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Click here if you need to book a private party room
If you're lucky enough to have a bachelor party in summer, try to arrange it around a Cubs game in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Buy tickets beforehand – otherwise, you'll pay through the nose on game day if you buy from scalpers (up to $100 per ticket for popular games)
- Sit in the bleachers if you can – everyone gets hammered and bikini-clad women fall prey to a pretty face, out-of-towners and foreigners; just remember: get there early (at least an hour before game time) or you'll be standing for the entire game, and if the opposition hits a home run, you better damn well throw it back onto the field
- Drink Old Style from a wax paper cup – the game is far more enjoyable this way, though it might make it harder to see
- Get a hot dog, grilled with onions – these can only be found at the small stand on the landing as you walk up the ramp to the bleachers and are better than the hot dogs that they steam the bejesus out of
- Cheer on Kosuke Fukudome in Right Field – that's pronounced foo-koo-DOH-may... and always remember: left field sucks!
- Drink plentifully but pace yourself – you'll want to have something left for after the game (I can never get this right)
- The "Trough" – Wrigley's urine dissipation system is a model of efficiency but if anything falls in there, it's gone forever...
Wrigleyville, as the area immediately surrounding Wrigley Field is known as, is a great place for bachelor party bar hopping whether you go to a game or not. Here are some of the standouts:
After the Cubs Game via Chicago Trolley
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Destination
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The Hook
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Directions to the Next Place
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Chicago Trolley |
| Starting Point:
Murphy's Bleachers
3655 N. Sheffield
5:00-6:00
(depends on game time)
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A must before or after the game; cheap beer out of a can with hot dogs to boot; a good crowd right outside the entrance to the bleachers with lots of nice-looking women drinking beer; what more do you want? |
Board the Chicago Trolley, circle around Wrigley Field, stop and take a photo under the famous red marquis, when west along Addison, and south (left) down Southport. |
To book a trolley, contact Chicago Trolley for pricing & availability:
Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.
(773) 648-5000
chicagotrolley-charter@coachusa.com
Your pub crawl agenda is completely up to you. If you'd like to hire a guide, please be sure to mention that when you contact Chicago Trolley.
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| 1st Stop:
Justin's
3358 N. Southport
6:15-7:30
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Great beer garden and introduction to the action (and femininas) on Southport. |
North up Southport, east (right) on Addison, and south (right) down Clark until Buckingham. |
| 2nd Stop:
El Jardin Restaurant
3335 N. Clark
8:00-9:00
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For the love of God, you better eat something or your night will plummet faster than Dusty Baker's managerial career. Engorge yourself on chips & salsa --I recommend the carne asada for your entrée -- and enjoy the beer garden out front if available or out back. FYI: the El Jardin Café is located one block north, is much smaller and has no beer garden.
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North on Clark and circle Wrigley Field until you've pounded that quick beer. |
| 3rd Stop:
Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark
9:15-10:30
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By this time, the line outside should have subsided after the game, but before the evening's prime time. Lady Cub fans should be plenty "happy" by this point.
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South on Clark, south (right) on Sheffield and south (left) on Lincoln. |
| 4th Stop:
The Apartment
2251 N. Lincoln
10:45-12:00
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Above the Lion Head Pub with its faux English atmosphere and "table tappers," The Apartment is the best prime time action in Lincoln Park. Head up the street to John Barleycorn's if the line's too long to get in.
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North on Lincoln, west (left) on Belmont, north (right) on Western. |
| Final Stop:
Bluelight
3251 N. Western
12:30-4:00 (5:00 Sat)
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The best late-night action in this neck of the woods, with the 32-ounce "Bluelight Special" being your drink of choice.
