Not for Tourists - Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago 2014

designed by: Not For Tourists, IncNFTTMNot For TouristsTM Guide to Chicago www.notfortourists.com

Publisher	Production Manager	Graphic Design and
Skyhorse Publishing	Aaron Schielke	Production
Aaron Schielke
Creative Direction &
Writing and Editing	Sarah Smith
Information Design	Benjamin Kelner
Jane Pirone	Anne Kasdorf	Information Systems
Scott Sendrow	Manager
Director	Juan Molinari
Stuart Farr	Research
Jess Bender
Managing Editor
Scott Sendrow

Printed in China ISBN# 978-1-62636-050-1 $21.95 eISBN# 978-1-62873-581-9 ISSN 2162-724X Copyright 2014 by Not For Tourists, Inc. 12th Edition Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is as up-to-date as possible at press time. However, many details are liable to changeas we have learned. Not For Tourists cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book. Not For Tourists does not solicit individuals, organizations, or businesses for listings inclusion in our guides, nor do we accept payment for inclusion into the editorial portion of our book; the advertising sections, however, are exempt from this policy. We always welcome communications from anyone regarding ANYTHING having to do with our books; please visit us on our website at www.notfortourists.com for appropriate contact information.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or specialsales@skyhorsepublishing.com. All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. www.skyhorsepublishing.com 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dear NFT User, There are certain things Chicagoans know: the best stories happen on the Red Line late at night; the Cubbies are going to win the World Series (next year); the swear jar in Rahms office is overflowing with coins; your out-of-town relatives are going to ask you about Al Capone; theres a 50/50 chance your alderman is going to be indicted this year; the winters make you stronger and the summers make you lazier; and every New Yorker you know will tell you how shocked they are that there arent cows and corn filling up your downtown (Wow, this actually is an amazing city!). But you dont need us to tell you that Chicago is much more than this. As possessive and proud Chicagoans are of their city, theyre even more so of their neighborhoods, each one offering its own unique experience. Travelling from one to the next is like a different vacation onto itself, and thats where we come in. Consider us your insider to the best of your own city.

Youre the ultimate urban adventurer and we cant wait to be your companion on the journey. But print publishing has its shortcomingsit can only reflect what was happening in the city at the time of publication, and things are always changing. Thats where the website (www.NotForTourists.com/Chicago) and mobile apps come in. And while you cant scribble notes on a computer screen or iPhone app, we think they nicely complement what you now hold in front of you. Thank you for picking up the Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago. As the only guidebook of the city written by fellow Chicagoans that includes detailed map-by-map descriptions of every neighborhood in Chicago (as well as Evanston, Oak Park, and Skokie), we hope to worm our way into your heart as your indispensable right-hand tool for navigating this dynamic and energetic city that we love.

Jane, Scott, Ben, Anne, et al. Criss-crossed by rail tracks, I-90/94 and the Chicago River, this section of the Windy City is quickly turning from industrial warehousing district to indie-hipster home. Cheaper rent lures artsy types and suits alike to the west where The Blommer Chocolate Company pumps sweet, chocolate-coated air into the streets all day. Diabetics, beware. Landmarks Blommer Chocolate Co. 600 W Kinzie St 312-226-7700 Opened in 1939. Nightlife Bub City 435 N Clark St 312-610-4200 Honky tonk for the River North scene. Emmits Irish Pub 495 N Milwaukee Ave 312-563-9631 An old-school Chicago establishment. Funky Buddha Lounge 728 W Grand Ave 312-666-1695 See and be seen at this trendy live music lounge. The Grid 351 W Hubbard St 312-321-1351 Swanky sports bar. Lumen 839 W Fulton St 312-733-2222 Cool, expensive decor and cool, expensive drinks. The Motel Bar 600 W Chicago Ave 312-822-2900 Hotel bar without the hourly rates! Rednofive 440 N Halsted St 312-733-6699 Two levels of existence: downstairs=dancing, upstairs=posing. Richards Bar 491 N Milwaukee Ave 312-733-2251 Old man bar good for starter drinks. Restaurants Baume & Brix 351 W Hubbard St 312-321-0351 $$$ Globally-inspired small plates. Carnivale 702 W Fulton St 312-850-5005 $$$ Authentic, soulful Latin fusion cuisine. Iguana Caf 517 N Halsted St 312-432-0663 $ Internet cafe with bagels and such. Japonais 600 W Chicago Ave 312-822-9600 $$$ Elegant, way-upscale Asian. La Scarola 721 W Grand Ave 312-243-1740 $$ Authentic Italian in a super-close atmosphere. Piccolo Sogno 464 N Halsted St 312-421-0077 $$$$ You wish your mama in the old country cooked this good. Publican 837 W Fulton Market 312-733-9555 $$$ Much buzzed new Kahan joint is meat and beer lovers nirvana. Rezas 432 W Ontario St 312-664-4500 $$$ Huge portions of Persian fare. Robust Coffee Lounge 416 W Ontario St 312-526-3420 $ Second location for the South Side coffeehouse. Scoozi! 410 W Huron St 312-943-5900 $$ Once-trendy Italian has had its day. Shopping Doolins 511 N Halsted St 312-243-9424 Party decorations galore, closed Sundays. Isaacson & Stein Fish Company 800 W Fulton Market 312-421-2444 Fish gutters! Quick and fresh! Trunk Club High-end menswear loft with attentive stylists. Veruca Salt 520 N Kingsbury St 773-276-3888 Flirty ladies fashions. On the west side, monolithic Merchandise Mart (seriouslyit has its own zip code) casts its shadow over River North, helping the area maintain its old industrial edge. On the west side, monolithic

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