The World Cup is back, and Chicago’s queer bars are ready to host.
The U.S. is hosting its first men’s World Cup, which kicked off June 11, since 1994. Despite men’s sport fandom often being dominated by cisgender straight men, queer bars are working to create environments where all people can feel welcome to cheer on their team.
Level Up Sporting Club, 3343 N. Clark St., opened barely a week ago, but is ready to host all games through the final. Owner Clarissa Flores said the bar will be partnering with Michelob Ultra June 12 for bargoers to win prizes during the U.S. game—such as tickets to a game in Kansas City—and hosting ESPN radio.
It’s also partnering with other brands such as Jose Cuervo and Rémy V to host samplings, giveaways and more throughout the tournament.
Flores said she hopes people come out to experience not just the drinks and the games, but the overall energy of the bar.
“You’re also coming for the community and the culture,” she said. “It’s a place where women can come and feel like, ‘Hey, I belong here.’”
Whiskey Girl Tavern, 6318 N. Clark St., is partnering with The GIST, a women-led publication known for its equal coverage of women’s and men’s sports and inclusive language. Via Instagram DM, the bar also said it will be hosting a “FanDuel experience” during the World Cup.
World Cup drink specials are also posted on the bar’s Instagram.
The North End, 3733 N. Halsted St., is also running specials for this year’s World Cup. For the first U.S. game June 12, social media strategy and marketing manager Edgar Torres said they will be hosting a raffle for some U.S. national team items such as a hat, scarf, jersey and more. They plan to repeat the same event on June 19 when the U.S. plays Australia.
Although he’s cheering for the U.S. team, Torres said he hopes the bar will be able to partner with different groups and host giveaways for other countries. He said he’s working on building connections with other vendors in the area and hopes to collaborate for future World Cup events.
“Right now we’re trying to ramp up and build some programming around that,” he said. “A lot of the individuals in the queer community, it’s a safe space for them to come there and watch the games.”