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Welcome To Wrigleyville

Named for the baseball stadium that occupies a city block in its center, Wrigleyville is one of the smallest and one of the most colorful and culturally vibrant neighborhoods in the city of Chicago. It boasts rich history and remains a well-known hotspot for entertainment, dining and nightlife, and of course, America's favorite pastime. Home to the Chicago Cubs, Wrigleyville is an exciting place to live during the summer when the Major League season is in full swing. Games days are like a street festival as throngs of fans mob Wrigley Field decked in their favorite Cubbies cap and T-shirt. The spillover of Cubs supporters who aren't able to watch the action from inside the park take a seat at the local Wrigleyville bars that, needless to say, showing the game on TV.

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[Demographics, Shopping, Entertainment, and more...]
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Wrigleyville Facts

Location: About 5 miles north of the Loop
Boundaries: Grace Street to the north, Fremont Street to the east, Cornelia Avenue to the south and Racine Avenue to the west
Bordering Neighborhoods: Lakeview, Lakeview East
Crime Statistics: Go to CLEARMap to search specific streets and areas for crime incidents

Then and Now

Home to the loveable losers of Chicago's north side -- the Chicago Cubs (who are surprising everyone with their 2007 season) -- Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison St, 773-404-2827) is one of the most revered temples of baseball in the nation. "The Friendly Confines," as it is affectionately referred to by the Cubs' faithful, is the second oldest Major League ballpark still in use (behind Fenway Park in Boston). It's also one of the smallest, and as a result is considered by many to be more intimate and fan-friendly than modern baseball stadiums. But before we get our minds all caught up in the amusement of our national pastime, let's get a little history on how Wrigleyville came to be.

The largely unpopulated tract of land (that included present-day Wrigleyville) was annexed by the city of Chicago in 1889, at which time the number of residents began to grow at a very rapid pace. A working-class neighborhood of European immigrants from the start, Wrigleyville didn't emerge as an urban destination spot until the baseball stadium was built in the early 1900s and a prosperous shopping district blossomed just to the south of the small community in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The stadium was first erected in 1914, called Weeghman Park after the club's part owner Charles A. Weeghman. It became home to the Cubbies (as they are called by fans) two years later, but by 1918, Weeghman had moved over and ceded his shares in the Cubs to chewing gum mogul William Wrigley -- hence the new name Wrigley Field. After nearly a decade at the helm, Wrigley saw it fit to expand the seating capacity of the stadium, relocating the grandstand, adding an upper deck, and putting in bleacher seats along right field.

One of the main explanations for the old-timey charm that Wrigley Field evokes is its stubborn resistance to change. When Weeghman leased the property on which the ballpark stands, he stipulated that no renovations should ever exceed $70,000. While that condition has never been obeyed exactly, it did set a precedent for the sense of tradition that enables the old stadium to endure. Take, for example, the fact that Wrigley Field was the last Major League stadium in the nation to install lights. Not until 1988, after the team (and their home base) was sold to the Tribune Company, were floodlights incorporated into the stadium design, enabling it to finally host night games. And even then the move was strongly resisted by longtime fans.

But lights aren't the half of it. If you go to a Cubs game, you'll get the feeling that something is missing, without really knowing what it is. Well, unlike other big league fields, Wrigley lacks the electronic jumbotron scoreboard and video screen that has become a fixture of professional sports arena across America. Instead, the park still uses the same manual scoreboard that was erected in 1937 -- a man can often be spied changing the numbers on the board while games are in session -- talk about old school! The other distinguishing feature that sets Wrigley apart from the rest is the sheet of thick Boston ivy that grows on the brick wall in the outfield. The ball is often lost in the greenery, signaling a "ground rule double" (which means the batter automatically advances to second base).

