Hey Chicago sapphics! Looking to connect with the community but not sure where to start? We've got you covered with our ultimate handbook to all things sapphic in Chicago. Parties, craft circles, bars, cafés, markets, festivals, burlesque, comedy--find it all right here in Chicago. Happy exploring!
The Chicago Sapphic/Lesbian Guide: Our Spaces
Let's start off with a sapphic/lesbian guide to spaces. These may include explicitly sapphic/lesbian physical locations or ones that have a clear sapphic-friendly vibe or ownership. With this sapphic/lesbian guide to physical locations, you can hang out with other sapphics IRL and support our wonderful small business owners with your patronage.
Sapphic/lesbian guide to bars:
Nobody's Darling is a black-owned sapphic cocktail bar nestled in Chicago's cutest queer neighborhood, Andersonville. Weekly events like Feel Good Fridayz rotating DJ sets and Sunday Funday game night. The perfect blend of classy and laid back, Nobody's Darling is the perfect place to take a first date or buy a cute sapphic a delicious cocktail.
Dorothy is a sexy, 70s-inspired subterranean sapphic cocktail lounge for every "friend of Dorothy." While it's not explicitly a speakeasy, the unmarked red door entrance gives it an "if you know you know" vibe. Inside, expect to find sapphics lounging on cozy conversation-pit style sofas and drinking classy cocktails at the bar.
Big Chicks is a queer woman-owned and operated bar known for drawing a diverse crowd of sapphics, gays, trans folks, and allies alike. Beyond just delicious cocktails, they host fun events like a weekly game night, RuPaul screenings, and dance parties.
While Scarlet is not specifically a sapphic bar, you'll find a far more mixed crowd than your typical Boystown bar. Scarlet emanates bisexuality with a mixture of sapphics, gays, and everything in between. Be sure to stop by on Saturday nights for iconic lesbian DJ Ca$h Era's incredible sets.
For all the sapphic sports fans, the lesbian-owned bar Whiskey Girl Tavern is the place to be. While this bars primary mission is to create an inclusive space for queers who love women's sports, they also host trivia nights, dance parties, comedy nights, and more. Oh, and the bar is named after the founding couple's dog Whiskey--doesn't get more sapphic than that!
Sapphic/lesbian guide to cafes & restaurants:
Right next door to Big Chicks, Tweet Let’s Eat is a queer-owned brunch spot that’s just as colorful and community-driven as the bar it’s paired with. Think delicious plates, quirky decor, and friendly service. Remember to bring cash!
Loaves and Witches is a cozy sapphic-owned shop that serves homemade treats with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Their mission is to foster a safe, sober, and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community. Come for the treats, stay for the witchy sapphic vibes with events like Tarot Tuesday, Witchy Clinic, and Sigilcraft embroidery workshop.
Sapphic/lesbian guide to other spaces:
A new addition to our sapphic/lesbian guide: in Ravenswood, Chicago, Garden Of is a cozy sapphic third space for coworking and community. This gorgeous plant-filled lounge can be accessed with day passes or weekly/monthly subscriptions so you can stop by any time they're open. The Garden Of Collective also throws a ton of incredible sapphic parties and events.
Rad Pop! Vintage Emporium is a lesbian-owned Vintage Store in Edgewater, Chicago. Home to a number of different LGBTQ+ vintage resale vendors, you can find art, homewares, clothing, decor, furniture, lighting, and more at Rad Pop!
The Chicago Sapphic/Lesbian Guide: Events and Organizations
Beyond physical spaces, here's Banana Split Shop's sapphic/lesbian guide to the organizations and event coordinators bringing our community together with parties, art, activism, and more.
Strapped is one of Chicago’s most iconic lesbian and lesbian-adjacent dance parties + drag shows. Strapped is held every first Friday at Empty Bottle. They also collaborate on other fun events like sapphic bingo and movie nights
Sapphic Saturday is a monthly celebration of sapphic love every last Saturday of the month at Sidetrack in Boystown. Expect drag shows, giveaways, games, and dancing to sapphic anthems at this incredible event!
Chicago’s longtime slow-jams dance party for queers and sapphics, Slo‘Mo blends nostalgia, comfort, and curated vibes into every event. Slo'Mo is typically 30+ crowd only and hosted monthly at Sleeping Village!
Lesbian Social Club is a collective that’s reshaping the lesbian + sapphic scene in Chicago. They host high-energy events full of dancing, drag, and community connection.
Dyke Nite is a space for everyone, but especially lesbians, sapphics, queer, trans, and non-binary identifying people. They host all kinds of events like Beer Pong Tournaments, Sapphic Strip Club Pop-Ups, and Music Festivals.
Before Sunset's mission is to bring the queer community together to raise awareness and funds for Chicago nonprofits and organizations with fun mixers, parties, and brunches--typically centered around a 35+ crowd.
Queer, POC-run, and full of casual sapphic vibes, Baqyard Babes hosts markets and pop-up events and “WorQshops” around the city. Think crafting, intro art courses, local vendors, and the occasional theme party!
Queer Social Club is a community-first organization in Chicago, centered on connection, inclusivity, and sapphic-focused events. Their primary event is a queer two-step night called Swappin' Boots!
Black Skrippa Brigade is a black, queer collective of strippers & pole performers in Chicago whose mission is to challenge racist hiring practices and create safer, more affirming spaces for black dancers.
Siren Fever is a sex-worker-centered immersive event by @106Fever & @SirenChicago, spotlighting sapphic drag, performance, and pole like Isle of Lesbos, Red Light Disco, and more.
Pink Sappho is a social club created by & for sapphics of color, built around sensuality, wellness, and connection. Their immersive events blend themed gatherings with sex education and community care.
