Sweet Home Chicago

May 25, 2005 10:03 AM

After eighteen years in Detroit, four years in Ann Arbor and one in Washington, DC I am packing up my life and moving to Chicago. I've been to town a few times as a tourist, but this will be my first long-term stay. I'm looking for recommendations of good bars, music stores, and restaurants.

Some background on what I'm into. I listen to mostly indie rock type stuff and I like casual non-clubby bars (my favorites are Leopolds in Ann Arbor and Red Room and Pharmacy Bar in DC if that means anything to you). I'll be working in the River North area and hopefully living in Bucktown/Wicker Park. Any advice on bars/restaurants/general Chicago living would be greatly appreciated.

posted by fancypants to Travel & Transportation around Chicago, IL (11 answers total)

Of things that I'm pretty sure are still around, I loved Reckless Records and the Empty Bottle when I lived there.
posted by safetyfork at 10:29 AM on May 25, 2005

For living, check out Ukranian Village, East Village and West Town, which basically covers south and east of Wicker Park/Bucktown. All closer to your work and cheaper rent.

Best bars for live indie rock: The Empty Bottle and The Hideout. There are tons of good bars and restaurants all over town. Check out the Reader (which also has apartment listings.)

General living advice: enjoy the summer as much as you can. There's still a lot happening all year round, but Chicago is a whole other world in the summer. Public transit here is adequate, but could really be improved. From friends that move to town, parking is what they complain about the most. You could get by without a car, especially if you bike. If you have a car, learn and live by the heavy-handed parking rules, and don't fuck with the DMV.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:47 AM on May 25, 2005

Club Foot is a great bar, though I've seen a lot of fights break out there.
posted by smich at 10:48 AM on May 25, 2005

This page can help you fit in with the locals. It's a little dated, but you'll just sound like an old-timer.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:56 AM on May 25, 2005

I like the Bottom Lounge and Elbo Room for live music, too.
posted by jennyb at 11:57 AM on May 25, 2005

Ohh I live in Wicker Park, I can give you a lonnnng list if you drop me an email! A neighborhood specific one!
posted by mrs.pants at 1:28 PM on May 25, 2005

They left "jagoff" out of that Chicago vocab list. Or is that not a local thing? I hear it more here than anywhere else. Anyway, in the Wicker / Village / Logan area, I'd eat at Irazu if you like Latin American food. Arturo's is good too. If your pockets are feeling a little heavy, try out Feast on Damen. As for hangouts, it's not a bar exactly, but Earwax Cafe is always good for coffee and quasi-obscure video rentals. Here's my question though: Do you have to have "pants" in your MeFi handle to live in Wicker Park? =)
posted by idontlikewords at 3:21 PM on May 25, 2005

ps. (upon looking at the profiles) I didn't even notice that the the two "pantses" in question had such similar last names. Isn't that such ironicness?
posted by idontlikewords at 3:24 PM on May 25, 2005

Club Foot is good; I also like the Gold Star on Division. Good, cheap, Mexican and Japanese (and many other kinds of) food is everywhere. Two neighborhoods to wander around looking at hipsters are the area around Clark & Belmont (Belmont red/brown line stop) and the area around Milwaukee and Damen (Damen blue line stop). Empty Bottle and Bottom Lounge are great places to catch live music, as is the Abbey Pub. Pick up a copy of the Chicago Reader when you get into town and you're sure to find something fun to do.
posted by jtron at 5:24 PM on May 25, 2005

Gramaphone is the best record store in Chicago.
posted by Human Flesh at 7:18 PM on May 25, 2005

If you're into snobby beer, head to Map Room
In addition to the Reader, might I suggest Gapers Block? (self-link)
posted by me3dia at 8:27 PM on May 25, 2005