Where to Watch the Cubs
Is this the year, Cubs fans? Whatever happens to the Cubs this year, you’ll want to be there to watch it. Here are some of our picks for the best places around Wrigleyville to watch the game (and even grab some good grub while you’re at it):
More of a Sox fan? Check out these bars instead.
Full Shilling
We’ve got just three words for you: free hot dogs. Yes, the Shilling serves ‘em up before and after games (with a drink purchase, of course). And they’re amazingly fresh and good. While you can expect a full-on party atmosphere, they do their best to keep it in check and keep the drinks flowing for all. A standing special of $4 big cans of Old Style is the way to go, and they also serve a pretty good menu for a ballpark bar. But admit it, we had you at “free hot dogs,” didn’t we? Redmond’s
Located just a few blocks from Wrigley Field, Redmond’s is a world away from its rowdier, raunchier neighbors. A neighborhood pub with the requisite long, wooden bar and sometimes-sticky floor, it is home to Wrigleyville’s more sophisticated beer drinkers. Even on game days, the crowd remains somewhat reserved, seated at booths and opting for import drafts rather than the Pabst-drenched gauntlets found around the corner. It’s got Bud Light, but also serves Blue Moon (and 11 other beers on tap). Instead of dripping bottles served from tubs by indifferent bimbos, Redmond’s offers at least 25 different types of bottled beer slid across the bar by some of the friendliest bartenders in town.
Vines on Clark
Brought to you by the same owners as the Cubby Bear, Vines on Clark, the hood’s only rooftop dining venue, is a dressier way to enjoy the Wrigley Field experience. Trade the Old Style draft for a pink lemonade martini made with Svedka citron, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and sour mix, sit back and take in the cries of the crowd. On non-game days, take advantage of the free parking lot and watch all the action on one of four flat-screen TVs.
Mullen’s on Clark
This is a sports bar in the classic sense: Five TVs and two big screen projectors play the game, while beer-drinking patrons play foosball, Golden Tee and darts (the real kind, with metal tips, so watch out!). Music plays at a raucous but not deafening volume, making Mullen’s as suited to friendly conversation as it is for a little friendly competition. The backyard beer garden consists of several tables set up in the alley, offering a better chance of finding a seat and a smaller chance of having beer spilled on you.
Trader Todd’s
Perhaps best known for being co-owned by Don Gibb, who played Ogre in the “Revenge of the Nerds” movies, Trader Todd’s is more Animal House than nerd-fest. Parked out front is the “Tiki Transit,” a converted minibus that acts as a free shuttle from Trader Todd’s to Wrigley Field and back on game days, in case you can’t make the three-block walk. Trader Todd’s namesake beers are brewed in Wisconsin and include lager, red and pilsner varieties. After the game, stop back in for the place’s real attraction: karaoke.
Harry Caray’s Tavern
A relative newcomer on the scene, Harry Caray’s took over for the old Hi-Tops a few years ago and has been going strong. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, sit back and enjoy a plethora of TV screens everywhere you look — including a 10-foot HD TV in the back of the bar. They take the bar food menu up a notch with a burger bar that has plenty of options for all. And the chicken vesuvio is a favorite at all of the HC locations.
Captain Morgan Club
You can’t get much closer to the ballpark than this. Opened just last year, this bar/restaurant is actually connected to Wrigley, meaning you can enter the park through the bar’s indoor patio. As for the place itself, expect ballpark fare (hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef) brought to you by the Harry Caray’s people across the street. On a nice day, you can hang out in the outdoor patio, or come inside if the weather’s not cooperating.
Rockwood Place
Taking over the prime Clark Street real estate vacated by Grand Central, Rockwood has his the ground running in Wrigleyville. The place shoots for a more loungy feel, while still keeping Cubs fans happy. A list of flatbread sandwiches highlights a bar food-heavy menu, and a lengthy whiskey menu gives the refined baseball fan reason to cheer.
The Stretch
One of Wrigleyville’s newest additions is already in touch with its baseball-loving clientele. The bar has 13 TVs dotting a spacious interior with cedar-planked walls and new tables. A sports-friendly menu includes the Opening Day Dog, a jumbo hot dog cut in half and stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and served with relish on a pretzel bun. All food is made from scratch, including appetizers (generally priced from about $7 to $12) like the deep fried mac and cheese balls or crab and artichoke dip.
Rockit Bar & Grill
If you think this version of the River North rock bar co-owned by Billy Dec is a little out of place in Wrigleyville, you’re not alone. But the bar, in its second season just steps away from the bleachers, has found a home in the ‘hood with it’s multi-level bars, moose-antler chandeliers and a comfy outdoor patio with a prime view of the Friendly Confines.
Not in Wrigleyville? There are sports bars throughout Chicagoland sure to be showing the game.
Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!
Tasty Tax Relief
The 1040 EZ from
Seasons.
Whether you’re looking to mourn your tax day debt or relish in your refund, these cheap food and drink specials will help ease the pain (or prolong the triumph). Specials are applicable on April 15 only unless otherwise noted.
