Where to Celebrate the Blackhawks

photo: Sun-Times file photo

The Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup finals are STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS, and excitement is high. Follow along during the playoff runBask in the glow of victory at these Blackhawks bars.

PARADE DETAILS
Friday, June 11
The parade steps off from Washington and Wacker at 10:30 a.m., with Blackhawks players traveling in double-decker buses east to Michigan Avenue and then north to Wacker, where there will be a rally from 11-11:30 a.m.

The Pony
It’s not often that helicopters linger over West Lakeview during the first hours of daylight, but it all made sense when you realized that this Belmont Avenue hangout was where the Blackhawks wanted to celebrate upon returning from their Game 6 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Who knows, they could be back at any time.

Morton’s
In honor of the Blackhawks’ big win, all six area steakhouse locations will offer a $20.10 special in the bar area: a Morton’s Prime Burger with choice of cheese, bacon, and sauteed mushrooms or onions, plus fries and a glass of champagne. You’ll also get a complimentary Bar Bite certificate to use during your next visit. Also available: the Bring It Home Hawks cocktail with a shot of espresso, half-ounce of Sambuca, one and-a-half ounces of Beefeaters and a dash of bitters.

District Bar
Why not watch the game at the same spot where the ‘Hawks hang out? This River North lounge, popular with Chicago athletes of all sports, offers 40 flat screens, cheap beer deals and above-average bar food to enjoy all the ice action.

Marche and Red Light
Live in the West Loop, but don’t feel like hoofing it to the game? Eat dinner beforehand at one of these Randolph Row restaurants, and you’ll get free transportation to and from the United Center. And make sure to hang on to your ticket stub; you can show it for a complimentary Chef’s Choice dessert at either spot (valid for any United Center event).

Moretti’s (West Loop)
It may be known for its authentic Chicago-style pizza, but on game days Moretti’s is sports central. Catch a $2 shuttle to the game, or stay in the huge viewing room full of TVs to catch all the action just blocks from the UC.

Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill
Just a stone’s throw south of the United Center, Hawkeye’s is the Near West Side’s sports central. Take a shuttle to most games, or hunker down for $7 Miller Lite pitchers on Thursdays (along with plenty of other daily specials).

Beer Bistro
You’re not drinking the hockey-fan standard cheap light beers here. No, you’re trying one of the 130-plus brews on the huge drink menu. Add on 25-cent wings (Sunday) or $2 burgers (Tuesday) and you’ve got yourself a great pre-game meal.

Palace Grill
Although you’re not going to watch the game here, there’s no better place for a quick bite to eat before or after the game. Located just blocks from the UC, the Palace has been around longer than all of us, and serves up some of the best diner food around.

Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill
While a bevy of new options just down the road at the Promenade may pull visitors from across the Chicago area, this official Blackhawks bar remains a popular hangout for the townies. In addition to game action on 40-plus TVs (including 17 hi-def big screens), you’ll find regular live music to take your mind off hockey ? if for some reason the Hawks don’t come through.

Shoeless Joe’s
You don?t have to be heading out of town to stop at this sports bar connected to the Best Western O?Hare, which features 30 TVs and four big screens, plus regular drink specials for Blackhawks games. There?s even wi-fi, so you can track your playoff fantasy team.

Mother Hubbard’s Sports Pub
The River North bar may no longer bus fans to the United Center for games, but it still offers lots of Blackhawk pride (see the big Blackhawk in the front window for proof). Grab a Sloppy Hockey Joe (which comes with a souvenir puck) and fill out the hockey nickname quiz while watching the game on any number of TVs.

The Firkin & Pheasant
It should come as no surprise that a Canadian franchise would be a major hockey supporter. This Lincoln Park bar has hosted a couple of official Roadwatch parties this year, and offers perhaps one of the more picturesque settings in which to watch the game.

Carmichael’s Chicago Steak House
There are few better places to get pumped up for a Chicago event than at this classic steak house filled to the brim with local memorabilia. Grab a steak – or just a drink from the well-stocked bar – before hopping on a free United Center shuttle to the game.

The Stanley Club at Johnny’s Icehouse
Where better to watch the game than with a ton of other puck-heads at the city’s premier hockey rink? Both the East and West locations offer full-service lounges above the ice.

Playoff Deals

The CrossRoads Bar & Grill
The latest themed cocktail at this West Loop bar (following the Bloody Canuck snow cone and the Floundering Shark) is the Keith’s Teeth bomb (Absolut Raspberry, grenadine, Passoa and Red Bull), in honor of Duncan Keith’s heroic comeback from getting his chompers knocked out. The Byfuglien wings with a “hat trick” of sauces are available during all Stanley Cup games, too.

Division Ale House
The Ale House screens the Hawks on eight 50-inch flat-screen TVs and features $4.50 Jameson shots and $3 PBR cans on Blackhawks playoffs game days.

