Jack’s guidebook
Coffee
Coffee shops in the area!
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveSolid donuts + coffee!
Great place to buy coffee to make at home or tea to go.
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The Coffee & Tea Exchange
3311 N BroadwayGreat place to buy coffee to make at home or tea to go.
A little on the expensive side but a good cup of coffee.
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Intelligentsia Coffee Broadway Coffeebar
3123 N BroadwayA little on the expensive side but a good cup of coffee.
11 Degree North
824 W Belmont AveRecord Stores & Comics
Reckless Records
929 W Belmont Ave#1 favorite comic book store! Tons of comics from all publishers, coffee table books, and a section in the back for back issues and local publishing.
Chicago Comics
3244 N Clark St#1 favorite comic book store! Tons of comics from all publishers, coffee table books, and a section in the back for back issues and local publishing.
Another great comic book store! Make sure to check out the basement.
Graham Crackers Comics of Lakeview
3120 N BroadwayAnother great comic book store! Make sure to check out the basement.
Improv, Comedy, and Theatre
You can usually buy tickets either day of or the day before!
You can usually buy a ticket the night of (online or at the box office). This place is a little crazier and a lot more low key than the shows at Second City. It is more affordable as well.
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The Annoyance Theatre & Bar
851 W Belmont AveYou can usually buy a ticket the night of (online or at the box office). This place is a little crazier and a lot more low key than the shows at Second City. It is more affordable as well.
The shows are a little pricier here, but if you haven't been it's worth checking off your list!
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The Second City
230 W North AveThe shows are a little pricier here, but if you haven't been it's worth checking off your list!
This is a great place for stand-up comedy. I think a lot of "stars" or well known people have performed here as well. Relatively inexpensive, 2 drink minimum.
77 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Zanies Comedy Night Club
1548 N Wells StThis is a great place for stand-up comedy. I think a lot of "stars" or well known people have performed here as well. Relatively inexpensive, 2 drink minimum.
Best Restaurants in the Area
Italian sandwiches / subs, pizza, and breakfast sandwiches. Locally baked bread & cookies!
Cafe L’Appetito
1258 N BroadwayItalian sandwiches / subs, pizza, and breakfast sandwiches. Locally baked bread & cookies!
Solid breakfast spot! Cinnamon rolls are huge. BYOB. You can literally bring your own bottle of champagne and they will make you a pitcher of mimosas.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ann Sather Restaurant & Catering
3415 N BroadwaySolid breakfast spot! Cinnamon rolls are huge. BYOB. You can literally bring your own bottle of champagne and they will make you a pitcher of mimosas.
Great thai food. Dine in or take out. Just around the corner.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joy's Noodles & Rice
3257 North BroadwayGreat thai food. Dine in or take out. Just around the corner.
Really fresh sushi, chic atmosphere. Great for dinner. It's literally right around the corner.
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Wakamono
3313 N BroadwayReally fresh sushi, chic atmosphere. Great for dinner. It's literally right around the corner.
Matsuya
3242 N Clark StThe atmosphere leaves a little to be desired, but the price is right and the sushi is great.
Decent spot for ramen. I think the location in Logan Square is technically better. I'm not a huge fan of this local chain anymore, but it's definitely worth a shot if you've never had it before. This chain is local to Chicago.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Furious Spoon Lakeview
800 W Belmont AveDecent spot for ramen. I think the location in Logan Square is technically better. I'm not a huge fan of this local chain anymore, but it's definitely worth a shot if you've never had it before. This chain is local to Chicago.
Vegetarian friendly! (I've never been, but this place is super popular)
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Chicago Diner
3411 N Halsted StVegetarian friendly! (I've never been, but this place is super popular)
It's a chain, but it's good! If you've never had Banh Mi, it's basically Vietnamese marinated grilled chicken, carrots, and a bunch of other stuff in a french roll. You can also get pho (soup) and other things here as well.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Banh Mi & Co
3227 N BroadwayIt's a chain, but it's good! If you've never had Banh Mi, it's basically Vietnamese marinated grilled chicken, carrots, and a bunch of other stuff in a french roll. You can also get pho (soup) and other things here as well.
Old style Chicago join with deep dish pizza. Dine in or take out! They sell by the slice as well.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nancy's Pizza
2930 N BroadwayOld style Chicago join with deep dish pizza. Dine in or take out! They sell by the slice as well.
When you gotta get the Chicago dog while you're here.
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Wrigleyville Dogs
3737 N Clark StWhen you gotta get the Chicago dog while you're here.
Diner style restaurant with bagels and other lunch items.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Bagel Restaurant and Deli
3107 N BroadwayDiner style restaurant with bagels and other lunch items.
The Wiener's Circle
2622 N Clark StChicago style dog + other fried delicacies.
Street tacos! Get the pescado taco and thank me later.
