Welcome to Bucktown/Wicker Park
There is a reason why Wicker Park and Bucktown are dubbed “the Brooklyn of Chicago.” It is effortlessly cool and has been a trendsetter for the underground Indie set for decades. Their infrastructure has followed suit, creating businesses that draw on the raw charisma that makes the neighborhoods attractive. Though Bucktown and Wicker Park are technically separate neighborhoods, any Chicagoan can testify to how the two communities bleed into one another, creating an interconnected enclave of artists, chefs, and designers. Both contain trendy restaurants, cozy coffee shops, artisanal cocktail bars, unique nightclubs, and hip art galleries.
Bucktown and Wicker Park are known for taking the trends and styles of yesteryear and modernizing them for a new generation. As a result, its vintage shopping scene is one of the best in the city, inviting buyers from Chicago and the suburbs to come in droves. The love of reinventing old classics extends to residential architecture, with historic buildings being renovated to preserve the elegant details of traditional design, such as fireplaces and crown molding, but adding the modern amenities of new appliances.
Luxury lofts and condominiums are also being erected, creating spacious areas for residents to unwind at the end of the day. The neighborhood is rife with colorful murals, sculpture installations, and lush greenery, tying the community together.
What to Love
Local Lifestyle
The eclectic atmosphere is an active hive for creatives. What started as an underground hub of youthful artists has matured into an established district of art galleries, trendy cafes, and chic boutiques.
Bucktown and Wicker Park attract an artsy crowd, with residents predominately made up of curators, artisans, and business owners. Vintage shops like the iconic Ragstock and Buffalo Exchange bring in a young demographic who crave rare and unique finds within the bohemian neighborhood.
Locals who bought properties when Wicker Park and Bucktown were still developing have since become landmarks and are responsible for setting major trends. During the hipster movement in the 2010s, Wicker Park and Bucktown were booming with up-and-coming cafes and boutiques. Now, the neighborhood has expanded to include new forms of shopping and nightlife, maintaining its status as the premier hub for exciting new opportunities.
Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping
For upscale shopping, P45 is the perfect spot to find high-end clothing. Dozens of international and national brands, such as GANNI, Soeur, and Tela, sell their work in this local shop, providing quality accessories and pieces.
Robin Richman is a boutique that believes art should be worn. Partnering with French, Italian, British, and Scandinavian brands, Robin Richman leans into rustic artistry, offering niche styles through leatherwork, silverwork, and distressed linen.
Standing in the statuesque glory of Art Deco design is The Robey Hotel. Once a 1929 office building, the hotel has breathed new life into the structure, offering sleek minimalist rooms with details reminiscent of 1920s glamor. Their cafe captures this atmosphere, offering comfort food with seasonal ingredients.
The quirky design of Mott St’s interiors is the perfect backdrop to Asian-fusion cuisine. Fresh, delicious, and highly creative, Mott St utilizes unique flavor combinations to create satisfying dishes in a cozy atmosphere.
The Violet Hour is a chic callback to the timeless sophistication of cocktail bars before prohibition. Every season new artisanal cocktails are crafted, offering new and refreshing drinks. It is by their creative mixology that The Violet Hour has earned a James Beard Award.
To step into Club Lucky is to enter a bygone era. Emulating the casual elegance of a 1940s supper club, the restaurant serves classic Italian cuisine. The Club Room and Cocktail Lounge are ideal for private events, adding an amazing element of celebration.
Things to Do
For 2.7 miles, residents can enjoy nature on a landscaped trail. The 606 was once a rail line, cutting through Wicker Park as the perfect hiking trail for marathons and outdoor events like yoga in the park.
Within two floors, the Subterranean contains a theater for musicians, comics, and dancers to perform. This underground gem has been a top venue for those who want to spend time with friends and loved ones.
As a major artistic hive, Wicker Park Art Fest is one of the season’s most anticipated events. Residents can enjoy live music and unique craftsmanship in the open-air art fest.
Music enthusiasts are given the time of their life during Do Division Street Fest. Musicians from around the world perform on one of two stages, with food vendors from Chicago’s best restaurants feeding attendees delicious food.
