Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
The novella-length menu at this cozy, low-key Humboldt Park alcove contains loving and helpful descriptions of an impressive selection of wines and beers. But if you still have no idea where to start, ask—everyone behind the bar is willing to let you taste through options until you find a wine you’ll love. To fuel a long night of drinking, the food menu includes an array of small plates served until 1am. This is the kind of warm, simple neighborhood place you’ll never want—or need—to leave.
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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenue
The novella-length menu at this cozy, low-key Humboldt Park alcove contains loving and helpful descriptions of an impressive selection of wines and beers. But if you still have no idea where to start, ask—everyone behind the bar is willing to let you taste through options until you find a wine you’ll love. To fuel a long night of drinking, the food menu includes an array of small plates served until 1am. This is the kind of warm, simple neighborhood place you’ll never want—or need—to leave.
Brendan Sodikoff took over the ’30s-era cocktail bar in 2014 , and it’s still wonderfully low-key with live music, a jukebox and glowing red lights—but now with better drinks. Try the elegant gin and raspberry Clover Club. The venue's robust live music schedule features jazz and country acts, with covers that are usually between $5-$10, depending on the show.
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The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueBrendan Sodikoff took over the ’30s-era cocktail bar in 2014 , and it’s still wonderfully low-key with live music, a jukebox and glowing red lights—but now with better drinks. Try the elegant gin and raspberry Clover Club. The venue's robust live music schedule features jazz and country acts, with covers that are usually between $5-$10, depending on the show.
This inconspicuous bar is equal parts after-work dive and Antiques Roadshow. Amid dusty knickknacks and bric-a-brac, the family who runs the place will pour you a stiff drink and then try to sell you a Civil War–era revolver, a set of buffalo-themed shot glasses or anything else lying around—anything except for the patriarch’s wall-mounted marlin and the Hamm’s sign hanging out front.
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Archie's Iowa Rockwell Tavern
2600 W Iowa StThis inconspicuous bar is equal parts after-work dive and Antiques Roadshow. Amid dusty knickknacks and bric-a-brac, the family who runs the place will pour you a stiff drink and then try to sell you a Civil War–era revolver, a set of buffalo-themed shot glasses or anything else lying around—anything except for the patriarch’s wall-mounted marlin and the Hamm’s sign hanging out front.
If you want to watch any Chicago team (Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, etc.) while enjoying a cold beverage and a plate of barbecue, you've come to the right place. Boulevard Sports Lounge lets you order brisket, rib tips and pulled pork by the pound while you take in the game on an array of screens covering the walls of this Humboldt Park bar. Even if you don't feel like cheering on the home team, you'll appreciate the nightly food and drink specials.
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Boulevard Sports Lounge
2645 W North AveIf you want to watch any Chicago team (Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, etc.) while enjoying a cold beverage and a plate of barbecue, you've come to the right place. Boulevard Sports Lounge lets you order brisket, rib tips and pulled pork by the pound while you take in the game on an array of screens covering the walls of this Humboldt Park bar. Even if you don't feel like cheering on the home team, you'll appreciate the nightly food and drink specials.
Old School Bar with Stage in Back...IF your from here you play here.
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The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveOld School Bar with Stage in Back...IF your from here you play here.
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveGreat Local and National small acts play here.
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveDJ kind of place with good drinks
Food Scene
What would happen if you took the elements that have made a certain Wicker Park bar so oppressively popular—creative tacos, cheap beer, good music—and moved them a mile west? Bullhead Cantina tries to answer that question, offering a long list of tacos (including sweet potato and portobello options for vegetarians) as well as some Mexican-inspired burgers. Best of all, a taco, a PBR tallboy and a shot is always just $7.
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Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveWhat would happen if you took the elements that have made a certain Wicker Park bar so oppressively popular—creative tacos, cheap beer, good music—and moved them a mile west? Bullhead Cantina tries to answer that question, offering a long list of tacos (including sweet potato and portobello options for vegetarians) as well as some Mexican-inspired burgers. Best of all, a taco, a PBR tallboy and a shot is always just $7.
A change in ownership dropped the “Black” before “Beetle” but kept the wood-paneled bar, antique taps and low-key vibe intact at this Humboldt Park watering hole. If DJs are spinning on weekends, music can be heard from the sidewalk tables when the weather’s nice. Drop by for trivia on Monday nights, cheap tacos every Tuesday or a boozy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
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The Beetle Bar and Grill
2532 West Chicago AvenueA change in ownership dropped the “Black” before “Beetle” but kept the wood-paneled bar, antique taps and low-key vibe intact at this Humboldt Park watering hole. If DJs are spinning on weekends, music can be heard from the sidewalk tables when the weather’s nice. Drop by for trivia on Monday nights, cheap tacos every Tuesday or a boozy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Atmosphere: With a casual vibe and wide-ranging all-day menu headlined by a dressed-down take on caviar, this inviting corner joint has the potential to become a neighborhood fave.
What to eat: A la carte caviar starts at $10, but if you’re in a group, go for the platter, which is outfitted with generous sides. Don’t skip the toothsome pelmeni and grilled Polish sausage roll, and save room for oft-changing, always comfy pie and ice cream.
