Dorothy – one of Chicago’s only lesbian bars, located in the West Town neighborhood – is ready for its debut walking the Chicago Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29.

“We don’t have enough lesbian representation … in general, but also throughout our city and specifically at the Pride parade. All identifying folks are welcome at Dorothy, and all identifying folks will be walking with us in the parade – and we all gather to celebrate lesbian identity, whatever that means to you,” said Whitney LaMora, who owns and operates Dorothy with her wife, Zoe Schor, under their group, LaSchora Hospitality.

“We are a 1970s-inspired, sexy subterranean cocktail lounge known for our extensive and varied events, programming and our commitment to the LGBQTIA+ community.”

Dorothy originally opened on Valentine’s Day 2020, but them closed with the rest of the world in March. It reopened in her current iteration and as a lesbian bar in July 2022.

Dorothy brings its delicious Midnight Margarita, the only cocktail that has remained the same since 2020. “It’s currently our only draft cocktail and is made with activated charcoal – visually interesting and otherwise a delicious easy margarita to enjoy in our basement bar,” LaMora said. “Otherwise, our Dorothy Martini and Dorothy Old Fashioned are our takes on known classics that can always be enjoyed at the lounge.”

LaMora said Pride Month is a celebration of the queer community and the bar is hosting 26 events in June alone, ranging from drag, burlesque, guest bartenders, panels, performance and more. “Pride is a next level of nonstop which is why we take our team holiday party in July, not December. We’re excited and ready for it,” she said.

LaMora and her crew will be walking the parade. “Our staff is helping invite all the regulars that Zoe and I don’t get to interact with in the same way that they do – in addition to our regular programming hosts, reps, investors and of course family. It’s a small but literal representation of what Dorothy is,” she said.

“We have a walking group, lesbian and trans flags on order and will be handing out small Dorothy items like cards, stickers and buttons.”

Last year was LaMora’s first Pride Parade. “As a longtime member of the service industry, I often had to work brunch over attending the parade. It was an awesome experience walking with Zoe through our city on a beautiful day to celebrate our community,” she said.

Dorothy will have 100 walkers.

“As an LGBTQIA+ business, we celebrate queerness and Pride all year, but are thankful to get to share the celebration on such a large scale as the parade,” LaMora said.

Article written by: Ross Forman