Gameday in Chicago is a sport in itself. Crowds of fans flock to Wrigley Field and bustling sports bars to watch the game. People take sports seriously here. If you are trying to catch the Cubs game this weekend, you better plan out what bar you are going to go to. Luckily, Chicago houses a variety of sports bars to suit every taste. From massive bars filled with walls of flat-screen TV’s to small dives, these are the best sports bars in Chicago to watch the next Cubs game.
Have a die-hard Cubs fan in your life? Give them a GiftYa virtual gift card for their next night out. GiftYa cards are completely customizable and can be used for any occasion. Your friend or family member can use it at any of the below restaurants, so feel free to encourage them to try out a few of them before picking their favorite. Want to make the card a little more special? Add a personal message to the card before sending it their way!
The Globe Pub
Enjoy the Game on One of the 20 Flat Screen TVs
Grab a beer and some fries and enjoy the game. Image courtesy of Chicago Tribune.
1934 W Irving Park Rd. North Center
For years, rabid sports fans around the city have flocked to The Globe Pub to cheer on the Cubs. Patrons can choose from a list of over 300 international beers. The pub also serves a full brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. English-style pub fare such as fish and chips and bangers and mash are the most popular items on the menu. While you wait for your food, you can enjoy the game on any one of the pub’s 20 smart TVs.
The Globe Pub also hosts regular events, including Wine Down Wednesday and the Get Buzzed: Drunk Spelling Bee. Happy Hour is also held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Enjoy everything from a $1 jello shot to a $5 appetizer.
Buy a GiftYa To The Globe Pub >
“I have been going to the Globe now for well over 10 years and have never had anything but a fantastic time. The staff is the friendliest in the city, the service is exceptional as is the beer and the food.” - Yelp review
Timothy O’Toole’s
Voted as One of the Best Sports Bars in Chicago, Timothy O’Toole is the Premiere Bar for Gameday
Fans have swarmed to Timothy O’Toole’s for over 25 years to watch the Cubs game. Image courtesy of Timothy O’Toole’s.
4614 North Lincoln Ave. Ravenswood, Lincoln Square
With 72 HD flatscreen TVs and over 40 beers on tap, Timothy O’Toole’s offers one of the best sports bar experiences in Chicago. Share a plate of O’Toole’s famous wings and wash it down with a selection from their vast menu of craft beer, cocktails, and spirits.
Ready for a challenge? Enter the “Big Timmy Challenge.” All you have to do is finish two half-pound burger patties stuffed with cheddar, jack, mozzarella, swiss, bacon, onion straws, BBQ, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and red onion. Finishing the meal off is a side of Irish Nachos. Eat it all and you win an O’Toole’s shirt!
On days that you are not stopping by to watch the Cubs, you can enjoy one of the many weekly events that O’Toole’s holds. Karaoke Tuesdays, Comedy Wednesdays, and weekend brunches are held every week. O’Toole’s also hosts monthly events including bus trips to festivals, bar crawls, and tap takeovers.
Buy a GiftYa To Timothy O’Toole’s >
“We stop here every year for lunch during the Cubs Convention. They have a great beer selection and I go for the fish and chips. The fish is delicious and served with a dill flavored tarter sauce.” - Yelp Review
The Fifty/50
Gorge Yourself on Savory Wings at This Chicago Staple
Share a plate of wings with your friends. Image courtesy of Facebook.
2047 W Division St. West Town, Ukrainian Village
Looking for something a little more upscale? As the premiere Wicker Park dining and nightlife destination, The Fifty/50 continues to set the standard for upscale sports bars and neighborhood dining around the city of Chicago. The founders of The Fifty/50 built the restaurant with the goal of serving casual, comfort food that maintains that same high-level standards that fine dining restaurants provide. Since 2008, they have received titles including “Best Sports Bar in America'' by Yahoo and Thrillist.
Everything, from the wings to the burgers, is made from scratch using high-quality ingredients and carefully curated recipes. Need help picking out a menu item? We recommend trying the Triple Secret Cheeseburger or thr Skirt Steak Sandwich.
