Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdA favorite Chicago spot for lunch or dinner ! Farm to table.
Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia AveIf you're feelin Italian, this is a Chicago neighborhood fave.
Reno
2607 N Milwaukee AveI love this spot to wire up and have coffee /lunch.
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western AveGreat lunch or dinner BYOB
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveBurgers + Beer (from the acclaimed Au Cheval Fulton Market )
Right off the 606 trail. The BEST coffee. Great atmosphere. Cocktails too ! Great spot to work or read.
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Ipsento 606
1813 N Milwaukee AveRight off the 606 trail. The BEST coffee. Great atmosphere. Cocktails too ! Great spot to work or read.
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California AvenueA Favorite.
Table, Donkey and Stick
2728 W Armitage Ave
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveFlo
1434 W Chicago AveFavorite Ramen spot. They have a horseshoe bar you can order your beer and ramen. Great vibes. Outdoor patio in warmer weather.
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Furious Spoon Logan Square
2410 N Milwaukee AveFavorite Ramen spot. They have a horseshoe bar you can order your beer and ramen. Great vibes. Outdoor patio in warmer weather.
SUSHI! Within walking distance... it's about a 10 minute walk west up Milwaukee Avenue enroute to Logan Square.. or a quick Uber ; ) Delicious Ramen too. BYOB.
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Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveSUSHI! Within walking distance... it's about a 10 minute walk west up Milwaukee Avenue enroute to Logan Square.. or a quick Uber ; ) Delicious Ramen too. BYOB.
My favorite cuban restaurant is right up Armitage (west of Western). Order the special. It's BYOB.. you can bring a bottle of wine and they have wonderful sangria mix for a pitcher ! Great vibe anytime of day or night. There is usually a bit of a wait in the evening.. but they have waiting areas where you can enjoy your wine or sangria while you wait. Great for larger groups.
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90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveMy favorite cuban restaurant is right up Armitage (west of Western). Order the special. It's BYOB.. you can bring a bottle of wine and they have wonderful sangria mix for a pitcher ! Great vibe anytime of day or night. There is usually a bit of a wait in the evening.. but they have waiting areas where you can enjoy your wine or sangria while you wait. Great for larger groups.
This is a great spot to grab specialty food items, foodie gifts, or just coffee and a meal ! They have a rooftop patio that is great for warmer days. You can also hook up to wifi here and work upstairs (indoor space also). They have a nice menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ala Carte. I like to jump on the 606 trail (take a left on the 606) and then exit on Damen and take a right until you get to Wabansia. A fun walking short cut ; )
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The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen Ave This is a great spot to grab specialty food items, foodie gifts, or just coffee and a meal ! They have a rooftop patio that is great for warmer days. You can also hook up to wifi here and work upstairs (indoor space also). They have a nice menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ala Carte. I like to jump on the 606 trail (take a left on the 606) and then exit on Damen and take a right until you get to Wabansia. A fun walking short cut ; )
Fulton Market area.. you will need a reservation! Some of the BEST food in the city. $$$$
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avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StFulton Market area.. you will need a reservation! Some of the BEST food in the city. $$$$
My favorite restaurant right now. The food is a work of art .. unexpected combinations. Pricey. Need reservation. Worth it.
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KAI ZAN
2557 W Chicago AveMy favorite restaurant right now. The food is a work of art .. unexpected combinations. Pricey. Need reservation. Worth it.
Irazu is the family run Costa Rican restaurant practically next door (Milwaukee/ Oakley). I love the veggie burrito and mango shake or the Casado special ! BYOB.
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Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee Ave Irazu is the family run Costa Rican restaurant practically next door (Milwaukee/ Oakley). I love the veggie burrito and mango shake or the Casado special ! BYOB.
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StNeighborhood BBQ
Essentials
Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western AveClosest grocery with everything you might need.
Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia AveA small specialty grocery. Lovely.
