Being a little older, and having grown up a few blocks south of where you started your tour……Where the DSW currently is, in the old building on the second floor was a gay bar called Windy City. It was a triangle bar and the windows went around the triangle point. It made for greats views out on the streets. On the back part of the building was a fun gay dance bar called Club LaRay. Before Spin was a gay bar called Foxy’s owned by a couple of guys who ran Medusa’s. Sidetrack started out as a single storefront that I first went to as a twenty year in 1983. Show tunes was on Thursdays, I think, and we would sit on cases of beer that were stored along the wall. Before Hydrate, there was Manhole, before Manhole, it was Christopher street, and before Christopher Street, it was a quilt shop that I took quilting lessons at in 1975 as a twelve year old. Ha! The storefront that was the dance floor at Manhole was the quilt shop and I could not help but laugh when years later I would be there on underwear night dancing in my undies and all the shenanigans that were taking place in that space. That whole block they tore down with the Mexican dive was the best. Not only the Mexican dive place that was just fun for the entertainment value at 2am, but the old school Little Jim’s on the corner and then the Ram bookstore. The double storefront sex shop further down the block also went with them. Was good to see Las Mananitas on the corner survived the wrecking ball. Change happens and I am just happy I was there in the beginning and have had so much fun with friends throughout. Still do. Santa Speedo Run at Sidetrack in a couple of weeks…..Love your realness, Matteo! 😊
Lakeview Jewel! I lived in the rat palace apartment building right next to the loading dock. No need for an alarm clock, the semi truck backup alarms did the job. Moment of silence for the closed Treasure Island grocery store down the road.
Joe Says: YES! Treasure Island! I shopped there! When my significant other rented our apartment a block or two away, on a little street only one block long, called Elaine Place (which had fabulous Found-Object Art Sculptures at each end of it - made from old car-parts, etc. - we lived by the Giraffe!) - My partner always said that he felt self-conscious walking into the Treasure Island Grocery store because he knew that many patrons wouldn't set foot in there wihout looking Fabulous (like they were on a Blind Date!) [I told him, "Maybe They ARE!"]
I was at your performance at Market Days...phenomenal experience for the audience. I'm glad it was for you as well! I especially loved your song about Chicago and wonder if it's available anywhere other than my memory
Best tour of Boystown. Described the way it was ten to fifteen years ago to a tee. With all due respect to Roscoes and Hydrate, I think there's a place in hell that's like both.
Joe Says: I came to Chicago in 1991 - a snowy January Day - and within a few months I was living in Boys' Town with my significant other who knew the area well. He took me to Roscoe's, describing it as an "S&M Bar" - I said, "SadoMasochism?" And he answered, "No! Stand And Model!" [Beautiful young men would go there to be Seen and Admired, but often they lacked devloped Social Skills!] At one point they opened a SideBar called "Roscoe's Cafe" - we ate there once or twice. It was Very Crowded. A handsome young man caught my eye and flirted with me. I blushed when I realized that I had wicked back at a female who easily passed for male! [Who had a kind of K.D. Lang handsomeness!]
Going out in Chicago used to be so much fun. Friday was Manhole (now Hydrate), Saturday was Circuit (now Fantasy I think) and Sunday was Crobar (now called something else). Manhole and the original Crobar both had a gritty/seedy feel to them and we loved it. Hydrate is totally different and Crobar changed significantly when they made it more like the Miami location. Sidetracks is still popular but the 30+ crowd now hangs out in Andersonville. I haven't been in Boystown for years. Not sure if I could deal with it now.
To me it seems too gentrified and almost like how a corporation would imagine a gay neighborhood anymore. A lot of the cheesy, kitschy stores etc. have been paved over for yet another Walgreen's and a Whole Foods. Example - the building Matteo was standing alongside at the end of the video is brand new, and the rents are around $4-6k for a 2 bedroom...which if you can pay that in the area good for you I suppose?
Do people still go to Roscoe’s for Drag Race performances? I remember the line going all the way down the street with everyone waiting in the cold to Meet the Queens, lol.
@@raatrani38 I believe they are. I live in Andersonville and don’t get down to Boystown often. There is a belief that you leave boystown before midnight
@@Corbomite_Meatballs agree to some extent. While Whole Foods on Halsted is a sign of gentrification, it wasn’t met with same resistance as Warby Parker and Taco Bell received when the recently announced they were coming to Andersonville. Boystown definitely has lost several independent stores & restaurants but they haven’t been replaced by anything. Mini-chain Furious Spoon took over the former Spin space but it’s closed now. Boystown is not seeing the level of openings you’re seeing
I was recovering from a rough breakup when my friends and I took a trip to Chicago. It was best trip ever; I loved it. People there are reasonably friendly but not fake-friendly the way people are in my city and some parts of the West Coast. In Chicago, people can spot artifice a mile away, and they cheerfully and efficiently deflated any residual pretentiousness I arrived with. One night I ended up at Steamworks, which was the cleanest and best-equipped bathhouse I had ever been to. Great people; great city!