Alternate: Underbar (next door) |
Time for a taxi, which you'll find out front. |
Click here if you need to book a private party room
~ Got a better idea for a pub crawl after a Cubs game? Email us. ~
[back to the Chicago Bachelor Party Planner] [back to the Chicago Bar Project]
On Foot: along Sheffield
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Destination
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Address
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The Hook
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| Murphy's Bleachers |
3655 N. Sheffield |
A must before or after the game; cheap beer out of a can with hot dogs to boot; a good crowd right outside the entrance to the bleachers with lots of nice-looking women drinking beer; what more do you want? |
| Nisei |
3443 N. Sheffield |
The best neighborhood joint in this faux neighborhood; intriguing character has not yet rubbed off on neighboring Dark Horse Tap and The Yard |
| Underground Lounge |
952 W. Newport
(at Sheffield) |
Former speakeasy now boasts a cool subterranean space and alternative bands |
| Redmond's |
3358 N. Sheffield |
Excellent, traditional Chicago bar; large portions of good pub grub, cool vibe and pool |
| Trader Todd's |
3216 N. Sheffield |
Offers some good post-game specials and karaoke with Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds (one of the owners); just beware of anyone asking to "borrow" your ID (true story) |
Click here if you need to book a private party room
On Foot: along Clark, North of Wrigley
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Destination
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Address
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The Hook
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| Casey Moran's |
3660 N. Clark |
Hoppin' joint right across from Wrigley Field, plenty of space, flatscreens, femininas, and a great patio |
| Bernie's |
3664 N. Clark |
If Murphy's is too much for you, head to Bernie's instead; there you'll find beer served in the can and big-mouthed plastic bottle; plenty of port-a-potties and is a more relaxed atmosphere across from Wrigley Field than most other places nearby |
| Yak-zies on Clark |
3710 N. Clark |
The best wings in Wrigleyville and a nice beer garden that looks out onto Clark |
| Gingerman Tavern |
3740 N. Clark |
Laid back, decidedly non-sports pub with a great beer selection and pool room filmed in The Color of Money |
Click here if you need to book a private party room
On Foot: along Clark, South of Wrigley
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Destination
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Address
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The Hook
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| Cubby Bear |
1059 W. Addison
(at Clark) |
Good for cover bands, sometimes 70s/80s retro (check the Chicago Reader for upcoming listings); at Addison and Clark, across from the Wrigley Field marquis |
| Sluggers |
3540 N. Clark |
Big time sports bar transforms into a dance floor and piano bar as the night wears on, and there's batting cages upstairs to boot |
| Salt & Pepper Diner |
3537 N. Clark |
Very cheap eats and sells beer but gets very crowded before Cub games; bonus: they serve beer! |
| Goose Island Wrigleyville |
3535 N. Clark |
Spacious Wrigleyville edition of the Goose Island Brew Pub; features a Sam Adams-like variety of their own beer and they serve a killer brunch |
| Red Ivy |
3525 N. Clark |
Spacious sports bar lounge, named for what we never see: Wrigley Field ivy in October; not to be confused with the perfectly serviceable "Ivy on Clark" across the street |
| John Barleycorn's Wrigleyville |
3524 N. Clark |
Never a cover, lots of hot women, huge dance floor upstairs; Moe's Cantina is the Mexican version next door with phenomenal kabobs (under the same ownership) |
| Irish Oak |
3511 N. Clark |
Every bit of the entire pub was imported from Ireland, including the bartenders who pull one of the best pints of Guinness in town; smaller version, Johnny O'Hagan's, is just down the block |
| Bar Celona |
3474 N. Clark |
Upscale Spanish lounge attracts femininas looking for a Latin lover but possibly willing to settle for you with enough drinks |
| El Jardin Restaurant |
3335 N. Clark |
Good Mexican food, outdoor patio in front, beer garden in back, and sexy women drinking margaritas; a somewhat rowdier version is Fiesta Cantina just up the street |
Click here if you need to book a private party room
- Important Note: there has been a big flap lately about Cub fans and the like urinating in public – avoid it at all costs or you could be fined $125 on the spot (perhaps literally)
~ Got a better idea for a pub crawl after a Cubs game? Email us. ~
[back to the Chicago Bachelor Party Planner] [back to the Chicago Bar Project]
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