Chicago Neighborhoods: Wrigleyville

Sports and spirits. It can be said that these simple pleasures, flavored with a heavy dose of camaraderie and passion, are the backbone of one of Chicago’s more unique neighborhoods: Wrigleyville.

The history of Wrigleyville is inextricably linked to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Wrigley Field was built in the early 1900s and it was with the building of this monument to baseball that the neighborhood first became defined within the larger Lakeview area. The culture that has since sprung up around the legendary stadium makes the Wrigleyville area a community unto itself.

Wrigleyville neighborhood is bordered by Southport, Halsted, Roscoe, and Byron, and is home to Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs. Brought to life by die-hard fans every summer, this neighborhood has a vibrant nightlife and hometown spirit. Wrigleyville neighborhood is part of Chicago’s Lakeview community. Its immediate neighbors include Lincoln Park, Belmont Harbor, Roscoe Village, and parts of Uptown.

Attractions

Alta Vista Terrace District

  • Art & Architecture

Modeled on the London rowhouse style and sometimes called “A Street of Forty Doors,” Alta Vista Terrace displays a lively variety of architectural styles and detail. Every townhouse on one side is duplicated with only minor variations at the diagonally opposite end of the block.

Free Admission | N. Alta Vista Ter. & W. Byron St.

Center on Halsted

  • Cultural Centers,
  • Music,
  • Sports & Recreation,
  • Theater & Dance

Center on Halsted, the largest comprehensive center serving the LGBT community of Chicago.

Free Admission | 3656 N. Halsted St. | 773.472.6469

General Sheridan Statue

  • War Memorials & Military Monuments

At the Northeast corner of Belmont Avenue & Sheridan Road sits a statue of General Philip Sheridan on his horse. General Sheridan, for whom the street is named, played an instrumental role in the Civil War as a Union General. Cubs fans traditionally paint part of the statue orange after a victorious game.

Free Admission | N. Sheridan Rd. & W. Belmont Ave.

Links Hall

  • Theater & Dance

Links Hall is an intimate venue for dance, theater, music, and experimental performance located in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. At Links Hall, you can get reasonably priced tickets to see cutting edge work.

3435 N. Sheffield Avenue | 773-281-0824

Metro

  • Music

Metro is one of the country’s most renowned independent concert venues. Established in July 1982, Metro has become a playground for new and developing local artists as well as showcasing the best cutting edge bands from around the globe for over twenty-five years.

3730 N. Clark St. | 773.549.0203

Stage Left Theatre

  • Theater & Dance

Open since 1982, Wrigleyville’s Stage Left Theatre is dedicated to thought provoking productions that force audiences to ponder various social and political issues.

3408 N. Sheffield Ave. | 773.883.8830

Wrigley Field, Home of the Chicago Cubs

  • Music,
  • Sports & Recreation

Built in 1914 and nicknamed “The Friendly Confines”, Wrigley Field is the home of the storied franchise, The Chicago Cubs. Wrigley Field is the most-attended sporting venue in Chicago history and is known for its signature bricks and ivy and surrounding rooftop-bleacher buildings on Waveland and Sheffield Avenues. Wrigley Field is located in the heart of the Lakeview neighborhood, in an area affectionately known as “Wrigleyville.”

1060 W. Addison St. | 773.404.CUBS (773.404.2827)

iO Theater

  • Theater & Dance

Founded in 1981, iO (Formerly ImprovOlympic) is the world famous flashpoint of comic creativity that spawned an entire generation of America’s best and brightest entertainers, including Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Tina Fey and many more. iO Theater specializes in their own style of long form improv called “the Harold.” Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.

3541 N. Clark St. | 773.880.0199

Wrigleyville Dining

Wrigleyville boasts a wide selection of restaurants and bars; after a Cubs game, these establishments are full of sports fans and tend to be extremely festive in nature. There are several sports-themed bars that act as popular pre and post-game hangouts and are located very near Wrigley Field.

The Cubby Bear, one of the most popular bars in the area, is direct across from Wrigley Field and draws huge crowds on home game days. Sluggers, also an extremely popular establishment, has two levels and features an immense game room on the second floor. Other bars include Sports Corner, Murphy’s Bleachers, Exodus, John Barleycorn’s, The Irish Oak, Mullen’s, Central, the Ivy on Clark, and Chicago’s Blarney Stone.

