The former manager of Brooklyn's BarCade are bringing the concept to Chicago, opening Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park in March. Start stocking up on quarters now. more ›

Moonshine Brewing Company in Wicker Park presents its third annual "Warm Up & Bear Down Chili Cook-Off" this Sunday, Nov. 20 while the Chicago Bears take on the San Diego Chargers. more ›

It's Friday and we know none of you are really into thinking too hard right now (and that you're probably looking forward to an extended liquid lunch) so let's keep things breezy here. This week we're kind of into maps and artistic representations of where we're from. We're self-centered like that! Let's enjoy some art, shall we? more ›

If you aren't, here are some great places to start. And don't worry - it's not all quinoa, tofu and kale. more ›

We see the latest update for the popular Hipstamatic iPhone app includes the option to download the Wicker Park HipstaPak. It features the Lucas AB2 lens, Jolly Rainbo 2X flash and Damen camera case. We can't make this stuff up. We're now just as cool as Williamsburg and Austin! our only question is since the majority of Wicker Park's (and, erm, Williamsburg's) population is stroller pushing yuppies should they still be allowed to use the app? more ›

This seems more like a someecards holiday than a Hallmark holiday; June 1 marks the first annual Punch A Hipster Day. more ›

Last Friday the organizers for the Green Music Festival announced their Subterranean and Big Creek Productions curated 2011 lineup and we instantly had some crazy déjà vu. The weekend of June 25 Wicker Park's streets will not only be line with family and eco-friendly vendors and activities, but musical acts like Yo La Tengo, The Life and Times, Les Savy Fav and The Thermals. Does this lineup sound vaguely familiar? Well, it really should since it is really close the the line-up of the 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival. Don't get us wrong, we aren't complaining. For a $5 donation Green's lineup is pretty freakin' great and we are really intrigued by the green and organic festival food options that will be presented. more ›

Real Naked Food, a new small organic grocery store, has just opened in Wicker Park. The store, which carries organic produce, packaged goods and cleaning products, also has a huge bulk section - perfect for the local baker who needs a few pounds of flour. The store officially opens on April 22, but it's open right now with limited stock. We visited last week and snapped a few pictures - don't worry, the shelves will be full soon. more ›

Among the 500 some-odd official Record Store Day releases set to hit stores tomorrow, one you won't find on the list will be Chicago-based Numero Group's Eccentric Soul 45." The record isn't an official RSD release--though their double LP "Local Customs: Pressed at Boddie" is (but more on that in a minute)--and will only be available at a store that doesn't exist now and won't exist by Sunday: The Numero Group pop-up shop. more ›

It's almost festival season and we're getting anxious to get back into the swing of All Things Summer. There were some good times at Wicker Park Fest 2010, so expect to see more of the same at the festival this year. The lineup at Wicker Park Fest 2011 so far includes Wild Flag, Wavves, Ana Sia, Joe Pug, Flosstradamus, California Wives, and Blitzen Trapper. If anything, surf pop favorite Wavves will probably draw a nice crowd, and the same for all-girl awesome band Wild Flag. The festival also continues its tradition of bringing in solid DJ acts in addition to bands. more ›

"Barbeque for us means smoke," says Smoke Daddy owner Derek Rettell. "A lot of barbeque places don't smoke, but our smoker is going 24/7." With the trendy BBQ craze in Chicago going full blast, we decided to learn how it was done from a classic spot. Smoke Daddy has been open in Wicker Park for 16 years, and Rettell and his crew know a few things about making great barbeque. We spent a morning surrounded by wood and meat, and came out happy, full and smelling like a campsite. more ›

Ever pushing the boundaries creatively through both their ever-expanding catalog of experimental pop and their new and innovative marketing strategies, the British rock phenomenon that is Radiohead has set to release a newspaper of all things. This coming Tuesday, March 29, they will not only present the public with their newest LP The King of Limbs to be purchased in record stores on vinyl, compact disc and also via digital download, but will also release this newest innovative art and/or marketing ploy, a newspaper entitled The Universal Sigh. more ›

The beer wizards at Bluebird have put together a tasting designed to take you through 7000 years of beer history, serving beers that replicate a variety of ancient and modern techniques to showcase the development of brewing. If that sounds pretty dry and nerdy, ignore that first part: Bluebird is going to serve lots of different, interesting beers, at a very reasonable price. According to Bluebird, this will be "One of the only chances this year to taste smoked, blended, sour, & funky 'brews' that transcend history all on the same night." All of that education and drinking, and it'll only cost $30/person. more ›

Well here's a spot of good news: the mourning period over Earwax Cafe's closing has been cut short. Today, a statement posted to Earwax's Facebook page announced that the popular Wicker Park cafe would not be closing after all, reading:

"Due to popular demand Earwax will re-open after a menu overhaul and cleaning tomorrow. Kurt Guzowski, formerly Executive Chef of Landmark Grill has spruced up the vegetarian and vegan-focused menu, keeping a few of the old favorites and adding some new dishes and ever-changing daily specials. You guys have convinced us to re-open, despite some difficulties, and to stick with the tried and true concept of the cafe."

Liz Phair recently returned to her old stomping grounds in Wicker Park to take a stroll down memory lane with Black Book. Naturally the issue of Wicker Park's rapid gentrification rears its head near the beginning of the piece. more ›

At Bangers & Lace, the new sausage-centric gastropub in Wicker Park, a white curtain dresses up the front door, but inside it’s strictly vintage man-cave accoutrements: wood, brick, dead animals, leather, more brick. So, uh, where’s the lace? In your beer, actually. The name is a riff on “Brussels lace,” the term for the foam that sticks to a glass in the wake of a fresh brew. more ›

A "rave" in Wicker Park was shut down by Chicago police officers after an anonymous person texted the information through the Chicago Police Department's "TEXT2TIP" system around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night. The rave was in full effect when the police showed up:

Shakespeare District officers who responded found partygoers going into a storefront -- an unlicensed venue -- and alcohol being served to 50 to 75 people, most of whom were not old enough to drink, according to the release. Some were holding alcoholic beverages and waiting to pay an entrance fee when police arrived, the release said.

