoe, because at least they would not have been as messy as the "frat Boys" at Scarlet. read more

Great drinks and great music!!! My favorite bar in boystown because it's all dance floor!!! Yes, there is standing room BUT you can go over to Roscoe's or Sidetrack if you want to just hang out and chat. Scarlet is a great place for those looking to dance their ass off for a night!!! read more