Event Dates
From: Thursday, November 5, 2026
To: Sunday, November 8, 2026
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.
- Note, this event does not take place in central Chicago. It is held in Rosemont, Illinois, about 50-minutes drive from Chicago.
MIR30
- Next Edition: Thursday 5th November, 2026 – Sunday 8th November, 2026.
- 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 fetish events.
- The event attracts the global rubber community with signature events including the contest evening, a vendor fair and shopping market.
- Other highlights include a “Mocktail party” / recovery meeting sessions, social mixers and workshops.
- Rosemont is ~50 minutes drive from the gay bar district of Northalsted/Boystown.
30th International Rubber Contest
- Saturday – The 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.
Popular Rubber-friendly bars and clubs in Chicago
Note – 10:00 PM – 4:30 AM there is a Bar Shuttle from the hotel to the bars of Chicago every 30-minutes. It will run to/from Jackhammer at Clark and Devon, every 30 minutes.
- Jackhammer – Multilevel club with dance floor & many bars offers darts, adult entertainment & everything between.
- 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 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.
Address: 108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Address: 21 E Bellevue Pl, Chicago,
Address:
Address: 10 S Wabash Ave, Chicago,
Address: 933 West Belmont Avenue Chicago
Address: 3434 North Broadway Chicago
Address: 528 West Brompton Avenue Chicago
Address: 3439 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3359 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3452 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3729 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3325 North Broadway Street Chicago
Address:
Address:
Address: 3320 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3339 N Halsted St, Chicago
Address:
Address: 3702 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3458 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address: 3356 North Halsted Street Chicago
Address:
Address:
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
MIR:16 Web Highlights from MIR2012
Chicago, affectionately known as the “Windy City,” is a must-visit destination for LGBTQ+ travellers seeking a vibrant, welcoming, and diverse experience. The city is home to Northalsted (formerly Boystown), one of the first officially recognized gay villages in the United States. Remember, Chicago has an efficient public transit system, so you’ll have easy access to all the city offers no matter where you stay.
The heart of Chicago’s downtown and home to some of its most iconic landmarks with great hotels.
A great place to stay if you’re a foodie or a fan of the arts, and close to the city’s best shopping.

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