Carol's Speakeasy (Chicago Gay Bar 1978-1992) jaws original The Boom Boom Room in

The Boom Boom Room in Laguna Beach

Though it never explicitly labeled itself as a gay publication

The design mirrors the classic tourist tees sold along the boardwalk — bright

Hellfire evolved—toning down

Long before performance art or conceptualism had mainstream language

Carol's Speakeasy (Chicago Gay Bar 1978-1992) jaws original The Boom Boom Room inCarols Speakeasy wasnt just another barit was a cornerstone of Chicagos LGBTQ nightlife from the late 1970s into the early 1990s. Tucked away in Uptown, Carols offered a safe, unpretentious space where drag shows, disco beats, and stiff drinks flowed in equal measure. It was the kind of place where strangers became friends over the course of a night, and where the dance floor often felt like the true center of the universe. I use Bella + Canvas 3001