Chicago Cubs
Chicago’s North Side Overview
Chicago’s north side boasts some of the most well known and popular neighborhoods in the city of Chicago, perhaps even in the entire United States. Areas like Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, and others are renowned for their numerous restaurants, bars, and nightlife options.
Despite the ample commercial establishments, Chicago’s north side neighborhoods are densely residential. There’s a mix of historic brownstones, restored row houses, and new condominium developments dotting the area. Just like the south side, each neighborhood has its own distinct character and personality. It’s no wonder why these neighborhoods are consistent magnets for tourists and locals alike.
The Neighborhood
Historic Wrigley Field is the centerpiece of the neighborhood that owes its name to the ballpark, Wrigleyville. Straddling Clark Street on the east and west, Wrigleyville stretches from roughly Belmont Avenue on the south to Irving Park Road on the north. The entire area is chock full of bars, restaurants, and commercial venues targeting not only Cubs fans but all the tourists who flock to Wrigley Field year after year.
With so many people milling around, it’s entirely safe to walk in the area. Just be sure to take the same normal precautions you’d take in any big city environment. In our estimation, most of the troublesome behavior that occurs in Wrigleyville is a direct result of overserved fans.
For many who attend Cubs games, the scene in and around the ballpark is as important as the game itself. That’s not a knock. It’s merely a reflection that attending a Cubs game is more of an entire afternoon/evening event that starts long before the game begins and continues well after it’s over.
And rest assured, there are literally dozens of places to eat and drink.
The Ballpark
If you’re a baseball fan, you’ve heard about Wrigley Field. Originally built in 1914, it’s the second oldest ballpark in the major leagues. Wrigley Field is a bonafide Chicago tourist attraction, and its famed ivy outfield walls are known not only across America, but world wide.
Lights were added to Wrigley Field in 1988, but many games are still held during the day, a Chicago Cubs tradition. Games are almost always played to a capacity crowd, even if the team isn’t doing so well. Across the street, rooftops are also filled with partygoers who can view the game across the street and enjoy all you can eat buffets and open bar.
The seating inside the ballpark is, well, cramped. Bear in mind this is an old ballpark, so don’t expect many modern amenities. Bathroom lines can be horribly long, so plan accordingly. But for the most part, patrons don’t seem to care. The joy of being in Wrigley Field seems to outweigh any negatives of an outmoded facility.
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Wrigley Field are offered on selected dates from April to September for $25 per person. There’s a Wrigley Field Tour Hotline to call at 773-404-CUBS. We’ve taken the tour and it’s quite enjoyable. You’ll see the press box, dugouts, clubhouse, the center field bleachers, and you’ll have some time to spend on the field itself.
Historic Baseball Sites
Wrigley Field itself is arguably the most historic baseball site in Chicago. If you’re a football fan, this is where the Chicago Bears played from 1921 through 1970. In fact, when Wrigley Field’s turf was dug up and a new drainage system was installed in 2008, two cement half pillars were unearthed not far from the first base dugout. They were formerly used to hold the football goalposts in place. So yes … there’s been a lot of history here.
In 2007, a plaque was dedicated at the site of the Cubs original ballpark, West Side Grounds. Used by the Cubs through the 1915 season, it was demolished long ago and eventually replaced by the University of Illinois Medical Center. The site is about two miles west of downtown Chicago, bordered by Wood, Walcott, Polk, and Taylor Streets. The plaque is located amidst a garden, near where home plate once sat.
Interestingly, this spot is supposedly how the phrase “from out of left field” originated. The building where left field once sat has long been a research facility where some of America’s great medical minds came to test their ideas and hypotheses. As the legend goes, when a particularly obscure or unique idea came up among researchers, the phrase “Now there’s one out of left field” was spoken.
Cubs Tickets
Frankly, they’re difficult to get. There’s a strong season ticket holder base and almost every game sells out well in advance, particularly against prime oppenents. If you’re looking for a certain game and want to get Cubs tickets, it is always best to plan at least a month or more in advance and to buy from a reputable source, i.e. not outside the ballpark.
Public Transportation
In a word, yes. In two words, highly recommended. The Red Line stops just steps from Wrigley Field. This is how most people get to the game because parking is difficult and very expensive. The Red Line connects to pretty much anywhere in the city, and also Union Station to catch trains out to the suburbs.
Bars, Taverns, and Restaurants
One could devote an entire website, or book, to covering all the bars, taverns, and restaurants within a few miles of Wrigley Field. The immediate surrounding streets have numerous options, most catering to the fraternity boy and tourist crowd. If that’s your thing, or you’re a first time visitor and want to say “I’ve been there”, by all means go across the street to Murphy’s Bleachers, Sluggers, or Cubby Bear. They’re not bad places … not at all. But be prepared to pay heavily for cans of beer.
On the other hand, if a good pint or pitcher of beer is more your style, here are our top recommendations for beer bars within a mile or so of Wrigley Field.
Gingerman Tavern: This is one of our favorite places within walking distance of the ballpark. It’s only a block away, and the first thing you’ll notice is the Gingerman is not a sports bar. There’s only one or two tv’s, but there are plenty of good microbrews on tap. You can actually have a conversation here if you so desire, but that doesn’t mean the place is a snooze. A great crowd generally inhabits the Gingerman, because they know it’s a great place. 3740 N. Clark St., Phone 773-549-2050.
Goose Island Wrigleyville: The second outpost in the Goose Island brewpub empire, this location serves the same great Goose Island beers in a good looking setting a couple of blocks south of Wrigley Field. Although we prefer the original on Clybourn Avenue, this location suits us just fine. Try the IPA on nitrogen, it’s fantastic! 3535 N. Clark St., Phone 773-832-9040.
John Barleycorn’s Wrigleyville: This is also the 2nd location, as the historic John Barleycorn’s Saloon is located about two miles away in Lincoln Park. This place is huge, and the later it gets the more packed it becomes. In general, it’s a friendly, clean scrubbed crowd that’s there to drink, meet, and socialize. There’s plenty of interesting beer to try and the food is quite good. 3454 N. Clark St., Phone 773-549-6000.
Sheffield’s: Located a few blocks west of Wrigley Field at the corner of Sheffield and School Street, Sheffield’s is housed in a traditional Chicago style three story brownstone. There’s a gorgeous beer garden out back that, when not overstuffed by a postgame crowd, is one of the nicest in the city. There are 24 beers on tap, and usually a “Cheap Beer Of The Month” which ranges from old time stalwarts like Hamms or Stroh’s. We’ve always enjoyed it here. 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., Phone 773-281-4989.
Uberstein: This is our new favorite in this neighborhood. Uberstein is part of the Hofbrauhaus chain and this place has a nice beer garden and a reasonably priced casual menu, particularly for this area.
Try the Hofbrau hefeweizen on draft, it’s one of the best in the city. Burgers and all sorts of German themed sandwiches and snacks are available too. 3478 N. Clark Street, just a few blocks south of Wrigley Field. 773-883-0300.
