Guidebook for Chicago
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar, Karaoke, Stage Shows, Drag Queens, Bingo--There's the Attic, the Sports Bar, and the Restaurant section. LGBT friendly.
65 locals recommend
Hamburger Mary's
Bar, Karaoke, Stage Shows, Drag Queens, Bingo--There's the Attic, the Sports Bar, and the Restaurant section. LGBT friendly.
It's tiny, and has a cute patio, but they have the best Martini's--large and strong. LGBT friendly.
63 locals recommend
Marty's
1511 W Balmoral AveIt's tiny, and has a cute patio, but they have the best Martini's--large and strong. LGBT friendly.
Rooftop with year round indoor & outdoor patio. Very hip & trendy spot.
30 locals recommend
Vertigo Sky Lounge
2 West Erie StreetRooftop with year round indoor & outdoor patio. Very hip & trendy spot.
Don't miss the speakeasy The Library tucked away downstairs by the bathrooms!
66 locals recommend
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StDon't miss the speakeasy The Library tucked away downstairs by the bathrooms!
Totally biased--this is my favorite bar downtown for amazing, unique crafted cocktails, and a gorgeous black and white marble bar. Their small plates dinner is also very excellent!
18 locals recommend
Sable Kitchen & Bar
505 N State StTotally biased--this is my favorite bar downtown for amazing, unique crafted cocktails, and a gorgeous black and white marble bar. Their small plates dinner is also very excellent!
My favorite spot to grab a pint, and pick a board game of the wall of at least 3-50 games to pick from for your enjoyment.
38 locals recommend
Guthrie's Tavern
1300 W Addison StMy favorite spot to grab a pint, and pick a board game of the wall of at least 3-50 games to pick from for your enjoyment.
Just up the way from Simon's, it's your next dive bar with a pool table, cash & credit card.
20 locals recommend
Farraguts on Clark
5240 N Clark StJust up the way from Simon's, it's your next dive bar with a pool table, cash & credit card.
This historic dive bar is full of locals, hipsters, cash only, and a must stop in.
55 locals recommend
Simon's Tavern
5210 N Clark StThis historic dive bar is full of locals, hipsters, cash only, and a must stop in.
Food Scene
Right across the street, and my favorite Thai place in the city!
25 locals recommend
Taste of Thai Town
4461 N Pulaski RdRight across the street, and my favorite Thai place in the city!
Great locally owned spot, gluten-free/vegan options, locally sourced coffee, and free wifi.
8 locals recommend
Dolce Casa Cafe
4947 N Damen AveGreat locally owned spot, gluten-free/vegan options, locally sourced coffee, and free wifi.
Another great, popular brunch spot. Same deal--no reservations, so plan for a wait or go a little early. Well worth it!
52 locals recommend
Over Easy Café
4943 N Damen AveAnother great, popular brunch spot. Same deal--no reservations, so plan for a wait or go a little early. Well worth it!
Best brunch ever. No reservations allowed, so plan on 45 minutes on a Sunday or go a little early. Organic, local, locally sourced, and seasonal menu.
94 locals recommend
m.henry
5707 N Clark StBest brunch ever. No reservations allowed, so plan on 45 minutes on a Sunday or go a little early. Organic, local, locally sourced, and seasonal menu.
Support independent local coffee shops. Serves Intelligentsia coffee. You get an hour of free wifi per purchase.
64 locals recommend
The Coffee Studio
5628 N Clark StSupport independent local coffee shops. Serves Intelligentsia coffee. You get an hour of free wifi per purchase.
Best Sushi--do only Sushi Mike custom rolls. Little pricey, but worth it!
36 locals recommend
Tanoshii
5547 N Clark StBest Sushi--do only Sushi Mike custom rolls. Little pricey, but worth it!
More sandwich combinations than you could think of--along with gluten free bread option, and a whole number of great, local beers on tap, and American Whiskies on the shelf.
42 locals recommend
Jerry's
5419 N Clark StMore sandwich combinations than you could think of--along with gluten free bread option, and a whole number of great, local beers on tap, and American Whiskies on the shelf.