The way that street is lit on fire on the weekends is so magical to me, specially during Market Days. Generally, my last stop has been Fantasy, because of the latin music.
Here’s how old I am: I remember walking down Boystown and all the gay establishments blacked out their windows so no one could see inside. I was so scared. Walking down now, you see huge bay windows which are removed during the summer so people can sit on barstools to look out at sidewalk traffic. We’ve come a loooong way!
I live in Chicago and started to go out in 1992 to all the bars and baths in Boystown. I lost my virginity in the bathroom of Sidetracks and never looked back. Great times. Thanks for the great walk down memory lane! Young gays couldn't afford to live anywhere else because the only jobs we could get were low-end shop jobs (remember that the only places that we could afford were dumps, which is what the place was back then.) The Gayborhood changed when the queers, artists, and creative types improved the area so much that the straights moved in, made it trendy, and ruined the place. We were wayyy priced out of our own homes. I cried because Boystown now has a fake Hollywood feel that's had its soul sucked out: it is just a cash cow for investors and Chicago millionaires.
Yeah, after my most recent trip to B'town a few weeks ago I'm sort of over how "hetero beige" the entire area has become. It's really sad to see this in a lot of the major gay cities in the U.S. and Canada.
It's great to see Matteo back home in Chicago, and the tour of his old stomping grounds. For people who don't know Chicago, there are other gay friendly neighborhoods, too, such as Andersonville and Rogers Park.
Andersonville has more going for it, it's much more lively. Rogers Park is where you live, Andersonville is where you dine, shop, and socialize. I say this as someone who lives in RP.
Haha this is so accurate! It's a thing 😅we always end up ordering Dominos for late night pizza lol. My ex was like Matteo's and loved it, it's all he ever wanted to order pizza wise
Clark is where the bros live, Halsted is where the queer bars and clubs are but Broadway is where the older queers live because it’s quieter with gelato and brunch
I lived across the street from Hydrate in 2003 - 2004, at the corner of Cornelia and Halsted! although Hydrate was called the Man Hole first and then it got remodeled and then became Hydrate. I remember Hydrate had little water misters attached to the awning (hence Hydrate) so it was really nice on hot days. The building I lived in was on the corner across the street and there was a shop literally called Gay Mart on the first floor of my building. It had all kinds of knick knacks and things, I loved living in that neighborhood! There was a shop called Batteries Not Included across the street from the Chicago Diner. I can totally vouch for Taco Burrito Palace, it had the best food, honestly, I ate there a lot. Sidetracks had these alcoholic slushie machines behind the bar and they were so good. The neighborhood looks so different now, I barely recognize it but I definitely recognized the 7-Eleven! lol Matteo was not wrong about that 7-Eleven, it has seen ALOT! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I know that building! I lived on Belmont 2002-2007, but I’ll never forget my conservative parents driving me around to look at apartments and me laughing so hard on the inside when we got to your old building. They didn’t say anything, but eyebrows were definitely raised at the sight of The Man Hole and Gay Mart.
Thanks for the tour of memories! I lived in Uptown Chicago all through the 90's till 2003. Loved Chicago, great town to be gay. Is Big Chicks still around? We are now on the Jersey Shore. We just went to see you at Carnegie Hall. Great Show! My partner never agree's to go out anymore, but he agreed to drive an hour into the city to see you - so thank you very much for a great evening.
Oh to go down memory lane…didn’t realise we coexisted back then in Boystown. Love your comedy! Now my husband and I live in Connecticut since 2006. Thanks for the memories.
I lived there from 89 to 92. What an amazing time I had from Medusa’s, Berlin, The Alley, Dunkin Donuts, Little Jim’s, The Manhole , Roscoe’s, Sidetracks, Vortex, and The bookshop that striving actor’s would hangout. Last but not least Dahmer’s hunting ground.😱 It was a good time to be in Chicago. Organic Theatre , Stage Left, Bailiwick theatre , Pheasant Run, and Clocktower were my home theatre’s to perform. Unsavory job I ever had was performing on the Spirit of Chicago. Yes!! 7eleven combos and yoo-hoo were the go to snacks before Melrose, we never knew which one we’d end up going to.
Thank you, Matteo! That just took me on a trip down memory lane as I moved to Boystown after college. I wish I would’ve been there when you were there! I’ve been gone for 13 years now, but I can’t believe that Taco and Burrito Palace is gone. 😢 Terrible. I gasped when you said this building used to be….
So much of my queer youth is now gone and I didn't realize it until this video. I moved from Chicago in 2012. I miss my home. I miss all these places. And Berlin just closed yesterday! Although a lot of it was related to highly underpaying their staff to the point that they unionized (good for the staff). Also, the Putterball Sisters are amazing. They started to make a splash around the end of me producing and performing burlesque (Flesh Tones Burlesque/ Maiden Sacrifice). Thanks for helping bring back so many memories with this video. You are amazing!
