Fodor's Expert Review Belmont Avenue
The strip from Lake Shore Drive to Sheffield has an entirely different character than the residential streets nearby. Yes, it has Starbucks and Potbelly, but funky shops, tattoo parlors, and vintage-clothing stores add an interesting, eclectic feel. Just past the El tracks at Sheffield, you'll see the Vic Theatre. Once a luxurious vaudeville venue, it's now a popular spot for live music; on Brew & View nights, when multiple bars are open and the mood is most festive, on-stage acts are replaced by movie screenings.