Concoctions like the Warhol ($12)—a mixture of Mount Gay rum, pureed blackberries and raspberries, lime and simple syrup served in a glass made of ice—make it too easy to run up a steep tab Read more.
Order up the applewood-smoked bacon & braised belly duo served with a deep-fried poached egg while taking advantage of their 47 taps and 100+ bottles. Read more.
Built from 1925 to 1927, this building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (as part of the Michigan-Wacker Historic District) and is a Chicago Landmark.
Eschew lackluster mains for flatbreads (topped with creamy burrata and seasonal ingredients like scapes) and heaping salads (like pea shoots and crisped prosciutto). Read more.
The DCA Storefront Theater fosters the growth of Chicago's emerging off-Loop theater companies by providing its space, giving patrons an insider's glimpse into Chicago’s world-renowned theater scene.
Hot Taco will open in a small space in the Iodent Building, with a super casual atmosphere, limited seating and a menu bursting with creativity and options. Read more.
Serving up authentic Neapolitan cuisine, including homemade gnocchi and perfectly prepared pizzas. Ciao Napoli will also import a sizeable portion of its patrons from outside the Logan area.
One of the best dive bars in Chicago for 2 reasons. Cannced beer and awesome drink specials. Read more.
You may try the gyro salad, slices of meat sitting atop simple greens, and think: “Not bad.” But according to the cultish customer base, try the juicy chicken kebabs or the the vinegary Greek fries. Read more.
TNB boasts a nearly 70-strong list of suds, with craft selections like New Holland Dragon's Milk. They've even got Wii-equipped flatscreens with old school games. Read more.
More than 12 beers on draft and an additional 50-plus craft brews in bottles and cans await patrons here, along with an impressive selection of old school Nintendo games. Read more.
This West Loop gallery sells prints by respected, mostly Chicago artists (as well as drawings, artist-made books and a few small sculptures) through its WesternXeditions division. Read more.
Opened last week, Porkchop is Dion Antic’s (Bagel on Damen, Rockstar Dogs) latest foray into simple, tasty eats. Stop in late (it’s open until 2 a.m. from Tuesdays through Saturdays).
The nanobrewer leads collaborative beer-making experiments that results ina beer made with espresso and doughnuts, an IPA with curry spices and a brown ale made to resemble an Old Fashioned. Read more.
Try the Autumn Scene at Next: Childhood from our 100 Best list: This stunning, intriguing, arresting, intricate, beguiling array of shoots and leaves is like a salad we want to live in.
You’ll find fresh Lebanese cuisine at great prices. Sandwiches are about $6, salads are just under $5 and small salad portions are available for $2.45. They offer lunch specials for $5.99. Read more.
Occupying a former gallery, the concrete-floor-clad space is a fitting backdrop for elegantly cool labels that are hard to find elsewhere. Read more.
Schnitzely goodness comes in your standard, lightly breaded Wienerschnitzel, and Jagerschnitzel. This 7000sqft bastion of Bavarian revelry fills up quickly for big events, so be sure to arrive early. Read more.
Think of the Fruit Bat as a whole new kind of juice bar. Mixologist/owner Erik Holzherr not only creates drinks with freshly squeezed juices, but he also infuses liquors with seasonal fruits.
Todd Gray's Watershed - this crowded spot does the classic oysters-&-vodka thing to perfection, but also offers other refreshing staples like beef tartare, sashimi, crudo -- anything raw & fresh. Read more.
This Capitol-side eatery's got crushed-ice "Sno Cone" summer 'tails like the the cachaca/pineapple/spearmint/smoked black salt "Rehoboth" (beaches love it!). Read more.
This city needs help with the whole romance thang. All we know is an evening of live jazz & a plate of slippery bivalves is better than our traditional "2 hrs of C-SPAN followed by an argument"
At this new addition to the vintage promenade that is U Street, Yvette Freeman sells lovingly refurbished, reasonably priced 20th-century estate-sale furniture and industrial signage.
Here in Chicago, you're never too far from an unassuming watering hole w/ cheap beer on tap. This Bucktown institution tweaks that formula while attracting a mix of artists and professionals. Read more.
Show up Monday for $4 burgers and fries. It’s comedy night, and laughs are free. Other specials include $4 Bloodys and Mimosas on Sunday or go Tuesday for the 25-cent wings & $8 Bud Light pitcher. Read more.
The Playground Theater is one of the country’s only not-for-profit improv theaters. It's a completely artist-led theater company and features all forms of improv on weeknights. Tickets are $5 & $10.