Great breakdown of boys town and the changes in the neighborhood.I’m older & straight but Chicago Diner has always been my go-to restaurant (they catered our wedding!). As a 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 ally I’ve spent good times with friends in nearly every bar mentioned. The Lucky Horseshoe was probably the most “traumatic” for ME - trying to navigate over to my friends through a crowded club with male dancers’ junk gyrating at face level 😂 Super nice folks in that neighborhood and in the community in general.
Gosh you really made me travel through my own memory lane Matteo. A lot of those bars, I remember just before I was about to begin going to the bars, Hydrate used to be Manhole and it closed, I remember going to Hydrate when it just began with my fake ID 😆 Great times! And Scarlet, don’t even get me started 🤣 and if you went further north, you also have Charlie’s and Circuit (it’s now called fantasy but I still call it by its former name). Oh the memories, such great times! Thank you for this video Matteo! ❤️
You brought back a lot of fond memories of the mid-late 80's for me! I remember being among the handful of straight women at Berlin's on Wednesday's "Drag Race" nights. It was such a blast to be a young art student in Chicago back then. I haven't been back to Chicago in at least 25+years, so it's kind of sad to see Boystown looking kind of generic with new buildings and box stores.
Omg! Memory lane for me too!! The amount of guys I banged & pulled between 7 Eleven, Roscoe, sidetracked, minibar, Scarlet and of course Streamworks is enough to make up a village 😂😂😂 also love me some Henry! Such a talented soul & piano man!
@@davidknox1229 Those were great times and places! I met the bearded lady in one of the clubs when she had the big fan and the chicken hat. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
Omg this warmed my heart so much. I feel like I grew up in boys town - I worked at Nookies even and went to entertaining Julia and showtimes at sidetrack almost every week and seeing you show the love for it and talk about the old times makes me so happy.
I remember Vortex. It was the first club I went to when I was 19. I then transitioned to Roscoes when Vortex closed and then finally to Berlin. I remember Spin had watered down dollar drinks on Wednesdays and I used to go. Living by Broadway and Belmont in the early 2000s was a lot of fun for me. There used to be a Checkers on Broadway and I’d always go there after Roscoes because their fries was so good.
@@mjm5621 I remember all those things. Checkers early morning was great after a night of drinking lol I loved Vortex, was sad when they closed. Berlin was a blast too. Such a great, diverse crowd of people!
What a great story about 4000 people showing up to see you, after so much trouble selling tickets for your performances years earlier. Now, I have a front row seat to see you at THE KENNEDY CENTER next year (the DC gays can’t WAIT to see you!!!) so you’ve come a long way!❤❤❤
If it was Halsted Marketdays, so those 4000 people were sorta milling around there all day already... not sure how many of them showed up coz Matteo was there, let's be honest
One of my dearest friends (now deceased) lived on Halsted across from the Whole Foods. I was visiting and he took me to Sidetrack. So I'm walking around looking for the dance floor because what gay bar doesn't have a dance floor. I asked him where it was and he told me there wasn't one. I was shocked to my core!
Thank you for strolling down Matteo memory Lane because I grew up in Indiana and came out in Chicago and know every inch of Halsted Street! I loved the way you described the 7-11 because you were NOT exaggerating! The things I saw and have done there at 2, 3 and 4 a.m! I am older and came out in the 80's so some of the places you referenced weren't there or have changed but I will never forget rollerblading with my lover (who was 20 years older than me) down Halsted Street in the gay pride parade handing out promotional material for a play we produced called The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer. G-I-RRRRR-LLL!!!! 😝
yes you're right, it was called Cupids Treasures, I lived right at the corner there at Cornelia and Halsted. I loved Taco Burrito Palace! It was cheap and had great food.
I lived on Barry on the other side of the intersection behind where the Blockbuster used to be at the same time! I too thought Jewel was too far and I shopped at the Walgreens across the street. CVS was too far away because that 3 way intersection took too long to cross. I also ate Mac & cheese all the time.
My first apartment in Chicago was at Roscoe and Halstead right behind the legendary 7-Eleven I moved out of the city but I still commute in everyday for work and I absolutely love this neighborhood
OMFG, what a treat seeing my old neighborhood. I lived at Melrose and Broadway for 20 years. Fun to compare notes w/ Mateo on all the various points of interest he mentions.
That Dunkin was CRAZY!!! They would boto so many cars as well in the parking lot... funny ass shit. Loved living in Lakeview for years back in the early 2000s.
Matteo, excellent tour. I lived at Halsted and Briar in the 80s, and before Dominos , before CVS, there was a little specialty store that had fresh seafood flown in daily from both coasts. Also, I guess you are too young to remember "Little Jim's"on Halsted and Cornelia? Open til 4am, you could always pick up something...ironically it is now a health clinic.
OH MY WORD Matteo! What a marvelous walk down memory "Lane" pal. I just know that we were in the same rooms at the same time. (I knew and adored your brother!) I enjoyed this video of #Boystown (It will always be called that!) and all the stories; many of which I can relate to. If I had to pick one moment to praise, it would be the mention of TBP (what my friends and I called #TacoBurritoPalace) You could go in there any time and in any condition and they would remember you and understand you. EVERY TIME! May it (and now sadly, #Berlin😭) rest in peace! You make all of us former Chicagoians very proud pal! ❌⭕❌⭕
I used to live on Broadway and Barry- loved it….wonderful memories….definitely stuck to the floor at Roscoe’s. Thank you for the tour -I hate Domino’s too
This was a super fun video. Live in Montreal now but have fond memories of living in Chicago and that neighborhood in the very early 2000s. I was naive too!
