Guidebook for Chicago
Shopping
Great used book selection. Tons of art, music and graphic novels plus other hard to find, collectible and out of print titles.
118 locals recommend
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveGreat used book selection. Tons of art, music and graphic novels plus other hard to find, collectible and out of print titles.
Saint Alfred
1529 N Milwaukee AveFor all the sneaker heads out there.
Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North AveLots of zines and exotic titles.
Local tunes and genre specific vinyl and cassettes as well as some vintage toy collectible's.
14 locals recommend
Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles (Closed for In-Person shopping)
2845 W Diversey AveLocal tunes and genre specific vinyl and cassettes as well as some vintage toy collectible's.
Previously or possibly still owned by the lead singer of early 90's Chicago punk band No Empathy. Need I say more?
7 locals recommend
Bucket O' Blood Books and Records
3182 N Elston AvePreviously or possibly still owned by the lead singer of early 90's Chicago punk band No Empathy. Need I say more?
Uprise
1820 N Milwaukee AveSkateboard shop.
All the tools one could need to paint up a wall or a freight train. Closed on Mondays and Sundays and closes early but prices that are lower than pretty much anywhere online or brick and mortar.
Momentum art tech
958 S Oak Park AveAll the tools one could need to paint up a wall or a freight train. Closed on Mondays and Sundays and closes early but prices that are lower than pretty much anywhere online or brick and mortar.
4 floors of vintage thrift, army surplus and new mens and women shoes and street wear.
12 locals recommend
Belmont Army
925 West Belmont Avenue4 floors of vintage thrift, army surplus and new mens and women shoes and street wear.
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveCloses early at 9pm but is only 4 blocks away.
80's cult classic movie inspired coffee shop with free wifi and an actual Nintendo with decent game selection.
131 locals recommend
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave80's cult classic movie inspired coffee shop with free wifi and an actual Nintendo with decent game selection.
Drinks & Nightlife
2 locations nearby both on milwaukee ave. The location near Paulina has 2 bars, live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
158 locals recommend
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee Ave2 locations nearby both on milwaukee ave. The location near Paulina has 2 bars, live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
Arts & Culture
One of the hottest galleries in the city now for local street art as well as a collection from across the globe. The owner works with artists from all over to bring murals to the streets.
14 locals recommend
Vertical Gallery
2006 N Western AveOne of the hottest galleries in the city now for local street art as well as a collection from across the globe. The owner works with artists from all over to bring murals to the streets.
Galerie F
211 N Milwaukee AveGreat print collection
Chicago Truborn
1741 W Chicago AveGreat selection of local and non local artists.
Parks & Nature
Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrFishing, walking trails, playgrounds, open green space.
Entertainment & Activities
Local improv group that started the series "too much light makes the baby go blind" in the late 80's and was the longest running play to date. Recently re-branded and re-packaged the same style of dark, surreal absurdist humor under a new title. Worth the experience.
66 locals recommend
Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueLocal improv group that started the series "too much light makes the baby go blind" in the late 80's and was the longest running play to date. Recently re-branded and re-packaged the same style of dark, surreal absurdist humor under a new title. Worth the experience.
Food Scene
English pub meets middle eastern and other stylized dishes at this fusion eatery with a huge beer selection.
65 locals recommend
Pub Royale
2049 W Division StEnglish pub meets middle eastern and other stylized dishes at this fusion eatery with a huge beer selection.
The Radler
2375 N Milwaukee AveGerman styled bar and eatery.
Polish and Korean Fusion owned by a personal friend. Try the Ko-po beef and dressed fries. Thank me later. Also a great bar and liquor store on site.
16 locals recommend
Kimski
954-960 W 31st StPolish and Korean Fusion owned by a personal friend. Try the Ko-po beef and dressed fries. Thank me later. Also a great bar and liquor store on site.