A home to artists, families, musicians, small business owners and people from diverse backgrounds, Logan Square is an incredible place to visit and live. From long-time neighborhood staples like the Logan Theatre to new restaurants and boutiques popping up all over the neighborhood, there are many reasons to get out and see what Logan Square has to offer. From historic boulevards to incredible architecture and diverse populations, Logan Square is an amalgam of the rich culture of Chicago.
In the 2012 Chicago Reader’s Best of Poll, Logan Square received many accolades including the Best Overall Neighborhood and Best Neighborhood for Culture. Logan Square is quickly shaping up to be the top foodie destination in Chicago with modern restaurants such as Lula Cafe, Longman and Eagle, Telegraph and delicious Latin American fare like Cafe D’Noche, Paladar, 90 Miles Cuban and so many more.
Logan Square has always been a neighborhood for artists and musicians. Jazz hub Elastic Arts showcases outstanding local talent every week and numerous galleries and venues are popping up throughout the neighborhood. LoganSquarist is a Logan Square-based hyper-local site covering news, businesses, issues, events and people of the Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square. Aimed to “socialize the neighborhood,” LoganSquarist actively spreads information via the website,Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and other social networks, as well as bringing neighbors together at local events.
Festivals
Each year, the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival transforms Logan Square into a full-blown arts district with three stages of live music. With everything from jazz to indie rock to hip-hop and Latino music, the festival caters to all tastes, and was voted best Public Art Event by the 2012 Chicago Reader’s best of Poll. 2012 also saw two inaugural art walks, Squared! presented by AnySquared and A Day in Avondale, just north of Logan Square. Also new for 2012 was Taste of Latin America, a festival celebrating the rich culture and cuisine of the diverse Latin American populations of Logan Square and Chicago. The Boulevard Bash, held at the end of each summer is a music fest that stretches along the historic Logan Bouelvard.
Dining
One of the main draws for Logan Square is the incredible amount of restaurants from Michelin-starred Longman & Eagle to Chicago favorite Lula Cafe. If you’re in the mood for outstanding Latin fare, check out one of the many Latino restaurants and taquerias, spanning from fine dining to the best cheap eats. 90 Mies, Cafe d’Noche, Masa Azul, and Taqueria Moran are just a few favorites. The recently opened Bang Bang Pie shop has received outstanding reviews and features a rotating selection of handmade pies, biscuits and jams. Grab a beer at one the best brewpubs in Chicago, Revolution Brewing.
The list is endless, so check out the Logan Squarist directory for listings of restaurants, bars, art galleries, venues and more.
Transportation and Lodging
Logan Square is incredibly easy to access and navigate. From downtown, hop on the CTA blue line which has stops throughout Logan Square, including ones at California, Logan Square proper and just north of the neighborhood at Belmont. The 56 bus runs along Milwaukee Avenue, one of the main corridors through Logan Square. From the east at Lincoln Park or Lakeview, take the Diversey (76), Armitage (73) or Fullerton (74) buses into the neighborhood. The neighborhood is also very bicycle-friendly, with a protected lane along most of Milwaukee Avenue.
Stay in one of six rooms, in a cozy and newly renovated inn at Longman & Eagle. Have dinner below at the Michelin-starred restaurant and whiskey bar and live up to their self proclaimed philosophy: — “whiskey for your mouth, not for our shelves.”
Additional Spotlights
“In the mood for blues? Forget the trek downtown and soak in live tunes and all-round good vibes at Rosa’s Lounge. Living up to its claim as Chicago’s friendliest blues lounge, owner Tony Mangiulla greets the crowd and frequents the stage on drums, while mother, “Mama” Rosa tends behind the bar. The duo recently celebrated their 27th year in Logan Square and shows no signs of slowing down. Rosa’s Lounge provides a cozy retreat from some of the more tourist-targeted venues in town. The atmosphere here is cool and eclectic. Musical legends and patron graffiti have accumulated on the walls and give the establishment well-loved character.” --Jackie Peterman, from the I Am Logan Square blog. Rosa’s Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave.
http://rosaslounge.com/index.cfm
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Comfort Station is a turn-of-the-century structure turned multidisciplinary arts space in the heart of Chicago's Logan Square. Originally a resting place for tired travelers, it now plays host to artists from all walks of life, and to anyone with an interesting idea. As the only structure of its kind still standing along the entire boulevard system, Comfort Station represents the preservation of a neighborhood rich in history, while playing host to exhibitions and events that promote its present culture.
Galleries, Record Stores and Music Venues
The Whistler
2421 N MIlwaukee Avenue
http://whistlerchicago.com/
“The Whistler was listed as one of GQ’s 25 Best Cocktail Bars in America and was recently named one of the world's top jazz venues by Downbeat Magazine.” The front windows are always decked out with a new art installation and inside are some of the best cocktails in the city: classic gin and bourbon staples and some newer takes with incredible combinations. The Whistler is a bar, gallery, record label, and venue that hosts live music and DJs seven nights a week.
Hairpin Arts Center
2800 N Milwaukee Avenue, 2nd Floor
The recently renovated Hairpin Lofts houses an entire art space on the second floor with ongoing performances, art openings, open mics and more. Their website is currently in the works: www.hairpinartscenter.org
The Charnel House
3421 W. Fullerton Avenue
http://www.thecharnelhousechicago.com/
Funeral home--turned performance space, The Charnel House is a new multi-arts center located in the heart of Logan Square that presents plays, visual art exhibitions and musicals such as the highly reviewed Musical of the Living Dead.
The Burlington
3425 W Fullerton Ave
http://www.theburlingtonbar.com/
“The place in Logan Square, Chicago for live bands, weekly DJs, cheap booze and shots. Lots of shots.”
Congress Theater
2135 N Milwaukee Avenue
http://venue.congresschicago.com/
A huge, 3.500-capacity historic venue that brings national and international acts to Logan Square.
Logan Square Auditorium
2539 N Kedzie
http://www.logansquareauditorium.com/
saki
3716 W Fullerton Avenue
http://sakistore.net/
Excellent vinyl selection, in store performances, zines, books and more.
Logan Hardware
2410 W Fullerton
http://www.logan-hardware.com/
Logan Hardware is a record store and vintage arcade museum. Neighborhood tip: stop by BYOB Estrella Negra for amazing enchiladas and then grab a beer from the extensive selection at Quenchers Saloon and hear some live music.
Bucket O’ Blood
2307 N. Milwaukee Ave.
http://www.bucketoblood.com/
Need some speculative/science fiction, fantasy, horror books or new and used punk, indie rock, and metal vinyl? Here’s your place. Along with the hand-curated books and records, they also host events, author readings, and in-store musical performances. Neighborhood tip: grab a coffee next door at the delicious Cafe Mustache. Or grab a beer from Revolution Brewing!
Disco City Records
2630 N Milwaukee Ave
Check out the huge Latin music selection and pick up some Latino-inspired musical instruments while you’re there.
Orchestra Hall Presents!
2341 N Milwaukee Avenue
http://www.grillybrothers.com/orchestrahallpresents.htm
The Grilly Brothers’ performance space and recording studio with free jazz every Wednesday at 8:30.
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Comfort Station is a turn-of-the-century structure turned multidisciplinary arts space in the heart of Chicago's Logan Square. Originally a resting place for tired travelers, it now plays host to artists from all walks of life, and to anyone with an interesting idea.
As the only structure of its kind still standing along the entire boulevard system, Comfort Station represents the preservation of a neighborhood rich in history, while playing host to exhibitions and events that promote its present culture.
