Asking someone who grew up in Chicago if they’re a Packers fan is almost a guaranteed conversational landmine. It’s one of football’s greatest rivalries, and the kickoff starts this Sunday. However, it’s not the only football game on everyone’s mind—just the most important. Whether you’re a fervent Bears fan, an optimistic Saints fan, or someone extremely devoted to college football, Chicago sports bars are sprinkled throughout the city.
If you want a morning filled with bottomless mimosas or Chicago breakfast, there are Chicago sports bars that will satiate you. Or if you’re feeling shots intertwined with live music while watching the fourth down or a low-key neighborhood spot, there are places for that too—just as long as there is football, right?
1. Lottie’s Pub
If you want to chant Bear Down, do it in Bucktown. During every Bears game throughout the 2023 season, patrons can sip on $5 mimosas, $8 bloody marys, $5 Miller/Coors, and $30 Lone River buckets. Locals can also enjoy a Chicago-style $15 sausage and giardiniera pizza.
If you’re a Badger fan, cheer with $6 Bucky Bombs and devour $14 cheese curd pizza and $8 cheese curds. And, of course, for the Jawhawks, Lottie’s will have $8 blue margaritas, $7 Goose Island, and $14 Joe’s KC BBQ chicken pizza.
🏈 Official sports teams: Chicago Bears, Kansas Jayhawks, Wisconsin Badgers
📍Address: 1925 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622
2. Bandit
In the Fulton Market neighborhood of Chicago lies Bandit, a charming local neighborhood bar with an upscale, chef-driven menu that marries a convivial aesthetic and delicious food. The restaurant’s design intertwines glamourous and rustic decor that is inviting as it grabs your attention as soon as you see the warm twinkle lights and edy neon bar sign.
It’s the quintessential place to watch the Bears and Big Ten football. With TVs at every corner and special deals on Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, Bandit will wrap its fingers around you.
🏈 Official sports teams: Big Ten, Chicago Bears
📍Address: 841 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
3. Kirkwood Bar
For those who breathe college football—specifically the Big Ten—Kirkwood’s is the place to go as one of the biggest Chicago sports bars. The vast spot has an elongated bar top that stretches until the door leading to the outside patio. TVs are secured at every inch of the bar, so you’ll never miss a play. Game day specials include $22 pitchers, $6 hard seltzers, $9 vodka soda stadium cups, $6 tequila shots, and $6 lunchbox shots.
🏈 Official sports teams: IU, Nebraska
📍Address: 2934 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
4. Woodie’s Flat
One of the only Chicago sports bars where your ears will be ringing the words Who Dey? hours after leaving. Woodie’s Flat is home to the Cincinnati Bengals. The bar is notable for having a DJ play funny videos and music during commercials and Ohio-inspired giveaways and game day specials, including $9 Who Dey? bombs, $7 miller lite fat pours, $25 beer buckets, $45 big AF buckets, and the quasi fan-favorite Skyline Chili—is it really an Ohio bar without it?
🏈 Official sports teams: Ohio Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bengals
📍Address: 1535 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
5. Moe’s Cantina
Calling all Wolverine fans, enjoy every Michigan football game at Moe’s Cantina River North. Patrons can purchase a $40 wristband, where you’ll receive bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosas, well cocktails, and domestic and imported beers. The deal lasts from kickoff through the fourth quarter, and it is bound to get you inebriated whether they win or lose.
🏈 Official sports team: Michigan Wolverines
📍Address: 155 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
6. Treehouse
When it comes to Michigan sports, fans don’t mess around. Next door at Treehouse, Spartan fans can catch every Michigan State football game while indulging in Detroit-style and Neapolitan-style pizzas. The game day specials include $25 Miller/Coors beer buckets, $5 Blue Moon Draft, and 1/2 off all pizzas.
🏈 Official sports team: Michigan Spartans
📍Address: 149 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
7. Old Crow Smokehouse
Another beloved Ohio bar. If you’re a Buckeye fan, head to Old Crow Smokehouse for a delicious Chicago-style BBQ and a selection of drinks at this popular country-themed bar. There will even be live country music on Saturday evenings after the games. Game day specials include $30 beer buckets of Great Lakes beers (5), $7 Great Lakes Beers, $1/2 Nachos & Wings, $6 Buckeye bombs.
🏈 Official sports team: Ohio Buckeyes
📍Address: 3506 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
8. Woodlawn Tap
The closest place where people will shout your name as soon as you open the door (with the possibility of Everybody Knows your name echoing in the background). The local dive bar—also known as Jimmy’s—has a long taproom in classic Chicago style with a battered mahogany bar serving up about a dozen beers on tap. The low-key neighborhood watering hole is ideal for any sports game.
🏈 Official sports team: Chicago Bears
📍Address: 1172 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
9. The Pony Inn
Any given day is good when you head to The Pony Inn. The Lakeview wood-paneled bar is splattered with plasma TVs and has a full American fare menu, including pizzas, burgers, tacos, and more. However, it’s during the Bear’s regular season when it’s electric. Their game day specials include $4 blue and orange mimosas (has a morning tasted better?), $18 domestic beer buckets, and $20 white claw buckets.
🏈 Official sports team: Chicago Bears
📍Address: 1638 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
10. Benchmark
Whether you’re all about the black and yellow or you’re just an NFL Sunday savant, Benchmark is the place to be. With Hawkeye Game Day specials such as $6 stadium cups, $6 Hawkeye shots, $10 Chicken Nachos, or a $40 mimosa package—do you have any need to be anywhere else? As for the NFL Sunday package, the $6 stadium cups, $6 high noons, $6 lemon drops shots, and $40 mimosa package is a pretty convincing reason to have a Sunday Funday.
🏈 Official sports teams: Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears
📍Address: 1510 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610
11. Frontier
If you’re from NOLA, chances are you’ll be rooting for the Saints on game day. Well, Frontier happens to be the place for “Who Dat Nation” locals. You’ll have your pick between $6 Abitas, $8 Hurricanes, and $6 Who Dat Punch (or just get them all). And for those who miss the gourmet southern food that makes your stomach rumble, Frontier will have Po’boys, Mac, Gumbo, and more!
🏈 Official sports team: New Orleans Saints
📍Address: 1072 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
12. Paradise Park
Whether you’re watching a football game with friends or a date, Paradise Park is where you come to have a good time. Between giant patios, a plethora of flat-screen TVs, and delicious food, there’s truly no better place for a combination of pizza, booze, and cheering for your favorite football team. You may have come here to watch sports, but we guarantee you’ll stay long after to party.
📍Address: 1913 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
🏈 Official sports team: Chicago Bears
13. DSTRKT
One of the best sports bars in Chicago is DSTRKT, nestled in the lively Wicker Park. It also offers elevated frozen cocktails known as “slurps” to sip as you cheer on your favorite sports team. From classics like frozen Strawberry Daiquiris and pina coladas to unique flavors like Mangonada with tequila, mango chamoy, and passionfruit hennessy, DSTRKT has a wide variety of frozen drink offerings to satisfy everyone.
Football season has officially commenced—why not spend it at one of the best Chicago sports bars?