Chicago magazine

Chicago magazine delivers an authoritative guide to life in one of America's greatest cities. From insight into the best dining and shopping to interviews with fascinating figures shaping the future of Chicago, every issue is your source for living city smart.

Chicago magazine

The Best, Bar None

Pedway Paparazzo

Of Bedard and Bueller • This profile [“Connor Bedard’s No Days Off,” December] is such a throwback in so many ways: the humble superstar, the well-crafted life portrait, the Ferris Bueller–inspired photo shoot. We devoured it. @sundaylongread via X

Talking Points • This month’s conversation starters

Unlovable Losers • Chicago’s sports teams find themselves at a nadir, a place that feels all too familiar for local fans.

All Revved Up • The four debuts at the Chicago Auto Show (February 8 to 17) that excite us most

Hard Lessons • Eve L. Ewing argues that schools have been used to harm Black and Native people.

“BUT NO POETRY” • Original Sins opens with Ewing discussing how a founding father’s flawed vision helped silently shape the function of schooling along racial lines.

Coffee Grounds • A petite palace percolates on the Gold Coast’s State Parkway.

MY NEIGHBORHOOD ANDERSONVILLE

Tereasa Surratt and David Hernandez • Rustic hosts, chainsaw wielders, dog chasers

Gruesome Twosome • A is for Attic, adapted with verve by big Gorey fans with theatrical nerve.

AGENDA • Top 10 reasons to fill up your calendar this month

The City’s Best Dinner Party • With his intimate (and secretive) Duck Sel pop-up, Donald Young serves a meal to remember.

Southern Oysters Rockefeller at Briny Swine

Caviar for the People • Kendra Anderson aims to make the delicacy more accessible.

Georgia on My Mind • Wheeling’s Stumara captures the romance of the country’s cuisine — when, that is, it sticks to the classics.

String Theory • MAHANAKHON NOODLE BAR 2907 N. Lincoln Ave., Lake View

The Hot List • 10 places everyone’s talking about (in order of heat)

Game Balls

The Museum of Discomfort • In the back of a Bucktown curiosity shop, the unsavory gets its due.

THE NEW FACE OF LAW AND ORDER • EILEEN O’NEILL BURKE WAS ELECTED COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY BY VOWING TO GET TOUGH ON CRIME. BUT HER APPROACH TO MAKING CHICAGO SAFER IS MORE NUANCED THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.

Best New Bars • The latest top spots for a tipple include a standard-setting hotel bar (page 63) and an all-day coffee-to-cocktails hangout (page 64). Our 10 favorites, ranked.

BEST COCKTAIL TREND: FREEZER MARTINIS

REBOOT OF THE YEAR: SMALL BAR

WHERE ARE ALL THE WINE BARS? • With none on this year’s list, our dining critic shares where he goes for vino.

Mi Familia • Jennifer Teresa Villanueva started photographing her relatives to preserve memories. The project soon grew into something more: an exploration of the Mexican American experience.

Totes Adorbs • Baggu’s first Midwest store won’t leave you empty-handed.

Outlet Mall Smackdown • These two Chicago-area style-savvy discount shopping centers compete for your dollars — and your undying love of hot pretzels. Here’s how they stack up.

Cozy Chic • Perfect the art of hibernating with these stylish discoveries.

Mikki Kendall • The activist author, 48, on segregation’s upside, spite’s role, and why Michelle Obama was wrong