Chicagoans don\u2019t need to be reminded that our city is home to some of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet, but let\u2019s make it official: Avondale is one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, according to Time Out.<\/p>\n
Avondale, a Northwest Side gem\u00a0next door to buzzy hipster enclave Logan Square, has been ranked the world\u2019s fifth coolest neighborhood by Time Out. Nicknamed \u201cBricktown\u201d for its historic brickyards,\u00a0Avondale houses an eclectic mix of charming two-flats and bungalows, vibrant street art, repurposed warehouses and lively stretches of Polish and Latin American storefronts.\u00a0Back in 2022<\/a>, Time Out named Avondale the sixteenth coolest neighborhood in the world. This ranking isn\u2019t just our opinion, though\u2014we\u2019ve 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\u2014along with expert input from our editors\u2014to compile the final rankings. In total, the 2025 edition of the list features 40 neighborhoods spread across five continents.<\/p>\n Taking the global crown this year is the neighborhood of Jimbocho\u00a0in Tokyo, Japan. Avondale\u2014which ranks higher than any other U.S. neighborhood\u2014is joined by other\u00a0domestic spots like Red Hook, New York\u00a0(No. 14);\u00a0Little River, Miami\u00a0(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).<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: The 39 coolest neighborhoods in the world<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What exactly makes a neighborhood \u201ccool,\u201d you wonder? It\u2019s certainly a subjective trait, but the honorees on the list all share similar qualities\u2014terrific 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\u00a0bright future.<\/p>\n Curious\u00a0how you can make the most of a day in Avondale? You can dine at the neighborhood\u2019s top restaurants<\/a> and enjoy everything from Korean fusion in a Japanese listening bar to pillowy potato pierogis in an Old World Polish buffet. Of course, there\u2019s no shortage of things to do in Avondale. Dig for records and flip through vintage VHS tapes at Bric-a-Brac<\/a>, sip coffee beneath a Beetlejuice sandworm at horror-themed cafe The Brewed<\/a> or knock down a few pins at the delightfully retro Avondale Bowl<\/a>. For maximum outdoor merriment, head east toward the Rockwell on the River<\/a> complex to sip on whiskey at Judson & Moore<\/a>, nosh on Neopolitan-style pizza at Little Lark<\/a> and bask in riverfront views. For the skippers among us, you can even rent a boat<\/a>\u00a0from the marina that\u2019s just steps away from the compound.<\/p>\n