The neighbourhood immediately north of the Chicago River has been the city's gallery district since the 1970s and its nightlife district since the 1990s — an unusual double identity that has largely held together. Superior Street and the surrounding blocks still have a concentration of contemporary art galleries. The streets around Rush Street and Division Street are the loudest part of Chicago's bar scene on weekend nights.
Merchandise Mart — one of the largest commercial buildings in the world, which once had its own zip code — dominates the river's north bank. Kingpin Lanes is the neighbourhood's bowling alley and event space. The neighbourhood is dense with restaurants across every price point, from high-end Italian to late-night pizza. The Chicago Architecture Center is the best place to book a river architecture boat tour.