The 16 best things to do in Logan Square, Chicago

The Logan Theatre is the unofficial landmark of the neighborhood, outfitted with a towering neon sign that let's you know eactly where you are. This renovated theater features an upgraded sound system, screens and projectors, and perhaps best of all, a lobby bar and lounge that hosts events like live comedy and movie trivia. You'll find a diverse mix of new releases, second run movies and indie flicks in addition to a robust lineup of midnight screenings of classic favorites each weekend.

Located in a former hardware store (hence the signage on the building's exterior), this popular neighborhood destination is a blinking, beeping menagerie of lovingly restored arcade games. Grab a beer or cocktail at Logan Arcade’s bar before you snag some quarters from the change machine and start sampling the games, most of which are outfitted with a nearby ledge where you can rest your beverage. The machines are rotated with some regularity, but you'll usually find one of the city's largest collections of pinball machines in addition to a smattering of old-school video games, such as Ms. Pac-Man and Q-Bert. If you get hungry between games, Fry Like An Eagle a few doors away has vegan fare to fuel your next high score.

Built in the early 1900s, this small building in Logan Square used to be a place where trolley riders could stop to rest during their journey. Logan Square Preservation took the building over in 2010, opening it up to a team of curators and community programmers who turned it into a multidisciplinary art space. The programming team formed their own nonprofit in 2016, with an all-volunteer staff organizing art exhibitions, live music and film screenings to provide a meeting place for neighborhood residents of all ages.

You probably just know it as "That big column in the middle of the square," but it does have a name—and historic value. The Illinois Centennial Monument commemorates the 100th anniversary of the state of Illinois being accepted into the Union. The monument also serves as the site of the annual Logan Square Arts Festival, which brings music, food, drinks and vendors to the park surrounding the towering structure. When the weather is warm, you'll find folks relaxing on the monument's steps and in the surrounding park.

A formerly abandoned stretch of elevated railway track that runs through Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown has found new life as the 606 (a.k.a. the Bloomingdale Trail). Named after the first three digits in every Chicago zip code, the 2.7-mile path provides a quick way to travel east and west on the North Side, connecting several parks and public art installations. Prepare to dodge strollers, bicycles and residents out for a very slow jog on this popular throughway.

In the spring, summer and fall, the Logan Square Farmers Market sets up every Sunday morning along the neighborhood's historic boulevard (a few steps away from Milwaukee Avenue) and welcomes vendors from Wisconsin, Michigan and downstate Illinois. You'll find plenty of seasonal produce, farm-raised meats and fresh baked goods, but you'll need to arrive early if you want to beat the crowds of folks who show up to shop and socialize. 

Established in the '40s, this Logan Sqaure bowling alley became a haven for the punk scene during the '90s, playing host to artists like Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance. Today, the venue has returned to its roots and on any given night, you can reserve a lane to bowl a few frames or watch competitive league play. 

Named for the 15th governor of Illinois, John McAuley Palmer, this seven-acre park located between Logan Square and Humboldt Park dates back to the creation of the boulevard system in the 1870s. Palmer Square was a popular spot for cyclists (or "wheelmen") in the early 1900s, though you're now more likely to find runners on the track that circles the park's perimeter. Kids will appreciate a playground inspired by the classic book The Velveteen Rabbit.

America’s longest running independent comedy showcase is now based out this permanent location in Logan Square, hosting a mix of stand-up, sketch and variety acts across three stages. Past performers have included Amy Schumer, Hannibal Burress and Cameron Esposito—if you get lucky, you might catch a set from someone about to make their big break. Swing by on Friday and Saturday nights to see the signature Lincoln Lodge stand-up comedy and variety showcase, which features a cast of local performances and often includes a headlining act.

Casual and competitive gamers can hang out at Midlane Esports and play the latest titles on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 or high-end gaming PCs. Pay by the hour or opt for a deluxe package that includes two hours of game time plus a specialty cocktail or unlimited soda and an appetizer. The spot regularly hosts birthday parties plus a wide variety of events including cosplay meetups and weekly fighting game brawls. There’s also a library of tabletop games if you prefer analogue fun.

Since 1984 the family-owned Rosa’s Lounge has brought the sounds of old-school South Side blues clubs to Logan Square. The welcoming spot is a great place to get to know the genre, with performances from resident artists like Pete Galanis, Dave Herrero, Lil Ed Williams and the Ivy Ford Band on the weekdays plus visiting performers on the weekends. Rosa’s is regularly used as a venue for album release parties, so stop in to listen to something new.

Put your teamwork skills and wits to the test in one of three escape rooms at PanIQ Room, where you’ll have an hour to crack codes and solve puzzles to free your group. Opt for the family-friendly Wizard Trials, where a group of 2-8 players must find a master wizard’s cat, or gather 3-8 players for the spooky Medieval Madness, where you’ll try to free yourself from a torture chamber. If you can’t wrangle a big group, try the two-person mini escape room The Onyx Tower, which gives you 45 minutes to stop a necromancer.

Table game lovers pack Emporium Arcade Bar’s Logan Square location, which boasts an armada of pinball machines plus pool, air hockey, foosball and shuffleboard. You can also play Skeeball and a small selection of classic arcade games while enjoying a can of draft beer or an alcoholic slushie from the bar. Feel free to bring your own food or order something from the decommissioned food truck that hosts various chefs and vendors. DJs spin on the weekends while weekly tournaments offer an opportunity to really show off your skills.

After the fall of the Congress Theater, the party moved up the street to this former Hispanic nightclub. Situated on Milwaukee Avenue, Concord Music Hall hosts a wide variety of concerts, with a focus on rappers, rock bands and EDM acts. There's room for about 1,500 people in the building, but the sightlines on the floor can be pretty awful—you're better off finding a spot on the balcony.

Veterans of the Whistler and Boiler Room joined together to open this bar, which initially focused on cocktails made with gin. One of the two rooms here (the one filled with couches and curtains) looks a lot like the Violet Hour, which makes sense since cocktails are the main draw. The other room is less loungey, boasts a long bar and is truer to what Scofflaw is, which is a top-notch, friendly neighborhood joint.

The Hairpin Arts Center is a non-profit arts center established by the Logan Square Chamber of Arts in 2011. It resides in a building built in 1930, which was once home to the Hump Hair Pin Manufacturing Company. The Arts Center offers year-round arts and cultural programming for the neighborhoods of Logan Square and Avondale.