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Posted: **April 20, 2005 12:15 pm**

iuparrothead wrote:
weirdo0521 wrote:
ChgoParrot77 wrote:Yes, it hasn't been Manhole for a couple of years now...

And there was never any such sign...
I take it you are frequent visitor....perhap's the sign was outside Roscoe's
I love Roscoe's!

Oh my, I'm such a hag!

We'll have to meet there for drinks sometime!

As for bars by Wrigley. I like Mullen's. It is right on Clark (near Bar Louie and Goose Island). It always seems the least crowded after a game and their nachos are AWESOME.

Posted: **April 20, 2005 1:13 pm**

CheeseHead in Paradise! wrote:What's bartime in Chicago anyway ...anyone know?

Sure thing - bars generally open at 11am (some open later by choice, but I think 11am is the earliest allowed by city law).

Sunday-Friday, most bars close at 2am. The ones that have late-night licenses close at 4am.

On Saturday nights, the "2am bars" close at 3am, and the "4am bars" (a.k.a. "late-night bars") close at 5am.

If you're at a 2am bar and plan on hitting a late-night spot, be sure to make your move at least a half-hour before closing time, so you don't have to lose your buzz standing in line.

Posted: **April 20, 2005 1:15 pm**

I'm a big fan of Murphy's Bleachers...it's got a ton of outdoor space, bars scattered throughout, and a stand in the middle that sells stadium hotdogs, polish sausages, burgers, etc..

Since it's across the street from Wrigley's bleacher gate (gate N, I believe), it shouldn't be as crowded before/after the concert since the bleachers won't be open.

Posted: **April 20, 2005 5:09 pm**

ChgoParrot77 wrote: As for bars by Wrigley. I like Mullen's. It is right on Clark (near Bar Louie and Goose Island). It always seems the least crowded after a game and their nachos are AWESOME.

Mullen's is great! Good food and they usually have a beer special going. Blue Moon Ale with a orange slice...MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Posted: **April 20, 2005 9:17 pm**

Pirate slightly over 50 wrote:This is a post for those lucky enough to get tickets and do not know the area. I have lived in the Wrigleyville area for 17 years, and I do not claim to be an expert but I do know a little.
The ball park is at Addison (3600 north and Clark (roughly 1030 west) Remember that Clark is an angle street so it will vary from about 800 W to 1030 W in the Wrigleyville area.

Hotels:

There is a Best Western around 3430 N. Halsted (800 west) this location has been the subject of a few posts already. Probably the nicest hotel near the ball park (way less than a mile).
There is also a Comfort Inn and a Days Inn located within a block of Clark and Diversey (2800 north). These are a straight shot down Clark and are about 1 mile from the ball park.
All three are in very safe neighborhoods and are in the middle of the restaurant/bar areas.

Restaurants:

None of these will break the budget and are all casual dress:

The Melrose- Melrose (3300 N) and Halsted (800 W). Basic family restaurant. Very good breakfast. Patio seating.

Ann Sathers- About a block west of Clark and Belmont (3200 N). Good basic food for all meals. Be sure to order the cinnamon rolls when asked what type of rolls you wish. Owned by the alderman (Tunney) who is over this area. No booze served. He had to give up his liquor license since in Chicago Aldermen can not have liquor licenses.

Chicken Hut- Corner of Belmont and Halsted. I would say that I believe it is the best chicken in Chicago. Very limited seating so get it to go and maybe walk to the lake. Chicken is broiled and you get either salsa or bbq sauce.

The Cubby Bear- across the street from the ballpark on Sheffield (1000 W.) and Waveland (3700 N .) Also one of the good bars. Excellent hamburgers.

Quick Bite- Addison and Halsted. Basic Grill, very limited seating. Good soups, gyros etc.

Bars:

Plenty around the ball park. You should note that most bars on Halsted are for alternative lifestyles. The bars on Clark are not.

Scalpers:

I know many of us are used to getting tickets at the site. Beware that selling tickets near the ballpark is strictly enforced by the police. They have a couple of plainclothes teams that hadnle this. So please beware.

