Chicago Dining/Nightlife:
Chicago is known for its culinary delights and world-class dining scene that ranges from cutting edge gastronomy to authentic ethnic cuisine from nearly every country in the world. With over 7,300 restaurants within the city limits, you could eat at a different place every day for twenty years and never visit the same one twice. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Chicago hot dog or a gourmet dinner prepared by a top chef, (or something in between) this city has something to suit everyone’s mood and taste buds. The nightlife options are just as varied; in fact, locals know that one of the best things about living in Chicago is the amazing array of entertainment options on hand. This city is home everything from world class theaters and comedy clubs as well as trendy clubs, and hip lounges, and casual sports bars where everyone knows your name.
While new restaurants, cafes, lounges, and bars open constantly, Chicago is also home to some true classics. Deep dish pizza joints like Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s, and Pizzeria Uno share this distinction with high end steakhouses such as the Chop House, Gibson’s, and the David Burke Primehouse. The city is also home to a number of popular and internationally renowned chefs, including Grant Achatz at Alinea, Paul Kahan of Blackbird, Avec, and the Publican, and Rick Bayless with the Frontera Grill and Topolobampo.
In addition to these notable establishments, each of Chicago’s neighborhoods has a unique flavor that sets them apart. For instance, Wicker Park and Bucktown are known for their trendy restaurants and hipster lounges, while Lincoln Park has a number of family friendly cafes as well as the famous Charlie Trotter’s. Then there is the Gold Coast, which is known for its upscale restaurants and nightclubs. Of course, nothing is better than knowing that plenty of appealing dining and entertainment options are only steps from your front door, and the River East area as well as the Lakeshore East community offer a number of appealing options that run the gamut from casual cafes to haute cuisine.
If all the choices are overwhelming, free advice and expertise is available from a Culinary Concierge just around the corner from our Chicago apartments at the Chicago Cultural Center (at 28 East Washington St.).
Chicago Restaurants:
Chicago has long been considered a culinary mecca, with options that range from classic hearty Midwestern fare like Italian beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, “cheezborgers” and brats to more exotic choices. With an amazing variety of ethnic restaurants that represent cuisines from nearly every country and culture, Chicago’s dining scene is truly global.
Chicago has been called a city of neighborhoods, and no where is that more evident than in the diversity of each area’s eateries. From the authentic Mexican cuisine in the Pilsen neighborhood (located southwest of Lakeshore East) to the traditional Indian cooking available in the Devon Avenue restaurants, the sheer variety of Chicago’s culinary landscape keeps things exciting.
Of course, Chicago dining is not just about quantity – there are many restaurants with a reputation for high quality food made with the best ingredients, from cozy coffee shops known for their locally sourced goodies to gourmet dining destinations that have earned international prestige. Since Chicago is known as a city where the locals take pride in eating well and with a reputation like that, there’s never a lack of delicious choices available, no matter what you’re craving.
Chicago Bars:
On any given night in Chicago, your options include German inspired biergartens, bona fide Irish pubs, classic bars dedicated to the art of the cocktail, and hip lounges where the beautiful people congregate to see and be seen. And that’s just the beginning of your options on the Chicago bar scene, where there is something to suit every personality and occasion.
Fashionistas will love the trendy lounges in the River North and the Gold Coast, many of which are popular with visiting and local celebrities alike. The Loop is home to a number of popular bars as well, from cozy corner dives perfect for grabbing a post-work drink to gastropubs known for their gourmet versions of classic pub dishes.
Sports aficionados will definitely be able to find a bar supporting their favorite professional and college teams, whether you are a fan of Chicago’s own Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, or the lovable Cubs. Big Ten and Big Twelve devotees will also find a home away from home on the bar scene, as well as fans of various teams and sports from all over the world – Chicago sports bars are a league of their own.
Chicago Night Clubs
Welcome to Chicago and get ready to dance the night away! The city offers a plethora of venues from hip dance clubs that feature world classic DJs on the turntables to trendy lounges and afterhours joints. Move over New York – Chicago is the real city that never sleeps. The energy intensifies with each passing hour until the sun rises, ensuring that every night out is more exciting than the last.
www.metromix.com – A constantly updated guide to Chicago dining and nightlife.
wwwchicago.citysearch.com – Reviews of Chicago businesses, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
www.centerstagechicago.com – An independent guide to Chicago entertainment, organized by neighborhood.
www.timeoutchicago.com – Time Out Chicago is one of the top local entertainment and culture magazines.
www.choosechicago.com – The official Chicago’s visitor’s website.
www.chicagoist.com – A popular blog that covers the latest Chicago news and events.