A source of perennial heartbreak to their fans, the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908 (although in 2007 this no-luck ball club gave their loyal supporters something to talk about). There is, however, always a reasonable explanation for their often tragic shortcomings. As legend has it, the curse of the billy goat, which took hold in 1945, has prevented the team winning or even making it as far as the World Series. The story goes: In game four of the World Series against Detroit that year, a Wrigleyville tavern owner named Billy Sianis reportedly came to the game accompanied by his goat, and after parading the goat around on the field with a sign pinned to it that read "We Got Detroit's Goat," the two were subsequently ejected from the premises. Livid, Sianis allegedly placed a curse on the team that they should never win another pennant -- which they still haven't managed to do.

Resorting to superstition is not necessarily without foundation when it comes to trying to explain the Cubs' losing streak. They haven't made it to the World Series since Sianis put a spell on them, but several times they have come breathtakingly close. The most recent season-ending tragedy was in 1993, when the Cubs found themselves enjoying a 3-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning of the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins, a mere five outs from a trip to the World Series. As fate would have it, a Marlins batter hit a foul ball to the warning track in left field, still playable for outfielder Moises Alou, but very close to the stands. Alou put his glove up only to have it intercepted by a fan named Steve Bartman (who was subsequently run out of town). At that point, the momentum took a dramatic shift; Florida went on to rally for eight unanswered runs in the eighth and ninth innings, and further deflated the Cubs chances at glory when they won game seven in Florida, depriving the Cubs of what many thought was rightfully theirs.
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Real Estate

Because of its close proximity to the lake, the vibrant nightlife and eclectic dining scene, Wrigleyville has become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in all of Chicago. And the housing in Wrigleyville boasts something no other neighborhood in the city can -- rooftop bleachers with an amazing view of Wrigley Field. That's right, the rows of mid-rise buildings along the east and north edge of the stadium are known for their additional features that trump granite countertops and rooftop patios any day. While most fans watch the game from inside the park, many people pay a pretty penny for seats outside Wrigley Field where you can still get all the hotdogs, beer and peanuts you want, but without the crowds or lines. Needless to say, these homes are not often on the market, so let's move on to some that are.

Getting away from the central business and entertainment district of Clark Street, the rest of Wrigleyville's neighborhood area is, for the most part, quiet tree-lined streets, densely packed with low- and mid-rise residential buildings, multi-unit condominiums, two- and three-flats, and magnificently restored single-family townhomes, which include rehabbed Victorian greystones.

The neighborhood boomed in the 1980s, which created a high demand for real estate in Wrigleyville that has never really waned. Now you can expect to find one- or two-bedroom condos or flats for a range of prices that averages around $370,000, however, there are places available for under $200,000 if you take your time to buy. On the high end, one- and two-bedroom places around here sell for $650,000 or more. The average sales price for a three-bedroom unit in Wrigleyville neighborhood is about $555,000. Again, it pays to shop around because prices vary greatly. There are also a handful of detached single-family homes in Wrigleyville, but these usually cost over a million dollars.
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What's on the Menu?

First and foremost, before weighing the other dining options in Wrigleyville, it's important to establish what the ballpark vendors are hawking. Despite its enduring charm, the food at Wrigley was widely considered to be some of the worst in the Major Leagues until the 2005 season when they hired Levy Restaurants (the same folks from US Cellular Field) to operate their concessions. They now have Maxwell Street Polish sausages, 12-inch hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, and you can expect them all to be top-notch.

It's important, though, for the uninitiated to understand how to order and consume these local delicacies, lest they suffer the embarrassment of offending the native customs. Most importantly, hot dogs are taken without ketchup. A genuine "Chicago-style hot dog" consists of a hot dog smothered in nearly everything at hand except ketchup -- mustard, relish, white onions, fresh tomatoes and often hot peppers. Polish sausages, similarly, are served without ketchup. Normally, they are prepared with yellow mustard and sauteed onions and hot peppers. If there's any use for it at all, ketchup is reserved for french fries.

