Andersonville, a Neighborhood for Everyone
Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, known for its Swedish roots, historic architecture, and bustling urban main street, has one of the city's largest gay and lesbian communities, second only to Boystown.
The welcoming North Side neighborhood stretches from Foster Ave. to the south, Victoria St. to the north, Ravenswood Ave. to the west and Magnolia Ave. to the east.
Recognized as the “shop local capital of Chicago”, Andersonville’s commercial district and main shopping street, Clark St., features primarily independent, locally-owned boutiques and specialty stores.
In addition, the area features a number of gay and lesbian bars, nightclubs and some of Chicago’s best restaurants.
Andersonville hosts Midsommarfest, one of Chicago’s most legendary street festivals, in early June. The annual event kicks off the summer neighborhood street festival season.
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce is committed to equality, making Andersonville a neighborhood for everyone.
Explore Chicago’s Andersonville, a neighborhood for everyone.
Immerse yourself in LGBTQ Chicago!
Chicago is the perfect place to celebrate pride this summer, with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and events that cater to everyone. Here are some additional activities while visiting.
Swedish American Museum - 5211 N. Clark
Andersonville, a traditionally Swedish area on the north side of Chicago, is home to a 24,000 square-foot cultural museum features two gallery spaces with special art exhibits, “The Dream of America” exhibit, the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration, a genealogy center and the Swedish American Museum Store. (swedishamericanmuseum.org)
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives - 6500 N. Clark
Situated just north of Andersonville in the Rogers Park neighborhood, you'll find the Gerber/Hart Library featuring the largest circulating collection of LGBTQ books and historical items in the Midwest. (gerberhart.org)
Leather Archives & Museum - 6418 N. Greenview Ave.
Also in Rogers Park, the Leather Archives & Museum, where you can learn about the leather lifestyle. The adults-only museum, founded by Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase in 1991, celebrates the history of leather and fetishism across sexual orientations. (leatherarchives.org)
Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants
Along North Clark Street, you’ll find a stretch of locally owned restaurants and bars that always bustling with visitors and locals.
