CHIGuide
The Best Bars In Wrigleyville
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Unless the Cubs decide to leave Chicago for some, ahem, random stadium in Arlington Heights, baseball will always be an integral part of Wrigleyville. And as the overwhelming number of bars in the neighborhood suggests, watching the game with strangers drinking beer is just as important (in fact, the first recorded “beer snake” was at Wrigley). So whether you’re hanging out before a game, need somewhere to cry after a loss, or want a place that has nothing to do with sports, here are the best bars near Wrigley. And if you're looking for some places to eat, we got you covered too.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Walker Nelson
With only a couple of tables and a small patio, Lucky Dorr is so small it’s standing room only on game days. But people are willing to pack this tiny bar, because it’s one of the best places in the neighborhood once your palate has graduated from just automatically ordering anything with “Lite” in its name. They have over 20 beers on tap, ranging from Off Color’s yuzu-flavored Berliner Weisse to Lucky Dorr exclusives, like a hoppy red ale from Polyanna Brewing. Plus, since it’s attached to the stadium you can hear all of the cheering (and booing) from the game.
Sluggers is our go-to choice after a Cubs game, and it has everything you need to keep the party going. Keep drinking at the bar on the main floor, or head upstairs for some more fun. That’s where you’ll find batting cages, arcade games, and dueling pianos.
photo credit: Murphy's Bleachers
It’s 75 and sunny, and you spontaneously skipped work to try and get some nosebleed seats for the Cubs vs. the Cardinals. Pregaming with beers at Murphy’s Bleachers is what you want to be doing. But if you decide to just stay put, you don’t have to miss out on any of the excitement—there are enough TVs and you can still hear the roar of the crowd since Murphy’s is just outside right field.
Rizzo’s is a huge sports bar that’s great for groups. It’s right across from the stadium, and has a giant patio with a retractable roof. During the Cubs season, it’s definitely a party spot—you’ll find crowds of people, some of whom will be playing beer pong. They do have a menu of bar food, and it’s fine (their wings are decent, and basically anything that gets put in a fryer will get the job done). And as a bonus, they also have a small inn attached to the bar, so if you don’t feel like trying to get home, go ahead and see about a room
photo credit: Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is a bar that has activities like bowling, video games, and ping pong. There’s also some bar food, like sliders and cheddar mac and cheese balls—but you’re better off focusing on drinks and games. In other words, this is a perfect place if you need to distract yourself from the Cubs losing.
photo credit: John Ringor
On a slow night, you might hear the bartender at Output screaming “Free shots!” to lure people in. You can (and should) take them up on that offer. But considering that this sports bar is the Wrigleyville offshoot of one of our favorite wing spots in the city—you’re here for the chicken. Each drumstick and flat is perfectly crispy yet juicy, and they have a bunch of great sauces ranging from classic hot buffalo, lemon pepper, or roasted garlic BBQ.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
The Cubby Bear is the North Star of Wrigley on game day. It’s directly across the street from the stadium and consistently attracts a huge crowd before, after, and during games. And even when it’s the off-season, you can still expect it to be pretty upbeat since they regularly have live music from local bands or DJs.
photo credit: Guthrie's Tavern
The only thing this bar has in common with the rowdy spots right by the stadium is the ivy climbing its walls. Guthries has craft beer, board games, and is probably the only place in Wrigleyville where everyone here is in the middle of figuring out who killed Professor Plum in the foyer instead of playing beer pong or yelling at the TV. Throw in the screened back porch and a BYOF policy, and it’s a great place for a group hang or a low-key first date.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
Vines has one of the largest and best patios in the neighborhood, and it stares directly at Wrigley Field. It’s ideal for eating, drinking, thinking about going inside to the game, and then continuing to drink on the patio without ever going inside to the game.
You can pop into Toon’s any day of the week. It’s a few blocks northeast away from Wrigley, so it shouldn’t get the crazy overflow. It’s ideal for hanging and a quick bite of solid bar food, especially the wings.
photo credit: Christina Slaton
Nisei is Wrigleyville’s oldest tavern (it opened in 1951). And this dive bar holdout in a neighborhood primarily full of sports bars has no signs of slowing down—you can often find longtime regulars grabbing their unofficial assigned seat at the bar or some first-timers playing pool. The only things you’ll find here are booze and beer nuts, but they’re BYOF, so feel free to bring in food from nearby places like Cozy Noodles, or Bolivar and Lincoln.
photo credit: Christina Slaton
Sports Corner is the first bar you’ll encounter after walking off the Red Line L stop at Addison. It’s a typical sports bar—alcohol, televisions, and passable bar food. Coming here is the equivalent of betting all your money on the first slot machine in the Vegas airport. The best or worst way to start an adventure—your choice.
The GMan Tavern is the opposite of what you probably associate with Wrigleyville. No Cubs, no sports, and no Wagon Wheel sing-a-longs. Just a quality selection of beer, a few pool tables, and live music every week. It’s always a good idea when you want to ditch the crowds.