Restaurants near Wrigley Field are plentiful and various cuisines can be found here. For American food, try Salt and Pepper, Heaven on Seven, the Kit Kat Lounge, or Bar Louie, a chain that can be found in other parts of the city. Not to be missed is the Bar Celona, a pub, and grill with a more intimate air. For Italian food, the cozy and delightful Tuscany on Clark is the way to go, while those looking for Asian fare will delight in BD’s Mongolian Barbecue, Penny’s Noodle Shop, Shabu-Ya or Mr. Thai. For an even more exotic experience, Ethiopian Village is sure to deliver.

After dinner, several cozy cafes offer dessert and coffee: check out Fly Me to the Moon or the Pick Me Up Café. Also try Julius Meinl, which features live music on several nights.

Bars at Clark Street & Newport Avenue

  • Various

Where Newport Avenue intersects Clark Street, some smaller but popular bars adorn the intersection corners, such as Dark Horse Tavern (3443 N. Sheffield Ave.), Purple Haze (3415 N. Clark St.), and Risque (3419 N. Clark St.). Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.

3419 N. Clark St.

Asian Cuisine at Clark Street & Sheffield Avenue

  • Asian Fusion

The intersection of Clark Street & Sheffield Avenue offers a few nice options for Asian cuisine, including the aptly named Cozy Rice and Noodles (3546 N. Sheffield Ave.), and the more upscale Chen’s Chinese & Sushi (3506 N. Clark).

3456 N. Sheffield Ave.

Bars and Restaurants in the Southport Corridor

  • Various

Southport Avenue has numerous popular bars and restaurants, including D’Agostino (1351 W. Addison St.), Sopo Lounge (3418 N. Southport Ave.) and Mystic Celt (3443 N. Southport Ave.). Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.

3418 N. Southport Ave.

Bars near Waveland Avenue

  • Various

The nightlife-friendly stretch of Clark St. continues north of the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Rockit Bar and Grill (3700 N. Clark), Casey Moran’s (3660 N. Clark) and Yak-Zies (3710 N. Clark) are still Cubs season hot spots, but the late night bar Trace (3714 N. Clark) and the seafood tapas–serving Raw Bar & Grill (3720 N. Clark) offer something distinct.

3710 N. Clark St.

Bars on Clark Street from Cornelia Avenue to Eddy Street

  • Various

From Cornelia Avenue to Eddy Street, Clark Street offers an impressive list of sports bars and popular nightlife destinations such as Red Ivy (3525 N. Clark St.), Moe’s Cantina (3518 N. Clark St.), and John Barleycorn (3524 N. Clark St.).

3524 N. Clark St.

Bars on Clark Street from Eddy Street to Addison Street

  • Various

Just the short strip of Clark Street from Addison Street to Eddy Street offers several places to get a meal and drinks, such as Goose Island Brewpub (3535 N. Clark St.), Vines (3554 N. Clark St.) and even the arcade bar Sluggers (3540 N. Clark St.).

3540 N. Clark St.

Bars on Clark Street from Newport to Cornelia Avenues

  • Various

Clark Street packs the bars in between Newport and Cornelia Avenues. Find everything from German bratwurst and steins at Uberstein (3478 N. Clark St.), to tapas at The Bar Celona (3474 N. Clark St.) to a bar famous for its humongous sandwiches, Lucky’s Sandwich Co. (3472 N. Clark St.), to popular hangout spots like Rebel Bar & Grill (3462 N. Clark St.) and Rockwood Place (3466 N. Clark St.).

3474 N. Clark St.

Bernie’s Tavern

  • American (Traditional)

Bernie’s Tavern’s great beer garden and proximity to Wrigley Field make it the bar of choice for many Cubs fans.

3664 N. Clark St. | 773.525.1898

Cullen’s Bar & Grill

  • American (Traditional)

To experience an Irish pub reminiscent of those on the Emerald Isle itself, head to Cullen’s Bar & Grill. The primarily Irish staff pours the perfect pint of Guinness and serves Irish comfort foods like macaroni and (aged Irish cheddar) cheese, shepherd’s pie, and mother Cullen’s meat loaf.

3741 N. Southport Ave. | 773.975.0600

Emerald City Coffee

  • Dining

A cozy coffee shop right under the Sheridan EL station, Emerald City Coffee has plenty of chairs and sofas, books to read, and even computers available to rent.