Turning our backs on the cuisine of the Friendly Confines, Wrigleyville is actually a bit of a hotbed for cafe culture, which bears little relation to the baseball enthusiasm in the surrounding streets. The most popular, perhaps, is Uncommon Ground (1214 W Grace St, 773-929-3680). The place is divided into three basic rooms: a bar, a coffee shop, and a dining area. The dining space, while it does serve that main function during meal time, also hosts poetry readings and live musical performances. Like most of the neighborhood, Uncommon Ground comes alive in the summer with a large capacity for outdoor seating, the sidewalk tables are packed on a daily basis. Come winter, though, things don't necessarily cool down. The dining room features two wood-burning fireplaces that are cooking all winter long. And by night the cafe transforms into an American-style bistro that features organic produce and appetizing contemporary American fare. Brunch is always a favorite at UG, too, so be sure to come early and expect a bit of a wait.

At the other end of the spectrum is the always-popular Pick Me Up Cafe (3408 N Clark St, 773-248-6613). A hotspot for teens that are exempt from the bar scene, Pick Me Up stays open all night long on the weekends so it's the perfect place to turn to when the Clark Street bars announce last call. The place oozes style and character, and with a great jukebox and the colorful tabletop collages, it seems to work for nighthawks of all ages. Part of the allure of this neighborhood staple is it's one of the only establishments in Wrigleyville where carnivores and vegetarian/vegans can eat side-by-side in complete harmony. The staff has committed throughout the years to offering vegan alternatives, and most any herbivore would be satisfied with the selection. Oh yeah, and the coffee drinks are out of this world.

If standard diner fare is what you're in the mood for, then look no further than the Salt & Pepper Diner (3537 N Clark St, 773-883-9800), where hungry patrons are consistently met with heaping plates of eggs or burgers for some of the cheapest prices in town. The cooks are fast, the servers are faster, and the food is always satisfying. With enough chrome to build a fleet of Mac trucks, the vibe of this place is stuck in the 1950s, but the jukebox gives voice to all points in between. The seating capacity here is such that you shouldn't ever have to wait for a table, but if push comes to shove, you can just shore-up to the front counter and watch your burger sizzle before your eyes.

While a cheap neighborhood diner can be a lifesaver, we're often in the mood for something a little adventurous, which calls for a trip down to Raw Bar & Grill (3720 N Clark St, 773-348-7291). Not to be mistaken as part of the raw food movement, the only raw items (besides salads) that you'll find here are the Blue Point oysters on the half shell. The rest of the menu though consists of offbeat innovations and unusual treats to tempt the tastebuds. The alligator smothered in tarragon and mushroom cream sauce is a long-time favorite, but it doesn't eclipse the grilled frog legs or ostrich meat. Most of these specialty dishes appear on the list of small plates, but there are also entrees that include some of the best seafood around at market price. Dinner is served in the Ivory Room, which also accommodates live jazz on occasion. The other half of the restaurant houses a full bar, which can get pretty raucous on the weekends.

Speaking of raw, one of the best places in town for fresh and affordable sushi is just down the street at Matsuya (3469 N Clark St, 773-248-2677). The place has been around for ages, and it continues to attract hoards of sushi lovers every night of the week. Matsuya first opened as a Japanese restaurant that featured a couple of sushi rolls, but the addition of a separate sushi bar in recent years has really increased the volume of weekend traffic. Besides the sushi, though, this Wrigleyville neighborhood mainstay offers a full menu of Japanese specialties -- mostly seafood -- that are certain to delight. The dining room is a bit cramped, but the sushi bar provides patrons with a little more breathing room and a great view of the sushi chefs in action.

If you absolutely must catch dinner before the ballgame and refuse to fill up on hot dogs and sausages, try the reliable neighborhood trattoria: Tuscany (3700 N Clark, 773-404-7700). Tuscany is a casual affair but the food is very high quality. Featuring northern Italian cuisine, the thin crust pizza that's fired in a wood-burning brick oven is probably the most notable and popular menu item. Many of the pastas are made in the restaurant, ensuring the utmost freshness. The restaurant's hours vary according to whether or not there's a ballgame, so be sure to call before heading over.
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Best Shopping Stops

Wrigleyville is not widely considered to be a shopping destination, unless of course you're in search of baseball memorabilia; there's plenty of that. The best places in the city to stock up on jerseys, hats and mini-bats are from the businesses right outside the ballpark (they're much more expensive inside the gates).