Two female suspects used semi-automatic weapons in a robbery of three Irish women in Wicker Park yesterday morning around 5:30 a.m. The incident occurred in the 1600 block of N. Wood, not too far from the location of the April incident in which two women, one Irish, were beaten by a baseball bat-wielding suspect. No one is in custody at this time for Friday's incident. more ›

A man's body was found wrapped inside a tarp with duct tape on Saturday morning behind a building at 1426 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park that houses the clothing boutique, Brooklyn Industries. The body was found at the bottom of a stairway, possibly outside, police said. As of Saturday night, the body had not yet been identified and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Grand Central Area detectives are still investigating. [Chicago Sun-Times] more ›

It's been years since Wicker Park was actually ground zero for good music (though kudos to Double Door and Subterranean for continuing the good fight) as yupster dollars fill the coffers of the new sports bars, so color us shocked by the solid music line-up for this year's Wicker Park Fest. Chicagoist faves fun. finally make a return visit to our city on a bill that doesn't include a half-rate emo mall-punk act, and the anchors for each evening -- Local H and Holy Fuck -- should do a fine job of aurally polluting the ears of baby carriage pushing jorts wearers while making us break out in great, wide grins. Add in proto-actual-emo-ers Cap 'N Jazz, sexy synth popper Van She heavy hitters Baroness and Torche, and angular indie skronks Plants & Animals and we're cooking with Crisco! In fact there are so many great bands and DJs lined up we'll even forgive the organizers for booking the absolutely atrocious Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. C'est la vie. more ›

What are the larger implications of Nike taking such an active interest in Chicago and, especially, soccer in Chicago? more ›

Two big restaurant openings are set to happen in the next four days. Well, one of the openings is more of a re-launch, but we're still stoked. Let's talk about that one first. more ›

Hey, once upon a time, Wicker Park didn't look exactly like Lincoln Park. Just 15 years ago, artists and students were just beginning to push most of the families that had lived there for years out of the area, people did drugs involving needles in bathroom stalls, and if you stumbled home after last call from The Blue Note -- then located on Armitage -- you stood a good chance of getting mugged. Good times, indeed. more ›

Head to Red and White (1861 N. Milwaukee Ave) tonight from 6-8 for a free tasting of Vin de Constance, a rare dessert wine from South African winery Klein Constantia. more ›

Salud Tequila Lounge (1471 N Milwaukee, 773-235-5577) makes Playboy.com's list of top 10 tequila bars in the country. [Inbox] more ›

In connection to Thursday's sexual assault case in Wicker Park, a 35-year-old man was taken into questioning and released without being charged. According to police News Affair Officer, Robert Perez, who provided details to the Chicago Sun-Times, the assault took place on the 1300 block of North Wolcott Avenue just before 4 a.m. Police said that the 28-year-old woman was entering a building when her attacker allegedly grabbed her from behind, placed a knife to her neck, and said "Don't move or I'm going to kill you" Then he allegedly pulled her down the stairs to the building's basement and sexually assaulted her on the stairway, allegedly telling her that he was "going to kill her if she screamed" police said. more ›

A couple of weeks ago, Chicago burlesque star Red Hot Annie sent us a note, pimping her next show, framed on cult classic The Big Lebowski. The motivation (Lebowski Month) was obvious. But naturally, we were curious. How does one translate galumphing, hairy, men into a strip tease that anyone actually wants to watch? We had to investigate. And so we did, Saturday night at the Gorilla Tango Theater. "Rollin' Outta Here Naked" is The Big Lebowski, live. With nipple tassels and a ferret. Red Hot Annie is well, hot. And The Dude (originally played by Jeff Bridges), for all that he is, is not. Spend $15 every Saturday night through September 30 and see for yourself. more ›

• Adding fuel to the talk that Sam Zell's short reign at the Tribune is almost over, yesterday Trib bondholders filed a motion to probe into the billionaire's takeover of the newspaper.
• DAMMIT! Our bid was $39,999,999.
• Governor Quinn has vetoed a campaign finance bill, saying that it "should go back to the drawing board." Critics have complained the bill has too many loopholes.

Lovely (a bake shop) is a bright space of country charm on a sketchy stretch of Milwaukee that sells great espresso drinks, Intelligensia coffee, cookies, muffins, mini-pies cupcakes and a ton of other pastries. We're kind of obsessed. Which is why their new "somethings on sale every day" sign made us happy. Monday: Buy any coffee, espresso drink, or tea and get 50% muffins. Tuesday: Buy any coffee, espresso drink or tea and get 50% cupcakes. Wednesday: Buy any coffee, espresso drink, or tea and get 50% off mini-pies. Thursday: Buy any coffee, espresso drink or tea and get 50% off cookies. (Limit a dozen per customer for each day.) Friday: Buy any sandwich (comes with a side) and get a free mini-cupcake or cookie. more ›

Taxim, the new Greek restaurant from rookie restaurateur David Schneider, takes the concept of Greek cuisine as Chicagoans know it and turns it on its head. Gone are yard stick-sized kabobs, syrupy souvlaki and middle-aged waitresses with penciled eyebrows and hoarse throats from shouting "Opa!" while setting fire to some saganaki amidst stock posters of Greek landscapes. Instead, Schneider embraces the melting pot of other Mediterranean influences, particularly Turkish, that informed pre-20th Century Greek cuisine, and does it with the deft hand of a seasoned restaurant owner. more ›