Quote:
Originally Posted by 10023
Hello, guy with 9 posts.
First of all, River North is far from the “social epicenter” of Chicago. There isn’t much I can think of north of Illinois, beyond the part that’s basically the Greater Loop (with Bavette’s, Siena Tavern, etc). It’s certainly not trendy. And it’s definitely an ugly neighborhood.
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It's the biggest concentration of bars and restaurants in the city easily. There's something frenetic and cool about having every inch of street frontage packed with bars, not just on one street but on every street and side street, sometimes with second floors and basements containing even more establishments. It's really a nightlife district that truly exists in three dimensions when most of Chicago's trendy spots are in one dimension along a corridor or less than one (e.g. one intersection with trendy stuff ala California/Augusta).
Most of the bars and restaurants themselves in River North, I could take or leave... but some are very, very good or even groundbreaking. Ramen-san, Il Porcellino, yes Siena Tavern and Bavette's, obviously Frontera/Topolobampo, etc. Foodies should not scoff at River North despite the many douchey bars.