The Scene in East Village

Talk about a hodgepodge: sharing space at the same intersection is a supermercado and a bodega, an old school pharmacy, a Greek gyro grill and cheap pizzeria, a graffiti art gallery and an all-natural botanic brewery. A blend of old and new, different cultures and changing demographics, East Village feels very urban — cool even. But in a dialed-down way; this is definitely not a "scene". Which is not to say the neighborhood isn't lively.

There's commuters rushing off to work in the morning, teens heading to the taqueria after school, folks in Western wear shopping for ropa para caballeros, and at night, people of all ages collectively satisfying their sweet tooth with a cup of gelato.

Find East Village

Thanks to a city grid system that lays out all the blocks of this neighborhood into neat plots, Damen Avenue is a straightforward border right down the middle between Ukrainian Village and its neighbor to the east, East Village. The adjacent communities share Chicago Avenue as their commercial main hub, which if you go even further east past Ashland Avenue, becomes part of Noble Square. These three neighborhoods are part of the West Town community area.

Get Around in East Village

The nearest train stops for East Village residents are the Division stop and Chicago stop of the Blue Line 'L' train, great for 24-hour access to downtown and the O'Hare International Airport. The busy #66 Chicago bus makes its rounds here too (it can connect to both the Brown/Purple Line and Red Line trains), as do the #9 Ashland and #50 Damen bus routes.

Residents can get by via car since houses with garages and free street parking is available around the neighborhood (chances of finding a spot do get a little slimmer closer to the Wicker Park border). The Kennedy Expressway is right there, just a few blocks outside the neighborhood borders. Biking is another option, with Divvy stations along the busy bike path on Milwaukee Avenue providing a route into the Loop, as well as the more low-key Wood Street bike path.

East Village Real Estate Market Snapshot

VICTORIAN HOMES | MODERN CONDOS | NEW CONSTRUCTION AVAILABLE | HOMES FOR SALE | COTTAGES

If you are searching for a home in West Town and considering the East Village area, work with a real estate agent that is an East Village neighborhood expert. East Village home buyers find themselves in multiple offer situations on a regular basis, that's why you should work with a real estate agent that is highly skilled and knows how to communicate to help get your offer in East Village accepted.

The home seller market in East Village is booming and real estate inventory is low. Work with a real estate agent in East Village that knows how to price, market and sell your home for the most money possible. Reach out to the West Town Team's East Village real estate professionals to get your home listed today: 312-767-7504.

Learn more about market trends with a East Village real estate expert:

Michael Samm, East Village REALTOR®
312-767-7504

Eat & Drink in East Village

Wicker Park may be a foodie focal point, but East Village – its sister neighborhood to the south – is establishing itself as a creative force on the bar-and-restaurant front. Young toques are applying their imagination to everything from Italian gelato to Japanese zensai, and one team of brewers is taking inspiration from bygone eras to reintroduce botanical ingredients to their craft beer. Mix it up with every meal on the diverse dining corridor that is Chicago Avenue. Not content with one type of cuisine, it offers a sampling of international flavors from tacos to Italian to Thai.

Here are some of the top places to eat and drink in East Village:

Beatnik West Town (1604 W Chicago Ave) a bohemian-style restaurant and bar in West Town on the burgeoning corner of Ashland and Chicago Ave.

Homestead on the Roof (1924 W Chicago Ave) sit amid an organic rooftop garden of herbs and vegetables on this literal farm-to-table restaurant where seasonality reigns supreme.

Roots Handmade Pizza (1924 W Chicago Ave) never had Quad Cities style pizza? Come here for a taste, paired with over 100 Midwestern craft beers.

Hoosier Mama Pie Company (1618 W Chicago Ave) temptations come in the form of 10 different sweet pies daily (classics and tasty combos like Banana Cream or Apricot Blueberry with Pecan Crumble) plus quiches, savory pies and Metropolis coffee at this retro bakery shop.

Black Dog Gelato (859 N Damen Ave) award-winning sorbets and gelato from the mind of Chef Jessica Oloroso — think creative ingredient combos like Butterscotch Bourbon Pecan, Chocolate Banana Curry and Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel.

Forbidden Root (1746 W Chicago Ave) a restaurant and brewery that fuses botanicals into its house beers... think natural ingredients like ginger, honeybush, lemon myrtle, juniper berries, licorice root, marigold flowers and magnolia petals.

Arami (1829 W Chicago Ave) the Bib Gourmand honoree by the Michelin Guide is sushi at a great value and without the gimmicks... fresh seafood and simple ingredients shine.

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill (1751 W Chicago Ave) Japanese BYOB which lives up to its name with over-the-top maki rolls and traditional grilled skewers.

West Town Bakery & Diner (1916 W Chicago Ave) decadent, bite sized Cakeballs are just one reason to stop here, meat eaters and vegans alike come for comfort food fare with dishes (Fried Chicken & Waffle, Short Rib Benedict and Vegan Biscuits & Gravy).

Sabroso! Mexican Grill (624 N Ashland Ave) a neighborhood restaurant ensuring an eclectic Mexican cuisine experience with each visit.

Happy Village (1059 N Wolcott Ave) a dive bar that knows how to have fun: cheap booze (PBR is the drink of choice) and a back patio with picnic tables and an indoor rec room with ping pong.

Anchoring the Area in East Village

In its heyday, Chicago Avenue was a premier shopping district and the original Goldblatt's Department Store that set up here in the 1920s was where locals came to buy shoes, clothing, furniture and appliances. Fast forward to modern times: the original white terra cotta exterior was in disrepair and the interconnected interior spaces were vacant. But in a victory for local preservationists, it was designated a Chicago landmark in 1998. Locals come here now for books — the historic building is living out a new chapter as the West Town Public Library.

East Village doesn't have the concentration of churches as its neighbor Ukrainian Village. But a spiritual home for Russian immigrants, St.George Cathedral is nestled among homes on quiet Wood Street. You'll find a mix of parishioners attending service here, which is, in varying parts, delivered in English and Slavonic (the language of the Russian Orthodox Church). 

Locals Who Live in East Village 

The pulse of East Village has been steadily growing in buzz, and the pace of development has followed suite: classic 2- and 3- flat buildings are full of renters, and new buyers wanting a piece of the West Town pie can find a new duplex for sale or modern townhouse for sale just about on every block. There are also new luxury mid-rises coming onto the scene with modern apartments for rent in East Village.

Quaint parks and green spaces can be found dotted throughout the East Village neighborhood such as Commercial Club Park (1845 W Rice St), Snowberry Playground Park (1851 W Huron St) and Honore Park (935 N Honore St). Eckhart Park (1330 W Chicago Ave) is a much larger park and is located just a short walk away in neighboring Noble Square. Community gardens such as Greenhouse Garden (1100 N Wood St) and Frankie Machine Garden (also on N Wood St) provide a quiet place to relax in the shade and read a book.

Michael Samm | East Village Real Estate Agent
312-767-7504

Known as one of the top East Village real estate agents in Chicago, Michael Samm takes pride in assisting East Village home buyers get the best prices for their home purchase and East Village home sellers get the most money for their homes.

Michael is an expert in the East Village real estate market and his knowledge of the neighborhood combined with his more than 15 years of marketing and public relations experience, make him the #1 choice when choosing a top realtor in the East Village area.

If you are looking for a East Village realtor with excellent client reviews that is passionate about the neighborhood, contact Mike today to learn more about buying or selling a home in East Village.