North Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

You’re good, just know it’s absolutely fucking insanely overpriced and imo not worth it. And there are dumb ass judges and laws and other things just like every other state. Start doing Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu if you want self defense. Don’t go to a shitty gym. Or just carry. The crime in Seattle is not that fuckin bad people act like it’s south side Chicago here. source, 2025 ↗

positive

I’m 27 and also live in Gold Coast. There are some people our age living here and most work at Northwestern memorial, but most of the people here are going to be wealthy retirees. I recommend River North if you prefer living downtown. I only live here because it’s quiet(er). I really recommend ANY hobby for meeting people. I’m big into sports so I’ve met many people at Bulls games, Blackhawks games, Bears games, etc as well as rec sports leagues. I’ve met many people at the gym and doing jiu jitsu. I’ve met a few people at bars, but it’s not really a preferred place to meet folks. I reall source, 2025 ↗

positive

Molinaro, double five Chicago, movemento, and Northside bjj all aren't too far. The biggest in the area that is new breed but they're just outside the city in Niles. Best nogi open mat is in lombard at 10th planet, just a fun suggestion. source, 2025 ↗

positive

That's infuriating. Reminds me of a not so similar situation, but relateable. I delivered pizzas in college. Small town, nice. Most customers were regulars. Get to a regulars house carrying two bags of pizza. Probably two Chicago styles in each bag, this was 20 years ago, but I remember it being an expensive order, and on the heavier side. Door opens, must have been one of the regular's family members, didn't recognize them. I was about 20 at the time, dude was older than me but not more than 30. Out runs an aggressive Chihuahua. Demon dog starts barking aggressively and jumping up m source, 2024 ↗

positive

Expounding on that, look at Old Town School of Music, Mosaic School, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Northside Jiu Jitsu, Chicago Sports and Social, etc. Also, don’t sleep on Chicago Park District classes. They are so inexpensive and plentiful with a variety of night classes. I have kids so I’m limited in time but I’ve been taking tennis classes at McFetridge on Monday nights. It sucks sometimes to leave the house at night in the middle of winter but it’s worth it. source, 2024 ↗

positive

These are probably nearest to Old Town Chicago MMA (Halsted & North Ave) Valko’s BJJ (Ontario & Chicago) Team Fumaca Academy (Clybourn & North) These are also easily accessible via public transportations Downtown Jiu-Jitsu Club (Adem Redzovic) Chicago School of Grappling (by UIC) Carlson Gracie Jr / HQ (Logan Square, Milwaukee Ave) Vianna Brothers (also on Milwaukee Ave near CG) Brazil-021 (Chicago Ave, west of Ashland) Double Five Jiu-Jitsu (Andre Maneco, Chicago Ave East of Ashland) Molinaro Jiu-Jitsu (Lakeview) Lakeside BJJ (also Lakeview inside of Quad’s gym) source, 2024 ↗

neutral

For traditional gi bjj there's Uflacker Academy on the south side and Renzo Gracie Chicago on the north side. Christian Uflacker runs both locations and he's as legit of an instructor as you can possibly get, a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr and a very successful career as a competitor. For no-gi jj there's a few 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu schools in the suburbs, they're all highly rated. Eddie Bravo's no-gi system is ridiculously effective, so many world class competitors come from his schools. source, 2024 ↗

neutral

You mean like how he was a Blue Belt world champion but not a Black Belt world champion, in a world wide BJJ organization consisting of Northern Indiana and two neighborhoods in Chicago? source, 2024 ↗

neutral