If you have any other questions please post and I will try to answer if I know. Enjoy everybody.

I'm coming in for the Labor Day show. How is parking around the field? Is it best to get one of the near hotels and hop a bus to the field? Thanks!

Posted: **April 20, 2005 11:37 pm**

verphin- there is virtually NO parking anywhere near Wrigley. It's completely surrounded by neighborhoods with parking restrictions so driving there isn't really an option. Your best bet is one of two things... 1) get a hotel in the city and take the El train to the ballpark. 2) get a hotel in the northern suburbs, drive to the Skokie El stop and take the train to the ballpark.

There will not be traditional tailgating anywhere near Wrigley, but there are hundreds of bars within minutes by foot or train to the ballpark.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 12:16 am**

iuparrothead wrote:verphin- there is virtually NO parking anywhere near Wrigley. It's completely surrounded by neighborhoods with parking restrictions so driving there isn't really an option. Your best bet is one of two things... 1) get a hotel in the city and take the El train to the ballpark. 2) get a hotel in the northern suburbs, drive to the Skokie El stop and take the train to the ballpark.

There will not be traditional tailgating anywhere near Wrigley, but there are hundreds of bars within minutes by foot or train to the ballpark.

assuming the Skokie swift is running at those times. otherwise anywhere along the Evanston line or even Howard Street which is where I park for Cubs games.

and, Ann, as a fellow "hag" I used to be partial to Sidetracks on Sunday nights!

Posted: **April 21, 2005 8:52 am**

I think that Murphy's Bleachers will be packed for the concert. It's a perfect spot for those who don't have tickets to be outside and listen to the show. There are some good bars along Southport that don't charge Wrigley Field prices.

Getting to and from Wrigley on public transportation could be interesting. The CTA is threatening service cutbacks so I wonder if they will have extra buses and trains running.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 10:03 am**

Anyone know if that little caberet sing-a-long piano bar still exists (I think it was on Halsted?) I have good memories of that place many moons ago!

Posted: **April 21, 2005 10:28 am**

IUAlum wrote:I think that Murphy's Bleachers will be packed for the concert. It's a perfect spot for those who don't have tickets to be outside and listen to the show. There are some good bars along Southport that don't charge Wrigley Field prices.

Getting to and from Wrigley on public transportation could be interesting. The CTA is threatening service cutbacks so I wonder if they will have extra buses and trains running.

Just a guess here, but if it means the CTA could make some extra bucks with the increased traffic, they might run a few extra trains those days.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 11:15 am**

iuparrothead wrote:Just a guess here, but if it means the CTA could make some extra bucks with the increased traffic, they might run a few extra trains those days.

Don't count on it...the service cuts are partially to save money, but mostly they're trying to extort money from the state. They've already refused to increase service for Cubs games.

They plan on decreasing red line service on weekends & holidays to every 10-15 minutes, but it should still be enough to make do.

As for Murphy's, IUAlum, you make a good point. Since I couldn't get tickets, I might have to get there as soon as they open to stake out a table

OH, I almost forgot...there's a spacious-but-quiet bar just 6 blocks south of Wrigley, at the corner of Halsted & Wellington, called Parrots...how fitting is that? Also, Trader Todd's on Sheffield just north of Belmont (4 blocks south of Wrigley) has a nice patio, excellent food & a Caribbean/south Pacific theme (complete with a sailboat in the beer garden).

Posted: **April 21, 2005 11:31 am**

verphin wrote:I'm coming in for the Labor Day show. How is parking around the field? Is it best to get one of the near hotels and hop a bus to the field? Thanks!

You could consider getting a hotel out near O'Hare, leaving your car there, and taking the blue line out to the show. The blue line runs 24/7, and all the hotels by the airport have free airport shuttles...so worst comes to worst, you could take the train out to the airport & give your hotel a "come & get me!" phone call.

