Non traditional Tailgates-Iowa Bars or Iowa Parties at Bars in Chicago

hawkcub42

Well-Known Member
I've seen threads on where to park and such but nothing on if you're not doing a traditional Tailgate in Chicago. Just going with my brother and neither of us are moving our vehicles till we go home after we park him to MI me to Iowa (we're there F and Sat).

Well anyways I found these bars who are Iowa bars or having Iowa parties. If anyone knows any other bars or other info about the bars I mentioned feel free to input info.

1. Merkle's-Magic Bus is coming to Chicago and working with Merkles on a tailgate. Cost is $55 for free food and drink at a private lot. Location where they are parked is 1401 S. Wabash. You have to pre-pay for tickets to the event.
2. Reggies-Having an all you can eat Tailgate buffet (think it is $10). Have to pay for your own drinks. According to their menu for example bud lights are $3.75 so not to bad for Chicago. Does not appear to be in the greatest of areas. Band called Uphionics from IC will be playing along with some sports talk host called Marty Tirrell will be doing his show from there. I have heard of neither. They have a free shuttle to the stadium. Location is 2105-2109 S. State Street
3.Theory-Is the closest Iowa Bar I could find to soldier Field didn't see any drink specials or shuttle. Location is 9 W Hubbard.
4.John Barlycorn Wrigleyville-They have a package for $30 but are vague if it is for alcohol or not. Says meal and tailgate buffet but then later says includes Bud Light cans, bloody marys, mimosas, 4 Rebels Premium and Dragonfruit Vodka cocktails. Doesn't say if it's for pre game or not. Also keep in mind a Cubs game is also going on at Noon that day and this is one of the big Wrigleyville bars. No shuttle to the game. The location is 3524 N. Clark Street.
5.Road House 66 Wrigleyville-Has a package for $50 where you get free drinks before and after the game shuttle to and from to the game. It says it has a buffet but is vague if it is pre-game or post game. They are in Wrigleyville but not one of the major cub bars. Location is 3330 N. Clark Street.
6 Four Shadows-They seem to be pretty far from the stadium. They are offering a shuttle to the game but it's $20. Their drink specials are $5 Jager Bombs,$4 22 oz Miller Lite Stadium Cups,$8 Miller Lite pitchers. Location is 2758 N. Ashland.

Sorry for the length but again if anyone has anything else to add feel free as I am still deciding what to do.
 
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Thanks for putting that together, '42. I think if the weather ends up unfavorable, the places on your list will get heavy traffic.
 
Isn't DJK having a big blowout extravaganza? Not sure what the cost is, or what drugs will be included in that package.
 
Thanks for the list. Vin, which ones will you be at so I can give you a big ole bear hug?
 
On Novemeber 24, 1990 Iowa played Minnesota at the "Hump" with a chance for a outright big ten championship. Needless to say it was a tough ticket. I finally picked up a pair of ducats in the last row, behind me was a cat walk that I could pace on.

Anyway, being a working man, I worked in the morning . However the game had a late start and I pulled into downtown Minneapolis, thirsty, with my friend in the late aftenoon.

We parked in a ramp walked to the "Hump" and looked around. Across the street was a bar with people waiting in a half block long line. This did not look like the of type of place we were looking for . Eventually, after walking a while, we came upon an corner bar called The Wagon Wheel or something like that. It looked like any corner bar you would see in parts of Dubugue, Creston, or Council Bluffs.

When I opened the door I was surprised. The bar which had a capacity of about 125 on a good day and was filled will about twice that many Hawk Fans.

My friend and I were able to obtain a seats at the bar after some of the faint of heart gave up to the day I have never had a Hawkeye Huddle or Hawkeye Bar Experience like this one . The kegs were running dry and bottled beer was was running out faster than it could be replaced. Every so often someone would yell" Go Hawks" and everybody would throw loose change or dollars at the bar.

Iowa lost that game 24-31 and I did not return to that miserable state for over 10 years.

However, the point is, if you have enough fans and you bring enough money any Bar is a Hawkeye Bar.
 

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