What to drink: Seasonally rotating infused vodkas like lemon-basil and blueberry or black pepper gochujang are a match for the plethora of pickled items and sea creatures on order here. Eighteen (!) food-friendly wines by the glass span France, Germany an
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Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
2700 W Chicago AveAtmosphere: With a casual vibe and wide-ranging all-day menu headlined by a dressed-down take on caviar, this inviting corner joint has the potential to become a neighborhood fave.
What to eat: A la carte caviar starts at $10, but if you’re in a group, go for the platter, which is outfitted with generous sides. Don’t skip the toothsome pelmeni and grilled Polish sausage roll, and save room for oft-changing, always comfy pie and ice cream.
What to drink: Seasonally rotating infused vodkas like lemon-basil and blueberry or black pepper gochujang are a match for the plethora of pickled items and sea creatures on order here. Eighteen (!) food-friendly wines by the glass span France, Germany an
Texas Tacos
5235 2624 IL-64Great Mexican Food at a great price.
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveGood Stuff
Cafe Central
1437 W Chicago AveNice Puerto Rican modern coffee house.
Classic & creative cakes, cookies & tortes from a bakery run by the same family since 1911.
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Roeser's Bakery
3216 W North AveClassic & creative cakes, cookies & tortes from a bakery run by the same family since 1911.
Ruth & Phils Gourmet Ice Cream
2636 W Chicago AveGreat Ice Cream
Great homemade Ice Cream and Candies. 1921, when Peter George Poulos opened an ice cream parlor on the North Side. The shop became known as Margie's Candies in 1933, when Poulos' son George Peter Poulos married his sweetheart, Margie Michaels. Their son Peter George, our current owner, was born in 1936 and grew up in the store — literally. His father created a cradle in back of the candy case to hold the young one.
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Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveGreat homemade Ice Cream and Candies. 1921, when Peter George Poulos opened an ice cream parlor on the North Side. The shop became known as Margie's Candies in 1933, when Poulos' son George Peter Poulos married his sweetheart, Margie Michaels. Their son Peter George, our current owner, was born in 1936 and grew up in the store — literally. His father created a cradle in back of the candy case to hold the young one.
European cafe offering pastries, cookies & a savory breakfast/lunch menu with crêpes & pierogi.
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Shokolad Pastry & Cafe
2524 W Chicago AveEuropean cafe offering pastries, cookies & a savory breakfast/lunch menu with crêpes & pierogi.
Feed
2803 W Chicago AveGreat Comfort/Soul Food
1492 Cuban Fusion Café
2615 W North AveCuban Food, mmm good
Upscale modern Greek dining with an all-Greek wine list & a full bar plus stylish decor & a patio.
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Taxim
1558 N Milwaukee AveUpscale modern Greek dining with an all-Greek wine list & a full bar plus stylish decor & a patio.
Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia AveIconic Italian restaurant and bar
Enoteca Roma
2146 W Division StAnother Great Italian Restaurant in Chicago
Enso Sushi & Bar
1613 N Damen AveGreat Sushi
Via Carducci La Sorella
1928 W Division StGreat Italian
Alliance Bakery
1736 W Division StOld School Bakery, good stuff
The Lakefront Restaurant at Theater on the Lake
2401 North DuSable Lake Shore DriveOn the Lake, spectacular view
Parks & Nature
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrIt's a good walk in the daytime.
Just N. of North Ave by Bloomingdale Street, a bike and walking trail that was a railroad previously.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueJust N. of North Ave by Bloomingdale Street, a bike and walking trail that was a railroad previously.
Arts & Culture
After Humboldt went from German to Puerto Rican...
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National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
3015 W Division StAfter Humboldt went from German to Puerto Rican...
UrbanTheater Company @ Batey Urbano
2620 W Division StKool Theater
Uncle Art Gallery
1359 N Maplewood AveLocal Gallery
DreamBox Gallery
2415 W North AveLocal Art Gallery
TCC Gallery Chicago
2547 W North AveLocal Art Gallery
Entertainment & Activities
Dance Academy of Salsa
2246 N Western AveDance Classes, lots of Latin dancing.
Essentials
Multicultural Grocer with lots of great meats at the butcher...if you eat meat.
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Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveMulticultural Grocer with lots of great meats at the butcher...if you eat meat.
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayNearby
Farmers Pride Produce
756 N Western AveFarmers Produce and other stuff
Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia AveSmall specialty grocer, very nice but expensive
Amish Healthy Foods
1025 N Western AveAmish Grocer
Municipal Foods
2559 W Division StNearby
Permanently Closed
Nearby laundromat
Advanced Cleaners
1717 N Western AveDry Cleaner, good one.
FAMILY DOLLAR
3748 N Elston AveLots of Cheap stuff...groceries, goods
Everything Else
Hour Of Change Fitness
Workout
The Brass Ring
2511 W North AvePole Dancing for adventurous women..not me
Anytime Fitness
1346 W Devon AveWorkout