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Fifteen Sex Shops For a Toasty Valentine's Day

By Jared Hatch
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By Jared Hatch

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Sex is on the brain. As it should be this time of year--staying indoors, huddling up under the duvet trying to keep warm. Who want's to venture outside to socialize when you can socialize at home (with yourself or with others) and have just as fun of a time.

To ensure you know where to buy the supplies and wearables you need for entertaining, we've compiled a list of sex shops ranging from the fuzzy handcuffs and nipple pasties sort to the custom leather corsets so-fresh-you-can-smell-it shop. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments below.

For more non-skeevy sex shops around the country, check out our guides to Philly, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, or browse online with the help of Racked National.


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1. Mephisto Leathers

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6410 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 508-0900
(773) 508-0900
Visit Website
Situated one block south of the Chicago Police Station, between bars named Touche and Jackhammer, Mephisto Leather's main priority is serving leather fetishists. Harnesses, slings, whips--you name it--and most of it is custom. Within the selection there are rubber outfits for men and women as well as larger investment furniture pieces like swings and slings.

2. Tulip Toy Gallery Andersonville

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1480 W Berwyn
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-6110
(773) 275-6110
Visit Website
Though the product selection is nearly identical to the Boystown store, this location sees more lesbians, which in turn means a faster run-through of the stock of Lelo vibrators.

3. Early To Bed

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5232 N Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 271-1219
(773) 271-1219
Visit Website
In September 2001 Early to Bed opened in Edgewater just off LSD at Foster. Since, have been welcoming people of all genders, orientations, experience levels and ages. Try and touch the toy collections and lubricants before you buy to compare slipperiness, taste and scents. The DVD section is pre-screened to ensure the films meet the staffs standards, and all are rental or permanent acquisition. The store offers a 10% discount for students and a special Adult Industry Professionals Discount.

4. Banana Video

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4923 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773)561-8322
(773)561-8322
Visit Website
And for this predominantly gay-focused video and sex shop, we turn to the words of Yelper, Cecilia. "We were treated nicely as we wandered the little store with toys sized so big that thinking about them still pains my lady bits, industrial sized containers of lube, gonzo-style porn of twinks, trannies, and more!"

5. Leather Sport

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3503 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 868-0914
(773) 868-0914
Visit Website
The window display can be intimidating for women, but in fact many of the bedside accoutrements within are useful within fem walls. Soft whips and dildos upon dildos line the glass case in the middle of the store. Around the perimeter are wearables for the boys; jockstraps, jerseys, harnesses, etc.

6. Tulip Toy Gallery Boystown

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3459 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 975-1515
(773) 975-1515
Visit Website
Though the product selection is nearly identical to the Andersonville store, this location sees more gay men and straight people, which in turn means a faster run-through of the stock of Fleshlights and butt plugs.

7. The Pleasure Chest

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3436 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL
(773) 525-7151
(773) 525-7151
Visit Website
Since the early 70's The Pleasure Chest has been rolling on the wave of sexual exploration and fulfillment. Couples and singles of all age groups with goals of becoming more educated and specialized in what makes their bodies tick (sexually) shop here for enhancers, ticklers and teasers, prostate and vaginal fitness accessories as well as the traditional sex shop lineup of lube, strap-ons and dams.

8. Egor's Dungeon

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900 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-7131
(773) 525-7131
Visit Website
Last year neighboring naughty shop TabuTabu (also part of The Alley) had a run-in with a Cook County Prosecutor. The Prosecutor was drunk and bit the sex shop worker on the leg. It was early evening. This is the type of customer that also shop next door at Egor's Dungeon. They also sell smoking accessories if that's your bag.

9. Lover's Lane

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955 W. Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL
(773) 472-0000
(773) 472-0000
Visit Website
Dare we say, this place is Very Lincoln Park? Very reasonably priced lingerie and costume collections as well as a 50 Shades of Grey section. Conveniently located below the Diversey Parkway Brown Line Station next door to Potbelly Sandwiches.

