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Catch the reigning WNBA champion Chicago Sky or some pigskin action
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Post-season baseball is an unlikely endeavor for Chicago (at least the South Side has its Italian beef balls). But not all’s lost for the city’s loyal sports fans. The Chicago Sky and Kahleah Copper (“KFC” for those in the know) made basketball fans feel like it was the ‘90s when the reigning WNBA champions dispatched the New York Liberty in the Big Apple. It brought back the joy of seeing Michael Jeffrey Jordan send the Knicks packing. The excitement isn’t limited to hoops as the NFL and college football are back in action. For those battling cabin fever, a sports bar offers an escape.
But finding the right venue is a challenge. Fear not and check out Eater Chicago’s picks for best sports bars in the city. These spots provide the right ambience to check out a game and won’t shame customers who want to play dress up in their baseball cap and jersey. Put on some face paint, it’s OK.
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
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A friendly Rogers Park place that has the hallmarks of a dive, but can also accommodate families with young children during the day. The food can be hit or miss depending on who’s in the kitchen. The atmosphere and staff are the main draws, and that energy helps create a fun game day.
In an area of the city saturated by sports bars, Murphy’s Bleachers rises above the fray. Open under various “bleachers” names since the 1930’s, it offers a singular gameday experience just across the street from Wrigley Field with plenty of streetside space for watching the world go by.
A Lakeview classic for a lot of University of Kentucky fans. There’s a classic pub menu with wings, tacos, and more. The fans here tend to get hyped for the games, so if you’re there on a gameday on a date — unless you and your partner are there for the sports — maybe take your night elsewhere.
Kirkwood might be a considered a relic of sports bars past, when food wasn’t a draw and cheap pitchers dominated the landscape. But the world has changed and so has the Kirkwood. Over the years, ownership has upgraded its menu and beer lists. That’s enabled the bar to draw college alumni groups and out-of-town fanbases who keep calling Kirkwood their home away from home.
The Bob Inn is an old person’s bar only until it isn’t. This is a dive for shots and a beer, with the type of aesthetic that big beer companies love to steal for its commercials. Yes, the crowd skews younger as the night goes on, but make no mistake: This bar takes its baseball seriously. Check out the neon sign in the front declaring it a North Side White Sox bar.
Logan Square’s retro sports bar offers daily games on the bocce court, a massive outdoor space in front, and weekend bottomless boozy brunches.
Julia Shell knows a thing about bars. The longtime PR executive has taken over a Lincoln Park space with a charming sports bar with a serious food menu. Albion Manor should appeal to soccer fans of all leagues with thoughtful drinks and a menu that includes sausage sliders, wings, and fish and chips.
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From the owners of the Scofflaw, this Logan Square bar caters to sports fans with TVs and a pub menu that includes burgers, wings, and salads. The beer selection is simple (with an emphasis on sours), but the cocktails are the highlights, as Scofflaw is one of the city’s best cocktail bars, and they’ve shared some of that magic to their younger sibling. There’s also a patio.
This longtime Wisconsin and Kansas bar in Bucktown is always packed. It’s also a popular setting for TV’s Chicago Fire.
Illinois bars are a dime a dozen, but all alums seemingly eventually find themselves at Joe’s. This large entertainment complex near Lincoln Park is good for those who want to start the day with sports and end with some music.
The Fifty/50, with their infamous chicken wings and 25 TVs, is one of Wicker Park’s OGs for sports.
Cleo’s is more known as an international soccer bar, but it also offers NFL Sunday Ticket on its 16 HD screens for the other type of football.
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One of the city’s best sports bars has a quality menu that will satisfy non-sports fans dragged to a gamewatch.
The bar’s owners, DineAmic Hospitality, know what it takes to throw a party. They revamped the former Public House, added twinkle lights, high-end finishes, and a new menu. This place has all the amenities a sports fan would want, and there’s no need to move if postgame festivities are desired. DineAmic will bring the party to the fans.
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Drinking at the Loop can be an adventure, and Miller’s Pub, with its familiar green and red sign, wants to be part of your night. The pizza and ribs are Chicago classics, while the bar oozes history with vintage photos and other trinkets throughout the space. There aren’t too many TVs in the space, but the fans who are paying attention to the game will soon become your best friends. You may even become penpals.
The South Loop spinoff of the Wicker Park bar is back near McCormick Place. It features a large beer list, Sunday brunch, and it’s probably the closest bar to Soldier Field.
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South Siders of a certain age have warm feeling surrounding Williams Inn, a restaurant that featured Chicago-style stuffed pizza. Closed for years, Williams Inn reopened in September as a sports bar that strives inclusivity. Watch the Bears, the Sky, and baseball while sinking your teeth into the same stuffed pizza that fueled so many memories.
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A quick walk from Sox Park, Turtle’s gets crowded after baseball games as fans crowd the space. It’s got a deep beer list, popular burgers, and pizza to sate any fan. This is a favorite among South Side Chicago chefs.
