Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
Walgreens
953 W Irving Park RdNeed something quick and easy? This is our local Walgreens spot.
Your best nearby stop for groceries. Lots of fresh food and very popular with Old Town locals.
132 locals recommend
Treasure Island Foods
1639 N Wells StYour best nearby stop for groceries. Lots of fresh food and very popular with Old Town locals.
Food Scene
Need some coffee? This Starbucks location is open 24/7. Tip: the WiFi may not be spectacular during peak periods.
271 locals recommend
Starbucks
210 W North AveNeed some coffee? This Starbucks location is open 24/7. Tip: the WiFi may not be spectacular during peak periods.
If you want a quick and easy diner with the typical diner-style food, Nookie's is closeby and pretty good.
46 locals recommend
Nookies
1746 N Wells StIf you want a quick and easy diner with the typical diner-style food, Nookie's is closeby and pretty good.
Orso's
1401 N Wells StGreat local spot for great Italian food.
Exceptional local coffee next to the Hotel Lincoln and just a few short steps away from my building.
14 locals recommend
Elaine's Coffee Call
1816 N Clark StExceptional local coffee next to the Hotel Lincoln and just a few short steps away from my building.
If you want REALLY GOOD local coffee, this place is a must (and there are several other locations in Chicago, but this one is in the neighborhood).
23 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Old Town Coffeebar
1233 N Wells StIf you want REALLY GOOD local coffee, this place is a must (and there are several other locations in Chicago, but this one is in the neighborhood).
Drinks & Nightlife
One of my favorite pubs in the neighborhood. Excellent food and good drinks.
15 locals recommend
Corcoran's Grill & Pub
1615 N Wells StOne of my favorite pubs in the neighborhood. Excellent food and good drinks.
One of my favorite bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Excellent food (great brunch spot!) and drinks.
15 locals recommend
Woodie's Flat
1535 N Wells StOne of my favorite bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Excellent food (great brunch spot!) and drinks.
Not in my neighborhood, but it's probably my most favorite bar in Chicago that serves premium/up-scale handcrafted drinks and food (drinks are about $10-15).
33 locals recommend
Taverna 750
5420 North Clark StreetNot in my neighborhood, but it's probably my most favorite bar in Chicago that serves premium/up-scale handcrafted drinks and food (drinks are about $10-15).
Excellent food and drinks. They do happy hour on huge glasses of vodka lemonades on Thursday evenings.
19 locals recommend
The Fireplace Inn
1448 N Wells StExcellent food and drinks. They do happy hour on huge glasses of vodka lemonades on Thursday evenings.
A bit more upscale, but attracts a young sports crowd and is well known for their food and drinks.
67 locals recommend
Benchmark
1510 N Wells StA bit more upscale, but attracts a young sports crowd and is well known for their food and drinks.
A local's secret and a big hole in the wall, this bar is very upscale (dress nice!) and serves drinks that could kill if you're not careful. There can be long waits outside at nights, so plan ahead.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveA local's secret and a big hole in the wall, this bar is very upscale (dress nice!) and serves drinks that could kill if you're not careful. There can be long waits outside at nights, so plan ahead.
Awesome tiki bar downtown. I recommend making a reservation through OpenTable since it tends to be very busy.
125 locals recommend
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StAwesome tiki bar downtown. I recommend making a reservation through OpenTable since it tends to be very busy.
A great roof-top bar on top of the Hotel Lincoln building. You have to go into Hotel Lincoln to get up to the J. Parker.
124 locals recommend
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark StA great roof-top bar on top of the Hotel Lincoln building. You have to go into Hotel Lincoln to get up to the J. Parker.
Shopping
The ideal spot for fresh baked goods. If you like chocolate chip cookies, this local bakery makes one of the BEST chocolate chip cookies I've ever had!
Catering Chocolate
1712 N Wells StThe ideal spot for fresh baked goods. If you like chocolate chip cookies, this local bakery makes one of the BEST chocolate chip cookies I've ever had!
Everything Else
Love cycling? Flywheel Sports is upbeat, fun, and will surely force you to burn tons of calories in one 45-minute workout.
Flywheel Sports Old Town
1653 N Wells StLove cycling? Flywheel Sports is upbeat, fun, and will surely force you to burn tons of calories in one 45-minute workout.
Need a great cut from a barber? This is one of the best places to go. They also allow you to book appointments online same-day: http://www.oldtownbarbershopchicago.com/
Old Town Barbershop
1339 N Wells StNeed a great cut from a barber? This is one of the best places to go. They also allow you to book appointments online same-day: http://www.oldtownbarbershopchicago.com/
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrIf you love astronomy, this is an awesome place to visit.