Berlin Nightclub, a queer icon in Lakeview, has closed - Eater Chicago

"Co-founded in 1983 by Tim Sullivan and Shirley Mooney, Berlin was originally pitched as the 'neighborhood bar of the future.' It was one of the first video bars in Chicago, known for its gritty, raucous ethos and inclusivity, attracting diverse patrons including transgender individuals who faced discrimination elsewhere. The venue hosted late-night dance parties and supported the city's industrial music scene. Tensions arose in 2023 with workers voting to unionize due to stagnant pay and poor working conditions, leading to protests and eventually the venue's closure announced by owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster in November 2023." - Naomi Waxman