3938 N. Sheridan Rd. | 773.857.3041

Guthrie’s Tavern

  • Bar

A few blocks away from the crowds of Clark Street, this laid back bar is known for its large collection of board games that customers can play for free while enjoying a nice cold beverage. While in-house food options are limited to frozen pizzas, Guthrie’s offers takeout menus from many nearby restaurants that deliver to the bar.

1300 W. Addison St. | 773.477.2900

Houndstooth Saloon

  • American (Traditional)

Providing “Southern hospitality on the Northside of Chicago,” the Houndstooth Saloon is especially popular on Sundays and Thursdays for country music night.

3369 N. Clark St. | 773.244.1166

Ian’s Pizza Wrigleyville

  • Pizza

Ian’s Pizza started in Madison, WI in 2001 and since arriving in Wrigleyville in 2008 has become one of the area’s most popular eateries. Ian’s is known for their unique pizza toppings like Mac n’ Cheese, BBQ Steak and Fries, and Lasagna Marinara.

3463 N. Clark St. | 773.525.4580

Latin Cuisine in the Southport Corridor

  • Latin American

Southport Avenue offers a variety of Latin restaurants, including the Tapas favorite Bull-eh-Dia’s (3651 N. Southport Ave.), the Argentinean steakhouse Tango Sur (3763 N. Southport Ave.) and the Latin-fusion restaurant Coobah (3423 N. Southport Ave.).

3651 N. Southport Ave.

Los Caminos De Michoacan

  • Mexican

A small but well-regarded Mexican restaurant, Los Caminos de Michoacan serves the classic dishes. It is especially popular as a late night option for cheap food. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.

3948 N. Sheridan Rd. | 773.296.9709

More Dining

  • Dining

For more dining options, visit the Central Lakeview Merchants Association , or the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.

867 W. Buckingham Pl.

Murphy’s Bleachers

  • American (Traditional)

Voted “America’s Favorite Sports Bar” by ESPN’s Cold Pizza in 2004, this bar began as a hot dog stand that sold beer by the pail in the 1930s. After a few ownership and name changes, it became Murphy’s Bleachers in 1980 and is now one of the most popular Cubs game day destinations.

3655 N. Sheffield Ave. | 773.281.5356

Nuts on Clark

  • Food Retail: Specialty Food

Named as the best caramel corn in the country by Saveur Magazine, Nuts on Clark offers a great selection of gourmet popcorn, nuts and chocolate. The original location on Clark Street has been around for over 30 years, and new locations can now be visited in O’Hare and Midway Airports, and at Union Station and Soldier Field.

3830 N. Clark St. | 773.549.6622

Restaurants on Clark & Roscoe Streets

  • Various

Slightly further south of the crowded bar scene in Wrigleyville are some more relaxed cafés and restaurants, well suited for dining. For an authentic Irish pub with a fireplace, visit Johnny O’Hagan’s (3408 N. Clark St.), or for an authentic Mexican diner you can try El Jardin Cafe (3401 N. Clark St.). Lastly, Pick-Me-Up (3408 N. Clark St.) is a popular diner, open 24 hours on weekends. Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact sites for more information.

3408 N. Clark St.

Snacks and Cafés in the Southport Corridor

  • Various

Several cafés and snack spots along Southport Avenue add to the area’s friendly and welcoming character: Southport Grocery and Café (3552 N. Southport Ave.) sells homemade dishes as well as domestically produced grocery goods; Julius Meinl (3601 N. Southport Ave.) is an authentic Austrian coffeehouse and cafe; and Candyality (3425 N. Southport Ave.) sells nostalgic and hard-to-find candy.

3552 N. Southport Ave.

Sushi in the Southport Corridor

  • Sushi Bars

Southport Avenue has several great sushi restaurants, including Sushi Mura (3647 N. Southport Ave.), which is known for its high quality food, and the romantic and uniquely decorated Lips Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar (3705 N. Southport Ave.).

3647 N. Southport Ave.

TAC Quick Thai Kitchen

  • Thai

This unimposing Thai restaurant is considered by many to be a hidden neighborhood gem. Featured on WTTW’s Check, Please! in 2008, TAC stands for Thai Authentic Cuisine, and their menu lives up to the name.

3930 N. Sheridan Rd. | 773.327.5253

The Cubby Bear Lounge

  • American (New)

Open since 1953 and kitty-corner to Wrigley Field, the Cubby Bear is one of the premier places for Cubs fans to eat and drink before, during and after Cubs games. Popular year-round, the Cubby Bear also has live music every night of the week.

