In this technological era, it’s easier than ever to consume content in a wide variety of genres. From indie video games and cult classics to “Star Wars” fanfiction and superhero comics, nerd culture brings loyal fans together, forming connections through shared interests.

But as nerd culture has entered the mainstream, there’s been an ongoing debate about defining what it means to be a nerd. In 2012, The Verge defined nerdiness as a culmination of “intelligence, obsession, and social ineptitude,” and further explained how these shared traits allow self-identiftying nerds to form a community with like-minded individulas. While this community frequently comes together at conventions, you might find a better sense of belonging if you live in a neighborhood of nerds instead of waiting for San Diego’s Comic Con once a year.

With comic book stores, video game lounges, conventions and festivals, unique museums, themed bars, and even iconic filming locations, some neighborhoods are more nerd-friendly than others. Here are some of the neighborhoods in Chicago where you’re most likely to live among fellow nerds.

Lakeview

Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago

Spanning the North Side, Lakeview’s affordability and proximity to the city’s center has earned it popularity among millennials. The neighborhood harbors three communities—Lakeview, Lakeview East, and Wrigleyville—which make up the most densely populated area in the city, according to the Chicago Tribune. That density harbors a lot of diversity, creating the perfect environment for members of various fandoms to meet and bond over a shared love of nerd culture. 

“Holy Comic Books, Batman!”

Lakeview is home to two well-known comic book stores: Chicago Comics and Graham Crackers Comics. Specializing in small press and indie titles, Chicago Comics was founded in 1991 and has provided a broad comic book selection to Chicagoland residents ever since. Graham Crackers Comics has 11 locations across Illinois and Wisconsin. Its Lakeview location sets aside some time every Tuesday for patrons to sell comics to the store.

Lakeview also boasts its own store dedicated to collectibles. Ka-Pow Collectibles on Belmont Avenue offers both new and vintage items at reasonable prices. It’s a great place to find a gift for that nerd near and dear to you or pick up something to add to your own collection.

Ready Player One

It wouldn’t be properly nerdy if we didn’t bring some videos games into the conversation, and Lakeview has a revolutionary arcade that will captivate anyone’s inner nerd. Krypton VR Lounge is Chicago’s first virtual reality lounge, offering one-hour sessions in an open booth for $40. With up to 40 games to choose from, customers can go deep-sea diving or explore uncharted galaxies.

Talk Nerdy to Me

Comic book stores and gaming establishments already make Lakeview a nerd haven, but the neighborhood also has a couple more miscellaneous offerings. Are you a robotics nerd? Check out Robot City Workshop where you can have a Robot Date Night and learn to build your own robot. Are you a film buff? Uptown, one of Lakeview’s neighboring communities, was a filming location for “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” during which the Aragon Ballroom was truned into the theater where Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered.

River North

River North neighborhood of Chicago

River North offers trendy urban living with luxury shopping and the highest concentration of restaurants in Chicago. Also popular with millennials, River North is teeming with energy and all sorts of nerdy hotspots.

“Elementary, My Dear Watson!”

Puzzle nerds can have their pick of top-notch escape rooms in River North. Head over to The Great Escape where you can embark on a Sherlock-themed adventure with challenging puzzles and tricky scavenger hunts. Looking for a more intimate puzzle-solving experience? Check out Brain Drain where you can book an escape room for four or five players or just two or three players. But if you have an army of nerds at your disposal, book a room at The Escape Game. Their rooms can accommodate up to eight people, and their themes include Prison Break, The Heist, Mission: Mars, Gold Rush, and Special Ops. But be quick about it—you only have one hour at each escape room to earn your freedom.

“Shaken, Not Stirred”

If you geek out over spy movies and government secrets, you’ll find an experience unlike any other at SafeHouse in River North. This bar and restaurant requires a password to enter, and if you don’t have it, you’ll have to pass a clearance test with Ms. M to get in. Once inside, you can order drinks and food, then investigate the secret passageways or explore the spy-themed props and decor while you wait for your order. With numerous events and activities throughout the week, you can return again and again to conquer new missions. 

