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Billboard named DiVito “best regional dee-jay” in 19. An interior decorator, DiVito assisted in designing the club’s layout and sound and light systems. Lou DiVito became the Bistro’s main DJ in 1974. Dugan alluded to the club’s restrictive door policy in a 1974 Chicago Tribune article, explaining, “We’re primarily gay, and we don’t want straights filling the place up so our regular clientele can’t get in.” On some nights, the line of people waiting to get in stretched an entire block, just north of the iconic corn-cob shaped towers of Marina City. Go-go dancers, including a drag queen known as the Bearded Lady, often performed above the large dancefloor, which was surrounded by three bars and decorated by a pair of bright neon lips. Nookies: Open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight during the rest of the week, this classic Boystown diner serves traditional American fare like burgers, cheesesteaks, and French toast.Eddie Dugan opened The Bistro, Chicago’s first big, influential disco, in May of 1973, at what had been an old French restaurant.On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant stays open until midnight. The kitchen turns out commendable international fare and many of the glamorous staffers dress in drag.
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Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club: One of Lakeview's swankier mixed gay-straight lounges and eateries, Kit Kat is a retro-hip hangout.The casual spot with a cheery patio out back has long been a friend to Chicago's LGBT community and stays open until 11 p.m. Chicago Diner: Since 1983, this old-school diner has been serving an entirely vegetarian menu, including some highly inventive fare that even meat-lovers rave about.Lark: The trendy and inviting neighborhood bistro is a rustic-chic space that has cultivated a strong happy hour following and also stays open for post-midnight nibbles on Friday and Saturday nights.It's a relatively intimate space as far as Boystown dance clubs go, but that makes it all the more fun when you want to get closer to someone. Scarlet: This cosmopolitan, upscale gay lounge and dance club is known for its dandy drink specials and sleek decor.Mostly, it's simply a pulsing venue for dancing to some of the best music in the neighborhood. Hydrate: This eclectic dance club has earned a loyal following for its imaginative theme nights and occasional lube-wrestling competitions.The bar serves exceptional craft cocktails and boasts a nice selection of craft beers. The name is meant to evoke the idea that the LGBT community has come a long way toward being inclusive and all-welcoming, and indeed, the crowd is fairly mixed. Progress Bar: A swanky nightspot with a fanciful, eye-catching "cloud" ceiling, this bar draws in the well-dressed bunch.Berlin: A friendly dance club on the busy Belmont Avenue, Berlin has been a gay nightlife mainstay in Chicago for many years, its success due largely to its come-one-come-all vibe.