Thanks For The Fabulous Memories. I Lived In Columbus, But I Spent Many Weekends In Boys Town. Sadly My Hotel Of Choice Was Steamworks 😋 And Man Country Bathouses. Now That Was 30 Plus Years Ago.😢😢
This brings back such memories... I used to live in the area... to this day, I miss it... this would the place to hang. I lived on Clark and worked at Screenz so many years ago...
Man, it's sure changed since I left Chicago in 1998. I always went to the Horseshoe & showtune night at SideTrack. I once won the lipsynch contest at Roscoe's, too.
Joe Says: Um... I think you mean the 00s... Matteo is about 40 (?) So he was just a little 10-year-old kid [like a Baby Yoda] 30 years ago when I was a young man living in Boys' Town with my significant other...
We need a brother intro video! I just imagine another Matteo 😂
100% agree😁
Yesm we wanna meet the brother!
Yessss
and also cousin Brian
With his recreating his famous comment “If anybody rules, it’s Annie Lennox!”
The guy doing the talking hand in the beginning is too funny
Lol I had to go back, almost missed that.
Yep.
Lmao I love Matteo but damn was that hilarious, I would’ve went home after that😂
😅😅@@mnels5214😂
I had to rewatch that like 3 times 😂.
"i've only been in steamworks once"mhm.. sure jan lol
How is this not titled Mateo’s Memory LANE?!
"how is everyone having so much fun? oh yeah they were all on drugs" I can actually relate with Mateo's level of naive-ness 🤣
3:15 YES! They closed Ragstock!!!! It was such a hit in that area.
I LOVED ragstock! 😢the Alley closed now too, I guess
Love your old man “back in my day” impressions and how you said “Good times” after some funny memories
Bob does it too
Being a little older, and having grown up a few blocks south of where you started your tour……Where the DSW currently is, in the old building on the second floor was a gay bar called Windy City. It was a triangle bar and the windows went around the triangle point. It made for greats views out on the streets. On the back part of the building was a fun gay dance bar called Club LaRay. Before Spin was a gay bar called Foxy’s owned by a couple of guys who ran Medusa’s. Sidetrack started out as a single storefront that I first went to as a twenty year in 1983. Show tunes was on Thursdays, I think, and we would sit on cases of beer that were stored along the wall. Before Hydrate, there was Manhole, before Manhole, it was Christopher street, and before Christopher Street, it was a quilt shop that I took quilting lessons at in 1975 as a twelve year old. Ha! The storefront that was the dance floor at Manhole was the quilt shop and I could not help but laugh when years later I would be there on underwear night dancing in my undies and all the shenanigans that were taking place in that space. That whole block they tore down with the Mexican dive was the best. Not only the Mexican dive place that was just fun for the entertainment value at 2am, but the old school Little Jim’s on the corner and then the Ram bookstore. The double storefront sex shop further down the block also went with them. Was good to see Las Mananitas on the corner survived the wrecking ball. Change happens and I am just happy I was there in the beginning and have had so much fun with friends throughout. Still do. Santa Speedo Run at Sidetrack in a couple of weeks…..Love your realness, Matteo! 😊
you’re such a great storyteller
This was such a trip down memory lane, I have all the same recollections of this strip from my late teens/early 20s. Thank you!
As a female, I loved walking through Boys Town getting shouted out by gay men giving me compliments. 😂
Same, I lived in Uptown, so I always walked through Boystown. Whenever a guy was like, "You are gorgeous, honey!" It would literally make my day. 😂
Lakeview Jewel! I lived in the rat palace apartment building right next to the loading dock. No need for an alarm clock, the semi truck backup alarms did the job. Moment of silence for the closed Treasure Island grocery store down the road.
Joe Says: YES! Treasure Island! I shopped there! When my significant other rented our apartment a block or two away, on a little street only one block long, called Elaine Place (which had fabulous Found-Object Art Sculptures at each end of it - made from old car-parts, etc. - we lived by the Giraffe!) - My partner always said that he felt self-conscious walking into the Treasure Island Grocery store because he knew that many patrons wouldn't set foot in there wihout looking Fabulous (like they were on a Blind Date!) [I told him, "Maybe They ARE!"]
When I first walked by taco burrito palace and saw it demolished I almost fell to my knees and cried. A tragedy
Make that two! 😢
It's been a few years since I've lived in Chicago and honestly it was the only thing in the video that got an audible gasp. RIP
Me too!!!! It was the perfect end to a Sunday Funday.
Omg Fr 😢
It makes me feel better that I was not the only one that didn’t realize everyone else was on drugs.
