Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
A neighborhood classic, this brewery and taproom (no food, but ordering from local restaurants is encouraged and occasionally a food truck or tamale cart stops by) is close walking distance. The taproom is dog and kid-friendly.
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Begyle Brewing
1800 W Cuyler AveA neighborhood classic, this brewery and taproom (no food, but ordering from local restaurants is encouraged and occasionally a food truck or tamale cart stops by) is close walking distance. The taproom is dog and kid-friendly.
Located one block North of Begyle (likewise easy walking distance), Dovetail Brewery uses traditional brewing methods of continental Europe. No food, but ordering in is fine. The taproom is dog and kid friendly.
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Dovetail Brewery
1800 W Belle Plaine AveLocated one block North of Begyle (likewise easy walking distance), Dovetail Brewery uses traditional brewing methods of continental Europe. No food, but ordering in is fine. The taproom is dog and kid friendly.
A longer walk, but still walkable, Half Acre’s Lincoln Ave. brew pub is not to be missed. Home of the iconic Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Half Acre offers casual, yet sophisticated food and awesome beer. Check out the retail shop for beer tasting, growler fills, and merchandise. Try starting at Half Acre for lunch, then making your way back to Dove Tail and ending at Begyle. A super-enthusiast will add Empirical to the trip!
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Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveA longer walk, but still walkable, Half Acre’s Lincoln Ave. brew pub is not to be missed. Home of the iconic Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Half Acre offers casual, yet sophisticated food and awesome beer. Check out the retail shop for beer tasting, growler fills, and merchandise. Try starting at Half Acre for lunch, then making your way back to Dove Tail and ending at Begyle. A super-enthusiast will add Empirical to the trip!
The one-and-only Michelin Star brewpub is not to be missed. Excellent food and service marry nicely with their in-house brews. Stop by even if you can’t get a reservation, you never know. A longer walk, but walkable.
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Band of Bohemia
4710 N Ravenswood AveThe one-and-only Michelin Star brewpub is not to be missed. Excellent food and service marry nicely with their in-house brews. Stop by even if you can’t get a reservation, you never know. A longer walk, but walkable.
A longer walk, but still walkable, Empirical has a great tap room that is dog and kid friendly. No food in-house.
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Empirical Brewery
1801 W Foster AveA longer walk, but still walkable, Empirical has a great tap room that is dog and kid friendly. No food in-house.
Easy walking distance (across from The Green Lady), this unique beer store and taproom-in-one has a fantastic tap room nestled in the back of its store front. The taproom always has great, hard to find beers on tap and in cans/bottles. The selection in the store can’t be beat. Kid and dog friendly, no food. Don’t forget to check out the large walk-in refrigerator downstairs. Pro tip: call in or check the website as the tap room is occasionally closed for a private event.
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Bitter Pops
3357 N Lincoln AveEasy walking distance (across from The Green Lady), this unique beer store and taproom-in-one has a fantastic tap room nestled in the back of its store front. The taproom always has great, hard to find beers on tap and in cans/bottles. The selection in the store can’t be beat. Kid and dog friendly, no food. Don’t forget to check out the large walk-in refrigerator downstairs. Pro tip: call in or check the website as the tap room is occasionally closed for a private event.
Easy walking distance (across from Bitter Pops), this bar has one of the last legacy pub licenses in the city (so no food). It’s not fancy, but you won’t find a better selection of unique beers on tap, and even more in cans/bottles. A Sunday afternoon favorite, this bar is dog and kid friendly (although it heats up on weekend nights).
The Green Lady
3328 N Lincoln AveEasy walking distance (across from Bitter Pops), this bar has one of the last legacy pub licenses in the city (so no food). It’s not fancy, but you won’t find a better selection of unique beers on tap, and even more in cans/bottles. A Sunday afternoon favorite, this bar is dog and kid friendly (although it heats up on weekend nights).