1059 W. Addison St. | 773.327.1662

Uncommon Ground

  • American (New)

With a focus on local ingredients (including those grown on the rooftop of their second location in Edgewater), Uncommon Ground serves an exciting array of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, as well as desserts, alcoholic drinks and some of the best coffee around. Artwork on the walls, a cozy fireplace, and daily live music performances add to the atmosphere and make this cafe truly “uncommon.”

3800 N. Clark St. | 773.929.3680

Wrigley Field Shopping

Shopping is not the primary focus of this neighborhood; while certainly some shops can be found, they are mainly limited to sports-themed merchandise vendors selling Cubs paraphernalia, as well as ticket vendors selling seats for Cubs games.

One shop of interest is Strange Cargo, which is a few blocks from Wrigley Field and features eclectic, casual apparel and accessories for men and women. Another popular shopping site is the Brown Elephant; this is an enormous resale shop whose proceeds benefit the Howard Brown Health Center for individuals with AIDS. For the most part, however, most shoppers leave Wrigleyville laden with merchandise that sports a bold “C” for “Cubs”!

Accessories, Shoes and Jewelry in the Southport Corridor

  • Various

Add to any outfit with accessories, jewelry, and shoes from boutiques on Southport Avenue, such as Bourdage Pearls (3530 N. Southport Ave.), M2 Boutique (3527 N. Southport Ave.), and Click (3729 N. Southport Ave.).

3530 N. Southport Ave.

Bookworks

  • Bookstores

A longtime Wrigleyville staple, Bookworkds sells used books, CDs, records and old paper items. Specializing in rare titles, beatnik literature, cookbooks, and fine art and photography books, Bookworks is also a great place to find blues and jazz records.

3444 N. Clark St. | 773.871.5318

Boutiques for Moms and Tots in the Southport Corridor

  • Various

Stylish moms can dress their babies and themselves on Southport Avenue, at stores like Krista K Maternity + Baby (3530 N. Southport Ave.), Baby Dolls Boutique (3727 N. Southport Ave.), and Petite Feet (3715 N. Southport Ave.).

3715 N. Southport Ave.

Dog-a-holics

  • Pets

Dog-a-holics is a canine boutique and snack shop that sells carefully crafted treats and accessories. Sure to satisfy your dog addiction, they offer dog beds, unique collars and leashes, grooming, all-natural organic foods and more.

3657 N. Southport Ave. | 773.857.7600

More Shopping

  • Shopping

For more shopping options, visit the Central Lakeview Merchants Association , or the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce.

867 W. Buckingham Pl.

Persona

  • Accessories

Persona is a great spot to find gifts for others or a treat for yourself, including jewelry, scarves, tabletop items and wall decor. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.

3823 N. Southport Ave. | 773.529.8752

Strange Cargo

  • Fashion

Strange Cargo is a t-shirt shop that has been in the neighborhood since 1993. They are famous for their huge selection of shirt designs, which are funny, artsy, risque, political and sports-themed.

3448 N. Clark St. | 773.327.8090

Women’s Fashion Boutiques in the Southport Corridor

  • Women’s Clothing

Southport Corridor is known for women’s boutiques, including Perchance (3512 N. Southport Ave.), Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave.), Leahey & Ladue Consignment (3753 N. Southport Ave.), Tula Boutique (3738 N. Southport), Mint Julep (3709 N. Southport Ave.), She One (3402 N. Southport Ave.), and Francesca’s Collections (3539 N. Southport Ave.). Accessibility limitations at some sites. Please contact site for more information.

3738 N. Southport Ave.

Wrigleyville Sports

  • Sportswear

Located across the street from Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville Sports is one of the most popular sportswear vendors for the Cubs. They also sell products for all other Chicago teams and have an even larger collection of merchandise available online.

959 W. Addison St. | 630.694.8566

Yesterday

  • Comic Books

Open for over 34 years, Yesterday sells a large selection of vintage comics, baseball cards, movie items, historical documents, and other finds for collectors and trivia buffs.

1143 W. Addison St. | 773.248.8087

Tours

Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville

  • Bus,
  • Walking

Plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options make this one of the city’s most popular areas among hip, young city dwellers. Discover these neighborhoods and their histories on this Chicago Neighborhood Tour.

77 E. Randolph St. | 312.742.1190 (TTY: 312.744.2947)

Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field Tours

  • Walking

Wrigley Field has enchanted fans for almost a century. 90-minute guided tours provide an inside look at this legendary ballpark, including the suites, press box, home and visiting clubhouses and field.

