Nightlife in the winter (Chicago, Oak Park: crime, neighborhoods, schools)

[trailblazer33]

Originally Posted by Aleking

the impact of weather on the everyday action in chicago is very much overplayed, outside less beach/park time, very little changes on the nightlife scene and many things are even more busy.

Are you kidding? Chicago was pretty dead to me this winter. It looks like things are beginning to pick up.

[rvernsey]

Agreed. I moved here in late October of last year, didn't have any issues finding trouble just about any night of the week if desired. Plus standing at the window and making fun of the hardcore smokers freezing their asses off is entertaining.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

Are you kidding? Chicago was pretty dead to me this winter. It looks like things are beginning to pick up.

The nightlife is rarely actually dead in the city, but on the outside it looks more dead in the colder months because people want to be outside far, far less. I remember standing in line trying to get into a bar in River North to meet some friends this summer in January or February when it was about 10 F out and I had to wait for 30 minutes in line with many others. I remember another night we went to a club and my friend from Manhattan was amazed that so many people were standing in line when it was about 5 F out to get into a club.

The streets are not as lively for sure, but the clubs and bars in many of the hot areas are just as full in the winter.

[Duke Devlin2]

Thank you guys, thats all I wanted to know.. I was just afraid of going there and find a city where people are too lazy to go out because of the weather..

About the Dominican University area, do you think it is a safe area? Because it is kinda next to some guetto areas like Austin.. And about its nightlife, staying in Lincoln Park/River North would it be really better than in this area or there are also great things to do in this region? Thanks in advance!

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Duke Devlin2

Thank you guys, thats all I wanted to know.. I was just afraid of going there and find a city where people are too lazy to go out because of the weather..

About the Dominican University area, do you think it is a safe area? Because it is kinda next to some guetto areas like Austin.. And about its nightlife, staying in Lincoln Park/River North would it be really better than in this area or there are also great things to do in this region? Thanks in advance!

The area around Dominican is full of $1,000,000+ single family homes. Its not a bad area. Its not a very happening area for young folks, but 1.5 miles to the south is Madison st which has a bunch of bars and trendy restaurants. Madison St still is a pale shadow of Lincoln Park/River North, but at least its close by. Austin is 1.5 miles to the east and might as well be 1000 miles away, the crime rate in River Forest is very low.

[Chicago60614]

I go out more during the winter than summer since during summer I'm taking more weekend trips, going to friend's rooftops for an evening or chilling outside.

Nightlife certainly doesn't stop for the cold, it keeps chugging right along, it's just mostly all indoors instead of spreading out onto patios, etc.

It is a shame you're missing summer. This time of year is best when it's just hitting and you see everyone out enjoying every minute of it.

[IEnjoyBeer]

Good to know it doesnt really change.

[Drover]

Weekday nightlife is notably busier during warm-weather months. Weekend nightlife remains plenty busy no matter how cold it gets.

[IEnjoyBeer]

Good, cause im looking to move out "der" by next month.

Its between Chi and a small town (grad school) in Northern California.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Drover

Weekday nightlife is notably busier during warm-weather months.

In the Gold Coast tonight it felt like a weekend out....then I realized it was only Tuesday night.