Tour Wicker Park’s Funky New Pizza Patio and Bar

The owners of Homeslice and Happy Camper have brought their trailer-themed pizza schtick to Wicker Park as they’ve opened their third restaurant/bar, Paradise Park. The main difference with Paradise Park is the patio situated in front of the restaurant. The comparisons to Big Star’s nearby patio are there, but this one features a little bit more color with plants and plastic flamingoes inside a private patio that blocks out passersby walking down North Avenue.

Customers who have visited ownership’s other two pizzerias will recognize the design. Just like Happy Camper in Old Town, there are flattened bullets embedded into the bar. There are also trailers situated inside and out. On the way to the bathroom, customers can spot their favorite malt liquor bottle on the wall of forties.

At night, the space transforms from day-drinking oasis thanks to custom lighting which change the feel of the space. There are TVs everywhere, and Clay Hamilton and Josh Iachelli’s other two bars draw large college sports crowds. Expect football Saturdays to be big at Paradise Park. And after the games finish on weekend nights, lines at Happy Camper routinely flow down Wells Street with twenty-somethings.

Is there room for more pizza in Wicker Park? Paradise Park neighbors Eater Chicago 38 member Piece Pizzeria. Paradise Park doesn’t have brewery-fresh beers like the ones made at Piece, but it does have about 20 different cans, bottles, and drafts on hand. The menu has a few curveballs, but it’s heavy with plenty of thin-crust pies that customers devour at Homeslice and Happy Camper.

Paradise Park experienced a name change after first announced as Trailer Park Queen. Ownership said it’s more inline with the original name. On liquor licenses, the space was known as Paradise Pines. Walk through the park below.

Paradise Park, 1913 W. North Avenue, open 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. on weekends.