Dorothy
Lesbian bar · Humboldt Park ·
70s-inspired lesbian lounge with craft cocktails & events
70s-inspired lesbian lounge with craft cocktails & events
"Unlike some of the other places with camouflaged entrances, Dorothy in Ukrainian Village is hiding in plain sight. Despite having a bright red door, it’s easy to miss. Once inside, this LGBTQ+ cocktail bar is surprisingly spacious, with giant comfy red couches and ‘70s-esque decor that makes it look like it was curated by a professional garage sale hunter. The drink menu is small with only eight rotating cocktails, including intriguing options like the Liquid Gold with carrot-infused rum, orange, turmeric, and oat milk. Be sure to also check their calendar for events like open mics, live music, and TV or movie screenings." - john ringor, veda kilaru
"Dorothy takes Midwestern basement pride to another level. First, it’s an actual basement. Located below the Villainelle event space, this LGBTQ+ cocktail bar has a massive velvet couch, an upgrade from the upholstery of most midwestern basements, and here you don't have to worry about your dad catching you making out with your best friend. The drink menu is short with only seven rotating cocktails, like the Liquid Gold that has a nice balance of carrot-infused rum and tumeric. Be sure to also check their calendar for open mics, live music, and TV or movie screenings." - nick allen
"Dorothy takes Midwestern basement pride to another level. First, it’s an actual basement. Located below the Villainelle event space, this LGBTQ+ cocktail bar has a massive velvet couch, an upgrade from the upholstery of most midwestern basements, and here you don't have to worry about your dad catching you making out with your best friend. The drink menu is short with only seven rotating cocktails, like the Liquid Gold that has a nice balance of carrot-infused rum and tumeric. Be sure to also check their calendar for open mics, live music, and TV or movie screenings." - nick allen
"Unlike some of the other places with camouflaged entrances, Dorothy is hiding in plain sight. Despite having a bright red door right on the street, it’s easy to miss. Once inside, this LGBTQ+ cocktail bar is surprisingly spacious, with giant comfy red couches and ‘70s-esque decor that makes it look like it was curated by a professional garage sale hunter. The drink menu is small with only eight rotating cocktails, including intriguing options like the Liquid Gold with carrot-infused rum, orange, turmeric, and oat milk. Be sure to also check their calendar for events like open mics, live music, and TV or movie screenings." - John Ringor
"Opened on Valentine’s Day 2020 as a '70s‑inspired basement cocktail den in West Town, Dorothy was founded by Zoe Schor and later staffed by bartender Lou Niemerg, who joined to help preserve the dwindling legacy of lesbian bars and to push the venue to be explicitly welcoming to transgender and nonbinary patrons. After going dark for two years during the pandemic, staff used the downtime to rethink inclusion and launched Enby Night, an ongoing series for trans and nonbinary people and anyone exploring gender‑expansive identities, with events ranging from a trans and nonbinary makers market to a body‑inclusive clothing swap to a “trans‑curiosity” night where people can safely try out a new name or pronoun. Regular Nathalie Wolf says the roomy, relaxed, low‑key basement space—with plenty of seating and a sapphic focus—feels safer and more welcoming than the big, bombastic gay male clubs in Northalsted and has been life‑changing and essential to her process of figuring out who she is." - Naomi Waxman