| Map 24 • River West / West Town | |
River West / West Town
Map 24
Food distribution centers and wholesalers, warehouses, and loading docks rub shoulders with an alternative gallery scene, trendy restaurants, and hot clubs in the transitional ‘hood. Once a transit abyss, a shiny new el station just opened up smack dab in the middle of both scenes. Loft-style warehouses-turned event spaces (read: weddings $$$) abound.
Landmarks
• First Baptist Congregational Church •
1613 W Washington Blvd
312-243-8047
Can seat 2,000 people and houses one of the largest totally enclosed organs in the country. There’s a joke here somewhere.
• Harpo Studios • 1058 W Washington Blvd
312-591-9222
West Loop campus that houses Oprah’s production empire.
• Ida Crown Natatorium • 1330 W Chicago Ave
312-746-5490
One of two swimming pools in the area.
• Jackson Boulevard Historic District •
W Jackson Blvd & S Laflin St
Amazingly, this cluster of preserved late-nineteenth century mansions survives in this declining area.
Nightlife
• 694 Wine & Spirits • 694 N Milwaukee Ave
312-492-6620
Find rare wines, meats, and cheeses at this wine bar.
• The Aviary • 955 W Fulton Market
312-226-0868
Reservations by email only at this upscale cocktail creation destination.
• City Winery • 1200 W Randolph St
312-733-9463
Red, white, and everything in between made in-house.
• Cobra Lounge • 235 N Ashland Ave
312-226-6300
Live bands, DJ, and no TVs.
• Five Star Bar • 1424 W Chicago Ave
312-850-2555
Thirty bourbons, upscale bar menu, pool, and a stripper pole.
• Jak’s Tap • 901 W Jackson Blvd
312-666-1700
From the good folks who brought us the Village Tap.
• Mahoney’s Pub & Grille • 551 N Ogden Ave
312-733-2121
Hardcore sports bar.
• The Matchbox • 770 N Milwaukee Ave
312-666-9292
Chicago’s smallest bar…bar none.
• Old Fifth • 1027 W Madison St
312-374-1672
Whiskey-driven sports bar.
• Park Tavern • 1645 W Jackson Blvd
312-243-4276
Pre-Bulls/Hawks game stop for craft beers.
• Twisted Spoke • 501 N Ogden Ave
312-666-1500
$2 Jim Beams served by Suicide Girls and free porn on Saturday nights.
Restaurants
• Bella Notte • 1374 W Grand Ave
312-733-5136 • $$$$
Romantic, Italian, and schmoozy.
• Belly Q • 1400 W Randolph St
312-563-1010 • $$$
New, yet beloved, Asian BBQ.
• Billy Goat Tavern • 1535 W Madison St
312-733-9132 • $
Cheezeboiga chain.
• Bombon Café • 36 S Ashland Ave
312-733-8717 • $
Upscale tortas in a bright sunny setting!
• The Breakfast Club & Grill • 1381 W Hubbard St
312-666-2372 • $$
Brunch and then some.
• Burger Baron • 1381 W Grand Ave
312-733-3285 • $
Burgers and beer for the Everyman.
• Butterfly Sushi Bar and Thai Cuisine •
1156 W Grand Ave
312-563-5555 • $$
Cute BYOB sushi storefront in the East Village.
• Café Central • 1437 W Chicago Ave
312-243-6776 • $$
Tasty Puerto Rican cuisine, diner décor, and vintage neighborhood photos.
• Coalfire • 1321 W Grand Ave
312-226-2625 • $$
Chicago’s first coal-fired pizza.
• Corned Beef Factory • 1009 W Lake St
312-666-2535 • $$
Skeletal menu; everything has already been carved and corned.
• Flo • 1434 W Chicago Ave
312-243-0477 • $$
Mexican-influenced breakfast in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Girl and the Goat • 809 W Randolph St
312-492-6262 • $$$
Ultra popular gastropub from “Top Chef” favorite Stephanie Izard.
• Green Zebra • 1460 W Chicago Ave
312-243-7100 • $$$$
Innovative and mostly vegetarian, by Spring’s Shawn McClain.
• Habana Libre • 1440 W Chicago Ave
312-243-3303 • $$
BYOB plantain paradise.
• La Sardine • 111 N Carpenter St
312-421-2800 • $$
Tuesdays fixed price for $20!
