Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Our go-to bar. Good beer/whiskey list, good bartenders, good music, and good crowd.
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Lemmings On Damen
1850 N Damen AveOur go-to bar. Good beer/whiskey list, good bartenders, good music, and good crowd.
Probably the most iconic bar in Bucktown. Always a lively crowd, and one of the best beer bars in the city. Huge list of bottles and taps, with an extensive import selection.
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Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveProbably the most iconic bar in Bucktown. Always a lively crowd, and one of the best beer bars in the city. Huge list of bottles and taps, with an extensive import selection.
Sports bar with the best patio in Bucktown. Great place to spend a sunny afternoon.
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Jack & Ginger's
2048 W Armitage AveSports bar with the best patio in Bucktown. Great place to spend a sunny afternoon.
Links is a beer destination with some of the best bar food in the area. 30+ beers on tap are constantly rotating and feature interesting and harder-to-find beers as well as local standards. The food is an outstanding take on classic Midwestern bar food, focusing on the menu of 8-10 housemade sausages that you will not regret ordering.
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Links Taproom
1559 N Milwaukee AveLinks is a beer destination with some of the best bar food in the area. 30+ beers on tap are constantly rotating and feature interesting and harder-to-find beers as well as local standards. The food is an outstanding take on classic Midwestern bar food, focusing on the menu of 8-10 housemade sausages that you will not regret ordering.
Hip bar tucked away in the neighborhood. Live music and/or DJs most nights. Go for the evening or stop in on your way to/from the Bristol, just around the corner.
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The Charleston Bar Chicago
Hip bar tucked away in the neighborhood. Live music and/or DJs most nights. Go for the evening or stop in on your way to/from the Bristol, just around the corner.
Straightforward neighborhood bar with a loyal crowd. A bit divey but comfortable. $1.75 PBR pints every day. Close to both Holstein Park and the great Mexican restaurants on Western Ave.
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The Corner Bar
2224 N Leavitt StStraightforward neighborhood bar with a loyal crowd. A bit divey but comfortable. $1.75 PBR pints every day. Close to both Holstein Park and the great Mexican restaurants on Western Ave.
It looks like a house and the inside feels like a house party. The dancefloor gets crowded on weekends. Great people watching.
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Dannys
It looks like a house and the inside feels like a house party. The dancefloor gets crowded on weekends. Great people watching.
Subterranean
2011 W North AveMusic venue featuring indie acts
Rooftop bar on the top floor of the Hotel Robey at the six-cornered intersection of North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenues. Stunning views of the city and a very interesting (albeit somewhat pricey) cocktail menu. Seating is limited, so you may have to wait. To get to the roof, go to the 2nd floor of the hotel and find the host. If there is a wait, the Robey Lounge on the 2nd floor of the hotel isn't a bad spot to wait, with a cool view out into the neighborhood and good drinks and music.
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The Up Room
2018 W North AveRooftop bar on the top floor of the Hotel Robey at the six-cornered intersection of North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenues. Stunning views of the city and a very interesting (albeit somewhat pricey) cocktail menu. Seating is limited, so you may have to wait. To get to the roof, go to the 2nd floor of the hotel and find the host. If there is a wait, the Robey Lounge on the 2nd floor of the hotel isn't a bad spot to wait, with a cool view out into the neighborhood and good drinks and music.
This bar was a game-changer in the neighborhood when it opened in 2017. On rooftop of the 6th(ish?) floor at Robey Hall, connected to Hotel Robey, this rooftop bar has a tiny pool and a great poolside/summer vibe. It gets crowded fast, so get there early to be sure you beat the wait. Great views of the city, and there aren't many better places to spend a sunny late afternoon in Chicago.
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Cabana Club
2018 W North AveThis bar was a game-changer in the neighborhood when it opened in 2017. On rooftop of the 6th(ish?) floor at Robey Hall, connected to Hotel Robey, this rooftop bar has a tiny pool and a great poolside/summer vibe. It gets crowded fast, so get there early to be sure you beat the wait. Great views of the city, and there aren't many better places to spend a sunny late afternoon in Chicago.
Food Scene
One of the best restaurants in the city. Dependable, interesting. Fairly upscale but pretty relaxed and casual.
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The Bristol
2152 N Damen AveOne of the best restaurants in the city. Dependable, interesting. Fairly upscale but pretty relaxed and casual.
Great Japanese pub food (and classics), with a good atmosphere in the bar and great, passionate staff.
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Izakaya Mita
1960 N Damen AveGreat Japanese pub food (and classics), with a good atmosphere in the bar and great, passionate staff.
Great place for Chicago classics: hot dogs, Polish sausage, etc. Made to order and made with care. Cash only.
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George's Hot Dogs
1876 N Damen AveGreat place for Chicago classics: hot dogs, Polish sausage, etc. Made to order and made with care. Cash only.