Probably the most visible of the vendors surrounding Wrigley Field is Sports World (3555 N Clark St, 888-428-9675), located right across the road from the main gate at Clark and Addison streets. While they've got just about every imaginable type of Cubs memorabilia, they specialize in jerseys, which come in all shapes and sizes. Looking to get the throwback jersey for a player that retired in 1947? Chances are they'll have it. If not, they'll probably be willing to make it for you. Sports World specializes in custom-made jerseys, either with your name on the back or your favorite player's. It'll cost you though, as your average customized baseball shirt runs upwards of $150.

Around the corner on Addison Street you can't miss Wrigleyville Sports (959 W Addison St, 773-883-2079), at the entrance to the Addison Red Line El station. If there's a single word that should be used to describe the stock at Wrigleyville Sports, it would have to be everything. They claim to carry just about every licensed Cubs item from a Mister Potato Head decked-out in a Cubs uniform to a lacey garter belt embroidered with little Cubs logos. While the gear here is overwhelmingly Cubs-centric, no Chicago sports team is entirely left out. You can still find a stray White Sox cap or a Bulls jersey, but you may suffer a disapproving glance at the cash register. Not to be outdone by the competition, Chicago Sports & Novelty (948 W Addison St, 773-281-3633), which has several locations throughout Chicago, actually sets up two shops in Wrigleyville neighborhood for every home game. The first (their permanent location) is a storefront just across the street from Wrigleyville Sports, beneath the CTA elevated tracks. The other (a small, portable vending stand) is set up on the corner of Clark and Addison before the game starts. Unlike the other guys, Chicago Sports doesn't exactly specialize in one thing, so they're a good bet for caps, all kinds of athletic merchandise and novelties.
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Night on the Town

While we enjoy beer bought off the roving vendors at Wrigley Field, the chances of us being at a Cubs game every time we crave a brew is regrettably low. Fortunately, because of the neighborhood's proximity to the nexus of Cubs fervor, there are plenty of sports bars lining Addison and Clark streets, and Sheffield and Waveland avenues, where you find droves of Cub fans celebrating -- both their victories and their losses.

Murphy's Bleachers (3655 N Sheffield Ave, 773-281-5356) really packs 'em in and charges around $4.50 for an import or microbrew. Check out their replica of Wrigley Field in the back bar and scarf down a half-pound burger pre- or post-game -- and we're not kidding about the crowd here, so be prepared to weave in and out to get up to the bar. Heading south, and rounding the corner to Addison Street, you'll find the always popular Sports Corner Restaurant & Lounge (956 W Addison St, 773 929-1441). Nestled between the Addison Red Line CTA stop and the western gate of the ballpark, Sports Corner is a baseball institution. Draft beers are reasonable and the atmosphere on game day is electric as ticketless fans catch the game on TVs from the barstools. This Wrigleyville neighborhood favorite also boasts a large sidewalk patio, which is the urban equivalent to tailgating.

Relive your fraternity days -- or at least other patrons' frat days -- at the Cubby Bear (1059 W Addison St, 773-327-1662) complete with stacks of beer cans, gratuitous high-fiving and manly chest-thumping. The Cubby Bear vies with Murphy's Bleachers for the title of the post-game watering hole, both for its proximity to the ballpark and for its sheer immensity. It boasts five full-service bars and another beer-only bar, and more than 50 HD TVs. Despite its super-sized facilities though, the Cubby Bear is perpetually overflowing with rowdy fans. After the game is over, the attention at the Cubby Bear turns to one of their several stages, where musicians perform and DJs spin into the night. If ever there was a place that could recreate the atmosphere of a fraternity without the benefit of a college campus or Greek letters, it would be John Barleycorn (3524 N. Clark St, 773-549-6000). Even the most faithful clientele of this Wrigleyville neighborhood outpost will describe the bar with one word: "fratty." But to be fair, the folks at John Barleycorn have created an atmospheric bar that is attractive and trendy. With exposed brick walls and vaulted ceilings of thick wooden beams that are dressed with an occasional velvet curtain and antique chandelier, it's a handsome setting for a night on the town -- or a bachelorette party.

