Bucktown is a neighborhood that exploded onto the scene with hip music venues, trendy
restaurants, boutique shopping and an urban art community. It is considered one of Chicago’s most fashionable young neighborhoods and holds a style all its own.

Much of the action in Bucktown is concentrated around the hectic six-way intersection of
North, Damen and Milwaukee avenues. This high-traffic hub is always packed with shoppers, commuters, diners, concert-goers and bar-hoppers. The Subterranean is a well-known stage right in the midst of it all that attracts both local and national bands. Music fanatics from around the Midwest come to this venue to see their favorite artists perform.

Eating out is big in Bucktown. There are a ton of restaurants to choose from – all offering a different spin on the dining experience. Whether it’s a storefront sushi bar or intimate backroom steakhouse, Bucktown restaurants strive to be “something to talk about” and that’s just what they are. Some spots have become so popular reservations are needed weeks in advance for Friday or Saturday night. Bucktown is an excellent area to sample Chicago cuisine, just don’t besurprised if you have to wait for a table.

Also essential to Bucktown culture is the nightlife. Bucktown has a solid lineup of neighborhood bars that have drawn the attention of people all over Chicago. From the tight confines of Danny’s Tavern (an old house that was converted into a bar) to the 6,000-square-foot dance floor at Ohm Nightclub, this North Side community is a prime party locale for any occasion.

Bucktown’s retail shops are mostly independent businesses with an eclectic selection of apparel, shoes, accessories, music, art, books, furniture and kitschy items you never knew you needed but can’t live without. The main shopping district in Bucktown is at North and Milwaukee avenues. It’s a hotbed for the newest fashions and products by Chicago-based designer Akira. Akira has multiple locations in Bucktown, all within a couple blocks of each other. The telltale red awnings pepper North Avenue, inviting window-shoppers to peruse the latest styles. Marrying haute couture with wearable utility, Akira has managed to expand its reach past Bucktown borders to downtown Chicago and other nearby neighborhoods.

While in Bucktown, transportation options are split between buses, taxis and walking. Many people enjoy strolling along the lively streets, but cabs are always available at any major road or intersection. The Blue Line “L” train provides a convenient way to get downtown from Bucktown. It is an underground train that runs directly underneath Milwaukee Avenue. There are two stops in Bucktown – one at Western and Milwaukee avenues and another at Damen and Milwaukee. The Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) follows the neighborhood’s northern and eastern borders, making it an easy route to the Loop by car.