I have been on
www.metromix.com and looked up info on restaurants around the Metro. Here are some possible places to meet up. (None of this is intended as an endorsement in any way, just informational.)
BTW, the Metro is at 3730 N. Clark St.
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Casey Moran's
3660 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark and Waveland
773-755-4444
After an 18-month gut rehab of the old Compeche Cantina space, Casey Moran's brings a touch of Irish class to Wrigleyville. With its mahogany paneling and elegant alabaster-stone chandeliers, it seems a bit out of step with the general beer-and-baseball rowdiness of some its sports-bar neighbors. But with two bars, 26 HDTV flat-panels and seating for around 300, it's Cubs-crowd friendly. Management has upgraded the menu to include more sandwiches and heartier entrees (pasta, steak, chicken) in addition to standard pub grub, and brunch is now offered on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hours: Monday through Thursday: Cubs Day Games: 11 a.m. until management closes; Cubs Night Games (Home and Away): 3 p.m.-2 a.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-3 a.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-midnight
Extras
ATM Yes
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Bar Styles Irish, Neighborhood Pub
Buffet All-you-can-eat buffet available for private parties.
Carry Out Yes
Catering No
Cuisine Amer. Traditional, Burgers, Steak, Bar Food
Dancing Yes
Food Yes
Live Music DJ spins Friday and Saturday nights
Meals Served Breakfast, Brunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night (Full menu served until close)
Outdoor Seating Beer garden for around 70
Parking Pay lot (Cubs lot across the street), Street parking difficult
Payment Method American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Private party room(s) Available for private parties daily
Reservations Accepted? No
Seating For 250
Smoking Yes
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (Addison and Clark), Red Line train (Addison), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Ramp in back
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Cubby Bear Lounge
1059 W. Addison St.
Chicago, IL
Clark and Addison
773-327-1662
The Cubby Bear was recently remodeled. This bar/club directly across the street from Wrigley Field presents fine
(mostly roots rock) music acts in an intimate atmosphere. The legendary surf guitarist Dick Dale is a regular
performer, as is the local pop band the Bad Examples. The Cubby Bear's menu features burgers, Italian beef
and chicken sandwiches. Jam-packed on two and sometimes three levels before and after Cubs games, Cubby
Bear vies with Murphy's Bleachers for the title of most famous post-Cubs game destination.
Hours: Cubs home game days: 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday
Non-home game days: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday
Fax: 773-472-7736
Extras
Admissions Usually less than $10 for live entertainment and special events.
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Bar Styles Chicago Classic, Live Music, Sports
Cuisine Bar Food
Games Pinball, Billiards/Pool
Live Music Yes
Merchandise Cubby Bear souvenirs
Music Styles DJ/Dance, Rock
Parking Street parking possible, Pay lot
Payment Method American Express, Optima, Visa
Seating Yes
Smoking Yes
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (#22-Clark, #152-Addison), Red Line train (Addison), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
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Cullen's
3741 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL
Southport Avenue and Addison Street
773-975-0600
Chicago has many "Irish" bars, but walking into Cullen's you might hear an actual Irish brogue from either an
employee or a patron. Bartenders take care in the pouring of Guinness, filling a glass half way, letting the brew settle and
then finishing the pull. Also on tap, Irish import Smithwick's. Cullen's couldn't be more convenient to the Mercury
Theatre and the Music Box. The lunch and dinner menus feature homemade soups, sandwiches and traditional
Irish dishes.
Hours: 11-1:30 a.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Extras
Admissions No
Amenities
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Bar Styles Irish, Neighborhood Pub
Carry Out Yes
Cuisine Irish/Brit/Scott, Burgers
Family Oriented Yes
Food Yes
Live Music Live Irish music on Tuesdays; a variety of bands several days a week.
Meals Served Breakfast (9 a.m.-11:30 Saturday and Sunday), Lunch, Dinner, Desserts
Merchandise
Music Styles Irish
Outdoor Seating After April 1.
Parking Valet, Street parking possible, Pay lot
Payment Method American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Private party room(s) Semi-private
Seating For 60
Smoking Smoking and non-smoking restrictions.
Specialties
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (#22 Clark, #9 Ashland, #80 Irving Park), Brown Line train (Southport), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
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The Irish Oak
3511 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark Street and Cornelia Avenue
773-935-6669
This is an authentic, Irish-owned and operated pub in the heart of Wrigleyville. There's Guinness on tap and
bartenders who pride themselves on how to properly pour it. Stop by for a traditional "session" featuring local
musicians every Thursday, Friday and Saturday around 9 p.m, and other musical acts on weekends. There's also
a full lunch and dinner menu, with Irish favorites like shepherd's pie, salmon, fish of the day, and sandwiches.
And, as a bonus for those who have overindulged the night before, the standard Irish breakfast "fry" is offered
every day, all day.
