Things that are a must do when in Chicago

Jvollman

elvistheking44 said:

Gern Blansten said:

elvistheking44 said:

Dug1200 said:

bbiggs said:

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Don’t worry. You can get tickets the day of. They sell out about 50% of the seats these days. 

Buy the cheapest ticket at the box office and you can sit lower level....so ive heard

Not true. South side ballpark is strict about letting people into the lower concourse without a proper ticket. The park is designed so you have to pass an usher before entering at any section and they will be checking tickets.

it looks like there are $60 seats going for $35 on stubhub

$11 for bleachers and it gets you anywhere in the park. The outfield concourse is the best place in the park.

100% agree

darwinstheory

mcgruff10 said:

Billy Goat Tavern: overrated or something you have to do?

Over rated. Okay if you're right there for another reason (i.e. Navy Pier)

Jvollman

Kevinman said:

elvistheking44 said:

Dug1200 said:

bbiggs said:

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Don’t worry. You can get tickets the day of. They sell out about 50% of the seats these days. 

Buy the cheapest ticket at the box office and you can sit lower level....so ive heard

Not true. South side ballpark is strict about letting people into the lower concourse without a proper ticket. The park is designed so you have to pass an usher before entering at any section and they will be checking tickets.

Not entirely true either.
Bought $5 tix on a Sunday last year and had my cousin, who works there, come up to get us lower, and there was absolutely nobody checking tickets.  This was about the 3rd inning, I’m sure in the beginning they check, just wait till about the 3rd and head down to the bleachers for some sun.

They really don’t check anymore. I’ve been to about 12 games and nobody is checking on lower concourse. 

darwinstheory

leep75 said:

darwinstheory said:

BK221359 said:

Brewery Recommendations Please...

Half Acre
Revolution
Pipeworks

*If you're traveling from Ohio and want a stop along the way, I would recommend Iechyd Da in Elkhart, IN.

*Traveling through SW Michigan via I94, try Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, MI. As sure as you will enjoy a PJ show at Wrigley, you will enjoy Greenbush. (Pro Tip: yummy brisket)

*If you're a craft brew but and are going through NW Indiana (at the IN/IL border) you should make 3 Floyd's a stopping point for sure. 

*If you're opting to stay in NW Indiana over downtown, you can find a bunch of breweries within very close proximity to one another. Little late now, but maybe we should have had a NW Indiana brewery tour bus on Sunday. Damm!

If you're traveling from Ohio and want a GREAT stop along the way, you stop off of exit 83 (Mishawaka/Granger) and go to Barehands Brew in Granger.  Best IPAs in Indiana bar none!  Better the Iechyda and better than 3 Fucks.

Big LOL!!! Suffice it to say, we will likely never agree on breweries. Bare Hands cracked my "not going back to" list.

Best IPA's Indiana? So, do you own this brewery? Date the owner of this brewery? Have a financial interest in this brewery? 

chiwhitesox

Avoid billy goat. Their burgers suck. Go to a Sox game. Spend 6 bucks for upper deck seats. Sit in lower deck innings 2 through whenever. Been doing it for as long as they’ve sucked which is a long time. 100 level vendors won’t be checking ticket stubs after the first inning. G Man bar is just north of Wrigley right next to metro. Great bar and never overly packed like the other lame Wrigleyville bars. Been there before every PJ Wrigley show plus the past 25+ years

know1

bbiggs said:

My suggestion for show days is to experience more of Wrigleyville than just Murphy’s or Cubby Bear. There are so many great bars/restaurants within blocks of the stadium. Much more to see than just the two aforementioned spots. And all of them will be packed with PJ fans...such an awesome vibe. 

What other ones would be worth visiting and not overrun like the ones close to the stadium?

KC138045

...

Gern Blansten

know1 said:

bbiggs said:

My suggestion for show days is to experience more of Wrigleyville than just Murphy’s or Cubby Bear. There are so many great bars/restaurants within blocks of the stadium. Much more to see than just the two aforementioned spots. And all of them will be packed with PJ fans...such an awesome vibe. 

What other ones would be worth visiting and not overrun like the ones close to the stadium?

anything near a red line stop....just have a few drinks then hit the train for the show.  Lots of great bars at the State/Lake stop

Indifference71

know1 said:

bbiggs said:

My suggestion for show days is to experience more of Wrigleyville than just Murphy’s or Cubby Bear. There are so many great bars/restaurants within blocks of the stadium. Much more to see than just the two aforementioned spots. And all of them will be packed with PJ fans...such an awesome vibe. 

What other ones would be worth visiting and not overrun like the ones close to the stadium?

