Latest news with #Boystown
Eater
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Drag Icon Is Reborn in Edgewater as Hamburger Mary's Reopens
After five years, Hamburger Mary's, the admired burger bar and drag-centric entertainment venue, officially reopened its doors over the weekend to a new Edgewater location and welcomed queens back to a glittery and red-curtained stage. The lights have flickered back on in one of Chicago's most celebrated drag dressing rooms. Chicago's original Hamburger Mary's stood in Andersonville for almost 15 years before shutting its doors in 2020; it's now a Sweetgreen. The original location closed for a variety of reasons, chief among them being the COVID-19 pandemic, but limited physical space and disagreements with the previous location's landlord were also considerable factors. Gentrification, a persistent issue in Chicago and one that has also affected the city's queer nightlife scene, played an integral part in re-establishing the restaurant in Edgewater. 'It's getting very, very expensive,' says Ashley Wright, co-owner of Hamburger Mary's. 'We're getting more space for less rent here, and we have a beautiful space that's bigger than we had before. So I don't think we ever really looked to go back into Andersonville, only because of the cost.' Wright opted for a public preview weekend instead of a more subdued soft launch; the re-launched Hamburger Mary's embodies the belief that anything queer and worth doing is worth overdoing. The new space echoes this ethos, with boldly painted hot pink and rich purple walls adorned with a myriad of camp iconographic memorabilia, including souvenir Pleaser-shaped glasses; numerous purses, high heels, and hats nailed to the walls; and various framed vinyl albums featuring Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, and other queer icons. Ashley Wright and his twin brother, Brandon, brought Hamburger Mary's to Chicago. The chain started in 1972 in San Francisco, and there are 10 locations across the country. As someone who's enjoyed a meal at Hamburger Mary's, and as a gay man in this city who loves Chicago's drag community, walking into a reopened space for my community felt refreshingly optimistic. The number of longstanding queer spaces in Chicago has slowly shrunk, which includes the semi-recent closures of Boystown (now redubbed Northalsted) bars DS Tequila and Berlin, the latter of which was open for 40 years. 'I've actually heard a lot of people who are really glad that Mary's is open because of the fact that so many queer and LGBTQ businesses have closed,' Wright says. 'Living in a city like Chicago, we maybe don't need as many as other places, but it's still important to have queer-identifying businesses that people can feel safe in.' The response from Chicago's performance community has been overwhelmingly supportive as well. Fewer queer nightlife and entertainment venues translates to fewer stages for our local queens to book gigs and get experience. When Hamburger Mary's put out their official casting call, Wright shared that there were over 200 applications within a matter of a few days. One of the queens who was able to secure a spot for the venue's preview weekend was my personal friend, Aja Ajani. The restaurant booked her as the first Hamburger Mary's Saturday evening host in five years, warming up the already excited crowd that had managed to secure tickets online. 'It is literally pure art, you know what I mean? I make everything that I wear. I mean, this hair I sewed in from the bundles, I colored, cut, and dyed it. I sew everything that I make. I made the lashes that I'm wearing. I don't know how much more art you can get than in drag, because drag is like 50 million different art forms all put into one character,' Ajani says after the show in a well-lit dressing room as the other queens packed their wigs and tear-away dresses into hardshell suitcases. After three years performing in Chicago and over 14 years in drag entertainment total, the politicization of drag has been something Ajani has had to grapple with personally. 'It's hard for people to empathize, I think, in this day and age, and people are scared of what they don't understand, and they unfortunately don't want to take the time to learn more about it,' Ajani says. 'I think that all that we as queer people can do is just do what we love and be ourselves and hope that somehow, someway, that'll translate to the people who want us gone.' And although gentrification continues to be an unignorable force that pushed Hamburger Mary's to reopen in Edgewater, the issue has affected the queer community's physical presence in Chicago for more than a century. Politics and social norms often attempt to determine what being queer in Chicago ought to be — they always have — but our community is resilient and determined to define itself. Change and adaptability are important instincts for our culture's survival. Hamburger Mary's is a testament to that. 'It's really important now, especially in today's political climate, that the world knows that we're not going away,' Wright says. 'Not only are we not going away — we are going to be bigger and bolder and more fabulous than we were before.' Hamburger Mary's, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, open Wednesday through Sunday, reservations via Toast
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
An LGBT+ guide to Chicago – from visiting the first US ‘gaybourhood' to dining like a (yas) queen
'Let's cross the street to see Freddie'. The street in question is North Halstead Street, and 'Freddie' is none other than Freddie Mercury, his boyish face shining in the scorching Chicago sun. 'After him, I'll show you where Sylvia and Marsha are, so you can say hello.' This is how my guide Victor Salvo introduces me to Chicago's Legacy Walk, his magnum opus, and the first open-air museum celebrating LGBT+ culture in the world. Chicago may have clung to its 'Second City' moniker fiercely, but when it comes to queer history and communities, the city is second to none. Believe it or not, not all 'firsts' in LGBT+ history are linked to New York. Not only is Northalsted (historically named 'Boystown') the first official 'gaybourhood' in the US, Chicago is also where the first Pride March took place on 27 June 1970, a day before the Christopher Street Liberation March in NYC that would shake the world awake. 'Everybody always talks about New York or San Francisco, whereas Chicago has always been, in some respects, a flyover city', Victor explains. 