Chicago O’Hare International Airport is currently undergoing a major expansion and redevelopment project. As part of that project, an expansion of Terminal 1 is underway which will include some new concession space. As first reported by The Chicago Tribune and flagged by Paddle Your Own Kanoo, one of the city’s most popular gay bars has put in a bid for space in the expanded terminal.
Sidetrack Bar is Looking to Open at Chicago O’Hare International Airport
The award winning Sidetrack Bar, one of the most popular gay bars in the city of Chicago, is interested in opening a location inside of the airport. Restauranteur Germán González has secured licensing permission from the bar’s owners, Art Johnston and José ‘Pepe’ Peña, to use the name and brand on a new location within the airport.
González the managing partner of the Somos Hospitality Group, which operates three Chicago restaurants. This includes Tzuco, an upscale Mexican restaurant in River North which is a James Beard Award semifinalist.
If approved, Somos Hospitality Group would be the operator of the O’Hare location with Johnson and Peña listed as investors. Here’s what co-owner Art Johnson had to say about the opportunity:
“Pepe and I, we’re just blown away by the notion, knowing the number of people who pass through here every day who could see that there are (gay) bars here, where the people there don’t have horns and tails, and we’re not trying to steal anybody’s children. We’re trying to live our lives and make life better for all of us. And O’Hare is, we think, a perfect next step in that direction.”
The bid for space was submitted on June 5, 2025 and submissions for concession space closed on June 20, 2025. The final decision on concessions is still a few weeks away but, if González’s application is approved, Chicago would be home to the first gay bar inside of an airport.
If approved, the bar will be located in Terminal One which is primarily used by United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners.
Summary
While I am clearly not the target demographic for this bar, I love when airports feature local bars and restaurants from the community instead of a bunch of chain locations. New Orleans (MSY) and Austin (AUS) do a great job of this (good luck finding a McDonalds at either of those airports) and I think this could be a unique option traveling to, from, or through Chicago O’Hare International Airport.