Bijou Theater

m00se1111 on November 26, 2022 at 9:38 am

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.

nycman on March 1, 2022 at 12:35 am

I refuse to accept as true that there are no more adult cinemas in Chicago. You say?

DavidZornig on December 24, 2017 at 10:12 pm

1976 photo added credit UIC Collection.

Matthew Prigge on April 5, 2012 at 8:23 am

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!

DavidZornig on April 7, 2009 at 8:03 am

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.

DONTKNOW on March 17, 2008 at 3:29 pm

This theater has been around for quite a long time. In the 1960’s it would not be uncommon to stroll in here and see the likes of Nureyv and others from that era. In the 70’s it became quite raunchy as the clientele changed to a more “macho man” leather crowd. I am going to be honest here, about 97% of the guy’s never wore condoms and barebacking was the norm(with several partners.) The 80’s brought the big Aids scare and it became notorious as one of the places that Jeffrey Dahmer met one of his victims(who worked their.) The 90’s brought back go-go dancers and a mix of artistic shows geared towards the more flamboyant. The late 90’s brought financial trouble for their legendary owner, Steven Toushin. Last time I was in a guy actually died! To see the place with the lights on was scary to say the least.

The Bijou holds a place close in my heart. I was a mere 19 year old lad when I lost my virginity here.