Near Westside

About the Neighborhood
The Near Westside community consists of newly constructed residential and retail properties that cherishes its rich past as one of the first neighborhoods of Chicago. The community is home to mixed-income residents from ethnically diverse socio-economic backgrounds as a result of immigration, urban renewal and the growth of the resident student and faculty population of the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Medical District. In the center of the neighborhood is the United Center home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, surrounded by some of the city’s newest and most acclaimed foodie destinations, along with well-loved classic diners and brunch spots that have delighted regulars for decades. With easy access to downtown via train, bus and Eisenhower Expressway, the near West region provides a range of housing types to suit a range of living preferences.

Neighborhood Events and Attractions
Cirque du Soleil returns to Chicago this summer with OVO, a live touring production premiering at United Center. If you miss their performance visit ‘It’s All Knew,’ a depiction of the journey of the neighborhood and the struggle of Mexican immigrants industrial workers.

The Arts of Life is a non-profit organization that provides a space for artists with and without developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. The professionals at Solstice Art Source are experts in stained glass and will help individuals, churches, and businesses design, repair, and restore stained glass.

Schools
Herbert Elementary School, Best Practice High School, Malcolm X College

Shopping
While the area is becoming increasingly popular, it is not yet a shopping destination. There is a French boutique, Quest, which offers upscale women’s clothing; Tonya’s HUSH, designer clothing and accessories; and Finnegan Gallery an antique shop. These shops and many others like it are only the beginning of what will surely become a haven for retail therapy in the near future.

Grocers in the area include a Dominick’s, Jewel-Osco and a Circle K.

Restaurants and Nightlife
Restaurants in this area are abound. There are establishments of every ethnicity and cuisine on the Near Westside; you need only choose a genre, and there are several choices available to you.

Try Extra Virgin for Italian tapas, Bluepoint Oyster Bar or Sushi Wabi for seafood or Carmichael’s for steak. For a little Asian fare, try Redlight, Dragon Mandarin, or Aroma. Marche is a French brasserie and Perez serves Mexican cuisine. For a more casual experience, Billy Goat Inn, immortalized in a famous Saturday Night Live sketch, you can get a "Cheezborger! Cheezborger!" as well as both fries and "cheeps," Pepsi and Coke.  For dessert, head to the Bombon Café, a pastry shop where you can find delightful pastries, artistic cakes, and mouthwatering cookies.

Since the Near Westside is becoming one of Chicago’s trendier neighborhoods, you will find a high number of bars and clubs. Some of the popular ones include Cobra Lounge, Moretti’s, Chromium and Plush.

Fitness Centers
Westloop Athletic Club, Xsport Fitness, Wells St. Athletic Club

Salons
Solo Salon, Mirror Mirror Salon & Spa