Event Dates
From: Thursday, October 19, 2023
To: Sunday, October 22, 2023
Every November Chicago hosts the International Rubber & The Rubber Blowout Weekend!
Every November Chicago hosts the International Rubber and The Rubber Blowout Weekend! Join in the fun with gear intensive kinksters from around the globe for a weekend filled with shopping, playing, socialising, education, entertainment and pups.
- Visiting Chicago for MIR? Stay at the Hotel Zachary, rated “Superb” by guests with great location close to all the events complete with an onsite bakery, spacious and stylish rooms and a boutique feel.
MIR27 – CHANGES
- Rubber gear is sexy, erotic and fun. Mr. International Rubber Chicago promises you something sexy, something erotic, and a whole lot of fun during a weekend full of fun and sexy events.
- Note, the 27th edition does not take place in central Chicago. Instead organisers have moved the event to North Shore Conference Center in Skokie, Illinois
- Sokie is a 35 Minute drive from the gay bars and clubs along Northalsted.
- The host hotel is The DoubleTree by Hilton in Skokie, Illinois.
- Spillover hotel is Hampton Inn & Suites North Shore / Skokie.
27th International Mr. Rubber Contest
- Saturday – North Shore Conference Center in Skokie, Illinois. The Mister International Rubber contest has many years of history under its boots. The contest is the centrepiece of the weekend and acts as the catalyst to gather like-minded fetishists in one city for one special rubbery weekend of fun.
- MIR contest categories are designed as lighthearted and fun entertainment pieces. The contestants will hold your attention and entertain you during their time on stage, while representing the larger gay men’s rubber community in a variety of settings and situations after the contest.
- If you want to stay close to Northalsted try the Majestic Hotel on West Brompton. Check out the top 10 hotels in Lakeview for more options.
Event Highlights
- 2023 program to be confirmed – these are the typical events, based on the 2022 schedule. Note, as the event moves to North Shore Conference Center in Skokie, Illinois, we are unsure which events will stay in central Chicago.
- Thursday – 10 pm, Welcome Party at Touche, Chicago’s longest serving leather bar kicks off their MIR Weekend with Shiny Black Latex Lust!
- Friday – 9 pm, MIR Opening Ceremonies & Fashion Show at Fantasy Club. See the latest in latex fashions, on our models drawn from the community, followed by the RECON Chicago Dance Party Late night party lovers should head to Steamworks for the MAFIA fisting after party.
- Saturday – After the MIR contest, enjoy a choice of parties including, Gummibears at Touche from 11 pm, Rubber Night at The Baton for the Code Night Party from 11 pm (across the street from the MIR contest) or the Dress Code Party at Leather Rose Association.
- Sunday – Chicago Pet Patrol Potluck Brunch kicks off the day at 11.30om at Cell Block Chicago, followed by the Kink Market at the Center on Halsted and the Winners reception at noon. Later on enjoy Showtunes and Shiny farewells at Sidetrack.
The Venues
- Touche – Neighborhood gay leather bar open since 1977 offering draft brews, a pool table & darts.
- Sidetrack – Super sized gay club drawing a diverse crowd, serving up slushy drinks & known for showtune nights.
- Fantasy Club – Hopping, gay-friendly nightspot with DJs & a cocktail bar for late-night dance parties.
- Cell Block Chicago – The premier leather bar in Chicago, on the northern edge of the Halsted St. bar strip.
- Steamworks – Private men’s gym, sauna, bathhouse for men open 24/7.
- The Riviera Theatre – Located in Chicago’s historic Uptown theater district, 8-minutes drive from the gay bars and clubs.
- The Baton – Right by the theatre, famous for its Drag Shows and host of the CODE NIGHT party.
Chicago Hotels
The following hotels are the most popular with our readers and will keep you close to all of Chicago’s major attractions and just a short taxi ride to the gay bars and clubs.
The Peninsula, The Silversmith Hotel, Gray Hotel, Thompson Hotel,
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Hyatt Regency is close to all the main
events & offers superior rooms & service.
For further information and advice on
The Rubber Blowout Weekend Website
The area in Chicago with the most gay bars is Boys town offering over 20 bar, we have chosen hotels close to this area that have good revues on bookings.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Chicago that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Located along the Magnificent Mile, this Chicago hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art. The hotel offers a full-service Asian-inspired spa, award-winning restaurants, and spacious luxury guest rooms with city views. A 42-inch flat-screen TV and free WiFi
Located in the centre of the Loop, near Chicago’s theater and financial district, this hotel is close to dining, shopping, and many major attractions. Spacious rooms include cable TV and free WiFi. Featuring a contemporary design, each room includes a refrigerator and coffeemaker
Every room at Kimpton Gray Hotel includes a flat-screen TV, iPod docking station & a private bathroom with bathrobes and luxury Atelier Bloem bath products. Select rooms offer a separate living room & spa bath. Boleo offers breathtaking rooftop views alongside Latin-inspired cocktails & cuisine.
Located in the Chicago city centre, this luxury boutique hotel boasts an on-site restaurant and WiFi access. Shopping and dining on Michigan Avenue is 2 minutes’ walk away. A flat-screen cable TV and a mini bar are offered in every modern guest room
MIR:16 Web Highlights from MIR2012
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partners Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Chicago that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
This smoke-free hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and 24-hour room service. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include conference space, concierge services, and dry cleaning. All 261 rooms feature thoughtful touches like pillow menus and bathrobes
This smoke-free hotel features 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. A business center, and conference space are onsite. All 452 rooms feature thoughtful touches like bathrobes and slippers, plus free WiFi and LED TVs with first-run movies. Guests will also find MP3 docks
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, an indoor pool, & a 24-hour fitness center. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, & a spa tub are onsite. All 419 rooms offer thoughtful touches like bathrobes and pillowtop beds & premium bedding. Free WiFi
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has an indoor pool & a 24-hour fitness center. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, & a snack bar/deli are onsite. All 400 rooms offer free WiFi & free wired Internet, plus iPod docks & flat-screen TVs