Or check Expedia or some other travel site for decent hotel rates for hotels in the Gold Coast...there are a couple Best Westerns & some small independents that have decent rates. The red line runs right from the Gold Coast to Wrigleyville, so you won't have to worry about getting to the show. Plus, within the downtown area, taxis are a dime-a-dozen and fares are reasonable ($12 incl. tip from Wrigleyville to Gold Coast).

Don't stress too hard about trying to find a room at one of the few hotels in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, they're ridiculously overpriced and kinda seedy.

But yes, as many others have advised, perish the thought of trying to park anywhere within a 4-block radius of Wrigley field...it ain't gonna happen.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 11:43 am**

TheWindyCityParrotHead wrote:
iuparrothead wrote:Just a guess here, but if it means the CTA could make some extra bucks with the increased traffic, they might run a few extra trains those days.
Don't count on it...the service cuts are partially to save money, but mostly they're trying to extort money from the state. They've already refused to increase service for Cubs games.

Good point. I was just guessing anyway.

Yes, O'Hare area wouldn't be a bad idea for hotels. They could get off at the Addison stop... but would there be taxis around there to get them towards the ballpark?

And Trader Todd's is a good suggestion... I always refer people there for that kind of atmosphere!

Posted: **April 21, 2005 12:29 pm**

iuparrothead wrote:
TheWindyCityParrotHead wrote:
iuparrothead wrote:Just a guess here, but if it means the CTA could make some extra bucks with the increased traffic, they might run a few extra trains those days.
Don't count on it...the service cuts are partially to save money, but mostly they're trying to extort money from the state. They've already refused to increase service for Cubs games.
Good point. I was just guessing anyway.

Yes, O'Hare area wouldn't be a bad idea for hotels. They could get off at the Addison stop... but would there be taxis around there to get them towards the ballpark?

And Trader Todd's is a good suggestion... I always refer people there for that kind of atmosphere!

They could just hop on a bus. Their is a bus stop right across the street from the Addison Train Stop.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 12:46 pm**

Just for those who don't know, the "blue" line train stop at Addison is quite a distance from the ball park (maybe about 3-4 miles). This is a different line than the one that stops a block away.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 12:56 pm**

Pirate slightly over 50 wrote:Just for those who don't know, the "blue" line train stop at Addison is quite a distance from the ball park (maybe about 3-4 miles). This is a different line than the one that stops a block away.

Good point!

Yep. People can definitely jump on a bus, but it would be nice if they could just grab taxis instead... it's easy for us to just say hop on bus #whatever, but if you've not ridden the CTA, it could be a wee bit intimidating.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 12:59 pm**

Pirate slightly over 50 wrote:Just for those who don't know, the "blue" line train stop at Addison is quite a distance from the ball park (maybe about 3-4 miles). This is a different line than the one that stops a block away.

Good call! I forgot to mention that - from the Addison blue line stop, you can take an eastbound #152 Addison bus straight to Wrigley field. When you buy your CTA card from the blue line station, just be sure you put in extra for the transfer to the bus (not sure how much fares will be in September, since all of the service cuts & fare increases will kick in in July).

On the way back, however, you'll probably need a cab...the bus service at night is already pretty sporadic, so it'll probably be even worse once the service cuts kick in.

Posted: **April 21, 2005 1:32 pm**

For those that stay at the airport and rent a car there might be another option. During the ball games they have a satellite parking facility at Devry University and they shuttle people to the ball. I don't know for sure if they will have this up for the concerts but I would be surprised if they don't. I am sure that this option will be advertised in the future.
I know there have been many posts (including my own) that warn people about parking around the ball park. There is very very limited parking and if illegally park they WILL tow your car.

Posted: **April 22, 2005 10:38 pm**

Thanks for the advice everyone - that's what I kind of figured.

Now I know which way to head with my plans.

Posted: **April 22, 2005 10:52 pm**

http://www.transitchicago.com/

Go to this site. You can order your transit pass ahead of time. This way, you'll have it before you get there. You can even get your travel info to get from point A to point B. Its very helpful!

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