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Big Star Wrigleyville
3640 N Clark StStreet tacos! Get the pescado taco and thank me later.
I scream, you scream...
Local to Chicago.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveI scream, you scream...
Local to Chicago.
Sightseeing
Take the 146 Bus from Lakeshore and Roscoe. If you turn left going out of the apartment building, the stop is at the end of the block. It takes you straight downtown.
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I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveTake the 146 Bus from Lakeshore and Roscoe. If you turn left going out of the apartment building, the stop is at the end of the block. It takes you straight downtown.
It's cool to shop around here, and you can grab a drink on the top floor. It's of course expensive but a great view.
Take the 146 Bus from Lakeshore and Roscoe. If you turn left going out of the apartment building, the stop is at the end of the block. It takes you straight downtown.
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875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan AveIt's cool to shop around here, and you can grab a drink on the top floor. It's of course expensive but a great view.
Take the 146 Bus from Lakeshore and Roscoe. If you turn left going out of the apartment building, the stop is at the end of the block. It takes you straight downtown.
You can easily walk here from the apartment. Depending on what time of year you are coming, you can usually catch a game or a show!
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Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StYou can easily walk here from the apartment. Depending on what time of year you are coming, you can usually catch a game or a show!
Bars and Nightlife
Cozy chill spot with a great food menu. You order at a window and then bring it back to the table. They have a pretty extensive drink and draft menu as well. But it's good if you're looking for a restaurant alternative.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Long Room Chicago
1612 W Irving Park RdCozy chill spot with a great food menu. You order at a window and then bring it back to the table. They have a pretty extensive drink and draft menu as well. But it's good if you're looking for a restaurant alternative.
This is definitely a more low key spot for either the beginning or end of the night.
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Uncommon Ground (lakeview)
3800 North Clark StreetThis is definitely a more low key spot for either the beginning or end of the night.
This place is Capital C Creepy, brother! Apparently Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy used to hang out / around here. It's also a good dive bar.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
L & L Tavern
3207 N Clark StThis place is Capital C Creepy, brother! Apparently Jeffrey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy used to hang out / around here. It's also a good dive bar.
This actually may be one of my favorite places to go every once in a while. It's huge and all of the arcade games are free. You probably want to buy a drink, but I think the last time I was in here I bought one beer and was there for at least an hour playing games.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Replay Lincoln Park
2833 N Sheffield AveThis actually may be one of my favorite places to go every once in a while. It's huge and all of the arcade games are free. You probably want to buy a drink, but I think the last time I was in here I bought one beer and was there for at least an hour playing games.
This is a cool spot. I think they have a patio, but I'm not sure. The inside is pretty tavern-y, but it's a younger crowd and in a more hip neighborhood. Not to put a label on it but you're on vacation so may as well be exact. Cheap drinks and good music.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Best Intentions
3281 W Armitage AveThis is a cool spot. I think they have a patio, but I'm not sure. The inside is pretty tavern-y, but it's a younger crowd and in a more hip neighborhood. Not to put a label on it but you're on vacation so may as well be exact. Cheap drinks and good music.
Cole's is a young man's game but great for your 2am night out.
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Cole's Bar
2338 N Milwaukee AveCole's is a young man's game but great for your 2am night out.
I'd probably just go here while you are shopping or out in Wicker Park but they brew a local beer (and it's great).
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Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveI'd probably just go here while you are shopping or out in Wicker Park but they brew a local beer (and it's great).
Definitely a more dance-y spot! But it's a local favorite.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveDefinitely a more dance-y spot! But it's a local favorite.
I'm going to be honest and say I've never been here but people love it. They have a bunch of famous and / or local DJs and there's usually something going on.
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Smartbar
3730 N Clark StI'm going to be honest and say I've never been here but people love it. They have a bunch of famous and / or local DJs and there's usually something going on.
I personally can't stand this place but if you like jazz it's probably your spot! I went on a date here once and the bouncer shushed me, and then the bartender made fun of me for ordering a whiskey sour. But Al Capone used to hang out here so what the hay.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayI personally can't stand this place but if you like jazz it's probably your spot! I went on a date here once and the bouncer shushed me, and then the bartender made fun of me for ordering a whiskey sour. But Al Capone used to hang out here so what the hay.
This is a new arcade but it's pretty neat. It's smaller than Replay in Lincoln Park, but the games are still free and it's a little more relaxed.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Uptown Arcade
4830 N BroadwayThis is a new arcade but it's pretty neat. It's smaller than Replay in Lincoln Park, but the games are still free and it's a little more relaxed.