1060 W. Addison St. | 773.404.CUBS (2827)

Gray Line Bus Tours: The Grand Tour

  • Bus

A comprehensive 4-hour bus tour of highlights, including stops in neighborhoods in the North and South sides of the city.

17 E. Monroe | 312.251.3100

Community

The architecture of Wrigleyville is much like that of other upscale residential Chicago neighborhoods; charming brownstones with large windows and interesting details, shaded by trees. One element that is unique to Wrigleyville, however, is the concept of the Wrigley Roof. These are found on many of the area’s buildings and homes and feature small bleacher areas where Cubs fans can purchase seats, thus being able to watch the game when Wrigley Field is sold out or beyond budget. Wrigley Roofs are condoned by the Chicago Cubs organization and serve to create a mini-community high above the streets!

Inhabitants of Wrigleyville tend to be young; many are under 30, and most are professionals with families. Despite the neighborhood’s preoccupation with the Cubs and baseball, it manages to have a distinctly residential feel and its charm is ideal for quiet strolls along the sidewalks off the main streets.

There are many features to this area that attract visitors; one of these is the varied theatre scene. There is the Stage Left Theatre, which features a live theatre and produces plays with a focus on political and social issues. The Music Box Theatre is a historical movie house that plays current movies and is well known for its enormous, intricate interior that hearkens back to its origins in the 1920s. The Improv Olympic puts on yet another kind of show: improvisational theatre that depends heavily on audience participation.

Wrigleyville Chicago

Music is also a draw to the area. Several of the bars are big music venues at night. One, The Wild Hare features live Reggae music 7 days a week. The Cubby Bear is famous for live music. Metro is at Clark and Grace, one block north of Wrigley Field, and is one of Chicago’s premier live entertainment venues.

Of course, one cannot visit Wrigleyville without noticing the immense stadium under whose shadow everything in Wrigleyville occurs: Wrigley Field. The stadium was built in 1914 for a total cost of $250,000 and is the second oldest park in the Major Leagues. It was built to house the Chicago Federals of the Federal League, but when the Federal League closed down, it became the home of the National League’s Cubs. The Cubs were originally founded in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, and were given their new name in 1902 by a reporter at a local newspaper.

The first game at the park was played on April 20, 1916; not only did the Cubs win, but a bear cub was actually present at the game! The stadium was renamed Cubs Park in 1920 and then changed to Wrigley Field in 1926, in honor of William Wrigley, Jr., the chewing gum entrepreneur.

Some of baseball’s long-standing traditions were founded at Wrigley Field: allowing fans to keep any foul balls that are hit into the stands, while throwing back home runs hit by the opposing team, are both customs that began here. Famed broadcaster Harry Caray called Chicago his home, and made famous his tradition of singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch; today he is still widely remembered throughout the world of baseball, not only in the Windy City but nationwide as well.

Wrigleyville is certainly one of Chicago’s most spirited neighborhoods. Those who live here are bound by their love of the team that calls the area home, and visitors who make pilgrimages to the shrine of the Cubs are welcomed as part of this family.

Wrigleyville Neighborhood Map

Wrigleyville is located northwest of the Loop. It is named for Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball’s National League. Actual boundaries are undefined, with some sources citing Wrigleyville as spilling into adjacent enclaves like Lake View East and North Halsted. Many Wrigleyville bars and restaurants (particularly on Clark St.) feature the sports culture with sports-oriented themes.

Location & Area

  • North Boundary: 3900 N Byron
  • South Boundary: 3400 N Roscoe
  • East Boundary: 800 W Halstead
  • West Boundary: 1400 W Southport
  • Primary Zip Code: 60613

Current Trends and Facts of Wrigleyville Chicago

With a sports theme common in pubs and bars around the ballpark, there is always a game to watch in Wrigleyville neighborhood. Sports bars rule the area, but it is much more than a sporting neighborhood.

Wrigleyville neighborhood also has many excellent restaurants that range from Chicago-style hotdogs and fries and trendy comfort foods, to upscale full-service restaurants. Plus, there are ample clubs and venues to see live music and dance.

A part of the Lakeview community, there are also excellent theaters and some of the city’s most eclectic shops, all within walking distance. Plus, residents have easy access to Lake Shore Drive, Lake Michigan and Belmont Harbor. The area enjoys excellent public transportation, with convenient express bus routes downtown and CTA Red Line stops at Addison and Belmont.