Sluggers Sports Bar & Dueling Pianos (3540 N Clark St, 773-248-0055) is your typical sports bar crossed with a Chuck E. Cheese, which is where every twenty-something Cubs fan wants to have their next birthday party (of course). As the name suggests, there are two "dueling pianos" that are situated upstairs and attract musicians from all over, entertaining legions of fans and locals from around Chicago. The audience bellows requests and are invited to dance on the pianos, as the pianists show off their chops. As you might expect, the setting fosters a state of general debauchery. Also upstairs, and billed as a complete entertainment emporium, Sluggers offers a full video arcade, a batting cage, several pool tables, air hokey, trampoline basketball, and skee-ball. Though affiliated with the bar, this portion of Sluggers is open to all ages (and yes, you can have your birthday party there). You won't find dueling pianos at the Piano Man (3801 N Clark St, 773-868-9611); in fact, you won't find any pianos at all, but you will encounter friendly bartenders, a band of faithful regulars and some dangerously cheap beer. Located just a block up Clark Street from Wrigley Field, Piano Man is a pleasant alternative to the bigger sports bars in the area. There's a nice outdoor patio in the back, and because no food is offered, you're invited to bring your own. And for the price of one beer in the ballpark, you can get a pitcher of Miller on every game day.

Though it's not a sports bar, per se, Goose Island Wrigleyville (3535 N Clark St, 773-832-9040) remains one of the top post-game destinations for Cubs fans. For the uninitiated, Goose Island is widely considered to be one of the best craft breweries in the nation, and it's based out of hometown Chicago. In recent years its beer has become more recognizable, as its distribution now spans 15 states, most of which are in the Midwest. The tap handles at the brewpub are, as you might expect, shaped to look like a long goose neck and head with bill. The most popular of their beers is probably the Honkers Ale, and they also offer a few specialty brews at the bar that you won't find at the liquor store. Children and non-drinkers won't be left out though, as Goose Island also makes a pretty tasty root beer and several other specialty sodas. As with most bars in the neighborhood, Goose Island is large and can easily accommodate parties. The restaurant serves bar food, which is always done well, and with specialties like classic Bavarian pretzels and stilton burgers, it's hard to go wrong.

There's one more scenario that we've all experienced once or twice in Wrigleyville: imagine that you find yourself lost on Clark Street in an evening dress and a pair of stilettos, encountering nothing but sports bars for as far as the eye can see. In such dire circumstances, fate would have it that you accidentally stumble into Moxie (3517 N Clark St, 773-935-6694) and, with martini in hand, order is restored to the universe. Positioning itself as the antidote to just this predicament, Moxie is, hands-down, the hippest spot on the strip. With its austere oak bar and very modern aesthetic, it's a nice escape from the baseball ballyhoo of the rest of Wrigleyville neighborhood. The drinks are outstanding and the food's not bad either. The menu consists of all tapas and appetizer-size dishes, with standouts like the lobster rangoon and Kahlua mashed sweet potatoes. Moxie isn't the only trendy lounge that's staked out its territory in Wrigleyville in recent years. Tryst (3485 N Clark St, 773-755-3980) and Spot 6 (3343 N Clark S, 773-388-0185) have saddled up right alongside, marking a shift in the focus of neighborhood nightlife. Tryst also does small plate entrees and boasts a full bar with a healthy martini list. Spot 6 is more heavy on the drinks and light on the victuals; but don't worry, they've got some finger foods and appetizers if you're hungry. The drinks at Spot 6 are probably more reasonable than those at either Moxie or Tryst, and they've usually got a live DJ at night, inspiring clientele to shake their groove thing.
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Showtime!

The Cubs rule in Wrigleyville, but only for six months out of the year (provided that they don't make the playoffs). The rest of the year, and when the Cubs are out of town, the neighborhood doesn't just go into hibernation -- there are more than enough non-sports related diversions to keep your fun-seeking appetite satiated. The other reason people travel long distances to come to Wrigleyville is for its premier live music venues.

