You’ve settled into your new apartment or dorm, you’ve purchased all of your textbooks and attended the first week of classes… now it’s time for you to have some fun and make good use of that valuable piece of plastic that Chicago-area students fondly refer to as the U-PASS.
Whether you’re new to the city or are just now saying to yourself, “this is the year that I explore the city,” the decision to travel outside the realm of DePaul’s Lincoln Park and Loop campuses is a wise one. Why not take advantage of the different cultures and lifestyles that make this city such an exciting place?
Wrigleyville – Addison Red Line Stop
First on our list, and just a few stops North of DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus is the neighborhood made famous as the location Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. A popular place for DePaul students to live and play, you will most likely find yourself very much at home on the streets of Wrigleyville.
-Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison Ave., visible immediately after exiting the train station.
-Enjoy a concert at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. or the club scene at its partner nightclub Smart Bar, located on the upper level of the same address.
-Snag yourself a larger-than-life slice of pizza and a soda for only five dollars at Bacci’s Pizza, 950 W. Addison Ave..
-Find yourself craving some late night munchies? Head over to Pick Me Up Cafe at 3408 N. Clark St. for an eclectic dining experience, complete with round the clock breakfast and innovative vegan dishes, as well as a full bar. Open until 3am on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends.
Boystown – Belmont Red/Brown Line Stop
Another great neighborhood that’s extremely close to DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus is Boystown, Chicago’s flamboyantly hyperactive gay-friendly hotspot. An area that has become a popular place for a wide array of residents, Boystown boasts dozens of mid-rise apartment complexes and an abundance of nightclubs, bars, and novelty shops on North Halsted, which is also the location of Chicago’s annual Gay Pride Parade, held in late June.
-Stock up on fake eyelashes, mile-high platform heels, glittery accessories and crazy clothes at Beatnix, 3400 N. Halsted St. Be sure to check out their vintage basement for unique finds.
-Make sure to stop in Chicago’s first grilled cheese bar and grill, Cheesies Pub and Grub at 958 W. Belmont Ave.. Sink your teeth into “The Mac,” a delicious grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with macaroni and cheese, served with a side of tomato soup and optional seasoned fries.
-For an out-of-the-box shopping experience, stop by Belmont Army at 855 W. Belmont Ave., a four-story building, each level offering a new take on personal style. Upon entering the first floor, you’re greeted with a boutique-style shop, showcasing alternative brands such as RVCA and Obey. The second floor is a metropolis of shoes, from combat boots to high heels, not to mention the large selection of sneakers and skate shoes. Third floor is an army surplus shop, and the top floor is all vintage clothing, accessories, and furniture. As if all of that wasn’t enough, there’s even a skate shop in the basement.
Wicker Park – Damen and Divison Blue Line Stops
Quickly becoming known as the city’s arts hub, the Wicker Park neighborhood is packed with hip restaurants and shopping boutiques, as well as the commotion of various nightclubs, bars and art/fashion galleries. This is the go-to area for all-around indie style with a sharp urban edge.
-See a band at the Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., a three-floor live music bar and club with a vintage feel.
-A stop at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, 1747 N. Damen Ave., is a must. The dessert bar serves up delicious chocolate soufflés, tarts and pastries. Owner Mindy Segal was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Pastry Chef” award three years in a row.
-Debonair Social Club, located at 1575 N. Milwaukee Ave. is home every Monday to the well-known weekly dance party, Rehab, which features uniquely ironic themes catering to the young, hipster crowd that frequents this joint. Two floors of dancing and a crowd full of twenty-somethings makes Debonair the place to be on Monday nights.
Logan Square – California and Logan Square Blue Line Stops
This part of the city is a bit further away from our home base in Lincoln Park, but that’s not to say that they offer any less entertainment. Although the neighborhood isn’t the first place to hit for nightlife, there are still some quirky hidden gems in this historical section of the city that has become popular with the young, creative and artistic crowds.
-For a mature dining and drinking experience, check out Revolution Brewing Company at 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave., a locally-owned restaurant and brewery that provides two warmly decorated stories worth of tasty brews and chews.
-On a budget? No worries, The Boiler Room at 2210 N. California Ave. offers one of the best deals in the city, their PB&J Special: pizza slice, beer (PBR tallboy) and shot of Jameson for only $7.50, all day, every day!
-Looking for a hip coffee shop to relax and surf the web? Hit up New Wave Coffee at Milwaukee and Logan Aves., where they serve up a cup of bottomless coffee for only $2.50, perfect for those lengthy study marathons that we embark on around midterms.
-Another great stop in Logan Square is Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records, 2307 N. Milwaukee Ave., an independently-owned store where you can find quality used science fiction, fantasy and horror books, as well as new and used punk, indie rock and metal vinyl at low prices.
Stay Safe While Exploring
Although exploring the many neighborhoods of Chicago is a great opportunity that all DePaul students should take advantage of, it’s important to remember safety when traveling in unfamiliar places. Take the time to check out when the train or bus stops running, many of the CTA’s transportation routes are not in service all night long. There’s nothing worse than finding yourself stranded in an unfamiliar area, waiting for a bus that isn’t going to come. Even after you double check the schedules, it’s a good idea to program several local cab companies into your cell phone, so you have a backup plan in case you end up missing the last train or bus.
Another important trick for students is to store your U-PASS in a safe location. Losing that tiny piece of plastic is far too easy to do, and a huge pain in the butt if it does happen.
Save yourself sixty bucks and a trip to downtown to wait in line for a replacement by securing your U-PASS in a wallet or other snug fitting case. A good solution for this is a business card/luggage tag holder attached to a lanyard or keychain: small enough to fit in a pocket or clutch, yet large enough that you will notice if you’ve left it behind.