The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

The Big City Blog
Home›The Big City Blog›The Big City Blog: Bagels, books and booze — my Saturday in Wicker Park

The Big City Blog: Bagels, books and booze — my Saturday in Wicker Park

By TheRealChicagoOnline
July 28, 2015
688
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

By Matthew Barbuscio

I decided to spend a recent Saturday in Wicker Park, the north side hipster metropolis crowded with boutiques, bike shops, bookstores and bars. I decided to steer into the skid and embrace what this neighborhood had to offer on a sunny weekend afternoon.

Getting there by bike was a breeze, although once I touched down in the neighborhood, the traffic nearly killed me. The famous six-corner intersection at the heart of Wicker Park could be described as an agitated bees’ nest of errand running, bike peddling, beer drinking millennials. Attempting to navigate through the seemingly endless stoplights and pedestrian walkways, admittedly, should have been easier, especially for someone so accustomed to the chaos of Wrigleyville on game day.

I digress. Finally I locked my bike up at around 11:30 a.m. just in time for my brobagel-club.minstomach to remind me that one of the best bagels in the city was just one block away on North Ave. BroBagel (1931 W. North Ave.) is a takeout friendly, house-made bagel joint with an eclectic menu of expertly crafted sandwiches. The store is no larger than my bedroom, with just enough room for a three-stool bar. It is a great place for lox by the way. I usually do a toasted bagel with their homemade cream cheese, fresh tomatoes and thinly sliced smoked salmon. It is a strong way to start of the day and doesn’t leave your stomach too full for the subsequent beer consumption.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

After a late breakfast, I headed over to Myopic Books (1564 N. Milwaukee) forMyopic bookbuy some relaxation. On the third floor is a quiet, naturally lit room perfect for some reading. Some good old-fashioned alone time never hurt anyone. You can even go into the cement-walled basement for some seedy, True Detective-style crime novels. Browsing and sitting in Myopic Books gave me a chance to unwind and get ready for the night ahead.

After a couple hours of much-needed brain use, I decided to throw it all away Emporium Arcade additionwith alcohol and greasy goodness. There are a ton of standout bars around this neighborhood, but there is one in particular I have become a big fan of lately: Emporium Arcade Bar (1366 N. Milwaukee). This tavern makes for a beautifully juxtaposed night of Ron Swanson-esque whiskey concoctions and old-school video gaming. I went to the bar, ordered an old fashioned and played Donkey Kong until my ego had been completely stripped from me.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsBroBagelEmporium Arcade BarMatthew BarbuscioMyopic BooksThe Real ChicagoWicker Park
Previous Article

Chicago’s Signature Dishes: The chicken salad sandwich ...

Next Article

The Big City Blog: Family traditions like ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Katie Schmits on Kuma’s Corner, Gene’s Sausage Shop’s rooftop and biking the city

    February 25, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Time to pamper that pet of yours at Barker & Meowsky

    January 4, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Holiday exhibits and plays, free Chicago museum days, SketchFest, Batsu! and more

    October 7, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Twosided and The Boring Store

    February 1, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Jill Franczyk on five courses at Sepia, a love of Rick Bayless and the best live music venues

    December 28, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Nice pour: We’ve got a handful of legit spots to enjoy a whiskey cocktail in Chicago

    May 1, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Funny people: Five spots to enjoy some classic Chicago comedy

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Hidden gems: Pequod’s pizza, Bottle & Bottega art parties and a Wrigleyville newcomer

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Love is in the air: Romantic spots to spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.