10. G Boutique

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2131 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-1234
(773) 235-1234
Visit Website
Viewed as probably the most feminine on our map of naughty shops, G Boutique is more of an erotic lifestyle shop. Owners Cheryl and Kari host yoga classes and blow job classes, sell pajamas and sexy lingerie that still leaves a little mystery to be solved. Brands include Blush, Cosabella, Eberjey, Elle Macherson, huit, simone perele and more.

11. Over 21 Bookstore

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1347 North Wells St
Chicago, IL
(312) 337-8730
(312) 337-8730
Visit Website
One of the few places in the city with a "browsing fee", this bookstore/ video viewing club is 24-hours and caters to the bachelorette crowd and the traveling businessman. Next door is a mysterious spot called The Bijou Theater which falls in the same 24-hour category.

12. Agent Provocateur

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47 E Oak St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-0229
(312) 335-0229
Visit Website
The most high-end on our list is Agent Provocateur where a whip can run you $600+ and nipple pasties come in a myriad of colors and sequin options. Shop lingerie and silk throws or a select few gifts for him. Just below street level on Oak this is the most central to the main shopping streets as well.

13. Frenchy's on State

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872 N. State St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 337-9190
(312) 337-9190
Visit Website
Ah, Frenchy's... Thou art a musty Gold Coast legend that will never air of burning incense. Originally named Doc Johnson (the premier sex toy maker in the US), now named Frenchy's has been hocking dongs for more than 40 years. The store has the basics of a bachelorette party as well as other novelty items as well as cockrings, vibrators and tobacco pipes. This year the store will expand its pipe selection to pipe cleaners, water pipes and other smoking accessories.

14. S Factor Studio

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1400 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 492-7596
(312) 492-7596
Visit Website
If you want to learn how to pole dance like a pro and dress like one too, S Factor by Sheila Kelley is you go-to studio. From furry boots to active tops and short, short bottoms the retail section will not disappoint.

15. Lovers Playground

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1246 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-5222
(312) 226-5222
Visit Website
Even though the neon sign says "EROTIC WAREHOUSE", it is not a warehouse. Reviews on this one are mixed, so best advice is to just know what you're getting into. There's a $1 "browsing fee" and the typical assortment of erotica and erotic pleasantries happening amongst the shoppers. There is, however a seemingly larger selection of nipple clamps from what we can remember.

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1. Mephisto Leathers

6410 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60626
Situated one block south of the Chicago Police Station, between bars named Touche and Jackhammer, Mephisto Leather's main priority is serving leather fetishists. Harnesses, slings, whips--you name it--and most of it is custom. Within the selection there are rubber outfits for men and women as well as larger investment furniture pieces like swings and slings.
6410 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 508-0900
Visit Website

2. Tulip Toy Gallery Andersonville

1480 W Berwyn, Chicago, IL 60640
Though the product selection is nearly identical to the Boystown store, this location sees more lesbians, which in turn means a faster run-through of the stock of Lelo vibrators.
1480 W Berwyn
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-6110
Visit Website

3. Early To Bed

5232 N Sheridan Rd., Chicago, Illinois 60640
In September 2001 Early to Bed opened in Edgewater just off LSD at Foster. Since, have been welcoming people of all genders, orientations, experience levels and ages. Try and touch the toy collections and lubricants before you buy to compare slipperiness, taste and scents. The DVD section is pre-screened to ensure the films meet the staffs standards, and all are rental or permanent acquisition. The store offers a 10% discount for students and a special Adult Industry Professionals Discount.
5232 N Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 271-1219
Visit Website

4. Banana Video

4923 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640
And for this predominantly gay-focused video and sex shop, we turn to the words of Yelper, Cecilia. "We were treated nicely as we wandered the little store with toys sized so big that thinking about them still pains my lady bits, industrial sized containers of lube, gonzo-style porn of twinks, trannies, and more!"
4923 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773)561-8322
Visit Website

5. Leather Sport

3503 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
The window display can be intimidating for women, but in fact many of the bedside accoutrements within are useful within fem walls. Soft whips and dildos upon dildos line the glass case in the middle of the store. Around the perimeter are wearables for the boys; jockstraps, jerseys, harnesses, etc.
3503 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 868-0914
Visit Website

