Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2025

The Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2025 Winners have been announced!

Thank you for voting and supporting the hard-working, passionate businesses of Wicker Park Bucktown!

And we are honored to share that Wicker Park was voted "Best West-Side Neighborhood"!

Check out the list of local winners below:

Arts & Culture

Best Musical - Amelie (Chopin Theatre) (Winner)

Best Venue for Stand-Up - The Den Theatre (Runner-Up)

Best Venue for Burlesque - Bordel (Runner-Up)

Best Visual Artist - Tony Fitzpatrick (Winner)

Music & Nightlife

Best Music Venue - Salt Shed (Winner)

Best Venue for Hip-Hop - Subterranean (Winner)

Buy Local

Best Local Clothing Designer - Layers Chicago (Winner)

Best Streetwear Brand - Layers Chicago (Winner)

Best Place to Buy Men's Clothing - Layers Chicago (Runner-Up)

Best Place to Buy Women's Clothing - Layers Chicago (Winner)

Best Place to Buy Gender-Neutral Clothing - Layers Chicago (Runner-Up)

Best Kids Clothing - Layers Chicago (Runner-Up)

Best Vintage Store - Lost Girls Vintage (Winner)

Best Resale Shop - Lost Girls Vintage (Runner-Up)

Best Hairdresser - Eli Mancha, Bang! Salon (Runner-Up)

Best Hair Salon- Eli Mancha, Bang! Salon (Runner-Up)

Best Sex Toy Shop - Pleasure Chest (Runner-Up)

Best Place to Get Married - The Joinery (Runner-Up)

Best Indie Bookstore - Myopic Books (Runner-Up)

Best Comics Shop - Quimby's Bookstore (Runner-Up)

Best Record Store - Reckless Records (Winner)

Best Cannabis Supper Club, Home Chef, or Caterer - Mindy Segal (Winner)

Best Medical Budtender or Patient Care Rep - Noah B., Spark'd (Runner-Up)

Best “Adult Use” (Rec) Budtender - Noah B., Spark'd (Runner-Up)

Best Cannabis Brand - Spark'd (Runner-Up)

Food & Drink

Best Cocktail - Dorian's (Winner)

Best Bartender - Shelly Mercurio, Dorian's (Runner-Up)

Best Ice Cream - Margie's Candies (Winner), Jeni's Ice Cream (Runner-Up)

Best Bakery - Lost Larson (Winner), Mindy's Bakery (Runner-Up)

Best Doughnuts - Stan's Donuts & Coffee (Runner-Up)

Best Bang For Your Buck - Redhot Ranch (Winner)

Best Pierogi - Pierogi Kitchen (Winner)

Best Falafel - Sultan's Market (Runner-Up)

Best Burger - Redhot Ranch (Runner-Up)

Best Fried Chicken - Harold's Chicken (Runner-Up)

Best Vegan Restaurant - Handlebar (Winner)

Best Vegetarian Restaurant - Handlebar (Runner-Up)

Best Polish Restaurant - Pierogi Kitchen (Runner-Up)

Best Italian Restaurant - Club Lucky (Runner-Up)

Best Chinese Restaurant - Chef's Special (Runner-Up)

Best Caribbean Restaurant - Irazu (Winner)

Best Local Grocer - Agora Market (Winner)