Homosexuals and sports do mix If you're into that sort of thing, there are plenty of gay bars to catch the game Boy on Boystown September 11 2008 It's football season. For some people that is very exciting news. Seems like all of my friends and co-workers have been adjusting their schedules for their fantasy football drafts recently. They have tried to explain the concept to me, but my eyes just glaze over when they get into "owners" and "free agents" and "dynasty leagues." Huh? Although, a "Dynasty" league would have been interesting. Three points every time Alexis Carrington slapped Krystle! Six points whenever someone slept with his best friend's spouse! I don't totally hate sports. I can get into March Madness—this year I copied my bracket from "CSI: Miami's" Emily Proctor and actually did fairly well—and I was in a summer softball league. But football gives me a headache. However, just because a man happens to be gay doesn't mean he doesn't like sports. Granted, this homosexual isn't into them that much (except Olympic gymnastics—those men have amazing bodies), but there are many, many gay men and women who live for football. So if you are a queer fantasy football fiend and want to watch the games at a bar whose name doesn't include the words "Mother" or "Barleycorn," where can you go? There actually are several gay sports bars in Chicago. 'Crew Bar + Grill' in Uptown shows up to eight MLB, NFL and college football games at once on their multiple TV screens. That's a bit much for me, but they have a nice food and beer selection to keep me occupied. If Crew is like your hot, gay college roommate, then 'North End' is your hot, gay college professor. Located at the north end of Halsted Street, it has a much more laid back, neighborhood vibe. It's like the "Cheers" of Boystown, where everybody knows your name. Plus, you can play pool during the commercials—which seem to make up 90 percent of every NFL game. 'Halsted's Bar and Grill' says it's a sports bar, but every time I've been there, one TV might have a game on while the others have videos of Cher lip-synching. My friend Dan said he recently went to Halsted's thinking he could watch the Cubs game. He asked the employees if they could turn on the game their reply was, "Girl, we're watching videos." Sorry, Cubs fans. Madonna beats the Cubs every day. Halsted's does have one kick-ass patio. You can chill out there and check scores on your iPhone. If you want a real sports bar with a beer garden, try 'Bucks Saloon' in the heart of Boystown. I have to admit I've never been in Bucks, but its Web site advertises cheap drinks and sports on the TV. What more can you ask for? Plus they seem rather friendly there. Every time I walk by, someone sitting in the window winks at me. There may be cruising going on there, but at least people are nice about it. While you might spot me at Crew Bar + Grill or North End tossing back a few, I probably won't be there for fantasy football. The only sporting event that might get me into a bar is the lube wrestling at 'Hydrate' -that definitely stirs up a fantasy.
_________________ No more L word.
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