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.
