Welcome to West Loop
A Chicago hot spot with a vibrant nightlife and dynamic culinary scene
Once a gritty, industrial area, West Loop has transformed into one of Chicago’s coolest neighborhoods. This culinary hot spot is home to Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs, as well as renowned music venues, trendy boutiques, art galleries, and buzzy bars. Innovative and artistic, West Loop has reinvented itself while also tipping its hat to the past – those old factories and industrial buildings of yesteryear have been transformed into chic open-concept lofts and upscale condos. Even the area’s biggest tech players, like Google and Twitter, are taking up residence in these newly swanky digs.
The artistic vibe this creative area is known for extends to all types of housing, from modern new construction builds to beautifully restored historic structures. Even the parks are thoughtfully curated, with designs by famed landscape architects like Ernest Wong.
What to Love
- Thriving nightlife
- An eclectic mix of housing styles
- Creative green spaces
- Chic boutiques and world-class dining
- The artistic atmosphere and urban flair
Local Lifestyle
West Loop’s buzzy energy and trendy restaurant scene mean the party can go on all night. With an incredible lineup of art galleries, hip boutiques, live music, cocktail lounges, and street festivals, this dynamic neighborhood offers plenty for foodies and artists alike. Residents tend to work in creative fields or the tech industry and generally like to play as hard as they work.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Home to the more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other area in the city, West Loop’s dining scene is truly impressive. The famed collection of culinary favorites on Randolph Street, also known as Restaurant Row, includes some of Chicago’s most coveted culinary experiences, like Elske Restaurant and Smyth. Even the lattes in West Loop are elevated. Sawada Coffee, from world-renowned barista and latte art expert Hiroshi Sawada, offers a curated menu of expertly crafted espresso and matcha-based drinks, as well as Doughnut Vault doughnuts.
One of the area’s most respected galleries, Kavi Gupta Gallery is a leading contemporary art space that hosts more than a dozen museum-quality exhibitions each year and strives to amplify the voices of diverse and underrepresented artists. And as if West Loop wasn’t cool already, Bottom Lounge offers further proof of this cultural and artistic hub. This underground music venue offers an eclectic live music lineup, while its creative menu of casual American comfort food includes showstoppers like trash can nachos, beer-battered fries, and even vegetarian options like pickled tofu.
Things to Do
From upscale dining experiences to casual, unpretentious pubs, West Loop’s Fulton Market is the place to satisfy any culinary craving. Check out The Press Room, a cozy wine bar with small bites, or Stephanie Izard’s Little Goat, which offers classic diner fare with an innovative, chef-y twist. The famous United Center is home to the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, and this world-class performance venue also hosts some of music’s biggest names.
As beautiful as it is cool, West Loop is the perfect place for sightseeing and some good old-fashioned walking around. Grab yourself a latte and head out to see some of the city’s most impressive architecture, like Old St. Patrick's Church. Described as the "cornerstone of Irish culture," this Catholic church is not only stunning to look at, it also offers a ton of special programs, daily mass, and community outreach events. Part urban chic, part family haven, West Loop is home to trendy entertainment and family-friendly spots like Skinner Park. The seven-acre green space features a field house, a basketball court, baseball fields, a children's playground, and, of course, room for the family pup to run and play.
Schools
Known for its top tier public school system, West Loop is home to such excellent educational opportunities as:
