Chicago Theater District

Am I missing something, or is there really not much to the Chicago theater district besides the theaters?

I saw War Paint earlier this week, and was very surprised at how few restaurants there were anywhere nearby. I walked around the whole area from the Goodman to the Private Bank, as well as several blocks east and west of both, and think I saw 3 restaurants that weren't just fast food chains, or cafes that were only open through mid-afternoon. And then after the show, except for the restaurant attached to the theater, I saw literally nothing open between the Goodman and my hotel about 7 blocks away. Not even the drugstores. If there were any bars, I didn't see them.

I'll be seeing Hamilton in November, and as far as I could tell, there's only one restaurant near the Private Bank, plus the one in the park not that far away. Is there somewhere to go for dinner in Chicago before a show, or for a drink or dessert after? Am I just very spoiled by New York?

As you say, Chicago doesn't have a theater district per se. The commercial theaters are in the heart of the business district, the "Loop". Since there is very little foot traffic in the evenings, most businesses shut down in early evening. It's not unusual for there to only be one or two shows playing at any given time, and not much for tourists to do in the evening in the area, so there isn't as high a demand for restaurants in the Loop as there is in Times Square. Most Chicagoans and regional tourists (the primary audience for Broadway in Chicago's shows) will eat somewhere outside the area, usually before the show (which lessens the demand for restaurants to be open later).



That said, I counted six table service restaurants within the six blocks surrounding the theater. You should do some research before going to find some restaurants, because they aren't all on one block in a row (and may not be as obvious). There are quite a few bars in the area, again do some research because they are spread out as well. Chicago, like New York, does have numerous places for food and drink in the late evenings, but outside the business district.

Chicago's real theatre district begins around Wrigleyville and Boys Town and winds it's way up north. Many of them are small storefront theatres, and they deliver amazing work.

Trattoria Ten if you want a more upscale dinner (definitely need reservations), Exchequer or Millers Pub if you want a more casual dinner. Hope that helps!