Artsy Chicago + Birthday Festivities
October 4, 2011 5:59 AM Subscribe
I am very unexpectedly in Chicago for 2 days, tagging along on a friend's business trip. I love artsy neighborhoods and I'm hoping to walk around and read a book over coffee. Also, I am seeking a late-night birthday dessert or drink location.
I know nothing about Chicago and I am staying near the airport (although the hotel has a free shuttle to the Blue Line.) I don't want to spend half of today doing research, so any ideas of where to head would be really useful. Is the Blue Line helpful? I don't have much money, so cabs are probably out.
Also, today is my friend's birthday and she is really sad about having to work all day and maybe into the night (this is the real reason I am tagging along.) Any ideas for late night dessert and/or drinking with a unique flair or cozy atmosphere, or lots of plants? It doesn't have to be any of those specific things, but that's the general idea. She may be working too late to do anything, but I am really hoping to have something good in my backpocket just in case.
I know nothing about Chicago and I am staying near the airport (although the hotel has a free shuttle to the Blue Line.) I don't want to spend half of today doing research, so any ideas of where to head would be really useful. Is the Blue Line helpful? I don't have much money, so cabs are probably out.
Also, today is my friend's birthday and she is really sad about having to work all day and maybe into the night (this is the real reason I am tagging along.) Any ideas for late night dessert and/or drinking with a unique flair or cozy atmosphere, or lots of plants? It doesn't have to be any of those specific things, but that's the general idea. She may be working too late to do anything, but I am really hoping to have something good in my backpocket just in case.
I used to live in Pilsen, which is a lovely, arty Mexican neighborhood full of arty hipsters and Mexican families. There are lots of little galleries, coffee shops, and awesome murals all over the area.
Cafe Jumping Bean on 18th and Bishop is a nice little pit stop to sit and read in. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so can't speak to that, but they do a good cream soda. For a birthday dessert, you should get a slice of the Tres Leches cake from Kristoffer's (18th and Halsted), but they close early so get it to go. (Don't actually put the slice of cake in your back pocket, though. Cake doesn't do well in pockets.)
The neighborhood is also walking distance (a variable term that might mean something completely different to you if you're from a suburban area, in this case about 3 miles) from the Loop (downtown); a walk can take you through Chinatown (~Cermak and Wentworth) if you're into that. Chicago is laid out like a dream, so it's really hard to get lost (if that's a concern). Also, Chicagoans are some of the nicest people in the world, and most would be happy to point you in the right direction if you ask.
And definitely use the CTA to get around. I've lived in the city for more than seven years, and I can probably count the number of cabs I've taken on my hands. Pilsen is accessible via the Blue, Orange, and Pink lines and Chinatown is accessible by the Red Line, all of which meet up at various points in the Loop (and extend to further parts of the city).
posted by phunniemee at 6:37 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cafe Jumping Bean on 18th and Bishop is a nice little pit stop to sit and read in. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so can't speak to that, but they do a good cream soda. For a birthday dessert, you should get a slice of the Tres Leches cake from Kristoffer's (18th and Halsted), but they close early so get it to go. (Don't actually put the slice of cake in your back pocket, though. Cake doesn't do well in pockets.)
The neighborhood is also walking distance (a variable term that might mean something completely different to you if you're from a suburban area, in this case about 3 miles) from the Loop (downtown); a walk can take you through Chinatown (~Cermak and Wentworth) if you're into that. Chicago is laid out like a dream, so it's really hard to get lost (if that's a concern). Also, Chicagoans are some of the nicest people in the world, and most would be happy to point you in the right direction if you ask.
And definitely use the CTA to get around. I've lived in the city for more than seven years, and I can probably count the number of cabs I've taken on my hands. Pilsen is accessible via the Blue, Orange, and Pink lines and Chinatown is accessible by the Red Line, all of which meet up at various points in the Loop (and extend to further parts of the city).
posted by phunniemee at 6:37 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cocktails with a unique flair? The Aviary.
In Wicker Park, Wormhole Coffee is excellent, cozy, has free wifi, and a working NES. It's also very close to the Violet Hour, 826CHI's Boring Store, and Big Star. There's also a nice but small vintage store called Store B in the neighborhood.
posted by kathryn at 7:08 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
In Wicker Park, Wormhole Coffee is excellent, cozy, has free wifi, and a working NES. It's also very close to the Violet Hour, 826CHI's Boring Store, and Big Star. There's also a nice but small vintage store called Store B in the neighborhood.
posted by kathryn at 7:08 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Off the blue line, Damen, Division and Chicago stops are all an interesting area off Milwaukee Avenue. You should be able to get off at Damen, and walk down milwaukee and eventually get back on the blue line at Division or Chicago, having walked past plenty of restaurants, coffee houses, bars, music venues, and the like.
posted by garlic at 7:17 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by garlic at 7:17 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks guys, these all seem like fantastic ideas! And it looks like the blue line is actually very helpful. Thanks again!
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 7:23 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 7:23 AM on October 4, 2011
The recommendations around the Damen Blue Line stop are great. I was coming to recommend a few of them: Violet Hour, Big Star, Myopic Books, and Quimby's.
posted by smich at 7:33 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by smich at 7:33 AM on October 4, 2011
Lula Cafe is seriously cozy, and one of the more delicious places I've ever known. They're only open until 10, but it's right off the blue line at Logan Square. I've heard they just redesigned their bar, so it's probably even more cozy. The area is a bit isolated in terms of window shopping, etc, but you could hop back on the blue line and go a couple stops east to Wicker Park, as mentioned. Quimby's is cool, also Piece for some late-night garlic-laced pizza bliss. There are great book/culture places listed here, but I'm worried they'll be closed when you arrive.
Have fun!
posted by obscurator at 8:09 AM on October 4, 2011
Have fun!
posted by obscurator at 8:09 AM on October 4, 2011
also just off the logan square blue line stop, literally across the street from it, is longman and eagle, which is walking distance north from lula and about six blocks south of my neighborhood hangout, small bar, both recommended. l&e has been getting writeups all around the world, and small bar has an excellent craft beer selection and great staff (unless keith's working, and he's a grump).
posted by patricking at 8:22 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by patricking at 8:22 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Lula is indeed awesome, but don't go tonight -- they're closed on Tuesdays. I cannot recommend Longman & Eagle enough; the food and cocktails are incredible. And just a few blocks south on Milwaukee Ave is The Whistler, which is known for its excellent cocktails.
posted by smich at 11:32 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by smich at 11:32 AM on October 4, 2011
Oops, didn't realize you need advice for TODAY today. So, yeah Lula is out. But I second Small Bar, and sadly I left Chicago just before the Whistler opened...but I've only heard good things.
posted by obscurator at 11:36 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by obscurator at 11:36 AM on October 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by evisceratordeath at 6:13 AM on October 4, 2011 [1 favorite]