When a James Beard Award winner opens a sports bar, food-loving fans should take notice. Daisy’s Po-Boy opened in August with sandwiches, gumbo, fried chicken, and more. Williams is channeling is aunt with southern food inside a spacious restaurant with plenty of TVs and draft and packaged beer. It’s a rare Black-owned sports bar in the city of Chicago.
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This Hyde Park classic continues to chug with a friendly clientele and famous pitchers and burgers. The cheap prices may appeal to college kids at the University of Chicago, but the bar formerly known as Jimmy’s welcomes all. Note: They’re cash only.
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A friendly Rogers Park place that has the hallmarks of a dive, but can also accommodate families with young children during the day. The food can be hit or miss depending on who’s in the kitchen. The atmosphere and staff are the main draws, and that energy helps create a fun game day.
In an area of the city saturated by sports bars, Murphy’s Bleachers rises above the fray. Open under various “bleachers” names since the 1930’s, it offers a singular gameday experience just across the street from Wrigley Field with plenty of streetside space for watching the world go by.
A Lakeview classic for a lot of University of Kentucky fans. There’s a classic pub menu with wings, tacos, and more. The fans here tend to get hyped for the games, so if you’re there on a gameday on a date — unless you and your partner are there for the sports — maybe take your night elsewhere.
Kirkwood might be a considered a relic of sports bars past, when food wasn’t a draw and cheap pitchers dominated the landscape. But the world has changed and so has the Kirkwood. Over the years, ownership has upgraded its menu and beer lists. That’s enabled the bar to draw college alumni groups and out-of-town fanbases who keep calling Kirkwood their home away from home.
The Bob Inn is an old person’s bar only until it isn’t. This is a dive for shots and a beer, with the type of aesthetic that big beer companies love to steal for its commercials. Yes, the crowd skews younger as the night goes on, but make no mistake: This bar takes its baseball seriously. Check out the neon sign in the front declaring it a North Side White Sox bar.
Logan Square’s retro sports bar offers daily games on the bocce court, a massive outdoor space in front, and weekend bottomless boozy brunches.
Julia Shell knows a thing about bars. The longtime PR executive has taken over a Lincoln Park space with a charming sports bar with a serious food menu. Albion Manor should appeal to soccer fans of all leagues with thoughtful drinks and a menu that includes sausage sliders, wings, and fish and chips.
From the owners of the Scofflaw, this Logan Square bar caters to sports fans with TVs and a pub menu that includes burgers, wings, and salads. The beer selection is simple (with an emphasis on sours), but the cocktails are the highlights, as Scofflaw is one of the city’s best cocktail bars, and they’ve shared some of that magic to their younger sibling. There’s also a patio.
This longtime Wisconsin and Kansas bar in Bucktown is always packed. It’s also a popular setting for TV’s Chicago Fire.
Illinois bars are a dime a dozen, but all alums seemingly eventually find themselves at Joe’s. This large entertainment complex near Lincoln Park is good for those who want to start the day with sports and end with some music.
The Fifty/50, with their infamous chicken wings and 25 TVs, is one of Wicker Park’s OGs for sports.
Cleo’s is more known as an international soccer bar, but it also offers NFL Sunday Ticket on its 16 HD screens for the other type of football.
One of the city’s best sports bars has a quality menu that will satisfy non-sports fans dragged to a gamewatch.
The bar’s owners, DineAmic Hospitality, know what it takes to throw a party. They revamped the former Public House, added twinkle lights, high-end finishes, and a new menu. This place has all the amenities a sports fan would want, and there’s no need to move if postgame festivities are desired. DineAmic will bring the party to the fans.
Drinking at the Loop can be an adventure, and Miller’s Pub, with its familiar green and red sign, wants to be part of your night. The pizza and ribs are Chicago classics, while the bar oozes history with vintage photos and other trinkets throughout the space. There aren’t too many TVs in the space, but the fans who are paying attention to the game will soon become your best friends. You may even become penpals.
The South Loop spinoff of the Wicker Park bar is back near McCormick Place. It features a large beer list, Sunday brunch, and it’s probably the closest bar to Soldier Field.
South Siders of a certain age have warm feeling surrounding Williams Inn, a restaurant that featured Chicago-style stuffed pizza. Closed for years, Williams Inn reopened in September as a sports bar that strives inclusivity. Watch the Bears, the Sky, and baseball while sinking your teeth into the same stuffed pizza that fueled so many memories.
A quick walk from Sox Park, Turtle’s gets crowded after baseball games as fans crowd the space. It’s got a deep beer list, popular burgers, and pizza to sate any fan. This is a favorite among South Side Chicago chefs.
When a James Beard Award winner opens a sports bar, food-loving fans should take notice. Daisy’s Po-Boy opened in August with sandwiches, gumbo, fried chicken, and more. Williams is channeling is aunt with southern food inside a spacious restaurant with plenty of TVs and draft and packaged beer. It’s a rare Black-owned sports bar in the city of Chicago.
This Hyde Park classic continues to chug with a friendly clientele and famous pitchers and burgers. The cheap prices may appeal to college kids at the University of Chicago, but the bar formerly known as Jimmy’s welcomes all. Note: They’re cash only.