Chicago could soon make history by becoming the first city in the United States to feature a gay bar inside an airport. The concept was proposed by restaurateur Germán González, who pitched the idea of bringing the beloved local queer venue Sidetracks to O’Hare International Airport.
González shared the vision with Sidetracks’ co-owners, Art Johnston and his husband José “Pepe” Peña. Enthusiastic about the proposal, the couple agreed to collaborate with González on the project. The all-queer team sees launching this initiative during Pride Month as a meaningful counterstatement to recent attacks on LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump administration.
On 5 June, the group officially submitted a proposal to the City of Chicago. Under the plan, González’s Somos Hospitality Group would handle day-to-day operations, while Johnston and Peña would be the primary investors and co-licensees of the Sidetracks brand.
Johnston, a long-time activist and philanthropist, told the Chicago Tribune the project offers a way to uplift LGBTQ+ visibility. “We have made this a better city, a stronger city, and why not show that to the world?” he said. He believes the bar will reflect how the queer community has flourished in Chicago.
Sidetracks, open since 1982, is not only a hotspot for nightlife but also a hub for political and community gatherings. Located in Terminal 1, the proposed airport location would sit within one of the busiest terminals in the U.S., which saw over 80 million passengers in 2024 alone.
Johnston added, “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.”
While the city’s decision on the proposal is still months away, the team is determined to make their case and turn their vision into a reality.
