Our values • Jackhammer Chicago
No attitude. Real community.
Jackhammer is a 21+ LGBTQIA+ bar in Rogers Park built around self-expression, consent, hospitality, community, and a shared commitment to keeping nightlife welcoming, respectful, and alive.
What guides us
A bar where people can show up as themselves.
Our guests are a diverse mix of the global LGBTQIA+ community seeking a safe, respectful, and no-attitude bar. Jackhammer is, and always will be, a place for people to gather, connect, and be themselves.
Our values shape the way we welcome guests, build programming, support local partners, and preserve Jackhammer’s role in Chicago LGBTQIA+ nightlife. They guide how we think about affordability, hospitality, consent, safety, creative expression, and community responsibility.
Whether you are a regular, a first-time visitor, a leather or gear community member, an IML traveler, a neighborhood guest, or someone looking for a place to belong for the night, these values are part of what makes Jackhammer Jackhammer.
Consent, respect & safety
Everyone has a role in protecting the space.
Great nightlife only works when guests understand the expectations. Our House Rules and Zero Tolerance Drug Policy help keep Jackhammer welcoming, accountable, and safer for the communities we serve.
House Rules
Consent is not optional.
Jackhammer is a social, expressive, and gear-friendly space, but respect comes first. Our House Rules outline expectations around consent, behavior, boundaries, and shared responsibility.
Before you visit, especially for events and late-night programming, review the House Rules.
Zero Tolerance
No drugs. No dealing. No exceptions.
Any patron caught using, attempting to sell, or attempting to offer drugs to anyone at the bar will be subject to immediate expulsion.
Repeated offenses may result in a permanent ban from all 2Bears Tavern Group establishments.
The five values
How we make decisions.
These values keep Jackhammer focused on what matters: accessible nights out, genuine hospitality, queer creativity, community partnership, and a real connection to the neighborhood around us.
Value
Value drives our decisions. Guests deserve a strong experience, fair pricing, generous hospitality, and the highest quality we can offer.
Service
Always genuine, always approachable. The Jackhammer experience should feel thoughtful, welcoming, and no-attitude from the door to last call.
Arts
Arts and nightlife are part of a strong community. DJs, performers, promoters, visual culture, and creative programming help shape our identity.
Community
Jackhammer supports community through partnerships with nonprofits, social groups, artists, organizers, and people building connection.
Local
We are committed to supporting local businesses, local nonprofits, and the Rogers Park and Chicago communities we call home.
Values in action
Community shows up in the room.
Our values are not just words on a page. They show up in the people behind the bar, the guests who make the space feel alive, the organizations we partner with, and the events that bring different parts of the LGBTQIA+ community together.
Jackhammer continues to evolve with the communities it serves — preserving legacy while making more room for different identities, expressions, bodies, scenes, and generations.
Before you visit
Know the values. Respect the space. Enjoy the night.
Start with the House Rules, then see what is coming up next at Jackhammer.