Wicker Park Neighborhood Info

Overview & History

For nearly two decades, Wicker Park has experienced a period of mounting gentrification that has transformed this small, thriving artist community into an outpost for the trendy and upwardly mobile. Chain stores and banks have replaced many of the coffeehouses, galleries and boutiques that once characterized this west side haven for bohemian life. The neighborhood still has touches of gritty charm and cultural diversity, but its identity is more deeply founded in trendy bars, popular diners, hip music venues and beautiful tree-lined residential streets.

The neighborhood's origins and name can be traced back to Joel and Charles Wicker who, in 1870, purchased 80 acres of land on Milwaukee Avenue (the diagonal street that runs through Wicker Park and holds much of the area's commercial and entertainment spots). After setting aside four acres for public park space (which is the triangular plot of green between Damen, Schiller and Wicker Park Avenue), the Wickers laid out their new subdivision. It was originally inhabited by Swedish and German merchants and other families moving outward from the Loop after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. But by the turn of the century, the settlement had a large Polish population and was even referred to as "The Polish Gold Coast." Today, Wicker Park is a bustling, youthful Chicago neighborhood with a disproportionate number of 25 to 44 year olds and a growing number of families.

Location

Wicker Park is located four miles northwest of the Loop. North Avenue comprises the neighborhood's northern boundary, Division Street borders Wicker Park to the south, Western Avenue is on the western edge, and the I-94 Kennedy Expressway is the community's eastern limit. Surrounding neighborhoods include: Lincoln Park to the east, Bucktown to the north, Noble Square, East Village and Ukrainian Village to the south, and Humboldt Park to the west.

Transportation

Wicker Park residents and visitors can use the CTA Blue Line "L" train for travel south to the Loop or north to O'Hare. The Blue Line has two stops in the neighborhood: one at Damen, North and Milwaukee and another at Division and Milwaukee. For bus options east and west, riders can catch the #72 North running along North Avenue or the #70 Division at Division Street. North and south bus routes include the #9 Ashland, the #50 Damen and the #49 Western bus or the #49X with express service.

Walking is both an easy and enjoyable way to get around Wicker Park. The sidewalks are often packed with pedestrians, and people are always coming and going from Wicker Park's busy storefronts and street side restaurants. Bicycling is also a popular mode of transportation in this Chicago neighborhood. There are bike lanes on Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue, plus ample bike racks for parking your wheels when you get to your destination. Taxis have a big presence in Wicker Park, but at times it can be hard to find one that doesn't already have a fare -- especially on a weekend night.

For car owners, there are better neighborhoods for ease of parking, but many Wicker Park properties have onsite parking spaces. Plus, a number of streets offer parking permits for block residents. One of the benefits of living and driving in Wicker Park is its convenient access to the I-94 Kennedy Expressway on the neighborhood's eastern border. There are entrances to the highway at North Avenue and Division Street.

Restaurants/Nightlife

Although much has changed demographically in Wicker Park, the neighborhood has always managed to maintain a thriving nightlife with a serious dose of live music drawing entertainment-seekers from all over the city. Despite the closing of some neighborhood favorites recently, clubs like Subterranean and Double Door still feature live bands almost every night of the week and Phyllis' Musical Inn has been a Wicker Park fixture for decades. Phyllis' has cheap beer and a charming (if not loveably rundown) décor, hosting the city's lesser known musical acts. Rodan is a trendy bar/restaurant that serves good food and drink and generally attracts a twenty-something crowd. There's usually a DJ on hand to spin records, which quite often inspires patrons to take to the small dance floor.

Pontiac Cafe's outdoor patio is great for people watching and spending the afternoon soaking up the summer sun. They've been known to host the occasional rock show free of charge. Nick's Beergarden is another neighborhood spot with outdoor seating. The beer garden may close early but the bar is open late. Estelle's is a popular late-night haunt that has gotten a facelift in recent years. Once a dive bar, catering to a variety of street characters and bohemians, the new Estelle's is a happening hangout, catering to the after hours hipster crowd. Handlebar is favorite among the city's bike messengers and bicycle enthusiasts who enjoy the outdoor patio and comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. Handlebar's menu is mostly vegetarian but there are some fish dishes available to order, plus a good beer selection and rotating draughts. For sushi in Wicker Park, many diners head to the spacious Blu Coral Sushi, while others pile in to the pricier Mirai Sushi. Seafood also dominates the menu at Spring, an Asian-influenced restaurant that comes highly recommended by foodies and epicurean critics alike.

Shopping

There are a variety of fashionable retail options in Wicker Park. Jade and Language generally cater to a more upscale clientele with clothing and accessories that reflect current styles and trends, while the Brown Elephant Resale Store tends to attract the neighborhood's more bohemian and budget-conscious consumers. Wicker Park has also seen the arrival of chain stores such as Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and most recently, Levi's has opened up a branch in this chic Chicago shopping strip.

For those with eclectic tastes in reading material, Wicker Park is also home to Quimby's. This neighborhood bookstore specializes in self-published zines, comics and other hard-to-find print products, and they often host readings with authors and illustrators. Another literary shop in Wicker Park, called Myopic, has an impressive assortment of new and used books that cover off-the-wall and fringe subjects. For music lovers, Reckless Records' Wicker Park location is the place to buy and sell CDs and old vinyl.

Events/Festivals

Wicker Park Summerfest is two days of live music and good eats. Held every year in July on Damen just south of North Avenue, this festival is a growing attraction for Chicagoans and is known to book top talent for its two performance stages. An event with a much longer tradition in Wicker Park is the annual Around the Coyote arts festival. With walking tours of local galleries, as well as other multi-media events, this fun-filled fair has been a big neighborhood draw since its inception in 1989. Originally held just in the summer, Around the Coyote now schedules a wintertime affair and a party in the spring -- in conjunction with Looptopia, the Loop's annual celebration of art.

Schools

The Wicker Park neighborhood is young in terms of demographics, but its population has a growing number of families and several educational facilities to accommodate school-aged children. For primary level education in Wicker Park, there are options such as De Diego and Pritzker elementary schools. Josephinum Academy is a Catholic all-girls institution offering college prep courses for young women grades six through twelve. Other schools include Milburn High School, Sabin Magnet, Roberto Clemente Community High School and Near North Montessori.

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