Revivals of 1980s video arcades have been popping up left and right these days, but River North has its own local hotspot for nerds who want to enjoy a drink while beating the high score on Pac Man. Visit HQ Beercade in River North for over 65 vintage arcade games and 28 rotating drafts. They have another location in Nashville, and their Lakeview bar is relocating in winter 2018.

Come to the Nerd Side…

If dining like James Bond or escaping a machine uprising isn’t nerdy enough, River North also houses The Museum of Broadcast Communications, 3D Printer Experience, and the AMA Plaza—the filming location for the Wayne Enterprises Boardroom in “The Dark Knight”.

Bucktown

Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago

This historically residential neighborhood houses boutique shops, diverse architecture, and a variety of residents who prefer the new and unexpected compared to the traditional. As an inventive community, Bucktown is where you’ll want to be if you’re a nerd who loves soaking up new ideas.

“Ka-Pow! Bang! Zap!”

Bucktown can definitely give Lakeview a run for its money when it comes to comic book stores. Challenger’s Comics was named Best Comics Shop by the Chicago Reader in 2010 and received the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award in 2013. Also in the neighborhood, Quimby’s Bookstore favors the unusual and lowbrow in their independently-published and small press comics and books.

The Nerdologues

When several nerds came together to form a comedy show exploring nerd culture through personal stories and hilarious sketches, The Nerdologues was born. These nerds perform at varying locations all over Chicago, but when they’re not onstage, they share a workspace in Bucktown with the Cards Against Humanity headquarters.

Lincoln Park 

Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago

Home to DePaul University’s campus, Lincoln Park is an educational hub. With popular bars, locally owned shops, and an international collection of restaurants, this neighborhood is a charming option for nerds who want to live among students and locals with shared interests.

Good Game

The Chicago Nerd Social Club hosts a monthly Tabletop Meetup where nerds can get together to play board games, card games, dice game, or short role-playing games. Held at Good Games Chicago, the meetup is on the first Sunday of every month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re in the Lincoln Park area, grab your dice and head over to give your fellow gaming nerds some friendly competition. 

“It’s Not Brain Surgery”

For any nerds in the medical field, Lincoln Park also has a unique offering: The International Museum of Surgical Science. The public galleries in this museum are committed to the history of surgery, featuring exhibits like “A History of Blood Transfusion” and “19th Century Apothecary.” The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Admission for adults is $17.

West Loop

West Loop neighborhood of Chicago

Once a meatpacking district, the West Loop has undergone many transformations. Most recently, the neighborhood has become a bit trendier and upscale, mostly attracting urbanites and foodies. For culinary or history nerds, you’re bound to feel some comraderie amid the antique markets and food festivals.

For the Film Junkies

With its fascinating architecture and iconic landmarks, Chicago is a popular city for filmmaking, particularly in the West Loop. The Old Chicago Main Post Office on West Harrison Street is nine stories of intimidating structure, so it’s no wonder the crew of “The Dark Knight” used it for the Gotham National Bank. Also, in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, the Old Post Office serves as the NEST headquarters. Right up the street, there’s also Union Station—the setting of the showdown between Superman and General Zod in “Man of Steel.”

South Loop

Alder Planetarium in the Museum Campus

Walking along Michigan Avenue beneath the sparkling skyscrapers might make this neighborhood seem more like a supermodel haven, but the South Loops is a beloved habitat for nerds. This well-known neighborhood attracts many people with a shared love of theater, architecture, and museums.

Night at the Museum

A collection of nerdy neighborhoods in Chicago would not be complete without mentioning the South Loop where Chicago’s famous Museum Campus sits overlooking Lake Michigan. Here, you’ll find The Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. As an added bonus for all those nerds who dream of the final frontier, the Adler Planetarium offers a monthly After Dark Party for adults 21 and over. At the party, you can explore the exhibits, enjoy special programming, and sip cocktails with other passionate space explorers.