Walking distance (about a block north of Bitter Pops and The Green Lady), this bar/restaurant serves a great selection of beers that rotate often and has pretty good food. With its funky atmosphere, this place is a favorite, but check the website as it’s been closed for a few months for remodeling. Pro tip: if you have kids with you, you will have to sit in the back room, which isn’t the end of the world and positions you closes to the pinball machines.
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Northdown Cafe and Taproom
3244 North Lincoln AvenueWalking distance (about a block north of Bitter Pops and The Green Lady), this bar/restaurant serves a great selection of beers that rotate often and has pretty good food. With its funky atmosphere, this place is a favorite, but check the website as it’s been closed for a few months for remodeling. Pro tip: if you have kids with you, you will have to sit in the back room, which isn’t the end of the world and positions you closes to the pinball machines.
Walking distance, this neighborhood hole-in-the-wall has surprisingly good food and a great selection of beers. Another Sunday afternoon favorite.
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Four Moon Tavern
1847 W Roscoe StWalking distance, this neighborhood hole-in-the-wall has surprisingly good food and a great selection of beers. Another Sunday afternoon favorite.
Super easy walking distance, this classic Chicago spot is located just a few blocks North on Irving Park. Great beer and food. Kid friendly before 5:00 pm.
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Long Room Chicago
1612 W Irving Park RdSuper easy walking distance, this classic Chicago spot is located just a few blocks North on Irving Park. Great beer and food. Kid friendly before 5:00 pm.
This neighborhood classic is located just one block north on the corner of Ashland & Grace. AJ’s offers super friendly service, decent food, and daily drink and food specials. When the weather is nice, enjoy their outdoor seating complete with outdoor TVs. This is a great place to watch all manner of sporting events and if you are a soccer fan, this is the pace to be (they open early in the morning to accommodate overseas soccer matches). Ask for Chad and tell him where you are staying.
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A. J. Hudson's Public House
3801 North Ashland AvenueThis neighborhood classic is located just one block north on the corner of Ashland & Grace. AJ’s offers super friendly service, decent food, and daily drink and food specials. When the weather is nice, enjoy their outdoor seating complete with outdoor TVs. This is a great place to watch all manner of sporting events and if you are a soccer fan, this is the pace to be (they open early in the morning to accommodate overseas soccer matches). Ask for Chad and tell him where you are staying.
Entertainment & Activities
This bar/restaurant on Southport Ave. boasts a billiards room and a small bowling alley. This is a fun spot for a drink on Southport and is walkable. Pro tip: the bowling alley uses real people, not a machine, to reset the pins. If you send a tip down the lane in the finger hole of your ball, your score might get a little boost.
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Southport Lanes & Billiards
3325 N Southport AveThis bar/restaurant on Southport Ave. boasts a billiards room and a small bowling alley. This is a fun spot for a drink on Southport and is walkable. Pro tip: the bowling alley uses real people, not a machine, to reset the pins. If you send a tip down the lane in the finger hole of your ball, your score might get a little boost.
Food Scene
If you like meat, do not miss this iconic Argentinian steakhouse. It’s an easy walk and an experience you won’t soon forget. The place gets very busy on the weekends, so plan for a wait if you go. It’s BYOB, but if you forget to BYO, you can stop into Bodega Cur next door and pick up wine or beer to go.
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Tango Sur
3763 N Southport AveIf you like meat, do not miss this iconic Argentinian steakhouse. It’s an easy walk and an experience you won’t soon forget. The place gets very busy on the weekends, so plan for a wait if you go. It’s BYOB, but if you forget to BYO, you can stop into Bodega Cur next door and pick up wine or beer to go.
Same ownership as Tango Sur, and located just one store front south, this is a solid, less-formal choice. A recent favorite for brunch, the food is solid and the service is great.
Bodega Sur
3755 N Southport AveSame ownership as Tango Sur, and located just one store front south, this is a solid, less-formal choice. A recent favorite for brunch, the food is solid and the service is great.
