Super Sapphic, a lesbian circuit party created Pride Month 2023 when a handful of nightlife collectives came together to throw the ultimate queer party, is returning for its third iteration.
The circuit party, one of the largest sapphic celebrations during Pride Month, starts 9 p.m. June 28, taking over the entire Metro and Smartbar building at 3730 N. Clark St. Advance tickets are sold out, but more will be available for $30 at the door.
Super Sapphic, which brought in more than 1,500 people to its first party in 2023, is a collaboration among Strapped, Eden, TRQPiTECA and Slo ‘Mo—four nightlife groups creating events that give space to lesbian artists and partygoers. Now back for its third edition, Super Sapphic is expected to be even bigger.
“This was born out of a need to bring together the different lesbian parties that exist within the Chicago scene and maximize our joint slay to see what happens,” said Koren McConville, one of Super Sapphic’s creators.
Chicago is home to a thriving lesbian scene and was recently named by GoMag as the “new epicenter of Sapphic life in the United States.” With bars like Dorothy, Nobody’s Darling, Whiskey Girl Tavern and the Closet, as well as several recurring sapphic parties, there is no shortage of lesbian nightlife events across Chicago.
But a large-scale circuit party for lesbians during Pride Month was still missing, McConville said.
“We felt like there wasn’t a big blowout for lesbians during Pride Month, so we wanted to create a night for anyone who identifies as a lesbian or supports lesbians to come out and let their freak flags fly,” McConville said
The party will span all three floors of the Metro and Smartbar building. Spinning at Metro will be VITIGRRL, Stasney and iceybby, while smartbar will feature Jenny Fox with karrenoid, TRQPiTECA and Virago.
Performers include Irregular Girl, Siichele, Ramona Grace and Darling Shear, with Angelica Grace, Fierce and Mocha Mocha 2.0 as gogo dancers.
“We’re sending a message to Chicago, the Midwest and whoever else is watching that sapphism, lesbianism and d-keness is inherently beautiful and sexy,” said Fox, who also helped organize the event.
Super Sapphic is also a collaboration among at least 20 LGBTQ+ people across Chicago and signals the return of sapphic spaces in Chicago, said Kristen Kaza, founder of Slo ‘Mo.
“Super Sapphic is the return of the lesbian circuit party in Chicago,” Kaza said. “I hope people who come out get to experience nightlife in a way they didn’t even know was possible, because this hasn’t always existed in this kind of way.”
Super Sapphic is one of three LGBTQ+-centered, all-building parties happening at Metro and Smartbar this weekend. Horse Meat Disco is happening Saturday, while Queen! takes over on Sunday.
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