Edgewater, Chicago

Edgewater is a very cool neighborhood that is also very far north. The population is really diverse – there are so many races and nationalities that call Edgewater home. This is definitely part of its appeal. The area doesn’t look fancy or anything, but it does look and feel like Chicago, which can’t be said for some neighborhoods lately.

The Andersonville area is located within Edgewater too. This is a traditionally Scandinavian neighborhood, and many shops and eateries can still be found there. These days there’s a fairly large gay and lesbian population in Andersonville. The side streets there are tree-lined and have some beautiful buildings. Hopleaf bar is one of the original gastro-pubs, a trend that’s really exploded in the city recently. They have a TON of beer choices, but it gets really busy.

The rest of Edgewater is a little bit more ‘gritty’ looking, but there’s lots to love. There is a concentration of Ethiopian restaurants in the neighborhood, including Ras Dashen and Ethiopian Diamond. This food is GOOD. You’ll find pretty much any type of food you’re looking for.

Edgewater is also right on the lake, and has an awesome beach that is both family and gay friendly. It gets much less crowded there than at the beaches closer to downtown, which I refuse to go to. The Edgewater Beach Apartments tower next to the lake in all their pink glory – they were next to the hotel of the same name that housed many famous people from the 20s to the 50s or 60s, which has since been torn down.

As one of my favorite Chicago neighborhoods, Edgewater is a quaint area with a little bit of everything. Its location on the North Side of the city puts Edgewater just a stone’s throw from the Lincoln Square, Uptown, and Ravenswood neighborhoods. Within the boundaries of Edgewater you’ll find popular neighborhoods like Andersonville, Broadway, and Edgewater Glen.

Whether you’re just passing through or you call Edgewater home, it’s easy to be captivated by the many charming shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs, and historic houses found here. The diversity of the area includes a large international community, many LGBT residents, and a multiplicity of religions. Enjoying Edgewater is easy—just stroll down Clark or Broadway and visit any of its many interesting bookstores, thrift stores, or pubs. My two favorite Edgewater spots are the Brown Elephant thrift store and the Hopleaf Bar, both of which are found on North Clark Street.

Another thing to enjoy in Edgewater is access to Fos

I'm a big fan of Edgewater. I'm not sure it's a place I'm totally interested in living in, but it's a great place to visit. The reason I say it's not where I want to live is that there is a very large gay community in the area. I have nothing against this, but I'm more in favor of areas where there are larger numbers of available heterosexual females.

That said, I have had a great time in Edgewater more than once. There are some great places to eat, some of which are a little different than your staples like Chicago pizza. Pueblito Viejo is a favorite for me, as it serves Mexican style food, although, as I understand it, it's really more South American than Mexican. I can't claim the most sophisticated palate, but it is really good and worth checking out if you want something different.

Ravenwood's Pub is a great place to find a drink, and I've always enjoyed having a shot of tequila there because there are so many to choose from.

Overall, I've found Edgewater to be safe and a fun place to visit. I'm not sure it's for everyone, but I highly recommend it for a fun night out.