If you want a place to just enjoy the Cubs game and dine on delicious food, The Fifty/50 is the place to be. With 25 TV’s placed around the restaurant, you can literally see the game wherever you turn your head.
Buy a GiftYa To The Fifty/50 >
“Good wings! Best wings I've had on the north side! Always clean and good service. The nachos with the pulled pork are amazing!!” - Yelp Review
The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen
Visit the #1 Sports Bar in the U.S.A. According to Nightclub & Bar Magazine
Wash down your burger with a hearty beer. Image courtesy of Yelp.
1301 S Wabash Ave. Near Southside
When the blanket of snow melts away and the temperatures finally rise, dine at The Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen. Their patio is perfect for sitting outside and soaking in the much-needed summer days.
As for the menu, each dish was inspired by the ideals of the Classic American Road Trip. Groups can share a plate of the restaurant’s famous Pulled Chicken Nachos before diving in on The Big Scout Burger or Prime Rib Dip. Accompanying their main menu is an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail list. Need a quick bite before heading to the game? Check out their Game Day brunch menu. Their most popular items include the Signature Footlong Grilled Cheese selections and Canteen Skillet “The Hangover Cure.”
“Great spot to watch the game. Any Game. The fights. Any fight. You name it they're viewing it....There has got to be, and if it isn't I have been fooled, a Michelin star chef in that kitchen. Once that food hits your table from the presentation to the smells, to the taste you have unconsciously forgotten about what was on the tv.” - Yelp Review
Murphy’s Bleachers
Chicago’s World Famous Sports Bar is Just Across the Street From Wrigley Field
Order your favorite beer before sitting back and watching the game. Image courtesy of Facebook.
3655 N Sheffield Ave. Wrigleyville, Lakeview
Fans flock to Murphy’s on every gameday, and for good reason. The sports pub is only a two minute walk from Wrigley Field! For over 80 years, Murphy’s has served as the go-to destination for Cubs fans and sports enthusiasts alike. Their Classic American ballpark food, beer, and whiskey is perfect for filling up your empty stomach before heading to the field for the rest of the day. Murphy’s has a wide variety of weekly specials on the menu, including 25¢ wings, $3 Powers Whiskey, and a $5 Bloody Mary bar.
Buy a GiftYa To Murphy’s Bleachers >
“Any visit to Wrigley field has to have a stop at Murphy's. We sat out on their little patio area and had a few beers and just watched people go by as we waited for game time. We talked to all the other fans around us and no joke I felt like I had known these people all my life.” - Yelp Review
Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden
Your One-Stop-Shop for Slow-Smoked Memphis BBQ and Craft Brewed Beer
Prepare to leave with a full stomach. Image courtesy of Yelp.
3258 N Sheffield Ave. Lakeview
Voted as one of the “Best 100 Bars in America” by Esquire and one of “America’s Best Beer Gardens” by Food and Wine Magazine, it is clear that Sheffield’s Beer and Wine Garden is a top Chicago bar destination for craft beer. Sheffield’s extensive beer list includes 50 craft beers on draft and over 200 in bottles. It is located a couple blocks south of Wrigley Field, making it one of the best sports bars in Chicago for pre-game or post-game meals.
“My chicken was so juicy, the skin was crisp and flavorful, and the portion was generous. It was the best chicken I've had in a while! For a side, I got the sweet potato fries - DELICIOUS! They serve it with a spicy maple aioli that I could eat every day. I also ended up dipping my chicken in it for extra sweet/spicy flavors.” - Yelp Review
Anyone who has ever sat in a sports bar in Chicago on gameday knows what it is like to feel the unmatchable energy that emanates from each fan. It’s indescribable. This is one of the many reasons why Chicago is such a special city. Which bars on the list are your go-to places for watching the game? Let us know in the comments!
Trae Bodge
Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.
Latest Posts
From Sizzling Bacon to Fluffy Pancakes, Here Are the Best Places to Fuel Up with Breakfast and Brunch in The Gem State
From Pastries Shops to Old School Diners, Local Joints to National Chains, Here are the Absolute Best Places for Breakfast and Brunch in Portland, Oregon
