Touche

One of the oldest leather bars in Chicago, Touché has occupied a number of locations over the years. Currently, it can be found in Rogers Park, the northernmost neighborhood in Chicago, on N. Clark St. Though it is a bit of a hike from the main strip of gay bars down in Lakeview, it is next door to Jackhammer and only a short cab ride from several other bars along Clark St, including the Eagle. Because of this, Touché tends to draw a mixed crowd, and at times can feel more like a neighborhood bar then a leather bar. It is also the home of the wildly popular Great Lakes Bears bar night, held on the first Saturday of the month. A definite must for anyone who likes his men big and beefy. Touché is divided into two main sections, a front bar and a back bar. The front bar is a fairly large, open space, with a bar running along one wall and a video poker machine, a dart machine, and a pinball machine along the other. There is an ATM located near the front door, and towards the back of the room is a pool table. Though the bar primarily plays dance music, there is no dance floor. Down a short hallway, you'll find the back bar. Open every night except Monday and Wednesday, the back bar is close in size to the front bar, but it's dimmer lighting and more cluttered layout, including a steel cage that is several feet from the door, make it seem like a smaller space. Towards the back of the room is a small bar, and throughout you'll find benches and bar stools for seating. The crowd in the back bar tends to be more "social", especially if you venture behind the wall of tires that can be found near the rear of the room.

One of the oldest leather bars in Chicago, Touché has occupied a number of locations over the years. Currently, it can be found in Rogers Park, the northernmost neighborhood in Chicago, on N. Clark St. Though it is a bit of a hike from the main strip of gay bars down in Lakeview, it is next door to Jackhammer and only a short cab ride from several other bars along Clark St, including the Eagle. Because of this, Touché tends to draw a mixed crowd, and at times can feel more like a neighborhood bar then a leather bar. It is also the home of the wildly popular Great Lakes Bears bar night, held on the first Saturday of the month. A definite must for anyone who likes his men big and beefy. Touché is divided into two main sections, a front bar and a back bar. The front bar is a fairly large, open space, with a bar running along one wall and a video poker machine, a dart machine, and a pinball machine along the other. There is an ATM located near the front door, and towards the back of the room is a pool table. Though the bar primarily plays dance music, there is no dance floor. Down a short hallway, you'll find the back bar. Open every night except Monday and Wednesday, the back bar is close in size to the front bar, but it's dimmer lighting and more cluttered layout, including a steel cage that is several feet from the door, make it seem like a smaller space. Towards the back of the room is a small bar, and throughout you'll find benches and bar stools for seating. The crowd in the back bar tends to be more "social", especially if you venture behind the wall of tires that can be found near the rear of the room.

We were visiting friends who lived in the area and decided to go to this bar with these friends. We wanted to check the bar in the back and the guy manning the bar in the back said they were enforcing a theme tonight which is leather or uniform theme. All four of us were disappointed because we wanted to check the place out. We stayed in the front bar and like most group of friends, we ordered drinks, talked and laughed. Our friend had an idea how one of us could get in. Somehow we had leather we could use to gain entry. As I approached the guy, he said he didn't care what I wore and accused our group of making fun of people in the bar and that he was offended. He told me I could not get in. I didn't say anything to him but got really surpirsed and upset about his accusation. First of all, how can he make that judgment when he could only see us from a distance and could not hear what we were saying. Second, my friends and I are all professionals and do not judge or make fun of people like how he was accusing us. I felt he was DISCRIMINATING us because he didn't like how we looked or how we didn't fit in the crowd for him. I asked the guy in the entrance about the other guy in the back manning the bar in the back. It turned out he was the manager named DAVID!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE!!! WE WILL DEFINITELY NOT COME BACK TO A PLACE WITH A MANAGER RUNNING THE PLACE LIKE THIS!!! VERY JUDGMENTAL WITHOUT VALID FACTS!!!