An easy walk for some seriously delicious baked empanadas. Lots of variety to choose from, this counter-service restaurant serves local craft beer and has outdoor seating. We like this for a quick casual bite. Don’t overlook it for breakfast.
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5411 Empanadas | Southport
3715 N Southport AveAn easy walk for some seriously delicious baked empanadas. Lots of variety to choose from, this counter-service restaurant serves local craft beer and has outdoor seating. We like this for a quick casual bite. Don’t overlook it for breakfast.
Didn’t get enough empanadas at 5411 Empanadas? Walk a block south to Café Tola. These empanadas are fried, but seriously good. On a weekend afternoon expect a line down the block. There is an outdoor patio but not seating inside because it’s tiny. Excellent iced coffee.
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Cafe Tola
3612 N Southport AveDidn’t get enough empanadas at 5411 Empanadas? Walk a block south to Café Tola. These empanadas are fried, but seriously good. On a weekend afternoon expect a line down the block. There is an outdoor patio but not seating inside because it’s tiny. Excellent iced coffee.
A fun energetic pizza joint that offers super thin-crust gourmet pizzas. With a great cocktail list, this place is usually busy on the weekends, but tables turn over quickly. Located on Southport & Waveland, Coalfire is a super easy walk and a great place to dine pre-game. Kid friendly. Pro tip: the pizzas come out super quick, so we recommend staggering your pizza orders so you don’t wind up with a bunch of cold pizzas.
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Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveA fun energetic pizza joint that offers super thin-crust gourmet pizzas. With a great cocktail list, this place is usually busy on the weekends, but tables turn over quickly. Located on Southport & Waveland, Coalfire is a super easy walk and a great place to dine pre-game. Kid friendly. Pro tip: the pizzas come out super quick, so we recommend staggering your pizza orders so you don’t wind up with a bunch of cold pizzas.
If you are a brunch person, you cannot miss Southport Grocery. Inside, this small space lends itself to intimate dining and seasonally there is a patio outside. Kid friendly but can get a bit cramped inside. The food is excellent and there is also an area for unique packaged food items and a pastry counter.
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Southport Grocery and Cafe
3552 N Southport AveIf you are a brunch person, you cannot miss Southport Grocery. Inside, this small space lends itself to intimate dining and seasonally there is a patio outside. Kid friendly but can get a bit cramped inside. The food is excellent and there is also an area for unique packaged food items and a pastry counter.
Walking distance, this is a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Southern-style food, good drinks, and very family friendly.
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Crosby's Kitchen
3455 N Southport AveWalking distance, this is a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Southern-style food, good drinks, and very family friendly.
Located directly next to Crosby’s Kitchen (same ownership) this upscale restaurant with globally inspired food is strictly adults-only. Great date night spot if you want to be away from little ones. Walking distance.
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Ella Elli
1349 W Cornelia AveLocated directly next to Crosby’s Kitchen (same ownership) this upscale restaurant with globally inspired food is strictly adults-only. Great date night spot if you want to be away from little ones. Walking distance.
Walking distance, this is a fun, modern Mexican restaurant. Good food and drinks and the kids love the free ice cream. Very family friendly. Cool patio out back. A good choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
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Tuco And Blondie
3358 N Southport AveWalking distance, this is a fun, modern Mexican restaurant. Good food and drinks and the kids love the free ice cream. Very family friendly. Cool patio out back. A good choice for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Upscale Italian restaurant with a large bar and outdoor seating. They accommodate kids, but if you are looking for a more adult experience, this is a good choice. Walking distance, but on the farther side.
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Coda di Volpe
3335 N Southport AveUpscale Italian restaurant with a large bar and outdoor seating. They accommodate kids, but if you are looking for a more adult experience, this is a good choice. Walking distance, but on the farther side.
Upscale sushi and Japanese food, walking distance. A solid choice if you are looking for Asian food. We love the fried rice. Kid friendly, but we’ve been relegated to the “kids section” in the corner before.
