Big Chicks
Big Chicks is a gay bar and neighborhood restaurant that opened in 1986 in Uptown, Chicago.[1] It serves a diverse group of LGBT people, straight people and people in the kink community. The owner of the establishment is Michelle Fire. The restaurant next door, Tweet, is also owned by Fire and provides food to Big Chicks.
  Big Chicks Location within Chicago metropolitan area  Big Chicks Big Chicks (Illinois) | |
| Address | 5024 N Sheridan Rd Uptown, Chicago, Illinois United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41.974°N 87.655°W |
| Type | Gay bar |
| Opened | 1986 |
| Website | |
| bigchicks | |
Overview
Big Chicks is owned by Michelle Fire and located in Uptown, Chicago.[2] The name of the bar was inspired by an experience Fire had on a trip to India, where she was referred to as "Big Chick," by men in Bandra.[3] Big Chicks opened on December 11, 1986.[4] Prior to Fire purchasing the bar, it had been a veteran's bar and when Fire took over, she inherited the clients, their dogs and the original bartenders.[5] Big Chicks has been open every day since first opening as of 2016.[3] Over time, the bar has become an "informal gay community center" in Uptown.[6] Fire welcomed everyone in the LGBT community, straight people and people in various kink communities.[5] The bar also is known for its art, including works by Diane Arbus, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Leon Golub, Tony Fitzpatrick, Lee Godie and Hollis Sigler.[7] Fire also owns Tweet, the restaurant next door, and food from there can be ordered in the bar.[5]
In 2016, the bar was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.[4]
References
- "Big Chicks". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- Obejas, Achy (30 September 1994). "Big Chick's Still Keeps Pace With Uptown". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- Hammond, Gretchen Rachel (7 December 2016). "Big Chicks turns the big 3-0". Windy City Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
- "BIG CHICKS". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
- Tamarkin, David (6 June 2018). "'I Think We Have a Gay Bar'". Bon Appetit. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
- Janega, James (16 January 2004). "Gays, Straights Agree: Bar Worth Fighting For". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2018-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Art". Chicago Tribune. 31 March 1998. Retrieved 2018-06-25 – via Newspapers.com.