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Lakeview
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Lakeview is a big neighborhood with lots of energy, lots to do, and lots of different personalities. Yet there's also a really casual and welcoming vibe that seems to run through the whole area.
Lakeview is home to an endless supply of restaurants and bars, with incredible nightlife. You’ll find 24-hour cafes and diners, low-key pubs and breweries, and late-night dance clubs. It’s also a good place to get some shopping done — from big name brands and supermarkets to fun boutiques and record stores. Then there’s the Belmont Theater District, the Lakefront Trail along Lake Michigan, access to Lincoln Park, and an array of summer festivals. You can find cute apartments close to the action, condos on leafy side streets, and single family homes hidden in quieter pockets of the neighborhood. All of this comes in a central location, and with super convenient transit options in every direction.
You’ll also find several enclaves within Lakeview, each bringing their own personality to the overall neighborhood, so there’s truly something for everyone. A few examples include:
- Lakeview East: The main section of Lakeview. You’ll find a ton of restaurants, shops, bars, and theaters along Broadway, and also access to the lakefront and Lincoln Park.
- Lakeview West: There are several theaters, a few restaurants, and quiet residential streets.
- Wrigleyville: Home to Wrigley Field, the Cubs, an active sports bar scene, and a festive atmosphere during baseball season.
- Northalsted (AKA Boystown): America’s first officially recognized gay neighborhood, with a great bar scene.
- Southport Corridor: A fun district with a couple live music venues, plenty of restaurants, and a bunch of great shopping.
Lakeview is the cheering of Wrigley Field crowds and the clinking of pint glasses. It’s the fresh breeze on a post-work jog along the lakefront. It’s summer street festivals, hazy nights on the dance floor, and midnight breakfast. It’s a friendly neighborhood bar where everyone is welcome, and the jukebox is playing your favorite song.
Backstory
In the mid-1800s, when Chicago was in its early days, Lakeview looked very different. At first, it was an ever-changing neighborhood, largely settled by immigrant farmers. Then, in the late 1800s, there was a real estate boom that saw a lot of new buildings go up in the area — many of which still stand today.
Still, the establishment and evolution of Wrigley Field had a lot to do with the growth of the neighborhood over the following years. In the early 1900s, before there was Wrigley Field, there was Weeghman Park — where fans would come to watch a team called the Chicago Whales play ball. Eventually the Whales merged with the Cubs, and down the line, the park was acquired by none other than chewing gum mogul William Wrigley. Throughout the 20s there were major expansions and renovations to the stadium, which brought more interest to the region, expanded transit, new opportunities for work, and construction of many low-rise, low-cost homes.
Lakview’s current collection of communities gradually came together during the neighborhood’s many boundary changes, which took place over many decades. Now the variety of people, interests, activites, and cultures helps define the area we know today: a welcoming place with many contrasting and complementary layers, both in its long history and in its current identity.
Local Fare
- Southport Grocery and Cafe: An independent brunch spot with fluffy pancakes, savory breakfast sandwiches, and a little something known as the Grown-up Pop Tart. The specialty grocery also has gift baskets, artisan olive oil, chocolate and more. Their bread pudding pancakes are the GOAT.
- Tango Sur: An Argentinian steakhouse with traditional asado (short ribs) and chimichurri. The candlelit atmosphere is great for an intimate dinner or a group celebration, and by the way it’s BYOB.
- The Gundis: Chicago’s only Kurdish kitchen. This Michelin-rated restaurant uses local ingredients and traditional methods, all under the guidance of a chef who’s led multiple restaurants to fame.
- Crisp: This casual Korean fried chicken joint is a low key legend for its light, crunchable, double-fried wings. Try the Seoul Sassy sauce, crammed with ginger and garlic.
- Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed: An all-kosher BBQ. According to the owner, who grew up in the south, the style is somewhere between Texas and Memphis. Also, they donate their profits to a different charity every month.
- Golden Apple: This 24-hour diner, once featured on This American Life, is the perfect place to curl up in a booth with hashbrowns and enjoy some people-watching.
- Mild 2 Spicy: Seriously delicious, hearty Indian food with generous portions and customizable spice levels. The place has a casual atmosphere, plenty of veggie options, and it’s great for delivery and takeout.
Things to Do
- Wrigley Field: This historic ballpark has been around for over a century and is still going strong. Catch a Cubs game, or take a guided tour when friends and family come to visit.
- Belmont Theater District: There are typically over 150 live shows every week in Lakeview. The Belmont Theater District has more than 20 theaters, with shows ranging from obscure indie productions, to headliner performances from the Blue Man Group.
- Festivals: Lakeview has a pretty active festival scene. There’s of course Pride in June, and in August there’s Northalsted Market Days, an all-weekend event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and is open to all. The list goes on with Taco Fest, Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest, Southport Art Fest, and PorchFest: a series of tiny porchfront concerts that stretches through Lakevew and Roscoe Village.
- The Annoyance Comedy Club: Check out one of many sketch shows, original plays, or late-night improv performances. You can also take classes in everything from stand-up comedy to musical improvisation.
- Schuba’s: An intimate live music venue and tavern, there’s also an attached restaurant called Tied House. The historic building was formerly a Schlitz brewery.
Sights to See
- Belmont Harbor: This gigantic harbor is surrounded by park spaces and pathways, and has gorgeous views not only of the lake, but also of the city skyline. From here, you have easy access to the Lakefront Trail, and the rest of beautiful Lincoln Park.
- Lakeview Low-Line: Between the Paulina and Southport stations, underneath the rail lines, is a half-mile-long walkway filled with street art and murals. It’s still in development, with plans to grow and expand both in terms of size and artwork.
- Legacy Walk: Along North Halsted you’ll find a series of “Rainbow Pylons” — steel markers that stand over twenty feet tall. On each one is a bronze memorial to the accomplishments of a different person from the LGBTQ community. Every year on National Coming Out Day, the memorials are updated with new entries.
Transportation
You have six L stations to choose from in Lakeview. You can catch Brown, Red, and Purple lines — including express trains to jump to the Loop. Several bus routes will take you to nearby neighborhoods, and the Lakefront Trail is a great walking and biking route.
- the Loop: ~30 min by public transit
- the Lake (Belmont Harbor): ~20 min by public transit; ~30 min walk
- O’Hare: ~60 min by public transit
