A Local’s Guide to Avondale, Chicago

Only one U.S. neighborhood cracked the top 10 of this year’s Time Out list of the World’s Coolest Neighborhoods—and it’s in Chicago. Avondale landed at No. 5 globally, praised for its “tucked-away bars, specialty markets, and eccentric boutiques.”

Of the four U.S. neighborhoods recognized, Avondale ranked highest. The others? Red Hook in Brooklyn, Little River in Miami, and Clarksville in Austin.

According to Time Out, the coolest neighborhoods aren’t just trendy—they reflect the true soul of a city. And Avondale delivers. It’s where Eastern Europe meets Latin America, where music spills out onto sunny sidewalks, and where you can eat your way around the world without breaking the bank.

If you’re visiting Chicago, here’s how to experience Avondale the way locals do.

For starters, Avalon is a food lover’s playground. Start your day with Colombian coffee from Magnifico Coffee Roasters, then walk across the street to Loaf Lounge—the owner was a pastry consultant for The Bear. Craving something savory? Grab steamed buns at Joong Boo Market or dive into one of the city’s most creative burgers at Kuma’s Corner.

If you’re into vinyl and chef-created snacks, Parachute HiFi pairs Korean-American bites with an excellent record selection. For a taste of Ireland without the plane ticket, Chief O’Neill’s Pub offers live music and a warm, pubby vibe that’ll make you feel like you’re in Dublin.

By night, Avondale comes alive. Catch a concert or comedy set at Sleeping Village, a 300-person venue that doubles as a spacious coffee shop by day, ideal for remote work. Roll a strike at Avondale Bowl, where the scoring is manual but the cocktails are anything but old-fashioned.

Beer lovers should hit up Revolution Brewing, Illinois’ largest craft brewery, while art fans can explore cultural exhibits at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.

And if you’re still not ready to call it a night, head to Podlasie Club, a swanky electronica bar that was a popular Polish club in the 1970s and 1980s, or swing by The Alley, Chicago’s legendary one-stop-shop for bikers, punks, and goths. And don’t miss Bric-a-Brac, a vinyl store connected to The Brewed, a horror-themed coffee shop dripping in 1980s nostalgia.

Avondale isn’t just cool—it’s classic Chicago: unpolished, creative, and full of surprises around every corner.