| Map 5 • The Loop | |
The Loop
Map 5
The Loop derives its moniker from the L tracks that lasso the city’s heart. This here is the bustling financial and business district, where banks are plentiful and parking is pricey. The intersection of State and Madison is literally ground zero (0 east, 0 west, 0 north, 0 south) for Chicago’s easy-to-follow street numbering grid. Watching over it all is the Sears Tower—no wait, the Willis Tower, but don’t ever call it that in public.
Landmarks
• Chagall’s Four Seasons • 10 S Dearborn St
Mosaic by Marc Chagall—you know, the one who did all those flying people.
• Chicago Board of Trade • 141 W Jackson Blvd
312-435-3590
The goddess Ceres tops this deco monolith.
• Chicago Board Options Exchange •
400 S LaSalle St
312-786-5600
The world’s largest options market.
• Chicago Cultural Center • 78 E Washington St
312-744-6630
The spot for free lectures, exhibits, concerts, and movies.
• Chicago Mercantile Exchange • 20 S Wacker Dr
312-930-1000
Economics at work in polyester jackets.
• Chicago Stock Exchange • 440 S La Salle St
312-663-2222
The second-largest stock exchange in the country.
• City Hall Green Roof • 121 N La Salle St
First green roof on a municipal building. Cool.
• Daley Plaza • 50 W Washington St
Home of a Picasso sculpture, a Christmas tree ceremony, and many alfresco lunches.
• Flamingo • 230 S Dearborn St
Alexander Calder’s fabulous red flamingo.
• Harold Washington Library Center •
400 S State St
312-747-4300
The world’s largest public library building; nearly 100 works of art on every floor.
• James R. Thompson Center • 100 W Randolph St
312-346-0777
Lots of glass combined with the colors red, silver, and blue. Ghastly!
• Macy’s • 111 N State St
312-781-4483
Folks are still mourning the passing of Marshall Fields. Luckily the clock and Tiffany dome remain.
• Miro’s Chicago • 69 W Washington St
Part of the Loop’s outdoor public artwork program.
• Monadnock Building • 53 W Jackson Blvd
312-922-1890
Claim to fame: world’s largest office building when completed in 1893.
• Monument with Standing Beast •
100 W Randolph St
Jean DuBuffet sculpture. Looks like melted snow.
• Quincy L Station • 220 S Wells St
Restored to its original glory.
• The Rookery • 209 S La Salle St
312-553-6100
Take a peek inside at Frank Lloyd Wright’s spectacular remodelled interior.
• Willis Tower (Sears Tower) • 233 S Wacker Dr
312-875-9696
Until recently the tallest building in the US, with a cool skydeck.
Nightlife
• Brando’s Speakeasy • 343 S Dearborn St
773-216-3213
Karaoke to “Free Bird” drunk on fancy martinis or cheap beer.
• Ceres Cafe • 141 W Jackson Blvd
312-427-3443
The epitome of a stiff drink.
• Exchequer • 226 S Wabash Ave
312-939-5633
Loop location for the working class.
• Miller’s Pub • 134 S Wabash Ave
312-263-4988
A Loop tradition.
• Monk’s Pub • 205 W Lake St
312-357-6665
Wall of books. And beer.
• Petterino’s • 150 N Dearborn St
312-422-0150
Go to church on Sunday, then cabaret here on Monday.
• Potter’s Lounge • 17 E Monroe St
312-917-4933
Posh cocktails in the Palmer House Hilton.
• Roof on The Wit • 201 N State St
312-239-9501
A rooftop playground for those who want to be seen.
• South Branch Tavern & Grille • 100 S Wacker Dr
312-546-6177
Sip martinis on the patio.
• Stocks and Blondes • 40 N Wells St
312-372-3725
Happy hour dive stocked with blond (and brunette) waitresses.
Restaurants
• Atwood Café • 1 W Washington St
312-368-1900 • $$$
High tea with contemporary flair.
• Billy Goat Tavern • 330 S Wells St
312-554-0297 • $
Grubby cheezboiga joint made famous by John Belushi.
• Caffe Rom • 71 S Wacker Dr
312-379-0291 • $$
A slice of modern Milan in the Loop.
