The 20 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 lets 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 every 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 rotate with relative 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, hop a few doors down to Fry Like An Eagle for vegan comfort food. 

Built in the early 1900s, this small Tudor-style building in Logan Square used to serve as a rest stop for trolley riders. Logan Square Preservation took over the building's lease in 2010, opening it up to a team of curators and community programmers who transformed 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 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 thoroughfare for travelling 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 namesake 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 many folks who show up to shop and socialize. 

Established in the 1940s, this Logan Sqaure bowling alley became a haven for the punk scene during the '90s, hosting artists like Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance on its makeshift stage. Today, the venue has returned to its roots: 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.

From the outside, The Whistler looks like a gallery (which, technically, it partially is). On the inside, it's a tiny lounge, with a permanent stage set up for weekly live music and performance. But behind the bar, the drink-slingers have perfected the art of the cocktail, skillfully crafting colorful refreshments that pack a punch. One sip and there’s no doubt that despite everything else going on here, the drinks are the reason to stick around.

Casual and competitive gamers can hang out 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, a specialty cocktail or unlimited soda and an appetizer. The spot regularly hosts birthday parties and events like cosplay meetups and weekly fighting game brawls. There’s also a library of tabletop games if you prefer analog fun.

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

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 boozy slushie from the bar. Feel free to bring your own food or order a snack from the decommissioned food truck that hosts various chefs and vendors. DJs spin on the weekends while weekly tournaments offer an opportunity to really flaunt your skills.

Open Books isn’t your average bookstore. Opened in 2009, the shop is an outgrowth of the Open Books nonprofit, with a brand new location at the Literacenter. More than 43,000 square feet of books—mostly used and donated, with some recent new titles—are housed in rows of wooden shelves painted in bright, cheery colors. Open Books invites customers to sit and stay awhile, offering plenty of snug reading nooks, comfy seating and a dedicated children's section. 

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 Onyx Tower, a two-person mini escape room that gives you 45 minutes to stop a necromancer.

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 hip-hop, emo and EDM acts. While the main floor feels intimate—the entire room's capacity is about 1,500—we recommend moseying up to the balcony for clearer sight lines and easier bar access. 

Veterans of cocktail destination The Whistler and defunct pizza joint Boiler Room united to open this bar, which initially focused on gin-based cocktails. With two distinct rooms—one a cozy lounge outfitted with velvet furniture and a fireplace, the other a more straightlaced cocktail bar—Scofflaw invites you to choose your own adventure. Whichever path you pick, you'll be met with top-notch drinks and friendly service. Stick around until the stroke of midnight for free chocolate chip cookies. 

Hairpin Arts Center is a nonprofit organization and community space that was established by the Logan Square Chamber of Arts in 2011 with the goal of engaging and transforming the neighborhood through creative expression. Dedicated to challenging the “struggling artist” notion, Hairpin offers year-round programming, hosts rotating exhibitions and platforms local artists.

Outfitted with rustic brick walls, a trio of foeders (giant wooden barrels used to age beer) looming over the dining area and a spacious bar, Bungalow creates a welcoming environment for guests to sample Middle Brow's experimental beers and wines. In the morning, toast topped with cream cheese, fruit and honey is the main attraction, served alongside coffee and beer. Sourdough-based Neapolitan pizza piled with locally sourced toppings fill tables in the evening, with the action spilling onto the patio when the weather cooperates. 

There's a reason Lula Cafe has been a Logan Square mainstay for over 25 years. Chef-owner Jason Hammel and his team present dishes made with only the freshest seasonal ingredients—and it shows. Make sure to plan ahead, as space indoor and on the patio quickly fill up. Better yet, make a trip on the first Monday of the month, when you can enjoy three never-to-be-repeated courses as part of their Farm Dinner series.