Will be in Chicago in August. My diet sucks so don't care much about restaurants but any cool record shops, flea markets (i collect vhs tapes), used clothing and cool shit to see let me know!
Also any dive bars of note
Thanks!
Chicago recommendations
I visit Chicago a few times a year, so here are a few favorites/regular stops.
As far as records, I've never had a ton of luck. My girlfriend's sister lives in Andersonville and Rattleback is there. Definitely tailored more to newer popular/standard indie rock stuff, but if you dig through the bins there are good used finds for decent prices.
Dive bars: Simon's is my top recommendation, pretty much across the street from Rattleback. Also great are Berenice's Tavern, Skylark, and Long Room.
Don't know if you're just into VHS, but if you dig low budget horror and stuff, I know Graveface sells their TerrorVision releases. Haven't been, but I know it's out there.
i got canceled at bric-a-brak once
Bric-a-Brac, Old Town Ale House, Logan Arcade with the Misfits animatronic band, Longman and Eagle for their varied but decently priced whiskey collection (good food, too, even if that's not your thing).
2 months later
I'll be there this weekend, anything going on I should know about? I would like to know about food recommendations too.
This is a good list of shows happening around the city - https://notnotaloud.blogspot.com/2009/10/10.html
Torn Light Records and Tone Deaf Records are two cool newish record stores. Reckless is also the go-to for most people.
A few cool dive bars are Archies, Skylark, and Rainbo Club. Friday nights there is some weird turtle racing at Big Joes where every beer you buy gets you a chance to have your own turtle in the race.
Food recommendations - the snack corner at Jongboo Market and the Devon Ave Ghareeb Nawaz are Chicago gems. Best Chicago style pizza is at Pequods, and best actually eye-talian pizza is at Spacca Napoli. Do-Rite makes great no-frills donuts. If you're ever back in the summer go to Dairy Star for ice cream.
And while in Chicago go to Quimbys and Myopic Books.
MilkMilkLemonade can confirm Pequods goes hard and you won't be able to get pizza like that in any other city. Not really into Chicago style pizza but Pequods does its own take on it and its perfect.
5 days later
I haven’t been to it in many years, but since you mention flea markets, you have gotta check out the Maxwell street market. It used to be where all the blues guys would hang out and jam. It was awesome. There’s a bunch of weird shit for sale, amazing greasy food, and a real slice of Chicago that you don’t really get in movies or tv.
Other than that, Empty Bottle is still the best place to see a show, as well as The Hideout
I've only been to Chicago once and it was almost 20 years ago but among touristy type places, I really liked Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. The pizza pot pies were pretty unique and really good.
Delilah's. Be careful. $5 beer & shot on punk rock nights.