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Best Bet - Retail
BONNIE & CLYDE’S BOUTIQUE
(1751 W Division St | 773.235.2680
Dubbed “the lifestyle luxury boutique” this popular retailer specializes in one of a kind, rare, and hard to find jewelry, literature, art, and fashion for both men and women. Some of the clothing lines they carry include those by Project Runway winners Jeffrey Sebelia and Christian Siriano as well as fashion-world fixtures Vivienne Westwood and Ivan Grundahl. Additionally, shopping at Bonnie & Clyde’s is a joyous and fun exercise thanks to a staff that is professional and friendly.
Other Good Bets:
The Silver Room (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave. | 773.278.7130 | www.thesilverroom.com )
This jewelry boutique – which is also known to hosts special community events - offers artistic jewelry, hats, bags, sunglasses and locally designed T-shirts in an airy and expansive shop.
Marc by Marc Jacobs (1714 N Damen Ave | 773.276.2998 | www.marcjacobs.com )
Housing the Marc by Marc Jacobs line, a less expensive subset of the main brand, this outpost features both inexpensive accessories including leather bracelets, plastic rings, fingerless gloves, as well as pricier polo shirts, argyle sweaters, and a wide variety of shoes - from $11 flip-flops to $400 loafers.
Funkshion (2121 W Division St | 773.697.4119 | www.funkshionclothing.com) is one of Chicago’s premier lifestyle boutiques where you can shop for hip fashions as well as chill in their comfortable and stylish lounge. And while in the lounge be sure to partake of a complimentary cocktail, listen to the DJ music being spun live, and check out the cool videos being shown. This is the perfect Wicker Park spot.
The T-Shirt Deli Co. (1739 N Damen Ave | 773.276.6266 | www.tshirtdeli.com) is fun, fun, fun as this retailer let’s you do a lot of the work yourself as you design and create personalized shirts in their deli shop setting, complete with cold cut meats case. And your finished product is even wrapped in butcher paper and presented with a bag of potato chips.
Doggie Style Pet Shop (2023 W. Division St. | 773.235.9663 | www.doggystylepetshop.com) is the perfect option for discriminating canines and their owners. They have an extensive collection of fun as well as practical fashions and a great selection of natural, organic and holistic food and treats for dogs and cats alike.
Saint Alfred, Inc. (1531 N Milwaukee Ave. | 773.486.7159 | www.stalfred.com) is a modern minimalist space where hipsters and all the cool folks get their shoes and gear. The store feels a little bit like old-school Lower East Side Manhattan meets Melrose Avenue in LA; but it’s distinctively a Chicago shop, carrying an extensive collection of limited edition kicks and sneakers, fashionable tees, and clothing that’s inspired by local sports teams.
Una Mae’s Boutique (1528 N. Milwaukee Ave. | 773.276.7002 | www.unamaesclothing.com) is a neighborhood mainstay that specializes in retro non-kitschy threads and accessories. Una Mae’s is also known for stocking lots of unique pieces and fashions from local designers and smaller labels.
Best Bet – Dining & Nightlife:
HOT CHOCOLATE
1747 N Damen Ave | 773.489.1747
Chicago celebrity pastry chef Mindy Segal is behind this casual Bucktown café where it is just as common for diners to come only for dessert as for a full-on dinner. Signature creations include Chocolate No. 1 (a chocolate-caramel treat completed with a house-made pretzel), milkshakes and several varieties of hot chocolate. On the savory side of things, the menu stretches from sophisticated small plates to a killer burger.
Other Good Bets:
Club Lucky (1824 W Wabansia Ave | 773.227.2300 | www.clubluckychicago.com) is a 1940s-style Italian supper club and cocktail lounge that has long-thrived in Wicker Park, specializing in Sicilian cuisine served in generous portions and at reasonable prices. More than just a neighborhood institution, Club Lucky attracts diners from all over the city who desire a high-quality Italian meal and/or their signature drink: “The Killer Martini” that comes garnished with jumbo olives that are hand-stuffed with blue cheese or anchovies.
The Smoke Daddy (1804 W. Division St. | 773.772.6566 | www.thesmokedaddy.com) is arguably one of the best barbeque restaurants in the city, offering ribs in both the spare and baby back variety, three different types of pulled meats (chicken, beef brisket, and pork), and flavorful side dishes such as macaroni & cheese, sweet potato fries, and corn bread. And to top it all off, they have a Southern Fried Apple Pie on the menu that deserves placement in the Dessert Hall of Fame.
Café Absinthe (1954 W. North Ave. | 773.278.4488 | www.cafeabsinthechicago.com) is a creative upscale bistro that was one of the earliest restaurants to arrive in now-booming Bucktown. Featuring an innovative menu that’s comtemporary American with lots of global touches influences, the restaurant is also known its comprehensive wine and spirits list.
Moonshine (1824 W Division St | 773.862.8686 | www.moonshinechicago.com) is a popular casual dining restaurant that often finds its patrons hanging around drinking and socializing long after the dinner plates have been cleared away. Housed in a spacious building that once was a grocery store, the food is varied (the menu includes crab cakes, meatloaf, pizzas, burgers, and fried chicken) and consistently delicious. Most nights have a live DJ adding to the fantastic vibe and fun energy of the place.
Davenport’s (1383 N Milwaukee Ave | 773.278.1830 | www.davenportspianobar.com) is a hip jazz cabaret and piano bar that has found success in a neighborhood teeming with loud and bustling bars, pubs, and taverns.
Inn Joy (2051 W. Division St. | 773.394.2066) is a neighborhood favorite that draws an eclectic crowd for the tasty food, stiff drinks, and groovy DJ beats.
Northsiude Bar & Grill (1635 N. Damen Ave. | 773.384.3555 | www.northsidechicago.com) is truly a pioneering neighborhood institution that helped start the revitalization of Wicker Park/ Bucktown when it opened in 1989. It hasn’t rested on its laurels and still provides a casual dining and drinking experience that’s second to none.
Plan B Bar + Kitchen (1635 N Milwaukee Ave | 773.252.2680 | www.planb-chicago.com) is a chic cocktail bar and restaurant with a laidback and comforting style. There‘s a noticeable absence of attitiude among the patrons, who seem quite content kicking back with a beer while listening to DJs spin a range of rock, old-school hip hop and more. And now on Sundays it plays hosts to the new Boys Room party.
Subterranean (2011 W North Ave | 773.278.6799 | www.subt.net) is mostly a live music venue that hosts both local bands and up-and-coming national acts. It also doubles as a club, playing a wide variety of music, from house to reggae. Every third Monday Subterranean hosts Chances Dances, a monthly party for the young and varied LGBTIQ communities of Chicago,
Empire Liquors (1566 N Milwaukee Ave | 773.278.1600 | www.empireliquors.com) is not a liquor store. It is a cool hipster lounge located next to the Double Door that brags “no nonsense, no lines, no frills.” The drink menu is well-crafted, the vibe is fun and friendly, the crowd is attractive, and the grooves are varied (DJs spin Disco, House, Rock and Hip-Hop) and bumpin’.