Centrally located and chock full of things to do, Wrigleyville is one of Chicago’s most famous and in demand neighborhoods. Resident profiles are mixed and range from twenty-something professionals to full fledged families. Wrigleyville real estate options are extensive: condominium buildings, walk ups, single family homes. All are available in Wrigleyville at a variety of price points.
By far the most famous landmark in Wrigleyville, and its namesake, is the illustrious Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs. Most of the bars and restaurants in the neighborhood are clustered around Wrigley Field, and on game days it’s wall to wall people. Needless to say, as such a popular destination for Chicago residents and tourists alike, there is no shortage of restaurants and bars, but the shopping options are somewhat limited. One of the most unique shops along Clark Street near Wrigley Field is Strange Cargo, a clothing store that specializes in making custom t-shirts. Choose from a huge variety of crazy designs that will say exactly what you’re thinking, so you’ll never have to open your mouth. Many of the other shops near Wrigley Field are sports-themed, and you never have to look far to see the big red C against a Cubby-Blue background.
More prominent than the shopping in Wrigleyville is the dining. This area has a serious concentration of great restaurants for every palate. A standout is Chens Chicago, an upscale Chinese and sushi restaurant just steps from Wrigley Field that serves some of the best Chinese food in the city. The quality of the ingredients used at Chens is outstanding, and their steamed dumpling appetizer never disappoints, whether you order it with beef or just vegetables. If you’re looking for a departure from the norm, head to Pick Me Up on Clark. With an edgier crowd, many of whom are vegetarian or vegan, Pick Me Up is an artsy, unique space serving some innovative, almost gourmet diner food. Much of their menu can be ordered vegan, but there is a good selection for meat-eaters too. Especially popular is their breakfast and brunch menu and people rave about their coffee. But the best part about Pick Me Up? It’ll pick you up till 3am Sun-Thurs and 24 hours a day on Fridays and Saturdays. Just need a snack? Try the Chicago landmark “Nuts On Clark” which serves up gourmet nuts, but also classic Chicago-style popcorn (a mix of caramelcorn and cheesecorn) for a salty-and-sweet fix.
The most prevalent type of establishment surrounding Wrigleyville real estate is the bar. The heart of Wrigleyville is densely populated with bars and pubs so that people who can’t get tickets to a Cubs game can watch the game on TV and still hear the roar of the crowd. After a game is over, the Park empties and game-goers flock to the area bars to either celebrate a win or drown their tears after a loss. One of the biggest and most popular bars on Clark is Goose Island Brewpub, which is a purveyor of beer from the Goose Island Brewery. A combination restaurant, bar and live music venue, Goose Island is always hopping and the food is just the thing you need to go with one of their many different types of beer. If food will just get in the way of your drinks, hop across the street to John Barleycorn. With a huge bar downstairs and dance floor upstairs, John Barleycorn is always in the mood to party. Straight down Clark across Addison is the famous Metro concert venue. Today, the Metro hosts all different genres of music and in the past has seen acts as big as Depeche Mode and Billy Idol.
Wrigleyville is truly a sports fan’s paradise with everything you need for a weekend of fun. You can go to a Cubs game, have a nice dinner, bar hop and finish it all off with a late night meal before you head home. And if you live in a Wrigleyville apartment or condo, you won’t have very far to go.
