Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveBest thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveReally close.
Flo
1434 W Chicago AveExcellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
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The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketMostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
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avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StA top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
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Soho House Chicago
113-125 N Green StGreat design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
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Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StAmazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
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Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveLunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
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Mana Food Bar
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
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Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StIf you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
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Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago AveDecent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
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Charlatan
1329 West Chicago AvenueNew, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
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Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdChicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
Analogue
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
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Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveMeats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
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Yusho
2853 North Kedzie AvenueCool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
Jimmy John's
51 W Division StIn case you really need a sub.
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveFried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
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Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveReally good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
Shopping
CVS
771 N Ogden AveClosest pharmacy
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
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Penelope's
1913 W Division StWicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Steven Alan
1659 N Damen AveCool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Marc Jacobs
11 E Walton StIf you're into this kind of thing.
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
diptyque
1645 N Damen AveLooking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
Nike Bucktown
1640 N Damen AveA small Nike store with just running gear.
Apple Michigan Avenue
401 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Nike Chicago
669 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Topshop Topman
830 N Michigan AveMichigan Ave shopping.
Bloomingdale's
900 North Michigan AvenueMichigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
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Nordstrom Wedding Suite - Michigan Avenue
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
Barneys New York, Chicago
15 E Oak StShopping.
Suitsupply Chicago
945 N Rush StIn case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Jack Spade
47 E Oak StShopping.
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
iD Chicago
2130 N Damen AveVery cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
Drinks & Nightlife
Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
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Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee AveOld school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
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Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden AveLots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
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Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveThe original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
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The Charleston Bar Chicago
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
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Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division StA Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
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Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveChicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
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Lone Wolf
806 W Randolph StAn imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
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The Aviary
955 W Fulton MarketUltra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveChicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
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Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan BlvdLogan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
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Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveA giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
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Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie AveLogan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
The website says it best:
"DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
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Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveThe website says it best:
"DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
J Patrick's Irish Bar Grill
1367 W Erie StThe closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
Essentials
Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
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The Noble Grape
802 N Bishop StClosest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
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Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago AveThe other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveClosest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
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Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StHuge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
Arts & Culture
Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be:
http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
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Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee AveWeird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be:
http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
Sightseeing
Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
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Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrLook these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveBecause.
Skyporten
201 E Randolph StWhere we keep The Bean.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph StGotta see it to understand it.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveArt. Sometimes good art.
Everything Else
Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
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Grand
502 N Milwaukee AveNot as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
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Chicago & Milwaukee station
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen AvenueThe middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
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Cta Blue Line - Logan Square station
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
Divvy
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.