Hours: Kitchen: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday; Pub:
11-3 a.m. Saturday.; 11-2 a.m. Sunday through Friday
Extras
Admissions No
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Bar Styles Irish, Neighborhood Pub
Carry Out Yes
Cuisine Irish/Brit/Scott
Food Full menu with Irish specialties such as the traditional breakfast fry, shepherd's pie, smoked salmon and daily fresh fish specials
Live Music Thursday through Saturday
Meals Served Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night (Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 11 p.m. the rest of the week), Desserts
Music Styles Acoustic, Folk, Irish, Pop
Outdoor Seating No
Parking Pay lot, Street parking difficult
Payment Method American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Private party room(s) For 100
Seating 20 at the bar, 90 at tables and 55 more on couches, armchairs and window ledges throughout
Smoking Yes
Specialties Irish breakfast served all day every day
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (#22 Clark, #152 Addison), Red Line train (Addison stop), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
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Johnny O'Hagan's
3374 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark Street and Roscoe Street
773-248-3600
Traditional Irish pub and restaurant that serves hearty classics like fish and chips and shepherd's pie. Even the
decor is truly Irish -- the bar was important from Ireland, and the centerpiece of the room is an authentic Irish
fireplace with open seats at its side. Want something for dessert? Order the Guinness ice cream.
Hours: 11-2 a.m. Sunday through Friday; 11-3 a.m. Saturday
Fax: 773-248-5545
Extras
Admissions No
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Bar Styles Irish, Sports
Carry Out Yes
Child's Menu Grilled cheese, burgers, chicken nuggets -- fries and ice cream included with meal
Cuisine Irish/Brit/Scott, Bar Food
Food Irish breakfast; Irish bangers, Irish bacon, black and white pudding, Harp battered onion rings, Irish curry chips, corned beef, other Irish fare
Live Music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
Meals Served Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night (Shortened late-night menu available from 10:30 p.m. until close), Desserts
Merchandise Hats and shirts
Outdoor Seating Patio seats 40
Parking Free lot, Street parking difficult
Payment Method American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Private party room(s) Yes
Seating For 150
Smoking Yes
Spirits Full bar, Ten beers on tap and good selection of Irish ciders
Transportation CTA bus (Belmont #77; Clark and Halsted busses), Red Line train (Belmont stop), Brown Line train (Belmont stop), Blue Line train, Green Line train, Purple Line train (Belmont stop)
Wheelchair Access Yes
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Marisa's Pizza
3341 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark and Aldine
773-871-5200
A solid storefront pizza joint, complete with black-and-white checkered tile floor, a giant steel oven simmering, and a glass counter showcasing a dozen varieties of pizza available by the slice.
Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday
Fax: 773-871-5695
Extras
Carry Out Yes
Catering Yes
Cuisine Pizza
Delivery $7 minimum delivery order; $3 delivery charge
Meals Served Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night
Nearby Sites
Parking Street parking difficult
Payment Method Visa, MasterCard
Seating About 40 table seats
Specialties Thin, pan and Sicilian-style pizza as well as sandwiches, pasta and Parmesan entrees.
Transportation CTA bus (22-Clark), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
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Raw Bar
3720 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark and Waveland
773-348-7291
Contrary to its name, the only thing served raw here are oysters. In fact, the place prides itself on its unusual meat and seafood dishes: Where else are you going to find ostrich, octopus and alligator on one menu? Raw Bar is divided into two different spaces: There's a sometimes raucus bar and a more subdued room called the Ivory Lounge. The latter also has piano; jazz artists often play on Friday and Saturday nights. The crowd ranges from young to middle-aged, depending on what's going on at nearby Wrigley Field or at Metro, the nightclub that's also nearby. Daiquiris--using fresh seasonal fruits--are a bar specialty.
Hours: 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday (kitchen open until 1 a.m.)
Fax: 773-348-9282
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Yak-Zies Bar and Grill
3710 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
Clark Street and Waveland Avenue
773-525-9200
This Wrigleyville spot hops when the Cubs are in town, both before and after the games. With an enormous outdoor patio and windows opening in front, Yak-Zies is a great place for groups to get pumped up for the game or to keep that victory buzz going afterward. There are 22 TVs and 7 more big screens for keeping an eye on any action, including college sports. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m. every night, dishing up pub fare that includes Buffalo wings (whose recipe comes from the original Anchor Bar in Buffalo, N.Y). Yak-Zies also has its own "peeza" recipe with a special parsley crust and "tang" sauce.
Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday through Friday; 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday
Extras
Admissions No
Av. Dinner Entree Under $8
Bar Styles College, Sports
Carry Out Yes
Cuisine Amer. Traditional, Bar Food
Delivery Noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday
Food Yes
Meals Served Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night
Outdoor Seating Beer garden
Parking Pay lot, Street parking difficult
Payment Method Cash only
Private party room(s) Yes
Seating For 150
Smoking Yes
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (#22 Clark, #152 Addison), Red Line train (Addison), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
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Late night food:
Doc's Rib Joint
2548 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL
Halsted and Fullerton
773-477-4646
The restaurant located inside Kingston Mines offers ribs, chicken and fish dishes cooked on a charcoal gas grill.
Hours: 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday
Extras
Av. Dinner Entree $8-$15
Carry Out Yes
Catering Yes
Cuisine Amer. Traditional
Delivery No
Meals Served Dinner, Late-Night
Parking Valet
Payment Method American Express, Optima, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Carte Blanche
Seating No
Specialties Ribs, fish, chicken
Spirits Full bar
Transportation CTA bus (8-Halsted, 11-Lincoln, 74-Fullerton), Red Line train (Fullerton), Brown Line train (Fullerton), Cabs plentiful
Wheelchair Access Yes
Can't go because of family stuff (stupid me- I volunteered to host Thanksgiving before I knew about the concert!). Someone should take a videocamera and tape the pre-stuff and post-stuff. I bet waiting to get in will be rowdy!! And afterwards...well, I'm sure the party will be incredible. Sucks I can't go!