Femmes + Thems Bike Club is a safe space for women, femme, non-binary & trans Chicagoans to ride bikes and build community together. They have no-drop social rides every 1st Saturday of the month.
Chicago Leather Dyke Picnic is a gathering where lesbians, sapphics, and queer folks come together to picnic, connect, and celebrate leather culture in a chill, outdoor setting. Usually occurs monthly!
Trans Chicago is a BIPOC- Trans Led community-centered group whose mission is to uplift trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming folks with visibility, support, and events designed to foster belonging.
Gender Fucked Productions is a Chicago-based collective dedicated to uplifting trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming artists through radical community building, classes, and bold performance.
The Chicago Dyke March Collective is a volunteer-led, grassroots movement celebrating dyke, queer, bisexual, and trans resilience and visibility. Aside from their yearly march, they host the events year-round!
DAMA Productions is a Latine, Sapphic, and Femme event planning company for creating unique and unforgettable experiences. Their team is dedicated to bringing event visions to life from concept to day-of execution.
Queer Chicago Outdoor Club organizes group hikes and other outdoor activities for the Chicago LGBTQIA+ community. If your an outdoorsy queer looking to connect with your community--this one's for you!
An outdoor sapphic & queer music fest that’s become a staple of Chicago’s Pride weekend, Back Lot Bash brings huge energy every year with DJ sets, drag, community vibes, and celebration in Andersonville.
Sluts is a bi/pan-centred, femme-led dance rave organizer which centers around sex-positivity and self-expression. Aside from the monthly Sluts Party they also host Sinners Sanctuary hell-themed rave & Xtasy techno night.
Sapphic Séance is a sapphic cabaret-and-variety show turned dance party that mixes performance, drag, art, and queerness under one roof. Sapphic Séance has been on hiatus, but is typically held at the Newport Theater.
Lovers & Friends is a vibe for 30+ queer lesbians and sapphics looking to connect. It’s inclusive, joyful, and built for people who want community + dance without staying out till sunrise.
House of Whoreors is a drag & costume party in Chicago that leans into camp and freaky fun created by Morteisha Addams & Harley Go'Lightly. House of Whoreors is often hosted at the Newport Theater. 
Queer Sober Social is a gathering space for LGBTQ+ folks who want to connect, have fun, and build community without alcohol. Think board games, creative workshops, and low-key music in cozy venues.
A queer-arts mutual aid group and “creative glitch in reality,” Artistic Alphabet Mafia hosts craft nights, potlucks, book swaps, and more community events, all centered around queer connection and creativity.
Queer Quilting is a cozy, crafting workshop series where folks gather to stitch, patch, and build queer community--perfect if you want creative social time + meaningful crafting with no experience required.
Lighthouse Foundation is a Black-LGBTQ+-led, multiracial social justice org working across Chicago to uplift Black queer folks through education, entertainment, and community empowerment.
A cozy, low-pressure monthly gathering at Dorothy, where book lovers & queer folks come together to read quietly side-by-side. Just bring your book (or borrow from their rotating queer bookshelf).
The Lesbian Lodge is a queer comedy show at The Lincoln Lodge that puts the funniest sapphics front and center for stand-up, music, and performances. If you're not a Chicagoan, be sure to catch them on tour!
CHiSME is a queer Latine excellence variety hour in Chicago celebrating drag, music, comedy, and community--typically hosted at Dorothy by @kinnyfromtheblock & @spencerdiaztootle
Starlight Sapphic organizes all kinds of sapphic events for 21-35 year olds in Chicago like mixology classes, pole shows, yoga, speed dating, scavenger hunts, and more--there's truly something for everyone at Starlight.
Honey is a sunset party designed for music lovers who crave soulful sounds and golden-hour vibes. Curated by DJ Ca$h Era, this experience blends R&B, Soul, and genre-bending edits/mashups.
Go Girl! Saugatuck is a sapphic weekend at The Dunes Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, yearly from May 30–June 1, 2025. While not actually in Chicago, this event is a popular getaway for sapphics in the city!
Butch Social Windy City is a monthly gathering in Chicago for butches, butch-adjacent identities, & the people who love them. Check out their Butch Boxing event at TITLE Boxing Club in Wicker Park.
Out There Chicago is a queer and trans led run & walk club with events every week all across the city. All paces, people are welcome at their events--whether you’re a runner, walker, or seeker of vibes--come on out!
Chicago Sapphic club is a new sapphic organizer hosting a series of chaotic, cozy, creative events like kinky art galleries and pop-up vintage boudoir shoots in partnership with Peach Palace.
Why We Make Sapphic/Lesbian Guides:
Community building and sapphic pleasure are at the heart of Banana Split's mission!
At Banana Split Shop, building community is just as important to us as creating pleasure-focused products. That’s why we’re committed to bringing sapphics together—both in the bedroom and beyond. Our sapphic/lesbian guides are just one of the ways we help our community find spaces to connect, celebrate, and thrive.
Looking for more ways to engage? Explore our sapphic/lesbian guides for other cities, dive into our sexual wellness blog, and learn more about Banana Split Shop’s mission to empower sapphic pleasure. Visit our About Page to discover how we’re redefining intimacy for sapphic partnerships, or browse our collection of sapphic-friendly toys designed for connection, exploration, and mutual pleasure.
Wherever you are in your journey, our sapphic/lesbian guides are here to help you find your people, your spaces, and your pleasure.
Check out more sapphic/lesbian guides
Los Angeles Sapphic/Lesbian Guide
Washington DC Sapphic/Lesbian Guide
San Francisco Sapphic/Lesbian Guide
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