Check out a little place called The Dugout on Addison.  A little hidden bar in a basement that usually isn't too crowded.

bbiggs

know1 said:

bbiggs said:

My suggestion for show days is to experience more of Wrigleyville than just Murphy’s or Cubby Bear. There are so many great bars/restaurants within blocks of the stadium. Much more to see than just the two aforementioned spots. And all of them will be packed with PJ fans...such an awesome vibe. 

What other ones would be worth visiting and not overrun like the ones close to the stadium?

There are so many, so I can’t vouch as to which ones will be the right ones, but I would recommend anything starting a few blocks south of Wrigley on Clark St. up to a couple blocks north of Wrigley on Clark. Some options from south to north:  Old Crow, Deuces, Moes Cantina, John Barleycorn, HVAC, Sluggers (wishlist party location), Rizzos, Casey Morans, Yak-Zies.  Don’t get me wrong; I love Murphy’s Bleachers. I go all the time. But it will be a zoo. I’ve never liked Cubby Bear. Just personal preference. Sluggers is one of my favorites and is hosting the wishlist party. Moes Cantina was a good pre show vibe in ‘16. Ton of fans and nothing but PJ pumping through the speakers. You can walk by all of these spots and get a feel for which one you want to hang in. Or, stop in each, grab a beer and on to the next! See you all in 9 days! 

leep75

darwinstheory said:

leep75 said:

darwinstheory said:

BK221359 said:

Brewery Recommendations Please...

Half Acre
Revolution
Pipeworks

*If you're traveling from Ohio and want a stop along the way, I would recommend Iechyd Da in Elkhart, IN.

*Traveling through SW Michigan via I94, try Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, MI. As sure as you will enjoy a PJ show at Wrigley, you will enjoy Greenbush. (Pro Tip: yummy brisket)

*If you're a craft brew but and are going through NW Indiana (at the IN/IL border) you should make 3 Floyd's a stopping point for sure. 

*If you're opting to stay in NW Indiana over downtown, you can find a bunch of breweries within very close proximity to one another. Little late now, but maybe we should have had a NW Indiana brewery tour bus on Sunday. Damm!

If you're traveling from Ohio and want a GREAT stop along the way, you stop off of exit 83 (Mishawaka/Granger) and go to Barehands Brew in Granger.  Best IPAs in Indiana bar none!  Better the Iechyda and better than 3 Fucks.

Big LOL!!! Suffice it to say, we will likely never agree on breweries. Bare Hands cracked my "not going back to" list.

Best IPA's Indiana? So, do you own this brewery? Date the owner of this brewery? Have a financial interest in this brewery? 

Not going back??? what was the problem?  I'm not the owner, do not work there, do not date Chris (the owner) and do not have any financial interest in the business.  Just a loyal fan and mug clubber of their beer and all the bar tenders and "regulars".  So maybe I'm biased, but it is what it is.  It is easier to get to off the toll road than Iechyda though.....and I still stand behind better than 3Fs....I'm not a fan of those guys, bad experience at a brew fest with them.

Gern Blansten

3 Floyd's has amazing food if you visit their brewpub.  Ramen is top notch.  Great sandwiches, wings, mac & cheese, etc.

Plus: Zombiedust, Space Station Middle Finger, Yum Yum, all on tap...ready to drink.

cincybearcat

Gern Blansten said:

3 Floyd's has amazing food if you visit their brewpub.  Ramen is top notch.  Great sandwiches, wings, mac & cheese, etc.

Plus: Zombiedust, Space Station Middle Finger, Yum Yum, all on tap...ready to drink.

Off topic a bit...but I haven't had a Zombiedust that I've liked in the last 4-5 years.  Use to be my favorite IPA....now I don't want to drink it ever again.  You notice a drop off?  Or my pallet change? 

Gern Blansten

cincybearcat said:

Gern Blansten said:

3 Floyd's has amazing food if you visit their brewpub.  Ramen is top notch.  Great sandwiches, wings, mac & cheese, etc.

Plus: Zombiedust, Space Station Middle Finger, Yum Yum, all on tap...ready to drink.

Off topic a bit...but I haven't had a Zombiedust that I've liked in the last 4-5 years.  Use to be my favorite IPA....now I don't want to drink it ever again.  You notice a drop off?  Or my pallet change? 

Can't say that I've noticed a drop....I want to be embalmed with it

We got it on draft a month or so ago and left with a case that tastes great.

cincybearcat

Gern Blansten said:

cincybearcat said:

Gern Blansten said:

3 Floyd's has amazing food if you visit their brewpub.  Ramen is top notch.  Great sandwiches, wings, mac & cheese, etc.

Plus: Zombiedust, Space Station Middle Finger, Yum Yum, all on tap...ready to drink.

