What's a prison doing in the middle of Boystown? The facade of Halsted Street's only leather bar may look like a prison—especially with bars covering its tinted windows—but you won't find any inmates here. After over 10 years in the area, the once-hardcore leather bar has softened its approach: it now welcomes everyone from fag hags to—obviously—Mr. International Leatherman himself. A more mixed crowd parks it and may even dance a little in the dimly lit front room; often, girls from the neighboring Kit Kat Club may order a drink here while waiting for their food next door. Leather still dominates the back room, but not exclusively.
Cheap drinks abound nightly, but on Thursdays and Sundays the staff here takes deals to another level. Well drinks run $1.50 on Thursdays (with all other drinks only $3); on Sundays, find $1.50 Miller draft pints and free hot dogs with all the fixings (while they last).
In the interest of keeping the bar open to as many people as possible, there's no cover charge except during special events like International Mr. Leather or Mr. Cell-Block. Play pool for free on Mondays and Tuesdays, or catch one of two different dart leagues here on Thursdays. A community theatre from Elgin occasionally does free perfomances on Fridays and Saturdays, though donations are gladly accepted.
Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler
