Welcome to Bronzeville
The culturally significant and rich history of Bronzeville is to be admired.
Situated on Chicago's South Side, the historic Bronzeville neighborhood is deemed a cultural hub of the early 20th century. Its many famed residents are honored with plaques found on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame. Local artists host exhibitions at the South Side Community Art Center, while neighborhood streets are dotted with colorful murals.
Bronzeville offers rich architectural and cultural history that people can still experience today. It's a profitable and thriving neighborhood that flaunts its abundance of locally-owned cafes and restaurants. It exhibits monuments that pay tribute to the history of the neighborhood and to the residents who contributed to a lasting impact. Plus, it has a strong arts community.
As you immerse yourself in Bronzeville's art-filled community, you'll find an impressive display of historic landmarks, galleries, and lively events, such as the annual Bud Billiken Parade that draws in over a million spectators every August.
What to Love
- Historic landmarks
- Rich culture
- Strong arts community
- Array of events and galleries
Local Lifestyle
The Bronzeville community is not only well-known for its rich history, but also for its modern-day, flourishing renaissance. It provides vast cultural contributions and was once home to civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks, and legendary musician Louis Armstrong.
These days, Bronzeville embraces its legacy as a mecca for blues, jazz, gospel music, and civil rights. You'll also find an incredible mixture of bistros, coffee shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, and monuments, alongside breathtaking 19th-century mansions and Victorian-era architecture.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
There's no lack of dining, entertainment, and shopping in Bronzeville. You have many options available to you including Chicago's favorite coffee spot Sip & Savor. Here you'll receive the world's finest certified fair trade coffee with a large selection of lattes, mochas, teas, blended drinks, frappes, and pastries. Sip & Savor also offers venue rentals, special events, and Sip Nation merchandise.
Next, you have the Bronzeville Winery which contributes to the honorable tradition of serving the community through the expert craft of food and drink. With extraordinary service at the forefront of their mind, they make the commitment to serve as an incubator for eager and young hospitality hopefuls wanting to devote their career to entrepreneurship surrounding the world of food and drink.
The Yassa Restaurant welcomes you to their establishment for delectable Senegalese fare. This includes traditional whole fish and stews served in a colorful, cozy setting.
You won’t want to miss Norman's Bistro for Sunday jazz. It is a wine bar that also showcases creative American Creole cooking that has a bit of a Brazilian twist to it.
Things to Do
In Chicago, the festival season never ends. Summer is jam-packed with outdoor concerts, food festivals, and Pride celebrations. The wintertime will bring indoor markets, beer festivals, and film fests. Then during the fall and spring, you'll get a little bit of everything.
You'll want to be sure to check out the Robert W. Roloson Houses built by Frank Lloyd Wright; while you’re out adventuring, you can walk by former residences of amazing entertainers like Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and the Marx Brothers.
You can enjoy Oakwood Beach, which features ample green space to lounge in and breathtakingly beautiful views of the skyline.
The Southside Community Art Center serves as a community-centered artist resource for emerging creators and established artists with inspiring exhibitions, programs, and events that build on our legacy and take pride in our rich past.
Schools
Notable schools in the Bronzeville / South Lakefront School District include:
- King College Prep High School, Grades 9-12, highly ranked nationally
- Ariel Community Academy, Grades Pk-8, received a 2021 Thrive Award
- Mollison Elementary School, Grades Pk-8, highly ranked elementary school
