Heading to Chicago in a few days for the Pearl Jam Wrigley Field shows and would appreciate any input regarding decent watering holes. We're staying a mile or so south of Wrigley. Been many a year since I was in that part of town. Also got tix to see X at The Metro and I do seem to remember there was plenty going on in that area? Last time I was in Chicago, a couple of years ago Pippins Tavern was my favourite spot. Good old fashioned pub vibe. In town for a week so any suggestions of stuff to see/do also appreciated. Cheers.
Metro is pretty much across the street from Wrigley.....
Lots to do - check out Millenium Park, take one of the architectural walks or boat rides downtown, visit the Art Museum.
There are plenty of bars to get a beer...... if you have transportation, Lagunitas Brewery is a great place to visit, with live bands most days at 4:20..... I haven't been to Revolution Brewery yet, but I have heard it is good too.
Lee lives up in that area, he may have a few suggestions........
get a good buzz before you go in, was there this summer for James Taylor/Jackson Browne
a beer was 11 - 14 bucks a pop.
Thanks for the input, yeah did a Chicago River boat trip last time Sang, but I'd do that again for sure as it's my partners first trip. Revolution Brewery looks pretty close to our hotel on W. Diversey so that's on the list. $14 beers Marco?? Wow, exchange rate us Brits are getting at the moment makes that an expensive round! x2 gigs, gulp! 
B.L.U.E.S is one of the coolest lowdown blues clubs around. http://www.chicagobluesbar.com Worth a visit and Kingston Mines is right down the street as a 2nd option. Enjoy the Pearl Jam show/s also - their two MSG shows I saw in May were fantastic!!
There is a bar across the alley from the Metro called the Greenman. I try to go there after shows, but haven't been in a while. Within several blocks there must be fifty other bars, if you don't like that one.
Revolution is good.
For blues on that side of town, I'd concur with B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted.
The Map Room on Hoyne has a fairly legendary beer list, if that is what you're looking for.
A couple of options on the homier side, since you mentioned you are going to an X show:
The Hideout on Wabansia is a short cab fare/Uber away, and often has alt-country bands. When Mekons are in town, they might be at the Hideout.
Also, there is a late night honky tonk dive bar a bit north on Clark called Carol's Pub. The band isn't great, and neither is the scenery or drink selection, but it's unique and open late.
Thanks again. Yup, got to try at least one of those two Blues clubs, and a few of the bars Maybe both If I have enough brownie points with my other half...and I must have a few with travelling to the U.S to see her favourite band. I guess I've become a Pearl Jam fan almost by accident with accompanying her to gigs. She's loved the band from day one, long before I met her and I must say I'm excited for her to see them in what seems to be a special venue for the band. Cheers!
Okay, a few thoughts: if you are coming up Clark Street (which is possible depending where you are),there is an Irish bar called O 'Malleys. It is at Clark & Aldine. west side of the street. Can't miss it. Right under the train tracks.
Around the stadium you have a million options. You could go to The Cubby Bear, which is right outside the main gate. I wouldn't suggest that as it will be a zoo. There is another place behind center field called Murphy's Bleachers.
You can be outside.
There really is nowhere you can look around here and not see a bar. You can contact me and I can offer more info.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Don't listen to a word Lee says ... he has no idea what football (soccer as he insists on calling it) is all about ... I think he must be a Newcastle fan ... 😛
Just joking of course ... hope you guys have a great time!
Okay, a few thoughts: if you are coming up Clark Street (which is possible depending where you are),there is an Irish bar called O 'Malleys. It is at Clark & Aldine. west side of the street. Can't miss it. Right under the train tracks.
Around the stadium you have a million options. You could go to The Cubby Bear, which is right outside the main gate. I wouldn't suggest that as it will be a zoo. There is another place behind center field called Murphy's Bleachers.
You can be outside.
There really is nowhere you can look around here and not see a bar. You can contact me and I can offer more info.
Thanks Lee, our hotel is at N. Clark and W. Diversey, so we'll definitely check out O'Malleys. Going to the Stadium to pick up tickets day before the first gig so that might be a good time to visit The Cubby Bear, and maybe Murphy's Bleachers day of gig.
Cheers Colin, looking forward to putting some miles between myself and the Newcastle United clownshow for
10 days to be honest 🙁 ....and the season is only a week old!!! Appreciate it everyone....
The Irish Oak
3511 N Clark Street
Site of Bhawk's wedding reception. 
I misspoke.
http://www.johnnyohaganschicago.com/
Same location though. They were closed for a while because the owner was in prison for money laundering.
Still good food and beer. Nice vibe.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Okay, a few thoughts: if you are coming up Clark Street (which is possible depending where you are),there is an Irish bar called O 'Malleys. It is at Clark & Aldine. west side of the street. Can't miss it. Right under the train tracks.
Around the stadium you have a million options. You could go to The Cubby Bear, which is right outside the main gate. I wouldn't suggest that as it will be a zoo. There is another place behind center field called Murphy's Bleachers.
You can be outside.
There really is nowhere you can look around here and not see a bar. You can contact me and I can offer more info.