Wow, that's very interesting. 👏 Thanks for sharing part of your history with us. You have a beautiful singing voice. Big fan here.
I was at your performance at Market Days...phenomenal experience for the audience. I'm glad it was for you as well! I especially loved your song about Chicago and wonder if it's available anywhere other than my memory
Best tour of Boystown. Described the way it was ten to fifteen years ago to a tee. With all due respect to Roscoes and Hydrate, I think there's a place in hell that's like both.
Joe Says: I came to Chicago in 1991 - a snowy January Day - and within a few months I was living in Boys' Town with my significant other who knew the area well. He took me to Roscoe's, describing it as an "S&M Bar" - I said, "SadoMasochism?" And he answered, "No! Stand And Model!" [Beautiful young men would go there to be Seen and Admired, but often they lacked devloped Social Skills!] At one point they opened a SideBar called "Roscoe's Cafe" - we ate there once or twice. It was Very Crowded. A handsome young man caught my eye and flirted with me. I blushed when I realized that I had wicked back at a female who easily passed for male! [Who had a kind of K.D. Lang handsomeness!]
Going out in Chicago used to be so much fun. Friday was Manhole (now Hydrate), Saturday was Circuit (now Fantasy I think) and Sunday was Crobar (now called something else). Manhole and the original Crobar both had a gritty/seedy feel to them and we loved it. Hydrate is totally different and Crobar changed significantly when they made it more like the Miami location. Sidetracks is still popular but the 30+ crowd now hangs out in Andersonville. I haven't been in Boystown for years. Not sure if I could deal with it now.
wasn't manhole on belmont/halsted, and is now jackhammer?
To me it seems too gentrified and almost like how a corporation would imagine a gay neighborhood anymore. A lot of the cheesy, kitschy stores etc. have been paved over for yet another Walgreen's and a Whole Foods.
Example - the building Matteo was standing alongside at the end of the video is brand new, and the rents are around $4-6k for a 2 bedroom...which if you can pay that in the area good for you I suppose?
Do people still go to Roscoe’s for Drag Race performances? I remember the line going all the way down the street with everyone waiting in the cold to Meet the Queens, lol.
@@raatrani38 I believe they are. I live in Andersonville and don’t get down to Boystown often. There is a belief that you leave boystown before midnight
@@Corbomite_Meatballs agree to some extent. While Whole Foods on Halsted is a sign of gentrification, it wasn’t met with same resistance as Warby Parker and Taco Bell received when the recently announced they were coming to Andersonville. Boystown definitely has lost several independent stores & restaurants but they haven’t been replaced by anything. Mini-chain Furious Spoon took over the former Spin space but it’s closed now. Boystown is not seeing the level of openings you’re seeing
I was recovering from a rough breakup when my friends and I took a trip to Chicago. It was best trip ever; I loved it. People there are reasonably friendly but not fake-friendly the way people are in my city and some parts of the West Coast. In Chicago, people can spot artifice a mile away, and they cheerfully and efficiently deflated any residual pretentiousness I arrived with. One night I ended up at Steamworks, which was the cleanest and best-equipped bathhouse I had ever been to. Great people; great city!
The way that street is lit on fire on the weekends is so magical to me, specially during Market Days. Generally, my last stop has been Fantasy, because of the latin music.
The flood of memories this brought back from my Boystown days! Thank you! ❤
Thanks for sharing your neighborhood with us!
Here’s how old I am: I remember walking down Boystown and all the gay establishments blacked out their windows so no one could see inside. I was so scared. Walking down now, you see huge bay windows which are removed during the summer so people can sit on barstools to look out at sidewalk traffic. We’ve come a loooong way!
I live in Chicago and started to go out in 1992 to all the bars and baths in Boystown. I lost my virginity in the bathroom of Sidetracks and never looked back. Great times. Thanks for the great walk down memory lane! Young gays couldn't afford to live anywhere else because the only jobs we could get were low-end shop jobs (remember that the only places that we could afford were dumps, which is what the place was back then.) The Gayborhood changed when the queers, artists, and creative types improved the area so much that the straights moved in, made it trendy, and ruined the place. We were wayyy priced out of our own homes. I cried because Boystown now has a fake Hollywood feel that's had its soul sucked out: it is just a cash cow for investors and Chicago millionaires.
Oh no! I'm so sad to hear that about Boystown! I lived there around 2005-2006 and I loved it there. That is such a shame.
Yeah, after my most recent trip to B'town a few weeks ago I'm sort of over how "hetero beige" the entire area has become. It's really sad to see this in a lot of the major gay cities in the U.S. and Canada.
Those same Chicago millionaires/yuppies have moved into my neighborhood in Milwaukee. No one can afford to live here now
U are so RIGHT HONEY...
@@IDiggPattyMayonnaiseYes!! The yuppies ughhhh😱
It's great to see Matteo back home in Chicago, and the tour of his old stomping grounds. For people who don't know Chicago, there are other gay friendly neighborhoods, too, such as Andersonville and Rogers Park.
Andersonville has more going for it, it's much more lively. Rogers Park is where you live, Andersonville is where you dine, shop, and socialize. I say this as someone who lives in RP.
