Lakeview

Lakeview is a busy section of Chicago that never seems to miss a beat. There is always something going on here and the neighborhood’s retail and entertainment scene has fast become one of the city’s most fashionable. The area is a blend of shops, restaurants, bars, theaters and lakefront parks. Independent businesses and a flourishing theater district give Lakeview an artsy vibe, reinforced by an annual Fine Arts Festival that draws thousands every summer. But all year round, people flock to Lakeview for its wide selection of places to eat and boutique storefronts that sell the latest trends.

Broadway is quite possibly Lakeview’s most notable street. It’s lined with restaurants, cafés, coffee houses, pubs, markets, second hand shops and a locally famous comedy club called Lakeshore Theatre. The small vintage venue has been nicely updated for 21st century shows and caters to the town’s comedic performers. Just a block over from Broadway you’ll discover the beloved antics of the Blue Man Group at Briar Street Theatre, or bring your own beverage to the Playground Improv Theatre right up street, which showcases the talents of Chicago’s budding comedians. To see big screen blockbusters, the best place in Lakeview is Landmark Century Centre Cinema, a state-of-the-art movie theater with stadium seating and gourmet concessions.

Many of Chicago’s hip music venues are in Lakeview, giving the area a reputation for booking the best nationally touring bands. A couple of the biggies are Metro and The Vic. Metro doubles up on the shows with a secondary stage below it named SmartBar, which typically hosts DJs and stays open late. The Vic is an old vaudeville house that’s original marble flooring and staircase are still in use. The 1912 design was ideal for acoustics and has leant itself to exceptional performances by today’s most popular musical artists. During the summer, the music events in Lakeview are extended outdoors with several street fairs, including the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival in June, Summer on Southport and the Lakeview Music Fest, both in July.

Lots of people come to Lakeview simply to grab a bite. The neighborhood is a center for culinary specialties and the dining options are vast. In fact, deciding where to eat can be a difficult task if you don’t know what you want. Perhaps that’s why so many Chicagoans enjoy exploring Lakeview cuisine – there’s always something new to try! Brunch is big in Lakeview, so weekend mornings are bustling with hungry diners looking to satisfy a craving for pancakes and eggs. Ann Sather’s is a Swedish-inspired Chicago eatery with amazing homemade cinnamon rolls and mouthwatering selection of Swedish plates. North Coast Café has a handle on regular breakfast items, while Stella’s Diner likes to spruce it up with some inventive recipes like mango-filled French toast. The Bagel Restaurant and Deli has a full menu of hot-cooked a.m. meals, however, their sandwiches are definitely the order of the house. Prefer to skip breakfast and just get a caffeinated pick-me-up? Lakeview is coffee heaven with all the chains (Starbucks, Caribou, Dunkin’ Donuts) and several home-grown varieties (Intelligentisia, Argo Tea, Uncommon Ground).