Food Scene
My personal fave. The food is always amazing, I love their mezcal list and the vinyl tunes they spin.
113 locals recommend
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen Ave My personal fave. The food is always amazing, I love their mezcal list and the vinyl tunes they spin.
I also frequent this small dining spot. Moderate prices and great menu.
128 locals recommend
Bite Cafe
1039 N Western Ave I also frequent this small dining spot. Moderate prices and great menu.
Usually super packed but get there early for an awesome patio hang with yum drinks and tacos.
1174 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave Usually super packed but get there early for an awesome patio hang with yum drinks and tacos.
Cash only. Best gelato hands down, flavors are unique and fresh. They have a 5$ day old pint special. Great for a long walk to get ice cream and walk back while eating.
89 locals recommend
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle Dr Cash only. Best gelato hands down, flavors are unique and fresh. They have a 5$ day old pint special. Great for a long walk to get ice cream and walk back while eating.
Handlebar
2311 W North Ave Vegetarian, a fave spot for locals.
Breakfast! I am a regular here. Perfect for laptop work. Weekends are busy, weekdays are quiet. Lovely outdoor seating.
50 locals recommend
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveBreakfast! I am a regular here. Perfect for laptop work. Weekends are busy, weekdays are quiet. Lovely outdoor seating.
Cash only, budget friendly with great roasted chicken and classic southern sides.
63 locals recommend
Feed
2803 W Chicago AveCash only, budget friendly with great roasted chicken and classic southern sides.
Go early or be prepared to wait for a few hours, though it's worth every minute. The upstairs venue has a bar with great cocktails while you wait.
31 locals recommend
High Five Ramen
112 N Green StGo early or be prepared to wait for a few hours, though it's worth every minute. The upstairs venue has a bar with great cocktails while you wait.
Drop by for primo coffee and also catch some local art hanging on the walls. You might even see local artists working on their sketches here. It's my fave spot to sketch.
135 locals recommend
Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveDrop by for primo coffee and also catch some local art hanging on the walls. You might even see local artists working on their sketches here. It's my fave spot to sketch.
Drinks & Nightlife
My fave music spot. Best dive bar for rock music and honky tonk, if you stick around long enough you will run into the tamale man and can grab 5 tamales for 6$!
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western Ave My fave music spot. Best dive bar for rock music and honky tonk, if you stick around long enough you will run into the tamale man and can grab 5 tamales for 6$!
Chicago's first speakeasy style cocktail bar. Very lovely place indeed. Bartenders are ace.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave Chicago's first speakeasy style cocktail bar. Very lovely place indeed. Bartenders are ace.
These folks are at the top of their cocktail game. Great patio with local chef's throwing food on the grill some Sundays.
116 locals recommend
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western Ave These folks are at the top of their cocktail game. Great patio with local chef's throwing food on the grill some Sundays.
Classic "no frills" cocktails served to perfection in this unusual space. A staple hang for a few of my friends. Go early, it gets packed with locals as the evening progresses.
56 locals recommend
Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee AveClassic "no frills" cocktails served to perfection in this unusual space. A staple hang for a few of my friends. Go early, it gets packed with locals as the evening progresses.
Subterranean
2011 W North Ave Historical music venue hosting both big names and local artists.
Video games, pinball machines and local brews! Music in the evenings.
158 locals recommend
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveVideo games, pinball machines and local brews! Music in the evenings.
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia Ave Great music with a dive bar feel.
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee Ave A place for local and experimental musicians, great cocktails,
Parks & Nature
Take a lovely walk around the small lake then find a little private spot perfect for a picnic.
293 locals recommend
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrTake a lovely walk around the small lake then find a little private spot perfect for a picnic.
Bit of a drive outside the city but worth it if you enjoy amazing garden scenes.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdBit of a drive outside the city but worth it if you enjoy amazing garden scenes.
Haven't been here yet but the reviews from my guests are spectacular.
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave Haven't been here yet but the reviews from my guests are spectacular.
Perfect for walking, biking, running or rollerblading. I am so happy the city completed this raised park. Two blocks north of the Gallery off of Western is an access entry. My favorite way to blow off some steam or get some fresh air and exercise.
133 locals recommend
Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale TrailPerfect for walking, biking, running or rollerblading. I am so happy the city completed this raised park. Two blocks north of the Gallery off of Western is an access entry. My favorite way to blow off some steam or get some fresh air and exercise.
Arts & Culture
A small museum but the work I have seen there is very impactful. They also have a lovely gift shop.
27 locals recommend
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee AveA small museum but the work I have seen there is very impactful. They also have a lovely gift shop.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveThe Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveEssentials
The closest grocery store. I would bus or uber but the walk is probably 20 min.
62 locals recommend
Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western AveThe closest grocery store. I would bus or uber but the walk is probably 20 min.
Great beer selection, small selection of pantry foods with a few fresh fruits and veggies.
14 locals recommend
Mango Market
1458 N Western AveGreat beer selection, small selection of pantry foods with a few fresh fruits and veggies.
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayEntertainment & Activities
Regal City North IMAX & RPX
2600 N Western Ave Movies. 2D and 3D.
Diversey River Bowl
2211 W Diversey Pkwy Bowling!
Getting Around
Damen station
1558 N Damen AveDamen Blue Line Stop