OUTspoken: LGBTQ+ Storytelling

Wednesday nights at Sidetrack belong to the Hive — a dance floor devoted entirely to Queen Bey, with everything from her biggest anthems to deep cuts that hit different. It's the kind of themed party that actually delivers on the promise: good music, good energy, and a room full of people who know every word.

Sidetrack's turning 44 and throwing a proper party — $3 cocktails, beers, and frozen drinks all night, live performances from Boy J and Veronica Pop with special guest Brooke Lynn Hytes, and a dance floor packed with people who've made this place legendary. There's lite bites, annual drawings at 8:30 and 11pm, and a chance to support Groceryland by bringing personal care or paper products. No cover, no RSVP — just show up and celebrate four decades of Chicago's most iconic LGBTQIA+ video bar.

Sidetrack's birthday bash takes over the whole venue for a night — multiple floors, rooftop included, all celebrating the legendary video bar that's been the heartbeat of Chicago's LGBTQ+ scene. Expect the energy that made this place iconic: themed dance floors, sing-alongs, and a crowd that knows how to mark an occasion. 9pm-2am.

Friday afternoons at Sidetrack belong to Show Tunes — a weekly 3-7pm sing-along that's part celebration, part community ritual. The kind of event where everyone knows the words, the crowd gets louder with each drink, and you leave hoarse from singing but somehow happier than when you walked in.

Catch All Stars every Friday night at Sidetrack — the kind of viewing party where the crowd knows every lip sync, every elimination, and exactly when to lose it. Settle in from 7-9pm with people who actually care about the drama, the runways, and who's going home.

Every Friday at 7pm, Sidetrack transforms into the ultimate viewing experience for RuPaul's Drag Race — massive screens across seven rooms, no cover charge, and a crowd that actually knows how to react. Stick around after the episode for a live Chicago drag showcase featuring local queens who bring the same energy Ru demands.