Bijou Theater
1349 N. Wells Street,
Chicago,
IL
60610
1349 N. Wells Street,
Chicago,
IL
60610
4 people
favorited this theater
The Bijou Theatre was advertised as “The Oldest Theatre in the US showing the very finest in Gay Films since 1969”.
Located in the Old Town area of the city, the cinema was basically a store front operation with a ‘play’ area on the second floor. It was opened by Sean O'Connor on July 14, 1971 screening avant garde/underground movies shown from 16mm prints but gradually went over to screening gay porn within a year. It was then operated by Steven Toushin and operated 24 hours a day. The Bijou Theater was closed September 30, 2015.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
When I worked at the Village, many men would come in asking where the Bijou was located. I’ve visited recently and find it an amazing gay time capsule. They certainly don’t make places like that anymore. I’d urge anyone interested in seeing the place to go there soon. I can’t imagine it remaining open for another decade…but then again it has lasted this long. The theater is very clean compared to most, and it is surprisingly bright and tiny. There is a stage up front. Gloryholes, slings, mazes or rooms, and a wooded back alley/garden are beyond the theater. It’s fascinating.
A few years back there was an art gallery further North on Wells St. that had an exhibit based on the owner of the Bijou. There were giant mugs shots from the `70’s in the gallery window.
There was also an apparent failed bombing in the early `90’s that I mentioned over on the Aardvark CT page.
According to news reports at the the time, the would be bomber accidentally blew himself up while alledgedly enroute to the Bijou. Though I’m not sure if this was ever proven to be true, or just speculation due to the bomber’s supposed criminal ties. Might have just been the media trying to link the theatre to other seedy activities.
Though the theatre may specialize in gay porn, I believe the accompanying book/DVD store caters to a hetero adult clientele as well. Even though we grew up in the area, we never set foot in this place.
The Royal London Wax Museum down the street was more our interest. Until the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum opened up across the street. Possibly in the building the Habitat Co. is in. Or near it.
I was always amazed that the Bijou stood the test of time, with a Chicago public grade school located essentially kitty corner & across the street. I’m sure if any such operation were to try and open from scratch at such a locale today, the surrounding yuppie parents would block it to no end. Real estate values in that area have gone ballistic.
It’s an incredible place to explore, and surprisingly the theater is very clean. If you ever have the time or money I would strongly suggest exploring it. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and realize it probably won’t be around for much longer!
Hello all,
I am doing a large-scale research project on adult theatres and would be very interested to hear from anything who either worked at or attended this theatre during its time showing adult films. If you would like to help me out, you can email me at .
Thanks!
Appears to be closing as of September 30th 2015. Via the Old Town Facebook page. Copy & paste to view.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Chicagos-Bijou-Theater-to-close-Sept-30-/52762.html
1976 photo added credit UIC Collection.
According to the below Chicago Tribune article (added to the gallery plus 2 more), it opened as the Bijou Theatre in July 1971 as a 77 seat screening room by Sean O'Conner, the former assistant manager of the Aardvark Theatre which had had a fire confirmed as 1971 as well. Richard Nixon’s 1952 “Checkers Speech” was the opening film.
https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/clip/81412540/chicago-tribune/?fbclid=IwAR2k0Upm1QtPtPtzVpfv73o0uvu4b-5ln_djuzOHqKNdhGYXExbA0X28tLw
I refuse to accept as true that there are no more adult cinemas in Chicago. You say?
I had so much fun at the Bijou back in my Navy days. I couldn’t wait to ride the Metra Line train service into downtown Chicago to enjoy myself at the Bijou. Memories….
Patrick Crowley on April 7, 2008 at 10:49 am Yeah, I couldn’t agree more, guys. I’ve removed all the off-topic/sexual comments.
Note to adult theater patrons: Cinema Treasures isn’t the place to discuss such topics. If you post anything that is of a sexual nature, we’ll delete your comment and account without warning.