Coming to Chicago this weekend (Addison, Lincoln: how much, home, neighborhoods)

[Fitzrovian]

I am coming to Chicago tomorrow night with my wife for the weekend. We are staying until late Sunday and are looking to explore some cool neighborhoods, check out a few nice restaurants and just have some fun. On my prior visits to Chicago I saw almost nothing outside of downtown, so this time I want to focus on the neighborhoods as I understand that's where Chicago's "real action" is.

We have plans for Friday night but none for Thursday and Saturday nights. What would be the best and buzziest neighborhoods/streets outside of downtown to check out on those nights? Any recommendations for specific restaurants/bars/lounges would also be greatly appreciated.

We are two New York professionals (I in my mid-30s, my wife late 20s) so we are not interested in the college bar scene, but looking for a trendy/eclectic/cosmopolitan vibe along the lines of downtown Manhattan.

Thanks in advance.

[hjt123]

Originally Posted by Fitzrovian

We are two New York professionals (I in my mid-30s, my wife late 20s) so we are not interested in the college bar scene, but looking for a trendy/eclectic/cosmopolitan vibe along the lines of downtown Manhattan.

Thanks in advance.

Wicker Park, Lakeview, Andersonville, Ukrainian Village, West Loop

[marothisu]

Too bad you aren't coming next weekend. The weather is supposed to be colder this weekend - like 55 or 60 (i have no idea what's up with the weather this year in the midwest) and maybe raining here and there. Let's hope it's not raining ever or more than 30 minutes really.

The areas with the most buzz will be the Wicker Park/Bucktown area around the Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection and also down Milwaukee Avenue southeast, Ukrainian Village around say Damen & Division Streets, Lakeview (Wrigleyville, around Belmont/Sheffield/Clark, Boystown (gay section of town)), various parts of Lincoln Park, parts of Logan Square (i.e. around the actual square), Gold Coast around Division & State and Rush streets. Division is more college-esque (some old tourists hang out there too) and can get very busy sometimes. The Viagra Triangle area just south of State&Division is older but unfortunately one restaurant/bar/club was torn down and is being rebuilt and another is undergoing renovation. Still good and I'd recommend going there in the day if it's 65-70+ and sunny out for sure. Big time celebrity area especially in the summer....And of course River North but you wanted to get out of "downtown." Unless you weren't there last time...West Loop area around Randolph and Lake streets. Not as much foot traffic but some of the places can be full..good stuff in this area.

Much of the Lakeview area, especially Wrigleyville is pretty "I've been out of college less than 2 years" type of atmosphere mixed in with baseball fans. There's a lot happening there. Around Belmont is less of that (minus a few places) but still more normal type of bar atmosphere. Lincoln Park can be pretty young professional too but there's still some good places there. Good amount of buzz in these areas especially near Wrigley Field (on Clark Street south of Addison). I would check it out anyway just to see it...There's actually a few good late night improv comedy theatres near there.

I like Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village the best, but that's just me. It used to kind of be like a little Greenwich Village. Still shows some of that mixed in with other stuff that isn't as grungy. One of my favorite cocktail bars is there.

For more lounge/cocktail type of stuff:

* The Aviary - Very inventive cocktails. Run by Grant Achatz (Next is attached to it) who runs Alinea which was until last year the #1 rated restaurant in North America with 3 michelin stars. Might have to call and get a reservation for this..no joke.

* Violet Hour - Watch out. There's no signs here or windows. It's across the street from Big Star and the door blends in seamlessly with the rest of things because there's usually a mural painted on everything. No reservations..come at the right time or else you might have to wait awhile.

* Maude's Liquor Bar
* M Lounge
* Tasting Room - 2nd floor. I don't know how that works actually..my friend had a party and it was up there but the 2nd floor was nice.
* Billy Sunday
* Barrelhouse Flat - 2nd floor
* Suite Lounge - maybe..sometimes
* J.Parker
* 694 Wine & Spirits

Also stuff like the 2nd floor of Le Colonial in Gold Coast and Drawing Room below that. If you're in River North ever then places like Gilt Bar. Just for food is a whole different ball game...

Off the top of my head. Probably more trendy around (Define what you mean by that?). Im sure there's more.

[Attrill]

All of Marothisu's suggestions are very solid, here are a few others to throw in the mix...

A good place for brunch on Sunday would be the Publican - convenient to downtown and they're also one of the few places that take brunch reservations. It is also just a great, great place. The chef there just won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef, so I guess that makes it trendy (he also runs Big Star, Blackbird, and Avec). You could also check out the Logan Square Farmer's Market on Sunday. It starts late (11 AM) and could also work for a brunch/lunch option. Longman and Eagle is very close to it, and that would certainly be another good place to try. They open at 9 AM if you wanted to have an earlier brunch and then hit the market. It could also be a good way to get a general feel for for Chicago neighborhoods if you walk from the Logan Sq. El stop along Logan Blvd. to Western and then down Western to the Western stop. It's a pretty good contrast between an old school 1800's boulevard and a 20th century commercial strip that gives you a couple views of the city.