At the center of it all stands Metro (3730 N Clark St, 773-549-0203), a hallowed sanctuary for music-lovers young and old. The historic building was originally built to be a Swedish Community Center and was later converted into a performance space, opening as the Metro in 1982. Having hosted such acts as James Brown, Jane's Addiction, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Billy Idol over the years, Metro is easily one of the most storied music theaters in Chicago. The best part of catching a show here is that, for a large club, the venue still has an amazing level of intimacy, much like that of Wrigley Field. It features a huge dance floor and a smaller upper deck, which makes the sightlines pretty decent from just about anywhere. There is a full bar upstairs, and when the show's over, much of the crowd goes next door to the neighboring SmartBar (3730 N Clark St, 773-549-0203), which is under the same management.

If rock is not your scene or you feel like hitting up the dance floor, the Wild Hare (3530 N. Clark St, 773-327-4273) should suit your needs. A big reggae club in the middle of Wrigleyville, the Wild Hare attracts anyone from straight-off-the-boat dreadlocked rastas to middle-aged mothers from the suburbs, and everyone in between. Every night of the week there's either a live band or a DJ, and the music tends more towards dancehall than roots reggae, but there's a touch of everything. Expect to pay a cover charge (you have to buy a ticket at a little booth on the corner of Clark & Eddy streets), but it's never too much. If you like reggae music, but the act at the Wild Hare isn't doing it for you, just jog across the street to Exedus II (3477 N Clark St, 773-348-3998), a smaller club that's equally devout to its Jamaican roots. This Wrigleyville hotspot features live reggae or a DJ four days per week (Wednesday-Saturday), and the cover charge is lifted if you show up early on Wednesdays and Sundays. Chances are that you won't though, because Exedus is one of those clubs that doesn't truly hit its stride until about midnight.

And if you're searching for a place to tickle your funny bone, look no further than the I.O. Theatre (3541 N Clark St, 773-880-0199). Formerly known as ImprovOlympic, the I.O. was started more than 25 years ago by improve legend Del Close and features a different brand of comedy than the better known Second City in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. I.O. acts are long-form improv, with most of the sketches running for 20-30 minutes. Actors take cues from the audience and roll with it, creating a comedy sketch that is both spontaneous and hilarious. Chris Farley, Stephen Colbert and Andy Dick have all performed at the I.O. Theatre, which means you never know whether that crazy comedian up on the stage could be the next major star destined to make millions laugh with their chosen profession.
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Mark Your Calendar

Baseball season starts in the first week of April and runs through September, with the postseason extending to the end of October, so you can imagine what takes priority in Wrigleyville during those months. With 162 games played in the regular season by each team, and roughly half of those at home, expect the streets around Clark and Addison to fill up on at least 81 separate occasions in the course of a year. Though the lights are up, the majority of the Cubs home games are still played in the afternoon. However, in recent years, there has been a push to move more games to the evening, signaling that eventually the Cubs will -- like most other teams in the league -- play the majority of their home games at night. Most of the resistance to the lights has come from residents of Wrigleyville, who have expressed concerns over the years that night games would be disruptive and attract crowds of rowdy baseball fans to the neighborhood into the late hours. Either way, change seems imminent.

Acquiring tickets to a Cubs game on any given day can be a rather difficult affair, as they are often in higher demand than the cross-town rival, the Chicago White Sox. Tickets, which generally cost between $30 and $50, can be purchased at the Cubs Box Office (1060 W Addison St, 773-404-2827) on game day, or at the Cubs website. If you aren't able to score the tickets through the regular channels, there's always Stubhub (3759 N Racine St, 866-788-2482), a company that traffics face-value tickets. Remember: scalping isn't illegal if the tickets are sold for face-value or less. You'll often find better tickets through Stubhub than you would at the box office, but you will have to pay a 25 percent surcharge for the privilege.

