Opened in March 1983 at 712 N. Rush Street, Gentry quickly became one of Chicago’s best-known upscale gay bars—elegant without losing its warmth, and known for drawing a professional crowd alongside regulars who treated it like a second home.
Unlike louder dance-focused clubs of the era, Gentry leaned into atmosphere: martinis, piano performances, cabaret singers, intimate conversation spaces, and a polished interior built around chandeliers and lounge seating. It became especially associated with Chicago’s cabaret scene, helping launch and sustain generations of local performers through its open-mic nights and live entertainment.
After founder Alden Jones opened the original Rush Street location, ownership later passed to David Edwards, who expanded the brand and relocated the club after the original building was sold in 1997. Gentry continued on State Street and Halsted, evolving with Chicago’s nightlife while holding onto its reputation as a more refined, social alternative to the city’s larger discos.
For many, Gentry wasn’t just a bar—it was a fixture. A place tied to piano music, conversation, community, and the feeling that everyone in the room somehow knew each other.