Modern take on Tex Mex / diner food. Menu is always interesting. Small and gets crowded fast, but our recommended option for breakfast in the area (though they do lunch and dinner as well).
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Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveModern take on Tex Mex / diner food. Menu is always interesting. Small and gets crowded fast, but our recommended option for breakfast in the area (though they do lunch and dinner as well).
Deserving of the hype, and worth the inevitable wait (especially for a coveted patio spot). Delicious, creative tacos, cheap beer, famous margaritas. Patio is great and always crowded, but the bar area is great as well.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveDeserving of the hype, and worth the inevitable wait (especially for a coveted patio spot). Delicious, creative tacos, cheap beer, famous margaritas. Patio is great and always crowded, but the bar area is great as well.
Asian fusion, but not gimmicky. Great takes on noodle, dumpling, and rice dishes you won't get anywhere else.
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Urbanbelly
1542 N Damen AveAsian fusion, but not gimmicky. Great takes on noodle, dumpling, and rice dishes you won't get anywhere else.
Famous for its pastries (and hot chocolate) and helmed by Beard award winning chef Mindy Segal, but the full menu is great. Limited of batches of fried chicken on Friday evenings are worth coming early for. Always crowded, so you probably want a reservation.
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Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveFamous for its pastries (and hot chocolate) and helmed by Beard award winning chef Mindy Segal, but the full menu is great. Limited of batches of fried chicken on Friday evenings are worth coming early for. Always crowded, so you probably want a reservation.
Self-proclaimed "classic American comfort food with a Bucktown twist," which I'd say captures it pretty well. For dinner, the brussels sprouts salad is a must-order. Overall creative food and cocktail menu and a dependable dinner or brunch choice.
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AMK Kitchen Bar
1954 West Armitage AvenueSelf-proclaimed "classic American comfort food with a Bucktown twist," which I'd say captures it pretty well. For dinner, the brussels sprouts salad is a must-order. Overall creative food and cocktail menu and a dependable dinner or brunch choice.
Spinoff of the famous Au Cheval, focusing only on burgers, fries, shakes, and booze. The Au Cheval / Small Cheval burger is widely considered the best in Chicago (it has my vote) and often comes up in the discussion of best burgers in the country.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveSpinoff of the famous Au Cheval, focusing only on burgers, fries, shakes, and booze. The Au Cheval / Small Cheval burger is widely considered the best in Chicago (it has my vote) and often comes up in the discussion of best burgers in the country.
Friendly neighborhood Costa Rican restaurant with great sandwiches, rice dishes, and more. BYOB and a great open air eating area (remodeling in winter 2017; should be ready by Spring). Cash only.
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Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveFriendly neighborhood Costa Rican restaurant with great sandwiches, rice dishes, and more. BYOB and a great open air eating area (remodeling in winter 2017; should be ready by Spring). Cash only.
A lighter, modern take on Greek than you'll find in most other Greek restaurants in Chicago.
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Taxim
1558 N Milwaukee AveA lighter, modern take on Greek than you'll find in most other Greek restaurants in Chicago.
Chicago is famous for deep dish, but Piece's New Haven style pizza has a loyal following and is in the conversation for the best pizza in the city, and deservedly so. They also brew their own beer. Piece is big, with a large bar area and sports on the TVs.
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveChicago is famous for deep dish, but Piece's New Haven style pizza has a loyal following and is in the conversation for the best pizza in the city, and deservedly so. They also brew their own beer. Piece is big, with a large bar area and sports on the TVs.
Same owners of Piece Pizza. Hard to find good bagels in Chicago, but Brobagel comes through. There are only 3 or so seats inside, so it's pretty much a takeout place. Line is usually out the door on weekends but it's worth a short wait.
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Brobagel
1931 W North AveSame owners of Piece Pizza. Hard to find good bagels in Chicago, but Brobagel comes through. There are only 3 or so seats inside, so it's pretty much a takeout place. Line is usually out the door on weekends but it's worth a short wait.
Middle Eastern classics that you can either order at the counter or get by the pound at the buffet. Cheap, with a loyal following. Great place to grab a quick bite to eat before or after getting on the L at Damen.
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Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveMiddle Eastern classics that you can either order at the counter or get by the pound at the buffet. Cheap, with a loyal following. Great place to grab a quick bite to eat before or after getting on the L at Damen.
Great Mexican food. Open 24 hours. Get the steak burrito.
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Arturo's Tacos
2001 N Western AveGreat Mexican food. Open 24 hours. Get the steak burrito.
The menu is pretty much exclusively variations on goat. Birria (spicy goat stew) and goat cheek tacos. It's good.
Birrieria Estilo Jalisco
2230 N Western AveThe menu is pretty much exclusively variations on goat. Birria (spicy goat stew) and goat cheek tacos. It's good.
