Welcome to Wicker Park
A hip enclave of eclectic boutiques and dynamic dining
Bohemian, energetic, and uber stylish, Wicker Park is one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. This is where trends are established, and artists are discovered. A town made for musicians and music lovers, Wicker Park is home to some of the best live music venue spots in the country, and finding fresh new indie music is as easy as strolling the leafy streets.
When the Great Fire of 1871 hit Chicago, it necessitated a new wave of housing development, and Wicker Park became popular with Chicago's wealthy, who built large mansions along the neighborhood's best streets. One of these streets, Hoyne, was known as "Beer Baron Row," because so many of Chicago's successful beer brewers built homes there. Today, these historic mansions mingle with stylish loft conversions, upscale penthouses, and new construction builds.
What to Love
- Trendy boutiques and businesses
- A vibrant live music and culinary scene
- Artistic vibes and creative lifestyle
Local Lifestyle
Wicker Park was made for lazy weekend days of brunch and shopping. Here you’ll find residents grabbing a latte for a Saturday morning stroll before meeting up with friends at one of the neighborhood’s many brunch spots. After bloody marys and french toast, it’s on to the record store and a few boutiques, then a bike ride before hitting up happy hour. Nights are for foodie-level dining and the theater or a cabaret show.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Wicker Park’s stellar culinary reputation is known nationwide, and just about every cafe, bar, and restaurant proves that this gastronomy scene is on-point. Dove's Luncheonette, a Tex-Mex diner, dishes up southern-inspired Mexican cuisine, cocktails, and lots of tequila with a retro flair.
Enjoy a contemporary Spanish cuisine experience at Mama Delia, a trendy eatery serving tapas, paella, meat dishes, seafood, and creative cocktails. With both chefs and ingredients sourced from Spain, this creative spot is a restaurant, bar, and gourmet market in one.
A neighborhood this cool and creative is bound to have the most in-the-know shops, and Reckless Records is exactly that. Originally from London, the Reckless crew opened up in Chicago in 1988 and has been going strong ever since. For a night like no other, dress in your best and slip into the sensuous world of Bordel. This cocktail bar and cabaret is known for craft drinks and a premier cast of jazz musicians, burlesque performers, flamenco artists, magicians, and cabaret dancers, as well as a rich, sumptuous decor reminiscent of Belle Epoque-era Montmartre.
Things to Do
Listen to live music, attend a fashion show, find handmade gifts, sample gourmet goodies, and shop small businesses at the Do Division Street Fest. This massive, weekend-long fair offers Do Fashion, an event within the street festival with a runway, prominent local DJs, and fashion shows organized by local retailers and boutiques. The Family Fun Fest provides everything from train rides and face-painting to bounce houses and performers, and all proceeds go to benefit local schools. Grab brunch daily at Cafe Robey, a chic, upscale eatery located in The Robey, an art deco–style hotel dating from 1929. Lounge by the pool and take in the stunning panoramic views at the hotel’s Cabana Club or order a cocktail from the rooftop Up Bar.
Bikers and runners, lace up those shoes and pump up those tires – The 606 is calling your name. This park and trail system combines elevated trails for walking, jogging, or biking, art installations, and landscape design to create an urban oasis and a new way to explore the city. If you’re more artistically minded than athletic, head over to the Vertical Gallery, Chicago’s premier urban-contemporary art gallery. The work here is influenced by street art, graffiti, pop culture, graphic design, and illustration.
Schools
