The Eagle

I remember The Eagle as a place of education, when I had just came out in 1997 and learning my role/​place as a «cub». I had only been in there a few times, nothing ever happened (because I was really wet behind the ears and not ready to give it up to anyone), but I met a few great mentors in there that turned into platonic friends.
I learned I loved leather, and how the «right side» was more fitting for me.
I also went to the Atlanta Eagle, and the Providence Eagle. Basically the same thing.
I do not know, WHAT HAPPENED to all the Eagles? Did the owners just give up and sell out? Or were the laws just too much and revenue went to pot? I do know that after the smoking ban when in, a lot of people did leave a lot of establishments alone and called it a day.
I drive by there every now and then… seems like all the leather bars have «gone soft». Manhole dried up and turned into Hydrate. The Cell Block isn’t anything like it used to be in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. Touché seems to be the only bar that really had the real leather theme. Jackhammer is just an in-​between sort of bar to me.
I would love to see another Chicago Eagle open, hopefully in the same spot, sometime soon. Let’s hear it for simpler times, real leather bears, and when a master padlock around the neck really meant something.
(sigh)
It was good back in the day…

Sadly, this venue is now closed, closed, closed. But the great memories of the place linger, and leave me longing for a replacement. But there isn’t one here in Chicago. I know there are a lot of factors that influenced this outcome, but I definitely felt that business changed when the no smoking ordinance went into effect. Leathermen like their cigars, and when they could no longer puff on them (sometimes a cigar IS just a cigar), well, the place just wasn’t the same. Don’t get me wrong – I like clean air better than smoky air, but I view cigars in a whole different cataegory from cigarettes. Not a fan of cigarettes in any sense.
So whether it is the folks in Andersonville who are opposed to the opening of a new Eagle, or the fact that without Chuck Rensloe’s clout, it cannot be pulled off, the bottom line is that a Chicago institution has become part of history, and many of us feel adrift without this institution. Those of you who remember the Eagle on Clark Street, cherish those memories. And those of you who never had the pleasure, I’m sorry.

i’ve never personally gone into the back room but if i am in the mood to go somewhere dark and quite and cheap … i love the eagle. the bartenders are sweet. although, i have to say, why does every gay bar in the city play the same crap? i mean, you’d think of any of them, the leather bar would have something a little edgier or interesting.
everytime i have gone its been relatively calm but considering its the hub of IML and such, I’m sure it gets crazy in peak season.

Heterosexual women, if you ever get the chance to go here (accompanied by your gay male friend), you might want to do it just for the experience. The reason I suggest you have your friend with you is because otherwise you might not even get served a drink. The bartenders are that disinterested, for real. I am surprised they even have a women’s bathroom.
However, the outrageous amount of male sexuality permeating the place is worth checking out. Its almost like the pride parade, but darker. That neon sign that is an ejaculating penis is hilarious. Maybe all this is because I didn’t know what to expect, and we walk in there and there are these two scantily clad men dancing in cages. And gay porn all over the place. My jaw dropped and it stayed that way for awhile.
There is a back room that you have to be dressed in leather to get into. But I don’t think you can just dress in leather, you have to be a man dressed in leather, unless, I think they have a lesbian night. I had to research it online, its not like any of the people there were so forthcoming with this information. Sausage fest taken to extremes, not your average Friday night.

ewjqrh, I just threw up in my mouth a little.
Along with drunkenness that I had acquired earlier in the evening, my partner, Jarod (constant pusher of trying new things) decided to go into The Eagle.
My heart was racing as I have heard of the back room.
Wow: this place is empty and it is Friday.
So we grab a drink and walk around nothing to scary, except those varicose veins on that guy wearing the whitey tighties. Then I turn the corner to the «back bar» oh what do you know a porno playing on the screen, but a guy is getting a bottle shoved up his bum (budlight if you must know) and this set the scene.
I had to go to the backroom, I HAD TO… and what do you know creepy, old, lonely guys doing dirty things… BUT OMG the fricken smell of piss and crap was permeating so bad I gagged, aka I threw up in my mouth a little. I dont care how desperate you are, you do not need to stoop to that level — — Owners: hose that rat hole down with bleach… jesus.
We were done I had saw the bottom of the barrel.
Go once to say you can, but dont forget your combat boots!!!

If you want a rough around the edges alternative to Boystown, this is one stop you should make. It has a really old-​school industrial look, which is hard to find these days. I agree with reviewer Scott K. that the bar’s entryway really adds to the ambience. Very friendly staff and reasonably priced drinks. Also, if you’re ever wanting to get your Tuesday night drink on, they have $ 1 drinks all night, including top shelf.
As for the crowd, it’s hit or miss. Some Saturday nights it’s hopping, and sometimes hardly anyone shows up. Since they have a late license, most of the crowd tends to show up after midnight, so you have to have some endurance. As briefly mentioned above, this place generally draws an older, rough around the edges crowd, but that’s a good thing depending on your taste. You won’t feel out of place if you’re not in leather (although you won’t be able to get into the back bar), but you might feel out of place if you’re dressed for Minibar. Unlike Minibar, however, nobody will treat you rudely because of how you’re dressed. Overall, the patrons are friendly and occasionally aggressive, but they’ll leave you alone if you’re not reciprocating the interest. As noted by other reviewers, this place is as seedy as you want to make it, but you won’t be the odd man out if you’re just there for a drink or a little socializing. Women are welcome in the front bar, and I have seen one or two. I haven’t seen any buzz-​killing, atmosphere-​destroying drunk bachelorette partyers saying «YOU’RE SO HOT – WHY ARE YOU GAY?» whereas it’s a safe bet you’ll run into that on Halsted on a weekend.
There is a $ 5 cover on Saturday nights, but it gets you a free drink at the bar.

If the phrase «seedy underbelly» sounds like an insult to you, you probably won’t like The Eagle. It is part of the seedy underbelly of Chicago’s gay community, and has been, in one form or another, since the 70s, when everything was seedy underbelly. (In an earlier incarnation — and different location — it was the Gold Coast, one of Chicago’s first gay bars.) It’s run by Chuck Renslow, who is the godfather of seedy underbelly.
Technically, The Eagle is a leather bar. But since you can’t niche market to the gay community like you used to, the «leather» dress code now only applies to the back room (more on that in a bit), and includes rubber and uniform. Go figure. Still, you’re more likely than not to find men in leather here. And men without their shirts, since human flesh is the new leather. It’s the only bar where I feel comfortable taking off my shirt, for what that tells you about me and the bar.
The bar is decorated with the artwork of Etienne, who was Chicago’s answer to Tom of Finland (as another poster says, look it up), and that’s reason enough to visit. The drinks are cheap enough, and there are always $ 1 and $ 2 specials. Their selection of booze is limited, and I always get a terrible hangover after I visit, but that may have something to do with the fact that they are open until 4 (5 on Saturdays), so by the time I get here I’ve probably already had too much to drink.
Then, of course, there is the ClubRoom. The ClubRoom is the back bar, and it is the place where (three nights out of the week) the dress code is enforced. But if you are properly dressed, you can go into a room with a small bar, a couple of pinball machines … and a bunch of men cruising for sex. Or making out. Or something more. There is also a «bathroom,» which is pitch black. As a friend of mine says, «I went back there to pee, and realized that they all wanted to pee on me.» This is an overstatement. But it is a no-​holds-​barred kind of place. Which means that you should not be surprised by stranger grabbing your package. If this is a problem for you, I suggest the legitimate rest room off the main bar. If, on the other hand, you’re happy to let a perfect stranger suck your dick in public, this is the place for you.
I don’t frequent The Eagle regularly. (Is that redundant?) But since Clark’s on Clark closed, it’s the only 4am bar in the hood, so you will occasionally find me in there. I never feel uncomfortable there, and happy to make unwise choices. You may have a different experience.

Since I like the LA Eagle so much, I’ve decided I have to visit all of them. What kind of odyssey do you think I’m in for? There can’t be an Eagle in EVERY city, can there? Haha. I never went to the Chicago Eagle when I lived in Chicago, probably because it was SO far from where I lived in Wicker Park, but on my last trip I was able to go since it’s walking distance from my good friend’s new apartment. It was really fun, and I especially liked the entry hallway which is actually the trailer of a semi truck built into the building! What a great touch. I definitely like both the SF and LA Eagles better than this one, but I think it might be tied with the DC Eagle, though that one was much more crowded on my only visit. Definitely try it out if you’re that far north and you don’t mind being around leathermen.

A Chicago institution of somewhat scandalous repute.
I think every major city in the US is required to have at least one gay leather bar called the Eagle. It’s just one of those immutable laws of nature.
The Chicago Eagle is of special note, as it hosts the International Mr. Leather Competition every May. I guess that’s a big deal, if that’s your scene.
Anyway, the bar itself is about what you’d expect. It’s a divey, dimly lit, and everyone in it has a goatee (this might a requirement for entry). There are lots of Tom of Finland drawings (or imitation Tom of Finland drawings) and occasionally there are very sullen looking muscular dudes in jockstraps dancing in a cage at the back of the bar.
There is a back room, and it is required you be wearing leather attire to enter. I think you can guess what it’s for.
Honestly, it is what it is. If you’re dying to show off your new motorcycle cap (but you don’t actually own a motorcycle) you know where to go.
Drinks are ridiculously cheap too. You know you want to go! Just avoid that back room.