In addition to enjoying a game from within Wrigley Field, some lucky Wrigleyville residents catch the action from their rooftops on Sheffield and Waveland avenues. In the 1980s & '90s, many of the building owners on those streets started charging fans admission to their rooftops, which prompted a piracy lawsuit from the team. Now, after a settlement out of court, the Wrigley Rooftops Association is officially recognized and legitimate -- and the views are just as good as those inside the park.

At the peak of summer in early-July, the neighborhood hosts the annual Wrigleyville Summerfest (3300 N Seminary Ave), an event that includes live music, food and drink, and even activities for children. A rather quiet residential block between Roscoe and School streets shuts down for a day every summer, as about a half-dozen bands perform throughout the afternoon on stages erected in the middle of the festivities. Local vendors set up concessions and a beer garden is sectioned-off. For the kids, there's a climbing wall, a small petting zoo and pony rides.
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Getting Around

Wrigleyville is a particularly small neighborhood, so in terms of getting around the immediate environs, walking is definitely the preferred mode of transportation. As you might guess, parking is especially tough here; factoring in the baseball stadium, live shows, and the many nightlife attractions, you'd be lucky to score a reasonable spot without having to pay or circle the blocks for a good 20 minutes. There are no parking garages in Wrigleyville, however, there are a few lots located near the elevated tracks behind Sheffield Street, and street parking is very scarce. In fact, unlike the rest of the city, you even have to feed parking meters in Wrigleyville on Sundays because several store owners expressed discontent with baseball fans gobbling up all the neighborhood parking. Residents have it a little easier though, as they are allocated neighborhood parking permits, which enable them to park on residential side streets.

As a result of all the activity in the neighborhood, taxis are almost always present and easy to hail. The best spot to go in search of an available cab would be anywhere on Clark Street, which is the neighborhood's main commercial artery. When driving you can take Clark for destinations in the vicinity, but to get downtown or to other parts of the city, we recommend taking the multi-lane Lake Shore Drive, which runs along the waterfront and offers a quick route to the Loop.

But when it comes down to it, public transit is definitely our preferred way of getting to and from Wrigleyville, as the CTA Red Line "El" cuts right through the heart of the neighborhood. The stop is adjacent to Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Hop on the train here (which is elevated above street level -- hence the nickname the El) and it will shuttle you directly south to downtown or north to Rogers Park and Evanston. Another useful alternative for north/south travel is the #22 Clark Street bus. It arrives every 10 to 15 minutes and is known as one of the more reliable buses in the city. Plus, it can take you to some great neighborhoods, all the way from the Chicago Loop to the northern end of Rogers Park. We also find the #152 Addison Street bus to be handy when heading east to the lakefront or west to Old Irving Park.
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Basic Needs

We've compiled a sampling of some of the places you can get your bare necessities in Wrigleyville neighborhood, from the box office to the bar stool, restaurants to rooftops.

Dining

American Cuisine
Fuel RestauBar - 3724 N Clark St - (773) 248-3330
Improv Kitchen - 3419 N Clark St - (773) 868-6423
Moe's Cantina - 3518 N Clark St - (773) 248-0002
Pick Me Up Cafe - 3408 N Clark - (773) 248-6613
Salt & Pepper Diner - 3537 N Clark St - (773) 883-9800

Asian Cuisine
Chen's Chinese & Sushi - 3506 N Clark St - (773) 549-9100
Penny's Noodle Shop - 3400 N Sheffield - (773) 281-8222

Coffee Shops/Cafes
Uncommon Ground - 1214 W Grace - (773) 929-3680

Fast Food
Wrigleyville Dog - 3737 N Clark St - (773) 296-1500

Italian Cuisine
Tuscany - 3700 N Clark St - (773) 404-7700
Fly Me to the Moon - 3400 N Clark St - (773) 528-4033
Mia Francesca - 3311 N Clark St - (773) 281-3310
Vines on Clark - 3554 N Clark St - (773) 327-8572

Japanese Cuisine
Matsuya - 3469 N Clark St - (773) 248-2677

Latin Cuisine
Moxie - 3517 N Clark St - (773) 935-6694
Twist - 3412 N Sheffield Ave - (773) 388-2727

