Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
al capone used to hang out here. its a dark, beautiful, 30's situation with live and incredible jazz shows. check out paper machete as well, a live newspaper show that happens once a month on weekend
471 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North Broadwayal capone used to hang out here. its a dark, beautiful, 30's situation with live and incredible jazz shows. check out paper machete as well, a live newspaper show that happens once a month on weekend
famous chicago bartender paul mcgee started the hype at this place--they have an even better selection of cocktails than sportsmans. live shows for FREE every night of the week. cute cute lovely patio
185 locals recommend
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee Avefamous chicago bartender paul mcgee started the hype at this place--they have an even better selection of cocktails than sportsmans. live shows for FREE every night of the week. cute cute lovely patio
great cocktails, awesome back patio with fireplace so good for hanging out even if its cold outside. lots of industry folk.
116 locals recommend
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western Avegreat cocktails, awesome back patio with fireplace so good for hanging out even if its cold outside. lots of industry folk.
Great food, but limited menu. Amazing wine and beer selection. Really relaxed, lovely setting inside.
173 locals recommend
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California AvenueGreat food, but limited menu. Amazing wine and beer selection. Really relaxed, lovely setting inside.
They have great cocktails and live music almost every night of the week. There is usually a cover and it's cash only.
180 locals recommend
The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueThey have great cocktails and live music almost every night of the week. There is usually a cover and it's cash only.
Food Scene
AMAZING house-made vodka selection, and you can get a sample tray for a reasonable price. plus, delicious down to earth food to go with it.
9 locals recommend
Russian Tea Time (closed For Renovations Through October!)
77 E Adams StAMAZING house-made vodka selection, and you can get a sample tray for a reasonable price. plus, delicious down to earth food to go with it.
really good vibe for getting work done or reading while drinking beautiful coffee. also, a huge cigar selection, and a list of liquor-ed up coffee drinks :)
42 locals recommend
C.C. Ferns
2806 W Augusta Blvdreally good vibe for getting work done or reading while drinking beautiful coffee. also, a huge cigar selection, and a list of liquor-ed up coffee drinks :)
Flying Saucer
1123 N California AveGreat breakfast staples plus vegan options. Cash only.
Amazing, fresh food. Great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Good cocktails, wonderful outside seating, chill vibe. Vegetarian options. Simple but elegant.
55 locals recommend
The Winchester
1001 North Winchester AvenueAmazing, fresh food. Great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Good cocktails, wonderful outside seating, chill vibe. Vegetarian options. Simple but elegant.
Really unique and delicious menu, works even when they try something weird. Cocktails crazy good, they like trying new things. Pretty interior, busier vibe weekends. Wednesday burger+beer special $10
59 locals recommend
Trench
2039 West North AvenueReally unique and delicious menu, works even when they try something weird. Cocktails crazy good, they like trying new things. Pretty interior, busier vibe weekends. Wednesday burger+beer special $10
All vegetarian restaurant, diner style and affordable. Full bar as well, even a patio. Reliable and easy.
140 locals recommend
Handlebar
2311 W North AveAll vegetarian restaurant, diner style and affordable. Full bar as well, even a patio. Reliable and easy.
Super close to the apartment, this is a new spot with a small but sturdy menu featuring burgers, fish, and fresh veggie options (limited items for vegetarians, but I am a veggie and I still go). Great beer list, pretty good cocktails, and a lovely outside patio to sit in. Food till 12 sometimes 1, bar till 2.
21 locals recommend
The Shelby
2759 West Augusta BoulevardSuper close to the apartment, this is a new spot with a small but sturdy menu featuring burgers, fish, and fresh veggie options (limited items for vegetarians, but I am a veggie and I still go). Great beer list, pretty good cocktails, and a lovely outside patio to sit in. Food till 12 sometimes 1, bar till 2.
