• SecondPlaceEdwinAvenue-1
    Second Place Edwin Avenue. Photo courtesy TPAN.
  • ThirdPlaceKennyDowntown-1
    Third Place Kenny from Downtown. Photo courtesy TPAN.
Chicago, Illinois, December 10, 2012—Contestants representing a dozen Chicago bars and restaurants competed for the title of “Chicago’s Sexiest,” in Test Positive Aware Network’s (TPAN) fifth Bar-lesque fundraising event and online strip-a-thon which took place during the month of November. Bars competing in the contest included Avenue Tavern, Downtown Bar and Lounge, DS Tequila, Co., Halsted’s Bar and Grill, Hydrate, Jackhammer, The Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, Minibar, The North End, Sidetrack, Taverna 750, and Touché. In total, the bars and contestants raised $25,841 to support TPAN’s HIV programs and services.

The online competition ended promptly at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 30. The winner was named shortly after midnight on Saturday, December 1st at the Closing/Victory Party held at The North End. Contestant Mark, representing Jackhammer, was named “Chicago’s Sexiest,” for raising $8,297, the most ever raised by a single contestant in the contest’s five-year history. The runner-up was Edwin, representing Avenue Tavern, who raised $4,558, and third place went to Kenny, representing Downtown Bar and Lounge, who raised $3,130. For more information about the 12 contestants and to see their photos, visit www.barlesque.org. Donations are still accepted online, but will not affect the contest winners.

About TPAN

TPAN is the oldest peer-led HIV/AIDS social service organization in Chicago. TPAN’s mission is to empower everyone living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS to live open, healthy, and productive lives. TPAN delivers innovative peer-led support programs and collaborative wellness services and communicates accurate, comprehensive information. TPAN will do so until HIV/AIDS is eradicated.