Berlin

"Temporarily closed “I’m not sure what is up with Berlin right now. I think they’re still closed. I hope that they’re going to reopen soon. Before Drag Race and everything, my two home bars were Roscoe’s and Berlin Nightclub. That’s where I mostly performed, usually every Saturday for Drag Matinee. It’s a huge show. There’s always a very diverse cast. That’s what I love about it: you’ve got your pageant queens and comic queens and club kids. We all rub elbows and shoulders together. We all perform and put on a great show.” We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation

"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

"Legendary LGBTQ nightclub Berlin is permanently closed after nearly 40 years of dancing, drag, and inclusive community at 954 W Belmont Avenue, owners Jim Schuman and Jo Webster announced Tuesday, November 21 on Instagram." - Naomi Waxman

"Berlin Nightclub, a legendary LGBTQ nightclub in Chicago, saw its employees walk off the job to picket outside on Belmont Avenue. The strike began on August 4 and lasted until August 6, with performers canceling their shows in solidarity. Workers are advocating for wage increases and healthcare coverage. The owners, Jo Webster and Jim Schuman, have not attended bargaining sessions, slowing down negotiations. Despite some progress on issues like de-escalation training, staff remain frustrated with the lack of decision-making presence from the owners at the table." - Naomi Waxman

"On Friday night, attendees crammed into Berlin, Chicago’s iconic LGBTQ club in Lakeview. While the crowd varied in terms of identities and gender expressions, the group melted into a single pulsing entity as Doja Cat’s “Boss Bitch” thumped throughout the room. They dance with abandon, clad in zipper-studded red jumpsuits and black mesh crop tops, climbing onto the stage with chosen family and strangers, the world outside forgotten for a few all-too-brief hours." - Naomi Waxman