Nobody’s Darling Bar: Chicago’s Newest Black-Owned Queer Bar
As of July, there are only 21 bars in the U.S. that cater to lesbian and queer women, according to the Lesbian Bar Project. But Nobody’s Darling hasn’t been added to the list yet because its owners hope to be more inclusive and reach beyond the lesbian and queer women community.
Located in Chicago’s queer-friendly Andersonville neighborhood, Nobody’s Darling is the brainchild of its Black queer owners Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle, who accepted a proposal from Lori Petrushkevich to move into the space of her lesbian wine bar Joie de Vine.
Riddle has operated LGBTQ+ bar pop-ups around Chicago and decided to take a leap of faith. “I was making a lot of money for other bars and restaurants, so I wanted a space to curate events and feed my passion for cocktails,” Riddle told Chicago Eater. “I liked that we would be able to keep this bar women-owned and queer-owned,” Barnes added.
Up for the challenge, Riddle and Barnes opened what they call a “community-based” bar named after author Alice Walker’s poem “Be Nobody’s Darling.” The upscale bar pays homage to famous women via its menu of handcrafted cocktails such as the Rosé Parque (civil rights activist Rosa Parks), Kahlo Margarita (Mexican painter Frida Kahlo), and the Eartha Kitty (actress Eartha Kitt).
In addition to offering tasty mixed drinks, Nobody’s Darling also has 10 “Keep It Cute” zero-proof cocktails, including the Darling Nojito and the D.D. Darling – made with DHOS Spiritless Gin, elderflower syrup, and lemon.
Patrons looking for drink specials should head to the bar for Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For singles looking to meet new people, the bar holds a monthly Single’s Mixer every third Thursday at 6 pm. And keep your eyes peeled for those Drag Brunch dates, too!
An interesting tidbit is that by day, Barnes, 52, works as a corporate attorney, and Riddle, 41, works as a revenue auditor. But as bar owners, they are two of three Black queer bar owners in Chicago. Jamal Junior, the owner of Jeffrey Pub, holds the other coveted spot.
In their new roles, Barnes and Riddle have created a place for LGBTQ+ patrons to spoil themselves while they feel comfortable enough to be their authentic selves like Walker’s poem: “Be nobody’s darling; be an outcast. Take the contradictions of your life and wrap around you like a shawl.” These Black queer entrepreneurs have embraced the need to be seen and included as their mantra for success. A strategy that seems to be working.
Click here for more information about Nobody’s Darling Bar and its elevated cocktails. Also, check out our Weekend Travel Guide to Chicago to help you plan your trip to the Windy City.
