Big Chicks is tops in Illinois.
Here’s what the travel website had to say about Big Chicks: “It’s not easy creating a space where queers across the rainbow spectrum all feel welcome, but Chicago bar owner Michelle Fire pulls it off at Big Chicks, a legendary Uptown taproom that’s been hydrating the queer community for more 30-plus years. Giddy gay boys take to the tiny dance floor on weekends, an older crowd plops down during the week, a cornucopia of young queers smash themselves together in a swell of sweaty ecstasy every second Friday (at a party called FKA) and Fire feeds the community for free every Sunday.”
Locals have long been familiar with this North Side gem, which is why Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan, has been around for 33 years.
“It’s been years of hard work, loving stewardship, team effort,” Fire told GoPride.com of the Orbitz honor. “The patrons and the staff have made Big Chicks the special place that it is.”
Fire, a neighborhood resident, loves the LGBTQ community and in turn, the community loves her back. In 2016, an honorary street sign reading “Big Chicks Way” was proudly installed by the City of Chicago above the street outside the bar.
Other Midwest destinations included Back Door in Bloomington, Indiana, Campit Outdoor Resort near Saugatuck in Michigan, and This is It bar in Milwaukee.
Chicago-based Orbitz is a travel booking site and the first online travel company to launch a microsite dedicated to LGBT travel.