Arts & Culture
Incredible exhibitions. Located off the Mag Mile.
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I-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave Incredible exhibitions. Located off the Mag Mile.
The Blue Line stop is Monroe or Adams (walk a few blocks towards the lake and you are there).
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I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe Blue Line stop is Monroe or Adams (walk a few blocks towards the lake and you are there).
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrChicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StFREE. Beautiful architecture. Great exhibitions.
I-Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrIziko Lomhlaba Wamaphupha Nokusebenza
5700 S Lake Shore DrI-Museum yeNtshona ye-Peggy Notebaert
2430 N Cannon DrIf you love street art Vertical is your spot. Patrick Hull runs the gallery and specializes in the largest names in international street artists.
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Vertical Gallery
2006 N Western AveIf you love street art Vertical is your spot. Patrick Hull runs the gallery and specializes in the largest names in international street artists.
Chicago gallery for emerging & recognized contemporary conceptual artists working in various media.
Western Exhibitions
1709 W Chicago AveChicago gallery for emerging & recognized contemporary conceptual artists working in various media.
DOCUMENT specializes in contemporary photography, film and media based art. They promotes the work of emerging national and international artists. Operating conjointly as a professional printmaking studio, DOCUMENT facilitates the production of works by artists from Chicago and the US.
DOCUMENT
1709 W Chicago AveDOCUMENT specializes in contemporary photography, film and media based art. They promotes the work of emerging national and international artists. Operating conjointly as a professional printmaking studio, DOCUMENT facilitates the production of works by artists from Chicago and the US.
Paris London Hong Kong is a private gallery founded by respected diviners of recent and contemporary culture to provide a haven for collectors, scholars and enthusiasts. Curating world-class exhibitions, featuring works from luminaries of the 20th century as well as emerging and thought provoking contemporary artists, PLHK is an exclusive experience set to challenge and enhance the discourse of contemporary and 20th century art.
Paris London Hong Kong
1709 W Chicago AveParis London Hong Kong is a private gallery founded by respected diviners of recent and contemporary culture to provide a haven for collectors, scholars and enthusiasts. Curating world-class exhibitions, featuring works from luminaries of the 20th century as well as emerging and thought provoking contemporary artists, PLHK is an exclusive experience set to challenge and enhance the discourse of contemporary and 20th century art.
Unique gallery within walking distance on Milwaukee. Heaven Gallery is multi-disciplinary arts space presenting new and emerging artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Programs are open to the public. Visual art exhibitions are free of charge, and all events are open to audiences on a pay-what-you-can basis. Also a vintage shop !
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Heaven Gallery
1550 N Milwaukee AveUnique gallery within walking distance on Milwaukee. Heaven Gallery is multi-disciplinary arts space presenting new and emerging artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Programs are open to the public. Visual art exhibitions are free of charge, and all events are open to audiences on a pay-what-you-can basis. Also a vintage shop !
Longtime gallery that showcases emerging national & international artists in all media.
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Rhona Hoffman Gallery
1711 West Chicago AvenueLongtime gallery that showcases emerging national & international artists in all media.
Richard Gray Gallery is a top Chicago art gallery focusing on American and European modern and contemporary art. The gallery was founded in 1963 and has locations in Chicago and New York City.
Richard Gray Gallery
2044 N Michigan AveRichard Gray Gallery is a top Chicago art gallery focusing on American and European modern and contemporary art. The gallery was founded in 1963 and has locations in Chicago and New York City.
Art gallery specializing in contemporary, 20th-century & Midwestern paintings, prints & other media.
Corbett vs. Dempsey
2156 W Fulton StArt gallery specializing in contemporary, 20th-century & Midwestern paintings, prints & other media.
Iziko Lomuzi Wokubaluleka Womzantsi Afrika Womzantsi Afrika
1852 W 19th StChicago Truborn
1741 W Chicago AveStreet Art
Drinks & Nightlife
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTACOS + Margaritas ! Patio.
