“THE ART OF ACTIVISM: Co-owner of the legendary gay bar Sidetrack, Art Johnston is a civil rights champion.”

An exceprt from the NORTHWESTERN MAGAZINE Spring 2024 Edition:

Sitting down with Johnston — even for the first time — feels like reconnecting with an old friend. He is disarming, warm and kind. 

“I have to warn you,” he says with a grin. “I tend to ramble … so you may have to stop me.”   

It’s difficult, however, to interrupt someone with so many stories to tell about the origins of the queer liberation movement in Chicago. At 80, Arthur “Art” Johnston ’75 MFA has spent more than four decades working as a civil rights champion. He co-founded Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ rights organization. As part of the “Gang of Four,” he lobbied for the groundbreaking passage of Chicago’s 1988 Human Rights Ordinance, which banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. And he helped raise awareness and support when the AIDS crisis gripped Chicago in the 1980s. 

But Johnston and his husband, José “Pep” Peña, are perhaps most widely known as co-owners of the largest gay bar in the Midwest: SIDETRACK

Read the full article here:

https://magazine.northwestern.edu/features/art-johnston-pep-pena-sidetrack-lgbtqia-northalsted-chicago-activism-civil-rights-equality-illinois/

In response to actions and statements taken by Anheuser-Busch which strongly bring into question their support of the LGBTQ+ community, Sidetrack will cease selling Bud, Bud Light and 312. 

For 41 years Sidetrack has encouraged liquor and beer companies that have wished to garner the LGBTQ+ customer base to actively support our community.  For many years, there were very few companies that were willing to risk this sort of exposure.   Sidetrack appreciates the relationships that have developed with the brands that support us.  This support helped to fund initiatives to pass city and state-wide human rights ordinances in Chicago and Illinois to include the LGBTQ+ community.  Sidetrack continues to be encouraged by the increase in support from brands to the LGBTQ+ Community over the last 4 decades as the country’s support for the LGBTQ+ Community has increased. 

However, we must also hold brands accountable if they take active steps against LGTBQ+ equality, visibility, and safety.

Bud Light’s recent decision to drop the Dylan Mulvaney campaign, to put on “leave” those who created it, as well as the statement by its CEO, wrongfully validates the position that it is acceptable to acquiesce to the demands of those who do not support the Trans Community and wish to erase LGBTQ+ visibility.  In light of this, Sidetrack will cease the sale of Anheuser-Busch products including Bud, Bud Light and Goose Island 312. 

Until Anheuser-Busch can clearly demonstrate that they will not acquiesce to the voices of hate that wish to erase LGBTQ+ existence, Sidetrack will continue to boycott their products.  Until then, Sidetrack will continue to partner with brands that work to give back to the LGBTQ+ Community and lift the voices of all its members.   Sidetrack stands with other Chicago LGBTQ+ owned bars and businesses that have also dropped Anheuser-Busch products. 

Sidetrack is pleased to participate in the Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned Challenge to raise money for Historically Black Colleges & Universities. For every Joe’s “OF” Mule sold at Sidetrack through the end of March, Uncle Nearest will donate $1 and Sidetrack will donate $1 to HBCUs. Joe’s “OF” Mule is made with Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, simple syrup, bitters and an orange slice. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the world’s first-known African American master distiller, Nearest Green. Uncle Nearest is the best-selling Black American-founded, owned, and led spirit brand in U.S. history.

CHOOSE YOUR MULE
Made with Barritt’s Ginger Beer, lime juice, and fresh lime (Diet Ginger Beer available)

TITO’S MULE Made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka
JAMESON ORANGE MULE Made with Jameson Orange Whiskey
REMY MARTIN 1738 ACCORD ROYAL MULE Made with Rémy Cognac

WICKED
Effen Black Cherry Vodka, Sprite, splash of Midori Melon Liqueur, with a cherry

JOE’S “OF” MULE
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, simple syrup, bitters, orange slice
Uncle Nearest will donate $1 per cocktail  and Sidetrack will donate $1 per cocktail to Historically Black Colleges & Universities through the end of March 2023.

DIRTY KETEL SHIRLEY
Ketel One Vodka, Sprite, with a splash of grenadine and a cherry

COINTREAU RICKEY
Cointreau French Orange Liqueur, flesh lime juice, soda and lime garnish

PATRÓNALOMA
Patrón Silver Tequila, Sprite, White Grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice and an orange slice (salted rim upon request)

STOLI BLUEBERI SPIKED LEMONADE
Stoli Blueberi Vodka, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, lemonade, splash of soda, lemon garnish

FANCY RANCH WATER
Don Julio Blanco Tequila, soda, squirt of fresh lime juice and lime garnish

PEACH PUNCH PERFECTION
Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, splash of cranberry juice & orange juice, Martini & Rossi Prosecco

ESPRESSO MARTINI
Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Stoli Vanil Vodka, RumChata Cream Liqueur, simple syrup

TROPICAL TEAUILA
Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Red Bull Yellow Edition (Tropical), lemon garnish

WATERMELON SUGAR HIGH
Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil Vodka, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Red Bull Red Edition (Watermelon), with lemon

GENIE MARTINI – RUB MY LAMP!
The Botanist Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau French Orange Liqueur, Blue Curacao

Sidetrack’s monthly LGBTQ+ Storytelling Event, OUTspoken, is honored to have be chosen as a 2022 inductee into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.  Get Sidetrack’d the 1st Tuesday of each month for OUTspoken in Main/Cherry/North Bars from 7-9pm.  

The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, the only city-sanctioned LGBT Hall of Fame in the world, was founded in 1991 to honor Chicago’s people and entities, nominated by the community, who have made significant contributions to the quality of life or well-being of the LGBT community and the city of Chicago. The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 were selected from a slate of candidates submitted by Chicago’s LGBT community.