The interconnected neighborhoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown are similar in size, but each has its own vibe: Wicker Park is artsy and laid-back while Bucktown is polished and chic. Between the two you’ll find top fashion lines and indie boutiques, gourmet restaurants and grab-and-go spots, live music, art galleries and much more.
If Wicker Park looks familiar, you might recognize it as the backdrop for John Cusack’s 2000 movie “High Fidelity.” Located just northwest of downtown, the neighborhood is accessible by three Blue Line stops: Division on the south end, Western on the north end and Damen smack dab in the middle. Several buses run through the area, including 56 Milwaukee, 50 Damen and 72 North.
Where to Eat and Drink
Perennial favorite Big Star serves some of the best tacos in the city alongside killer margaritas and an extensive whiskey list. While the sunny patio often has a wait, a service window means you can grab Big Star on the go.
A few blocks away, Antique Taco crafts tacos with innovative touches—and drinks to match—in a sunny, vintage-inspired space.
Get your pizza and beer fix at Piece, a sports-bar spot that’s home to thin-crust pies and brews—and often karaoke and live music. Another music-filled restaurant is The Smoke Daddy, where house-smoked classic barbecue is paired with a live music soundtrack.
The lines may be long at the breakfast and lunch joint The Bongo Room, but fluffy, airy pancakes covered in lush toppings like raspberry coulis, lemon butter or white chocolate sauce make the wait worthwhile. Or go during the week to avoid the crowds.
The family-owned Sultan’s Market, which serves traditional Middle Eastern food, has been a neighborhood staple since 1995.
Indulge your inner child—or channel your competitive edge—at Emporium Arcade Bar, where you’ll find more than 40 table games, video games and arcade games from a wide range of eras.
Style, Shopping and Wellness
Independent shops are the soul of these neighborhoods. Find stunning flowers, bath items and handmade goods from some of Chicago’s best makers at Asrai Garden.
Bibliophiles will love secondhand bookstore Myopic Books. Regularly named to many “best of” lists, the quaint shop is bursting at the seams with books from every genre.
Down the street, Reckless Records hawks new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs and music paraphernalia, with a staff of music buffs on hand to offer spot-on recommendations.
When it comes to indie fashion, check out Penelope’s for upscale, on-trend gear and Una Mae’s for vintage and vintage-inspired clothes. Many popular fashion brands have outposts here as well, including laid-back clothing purveyor Marine Layer, stylish shoes-for-a-cause brand Toms, watch and leather-goods crafter Shinola and blue-jeans legend Levi’s.
When it’s time to relax, stroll over to Ruby Room for spa treatments, salon services, healing regimens, a minimalist inn and a wide range of products devoted to health and wellness.
Things to Do and See
The 606, a 2.7-mile elevated rails-to-trails path, runs through Wicker Park and Bucktown, offering a place to stroll and bike—free from cars—with public artwork peppering the green scenery. Smack-dab in the center of the area, the three-story Flat Iron Arts Building houses dozens of artists’ studios. It’s free and open to the public; keep an eye out for evening events and performances.
Take in live music at a range of venues, including Subterranean and the tucked-away Hideout, or pop over to Chopin Theatre where you’ll find theater, literary, film and music events on multiple stages.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, WhirlyBall mixes bumper cars, basketball and lacrosse to create a fun new game. An on-site restaurant and bar provides post-game refreshments.