6. Tulip Toy Gallery Boystown

3459 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, Chicago, IL 60657
Though the product selection is nearly identical to the Andersonville store, this location sees more gay men and straight people, which in turn means a faster run-through of the stock of Fleshlights and butt plugs.
3459 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 975-1515
Visit Website

7. The Pleasure Chest

3436 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL
Since the early 70's The Pleasure Chest has been rolling on the wave of sexual exploration and fulfillment. Couples and singles of all age groups with goals of becoming more educated and specialized in what makes their bodies tick (sexually) shop here for enhancers, ticklers and teasers, prostate and vaginal fitness accessories as well as the traditional sex shop lineup of lube, strap-ons and dams.
3436 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL
(773) 525-7151
Visit Website

8. Egor's Dungeon

900 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
Last year neighboring naughty shop TabuTabu (also part of The Alley) had a run-in with a Cook County Prosecutor. The Prosecutor was drunk and bit the sex shop worker on the leg. It was early evening. This is the type of customer that also shop next door at Egor's Dungeon. They also sell smoking accessories if that's your bag.
900 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-7131
Visit Website

9. Lover's Lane

955 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago, IL
Dare we say, this place is Very Lincoln Park? Very reasonably priced lingerie and costume collections as well as a 50 Shades of Grey section. Conveniently located below the Diversey Parkway Brown Line Station next door to Potbelly Sandwiches.
955 W. Diversey Parkway
Chicago, IL
(773) 472-0000
Visit Website

10. G Boutique

2131 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Viewed as probably the most feminine on our map of naughty shops, G Boutique is more of an erotic lifestyle shop. Owners Cheryl and Kari host yoga classes and blow job classes, sell pajamas and sexy lingerie that still leaves a little mystery to be solved. Brands include Blush, Cosabella, Eberjey, Elle Macherson, huit, simone perele and more.
2131 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-1234
Visit Website

11. Over 21 Bookstore

1347 North Wells St, Chicago, IL
One of the few places in the city with a "browsing fee", this bookstore/ video viewing club is 24-hours and caters to the bachelorette crowd and the traveling businessman. Next door is a mysterious spot called The Bijou Theater which falls in the same 24-hour category.
1347 North Wells St
Chicago, IL
(312) 337-8730
Visit Website

12. Agent Provocateur

47 E Oak St, Chicago, IL 60611
The most high-end on our list is Agent Provocateur where a whip can run you $600+ and nipple pasties come in a myriad of colors and sequin options. Shop lingerie and silk throws or a select few gifts for him. Just below street level on Oak this is the most central to the main shopping streets as well.
47 E Oak St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-0229
Visit Website

13. Frenchy's on State

872 N. State St, Chicago, IL 60610
Ah, Frenchy's... Thou art a musty Gold Coast legend that will never air of burning incense. Originally named Doc Johnson (the premier sex toy maker in the US), now named Frenchy's has been hocking dongs for more than 40 years. The store has the basics of a bachelorette party as well as other novelty items as well as cockrings, vibrators and tobacco pipes. This year the store will expand its pipe selection to pipe cleaners, water pipes and other smoking accessories.
872 N. State St
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 337-9190
Visit Website

14. S Factor Studio

1400 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60622
If you want to learn how to pole dance like a pro and dress like one too, S Factor by Sheila Kelley is you go-to studio. From furry boots to active tops and short, short bottoms the retail section will not disappoint.
1400 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 492-7596
Visit Website

15. Lovers Playground

1246 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607, Chicago, IL 60607
Even though the neon sign says "EROTIC WAREHOUSE", it is not a warehouse. Reviews on this one are mixed, so best advice is to just know what you're getting into. There's a $1 "browsing fee" and the typical assortment of erotica and erotic pleasantries happening amongst the shoppers. There is, however a seemingly larger selection of nipple clamps from what we can remember.
1246 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-5222
Visit Website