@@LoveToday8 I think Jarvis Square is kind of cool in Rogers Park.
Welcome home, Matteo! We love you!
OMG I remember ALL of these places!!! So many great memories...
“ how are they having so much fun?”
“ OHHHHHH their on drugzzzzz “
I’m dead 😂🤣😂🤣
You dating a man who ate/loved Dominos while living in Chicago, surrounded by amazing pizza, is one of the most terrifying things you've ever said!
Haha this is so accurate! It's a thing 😅we always end up ordering Dominos for late night pizza lol. My ex was like Matteo's and loved it, it's all he ever wanted to order pizza wise
hey i mean it's cheaper
Cheap $$$ pizzas
gag
So thrilled that you’re around. Used to live in boystown and I’m so happy to get your tour
Clark is where the bros live, Halsted is where the queer bars and clubs are but Broadway is where the older queers live because it’s quieter with gelato and brunch
LOL the guy passing behind you in the beginning
Broadway and Halsted Sparta Gyros 😭 my memories are flooding back 89-97
I lived across the street from Hydrate in 2003 - 2004, at the corner of Cornelia and Halsted! although Hydrate was called the Man Hole first and then it got remodeled and then became Hydrate. I remember Hydrate had little water misters attached to the awning (hence Hydrate) so it was really nice on hot days. The building I lived in was on the corner across the street and there was a shop literally called Gay Mart on the first floor of my building. It had all kinds of knick knacks and things, I loved living in that neighborhood! There was a shop called Batteries Not Included across the street from the Chicago Diner. I can totally vouch for Taco Burrito Palace, it had the best food, honestly, I ate there a lot. Sidetracks had these alcoholic slushie machines behind the bar and they were so good. The neighborhood looks so different now, I barely recognize it but I definitely recognized the 7-Eleven! lol Matteo was not wrong about that 7-Eleven, it has seen ALOT! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Gay Mart was awesome! I was so damn sad when I saw that it had closed.
Sidetrack still has the slushy machines! I went a couple weeks ago and the cherry one is my fave.
I know that building! I lived on Belmont 2002-2007, but I’ll never forget my conservative parents driving me around to look at apartments and me laughing so hard on the inside when we got to your old building. They didn’t say anything, but eyebrows were definitely raised at the sight of The Man Hole and Gay Mart.
"Oil fire and there's no kitchen..." Lol
Thanks God that you did not give up during those 10+ years so now we all have got to experience one of the best comedians!
come to Chicago more in 2024. miss you babes.
Sublime. Memory lane on a sunny day.
Thanks for the tour of memories! I lived in Uptown Chicago all through the 90's till 2003. Loved Chicago, great town to be gay. Is Big Chicks still around?
We are now on the Jersey Shore. We just went to see you at Carnegie Hall. Great Show! My partner never agree's to go out anymore, but he agreed to drive an hour into the city to see you - so thank you very much for a great evening.
I moved to Chicago in 2007 when I was 21, Pie Hole pizza was my favorite! So glad you brought it up. Miss their slices.
Thank you for the tour. I ❤ Chicago. I had a lot of fun when I went last year for the first time.
Oh to go down memory lane…didn’t realise we coexisted back then in Boystown. Love your comedy! Now my husband and I live in Connecticut since 2006. Thanks for the memories.
I live in this area the last 2.5 years and absolutely love it here!
More of these please.
I lived there from 89 to 92.
What an amazing time I had from Medusa’s, Berlin, The Alley, Dunkin Donuts, Little Jim’s, The Manhole , Roscoe’s, Sidetracks, Vortex, and The bookshop that striving actor’s would hangout. Last but not least Dahmer’s hunting ground.😱
It was a good time to be in Chicago.
Organic Theatre , Stage Left, Bailiwick theatre , Pheasant Run, and Clocktower were my home theatre’s to perform.
Unsavory job I ever had was performing on the Spirit of Chicago.
Yes!! 7eleven combos and yoo-hoo were the go to snacks before Melrose, we never knew which one we’d end up going to.
Omg! I lived on Barry Ave. in 2006 and I also did all of my grocery shopping at that CVS 😂. I worked at Blue Man for 3 years.
I could listen to you reminiscing/story telling for days. Looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver next month! :)
Thank you, Matteo! That just took me on a trip down memory lane as I moved to Boystown after college. I wish I would’ve been there when you were there! I’ve been gone for 13 years now, but I can’t believe that Taco and Burrito Palace is gone. 😢 Terrible. I gasped when you said this building used to be….
I used to thrift around there and hang out at that Dunkin Donuts!!! I can and can’t believe it’s gone. The thrifting around there was so good!
So much of my queer youth is now gone and I didn't realize it until this video. I moved from Chicago in 2012. I miss my home. I miss all these places. And Berlin just closed yesterday! Although a lot of it was related to highly underpaying their staff to the point that they unionized (good for the staff). Also, the Putterball Sisters are amazing. They started to make a splash around the end of me producing and performing burlesque (Flesh Tones Burlesque/ Maiden Sacrifice). Thanks for helping bring back so many memories with this video. You are amazing!
