He is the Bears’ NFL Players Association representative and vice president of the association’s executive committee. Even those NFL players who are supportive (and Outsports has talked to dozens and dozens) generally demur when asked if they have had a gay teammate or know of gay players.Īcho, 29, is entering his eighth season, his fourth with the Bears after four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. It’s rare to hear an NFL player say matter-of-factly that there are gay or bisexual players in the league. The phrase “not everyone has the same sexual orientation” stuck out. “Even if you don’t agree or you haven’t experienced some pain that somebody else has experienced, you do it for them.” “We come from so many different backgrounds and so many different experiences, so it’s going to be hard to figure out one solution that fits everyone.
It can be confusing at times on how you find an answer, how you find a solution, because not everyone has the same beliefs, not everyone has the same experiences, not everyone has the same skin color, not everyone has the same religious background, not everyone has the same sexual orientation,” Acho told reporters before the Hall of Fame game last week. However, the Cell Block is probably the softest approach to the leather world.Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho was discussing the diversity in NFL locker rooms and how it made it hard to find one unifying way to deal with the controversy over the national anthem. With its dark facade and daunting name, you might hesitate going in. “Cell Block is one of Chicago’s well-known leather bars. Furr Nights are the exception, when people of all ages check out the bar, mostly out of curiosity. The younger clientele tends to be people curious about the bar or those looking for cheap drinks, not a leather experience. For the most part, the clientele tends to be bears over 40. Also worth mentioning is their annual “Cell Block Leatherman Contest” where dozens of leather-loving men compete for the title through various competitions and the bar crowns a winner with the help of patrons.Ĭell Block is supposedly straight-friendly, but I wouldn’t recommend it-especially if your gal pal just wants to giggle and stare at the leather lovers, which doesn’t go over well.
If you want the full leather bar experience, this is unquestionably a good time. The night also features a live DJ and some pretty fantastic drink specials. Furr Night is all about shirtless, hairy men in chaps and those looking for an eyeful. If cheap drinks aren’t reason enough to check out Cell Block, I recommend Furr Night, which happens on the third Saturday of every month.
The daily specials are pretty hard to beat, especially with $2 PBR on Mondays, $4 for any beer on Fridays and free hot dogs on Sundays. In fact, being easy on the wallet makes Cell Block a great place to go towards the end of the night when you’re running low on dough after spending the evening bar-hopping in Boystown. It’s possible this is their attempt to distract you from the ambiance, and it works. I’ll spare you the details but you can use your imagination…įor most, the cheap drinks more than makes up for the surroundings and, rumor has it, that the bartenders will even buy you a drink if you tip them well. Back here, it’s even darker and filled with TVs playing porn.
There are several different rooms, including the back that’s open only on weekends.
Paint is chipping off the walls and the barstools look as though they may crumple if anyone over 100 pounds happens to sit down on them. It’s dark and dingy, and not in a rustic sort of way. The bar itself could use a décor upgrade. It’s mainly groups of men and women just having a good time. Although there are some creepy men lurking in the shadows, Cell Block isn’t the hardcore leather bar like everyone thinks. However, after visiting the bar on several occasions, I discovered that the place is a little misunderstood. I’ve often heard it described as a hook-up bar for older gay men and the name itself is a little intimidating, not to mention the somewhat unwelcoming façade. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about going to Cell Block. If you blink as you walk by, you might never even notice it.
Not to be confused with the very straight Lockdown on Western, Cell Block lurks ominously behind darkened windows on Halsted, just north of Waveland and adjacent to Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club.
Leather bars seem to be slowly receding into the past, but the Cell Block in Boystown is bringing it back, or trying to at least on its ever popular “Furr Night” when bellying up to the bar takes on new meaning… On every other night, it’s cheap drinks, darts and pool that draws a predominantly non-leather neighborhood gay crowd.