| Map 28 • Bucktown | |
Bucktown
Map 28
Separated from Lincoln Park by the freeway, Bucktown is not quite as well-situated, but its (slightly) more affordable real estate has brought in the young professionals in droves. Gentrification is gaining pace, with an ongoing influx of polished boutiques and hip baby stores. Meanwhile, the thriving art scene that once characterized Bucktown is all but a memory.
Landmarks
• Margie’s Candies • 1960 N Western Ave
773-384-1035
The Beatles ate here.
Nightlife
• The Charleston • 2076 N Hoyne Ave
773-489-4757
Yuppie dive.
• Cortland’s Garage • 1645 W Cortland St
773-862-7877
Garage-themed bar for wannabe grease monkeys.
• Danny’s • 1951 W Dickens Ave
773-489-6457
Hipster house bar with candlelit alcoves.
• Ed and Jean’s • 2032 W Armitage Ave
773-276-9383
Your dive bar home away from home.
• Gallery Cabaret • 2020 N Oakley Ave
773-489-5471
Hip dive bar with local acts, attracts plenty of wannabe barflies.
• Green Eye Lounge • 2403 W Homer St
773-227-8851
Microbrews within crawling distance of the Blue Line Western stop.
• Lemming’s • 1850 N Damen Ave
773-862-1688
Lite Brite works of art.
• Liar’s Club • 1665 W Fullerton Ave
773-665-1110
Only sometimes overly hipster, otherwise rad music and good times.
• Map Room • 1949 N Hoyne Ave
773-252-7636
Global theme mixed with the occasional free buffet.
• The Mutiny • 2428 N Western Ave
773-486-7774
All bands start somewhere…unfortunately it’s here.
• Northside Bar & Grill • 1635 N Damen Ave
773-384-3555
Popular Wicker Park pick-up bar.
• Quenchers Saloon • 2401 N Western Ave
773-276-9730
Crowded on the weekends, but ultra comfy couches and free popcorn.
• WhirlyBall • 1880 W Webster Ave
773-486-7777
Drinking while driving bumper cars. Safety is nothing to me.
Restaurants
• The Art of Chicken • 2041 N Western Ave
773-697-9266 • $
Simple poultry. Express yourself with a choice of two marinades.
• Arturo’s Tacos • 2001 N Western Ave
773-772-4944 • $
24-hour taqueria boasts cheap eats and a boisterous crowd.
• Belly Shack • 1912 N Western Ave
773-252-1414 • $$
Latin/Asian/Incredible. BYOB and please don’t skip dessert.
• The Bento Box • 2246 W Armitage Ave
773-278-3932 • $$
Asian BYOB no bigger than an actual bento box.
• The Bristol • 2152 N Damen Ave
773-862-5555 • $$$
Charcuterie lover’s dream with Mediterranean roots.
• Club Lucky • 1824 W Wabansia Ave
773-227-2300 • $$
Italian retro-styled joint.
• Coast Sushi Bar • 2045 N Damen Ave
773-235-5775 • $$
BYOB sushi.
• En Hakkore • 1840 N Damen Ave
773-772-9880 • $$
Korean fusion tacos and traditional dishes.
• Fat Willy’s Rib Shack • 2416 W Schubert Ave
773-782-1800 • $$
Finger-lickin’ ribs and brisket.
• Honey 1 BBQ • 2241 N Western Ave
773-227-5130 • $$
BBQ cooked in a big ole smoker. Yum.
• Irazu • 1865 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-5687 • $
Hipsters and bikers gather ‘round for Central American staples.
• Jane’s • 1655 W Cortland St
773-862-5263 • $$$
Good-for-you gourmet.
• Le Bouchon • 1958 N Damen Ave
773-862-6600 • $$
Affordable, crowded French.
• Margie’s Candies • 1960 N Western Ave
773-384-1035 • $
Immense ice cream concoctions.
• Mindy’s Hot Chocolate • 1747 N Damen Ave
773-489-1747 • $$
Much more than just hot chocolate.
• Owen and Engine • 2700 N Western Ave
773-235-2930 • $$
Rustic British meals served with artisan crafted ales.
• Quesadilla La Reina del Sur • 2235 N Western Ave
773-235-8807 • $
Vegan taqueria.
• Red Door • 2118 N Damen Ave
773-697-7221 • $$
Globally-inspired gastropub.
• Red Hot Ranch • 2072 N Western Ave
773-772-6020 • $$
All-over-the-map hot dogs open late.
• Rio’s D’Sudamerica • 2010 W Armitage Ave
773-276-0170 • $$$$
Swanky South American for date nights.
• Small Cheval • 1732 N Milwaukee Ave
$$
Do one thing and do it well: burgers.
You need never be hungry, thirsty, or poorly clothed in Bucktown—or have to walk more than a block or two. Budget and upscale still co-exist; take Margie’s Candies and Goddess and the Grocer. Meanwhile, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate is stroller-heaven by day, chic eatery by night. Find your niche, or better yet, do it all.
Shopping
• Alan Design Studio • 2134 N Damen Ave
773-278-2345
House and home goodies.
• BFF Bikes • 2113 W Armitage Ave
773-666-5153
Female-centric bike shop.
• Cynthia Rowley • 1653 N Damen Ave
773-276-9209
Cute feminine designs that flatter the body.
• Fjällräven • 1708 N Damen Ave
773-661-0277
Swedish high-end outdoor gear.
• G Boutique • 2131 N Damen Ave
773-235-1234
Lingerie and bedroom accessories.
• The Goddess and Grocer • 1646 N Damen Ave
773-342-3200
Gourmet groceries and take-out.
• Halo • 1655 N Damen Ave
773-342-4256
Hip men’s haircare.
• Intermix • 1633 N Damen Ave
773-292-0894
The NYC shopper’s mecca.
• Lululemon • 1627 N Damen Ave
773-227-1869
Canadian-based yoga wear brand brings soft-as-cashmere soy clothes and sleek attire.
• p.45 • 1643 N Damen Ave
773-862-4523
Edgy women’s boutique.
• Pagoda Red • 1714 N Damen Ave
773-235-1188
Fine Asian antiques.
• Pavilion • 2055 N Damen Ave
773-645-0924
Antique furniture.
• Pinch Spice Market • 1913 N Milwaukee Ave
773-360-8708
Spice store dedicated to organic, fair trade seasonings.
• Psycho Baby • 1630 N Damen Ave
773-772-2815
Hip gear for the urban baby.
• The Red Balloon • 1940 N Damen Ave
773-489-9800
A unique store for children—toys, clothes, and furniture.
• Robin Richman • 2108 N Damen Ave
773-278-6150
Arty, indie boutique.
• Sideshow Gallery • 2219 N Western Ave
773-276-1399
Step right up at this art, antiques, and oddities boutique.
• Soutache • 2130 N Damen Ave
773-292-9110
A treasure trove of ribbons, buttons, and trim.
• T-Shirt Deli • 1739 N Damen Ave
773-276-6266
Pricey—but quality—custom-made T-shirts.
• Vienna Beef Factory Store • 2501 N Damen Ave
773-278-7800
Here’s the beef.