OMG Same, I left Chicago for NYC in 2011. Berlin was our go-to spot, wow I had no idea. The neighborhood looks completely different now
Berlin!! No!! I loved Berlin even as a straight woman.
Great breakdown of boys town and the changes in the neighborhood.I’m older & straight but Chicago Diner has always been my go-to restaurant (they catered our wedding!). As a 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 ally I’ve spent good times with friends in nearly every bar mentioned. The Lucky Horseshoe was probably the most “traumatic” for ME - trying to navigate over to my friends through a crowded club with male dancers’ junk gyrating at face level 😂 Super nice folks in that neighborhood and in the community in general.
I remember that Dunkin Donuts. People called it "Punkin' Donuts"
Gosh you really made me travel through my own memory lane Matteo. A lot of those bars, I remember just before I was about to begin going to the bars, Hydrate used to be Manhole and it closed, I remember going to Hydrate when it just began with my fake ID 😆 Great times! And Scarlet, don’t even get me started 🤣 and if you went further north, you also have Charlie’s and Circuit (it’s now called fantasy but I still call it by its former name). Oh the memories, such great times! Thank you for this video Matteo! ❤️
I was wondering what happened to Manhole... those were the days!
@@ONE-ADAM-TWELVE I missed out on going there. I vaguely remember that they tried reopening it at another location but I think they closed down again.
I didn’t know about the Manhole-Hydrate connection. I feel cheated, somehow.
Tour phone’s off the hook but you re not x you tube
Lived in Chicago 10 years near Halstead and loved your nostelgic review!!!
You brought back a lot of fond memories of the mid-late 80's for me! I remember being among the handful of straight women at Berlin's on Wednesday's "Drag Race" nights. It was such a blast to be a young art student in Chicago back then. I haven't been back to Chicago in at least 25+years, so it's kind of sad to see Boystown looking kind of generic with new buildings and box stores.
So many memories flooding back! Thank you for the tour. It's amazing how much has changed and how much is still the same
Omg! Memory lane for me too!! The amount of guys I banged & pulled between 7 Eleven, Roscoe, sidetracked, minibar, Scarlet and of course Streamworks is enough to make up a village 😂😂😂 also love me some Henry! Such a talented soul & piano man!
I lived there for almost 44 years. I loved it. My favorite bars were Little Jim's and The Bushes. Memories.
Little Jim's was a favorite of mine. Do you also remember "Crystal Blinkers" ? Or the "bearded lady"
@@UncleAl3 The bearded lady I met in person at Bushes. She was a nice person.
@@davidknox1229 Those were great times and places! I met the bearded lady in one of the clubs when she had the big fan and the chicken hat. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
@@UncleAl3 If I recall, the Bearded Lady's name was Bobby. What a hoot!
@@e.m.tanner179 Glad to those who fondly recall all those things that I, or We have fond memories of.
HOLY JEESUS. Look At Those ARMS. Nice.
Omg this warmed my heart so much. I feel like I grew up in boys town - I worked at Nookies even and went to entertaining Julia and showtimes at sidetrack almost every week and seeing you show the love for it and talk about the old times makes me so happy.
Spin! Vortex! ManHole! Roscoes! Uncle Charlie’s! Sidetraxx! Ahh, the memories
I remember Vortex. It was the first club I went to when I was 19. I then transitioned to Roscoes when Vortex closed and then finally to Berlin. I remember Spin had watered down dollar drinks on Wednesdays and I used to go. Living by Broadway and Belmont in the early 2000s was a lot of fun for me. There used to be a Checkers on Broadway and I’d always go there after Roscoes because their fries was so good.
@@mjm5621 I remember all those things. Checkers early morning was great after a night of drinking lol
I loved Vortex, was sad when they closed. Berlin was a blast too. Such a great, diverse crowd of people!
What a great story about 4000 people showing up to see you, after so much trouble selling tickets for your performances years earlier. Now, I have a front row seat to see you at THE KENNEDY CENTER next year (the DC gays can’t WAIT to see you!!!) so you’ve come a long way!❤❤❤
If it was Halsted Marketdays, so those 4000 people were sorta milling around there all day already... not sure how many of them showed up coz Matteo was there, let's be honest
Love the lady walking by holding a swiffer
One of my dearest friends (now deceased) lived on Halsted across from the Whole Foods. I was visiting and he took me to Sidetrack. So I'm walking around looking for the dance floor because what gay bar doesn't have a dance floor. I asked him where it was and he told me there wasn't one. I was shocked to my core!
Thank you for strolling down Matteo memory Lane because I grew up in Indiana and came out in Chicago and know every inch of Halsted Street! I loved the way you described the 7-11 because you were NOT exaggerating! The things I saw and have done there at 2, 3 and 4 a.m! I am older and came out in the 80's so some of the places you referenced weren't there or have changed but I will never forget rollerblading with my lover (who was 20 years older than me) down Halsted Street in the gay pride parade handing out promotional material for a play we produced called The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer. G-I-RRRRR-LLL!!!! 😝
Laser zone had a gym...matteo is too much, I adore him
Clark and Halsted intersection is where drag queens and cubs fans meet
We need a segment called “memory lane” - basically you telling us some wild stories or things you’ve seen from your youth or travels
This was so much fun to watch!