Known for its scones, coffee, free wifi, and amazing cake, along with pretty good salads and entrees.
42 locals recommend
A Taste of Heaven
5401 N Clark StKnown for its scones, coffee, free wifi, and amazing cake, along with pretty good salads and entrees.
Dutch-American food, gin specialty drinks, locally owned, and some amazing gastropub food! All locally sourced ingredients, and in season food. I love the hanger steak, and lamb-mint burger.
37 locals recommend
Vincent
1475 W Balmoral AveDutch-American food, gin specialty drinks, locally owned, and some amazing gastropub food! All locally sourced ingredients, and in season food. I love the hanger steak, and lamb-mint burger.
The best, locally WI sourced ice cream. They also have sundaes, hot chocolate, baked delights, sandwiches, and free wifi.
39 locals recommend
George's Ice Cream & Sweets
5306 N Clark StThe best, locally WI sourced ice cream. They also have sundaes, hot chocolate, baked delights, sandwiches, and free wifi.
My favorite Ethopian joint in the area (and trust me when I say there are at least 7 to choose from!). Call ahead in the morning to order gluten free injera for the evening.
65 locals recommend
Demera Restaurant
4801 N BroadwayMy favorite Ethopian joint in the area (and trust me when I say there are at least 7 to choose from!). Call ahead in the morning to order gluten free injera for the evening.
So Acre is a low key, subtle sports bar meets nice dining, with a stunning full length built in wooden bar. And where else will you get all-you-can-eat oysters 1 night a week on the Northside.
12 locals recommend
Acre
5308 N Clark StSo Acre is a low key, subtle sports bar meets nice dining, with a stunning full length built in wooden bar. And where else will you get all-you-can-eat oysters 1 night a week on the Northside.
Venice Inspired Italian food all small plates style, great wine selection, reservations accepted, and beautiful interior design with an open visible kitchen.
15 locals recommend
Ombra
5310 N Clark StVenice Inspired Italian food all small plates style, great wine selection, reservations accepted, and beautiful interior design with an open visible kitchen.
Great Mediterranean food - they even serve a huge variety brunch!
21 locals recommend
Andies Restaurant
5253 N Clark StGreat Mediterranean food - they even serve a huge variety brunch!
Reza's Restaurant
5255 N Clark StWonderful Persian Food!
Do you love whisky & small plates? Then this is the place to go. Do a flight of whiskies, share some great food, and enjoy this beautiful wood, gently lite bar & restaurant.
93 locals recommend
Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant
5260 N Clark StDo you love whisky & small plates? Then this is the place to go. Do a flight of whiskies, share some great food, and enjoy this beautiful wood, gently lite bar & restaurant.
Best Gastropub on the North side! The beer selection is global, and there's something for everyone. Favorite dish: Mussels w/ fries!
251 locals recommend
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StBest Gastropub on the North side! The beer selection is global, and there's something for everyone. Favorite dish: Mussels w/ fries!
Calo Ristorante
5343 N Clark StGreat local Italian food.
Everything Else
So the park runs around the high school. Has some great walking paths, baseball fields, and a lot of fun to play in all the snow in the winter, and picnic in the summer!
65 locals recommend
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt StSo the park runs around the high school. Has some great walking paths, baseball fields, and a lot of fun to play in all the snow in the winter, and picnic in the summer!
Chase Bank
2228 S Western AveATM & Branch
Arts & Culture
KOVAL Distillery
4241 North Ravenswood AvenueDo a distillery tour, and a tasting of course!
Cheetah Gym
5248 N Clark StGym
Martyrs'
3855 N Lincoln AveGreat, cheap, divy music venue!
Double Door
Great, cheap, divy music venue.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe new Modern Art wing is stunning!
This is a whole building and block of arts, classes, workshops, entertainment, salvaged pieces & furniture. Really great area to walk around & explore!
12 locals recommend
Lillstreet Art Center
4401 N Ravenswood AveThis is a whole building and block of arts, classes, workshops, entertainment, salvaged pieces & furniture. Really great area to walk around & explore!
