If you’ve ever been to Chicago’s Wrigley Field, you know that its surrounding neighborhood, commonly referred to as Wrigleyville, is a big part of the overall fan experience. Wrigleyville is an area known for rabid Cubs fans and a wide selection of great bars and restaurants. Through the years Chicago Cubs fans have had, let’s face it, plenty of reasons to drown their sorrows. But while that might be part of the reason that Wrigleyville is full of Cubs bars and taverns, probably the main reason for the quantity and quality of Cubs bars in the area is the never say die attitude of the faithful and the loyalty they exhibit to their Cubbies. Cubs fans get more than their fair share of day games and show up early and fill the park. Prior to and after the game, of course, they like to party with fellow Cubs loyalists in these nearby establishments. For those without tickets, the Cubs bars in Wrigleyville offer the next best thing with a seemingly endless supply of televisions and, well, beer. The following are the ten best Cubs bars in Wrigleyville.
Bar Louie Tavern and Grill
3545 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
Bar Louie is part of a nationwide chain. While successful, stylish and professionally managed, some would probably prefer a more authentic Chicago experience, at least at first glance. The reality, though, is that Bar Louie in Wrigleyville is a true Cubs bar, given its proximity to Wrigley Field and the preponderance of Cubs fans inside before, after, and even during the games. While this is not the most hardcore baseball bar in Chicago (it brags about its wine list more than anything), the fact is that Bar Louie offers a good number of plasma televisions, and game viewing here is as good as anywhere. The food is actually not quite to the level that the overall decor of the place would suggest, though it’s very reasonably priced and good for what it is.
Bernie’s Tavern
3664 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
Bernie’s Tavern is for the REAL Cubs fan. The crowd here is probably more knowledgeable than any of the other Cubs bars in the area, the prices are a bit less expensive and the vibe a bit more relaxed. Part of the relaxed vibe is due to the average age of the Bernie’s Tavern-goer (it tends to be an older crowd), but the other contributing factor is the layout of the place – complete with an outdoor patio that allows people to spread out a bit. The food and beer are fairly standard, though the brats are really good. This is baseball through and through and as true a Cubs bar as you will find.
Casey Moran’s
3660 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
Casey Moran’s calls itself “Wrigleyville’s premier sports bar” – and it’s hard to disagree. The most obvious thing about Moran’s is the number of televisions – they count 30 plasma 52″ TV’s. The food here is delicious, with crab cake sandwiches and a po’ boy sandwich as the signature dishes.
Cubby Bear
1059 West Addison Street
Chicago, Illinois
The Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville is one of several around the city, but this one has views of Wrigley Field, 30,000 square feet for private parties and an emphasis on live music and nightclub type energy. This is the preeminent location for parties (each of the three party rooms has views of Wrigley Field) and corporate events. The food menu and drink selection is as good as any and the service is efficient and professional.
Dark Horse Tap and Grille
3443 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
The Dark Horse Tap and Grille somehow pulls off the impossible: it is a Cubs bar that is also an Irish pub that also exudes class and, dare I say it, a touch of sophistication. The food is good, the specials great and the old style architecture memorable. Oh, and the televisions ensure you will never miss an out, a Billy Goat, or a Steve Bartman web gem.
Murphy’s Bleachers
3655 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
Murphy’s Bleachers happens to be one of Chicago’s best Irish pubs and Cubs bars all at one time. Murphy’s Bleachers is as close to Wrigley as is physically possible. In addition to great food and beer, Murphy’s Bleachers offers rooftop seating packages that allow Cubs fans to watch the game from a rooftop across the street from Wrigley Field. This is a very lively place with tremendous energy (and noise) and is renowned as one of the most popular and fun Cubs bars in Wrigleyville.
Harry Caray’s Tavern
3551 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
For a list of the best Cubs bars in Wrigleyville, Harry Caray’s Tavern has to make the list. It can, at times, feel as much like a theme restaurant as a true Cubs bar, but for Harry Caray fans and Cubs enthusiasts, this is a must see while visiting Wrigleyville. The food is non-descript, but the fun factor, beer and proximity to Wrigley Field can’t be beat.
Nisei Lounge
3439 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
While calling the Nisei Lounge a “Cubs bar” can be a bit of a stretch (due to the non sports attitude and decor), it actually is a bit of a hidden gem for those who love baseball, but not necessarily sports bars or their crowds. This is a simple, straight forward bar that floods with Cubs fans, but the types of Cubs fans that have other interests in life; namely good conversation, cool music and great beer. This is a fun, unaffected place with reasonable prices and a non-hyped atmosphere.
Mullen’s On Clark
3527 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
Mullen’s in Wrigleyville is the latest in a series of Mullen’s bars around Chicago. A bit too polished, perhaps, for some hardcore Cubbies fans, but Mullen’s offers a great value, friendly atmosphere, good food and great drink selections. All of those factors, and its central location, have made this one of the more popular Cubs bars around.
The Piano Man
3801 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois
The Piano Man is a small bar, with no food, but a friendly, Cubs oriented crowd and moderately priced drinks. This is a place, as you might guess from its name, that has a music orientation as the jukebox is typically turned up loud. They allow food to be brought in and the crowd tends to be a bit older and more reserved than most other Cubs bars in Wrigleyville.