We were visiting friends who lived in the area and decided to go to this bar with these friends. We wanted to check the bar in the back and the guy manning the bar in the back said they were enforcing a theme tonight which is leather or uniform theme. All four of us were disappointed because we wanted to check the place out. We stayed in the front bar and like most group of friends, we ordered drinks, talked and laughed. Our friend had an idea how one of us could get in. Somehow we had leather we could use to gain entry. As I approached the guy, he said he didn't care what I wore and accused our group of making fun of people in the bar and that he was offended. He told me I could not get in. I didn't say anything to him but got really surpirsed and upset about his accusation. First of all, how can he make that judgment when he could only see us from a distance and could not hear what we were saying. Second, my friends and I are all professionals and do not judge or make fun of people like how he was accusing us. I felt he was DISCRIMINATING us because he didn't like how we looked or how we didn't fit in the crowd for him. I asked the guy in the entrance about the other guy in the back manning the bar in the back. It turned out he was the manager named DAVID!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE!!! WE WILL DEFINITELY NOT COME BACK TO A PLACE WITH A MANAGER RUNNING THE PLACE LIKE THIS!!! VERY JUDGMENTAL WITHOUT VALID FACTS!!!

I love this place, and have gone several times since I moved to the city. The staff is always friendly and inclusive, even if you don't quite fit the scene. It's a great bar. OR SO I THOUGHT! My friend came in from Seattle last week and I took him there late on a Tuesday night (6/30/09). I order us two beers and a shot and right away the bartender snaps back about a $20 minimum on credit cards......seems a little steep, but whatever. I told him we'd have another beer in a little while, and he tells me he's just going to charge me $20 for the drinks I had already ordered (they cost $14 fyi). I protest; he tells me "that's the way it is." I tell him I come here often; now he raises his voice and says (to the entire bar) "This guy comes here all the time, I don't know I've never seen him before..." Now he's mocking me publicly, I am shocked and embarrassed that this is my friend's first impression of Chicago. I ask the bartender for my tab so we can get out of there - he runs my card but waits for me to sign before giving my ID and card back. I didn't tip him, which I feel is appropriate for awful service and public humiliation. He sees this, and refuses to give my ID and card back to me. He says I'll have to come back tomorrow! I tried to take the high road, but now I'm pissed off. It's about 3:45 in the morning, so the bar was closing down in a few minutes - he turns all the lights on and announces to the bar (while reading the name off my drivers license) that "We're going to stop serving because Josh is being an asshole. Make sure you thank Josh on your way out!" Now other bar customers seem to be uncomfortable as well. At this point my friend steps in and offers to pay the tab in cash in exchange for my ID and credit card. The bartender agrees, seemingly done being a prick for the night, and the exchange is made. As we get up to leave, the bartender comes out from behind the bar and stands near the front door, taunting me as I leave. I felt as if he was trying to get me to hit him!.....sorry not gonna happen. I have never been treated that way in a bar, a restaurant, or anywhere else for that matter. It is truly shocking coming from a place that is always so laid back and friendly. My friend and I think the bartender just figured we were your average 20-somethings who belong in Boystown, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. In spite of this review, I really do love this bar. I haven't been back yet but I guarantee I will soon enough. For those of you that want to enjoy it without being hassled, I recommend going later in the week - I think this particular douchebag bartender works earlier......but on Tuesdays for sure.

I luv it! that steel cage has my attnetion everytime i go there, im going to crawl in it one of these nites to see what happens. I was warned a couple times that i will get locked in if i do. The bar tender on wek nites is great, the week end guy was ok, but he was to busy to chat. Dark dirty cheap atspohere is a major turn on.

i'm new to the bar scene, this is my 2nd club, and now my perm. one! i'm a very eager bottom, and every time i've been here, i've done 5 or more! fantasys do cum true!

Hot!!! The place smelled a little funky, but as soon as i got to the back room, i understood why. With all the hot sweaty boys up in my grill, i wished i had brought my leather whip. There's always next time ;)

I miss the original on Lincoln Ave. It was, well, what a leather bar should be.

Love it! The back room is a great place to "get a little something" or just watch if you like. The bathroom is cruzy enough on a slow weeknight. All kinds of guys, and very laid back.

I was there on a non-bear night and it was just as hot and heavy. I've been told how crazy bear night are, I can't wait to be a part of bear night. The guys there are fabulous. Met a great guy named "Joey" there and oh boooy. I hope to see him again soon. I've got nothing but great reviews for this place especially the back room. Davey T.

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