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveDo a distillery tour and tasting of course!
It's the Cubs Stadium! CHeck it with or without a game. Some winter's they even have an ice skating rink!
1004 locals recommend
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StIt's the Cubs Stadium! CHeck it with or without a game. Some winter's they even have an ice skating rink!
Not only can you take all kinds of music, dance, instrumental, and vocal classes here, but there are shows and performances all the time!
103 locals recommend
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveNot only can you take all kinds of music, dance, instrumental, and vocal classes here, but there are shows and performances all the time!
Riviera Theatre
4746 North Racine AvenueAmazing Live Bands come through here all the time!
All sorts of live entertainment--boxing, music, staged shows, etc.
123 locals recommend
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W Lawrence AveAll sorts of live entertainment--boxing, music, staged shows, etc.
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayBest Jazz Bar in Chicago!
A new theater in the area...great spot to catch some improv and staged shows!
14 locals recommend
The pH Comedy Theater
1515 West Berwyn AvenueA new theater in the area...great spot to catch some improv and staged shows!
Essentials
Edgewater Produce
5515 N Clark StLocal grocery store with greatly priced produce.
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayGrocery Store
Shopping
Great spot for a locally owned, small selection of spirits, and great wines. The staff is wonderfully helpful in selecting wines for any occasion.
9 locals recommend
In Fine Spirits
5418 N Clark StGreat spot for a locally owned, small selection of spirits, and great wines. The staff is wonderfully helpful in selecting wines for any occasion.
This is a family owned (father & 3 sons) liquor store with a great selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Any of the guys can make recommendations for you!
16 locals recommend
Andersonville Wine & Spirits
5201 N Clark StThis is a family owned (father & 3 sons) liquor store with a great selection of beers, wines, and spirits. Any of the guys can make recommendations for you!
You could not get more oddities and unique than this shop! Go & Explore!
28 locals recommend
Woolly Mammoth
1513 W Foster AveYou could not get more oddities and unique than this shop! Go & Explore!
Shopping, and the top of the Magnificent Mile for sign seeing and shopping. Catch the 146, or 147 bus from Sheridan and Berwyn south to get there quickly.
179 locals recommend
McCormick Place
2301 S King DrShopping, and the top of the Magnificent Mile for sign seeing and shopping. Catch the 146, or 147 bus from Sheridan and Berwyn south to get there quickly.
3.5 stories of locally made art, clothes, & jewelry. Grab a coffee, and definitely walk around this great shop.
48 locals recommend
Andersonville Galleria
5247 N Clark St3.5 stories of locally made art, clothes, & jewelry. Grab a coffee, and definitely walk around this great shop.
People come for miles to shop for sweets, and cakes at Swedish. PLan for a long line, and don't wait too late in the day as they close early.
18 locals recommend
Swedish Bakery
5348 North Clark StreetPeople come for miles to shop for sweets, and cakes at Swedish. PLan for a long line, and don't wait too late in the day as they close early.
Sightseeing
The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, & the Adler Planetarium...this is a win win day. Check out city passes and free days online.
65 locals recommend
Museum Campus
The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium, & the Adler Planetarium...this is a win win day. Check out city passes and free days online.
Walk the mile south, wander in the stores, and take lots of photos of the great building. I love walking this stretch at night with all the building lights, and especially with the winter lights.
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Walk the mile south, wander in the stores, and take lots of photos of the great building. I love walking this stretch at night with all the building lights, and especially with the winter lights.
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrIt will always be the Sears Tower to us in Chicago!
The park is a living venue of various areas from the Bean (ie the Cloud Gate) to ice skating in the winter, outdoor sculptures, the Pitzker Pavilion for picnicking & live music in the summer.
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StThe park is a living venue of various areas from the Bean (ie the Cloud Gate) to ice skating in the winter, outdoor sculptures, the Pitzker Pavilion for picnicking & live music in the summer.
What city does not have a Chinatown! Take the CTA redline all the way down and explore!
217 locals recommend
Chinatown
What city does not have a Chinatown! Take the CTA redline all the way down and explore!