Back by popular demand, it’s the Jetspace Magazine list of unofficial parties at International Mr. Leather, one of the largest international queer kink events. It’s taking place once again at the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend.

Please note: there’s a comprehensive schedule for official events. If an event is on that list, it won’t be on this one. Please use this as a supplementary guide, not a replacement! Of course, there’s always a party in the hotel lobby, but if you want to venture offsite or find some of the smaller onsite gatherings, hopefully this will be helpful to you.

Also I’m only listing events that are reasonably open to the public: so no private room parties or parties that require an invite (unless there’s an accessible way to get one). Event descriptions are mostly what event hosts have provided unless they aren’t available.

All Weekend

The Grabbys

Honoring work done in the gay adult erotic video industry

Bear Pride

Chicago bear celebration

Steamworks Chicago

Events all weekend long, capping off with #Blowout on Monday 5/30.

Guest Artist Exhibit – Leslie J. Anderson, The Bootblack Daddy
Leather Archives & Museum (6418 N Greenview Ave)

Artist, Bootblack and IML Contestant Handler, Leslie J. Anderson is the current Guest Artist at the Leather Archives & Museum. Come see her amazing and unique drawings during your visit to Chicago.

The Congress is BURNING
The Congress Lobby Hallway (520 S Michigan Ave)

A Voguing Flashball! You will get a message 2 hours before the event to meet in the hall to strike a pose. Feel free to drop any beats you want to hear on the event wall to help pump up the volume!

Thursday, May 26

2pm: IML Bootblack Luncheon
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub (226 S Wabash Ave)

This year’s luncheon will be at Exchequer at the corner of Jackson and Wabash. It’s a short three blocks to there from the host hotel and they have a varied menu and ample space. Please bring cash to purchase your food and beverages. To RSVP for the luncheon, please email your name and the number of guests in your party to bootblacklunch@gmail.com. RSVPs must be finalized by Monday 5/23.

Exchequer is not a leather affiliated establishment. Please dress street legal and moderately since it’s likely we’ll be surrounded by suits and squares.

8:30pm: California Kink Bus at IML
Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center (520 S Michigan Ave)

Sexual Outlaws, Overage Wild Children, and Perverts: this party bus will have LED disco lights, a great sound system, illuminated bar, and a stripper pole. To celebrate the unique fabulousness that is the California community, EVERYONE on the bus is required to wear what ever gear is important to themselves, AND HIGH HEELS.

Gather in the hotel lobby between 8 and 9pm, get on the party bus, make a quick stop at The Cloud Gate (The Bean) for photos, and then go on to invade some of the Boystown bars. Then head up to The Jackhammer for even more debauchery. At the end of the night, the bus returns to The Congress Hotel.

9pm: Initiation w/ DJ Barry Harris & Steve Henderson
Hydrate Nightclub Chicago (3458 N Halsted St)

Spitshine Promotions and Hydrate Nightclub Chicago present INITIATION with Mega Producer & DJs Barry Harris & Steve Henderson (IML Black and Blue Ball 2015) bringing the thunder back to Chicago! Arrive early and party late!

Friday, May 27

9pm: Men’s Room IML at Jackhammer Complex
The Jackhammer Complex (6406 N Clark St)

Men’s Room takes over the entire Jackhammer Compex for it’s 2016 IML party. 2 floors of music, performances, and ass smell. With special guests Michael Magnan (Holy Mountain, NYC) and Hijo Pródigo joining residents Jacob Meehan, aCe, Harry Cross, and Mister Wallace. BDSM performances by Derek DaSilva and Michael Phoenix. Free clothes check. Dress Code: shirt or pants must come off.  Men’s Room welcomes all genders, races, fetishes, and weirdnesses.

9pm: MACHO BearPride/IML 2016
Bottom Lounge (1375 W Lake St, Chicago)
Tickets: $15 Adv / $20 at the door

Time for the Annual Macho Bear Pride/IML Dance. This year we have a AMAZING lineup. Returning is our resident DJ Dennis Murray. New to Macho is the talented Vic Santiago. Also, returning to Chicago, direct from Guadalajara, Producer/DJ Extraordinaire Jose Spinnin’ Cortes. Our dancer lineup includes Macho resident dancers TeaJay & Justin, sexy PocketCub, and the HOT Jeremy (J-Mo Bear of Tumblr and Youtube fame).

10pm: Grunt
Manhole (3210 N. Halsted)

Beefyboy presents Grunt with DJ Seth Breezy. Doors at 1PM, late nite party til 2AM. No cover til midnight.

11pm: Neverland presents “Animal Farm” IML Weekend 
Charlie’s Chicago (3726 N Broadway St)
Tickets: or at Egoist Underwear (3526 N Halsted)

Prepare for a dark and dirty fantasy set at the stroke of midnight in an old barn, where a story will unfold not about animals, but about the animal inside each of us. Neverland brings to life the Orwell classic “Animal Farm” with leather, steel and harnesses, and the costumed fetishism of horses, pigs, dogs, and other animals. DJ SERVING OVAHNESS (Los Angeles) leads the adventure, built by the imaginations of some of Chicago’s most talented costume designers, set designers and artists. Hosted by Nico and Imp Queen. Set Design by Mike Rubino and Timmie Foley.

10pm: Puppy Pound–IML Welcome Party
The Cell Block (3702 N Halsted St)

Chicago Puppy Patrol would like to welcome all puppies, handlers, and pet play enthusiasts attending IML. We’re throwing a casual puppy pound night at our home bar where you can come in your gear and be as puppy or people as you please. If you’re a good boy you may even get a bowl for your drink. Come join us Friday night and sniff out some of the locals.