'But because people in Chicago have historically been overlooked, they've developed their own attitude towards getting things done.' The Walk, 25 years in the making, is the result of that attitude. Once just steel pylons rooted on busy North Halsted Street, today the 20 rainbow pillars form a monument to remember queer people who left a mark, from politics and medicine, to sports and entertainment. Well-known or obscure, each person gets a bronze portrait and plaque telling their story, as well as recognising those who contributed to put them there, including organisations and individuals sponsoring their place on the Walk. As Victor and I walk from pillar to pillar, the tarmac under our feet is steaming hot, a result of 38C weather, construction works and the city preparing for its pride festivals: the three main ingredients of a 'Chicago summer', he tells me. Road repairs and street parades are both things Chicagoans save for when their freezing winters are over. And LGBT+ celebrations are a big part of the city coming back to life in summer. There's Pride Fest in early June, then the main Chicago Pride Parade (attracting over a million people every year), and then, the pièce de résistance: Market Days. For three days in August, the biggest street festival in the Midwest takes over Northalsted, with a packed calendar featuring over 250 exhibitors setting up shop in the busy artery, and international stars coming to perform. Gloria Gaynor, The Village People, and Belinda Carlisle are just a few of the musical acts to have headlined. But it isn't all partying. The city has had a significant impact on US history – from the role it played in establishing the very first food regulations to contributing to the formation of social welfare – and this is reflected on LGBT+ landmarks, including archives solely dedicated to LGBT+ rights history, and monuments paying tribute to activists, artists and citizens in the queer community. The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is a queer mecca for those curious to explore the city's archives by delving into some of the 2,000 LGBT+ books. Its immersive, permanent display of newspaper and magazine clippings is dedicated solely to LGBT+ milestones in the city, from the first discrimination case won in court, to life-size photographs of the first lesbian wedding celebrated in the City Hall. Another key landmark is Chicago's Aids Garden, tucked in a pocket of sprawling Lincoln Park. As I walk from the edge of roaring Lake Michigan to the small, intimate garden, it's tantamount to a spiritual experience for me. Scanning the tree-mounted QR codes, I explore the personal stories of many Chicagoans who had the disease between the 1980s and 2000s. Listening to their stories in their own voices, I feel like I'm not in a park at all – rather in an outdoor temple where the wind, trees, and birds echo these stories. Like many before me, I tie my rainbow ribbon to one of the trees to pay tribute to my own queer elders, the people whose lives keep inspiring me and those who keep marching at pride parades around the globe. Northalsted may be the place to party, but Andersonville is the neighbourhood most queer Chicagoans call home. Known as the 'shop local' capital of the metropolis, 90 per cent of businesses here are independent and the vast majority are LGBT+-owned and run. They all breathe fresh air into this diverse community, from vinyl shops like Reckless Records to boutiques such as Cowboys and Astronauts, as well kids' clothes shops, and a wide array of artisanal displays gathered in Andersonville Galleria. The ripple effect of Chicago's strong advocacy groups and outspoken communities is life-changing for many, Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) founder and director Iggy Ladden tells me. They share with me how a deeply personal experience turned into positive change for all. 'I was barred from my baby's birth certificate as a non-binary person, and that was a very heartbreaking experience,' they begin. 'It didn't even register to me at the time that that was discrimination. I was just like, 'oh, this is what happens'. 'I had the privilege to share that [experience] with Chicago's governor at one of the charity's events. Fast forward two years, Illinois has just passed a bill called Equality for Every Family, which modernises all of our parentage, adoption and surrogacy laws to ensure that there's no discrimination against queer people and second parents.' I also have the good fortune to catch Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, address the district with his commitments around LGBT+ rights during what is a fraught time to be queer in the US. Though this is an extraordinary event, I get the sense that these conversations happen frequently here. Iggy's story is only one such instance – a sign of the 'city of broad shoulders' once again turning words into deeds for the communities that call it home. Where to eat and drink Ask any Chicagoan in the street for recommendations on what to do, and chances are they will tell you their favourite eateries. After a day of hopping from one place to the other, I find a cosy, no-frills but special diner hits the spot. Little Goat is a bright star in the city's brunch scene, but has amazing options for every meal. Don't skip the seasonal specials, and save space for dessert. For a tipple or two, Andersonville gem Nobody's Darling is a stylish cocktail bar that feels like a community hub and your cool aunts' dining room. Wives Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle are at the helm, and their goal from day one was to create a space where people can mingle, sip delicious cocktails and simply exist joyfully. Should one of those chats turn into a romantic date, the place to go is Drew's on Halsted. A refined but relaxed atmosphere is the accompaniment to hearty American-European dishes, from mac 'n' cheese to filet mignon. Snatch a seat by the window to see Northalsted come alive at nighttime. For special but casual, you have heaps of options. Marina's Bistro is in a blink-and-you-miss-it place, a literal hidden gem in Uptown Chicago. Owner and chef Eric Roldan named the place after his mum, and exclusively uses family recipes for his delicious, elevated Puerto Rican dishes. Home to the longest-running drag brunch in the city, Kit Kat Lounge dishes up good food alongside drag performances twice every day. No matter whether you stay for a stack of pancakes or evening bingo with a side of fried chicken, your eyes will be glued to the insanely talented performers. Getting there United Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways have direct daily flights from London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare. Flight time is around 8 hours 45 minutes. To go through pre-approval in Dublin, Aer Lingus and American Airlines fly direct to Chicago O'Hare. Flight time is around 6 hours 30 minutes. Where to stay For all the comforts of a hotel but the freedom of an apartment all to yourself, book the boutique Guesthouse Hotel, your home away from home in Andersonville (double bedroom flats start from $500/£370 per night). If you're saving your bucks, the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel has all-gender dorms starting from $40/£30 per night, and is top rated in the city for LGBT+ solo travellers.
