Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Feast Restaurant + Bar
1616 North Damen AvenueDelicious eggs benedict
Lucky’s Sandwich Co.
1635 N Milwaukee AveGreat atmosphere for watching the game. Go Hawks!
Really cool new deli/bar/event venue. You'll have to check it out for yourself because it's hard to describe.
27 locals recommend
Chop Shop
2033 W North AveReally cool new deli/bar/event venue. You'll have to check it out for yourself because it's hard to describe.
Trench
2039 West North AvenueTrendy new restaurant next to the Double Door.
Sushi Para M
1633 N Milwaukee AveAll you can eat for $19.
Don't mess around with another Pizza chain. This is the one.
513 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StDon't mess around with another Pizza chain. This is the one.
Good tapas in a crowded atmosphere. The bar upstairs is called Bordel and is modeled after a Parisian burlesque house. Unique.
41 locals recommend
Black Bull
1721 W Division StGood tapas in a crowded atmosphere. The bar upstairs is called Bordel and is modeled after a Parisian burlesque house. Unique.
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StChicago's best Italian beef and hot dogs.
Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveGreat Costa Rican BYOB.
90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveGreat Cuban BYOB. Better atmosphere than Irazu.
Classy restaurant, good place to bring a date. Upstairs is an exclusive nightclub with retractable roof.
33 locals recommend
Paris Club Bistro & Bar
59 W Hubbard StClassy restaurant, good place to bring a date. Upstairs is an exclusive nightclub with retractable roof.
Carmine's
1043 N Rush StGreat Italian in a bustling area of the city.
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveFamous taco joint/bar. Nice outdoor patio but be prepared to wait.
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveGood brunch. Big portions. Possible wait for a table.
Billy Goat Tavern
Michigan AvenueGrab a quick bite if going to a game at the UC.
Enso Sushi & Bar
1613 N Damen AveGood BYOB sushi for the midwest.
Phenomenal steak. Great location right on the Chicago River. Celebrity sightings too.
29 locals recommend
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 N LaSalle DrPhenomenal steak. Great location right on the Chicago River. Celebrity sightings too.
Best restaurant to take a date to if you're from out of town. Beautiful city view.
525 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveBest restaurant to take a date to if you're from out of town. Beautiful city view.
Delicious cheeseburgers, fries, beers and shots right at the end of the block! However be prepared to wait during lunch and dinner. Not inexpensive.
161 locals recommend
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveDelicious cheeseburgers, fries, beers and shots right at the end of the block! However be prepared to wait during lunch and dinner. Not inexpensive.
Shopping
Nike Bucktown
1640 N Damen AveJust opened in October 2013. Great selection.
Scotch & Soda
1639 N Damen AveOne of my favorite stores.
Una Mae's
1528 N Milwaukee AveAnother one of my favorite stores.
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the coziest bars in the city. It reminds me of a Ralph Loren Polo club mixed with a local tap house.
20 locals recommend
Northside Bar & Grill
1635 N Damen AveOne of the coziest bars in the city. It reminds me of a Ralph Loren Polo club mixed with a local tap house.
Great live music and beer. Recommended if your trying to avoid the club scene but want to do more than just go to a pub.
62 locals recommend
Double Door
Great live music and beer. Recommended if your trying to avoid the club scene but want to do more than just go to a pub.
Spybar
646 N Franklin StBest underground nightclub in the city. Real house music.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush StBest steak in the city.
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen AveCheap drinks and just about as hipster as it gets in Wicker Park.
Plenty of TVs to watch the game. Ask about the 10% ABV root beer.
59 locals recommend
Fatpour Tap Works - Wicker Park
2005 W Division StPlenty of TVs to watch the game. Ask about the 10% ABV root beer.
Dannys
Cash bar where the locals drink. Cozy spot with a vinyl DJ booth.
Trendy bar that's spawned several other places around the city. No cell phones allowed.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveTrendy bar that's spawned several other places around the city. No cell phones allowed.
Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan BlvdBest cocktails in Logan Square.
Arguably the best view of the city. A personal favorite if you can get in.
30 locals recommend
IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge
127 W Huron StArguably the best view of the city. A personal favorite if you can get in.
One of the many bars on Hubbard in RIver North, this one isn't as over the top as El Hefe.
28 locals recommend
Hubbard Inn
110 W Hubbard StOne of the many bars on Hubbard in RIver North, this one isn't as over the top as El Hefe.
El Hefe Chicago
15 W Hubbard StSunday Funday.
Red leather booths make the front a classy bar and the back a decent dance party after 10pm.
42 locals recommend
The Revel Room
1566 N Milwaukee AveRed leather booths make the front a classy bar and the back a decent dance party after 10pm.
Howl at the Moon Chicago
26 W Hubbard StDueling piano bar.
The Mid
306 N Halsted StOne of Chicago's most famous nighclubs with good DJ talent. EDM scene.
One of Chicago's most exclusive nightclubs with a retractable roof.
29 locals recommend
Studio Paris Nightclub
59 W Hubbard StOne of Chicago's most exclusive nightclubs with a retractable roof.
EDM bar/club. Late night spot. You will be hungover if you go here.
20 locals recommend
Debonair Social Club
1575 N Milwaukee AveEDM bar/club. Late night spot. You will be hungover if you go here.
Possibly my favorite spot in the city. They make a nice Manhattan in a unique atmosphere.
57 locals recommend
Bar Deville
Possibly my favorite spot in the city. They make a nice Manhattan in a unique atmosphere.
Secret Bar: The entrance is quietly located under a single red light and reveals Chicago's sketchier side, albeit with a cheap cash bar and good music. Hipster hangout.
55 locals recommend
East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveSecret Bar: The entrance is quietly located under a single red light and reveals Chicago's sketchier side, albeit with a cheap cash bar and good music. Hipster hangout.
Essentials
Costco Wholesale
1430 S Ashland AveOne stop shop.
Aldi
3363 N Milwaukee AveNo booze, but quick and cheap groceries.
Everything Else
More of a bar than a ballpark. If going to a game get to the neighborhood at least 2 hours early and enjoy all that Wrigleyville has to offer.
1004 locals recommend
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StMore of a bar than a ballpark. If going to a game get to the neighborhood at least 2 hours early and enjoy all that Wrigleyville has to offer.
Best hockey and bball in the US but not much to do on the West Side after the game, FYI.
200 locals recommend
United Center
1901 W Madison StBest hockey and bball in the US but not much to do on the West Side after the game, FYI.