Punkin Donuts forever! Also, that Taco Burrito place was right next to Cupid's Treasures, if I remember correctly.
yes you're right, it was called Cupids Treasures, I lived right at the corner there at Cornelia and Halsted. I loved Taco Burrito Palace! It was cheap and had great food.
I lived on Barry on the other side of the intersection behind where the Blockbuster used to be at the same time! I too thought Jewel was too far and I shopped at the Walgreens across the street. CVS was too far away because that 3 way intersection took too long to cross. I also ate Mac & cheese all the time.
The zoom in on Roscoe’s is sending me into orbit
This was amazing.....reminds me of my 20s on Halsted. Great times!
We lived fourth floor above Leo’s Leather across from Century Mall but alas that was centuries ago ❤😂
My first apartment in Chicago was at Roscoe and Halstead right behind the legendary 7-Eleven
I moved out of the city but I still commute in everyday for work and I absolutely love this neighborhood
Oof! Bringing back so many memories. I can't believe Lucky Horseshoe is still there, and also I just heard that Berlin is now closed!!
Very sad about Berlin 😢
OMFG, what a treat seeing my old neighborhood. I lived at Melrose and Broadway for 20 years. Fun to compare notes w/ Mateo on all the various points of interest he mentions.
That Dunkin was CRAZY!!! They would boto so many cars as well in the parking lot... funny ass shit. Loved living in Lakeview for years back in the early 2000s.
The stories from that Dunkin’ 🤣
You've had a fun, vibrant "youth". I'm happy for you!❤
Matteo, excellent tour. I lived at Halsted and Briar in the 80s, and before Dominos , before CVS, there was a little specialty store that had fresh seafood flown in daily from both coasts. Also, I guess you are too young to remember "Little Jim's"on Halsted and Cornelia? Open til 4am, you could always pick up something...ironically it is now a health clinic.
small world. 738 w. briar 78 to 82. boystown was called newtown back then.
OH MY WORD Matteo! What a marvelous walk down memory "Lane" pal. I just know that we were in the same rooms at the same time. (I knew and adored your brother!) I enjoyed this video of #Boystown (It will always be called that!) and all the stories; many of which I can relate to. If I had to pick one moment to praise, it would be the mention of TBP (what my friends and I called #TacoBurritoPalace) You could go in there any time and in any condition and they would remember you and understand you. EVERY TIME! May it (and now sadly, #Berlin😭) rest in peace! You make all of us former Chicagoians very proud pal! ❌⭕❌⭕
Standing where he is talking about the burrito place. I got to see Jody Watley, Lisa Lisa & Ce Ce Penniston back in 2021.
I used to live on Broadway and Barry- loved it….wonderful memories….definitely stuck to the floor at Roscoe’s. Thank you for the tour -I hate Domino’s too
The guy in the beginning ate that up.
Matteo needs to do a travel series, this was a really fun and interesting video :) 😍😃😍
Ahhhh🎉🎉 loved my apt on Barry avenue
So cute. Love it
This was a super fun video. Live in Montreal now but have fond memories of living in Chicago and that neighborhood in the very early 2000s. I was naive too!
Sometimes I imitate your laugh randomly out of nowhere ngl 😂😂😂
I came of age in Boystown! Lovely to see this video!
IT'S "JEWELS!"
"Candle in the wind" snooooort
It's serving...
Domino's!
--my new insult!
💚
OMG! Memory unlocked with Pie Hole! I knew the people who worked there and everything. The pizza wasn't bad either lol.
YES! I loved getting slices there back in the day. Really sad that it just looks like part of the bar that's next to it.
Thanks For The Fabulous Memories. I Lived In Columbus, But I Spent Many Weekends In Boys Town. Sadly My Hotel Of Choice Was Steamworks 😋 And Man Country Bathouses. Now That Was 30 Plus Years Ago.😢😢
This brings back such memories... I used to live in the area... to this day, I miss it... this would the place to hang. I lived on Clark and worked at Screenz so many years ago...
Nookies hang over skillet was the BEST!
Man, it's sure changed since I left Chicago in 1998. I always went to the Horseshoe & showtune night at SideTrack. I once won the lipsynch contest at Roscoe's, too.
OMG! I lived not too far from there in Lincoln Park! Good memories!
ONG I remember the shower contests at Spin. I haven't been to Boystown in years! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Joe Says: HMMM ... "ONG?" ["Oh, Naked Gods???"]
So nice to have someone tell us what's going on in Chicago back in the 60s!
Joe Says: Um... I think you mean the 00s... Matteo is about 40 (?) So he was just a little 10-year-old kid [like a Baby Yoda] 30 years ago when I was a young man living in Boys' Town with my significant other...