A tale of two wormwoods
Exploring the intersecting histories of absinthe and Malört—and why Chicagoans prefer the latter
the drinks issue
How immigrants shaped Chicago’s bar scene
The city’s drinking culture was forged in 19th-century saloons and taverns.
New local spirits to lift your spirits
Winter is coming. Here are five new bottles that will rekindle your blackened heart.
Latest Stories
Brunchlox brings Norwegian-Filipino brinner to the next Monday Night Foodball
Cindy Knott and Karl Almaria’s Kimski-based dance party moves north to the Reader’s weekly chef pop-up at Thattu.
Charles E. Gerber sparked kids’ imaginations as host of The Magic Door
He got his big break on TV in the 70s as an elfin troubadour on a Jewish kids’ show, but his career as a singer, actor, and teacher continues to this day.
Review: King Ivory
Despite a fantastic cast, King Ivory won’t be able to escape comparisons to both Sicario (2015) and Traffic (2000).
Torn Light Records reopens after a month of mopping up
Plus: The Fallen Log shuts its doors, Public Works sells a “Fuck ICE” T-shirt to benefit immigrant groups, and more.
Chicago tenants demand eviction moratorium
Housing organizers warn against putting people out “as long as I.C.E. is in our city.”
Get the latest issue of the Chicago Reader
A tale of two wormwoods
Exploring the intersecting histories of absinthe and Malört—and why Chicagoans prefer the latter
Charles E. Gerber sparked kids’ imaginations as host of The Magic Door
He got his big break on TV in the 70s as an elfin troubadour on a Jewish kids’ show, but his career as a singer, actor, and teacher continues to this day.
How immigrants shaped Chicago’s bar scene
The city’s drinking culture was forged in 19th-century saloons and taverns.
Torn Light Records reopens after a month of mopping up
Plus: The Fallen Log shuts its doors, Public Works sells a “Fuck ICE” T-shirt to benefit immigrant groups, and more.
News & Politics
Federal agents continue terror campaign in Chicago
Plus: Uptown People’s Law Center workers speak out after layoffs and city domestic violence services face budget cuts in 2026.
Sponsored
Southeast Spotlight: Medley Grill & BBQ
Bringing the best BBQ to the Southeast Side & beyond
Muchos habitantes de Chicago sin vivienda no fueron contabilizados entre los desaparecidos
Los secuestros por parte de agentes federales de inmigración ocurrieron tras los recientes desalojos en parques de la ciudad.
Music
Danny Brown cannonballs into the digicore underground on Stardust
Sun 11/16 at the Vic
Former Chicagoan Chad Taylor returns with a new ensemble that shows new roots
Sat 11/15 at Constellation
Facing combine fresh and familiar art-pop sounds on Temporary Bodies
Thu 11/13 at the Empty Bottle
Film & TV
Eye works
Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala (1991), plus the 2025 Eyeworks Experimental Animation Screening Series
Review: Sentimental Value
Sentimental Value offers a clear-eyed view of how complicated regret and reconciliation can be.
Review: Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands may be unlike any other Predator movie, but it’s all the better for it.
Theater, dance, comedy
The Unseen shines light on authoritarianism’s destruction
Craig Wright’s 2009 play at Tin Drum Theatre feels freshly relevant.
Superior Donuts remains a homegrown treat
Tracy Letts’s Uptown tale returns with Artistic Home.
Smokefall reignites with a new company
Noah Haidle’s celebrated family fantasia is Wild Door Theater’s inaugural production.
Visual Arts, books
‘Seeing the world in bead color’
Yuliya Klochan’s beading practice taps into her Ukrainian roots.
Capturing Kahanamoku explores the dark history of eugenics
Historian Michael Rossi’s latest book draws eerie parallels with today’s social and political discourse.
CITY LIFE
Chicago has always defied kidnappings of our neighbors
Even after the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, local officials and everyday people resisted the legalized abductions of Black Chicagoans.
Putting Chicago fashion on the map
Chicago Fashion Week returned for its second year to an industry in flux.
Food & Drink
Middle Eastern restaurant Old School keeps it commercial-free
At Mohd Mahd’s Palos Hills restaurant, the poet, philosopher, free thinker, food scientist, and chef offers his own style of radical hospitality.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sponsored
Sponsored
Southeast Spotlight: Mayfair Arts Center
Making movement accessible for all.
Mayfair Arts Center8701 S. Bennett Avenue, Monday 10 AM-8:30 PM; Tuesday and Wednesday 9 AM-8 PM; Thursday and…
Sponsored
Empower Illinoisans affected by breast cancer and reduce stigma with your purchase of a 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery
You could call it the Instant Ticket that started it all. In 2006, the Illinois Lottery launched the…
Sponsored
An excerpt from TAXI GIRL, a novel by Maria Schreiber
“All About Yogurt,” a four-minute read.
“All about Yogurt” Four-minute read On Monday, June 3, 1974, Tania and Dan began selling cartons of yogurt…
Sponsored
At the California Clipper, everyone is welcome
The newly relaunched Humboldt Park lounge champions community, inclusivity, and fair labor practices Since the 1820s, Chicago’s pubs…
Sponsored
Support local students pursuing higher education with your purchase of a 7X Bingo Multiplier Instant Ticket from the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery is nationally recognized for its pioneering work with specialty lottery tickets dedicated to raising awareness…
Sponsored
Demystifying Acupuncture provides answers for the curious skeptic
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) that involves the placement of hair-thin needles into…