Zocalo
Your happy hour will be extra special tonight, as this River North Mexican restaurant offers a three-course menu for just $15. You’ll get to choose an appetizer, an entree and a dessert from among a menu including guacamole, four different types of tacos and vanilla-and-white chocolate flan. The regular Thursday-night “Dine at Nine” promotion will also be in effect, including half-price food after 9 p.m. (reservations required, and you must mention the promotion) and $20-$25 pitchers of margaritas. DJs David Chavez and Mwelwa Musambacine will spin global beats from 6-11 p.m.
HUB 51
The River North bar’s lower-level lounge, SUB 51, will erase any lingering tax-day troubles with half-price bottles and champagne all day long. DJ Konsept will spin all night.
O’Donovan’s
April 16
O’Donovan’s is rewarding its loyal patrons with plenty of tax day specials, including $1 off Harp, Guinness and Smithwick’s, $13 22-ounce cocktials, $5 Stoli cocktails and $5 Jager Barrels. If you’re looking for something to soak up all that cheap booze, try the Friday Fish Fry for just $7.95.
Cityscape Bar
Cityscape will offer a complimentary appetizer buffet including hot wings, cheddar-jalapeno poppers and grilled veggies with aged balsamic from 5-7 p.m. on Tax Day. Specialty cocktails include the IRS Blue Lemonade martini (Skyy Citrus, blue curacao and lemonade) for just $4.15.
10pin Bowling Lounge
Want to bowl away your bureaucratic frustrations? You can do it for just $4.15 a game at this River North lounge (Svedka cocktails and Sam Adams drafts can be had for the same price.
Dawali
For a taste of something different on Tax Day, try a classic shawarma or falafel sandwich at this Northwest Side eatery. The fee for this culinary journey? $4.15.
Stretch Run
Special $4.15 cocktails at this OTB bar include the Green Meenie with vodka, Midori melon liqueur, triple sec, tonic water and sour mix, served in a pint glass over ice.
Sushi Taiyo
Double your pleasure with your choice of a spicy tuna or California roll plus a glass of house wine or domestic beer for just $10.99 on Tax Day at this Streeterville sushi spot.
Tapas Valencia
The South Loop spot keeps it simple with $4.15 glasses of red or white sangria available from 4-10 p.m.
Carlucci (Downers Grove)
Not only can you get $4.15 martinis at this Italian eatery, but you can also enjoy select bottles of wine for that absurdly low price, as long as you purchase an entree. Limit one bottle per table.
The Lucky Monk
After all that work filling out forms, you probably won’t feel like cooking. A large, 16-inch pizza will run you just $10.40 (like the tax form, get it?) all day at this South Barrington bar and restaurant.
Meson Sabika (Naperville)
Glasses of red and white sangria are just $4.15 all day at this tapas restaurant.
Pinstripes
Both the Northbrook and South Barrington locations of this multi-purpose funhouse will offer all gaming, food and beverages “Tax Free” (meaning a 10-percent discount) from Tuesday, April 13 to Thursday, April 15.
Seasons
The list of tax-free “Tax-Tinis” at this lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago includes the 1040 Easy (Absolut Mandarin, Apple Pucker, Triple Sec, homemade sweet and sour and 7-Up) and the Stimulus Check (Crown Royal, Peach Schnapps, Chambord and cranberry juice). You can also write off your woes with the blueberry flavored Exemption or submit yourself to scrutiny with the fruit-fueled Auditini. All tax-free martinis are $13.
Lobby Lounge (ShowPlace Icon Theatre)
Thinking of catching a movie to dull your tax-inspired pain? Make sure to stop into this cinema lounge beforehand for $4.15 bottles of domestic beer and $10.40 12-inch pizzas.
Koi
In honor of tax day, Koi and its sister restaurant, Chen’s, will offer all Chinese Plate entrees for $10.99. Specials include General Tsao’s, Szechwan and sesame plates.
Brasserie Jo
Hopla drafts will be available for $4.01, along with complimentary tarte flambees in the bar area.
Carnivale
Guests who dine at the restaurant will receive a $15 gift certificate for use on their next visit. Complimentary gift certificates will be valid through May 31.
Taco Del Mar
Print out a coupon from the website and get a free taco at this Uptown Mexican spot.
Boston Market
Print out this coupon and bring it in to get a buy-one-get-one free offer on individual plates (valid through April 18).
P.F. Chang’s
Visit this Chinese chain on Thursday and receive 15 percent off all food purchases.
Get your food and drink tax-free at the following restaurants: Dunlays on Clark, D.O.C. Wine Bar, Dunlays on the Square, Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar and D.O.C. Wine Bar (Lombard).
The Arboretum of South Barrington offers the opportunity to shop tax free at a number of participating retailers (you must print this coupon for the 10-percent discount), including Ann Taylor Loft, Coldwater Creek, DSW, Jos. A. Bank, L’Eiffel Bistro & Creperie, Pinstripes, Sur La Table and more.
Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!
Gourd enough to eat
Chicago’s restaurants celebrate the pumpkin in creative, traditional ways
Chefs, who love working with seasonal products, greet the arrival of pumpkins with a burst of creative energy, incorporating them into a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
His grip on nightlife?in Paris and now, he hopes, in New York?is sure. 
Four Loko has swept the nation?s underage drinkers. 
Tokyo knows how to do hotel bars. Sophisticated, classic, calming spaces where one can really relax. Twenty Eight is the perfect example. The hotel bar at the Conrad is stylishly if unadventurously designed, decorated in lots of soft, muted colours and warmly lit… 