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Rise Sushi & Sake Lounge
756 West Webster AvenueUpscale sushi and Japanese food, walking distance. A solid choice if you are looking for Asian food. We love the fried rice. Kid friendly, but we’ve been relegated to the “kids section” in the corner before.
With solid pizza, D’agostinos Wrigleyville is a great choice for delivery. You can also eat in-house where a full menu of typical pizza joint food is available. Not fancy and very casual. Kid friendly. The kids especially love the train track mounted to the ceiling where Thomas the Tank Engine circles the dining room. Walking distance and on the way to Wrigley Field.
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D'Agostino's Pizza and Pub Wrigleyville
1351 West Addison StreetWith solid pizza, D’agostinos Wrigleyville is a great choice for delivery. You can also eat in-house where a full menu of typical pizza joint food is available. Not fancy and very casual. Kid friendly. The kids especially love the train track mounted to the ceiling where Thomas the Tank Engine circles the dining room. Walking distance and on the way to Wrigley Field.
Upscale Italian dining, but kid friendly at the same time. Indoor and outdoor seating along with a great bar to watch the game
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Zia's Lago Vista
3819 N Ashland AveUpscale Italian dining, but kid friendly at the same time. Indoor and outdoor seating along with a great bar to watch the game
Easy walking distance, Fernando’s is a must if you love Mexican food. It’s not fancy, but recent renovations have upped its game. The food is very good, but the real reason you come here is for the margaritas. They are superb, but watch out, they sneak up on you.
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Fernando's Tequila Bar & Restaurant
3450 N Lincoln AveEasy walking distance, Fernando’s is a must if you love Mexican food. It’s not fancy, but recent renovations have upped its game. The food is very good, but the real reason you come here is for the margaritas. They are superb, but watch out, they sneak up on you.
Candyality
3737 N Southport AveBring your kids into this candy wonderland at your own peril! Easy walking distance.
This iconic Chicago bakery has your baked-good needs covered. Whether you want to stop in for one cookie or commission a wedding cake (or anything in-between), Dinkel’s is just where you go. They also offer great breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Walking distance.
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Dinkel's Bakery
3329 N Lincoln AveThis iconic Chicago bakery has your baked-good needs covered. Whether you want to stop in for one cookie or commission a wedding cake (or anything in-between), Dinkel’s is just where you go. They also offer great breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Walking distance.
Gourmet ice cream the whole family will love. Walking distance.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveGourmet ice cream the whole family will love. Walking distance.
Coffee shop with pastries and an excellent selection of teas.
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Loba Pastry + Coffee
3600 W Addison StCoffee shop with pastries and an excellent selection of teas.
Essentials
This iconic Chicago butcher shop is a must if you need some serious meat. They offer all manner of steaks, sausages, and deli offerings. Make sure you get some of their homemade beef jerky. Pro tip: make sure you grab a ticket from the pig snout right when you walk in… you will see what we mean.
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Paulina Market
3501 N Lincoln AveThis iconic Chicago butcher shop is a must if you need some serious meat. They offer all manner of steaks, sausages, and deli offerings. Make sure you get some of their homemade beef jerky. Pro tip: make sure you grab a ticket from the pig snout right when you walk in… you will see what we mean.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StJewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayParks & Nature
Isithengisi saseMontrose Point Bird
Hamlin Park
3035 N Hoyne AveShopping
Second-hand store that benefits Howard Brown Health - continually full of gems
The Brown Elephant Lakeview
3020 N Lincoln AveSecond-hand store that benefits Howard Brown Health - continually full of gems
A gear lover's heaven - vintage, new & used guitars plus other instruments & gear in a polished space with an acoustic room.
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Chicago Music Exchange
3316 N Lincoln AveA gear lover's heaven - vintage, new & used guitars plus other instruments & gear in a polished space with an acoustic room.
Arts & Culture
Martyrs'
3855 N Lincoln Ave