Saturday, May 28

3pm: Off Leash 
Congress Plaza Hotel, 3rd Floor, Florentine Room

The Annual Pup and Handler Romp at International Mr. Leather. Off Leash will be a daytime event this year! You’ll be able to get you puppy on, and then enjoy the rest of the evening at the contest, at the hotel parties, or in someone’s hotel room! Stay Tuned for more information about volunteer opportunities, and other ways you’ll be able to support this amazing event!

3pm: Millennium Park Chicago House Party
Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St)
Free event at Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Celebrate House music, born in Chicago 35+ years ago. Featuring: The House Legacy Project, Byron Stingily (Ten City), Dajae, Lidell Townsell, Faith Howard, Paris Brightledge, Ronnell, Kim Jay, First Lady, PEVEN EVERETT, VICK LAVENDER ENSEMBLE. DJ Sets By: JOE SMOOTH, STEVE MIGGEDY MAESTRO, Superjane’s DJ HEATHER & LADY D. Hosted by DANA DIVINE of WGCI 107.5. For more information, visit millenniumpark.org

4:30pm: The Gathering of Villains at IML
Main Lobby (by the main desk) of the Congress (IML) Hotel

As much fun as it is to do some kinky cosplay as heroes, we thought it’s time for the bad guys to have a turn. We’re gathering a group of kinky versions of Batman’s rogues (Joker, Riddler, Catwoman, etc.) to show that it’s good to be bad. The group will meet in the mail hotel lobby at 4:30 to do a little wandering around the place before we crash the superhero meetup at 5 in the hotel bar. We well have a few of Batman’s sidekicks all tied up and ready to be tormented as we take a few pics to send to old Batsy to show him what a good BAD time we’re showing his “young wards” Get creative and have fun with it. It’ll be a RIOT!

5pm: Superhero Fetish Meetup
Congress Hotel Main Bar (520 South Michigan Ave)

It’s time for all superheroes and villains to unite at IML! Join organizer Pablo Greene in the second Superhero Fetish Meetup at IML 2016. This is the place to meet other superhero fetishists and connect. In spandex and lycra, of course. DRESS CODE: Superhero or villain. Check out our gallery below from the Superhero Fetish Meetup earlier this year at MAL 2015 and also some superhero action at IML 2015 last year.

10pm: TitanMen.com Rough Trade Party
Touche Bar (6412 N Clark St)

Rough Trade Movie Premier at 10PM, with raffles, prizes by RoughTradeGear.com. At midnight, meet the men of TitanMen’s Rough Trade! Jesse Jackman, Nick Prescott, Dallas Steele, David Benjamin, Dirk Caber and Adam Ramzi. At 1AM, Rough Trade live sex show with Dallas Steele, David Benjamin and Adam Ramzi.

10PM: The Lair
Smartbar (3730 N. Clark St)

An unofficial IML afterparty with DJPsycho-Bitch Teri Bristol and hosts Lucy Stoole, Jasper Colorado, Aleks Buldocek, and Lorenzo Flexx.

10PM: I Love House Music: Old Skool Jam w/the Men of Onyx
Pub 626 (1406 West Morse Ave)

The famed IML-weekend ONYX party moves to Rogers Park! House sounds from DJ Tiger and sexy dancers all night. $20 admission. $5 Blue Muthafuckas. Right off the Morse stop of the CTA Red Line.

11:30PM – Furball Chicago 2016 IML/Bear Pride Weekend
Metro Chicago (3730 N Clark St)
$15 Adv / $20 at the door

Joe Fiore presents Furball Chicago IML/Bear Pride Weekend. Last year we had 1000 guys show up–this year we’re back for more! Featuring DJ HIFI SEAN (London/UK), DJ Ron Geronimo (Chicago), Mixcloud Furball with special Furball mixes by Hifi Sean & Ron Geronimo for furry, sexy, sweaty fun on the dance floor! HOSTS: Daddy Ersin, Boy Alberto. GOGOS Bears/Cubs: Rich Boxboy, + more!

11:30pm: Strapped
Hydrate (3458 N Halsted St)

4th annual Strapped at Hydrate. Part of the One Magical Weekend National DJ Tour and Powered by Scruff. DJ Shane Stiel (LA). Get strapped till 5AM!

Sunday, May 29

12:30pm: Windy City Bondage Club Special IML Party
Windy City Bondage Club (6434 N Washtenaw (basement))

Windy City Bondage Club hosts an IML bondage party.

1pm: Yappy Hour Hosted by Chicago Puppy Patrol
Second Story Bar (157 E Ohio St)

Join the Chicago Puppy Patrol on Sunday, May 29th for our second annual Yappy Hour at Second Story Bar. This event is open to all pups, handlers, and pet play enthusiasts attending IML. Our friendly bar staff will be slinging your favorite cocktails and we’ll have snacks, games, and social activities to keep you all entertained.

10pm: Vespertine Play Party for Women

18+, $20 per person, fetish attire required. To RSVP and for more information, email skyvespertinechgo@yahoo.com

Monday, May 30

7am: Daybreak with DJ Billy Lace!
Manhole (3208 N. Halsted)

Join us MEMORIAL DAY, Monday, May 30 as the only 7 a.m. party in Boystown returns! DJ BILLY LACE takes over the decks from 7 am to 1 pm! Advanced Tickets: $10 (Limited Quantities Available). Presented by Jon O’Brien and Wady Guzman

3pm: Leather 64TEN Weenie Roast
Leather64Ten (6410 N. Clark, Chicago, IL)

Come Celebrate our 10th Anniversary with us and enjoy weenies hot off the grill. Fun Games and Great deals in the store all day long!

3pm: Team Touché Memorial Day BBQ
ToucheChicago (6412 N Clark St)

Food, Raffles, Jell-O Shots, Drink Specials, and more! Proceeds benefit Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN)/Ride For AIDS Chicago (RFAC)