Thanks Lee, our hotel is at N. Clark and W. Diversey, so we'll definitely check out O'Malleys. Going to the Stadium to pick up tickets day before the first gig so that might be a good time to visit The Cubby Bear, and maybe Murphy's Bleachers day of gig.
Cheers Colin, looking forward to putting some miles between myself and the Newcastle United clownshow for
10 days to be honest 🙁 ....and the season is only a week old!!! Appreciate it everyone....
I know where you are staying. You can either take the 22 bus, a cab or you can walk if you are okay with an ambitious walk. It isn't that bad. I've done it many times.
Oh, and coming back, they have bike "carriages" you can hire. They will take you right back to your hotel.
[Edited on 8/16/2016 by Lee]
[Edited on 8/16/2016 by Lee]
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
...Looking like a bit of a pub crawl from hotel (which I just learned is nicknamed Rock 'n' Roll Days Inn, to Wrigley! 😛
Okay, a few thoughts: if you are coming up Clark Street (which is possible depending where you are),there is an Irish bar called O 'Malleys. It is at Clark & Aldine. west side of the street. Can't miss it. Right under the train tracks.
Around the stadium you have a million options. You could go to The Cubby Bear, which is right outside the main gate. I wouldn't suggest that as it will be a zoo. There is another place behind center field called Murphy's Bleachers.
You can be outside.
There really is nowhere you can look around here and not see a bar. You can contact me and I can offer more info.
Thanks Lee, our hotel is at N. Clark and W. Diversey, so we'll definitely check out O'Malleys. Going to the Stadium to pick up tickets day before the first gig so that might be a good time to visit The Cubby Bear, and maybe Murphy's Bleachers day of gig.
Cheers Colin, looking forward to putting some miles between myself and the Newcastle United clownshow for
10 days to be honest 🙁 ....and the season is only a week old!!! Appreciate it everyone....I know where you are staying. You can either take the 22 bus, a cab or if you are ambitious walk. It isn't that bad of a walk. I've done it many times.
Yeah, We'll walk that I think, if the weather holds. Cheers
Do they accept your funny money?
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
Hope you have good weather - saw them at Wrigley three years ago - it rained, but luckily we were under the roof on the top level. Show was delayed about 2 hours, and they came on around midnight. Cool thing was Ernie Banks was there and spoke after Eddie did his Cubs song......
The show didn't end until 2 am, and my wife and I had parked downtown and rode the L up to the park - luckily they had about 4 trains sitting there, because they usually wouldn't have much service that late. We left during Rockin' in the Free World (one of my favorites) so we could catch the L back downtown, We didn't get home until about 3:30....
But it was a great show......
Do they accept your funny money?
They barely accept the less than mighty £ over here at the minute, never mind anywhere else...
Hope you have good weather - saw them at Wrigley three years ago - it rained, but luckily we were under the roof on the top level. Show was delayed about 2 hours, and they came on around midnight. Cool thing was Ernie Banks was there and spoke after Eddie did his Cubs song......
The show didn't end until 2 am, and my wife and I had parked downtown and rode the L up to the park - luckily they had about 4 trains sitting there, because they usually wouldn't have much service that late. We left during Rockin' in the Free World (one of my favorites) so we could catch the L back downtown, We didn't get home until about 3:30....
But it was a great show......
I was reading about the 2013 show on the PJ site last night Sang. It did sound like some show, in spite of the weather!
I think Lee might be talking about O'Hagan's actually,it's right under the L but there a million bars up there. I live in the neighborhood, below are the bars to under no circumstances, find yourself at:
Moe's Cantina
John Barleycorn
Dueces/Diamonds
Most of the others are okay. I generally avoid the area unless I'm going to a show/game but I like Bernie's, G-Man (the bar someone was referring to right next to the Metro) and Murphy's.
I was at Taylor/Browne too and while the beers are expensive, the pricing above is pretty exaggerated. It's Chicago though, sh*t's expensive.
PS. I'll be at the Monday show.
I think Lee might be talking about O'Hagan's actually,it's right under the L but there a million bars up there. I live in the neighborhood, below are the bars to under no circumstances, find yourself at:
Moe's Cantina
John Barleycorn
Dueces/DiamondsMost of the others are okay. I generally avoid the area unless I'm going to a show/game but I like Bernie's, G-Man (the bar someone was referring to right next to the Metro) and Murphy's.
I was at Taylor/Browne too and while the beers are expensive, the pricing above is pretty exaggerated. It's Chicago though, sh*t's expensive.
Ah, yeah right, Bars to avoid. Never thought of that. Thanks, that's good info too!
Walked up to Wrigley yesterday to pick up today's gig tix. Also my partner wanted to check out the merch stalls. Have to say those Pearl Jam fans mean business! People queuing for 5-6 hours for event posters and t-shirts....didn't fsncy that so had a few beversges instead. Couple of bbers in Cubbys. Nice meal in o'Hagans and a few more drinks in The Irish Oak and The Houndtooth. Was wondering if you had a signed Jamesons bottle up on the shelf there at The Oak Bhawk? Avoided the bars suggested Jp. Differfent reasons to those I was expecting tho. Thought maybe those places were going to be less than salubrious, but just noisy young folk enjoying **** music Sluggers next, which had a good lively crowd, then off to The Metro for X. Good gig and a good first day in Chicago.