[Fitzrovian]

@ Marothisu & Attrill --

Thanks so much guys for such a prompt and detailed response. Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Yeah marothisu I know the weather this weekend is supposed to be not so great. Oh well (I think it's gonna suck in NY as well, so we won't be missing anything). As long as it doesn't rain much, we'll be fine.

A few follow-ups:

1. Marothisu, by "downtown" I just meant the Loop, Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast areas (sorry, I wasn't being clear). I havent been to River North so that's definitely on my list. What streets would you say have the highest concentration of activity there?

2. Attrill, thx for the recommendation. I didn't think of Logan Square, but time and weather permitting will try to check it out.

3. So if you two were my event planners for the weekend and I wanted you to steer me towards (i) 1 specific area for Thursday night, (ii) 1-2 specific areas for Saturday night, and (iii) 3-4 areas for Saturday/Sunday strolls during the day -- how would you suggest that I plan it out?

Thanks again guys.

[Maintainschaos]

I totally support Attrill's suggestion for the Publican for brunch. Anecdotally, I had reservations there a few times, and normally you get seated (communally) right away. Once they were really backed up on a nice Sunday morning so we had to wait probably 20 min, and the entire staff were so apologetic and kept on bringing us more free coffee, pastries, bacon etc. and then took a certain percentage off our bill for making us wait. I don't think I've ever gotten so much free food from a restaurant before...and it's all delicious.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Fitzrovian

1. Marothisu, by "downtown" I just meant the Loop, Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast areas (sorry, I wasn't being clear). I havent been to River North so that's definitely on my list. What streets would you say have the highest concentration of activity there?

Gotcha. Well that certainly changes some things. River North on the streets of Hubbard from State street working west has a number of bars/"clubs". Illinois street and Kinzie also have some and there's the typical clubs strewn around areas like Ontario & Franklin streets and in that general areas.

Along with Gilt Bar, somewhere like Curio (which I believe is under Gilt Bar..and might weirdly be cash only). Charcoal Bar (Underneath Sumi Robata...only accepts 11 people at a time..sooo), Epic,
Sable, etc. Maybe Untitled (has live music there).

Not sure what part of the Gold Coast you went to, but my suggestions for Le Colonial and Drawing Room are still there. Also something like Le Bar.

2. Attrill, thx for the recommendation. I didn't think of Logan Square, but time and weather permitting will try to check it out.

Longman & Eagle has a Michelin star and is pretty good and not terribly expensive. Of course again, no reservations at the place. Billy Sunday is not far from there. Lula Cafe and Owen & Engine right by. Telegraph is decent too.

3. So if you two were my event planners for the weekend and I wanted you to steer me towards (i) 1 specific area for Thursday night, (ii) 1-2 specific areas for Saturday night, and (iii) 3-4 areas for Saturday/Sunday strolls during the day -- how would you suggest that I plan it out?

Thanks again guys.

Well, if it's raining tonight (Thursday), I would recommend doing something more low key. Try and get into The Aviary if you're into futuristic cocktails in a real nice setting. Maude's Liquor bar and stuff not far away...

One of the nights if it's not raining...River North and probably Wicker Park/Bucktown. I would explore neighborhoods like Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and maybe even parts of the Ravenswood area (fairly north) but that's more of an old german-ish part with a few small sections of coolness but nothing grand by any stretch of the imagination. Andersonville near Edgewater maybe. Gold Coast north of Division if you want to see some cool mansions. Hyde Park on the south side (where U of Chicago is) although the train doesn't go directly through there but the express bus does (the train drops off in a semi shady neighborhood next to Hyde Park). Kenwood to the north of that has some nice old mansions as well and it's where Obama lives. I wouldn't call either of those areas terribly vibrant though...

You should see Wrigleyville at night though...after maybe 10pm or 11pm (especially if the Cubs are playing at home that night). It can be a complete **** show and kind of funny for a little bit.


A lot of hip eats around the city really. Publican, Publican Quality Meats, Little Goat Diner and Girl & the Goat (both owned by a Top Chef winner...Girl & the Goat...might be hard to get a reservation but you never know), Longman & Eagle, Blackbird, Avec, Ruxbin, Au Cheval, Nightwood, Purple Pig (no reservations), and a ton more. Just depends on what you want, how much you want to spend, etc. If you want to keep it on the cheaper side then there will be other suggestions (although I would call PQM or Little Goat expensive).

If you want good Mexican, then head to the Pilsen neighborhood. If you want good Mexican/Puerto Rican and want to risk being in a shady/bad neighborhood then areas like Humboldt Park, South Lawndale, Chicago Lawn, etc. However these are kind of notorious neighborhoods (Chicago Lawn more recently).

[Fitzrovian]

Marothisu - thanks a million, this is perfect. Will send a brief report when I return.

2 more (i promise final) questions:

What are the most active areas in Lincoln Park?

Is the Southport Avenue area in Lake View (recommended in some guide books) worth checking out on a Sat or Sun?

Thanks!

[chet everett]

Pretty solid recommendations but even with expert level knowledge of CTA links I think there is too much too cram into three nights. Maybe stick to just a couple areas...

[chet everett]

There are too many recommendations for just a weekend.

Here is the Michelin stars map -- it might take months to get to all these places. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=...c&source=embed