These policies apply to every Bowie Ball party. Each venue also has its own rules, and venue staff and security have the final say at the door and inside. By buying a ticket or coming to the party, you agree to these policies.
Age and ID
Bowie Ball is for adults. The age limit is set by the venue and listed on each event: recent parties at Metro were 18 and over, and the 2022 party at Smartbar was 21 and over.
- Everyone needs a valid, unexpired government photo ID to get in, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport or military ID. Photos of IDs aren’t accepted.
- Under Illinois law, you must be 21 or older to buy or drink alcohol. At 18+ parties, guests 21 and over get a wristband or hand stamp to buy drinks.
- Bartenders and security can refuse service to anyone. Fake or borrowed IDs may be confiscated and turned over to police.
Tickets and refunds
- Tickets are sold through the venue’s official ticketing partner. Ticket fees and any taxes are shown at checkout.
- Refunds, exchanges, transfers and cancellations follow the venue’s and ticketing partner’s policies, which are shown when you buy. Questions about an order go to the ticketing partner.
- Buy tickets only from the official ticket link on bowieball.com or the venue’s site. We can’t help with tickets bought from other sellers, and duplicate or fake tickets won’t be honored.
- Door sales depend on availability and the venue.
- Lineups, set times and performers can change without notice.
A party for everyone
Bowie Ball celebrates glam, drag and self-expression. Everyone is welcome, whatever your race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
- Harassment, hate speech, unwanted touching and threatening behavior aren’t tolerated.
- Ask before touching anyone, including performers, and respect people’s costumes and space.
- Tipping performers is welcome. Hand tips to the performer, or place them where the performer or host shows you.
- If someone makes you uncomfortable, tell venue staff or security right away, or email us afterward.
The venue and Bowie Ball can refuse entry to, or remove, anyone who breaks these policies or makes the party unsafe.
Not allowed
- Weapons of any kind, including firearms, knives and costume props that look like real weapons. Illinois law bars carrying firearms, including concealed carry, in many bars and nightclubs.
- Illegal drugs, and outside food or drink.
- Smoking or vaping of any kind indoors, including cannabis. Illinois and Chicago law ban smoking and vaping inside public places.
- Open flames, fireworks, confetti cannons and glitter bombs. Glitter on you is encouraged; glitter thrown on other people is not.
- Professional cameras, tripods, drones or livestreaming without a press credential. See our Photo & Video Policy.
Bags may be searched at the door, and the venue can refuse entry to anyone who declines a search.
Health and safety
- Parties include loud music, strobe and flashing lights, haze or fog, and crowded dance floors. If you’re sensitive to any of these, including photosensitive epilepsy, please plan accordingly. Earplugs are a good idea.
- Drink responsibly and look out for your friends. Venue staff can help if someone needs medical attention.
- Coming to the party is voluntary, and you’re responsible for your own conduct and belongings. To the fullest extent allowed by law, Bowie Ball isn’t responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property. Lost and found is handled by the venue.
Photos and filming
Bowie Ball parties are photographed and filmed, and you may appear in photos and videos we share. Our Photo & Video Policy explains how to avoid being photographed and how to ask for a photo to be taken down.
Accessibility
If you need an accommodation to enjoy the party, email us before the event and we’ll work with the venue. See our Accessibility page.
Weather and things beyond our control
Bowie Ball happens in January in Chicago. We plan to party through snow and cold, but if severe weather, a venue emergency, public health orders or anything else outside our control forces a change, we’ll post updates here and on Instagram @bowieballchicago.
Questions
Email contact@bowieball.com.