Chicagoans don’t need to be reminded that our city is home to some of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet, but let’s make it official: Avondale is one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, according to Time Out.
Avondale, a Northwest Side gem next door to buzzy hipster enclave Logan Square, has been ranked the world’s fifth coolest neighborhood by Time Out. Nicknamed “Bricktown” for its historic brickyards, Avondale houses an eclectic mix of charming two-flats and bungalows, vibrant street art, repurposed warehouses and lively stretches of Polish and Latin American storefronts. Back in 2022, Time Out named Avondale the sixteenth coolest neighborhood in the world. This ranking isn’t just our opinion, though—we’ve got the stats to prove it. Time Out surveyed thousands of readers from around the globe about the coolest spots in their cities and used that data—along with expert input from our editors—to compile the final rankings. In total, the 2025 edition of the list features 40 neighborhoods spread across five continents.
Taking the global crown this year is the neighborhood of Jimbocho in Tokyo, Japan. Avondale—which ranks higher than any other U.S. neighborhood—is joined by other domestic spots like Red Hook, New York (No. 14); Little River, Miami (No. 28) and Clarksville, Austin (No. 34). Chicago neighborhoods that have previously ranked among the best of the best include Logan Square (2024), Hyde Park (2023), Andersonville (2021), Uptown (2020), Pilsen (2019) and West Loop (2018).
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What exactly makes a neighborhood “cool,” you wonder? It’s certainly a subjective trait, but the honorees on the list all share similar qualities—terrific food and beverage options, vibrant culture, a bustling nightlife scene and a strong sense of community. Avondale embodies the best Chicago has to offer: reverence for working-class roots, stalwart support of small businesses and a steady stream of new businesses bolstering a bright future.
Curious how you can make the most of a day in Avondale? You can dine at the neighborhood’s top restaurants and enjoy everything from Korean fusion in a Japanese listening bar to pillowy potato pierogis in an Old World Polish buffet. Of course, there’s no shortage of things to do in Avondale. Dig for records and flip through vintage VHS tapes at Bric-a-Brac, sip coffee beneath a Beetlejuice sandworm at horror-themed cafe The Brewed or knock down a few pins at the delightfully retro Avondale Bowl. For maximum outdoor merriment, head east toward the Rockwell on the River complex to sip on whiskey at Judson & Moore, nosh on Neopolitan-style pizza at Little Lark and bask in riverfront views. For the skippers among us, you can even rent a boat from the marina that’s just steps away from the compound.
Ready for a vacation? Take a look at all 39 picks for Time Out’s coolest neighborhoods in the world.