Chicago's queer community is rich in bolo ties. And ten-gallon hats. And old-fashioned Western shirts with pearl-snap buttons, fringed leather jackets, and well-worn cowboy boots.
Honestly, good luck finding any of these within a ten-mile radius of the city prior to June 1, when Swappin' Boots, Queer Social Club's hit two-step night, returns to Judson & Moore Distillery. Since 2022, the Queer Social Club (QSC) has produced events geared toward "cultivating queer joy and facilitating spontaneous connections," per the club's website. QSC events range from picnics and karaoke nights to artsy maker's markets—but Swappin' Boots has quickly become the club's most iconic outing, says QSC organizer Alexis Stein.
Swappin' Boots Fri 6/1, 7 PM, Judson & Moore Distillery, 3057 N. Rockwell Building 5, $15, 21+ "I'm an Americana girlie. I grew up in Colorado, so I was always very close to country-western culture and outlaw country," says Stein, who produces Swappin' Boots alongside longtime Chicago booker Sullivan Davis.
Davis manages events at Judson & Moore and originally devised the event as a singles mixer. "My friends were having an awful time dating," laughs Davis. But while the initial singles events had a relatively tepid response, the first queer two-step night was wildly popular.
"The [QSC] crew really loved the event. They came out dressed to the nines, and it was so fun," says Davis. Now, the event is an ongoing partnership between QSC and Judson & Moore, offering an inclusiv.