No frills Mexican restaurant with just a few tables. Pay a bit extra to get the hot, housemade tortillas with your tacos.
El Comalito
2234 N Western AveNo frills Mexican restaurant with just a few tables. Pay a bit extra to get the hot, housemade tortillas with your tacos.
Can't go wrong with any of the dozen-plus empanadas on offer here. They also have a nice focused list of craft beers and wine.
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5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveCan't go wrong with any of the dozen-plus empanadas on offer here. They also have a nice focused list of craft beers and wine.
Massive portions of really, really good shawarma. Eat half, go to the bars, and finish the rest later.
Shawarma Inn
2011 N Damen AveMassive portions of really, really good shawarma. Eat half, go to the bars, and finish the rest later.
Newly-opened Roman pizza spot. Only the 2nd location in the U.S. (the other is in Chicago too, in the West Loop) -- you can only get this pizza in Rome or in Chicago. 15+ pizzas available behind the counter, order however much of whatever kind you want, and pay by weight. Ingredients are creative and always changing. Great way to try a lot of different flavors with a group.
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Bonci Pizzeria
1566 N Damen AveNewly-opened Roman pizza spot. Only the 2nd location in the U.S. (the other is in Chicago too, in the West Loop) -- you can only get this pizza in Rome or in Chicago. 15+ pizzas available behind the counter, order however much of whatever kind you want, and pay by weight. Ingredients are creative and always changing. Great way to try a lot of different flavors with a group.
Another hit restaurant from the One-Off Hospitality group (Publican, Avec, etc.). Anker has a nice seasonal, vegetable- and seafood-focused menu, and it's a great place to grab oysters and appetizers at the bar. The homemade crackers with pickles and butter sounds simple (and is simple), but it's one of our favorites. Good for brunch as well.
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Anker
Another hit restaurant from the One-Off Hospitality group (Publican, Avec, etc.). Anker has a nice seasonal, vegetable- and seafood-focused menu, and it's a great place to grab oysters and appetizers at the bar. The homemade crackers with pickles and butter sounds simple (and is simple), but it's one of our favorites. Good for brunch as well.
Hip spot for southern-inspired food (including the namesake delta-style tamales cooked in a spicy red sauce) and good cocktails. The bar is always crowded, the music is good, and there's a small patio in the back. Definitely a unique spot worth the visit.
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The Delta
1745 W North AveHip spot for southern-inspired food (including the namesake delta-style tamales cooked in a spicy red sauce) and good cocktails. The bar is always crowded, the music is good, and there's a small patio in the back. Definitely a unique spot worth the visit.
Parks & Nature
Elevated walking/biking/jogging path with great views of the neighborhood and city.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueElevated walking/biking/jogging path with great views of the neighborhood and city.
Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley AvePublic park with a free public pool.
Shopping
Shuga Records
1272 N Milwaukee AveAnother great local record store
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveSprawling used bookstore with a well-curated selection
New and used bookstore with an in-store cafe featuring coffee, beer, and wine.
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Volumes Bookcafe
1373 N Milwaukee AveNew and used bookstore with an in-store cafe featuring coffee, beer, and wine.
Local bookstore with a focus on indie presses and zines
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Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North AveLocal bookstore with a focus on indie presses and zines
Legendary record store. Huge vinyl selection along with CDs, DVDs, and cassettes. Also hosts regular in-store performances which draw crowds.
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Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveLegendary record store. Huge vinyl selection along with CDs, DVDs, and cassettes. Also hosts regular in-store performances which draw crowds.
Essentials
Smaller, higher-end market with fresh produce and whatever artisan item you're looking for
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Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia AveSmaller, higher-end market with fresh produce and whatever artisan item you're looking for
Hybrid cafe and grocery store. Premade food to go or eat in store. Lots of interesting grocery items: snacks, wine, beer, etc. Also offers Black Dog gelato.
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The Goddess and Grocer
1649 N Damen AveHybrid cafe and grocery store. Premade food to go or eat in store. Lots of interesting grocery items: snacks, wine, beer, etc. Also offers Black Dog gelato.
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveFull-scale grocery store with whatever you need
Entertainment & Activities
Unique spot offering a game called Whirlyball, which is kind of like a combination of bumper cars, jai allai, and lacrosse. Also has some bowling lanes and a bar with craft beer and upscale bar food.
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WhirlyBall Chicago
1825 W Webster AveUnique spot offering a game called Whirlyball, which is kind of like a combination of bumper cars, jai allai, and lacrosse. Also has some bowling lanes and a bar with craft beer and upscale bar food.
Getting Around
Take the Blue Line south to the Loop (4 stops away) or north to the Logan Square neighborhood or O'Hare.
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Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen AvenueTake the Blue Line south to the Loop (4 stops away) or north to the Logan Square neighborhood or O'Hare.