Division Street

20s / Anything goes / Artists / Artsy / Bars / Brunch / Cocktails / Couples / Dancing / Dinner / Frat Guys / Free / Good for Groups / Groups / High End / Hipster / Japanese Food / Laid back / Live Music / Mid 30s / Nightlife Area / Outdoor Area / Restaurants / Sandals / Shopping / Shopping Area / Shorts / Skirts / Sports / Sports Fans / Sushi / T-shirts / TVs / Unpretentious / Wi-Fi / Young Professionals
Division Street 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... Chicago United States 41.9032991526929 -87.6717352867126
4.73 6
Division Street - Nightlife Area | Shopping Area in Chicago.
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2 User Reviews
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Ratings:
Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review 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... ... read full review

  • Train:

    Blue Line: Division

  • Hours:

    24/7

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot
    • Night Spot

Party Earth Division Street Review

The Scene

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...

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.

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Tip from Emma:

Street parking along Division Street often fills up during weekends. Although the area is easy to access via metro, if you have to drive, head west to Damen Avenue for a better chance at cheap parking.

  • Crowd

    Easygoing local hipsters, young professionals, artistic types, older couples and families earlier in the day, and frat types and party girls in the evenings, mostly early 20s to mid-30s.

  • Entertainment / Music

    Highlight Include:
    Annual Wicker Park Fest for food, booze, and crafts in late July along nearby Milwaukee Avenue.

    Dancing at InnJoy (2051 West Division Street) and Jerry’s (1938 West Division Street).

    Several sports bars with large TVs on the west end of Division , including The Fifty/50 (2047 West Division Street) and The Boundary Tavern and Grille (1932 West Division Street).

    Free Wi-Fi in various locations.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    Many restaurants and taverns along the stretch.

    Highlight Include:
    The Boundary (1932 West Division) for upscale American fare

    Makisu (1725 West Division Street) for sushi

    Milk & Honey (1920 W Division Street) for brunch.

    Coffee and pastries at Alliance Bakery (1736 West Division Street) and Caffe Streets (1750 West Division Street).

  • Prices

    Restaurants and bars are mostly mid-range. Clothing boutiques and specialty shops like Renegade Handmade (1924 West Division Street) are more upscale.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Anything goes: laid-back shorts, skirts, sandals, and t-shirts to more upscale attire for nighttime.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    Daytime for shopping, brunch, and afternoon drinks, and Friday, Saturday, and summer evenings for the most upbeat nightlife scene, dinner, and dancing.

  • Close By

    The intersection of Milwaukee, North, and Damen Avenues offers more shopping, dozens of restaurants, and a hopping bar scene.

Tags:
20sAnything goesArtistsArtsyBarsBrunchCocktailsCouplesDancingDinnerFrat GuysFreeGood for GroupsGroupsHigh EndHipsterJapanese FoodLaid backLive MusicMid 30sOutdoor AreaRestaurantsSandalsShoppingShortsSkirtsSportsSports FansSushiT-shirtsTVsUnpretentiousWi-FiYoung Professionals

Division Street User Reviews

Average rating:
The Old and the New of the Polish Triangle
Eric C.
Eric C. Feb 11, 2013
Ashland. Division. Milwaukee. If you start your Wicker Park and Bucktown trip at this intersection, pick any of the six directions to travel and you'll find something to please ever member of your party. Since I have moved to within walking distance of the Division Blue Line stop, a major transportation plus for anyone planning a late night, I would pick to go west on Division St. for the full experience. Many of not only the most popular restaurants, bars and shops but also hidden treasures of all varieties are densely located in this lively area. There are too many places that I've enjoyed in the area that warrant a separate review, so let me tell you why you'd want to choose Division St. as your Chicago day or night out. Variety is paramount. Variety not only in cultural cuisine but also in how much you feel like spending that day, depending on your mood, and bank account. Ease of transportation is a huge plus with the above mentioned Blue Line stop as well as numerous bus routes. If you're driving and can't find parking or don't want to pay the parking or valet fees, you can always park at any Blue Line stop and be where you want in just a few minutes. The crowd, the culture and the relative safety are all huge positives. There are hole-in-the-wall Polish places from Chicago's history that serve some of the best food and stiffest drinks, newly renovated buildings that have attracted both a younger crowd as well as provided an area considered much safer than other parts of the city, and what I find most important, and why I chose to live here, the tangible personality of this part of the city. This area feels like Chciago.
If you're a student, go here to study!
Christina W.
Christina W. Dec 8, 2012
My senior year of college, I regularly made the 1+ hour transit trek up to Division Street to do homework. I know that sounds crazy, but it is my favorite place to hang out with my books and laptop and just do homework. If you are a person who can focus while there are people walking around, there is no better place. I tend to hole up in Alliance Bakery for hours and do work, but another great place (if you like to have a side of beer with your reading) is Jerry's, which has amazing sandwiches and a stellar craft beer list. Milk & Honey is also awesome (they have great coffee and breakfast), but they don't have WiFi, so that's a bummer. And for breaks, just wander the street! There are so many boutiques and cute little shops to pop into. Or settle down somewhere on a patio or by a window for a lunch break and people watch. I highly recommend it.
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