Division Street

Wicker Park / Bucktown, Chicago –

For lazy warm-weather days, Division Street in Wicker Park is an excellent place to while away the hours with a late brunch, drinks in a crowded game-day sports bars, some window shopping at the boutiques, and an early evening cocktail.

Home to artists, hipsters, and unpretentious young professionals, the half-mile stretch offers laid-back shopping, numerous restaurants with varied cuisines, and an energetic nightlife.

Students and artists looking for free Wi-Fi to work on school papers settle into comfy chairs at Alliance Bakery’s lounge, while skateboarding hipsters gather at the sidewalk tables to chat over a cup of Chicago’s famous Intelligentsia coffee.

Young professionals and gaggles of girlfriends meander among the high-end clothing boutiques or peruse the knickknacks at Renegade Handmade, which, like many shops in the area, is dedicated to promoting and selling the work of local artists and designers.

As the five-’o-clock shadow hits Chicago, subdued frat types and sports fans emerge to escape the rowdy bar scene of Wrigleyville and head west to The Fifty/50 for the latest game, or to Jerry’s for beer and live music.

Plenty of dining options include the elegant Mana Food Bar and the more down-to-earth Crust, where well-dressed hipsters enjoy organic dishes before heading to Bangers & Lace for craft beer and cocktails. Most of the restaurants offer outdoor seating, and on warm-weather weekends the sidewalks are brimming with energy and the sounds of live music and team cheers.

Perfect for easygoing types who prefer to avoid the downtown crowds, Division Street offers casual shopping and dining in a neighborhood overflowing with youthful vigor.