Some of the best things to do in Avondale revolve around the neighborhood’s craft beer scene and music venues. The neighborhood is home to four breweries, including Revolution Brewing, the largest craft brewery in Chicago.
Last updated: April 2022
Read More About Avondale:
The Best Restaurants in Avondale
Where is Avondale?
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Avondale is directly north of Logan Square. It is bordered by Addison Street to the north, the Chicago River to the East, Diversey Avenue to the south, and Pulaski Road to the west.
How to Get to Avondale:
The Blue Line train has two stops in Avondale. The Belmont stop is right in the center of Avondale and the Addison stop is on the northern border of the neighborhood. The Logan Square Blue Line stop is just a few blocks south of the Avondale/Logan Square border.
Parks and Outdoor Activities:
Avondale Neighborhood Park
A small park in the north of Avondale has an outdoor swimming pool, a playground, and a field house with a gymnasium and gymnastics center. The park hosts after school activities for kids and seasonal sports leagues.
Addison and Avondale Mural Garden
A mural by illustrator Rafael Lopez and accompanying garden transformed an expressway underpass into a beautiful and inviting outdoor space.
Landmarks:
Saint Hyacinth Basilica
A grand Polish-style Roman Catholic Basilica where mass is offered in both English and Polish that opened its doors in 1921. The basilica has both Classic Revival and Baroque architectural influences and the interior is elaborately decorated with a mural, sculptures, and bas-reliefs.
Museums/Cultural Centers:
The Insect Asylum
A museum, art gallery, event space, and education center with nearly 2,500 insect and taxidermy specimens.
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Chicago’s Puerto Rican Arts Alliance has a wide range of programing and an exhibition space that promote and preserve Puerto Rican arts, history, and culture. It isn’t a museum, but rather a cultural center offering music classes, performing arts events, and art exhibitions. The current exhibition, Mapa de Historia explores structures that been declared heritage sites by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
Breweries in Avondale:
Revolution Brewing Tour
Chicago’s largest brewery hosts 45-minute tours of their brewery and taproom on Saturday afternoons (make a reservation in advance). On Wednesdays through Sundays guests can sample over two dozen beers. This space doesn’t have a kitchen but guests are welcome to bring their own food.
Metropolitan Brewing
This craft brewery focuses on German-style beers. The Avondale taproom has a large riverside patio. Metropolitan has partnered with Arigato Market to serve tacos, but guests are still welcome to bring their own food. Weekly events include Bingo on Wednesdays and Yoga on Sundays. The space is dog friendly and kid friendly.
Ravinia Brewing Co.
A taproom and restaurant serving Mexican street food. The brewery creates “unpretentious beers for unpretentious people” and offers creative brews like a Black Lager with Habaneros, Dulce de Leche Chocolate Cake Stout with Lactose, and a Tart Kettle Sour with Guava. In addition to beer, hard seltzer is available.
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
Maplewood has a taproom and bar serving beer, cider, and cocktails. In addition to brewing beer, Maplewood distills rum, whiskey, gin, and vodka which are used to mix up creative modern cocktails. Cheese and charcuterie is available to snack on. Public tours of the brewery/distillery are available a few times each month (make reservations online).
Judson & Moore Whiskey Distillery
This new whiskey distillery located in a former leather tannery beside the Chicago River is open for tours on Saturdays, or you can enjoy a drink at their bar on Thursdays – Saturdays.
Things to Do in Avondale:
Avondale Bowl
A 21+ bowling alley with a full bar. Reservations are available as are bowling leagues.
Hairpin Arts Center
This arts center hosts a variety of events including open mics, concerts, art shows, comedy events, and more.
The Extraordinarium
An independently run shop selling gag gifts, toys, hats and items like Chia Pets and action figures.
Record Breakers
You can buy, sell, and trade new and used vinyl and shop for items like tee shirts and turntables at this shop.
First Ascent
An indoor rock climbing and fitness studio with 26,000 feet of climbing terrain that is up to 60 feet tall and a dedicated yoga studio offering over 20 classes per week.
Music Venues:
Avondale Music Hall
A mid-sized music venue, cafe, and gallery hosting rap and electronic underground shows.
Sleeping Village
Sleeping Village is a coffeehouse by day, and bar and entertainment venue by night. The almost nightly shows are a mix of emerging bands, DJs, and comedians.
Elastic Arts Foundation
An event space for musicians, artists, and performers that hosts workshops and concerts. Elastic Arts welcomes artists whose work is untraditional or experimental.
Annual Events in Avondale:
Metroberfest 2021
A one day event that takes place at Metropolitan Brewery early in October to celebrate Oktoberfest.
Chicagoland Brewpub & Microbrewery Shootout
This event pairs best craft beers with the best food items from Chicago’s breweries and microbreweries. Attendees get to vote on their favorite beer, food, and beer and food pairing. The 2022 event will take place at Metropolitan Brewing on Saturday, April 23.
Things to Do in Logan Square - cityguidetochicago.com
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
[…] Square is located in northwest Chicago. It is south of Avondale, north of Humboldt Park and west of […]