Incredible cocktails. Speakeasy. Can be hard to find.. directly across from Big Star unmarked door.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveIncredible cocktails. Speakeasy. Can be hard to find.. directly across from Big Star unmarked door.
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveAmazing beer menu.
Great cocktails and atmosphere. Can lean hipster some nights.
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Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveGreat cocktails and atmosphere. Can lean hipster some nights.
A neighborhood anchor from the days when the Artists ruled the neighborhood ! Great music, Art and beer.
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Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveA neighborhood anchor from the days when the Artists ruled the neighborhood ! Great music, Art and beer.
Known for its jazz and poetry performances, along with its connections to Chicago mob history.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayKnown for its jazz and poetry performances, along with its connections to Chicago mob history.
They have all of your old faves as well as new games. Full bar.
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Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveThey have all of your old faves as well as new games. Full bar.
Green Eye is right across the street (Western) under the train. This bar has been around quite a while and no frills, good beer, good times (late night).
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Green Eye Lounge
2403 W Homer St Green Eye is right across the street (Western) under the train. This bar has been around quite a while and no frills, good beer, good times (late night).
The Charleston Bar Chicago
No frills neighborhood bar. DJ in the evenings.
Jazz, classical music & dance events are showcased in an open performance space with a full bar.
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Constellation
3111 N Western AveJazz, classical music & dance events are showcased in an open performance space with a full bar.
The Whistler hosts musicians, poets, and DJs. Check the schedule to see what's on tap! Great cocktails. Small space.
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The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveThe Whistler hosts musicians, poets, and DJs. Check the schedule to see what's on tap! Great cocktails. Small space.
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveMusic or events (readings, comedy, etc). A great venue ! !
A quick uber ride but worth it. This is near Rootstock restaurant which makes for a perfect evening in my book. Dinner at 8pm and then hop over to the Clipper to be transported into a different era with cocktails and music.
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The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueA quick uber ride but worth it. This is near Rootstock restaurant which makes for a perfect evening in my book. Dinner at 8pm and then hop over to the Clipper to be transported into a different era with cocktails and music.
Parks & Nature
Rent a bike and hit the lake front trail or picnic in the shade trees.
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Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailRent a bike and hit the lake front trail or picnic in the shade trees.
Lincoln Park has a huge farmers market on the weekends and a great spot to hang out for the day and enjoy the weather along with good food.
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Lincoln Park
500-5700 N Lake Shore DrLincoln Park has a huge farmers market on the weekends and a great spot to hang out for the day and enjoy the weather along with good food.
I like this beach because it's easy to get to .. there is a restaurant on the beach... the waves are larger here.. and the backdrop of the city is the best ! It can be busy but makes for a fun day.
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Oak Street Beach
I like this beach because it's easy to get to .. there is a restaurant on the beach... the waves are larger here.. and the backdrop of the city is the best ! It can be busy but makes for a fun day.
Entertainment & Activities
For the last two decades, the Music Box Theatre has been the premiere venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city.
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Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveFor the last two decades, the Music Box Theatre has been the premiere venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city.
Closest movie theater, near all of the great restaurants in Logan Square. Midnight films. Bar.
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The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveClosest movie theater, near all of the great restaurants in Logan Square. Midnight films. Bar.
Links Hall
3111 N Western Ave Unique performances
The owners actually stayed in my Airbnb when seeking permits to open. An awesome couple that brought the idea from an old school shuffle board club they fell in love with in Florida. Their first one opened in Brooklyn several years ago. Def. worth checking out and learning the game!! Fun atmosphere w food trucks and roof deck.
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The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
1750 N Milwaukee AveThe owners actually stayed in my Airbnb when seeking permits to open. An awesome couple that brought the idea from an old school shuffle board club they fell in love with in Florida. Their first one opened in Brooklyn several years ago. Def. worth checking out and learning the game!! Fun atmosphere w food trucks and roof deck.