Off topic a bit...but I haven't had a Zombiedust that I've liked in the last 4-5 years.  Use to be my favorite IPA....now I don't want to drink it ever again.  You notice a drop off?  Or my pallet change? 

Can't say that I've noticed a drop....I want to be embalmed with it

We got it on draft a month or so ago and left with a case that tastes great.

Interesting cause I don’t like it. And I still love Toppling Goliath PseudoSue which is very similar.

Indifference71

cincybearcat said:

Gern Blansten said:

cincybearcat said:

Gern Blansten said:

3 Floyd's has amazing food if you visit their brewpub.  Ramen is top notch.  Great sandwiches, wings, mac & cheese, etc.

Plus: Zombiedust, Space Station Middle Finger, Yum Yum, all on tap...ready to drink.

Off topic a bit...but I haven't had a Zombiedust that I've liked in the last 4-5 years.  Use to be my favorite IPA....now I don't want to drink it ever again.  You notice a drop off?  Or my pallet change? 

Can't say that I've noticed a drop....I want to be embalmed with it

We got it on draft a month or so ago and left with a case that tastes great.

Interesting cause I don’t like it. And I still love Toppling Goliath PseudoSue which is very similar.

I did notice a bit of a drop off a couple years ago.  But I picked up a case of it direct from 3F that had been bottled the day before and it was phenomenal.  PseduoSue is so damn good too!

Gern Blansten

I have never even heard of Pseudo....I'll keep an eye out

Gern Blansten

3 Floyds breakdown....similar yet different

Yum Yum: APA: 5.5%, 63 IBU
Space Station: APA: 6% 50 IBU
Zombie: APA: 6.2% 50 IBU
Alpha King: APA: 6.66% 68 IBU

cincybearcat

Gern Blansten said:

I have never even heard of Pseudo....I'll keep an eye out

It’s amazing .  As are almost every beer from Toppling Goliath (Decorah, IA)

AAJC

I’ll be there through the weekend drinking all the beer there is. I have a ticket to the show on Saturday, I just hope I remember to go. 

Is it possible to drink beer with Frank at the Shameless house?

mcgruff10

Reading through this thread is getting me pumped for Chicago.  I am excited to get away with my wife (no kids), drink some amazing IPA's, eat some good ass pizza and see Pearl Jam in a historic ball park.  Man I hope the weather is good!!!!

AAJC

So far the weather looks spectacular!

bbiggs

AAJC said:

I’ll be there through the weekend drinking all the beer there is. I have a ticket to the show on Saturday, I just hope I remember to go. 

Is it possible to drink beer with Frank at the Shameless house?

Lol. Sure is. Just bring your Teflon vest in that part of the city. 

Thecrownofthorns

mcgruff10 said:

Reading through this thread is getting me pumped for Chicago.  I am excited to get away with my wife (no kids), drink some amazing IPA's, eat some good ass pizza and see Pearl Jam in a historic ball park.  Man I hope the weather is good!!!!

Same here brother!  Cannot wait!!!

bbiggs

AAJC said:

So far the weather looks spectacular!

I pray the weather holds up. We have had a mini-drought lately. Has hardly rained for weeks. Sure hope it doesn’t start late next week. 

Saltzy23

I have done the deep dish taste test over numerous trips to Chicago in my life, and Pequod's Pizza is the by far the best I've had.

This is not a novice pizza critic's opinion.

This is a fat, NYC residing, carb loving man's opinion.

Saltzy23

There are a few walking mobster tours too I think I wanna try this time.

HesCalledDyer

AAJC said:

I’ll be there through the weekend drinking all the beer there is. I have a ticket to the show on Saturday, I just hope I remember to go. 

Is it possible to drink beer with Frank at the Shameless house?

Filming just started so ya just might be able to catch him.  Not the greatest neighborhood, though.

wsimon74

If Wrigleyville is too packed, get off at the Fullerton stop on the El on your way. Think I mentioned it earlier, but there's a pizza stop called Homeslice. Fantastic Pizza, and coming from a former Chi-town native, that's sayin a lot.  And if you really want to be adventurous, take the El out to near Irving Park and hit up Smoque BBQ. IMHO, best BBQ in the city.   Sorry for all of my posts, I'm living vicariously through you all. "I have not been home since [I] left long ago," miss my home town!  

igotid_8

Thecrownofthorns said:

mcgruff10 said:

Reading through this thread is getting me pumped for Chicago.  I am excited to get away with my wife (no kids), drink some amazing IPA's, eat some good ass pizza and see Pearl Jam in a historic ball park.  Man I hope the weather is good!!!!

Same here brother!  Cannot wait!!!

Ditto!  I'm saving all these recommendations.  Thanks to everyone!