• Everest • 440 S La Salle St
312-663-8920 • $$$$$
Classic fine dining experience with a knock-out view.
• Frontera Fresco • 111 N State St
312-781-2955 • $$
Popular Mexican joint.
• Gold Coast Dogs • 159 N Wabash Ave
312-917-1677 • $
Classic dog joint.
• Hannah’s Bretzel • 180 W Washington St
312-621-1111 • $
Homemade pretzels and organic lunch fare.
• Heaven on Seven • 111 N Wabash Ave
312-263-6443 • $$
Cajun Chicago classic. Closed for dinner.
• Jaffa Bakery • 186 W Van Buren St
312-322-9007 • $
Best fresh turkey you will ever taste.
• La Cantina Enoteca • 71 W Monroe St
312-332-7005 • $$
Casual Italian with seafood specialty.
• La Cocina • 45 N Wells St
312-346-1638 • $
Cinco de Mayo. All year long.
• Oasis Café • 21 N Wabash Ave
312-443-9534 • $$
Middle Eastern hideout inside of a jewelry store.
The post-work crowd hangs here just long enough to forget that they have to return to the office the next morning. From stomping on a floor covered in peanut shells at Monk’s Pub to sipping martinis at South Branch, drinking environments range from dive to high-dollar. If you’re here past happy hour, head to “Broadway in Chicago” for proof that, yes, you are cultured. Make your mom proud and your wallet happy with a free history lesson at the Chicago Cultural Center.
• Plymouth Restaurant • 327 S Plymouth Ct
312-362-1212 • $
24-hour diner with bar and grill.
• Protein Bar • 235 S Franklin St
312-346-7300 • $
On-the-go meals for eaters avoiding grease.
• Russian Tea Time • 77 E Adams St
312-360-0000 • $$$
Rich food. Richer interior. Copious amounts of vodka.
• Toni Patisserie & Cafe • 65 E Washington St
312-726-2020 • $
Fin-de-siecle ambiance, French pastries, and light fare.
• Trattoria No. 10 • 10 N Dearborn St
312-984-1718 • $$$
Popular pre-theater food.
• The Village • 71 W Monroe St
312-332-7005 • $$
Quaint, casual Italian looks; like a village.
• Vivere • 71 W Monroe St
312-332-4040 • $$$
Dated Italian luxury.
• Wow Bao • 175 W Jackson Blvd
312-334-6395 • $
Nice buns.
Shopping
• A New Leaf • 312 S Dearborn St
312-427-9097
Florists of paradise. Minus the price.
• After School Matters Retail Store • 66 E Randolph St
312-702-8975
Specialty gifts & art made by local teens.
• Arts & Artisans • 35 E Wacker Dr
312-578-0126
Art Gallery.
• Ashley Stewart • 7 W Madison St
312-920-0646
Clothes for your curves.
• Barbara’s • 233 S Wacker Dr
312-466-0223
Branch of local book chain in Willis Tower.
• Barbara’s • 111 N State St
312-781-3033
Branch of local book chain in Macy’s.
• Blick Art Materials • 42 S State St
312-920-0300
Get creative here.
• Block 37 • 108 N State St
312-261-4700
All the mall’s greatest hits right here in the Loop.
• Central Camera Company • 230 S Wabash Ave
312-427-5580
Family-owned camera shop.
• Florodora • 330 S Dearborn St
312-212-8860
Vintage-inspired, wildly-priced.
• Garrett Popcorn • 26 W Randolph St
312-201-0511
The caramel cheddar mix is their signature.
• Kramer’s Health Food Center • 230 S Wabash Ave
312-922-0077
Healthy hippie haven.
• Macy’s • 111 N State St
312-781-1000
The former home of Chicago establishment Marshall Field’s.
• Pastoral • 53 E Lake St
312-658-1250
One of Chicago’s favorite cheese shops. Start your picnic here.
• Reckless Records • 26 E Madison St
312-795-0878
Instant satisfaction for the vinyl-hungry masses.
• Selected Works Used Books • 410 S Michigan Ave
312-447-0068
Quirky, junky used book store.
• Ulta • 114 S State St
312-279-5081
Four-story beauty emporium.
• Urban Outfitters • 20 S State St
312-269-9919
Retro-fun clothing, nifty gifts, and silly T-shirts.