New York Times
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
4 New Detective Novels Worth Investigating
Dead in the Frame A new Pentecost and Parker novel has arrived! A frabjous day in the world of crime fiction. Spotswood's fifth installment in this beloved series, DEAD IN THE FRAME (Doubleday, 358 pp., $28), is particularly memorable. The great detective Lillian Pentecost has been arrested for the murder of the repulsive, crime-addicted philanthropist Jessup Quincannon, whose 'eyes gleamed when he landed on the topic of murder' and 'whose voice quivered with pleasure as he ran his fingers over a cutthroat razor that had been used to leave a woman bleeding out in the gutter.' The case against Lillian seems airtight: She had a motive (Quincannon had threatened to spill some of her secrets), she was at his house when he was killed and ballistics has matched her gun to the bullet that killed him. But Lillian's right-hand woman, Will Parker, isn't having it. Arriving home from a hard-earned vacation, she understands immediately that her boss has been set up. Will knows Lillian isn't a murderer, and she investigates harder, and with greater purpose, than she ever has before. I've always loved this series' characters, snappy sentences and 1940s setting. 'Dead in the Frame' marks a clear evolution in Spotswood's plotting, including a bravura twist on the somewhat tired trope of a detective assembling all the suspects in one place. What's more, the ending seamlessly sets up a sixth installment. Boystown It's been 11 years since readers last met up with the private detective Jack Liffey, who starred in 14 books going back almost three decades. BOYSTOWN (Unnamed Press, 266 pp., $28) finds Jack worse for wear, recovering from open-heart surgery and a stroke, struggling to form complete sentences and at odds with his partner Gloria, who's recovering from her own traumatic events. But then Jack's daughter, Maeve, an art student at U.C.L.A., lures him back in the field to help look into the disappearance of her girlfriend's younger brother, Benjy. It seems like Benjy's case could be somehow tied to West Hollywood's gay community until a link emerges to an ongoing turf war between Ukrainian and Russian expats. Liffey can't avoid another bout of violence, and this time, he might not survive it. The plot is too convoluted in places, but I was OK with that since Jack and Maeve are such good company. 'Boystown' is not the place to start this series — find a copy of 'Concrete River' and go from there — but I was glad to spend time with Jack and to revisit the whole series. Beauty in the Blood The reissue of Carter's series starring Nanette Hayes — a jazz musician with a talent for solving murders — was one of the most welcome developments in crime fiction back in 2021. So I began reading BEAUTY IN THE BLOOD (Vintage, 275 pp., paperback, $18) with excitement, expecting her signature mix of indelible Black heroines and vintage New York City settings. Carter delivers, though the book is markedly different from her earlier novels. Yes, there's a mystery to solve, namely, how a handsome visitor went out the window of a Midtown hotel, and what the lawyer Sarah Toomey, plagued by inexplicable memory gaps and embroiled in an affair with her married co-worker, had to do with it. But Carter is after larger narrative game here, linking the violent death to America's original sin of slavery, and a generations-spanning curse dooming women to act out the worst kind of revenge fantasies. The result is a fusion of detective fiction and horror that is impossible to look away from. Righteous fury infuses this novel on every page, as it must. Big Name Fan When Bexley Simon and Samantha Farmer, the stars of BIG NAME FAN (Kensington, 306 pp., $28), first meet during a chemistry read for the detective show 'Craven's Daughter' (think 'Cagney & Lacey,' fully coded queer), the sparks are so palpable that a colleague jokes they 'set a small fire.' 'Craven's Daughter' becomes a cult hit, although — to the disappointment of its fans — Bex and Sam's characters never get together romantically. Five years after the show's finale, Bex and Sam reunite for a podcast, where they begin to look into the mysterious death of their friend Jen Arnot, the makeup artist on 'Craven's Daughter.' Suddenly there's a blurred line between fiction and reality as they take up detective work IRL to prove Jen was murdered. Knox and Mare are seasoned romance writers, together and separately, and the rom-com elements of 'Big Name Fan' work better than the mystery ones. Since it looks like Bex and Sam will return — and it was great fun to watch them work through yearslong conflicts — I hope their investigative skills, and the authors', will improve over time.