Arts & Culture
one of america's must-see museums. one of my favorite contemporary wings. give yourself a whole day, and have lunch across the street at the russian tea house! (check guidebook below)
10 locals recommend
The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago
350 N Orleans Stone of america's must-see museums. one of my favorite contemporary wings. give yourself a whole day, and have lunch across the street at the russian tea house! (check guidebook below)
they play local, independent, and foreign films, including docs and weird and artsy and the rest. reasonable prices and unique showings.
22 locals recommend
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N State Stthey play local, independent, and foreign films, including docs and weird and artsy and the rest. reasonable prices and unique showings.
Great, not too big museum with contemporary shows. Great half day activity.
532 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveGreat, not too big museum with contemporary shows. Great half day activity.
It's the symphony. It's awesome. Look for tickets on their website: http://cso.org
79 locals recommend
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
220 S Michigan AveIt's the symphony. It's awesome. Look for tickets on their website: http://cso.org
Sightseeing
It's a beautiful, easy short day trip. amazing array of plant life, and nice for hanging out during colder times since it's humid and warm. great for summertime too
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveIt's a beautiful, easy short day trip. amazing array of plant life, and nice for hanging out during colder times since it's humid and warm. great for summertime too
Entertainment & Activities
They are one of the best bakeries in town, and they also make incredible ice cream and offer coffee drinks. Open pretty late, so a nice place to go in the evening or during the day.
78 locals recommend
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveThey are one of the best bakeries in town, and they also make incredible ice cream and offer coffee drinks. Open pretty late, so a nice place to go in the evening or during the day.
Essentials
Great, affordable grocery store with super reasonable produce and even a bulk section. They bake their own bread and croissants, and it's only a 10 minute walk away.
111 locals recommend
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveGreat, affordable grocery store with super reasonable produce and even a bulk section. They bake their own bread and croissants, and it's only a 10 minute walk away.
its whole foods! its not that far away, and there are tons of other shops near it if you are feeling shop-y.
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted Stits whole foods! its not that far away, and there are tons of other shops near it if you are feeling shop-y.
OPEN 24 HOURS
About 1.5 miles away, this place has an amazing selection of snacks, read-made little meals, cheeses, coffee drinks, kombuchas, and beers. There is even a post office open 24 hours as well, inside of the store. Love this place.
113 locals recommend
Foodsmart
3415 W Diversey AveOPEN 24 HOURS
About 1.5 miles away, this place has an amazing selection of snacks, read-made little meals, cheeses, coffee drinks, kombuchas, and beers. There is even a post office open 24 hours as well, inside of the store. Love this place.
Shopping
Vintage and newer furniture and little items. A beautiful store, on the pricier side but sometimes you can find some local handmade stuff for cheaper.
41 locals recommend
Humboldt House
1045 N California AveVintage and newer furniture and little items. A beautiful store, on the pricier side but sometimes you can find some local handmade stuff for cheaper.
Great second hand clothing in the heart of Wicker Park. Great day would be shopping around there and then getting dinner and drinks in the neighborhood, there are bars and restaurants all over.
17 locals recommend
Buffalo Exchange
1478 N Milwaukee AveGreat second hand clothing in the heart of Wicker Park. Great day would be shopping around there and then getting dinner and drinks in the neighborhood, there are bars and restaurants all over.
Staple bookstore in Wicker Park. Wonderful place to get lost in book aisles. Upstairs they also have tables with chess boards.
118 locals recommend
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveStaple bookstore in Wicker Park. Wonderful place to get lost in book aisles. Upstairs they also have tables with chess boards.
Amazing bookstore with wonderful selection of sheet music also. In the Fine Arts Building right across from Grant Park, a great building to check out with beautiful old manual elevators and lots of music ringing through the halls from all of the lessons and groups practicing. Plus there are cats jumping around all the book shelves which is pretty amazing.
Selected Works Used Books & Sheet Music
410 S Michigan AveAmazing bookstore with wonderful selection of sheet music also. In the Fine Arts Building right across from Grant Park, a great building to check out with beautiful old manual elevators and lots of music ringing through the halls from all of the lessons and groups practicing. Plus there are cats jumping around all the book shelves which is pretty amazing.