Bars
Rainbo 1150 N Damen The favorite local dive in Wicker Park. Cheap beer and a hip crowd, right below the world-famous Soma Studio (Wilco, Tortoise, etc). How can you go wrong? The Whistler 2421 N Milwaukee This cozy Logan Square spot is known for creative cocktails and a great patio. During the week, they have free shows too. Great place to hear new bands. Gold Star 1755 W Division Another classic Wicker Park dive, and a good place to spot sexy fixed-gears and road bikes. Rodan 1530 N Milwaukee Ave A little more upscale, with delicious cocktails. Try the Lychee Martini or the Lychee Royale. During the week there are usually DJ sets with interesting video art, and if you go during the weekend, be ready for standing room only. L&L 3207 N Clark Street A hole in the wall at the edge of Boystown with an “anything can happen!” vibe.
Restaurants
Chicago Diner 3411 Halsted This vegetarian and vegan restaurant is a Chicago classic! Located near the Belmont and Addison Red Line stops, it’s a great place
to get dinner before catching a show at the Metro or Schubas. Try to save room for dessert! La Pasadita 1140 N Ashland Ave
One thing Chicago has is great Mexican food. La Pasadita is actually three restaurants, all with the same name, at the corner of Ashland and Division (just off the Division Blue Line stop.) The food is delicious and reasonably priced, and they’re open late (1am week nights and 3am weekends) making it a reliable late-night stop on your way home from the Empty Bottle. Poster by Ryan Duggan Filter 1373 N Milwaukee Exposed brick walls, foxy patrons, strong coffee and fairly inexpensive place to eat in Wicker Park (try the Hipster Hash; no, really). Ideal for laptop work, people watching, and meeting (or making) friends.
Other cool stuff
Quimby’s 1854 W North Ave A truly great, irreplaceable bookstore filled
with comics, zines, art books, interesting how-to crafter guides, graphic novels and much more. No better place to spend some time and money. Hollywood Mirror 812 N Dayton, just east of Belmont and Clark
Quirky, retro gift shop and vintage clothing store. Good selection, good prices, saucy staff. Museum of Contemporary Photography 600 S Michigan Ave
This free museum is part of Columbia College downtown and always has interesting exhibits. Chicago is a printmaking Mecca Keep an eye out for show posters from Delicious, Sonnenzimmer, Ryan Duggan, The bird machine, Mat Daly, and FugScreens just to name a few. Also, if your band is playing in town: a lot of these artists are for hire, so you can get a poster made for yourself and get your band name out on the street of Chicago!
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