It’s Award Season! Chicago Reader announced all the Best of Chicago 2024 nominees, and almost half a hundred of our beloved Lakeview East businesses have been nominated. Take just a second out of your day to cast your vote for the businesses that make our neighborhood incredible! Votes can be cast once a day until the polls close on 12/31/2024.

Vote Here!

Arts & Culture

Best Comedy Show: Fresh Faces Chicago

Best dance studio or training program: Dance on Broadway AND The Newport Theater

Best Movie Theater: Alamo Drafthouse

Best movie theater bar: Alamo Drafthouse OR Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema Bar

Best New Play: “Little Orphan Boy: The Musical” at Annoyance Theater
Best off-Loop Theater Company: Timeline Theatre Company
Best Open Mike: Uncommon Ground
Best theater bar or lobby: Annoyance Theatre & Bar
Best theater production: Little Orphan Boy: The Musical (Annoyance Theatre) AND Raks Inferno: An Intimate Circus Speakeasy (Raks Inferno at Newport Theater)
Best Venue for Dance: The Newport Theater
Best Theater Training Program: Annoyance Theater and Bar AND The Newport Theater
Best Venue for Improv: Annoyance Theater & Bar
Best Venue for Stand Up: Laugh Factory
Best Venue for Theater: The Newport Theater
Best Venue to See Drag: Roscoe’s AND Annoyance Theater AND Kit Kat Lounge

Buy Local

Best Bicycle Shop: Johnny Sprockets

Best Comics Shop: Chicago Comics

Best Independent Bookstore: Unabridged Bookstore

Best Local Clothing Designer: Richard Dayhoff

Best Place to buy Men’s Clothing: CRAM Fashion

Best Place to buy Women’s Clothing: The Colette Collection

Best place to get pictures framed: Foursided Custom Framing

Best Record Store: Reckless Records

Best Resale Shop: Brown Elephant

Cannabis

Best “adult use” (rec) budtender: Sway

City Life

Best Advocacy Organization: Center on Halsted

Best Hotel: Hotel Zachary

Food & Drink

Best Bagels: Chicago Bagel Authority

Best Bakery: Klein’s Bakery & Cafe

Best Bang for Your Buck: Lowcountry

Best Bahn Mi: Bahn Mi & Co

Best Coffee Roaster: Dark Matter Coffee

Best Cooking Classes: Get in the Kitchen

Best Desserts: Klein’s Bakery & Cafe

Best Food Truck: Cheesie’s

Best Indian Restaurant: Rangoli Indian Cuisine

Best Korean Restaurant: Kim’s Korean & Sushi

Best Mexican Restaurant: Cesar’s Killer Margaritas

Best Overall Restaurant: Lowcountry

Best Paleteria: Klein’s Bakery & Cafe

Best Pizza by the Slice: Dimo’s Pizza

Best Place Worth a Wait: Lowcountry

Best Quesabirria or Birria de res Tacos: Cesar’s Killer Margaritas

Best Seafood Restaurant: Lowcountry AND Half Shell

Best Thai Restaurant: Cozy Noodles & Rice

Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Chicago Diner

Music & Nightlife

Best Dance Party: Queen! AND Nocturna at Metro

Best Gay Bar: Sidetrack AND Roscoe’s Tavern AND Hydrate

Best Lesbian Bar: The Closet

Best Music Venue: Metro

Best Venue for Dance Music: SmartBar

Best Venue for Magic Shows: Trickery

Best Venue for Rock Music: Metro

Sports and Recreation

Best professional men’s sports team: Chicago Cubs

Best Sports Facility: Wrigley Field