A Neighborhood Worth Gathering In: Lakeview, Southport and Our Table
Walk along Southport Avenue and an ordinary evening can become a small occasion: dinner with friends, a film at the Music Box, or a conversation that lasts longer than the first round of drinks. At Port & Park Bistro | Bar, that is what we love about our neighborhood. There is always a reason to get together, and it does not have to be a big one.
Our home at 4000 N Southport Avenue puts us among the streets, storefronts and gathering places that give this corner of Lakeview its character. Look a little closer, and there is plenty of history behind the familiar scenery.
Before Lakeview Was Part of Chicago
Lake View was once an independent township. Established in 1857, it remained separate from Chicago until annexation in 1889. Chicago Public Library's historical records describe a nineteenth-century area with farms as well as residential development, followed by growing business and entertainment activity.
It is a surprising thought while walking these city blocks: the neighborhood we know today grew from a landscape with a very different pace of life. Its transformation helps explain why local history is worth noticing beyond the most famous landmarks.
Southport's Movie-Night Tradition
One of those landmarks is the Music Box Theatre at 3733 N Southport Avenue. It opened on August 22, 1929, with approximately 700 seats. Architect Louis I. Simon designed the building, which originally included nine storefronts and 32 apartments alongside the theatre.
That detail says something about Southport: entertainment, small businesses and everyday life occupied the same building. The theatre's starry ceiling and courtyard-inspired interior gave a neighborhood movie outing a sense of adventure.
For us, dinner and a movie remain an appealing way to enjoy the area. Make time for a meal before the screening, check the theatre's schedule, and leave room for the walk between the two.
Make it dinner and a movie: Music Box Theatre members receive 5% off their bill at Port & Park Bistro | Bar. Show your membership when requesting the discount.
Baseball History Around the Corner
Nearby Wrigley Field opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park; the Cubs began playing there in 1916.
Baseball brings its own rhythm to Lakeview. But the neighborhood also has quieter evenings, weekend catch-ups and celebrations that have nothing to do with the score. We welcome both the excitement of a day out and the simple pleasure of a familiar table.
Our Place in the Neighborhood
At Port & Park Bistro | Bar, we bring New American cooking and Mediterranean influences to that table. Our approach pairs scratch-made food with cocktails and a welcoming place to spend time together.
Come for dinner with someone you have been meaning to see. Gather the family for weekend brunch. Meet friends for happy hour, or talk with us about a birthday, rehearsal dinner or group celebration. Different occasions call for different plans, but good hospitality belongs in all of them.
We are proud to be part of a neighborhood with stories stretching back generations. Our contribution is a meal, a welcome and a place to make the next memory.
Plan your visit: Explore our dinner menu, browse our menus, or contact us about your next gathering.
Port & Park Bistro | Bar | 4000 N Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL 60613