• La Sirena Clandestina • 954 W Fulton Market
312-226-5300 • $$$
Delicious Brazilian from Chicago culinary veteran.
• Mexique • 1529 W Chicago Ave
312-850-0288 • $$$
French/Mexican pairing seems odd? Trust us, they pull it off.
• Next • 953 W Fulton Market
312-226-0858 • $$$$
Advance tix required for this trendy tour of world cuisine.
• Nonna’s • 925 W Randolph St
312-690-7323 • $$
Striving to serve exceptional Italian sandwiches.
• Oggi Trattoria • 1378 W Grand Ave
312-733-0442 • $$
One of the godfathers of the neighborhood.
• Palace Grill • 1408 W Madison St
312-226-9529 • $
Stop in for classic diner fare pre-Hawks game.
• Salerno’s Pizza and Pasta • 1201 W Grand Ave
312-666-3444 • $
Tony Soprano would be proud, and full.
• The Silver Palm • 768 N Milwaukee Ave
312-666-9322 • $$$
Dine in a 1940s train car on upscale American food.
River West restaurants continue to build celebrity status. Foodies fight for coveted tickets to NEXT, recent winner of the prestigious James Beard award for Best New Restaurant. Meanwhile, Top Chef fans ogle as Girl and the Goat owner Stephanie Izard expedites food. Down the road, Union Park annually hosts Lolla’s more chill, indie counterpart, Pitchfork Music Festival.
• Sushi X • 1136 W Chicago Ave
312-491-9232 • $$
Speakeasy sushi bar with fish so fresh they swim to your plate. BYOB.
• Twisted Spoke • 501 N Ogden Ave
312-666-1500 • $
Famous for serving smut movies and eggs simultaneously.
• TWO • 1132 W Grand Ave
312-624-8363 • $$
One word about TWO: local.
• Vera • 1023 W Lake St
312-243-9770 • $$
Delectable small plates and an extensive wine list.
• Vinnie’s Sub Shop • 1204 W Grand Ave
312-738-2985 • $
No frills, handy for construction workers.
• Windy City Café • 1062 W Chicago Ave
312-492-8010 • $
Small town diner feel and menu, grab a booth.
• Wishbone • 1001 W Washington Blvd
312-850-2663 • $$
Comfort food, comfort folks.
Shopping
• 65Grand • 1369 W Grand Ave
312-719-4325
Contemporary art comes at an affordable price by local and national artists.
• Casati Gallery • 949 W Fulton St
312-421-9905
Mid-century Italian furniture and accessories.
• Chicago Antique Market • 1340 W Randolph St
312-666-1200
Leases space to a variety of vendors.
• Chicago Avenue Discount • 1637 W Chicago Ave
312-226-0004
Shoes for $1.93!
• Décollage • 1219 W Madison St
312-226-8087
Vintage and couture resale boutique.
• Design Inc. • 1847 W Grand Ave
312-243-4333
Architecturally centered home design.
• Douglas Dawson Gallery • 400 N Morgan St
312-226-7975
Fancy artifacts from around the world.
• Dovetail • 1452 W Chicago Ave
312-508-3398
Accessories, clothing, and cabinetry. Vintage.
• Green Grocer • 1402 W Grand Ave
312-624-9508
Give the planet a high-five. Local, organic, awesome groceries.
• Hoosier Mama Pie Company •
1618 W Chicago Ave
312-243-4846
”Keep your fork, there’s pie!”
• J.P. Graziano Grocery Co. • 901 W Randolph St
312-666-4587
Spices, pasta, and dried beans in bulk.
• Lush Wine and Spirits • 1412 W Chicago Ave
312-666-6900
Wine, microbrews, and booze!
• Pet Care Plus • 1328 W Lake St
312-397-9077
For the pet-obsessed.
• Roots Hair Salon • 1140 W Grand Ave
312-666-6466
Trendy hair salon.
• RR #1 Chicago • 814 N Ashland Ave
312-421-9079
Idiosyncratic gift shop in a 1930s pharmacy.
• Seek Vintage • 1432 W Chicago Ave
312-526-3164
Retro clothing and housewares from the “Mad Men” era.
• Snap Hair • 470 N Ogden Ave
773-255-9228
Hair and nail salon.
• Terry’s Toffee • 1117 W Grand Ave
312-733-2700
Gourmet, house-made toffee, ice creams, and biscotti.