Chicago Reader

10/14/2025

The films of Paige Taul explore Black cultural identity, from style to family and from class mobility to personal mythmaking. https://bit.ly/4oqcAY9

The films of Paige Taul explore Black cultural identity, from style to family and from class mobility to personal mythmaking.

10/14/2025

Who makes Chicago shine? Nominate your favorite Chicagoans now at chicagoreader.com/best to show them a little love. Nominations are open until 11:59 PM Oct 26. ✨

It's time for the Best of Chicago 2025! The ballot opens for nominations October 6 through October 26. We want to hear from you, our readers, about what is the latest and greatest in Chicago.

10/14/2025

Lyric Opera's first-ever production of Luigi Cherubini's Medea is a resonant tale of vengeance with powerful performances. https://bit.ly/4haWWxi

Lyric Opera's first-ever production of Luigi Cherubini's Medea is a resonant tale of vengeance with powerful performances.

10/13/2025

📍 Metro Chicago
📽️ Nico Segal & The Social Experiment celebrate ten years of Surf
📰 Night issue out October 16

The Reader is exploring the city after hours.

For our first-ever Night issue, contributor Delaney Eubanks stayed up late and photographed night workers across the city: the people who keep Chicago going from dusk till dawn. Check out the photo essay when the issue drops on October 16!

10/12/2025

Is there someone in your community you think deserves an award? Good news! Now’s your chance to nominate them for the Best of Chicago. Go to chicagoreader.com/best to nominate your favorite Chicagoans.

It's time for the Best of Chicago 2025! The ballot opens for nominations October 6 through October 26. We want to hear from you, our readers, about what is the latest and greatest in Chicago.

10/11/2025

We've got a scary good list of shows for you to check out. This week we have two picks from the Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival as well as other incredible stories for you to enjoy.

🎭 Gwydion Theatre Company's revival of Death of a Salesman https://bit.ly/4q0ChjD

🎭 Drunk Dracula at Lion Theatre https://bit.ly/3KHXlLu

🎭 Dulcci from Colectivo El Pozo as part of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance's Destinos festival. https://bit.ly/4nHUqkl

🎭 Saving Myself by Subtext Studio Theatre Company as part of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance's Destinos festival. https://bit.ly/3KHXkqU

🎭 Veal at A Red Orchid Theatre https://bit.ly/43dvJUG

10/11/2025

We want to know what you love about Chicago! Nominate your favorite creators, changemakers, business owners, and more for a Best of Chicago award by Oct 26. Help us celebrate what makes this city amazing by going to chicagoreader.com/best

It's time for the Best of Chicago 2025! The ballot opens for nominations October 6 through October 26. We want to hear from you, our readers, about what is the latest and greatest in Chicago.

10/10/2025

Frank and Mary's Tavern closes after 54 years for renovations under new owners, and Monday Night Foodball moves to Thattu. https://bit.ly/4na5y8U

Frank and Mary’s Tavern closes after 54 years for renovations under new owners, and Monday Night Foodball moves to Thattu.

10/10/2025

📍 Belmont CTA station
📽️ Filmed by marketing manager Maja Stachnik with Reader readers
📰 Night issue out October 16

The Reader has always covered Chicago’s expansive nightlife scene, but for the first time ever, in this year’s Night issue, we’re exclusively exploring the city after hours. We’re dedicating this issue to nightlifers, those on the night shift, the late-night strollers, and everyone who keeps our city moving in the darkness.

10/10/2025

For months, activists have been surveilling the Damen Silos demolition to ensure that environmental protection measures are in place and enforced. https://bit.ly/3KIla5T

For months, activists have been surveilling the Damen Silos demolition to ensure that environmental protection measures are in place and enforced.

10/10/2025

Chicago is well known for its wide variety of delicious restaurants. This year we have 22 different categories celebrating the impeccable dining establishments that makes Chicago’s food scene so delicious.

Do you love catching up with your friends under the stars over dinner? Nominate your favorite spot for best outdoor dining.

Can’t get enough Korean BBQ? We’ve got a best Korean restaurant category you can nominate your go-to spot for.

Know of a popular place that’s worth the wait time? We’ve got a category for that too!

Nominate your favorite restaurants in our food and drink section at chicagoreader.com/best

10/10/2025

In this week's Make it Make Sense, ICE abducts at least 6 unhoused Chicagoans, a crackdown on anti-ICE protestors, and advocates ask the chief judge to keep ICE out of county courthouses.

Plus: state and local leaders crack down on anti-ICE protesters and advocates ask the chief judge to keep ICE out of county courthouses.