Thank you for both the link and the offer. I suspect they’ll serve us lunch. Otherwise, I’d be up for it.
Now that sounds good. Worry not for my arteries, I love a challenge.
This list will take a while to go through. I’ll get back to you on it next week, after a little investigation. (Although the Blow Empty Bottle makes the best read.) I may have to bite the bullet and try all four suggested pizza places. I’m really good at eating.
poetwarlord, your post is too long to quote, but I thank you.
I suppose the first thing I should do is find out what is open, and when I’m free. Having only two evenings, I guess I’ve got to leave something out.
Brew & View is lots of fun. Even movies you might not normally think would be your thing can be fun. Since people are drinking and whatnot the audience can be a big part of the fun. Not a place to shush people…audience participation is part of it (although usually people are quiet and just watch the movie). Although to be honest without some friends to go with not sure this would be much fun alone.
Wicker Park and Bucktown have gone totally Yuppie. Still a fun neighborhood to hang out in with lots of shops and bars and food but a far cry from the artist enclave it once was. Much more mainstream these days. That is partly good and partly bad. How much of which I guess depends on your perspective.
Not sure how long ago you were in Chicago but the MOMA moved to a new and much larger building (they built it) perhaps 10 years ago (give or take). I find the Museum of Modern Art to be hit and miss myself but of course that is a subjective opinion. They are just off of Michigan Avenue and the Mag mile so very easily accessible. If I was visiting and roaming downtown I’d certainly give it a go.
Lake Michigan is a real gem for Chicago to be sure. Not an ocean of course but so big it may as well be (can’t see across it except just barely from a tall building on a clear day). I’ve had people from LA who are of course used to an ocean next to them remark on how surprised they are at Lake Michigan. As has been mentioned roaming up the lakefront provides a great deal (I still say going north provides more for a visitor).
I was just recently in Chinatown and I find it totally underwhelming. Very small and mostly thoroughly cheesy tourist trap stuff. Not saying do not go but on a short visit with limited time I think Chinatown in Chicago is not worth the effort to get out there (nothing else around it worth seeing/doing).
Chicagoans are serious about their hot dogs. Some places if you ask for ketchup on your hot dog you will get disapproving looks (not kidding…one hot dog joint I know of will not put ketchup on at all and give you the packets to do it yourself since they view it as a sin…kidjanot). My favorite is Wiener’s Circle but of course there are many to choose from.
I think Blues in Chicago has gone too touristy. Mind you that is an odd thing since these places tend to feel like dives. But the covers and drink prices they charge are not what you expect from dive bars (read expensive). As for the music can be hit or miss. Really depends who is playing. Some shows can be really great and to be honest the worst of them are still entertaining and competent.
For Jazz I’d recommend The Green Mill. A genuine Speakeasy from the old days (Al Capone used to hang out there and there are still tunnels under the bar…sometimes you see the bartender disappear into the floor as they use them for storage now). Not a whole lot else around there and from the outside does not look like much but a nice surprise inside and lots of fun if you like jazz.
For everything else check the Chicago Reader online or grab a copy when you arrive. They have the best list of what is going on to be had.
Indeed. Chicagoans are a pretty friendly bunch and I think you will like them. Notably more friendly than what I have found in places like New York or LA.
Bucktown has definitely become Yuppieville, but Wicker Park still has some cool stuff (quirky bars and cafes). I saw a tatooed man humping an imaginary … something … the other day in Wicker Park, to the tune of some kind of ethnic music. You wouldn’t see that in Bucktown.
Most of the cool stuff is on the North side. Millennium Park is nice to walk through at night, though, especially with the fountains. They’ve been having a bunch of free concerts there this summer, but I don’t know if that kind of stuff is still being held now that it’s fall.
Wicker Park is a bit more edgy than Bucktown but still Yuppyized.
To the OP you should know that Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. You can get some really bizzare “neighbors” (not sure how else to put it). Some of the most valuable property in the city is across the street from some of the worst yet they do not mix or cause each other trouble. Like the street separating them is a wall. I never really understood it but somehow it works.
To HazelNutCoffee: Seems we are neighbors. I live in Ansersonville/Uptown (keep meaning to look at a map and figure it out). Roughly Broadway and Foster here.
Actually Andsersonville is a fun haunt as well with many good restaurants, bars and shopping. Not huge though and considering all the city has to offer doubt it is worth the trip for a first time visitor.
Cool - I live between Lawrence and Wilson, right next to Broadway.
Yeah, the neighborhood aspect of Chicago is weird. The street I live on is full of new condos but a few blocks over it gets pretty sketchy (actually, I think there were some shootings there last week). Hyde Park was the same way.
I used to live on Lawrence just a half block east of the Aragon Brawl Room. If the OP wants a stellar Sunday Brunch I would recommend Tweet in my neighborhood.
As for the neighborhood thing I have read Chicago is one of the most segregated cities in the US. Thing is it is not segregation by force…just seemed to happen that way.
Go to North Lincoln Avenue, look for a pub called * The Red Lion*, Inside,on the wall you will see the flag of St.George.
It was donated by yours truly 
you may touch it if you wish
If you like improv or Saturday Night Live-style sketch comedy, go to any of:
The Second City
iO
The Annoyance
I think iO and Annoyance are cheaper, if it matters. A SC Mainstage show is $24 or so. But, it’s The Second City, probably the one most familiar to the most people.
This one?
Another here:
http://www1.union.edu/olneyg/projectfolder/project.htm
Here’s a question. Does the Brew&View serve brew on Sundays? It sounds tempting on Sunday to grab some pizza someplace, and then some good beer and a movie and veg a bit. Of course, I’m a bit of a beer snob and they only serve Miller products, but I’m sure I can get by. It all depends on what movie is showing. It looks like I have to wait until Friday or Saturday to see next week’s schedule.
There are no Blue Laws in Chicago so beer/liquor is sold pretty much anytime. If Brew-n-View is showing a film on Sunday then they will definitely be selling beer. As you noted however that is not a place for good beer. For that walk one block due north to a bar called Sheffield’s (corner of Sheffield and School). They are VERY serious about their beer and have more than enough choice to please any beer snob (they even break out their beers by top and bottom fermented). They also make a mean Bloody Mary.
Here’s a link to Sheffield’s.
One of my favorite bars. Definitely worth a go if you are in the neighborhood.
Ok, I think I’ve figured out what I’ll do.
Dinsdale, or anyone else, if you are interested in a run, it looks like it would have to be either in the morning, but not godawful early, or after 4:30. The training I’m taking runs from about 9 to 4:30. Monday would be the only day. With all those stipulations, I’d love some company.
For food I’ll try all the places mentioned, if I can get to them: Unos, Williams Inn, Giordanos, and Gino’s East.
I think I’ll try “Anger Management” at he brew and view after I get in on Sunday. I haven’t seen it, and I am not likely to.
The planetarium is closed when I’m free, so it is out. Somehow, it doesn’t seem right to hit a bar on my own. It figures baseball has the best play-off race in memory, with both the Phillies and the Rockies still in it, but I am determined to ignore baseball until they take steroids seriously.
I think I will pick up the Chicago Reader and pick a play for Monday night.