Guidebook for Chicago
Getting Around
Chicago & Milwaukee station
Take the #66 bus east from Chicago Ave.
Damen station
1558 N Damen AveTake the #50 bus north from Damen Ave.
Drinks & Nightlife
My neighborhood watering-hole. Great staff, service and selection of rotating taps. Try the chicken tenders!
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Tuman's Tap and Grill
2159 W Chicago AveMy neighborhood watering-hole. Great staff, service and selection of rotating taps. Try the chicken tenders!
A newer addition to the neighborhood, but friendly staff and patrons.
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Damen Tavern
701 N Damen AveA newer addition to the neighborhood, but friendly staff and patrons.
One of only a few bars in Chicago dedicated to international football.
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Diag Bar & Grill
2856 N Southport AveOne of only a few bars in Chicago dedicated to international football.
Best indie-rock club in Chicago - and try to catch their Saturday night Windy City Soul Club.
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The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveBest indie-rock club in Chicago - and try to catch their Saturday night Windy City Soul Club.
Subterranean
2011 W North AveMulti-floor rock club near the Six Corners.
Noble Square treasure and one of the best dive bars in Chicago, it's full of characters and neighborhood history. I lived directly across the street for two years. It's where I learned about malort.
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The Chipp Inn
832 N Greenview AveNoble Square treasure and one of the best dive bars in Chicago, it's full of characters and neighborhood history. I lived directly across the street for two years. It's where I learned about malort.
Another great neighborhood spot. Enjoy a Chicago Handshake. But beware, it magically transforms into a dance spot with DJ late night.
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EZ Inn
921 N Western AveAnother great neighborhood spot. Enjoy a Chicago Handshake. But beware, it magically transforms into a dance spot with DJ late night.
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveTop-notch cocktails.
The California Clipper
1002 North California Avenue Swanky local spot for late night cocktails.
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveMatchbox
770 N Milwaukee Ave
Bordel
1721 W Division StArts & Culture
Iziko Lomuzi Wokubaluleka Womzantsi Afrika Womzantsi Afrika
1852 W 19th StI-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveFood Scene
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveCrazy delicious old school ice cream shop.
Best gelato ever. EVER! And it's just a short walk from our apartment. The dogs and I walk over a stock up regularly.
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Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle DrBest gelato ever. EVER! And it's just a short walk from our apartment. The dogs and I walk over a stock up regularly.
Modern take on classic soda fountain. Stop in while exploring the small shops on this stretch of California in Humboldt Park.
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Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveModern take on classic soda fountain. Stop in while exploring the small shops on this stretch of California in Humboldt Park.
You should try giving them a call just to see if they pick up. If you're lucky enough for them to answer the phone, you'll be treated to one of the best meals of your life. It was mine.
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Schwa Restaurant
1466 N Ashland AveYou should try giving them a call just to see if they pick up. If you're lucky enough for them to answer the phone, you'll be treated to one of the best meals of your life. It was mine.
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted StWork your charm or make arrangements for a patio seat.
La Scarola
721 W Grand AveSuper friendly staff and interesting fusion.
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Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
2700 W Chicago AveSuper friendly staff and interesting fusion.
Clever Rabbit
2015 W Division StExcellent vegetarian fare!
Beautiful, intimate space. Excellent service, something on the menu for everyone.
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Beatnik
1604 W Chicago AveBeautiful, intimate space. Excellent service, something on the menu for everyone.
Split-Rail
2500 W Chicago AveAn airy space with top-notch bar service and fare.
Bar Biscay
1450 W Chicago AveA trendy spot with an awesome vibe.
The Delta
1745 W North AveYuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
1751 W Chicago Avea tavola
2148 W Chicago AveGreat family spot or place to watch a game. Lots of local beers available and excellent Quad Cities-style food (yep, it's a thing.)
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Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveGreat family spot or place to watch a game. Lots of local beers available and excellent Quad Cities-style food (yep, it's a thing.)
Get your pizza and beer fix here. The variety of brews are approachable and as a lover of New Haven-style pizza, I can say its wickedly awesome.
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveGet your pizza and beer fix here. The variety of brews are approachable and as a lover of New Haven-style pizza, I can say its wickedly awesome.
Seasonally refreshing herbaceous beers and well-crafted meals make this a great late lunch or Sunday spot.
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Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago AveSeasonally refreshing herbaceous beers and well-crafted meals make this a great late lunch or Sunday spot.
Ron Swanson. You'll see what I'm talking about. The dogs and I do weekday brunch on the patio here. Fantastic latin-inspired food. The staff is super accommodating and its so so close to our flat.
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WHISK
2018 W Chicago AveRon Swanson. You'll see what I'm talking about. The dogs and I do weekday brunch on the patio here. Fantastic latin-inspired food. The staff is super accommodating and its so so close to our flat.
Easy, no fuss diner-style breakfast for early-risers like me. Less than 2 minutes for the apartment too.
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Sunrise Cafe
2012 W Chicago AveEasy, no fuss diner-style breakfast for early-risers like me. Less than 2 minutes for the apartment too.
Uncle Mike's Place
1700 W Grand AveMilk & Honey
1920 W Division StFor healthier and more wholesome vegetarian breakfast options...
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Flying Saucer
1123 N California AveFor healthier and more wholesome vegetarian breakfast options...
My favorite brunch. I was a regular here for years when I lived on the block.
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Flo
1434 W Chicago AveMy favorite brunch. I was a regular here for years when I lived on the block.
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago AveCoffee and pie? Yep!
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee AveStar Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveLa Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StMetric Coffee Co.
2021 W Fulton StC.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta BlvdMy alternate office...
Essentials
Tailor Barber Co.
1711 W Division StSpa Social
1855 W Chicago AveRed Square Spa
1914 W Division StSparrow Hair Inc
2545 N Milwaukee AveGreat old-school barbershop. Ask Joe about his wine and buy a bottle. It's amazing!
Joe's Barbershop Chicago
2641 W Fullerton AveGreat old-school barbershop. Ask Joe about his wine and buy a bottle. It's amazing!
Allyu Spa
600 W Chicago AveAIRE Ancient Baths
800 W Superior StF & G Cleaners Tailors
2107 W Grand AveFirst Ascent Humboldt Park
2950 W Grand AveWabash Seafood Company
2249 W Hubbard StSuper clean place with a wide selection of premium fresh seafood.
The Butcher & Larder
1427 W Willow StFantastic butchers...
A fully-stocked, large neighborhood grocery store for all your needs.
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveA fully-stocked, large neighborhood grocery store for all your needs.
Dark Matter Coffee - The Mothership
738 N Western AveShopping
Sprout Home
745 N Damen Ave Go-to for houseplants and housewarming gifts!
Urban Remains
1820 W Grand AveSalvaged architectural artifacts.
The Painted Lady
1822 W Grand AveRedefined Decor
1819 W Grand AveGreat spot for seasonal, hip fashions. I always discover a new label here. Women and mens clothing.
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Penelope's
1913 W Division StGreat spot for seasonal, hip fashions. I always discover a new label here. Women and mens clothing.
Entertainment & Activities
I'm a proud member of this historic movie house near Wrigley Field with the best curated films - past and present.
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Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveI'm a proud member of this historic movie house near Wrigley Field with the best curated films - past and present.