The Ultimate Girl’s Night Out in Bucktown
via Club Lucky
The city of Chicago is home to so many diverse neighborhoods, each offering an abundance of unique restaurants, bars, shops, architecture, entertainment + more to explore. The Bucktown neighborhood is nestled in between bigger names like Wicker Park, Logan Square and Lincoln Park, but is bursting with personality including a culinary scene that continues to expand and excel. With its laid back atmosphere, tight knit community and easily walkable size, Bucktown makes for an amazing night out with the girls, from happy hours and patio sips and award-winning meals to end of the night shenanigans and morning after cures.
Pre-Dinner Drinks
Club Lucky {1824 West Wabansia Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.227.2300}
Old school Italian meets world-class martinis in this famed Bucktown establishment. Tucked on an unassuming residential corner, with retro charm, checkered tablecloths, roaring jukebox, a menu stacked full of Italian classics and a bar that’s always overflowing with stiff drinks and laughter, Club Lucky is the whole package. Gather the gals and head over right at opening time (if you want to snag a coveted bar seat) and get ready to experience one of the best martinis the city has to offer (in a perfectly chilled glass might we add) or share a bottle or two on the sidewalk patio.
Chef's Special {2165 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.666.5143}
A location right on Western Avenue in the middle of a commercial + residential hub might not be where you expect to stumble across a lavish + trendy Chinese restaurant, but boy will you be happy you decided to take the group to Chef’s Special. With pops of pink, colorful + nostalgic décor and an expansive, central wrap-around bar, one round of drinks with the girls is sure to turn into two or three. Happy Hour runs daily from 5-6pm and features deals on select Chef’s Special tropical sips and delicious Chinese appetizers, perfect for sampling and sharing.
via Le Bouchon
Dinner
Le Bouchon {1958 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.862.6600}
Stepping inside Le Bouchon is like stepping into a vintage Parisian living room. While its cozy, intimate interior features only a handful of tables and a small 6-person bar, the space always seems so much bigger thanks to the lively conversation, laughter and pure enjoyment of its diners. Be sure to come hungry because their menu is filled with rich, savory French cuisine, like Steak Frites, Soupe a la Onion Gratinée + Foie Gras Vol au Vent, along with a lavish French wine list to get lost in. A girls dinner at Le Bouchon is like a trip to France without the pricey plane ticket, so put on your chicest outfit and get ready for a *magnifique* evening.
Mirra {1954 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.729.6214}
Mirra, an award-winning Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant led by a team of James Beard-winning chefs, is the dreamiest dinner location for the girlies looking to experience something new + adventurous on their night out. Their menu highlights unique dishes that combine the beauty and flavor of Mexican + Indian cuisines, (think Roti Quesadillas, Lamb Barbacoa Miryani + Grilled Prawn Chaat), so we highly recommend ordering a bunch of options to share amongst the group. Pair your plates with a robust handcrafted cocktail or wine and settle in for a culinary journey that the girls will be talking about for months after.
via Truce
Late Night Sips
Truce {1935 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL)
After finishing your delicious dinners at Le Bouchon or Mirra, you are a mere stone’s throw away from the perfect after-dinner sip at Truce. By day Truce provides a cozy + quiet space for a WFH day or coffee break, but by night, it transforms into a moody, trendy cocktail bar featuring top of the line cocktails, beer, wine + spirits as well as a variety of decadent bar bites for any late night cravings. On the weekends, Truce is open until 1am, so get ready for ‘girls night out’ to quickly turn into ‘girls late night out’.
Ed & Jean's {2032 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.715.5435}
A kitschy local wine bar that serves complimentary cheez-its to accompany your sips? It’s a girls night dream come true! Ed & Jean's was newly revamped a few years ago from a dive bar + tavern to a quirky wine bar serving a variety of reds, whites, roses + sparkling along with an extensive cocktail list. Pull up a seat at the bar or wind down in one of their mismatched armchairs and get ready for a gossip sesh over a bottle (or ten) of vino. Also, since we love a weekly special, plan your outing accordingly as Mondays bring $10 martinis, Tuesdays $10 margaritas and Wednesdays 25% off wines by the glass + 50% off wines by the bottles.
Morning After Brunch - Pick Up
via Allez Cafe
Bad Butter {1655 West Cortland Street, Chicago, IL}
Head to Bad Butter Bakery for a quick, but still utterly delicious, seasonal pastry or freshly baked bread to enjoy back in the comfort of home. Be sure to send the early morning riser of the group there early though, because weekend lines typically run long and they have been known to sell out only a few hours after opening! But when there’s freshly rolledsourdough bagels, seasonal fruit filled croissants, gooey monkey bread + more waiting for you, we promise the wait is worth it!
Allez Cafe {2239 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL; 847.921.0865}
If a perfectly made and slightly indulgent breakfast sandwich is the cure to your late night decisions, then jet on over to Allez Cafe. When their breakfast sandwich is in the running for “Best in Chicago”, you know it’s a must try; featuring a silky egg patty, Gouda cheese, house-made hashbrown, thick-cut bacon, onion aioli & jalapeño jam served on a Martin's potato roll. While the breakfast sammy may be what lures you to Allez, be sure to save room for some of their gourmet house-made pastries and specialty coffees!
Morning After Brunch - Sit Down
Pompette {1960 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.799.8072}
Pompette ‘all day cafe’ is the perfect morning-after brunch destination for the girls night that ended at an appropriate hour with just the right amount of drinks. Its cute corner location and approachable menu make it a hotspot for Bucktown families and group outings, so expect a more sophisticated experience than your average ‘bottomless brunch’ vibe. Their menu features traditional cafe offerings like freshly brewed coffees + rotating pastries, more substantial offerings like Daily Quiche, Breakfast Burrito + Smoked Salmon Bagel as well as some fresh brunch cocktails for those wanting a classy morning sip to start the day.
The Royal Grocer {2118 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.904.7805}
For the gals seeking a more relaxed morning-after brunch, maybe filled with a good old hair of the dog, The Royal Grocer is the perfect place for both. This family-friendly bar + restaurant also includes an expansive (and dog friendly!) patio to enjoy during the warmer months and features a menu stacked with brunch classics like Steak & Eggs, French Toast, Pancakes, Omelettes + more. Their drink menu includes morning staples like Bloody Marys, Frozé and a variety of spritzes to choose from. But, if the whole group is in for a little morning fun, go for the Mimosa Carafe!
By Robyn Glaza | Market Manager