Nightlife/Bars
Abner's Yard - 3527 N Clark St - (773) 305-0002
Bar Louie - 3545 N Clark St - (773) 296-2500
Bernie's Tavern - 3664 N Clark St - (773) 525-1898
Casey Moran's - 3660 N Clark St - (773) 755-4444
Cubby Bear - 1059 W Addison St - (773)327-1662
DugOut Sports Bar & Grill - 950 W Addison Street - (773) 472-0400
Full Shilling Public House - 3724 N Clark St - (773) 248-3330
Ginger Man - 3740 N Clark St - (773) 549-2050
Goose Island Wrigleyville - 3535 N Clark St - (773) 832-9040
Hawthorne Place - 1130 W Cornelia Ave - (773) 404-8913
Hi-Tops - 3551 N Sheffield Ave - (773) 348-0009
Irish Oak - 3511 N Clark St - (773) 935-6669
John Barleycorn - 3524 N Clark St - (773) 549-6000
Merkles Bar & Grill - 3516 N Clark St - (773) 244-1025
Moe's Cantina - 3518 N Clark St - (773) 248-0002
Mullen's On Clark - 3527 N Clark St - (773) 325-2319
Murphy's Bleachers - 3655 N Sheffield 773-281-3685
Raw Bar & Grill - 3720 N Clark St - (773) 348-7291
Red Ivy - 3525 N Clark St - (773) 472-0900
Sanko Restaurant & Lounge - 3485 N Clark St - (773) 528-1930
Sluggers Sports Bar & Dueling Pianos - 3540 N Clark St - (773) 472-9696
SmartBar - 3730 N Clark St - (773) 549-0203
Sports Corner Restaurant - 956 W Addison St - (773) 929-1441
Trace - 3714 N Clark St - (773) 477-3400
Wrigleyville North - 3900 N Sheridan Rd - (773) 929-9543
Yak-Zies Bar & Grill - 3710 N Clark St - (773) 525-9200

Pizza
Pizza-Ria - 3515 N Clark St - (773) 248-3111

Seafood
Raw Bar & Grill - 3720 N Clark St - (773) 348-7291

Emergency Rooms

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - (Lakeview) 836 W Wellington Ave - (773) 975-1600

Entertainment

Exedus - II 3477 N Clark St - (773) 348-3998
I.O. Theatre - 3541 N Clark St - (773) 880-0199
Metro - 3730 N Clark St - (773) 549-0203
Sluggers Indoor Sport Facility - 3540 N Clark St - (773) 472-9696
Wild Hare - 3530 N Clark St - (773) 327-4273

Events

Chicago Cubs - 1060 West Addison - (773) 404-CUBS
Wrigleyville Summerfest - 3300 N Seminary Ave

Grocery Stores

Addison Food Mart Inc - 947 W Addison, - (773) 244-1976
Jewel-Osco - 3630 N Southport Ave, - (773) 281-1520
Southport Grocery & Cafe - 3552 N Southport Ave - (773) 665-0100

Gyms

Solano Fitness Studio - 3435 N Sheffield Ave - (773) 525-2890
Spring Pilates Wellness Center - 3701 N Southport - (773) 327-1678

Pharmacies

Clark Port Pantry - 3433 N Sheffield - (773) 525-2930
Jewel-Osco - 3630 N Southport Ave - (773) 281-1520

Shopping

Chicago Sports & Novelty - 948 W Addison St - (773) 281-3633
Sports World - 3555 N Clark St (888) 428-9675
Wrigleyville Sports - 959 W Addison St - (773) 883-2079
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Sometimes it makes more sense to view the city of Chicago as a bunch of separate neighborhoodsespecially when it comes to real estate. Whether you are in the market for a loft, condo, townhome, or house, it is just as important to inspect the surrounding area as it is to inspect the home's foundation. Wrigleyville neighborhood is just one Chicago community with an abundance of residential properties, and a life all its own. From where you send your kids to school to where you dine at night, the information we provide is an essential piece of the puzzle when you're trying to decide whether or not to buy that beautiful loft or adorable house in Wrigleyville.
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