Mahoney’s Pub & Grill
The River West bar keeps things lively by playing hockey videos and the national anthem before the game – plus offering specials like $5 Jameson and $5 22-ounce drafts of Miller Lite on game days. Make sure to plan for a special visit on Wednesday, June 2 (game three of the Stanley Cup Finals), when artist Elliot from Artbeat Live will be painting the Hawks logo on a four-by-five foot canvas to the beat of The Fratellis’ “Chelsea Dagger” (the team’s unofficial fight song).

John Barleycorn
Both the Lincoln Park and Schaumburg locations will offer these specials on Hawks playoff game days: $7 14-inch thin-crust cheese pizza with one topping, $1 sliders, $15 Bud Light buckets, $6 4 Rebels cocktails, $5 4 Rebels Dragonbombs, $6 4 Rebels pineapple martinis.

Junior’s Sports Lounge
If you’re a bandwagon-jumper, you might not have any ‘Hawks paraphernalia to wear during the big games. That’s not a problem at Junior’s, where you can get shirts and hats for free, courtesy of Budweiser. The $4 stadium cups of Bud Light don’t hurt, either.

Mac’s American Pub
Cheer on the Blackhawks with $3.50 Point Pale Ale pints and $3 Paddy Old Irish Whiskey shots throughout the playoffs.

Market Bar and Restaurant
The West Loop bar may be partly owned by White Sox general manager Kenny Williams, but they love the Blackhawks here, too – as proven by the $3 Miller Lite and $5 shots (Jose Cuervo, SoCo, RumpleMinze, Goldschlager) offered on gamedays. You can hop a ride to games on the 22-seat shuttle.

Merkle’s Bar and Grill
They don’t just love the Cubs in Wrigleyville. Head here for $4 22-ounce Stadium Cup drafts, $4 Jameson, $5 bombs and $5 wing baskets during all Stanley Cup playoff games.

WestEnd Bar & Grill
Come to this West Loop bar and it’ll almost be like you could actually afford a ticket to the game, what with all the pre-game music and bell-ringing after goals. But since we know you don’t actually have the cash, you’ll enjoy the specials, like $5 20-ounce drafts of Miller Lite and Coors Light.

Bottom Lounge
Watch the action on a 40-square-foot screen while enjoying $4 Center Ice cocktails (rum, ginger ale and lime) and $4 Trumer Pils at this West Loop bar and music venue on game days.

Durty Nellie’s
At this Palatine bar, you can eat the competition – literally. Durty Nellie’s is offering special shark menu items during the Western Conference finals, including a blackened shark sandwich with mango salsa and fries ($8.95) and an entree version served with rice pilaf, vegetables and a side salad ($11.95).

Old Chicago
This Elk Grove Village bar and restaurant serves up a free pizza buffet during every game, to go along with $3.50 Blackhawk and tans and $3 Hockey Puck shots. There’s alsothe $10 Power Play, including pizza, five wings and a draft beer (there are 110 to choose from here).

Burwood Tap
Try a Big Buff Slap Shot – a shot of Jager and a Red-Headed Slut shot (Jager, peach schnapps, cranberry juice), which you take one after the other. Good luck making it to the first intermission.

Deca Restaurant + Bar
Are you a high-class hockey fan? This Ritz-Carlton eatery will serve up a special Blackhawk Burger throughout the Finals, featuring a half-pound Wagyu patty (black) layered with wild mushrooms, tomatoes, house-made ketchup and bacon (red) and white onions, white Wisconsin cheddar and horseradish cream (white). It’s $19.

The Lucky Monk
Even if you’re not a ‘Hawks fan, it’d be smart to root for them during the Stanley Cup Finals, because for every goal they score, guests at The Lucky Monk will enjoy complimentary passed house appetizers in the bar/lounge area.

Metro
In collaboration with WXRT, the music venue will be showing Game 5 of the Hawks’ series against the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a special show from Jon Fratelli. ? You know, of the rock group The Fratellis…Not ringing a bell? OK, it’s the group that sings “Chelsea Dagger.” Still nothing? OK, it’s the “duh duh-duh-duh duh-duh-duh” song they play at the United Center after every Hawks goal. Ohhhhh, that guy! The free show starts at 5 and the game is at 7. Get tickets at XRT’s website or text HOCKEY to 5-9393.

Zella
We’re not sure how this exactly relates to the game, but this Lincoln Park bar will be serving up a “One Shot at the Cup” cocktail through the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals. The $7 combo features a pint of Blue Moon and a shot of Jagermeister. Mmm!

Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!

Free admission
Free admission every day.

Chicago Kentucky Derby Events

The “Run for the Roses” is considered horse racing’s most prestigious event. But just because it’s in Louisville doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate here in Chicago. A number of local restaurants, bars and race tracks will be offering Kentucky Derby specials throughout the weekend (events are on Saturday, May 1, unless otherwise noted).

Division Ale House
The Ale House will screen the Run for the Roses on eight 50-inch flat-screen TVs and offer $5 Mint Juleps and a $10.50 whiskey-glazed corned beef dinner.

Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen
5-7 p.m.
Watch the race at this Crystal Lake bar and enjoy 35-cent wings and $7 Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps. And be sure to wear your festive hat, as the best one will score a $25 gift card.

Dunlays on Clark
The Lincoln Park neighborhood spot peps up race day with $5 Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps, $4 shots of Jack Daniels and a Kentucky-inspired menu including Burgood stew and a hot brown (choose any three items for $25).

Durty Nellie’s
5-7 p.m.
There’ll be tons of big-screen, hi-def TVs showing the race at this Palatine bar, which offers $5 Mint Juleps and an $8.95 Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner.

Faith & Whiskey
Noon
The Lincoln Park bar will open early for its “Talk Derby To Me” party and will show all of the day’s races on its four flatscreens with sound. Drink specials include $5 Woodford Reserve shots, $6 Woodford Reserve Mint Juleps, $7 “Derby Downer” specialty cocktails (Woodford Reserve, sparkling wine, vanilla syrup, vanilla bean garnish). F&W will also give away free 15-person private parties to both the best female derby hat and the best male derby suit after the races.

Fizz Bar & Grill
3 p.m.
Saturday, May 1 The sixth annual Kentucky Derby party at this Lakeview bar will include a complimentary buffet featuring dishes like Burgoo stew, Benedictine sandwiches and bourbon brownies, mint juleps (served in commemorative Churchill Downs glasses for $10 each; refills $5) and more. There will be prizes for the best women’s hat and best men’s seersucker suit.

John Barleycorn
Enjoy $5 mint juleps featured all day. For the ladies: Barleycorn hosts a fancy hat contest post-race (at approximately 5:30 p.m.) with a $200 grand prize and gift certificates for other finalists.

Lincoln Station
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Whether you like to drink, eat or gamble, this Lincoln Park bar has you covered. All-day drink deals including $4 22-ounce drafts of Bud Light, $4 Mint Juleps, a $3 mimosa bar and a $4 bloody mary bar – or you can spring for the $35 food and drink package from 1 p.m. to the end of the race, which includes Bud Light, Mint Juleps, wine, mimosa and bloody mary bars plus passed hors d’oeuvres. There will also be 50/50 horse bets, with half of the pot going to the Jennifer S. Fallick cancer support center.

Lobby Lounge (ShowPlace Icon Theatre)
Woodford Reserve sponsors a Derby watch party with raffles, giveaways and drink specials like $12 Mint Juleps.

Luxbar
Enjoy $5 Maker’s Mint Juleps as you cheer on the horses at this Gold Coast bar. Each guest will get a race card, and those with the winning horse will receive a $25 gift certificate to Luxbar (and even the losers will get $5 certificates). The prize for best Derby hat: a $250 cocktail card.

Mac’s American Pub
All-day Derby specials include $5 Maker’s Mark mint juleps, Jack Daniel?s BBQ-glazed chicken wings ($5) and the Derby burger: A half-pound stock yards angus burger topped with grilled onions, cheddar cheese and Jim Beam BBQ sauce, served with hand-cut fries ($5). The Pony
1 p.m.
Celebrate Derby Day for a good cause at The Pony’s fundraiser event, benefiting Equestrian Connection. Guests can enter to win a free trip to the stables, while enjoying $5 Mint Juleps and Jim Beam cocktails and a $10 Southern-style buffet featuring fried chicken, biscuits and more. Guests are encouraged to dress in classic Southern attire.

The Southern
3 p.m.
Here’s another appropriate spot to do your celebrating – and it’ll be easy with $7 bourbon cocktails like classic Mint Juleps, the Lily (lemonade with bourbon and cranberry juice), the Lazy Boy (bourbon, bitters and soda) and Peach Tea (peach schnapps, iced tea and bourbon). Chef Cary Taylor will also offer the traditional Hot Brown, an open-faced sandwich with turkey, bacon and avocado covered in Mornay sauce for $12. Stretch Run
Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; $5 admission on Saturday
Guests can place their wagers starting on Friday and join Stretch Run for a pre-Derby Day celebration. Guests can indulge in $6 mint juleps and $5 20-ounce drafts of Miller Lite and Coors Light.

Timothy O’Toole’s
O’Toole’s will serve up Sweet Tea Vodka cocktails for $5.50 and Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps for $6. The pub invites patrons to don a Derby hat in honor of the occasion and take part in a Derby pool for a chance to win prizes. Stick around for the Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match afterward ($20 cover) and enjoy $15 Corona buckets. The pub’s will also offer $3 pints of Miller Lite, Miller High Life and Coors Light all day.

Tin Lizzie
You can really party hard at the Dirty Derby party, which includes giveaways (like sex toys), drink specials ($15 shot-skis) and a dirty joke contest.

Zella
2-6 p.m.; $80 in advance, $100 at the door
Party with a live band, open bar and a lunch buffet on the outdoor patio at this Lincoln Park bar, and feel good while doing it: all proceeds from this party go to Chicago Children’s Charities.

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