Map 8 • South Loop / Printers Row / Dearborn Park

 

South Loop / Printers Row / Dearborn Park

Map 8

With all the student-friendly dining near the Columbia College campus, the upscale Mercat a la Planxa is a welcome addition, offering elegant tapas and lovely wines. Meanwhile, Epic Burger offers trendy organic burgers for about double the price of Micky D’s but exactly none of whatever else goes into a Big Mac. As to be expected in a ‘hood with such a dense student population, undergrads, grads, and profs alike frequent local watering holes George’s, Kasey’s, and the South Loop Club.

Landmarks

• Columbia College Center for Book & Paper Arts • 1104 S Wabash Ave

312-369-6632

Two galleries feature changing exhibits of handmade books, paper, letterpress, and other related objects.

• Former Elliot Ness Building • 600 S Dearborn St

If he sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue…

• Old Dearborn Train Station • 47 W Polk St

312-554-8100

Turn-of-the-century train station with a lighted clocktower visible for several blocks. Al Capone took a train to prison from here.

• River City • 800 S Wells St

A fluid cement design experiment built by architect Bertrand Goldberg in the ‘80s; considered a flop, but actually brilliant.

Nightlife

• Buddy Guy’s Legends • 700 S Wabash Ave

312-427-1190

One of the oldest blues clubs in Chicago, and the hardest to get a drink in.

• Jazz Showcase • 806 S Plymouth Ct

312-360-0234

Intimate jazz venue since 1947.

• Kasey’s Tavern • 701 S Dearborn St

312-427-7992

108-year-old neighborhood oasis.

• South Loop Club • 701 S State St

312-427-2787

There’s something creepy about this place.

• Tantrum • 1023 S State St

312-939-9160

Tucked-away, nicely appointed bar that attracts a lively South Loop following.

Restaurants

• Amarit • 600 S Dearborn St

312-939-1179 • $$

Pretty good Thai.

• Blackie’s • 755 S Clark St

312-786-1161 • $

A famous burger, lesser-known best breakfast in South Loop on Fri, Sat, Sun.

• Bongo Room • 1152 S Wabash Ave

312-291-0100 • $$

Best brunch in the South Loop. Warning, though: no booze.

• Devil Dawgs • 767 S State St

312-583-9100 • $

Chicago-style hot dogs with requisite crazy toppings.

• Eleven City Diner • 1112 S Wabash Ave

312-212-1112 • $$

Traditional Jewish deli.

• Epic Burger • 517 S State St

312-913-1373 • $$

Organic fast food burger joint featuring grass-fed beef. Eye roll.

• Hackney’s • 733 S Dearborn St

312-461-1116 • $$

A specialty burger and onion loaf; a north shore legend since 1939.

• Mercat a La Planxa • 638 S Michigan Ave

312-765-0524 • $$$

Precious Catalan tapas or a whole suckling pig (with 48-hour notice).

• South Loop Club • 701 S State St

312-427-2787 • $

Very casual bar/restaurant with surprisingly good kitchen.

• SRO • 610 S Dearborn St

312-360-1776 • $$

Boasting Chicago’s #1 Turkey Burger.

• Tamarind • 614 S Wabash Ave

312-379-0970 • $$

Sushi and Pan-Asian; sake-based “fruitinis.”

Shopping

• Arts & Artisans • 720 S Michigan Ave

312-786-6224

Art Gallery

• Loopy Yarns • 47 W Polk St

312-583-9276

For all your knitting needs. Classes, too.

• Sandmeyer’s Bookstore • 714 S Dearborn St

312-922-2104

Dream come true if you love books and atmosphere.