The Chicago Bears have been mediocre this season, elating us with high highs and bumming us out with low lows. Maybe midway through the season, it's time to find a new football-watching routine. But how to shake it up? Head to a new 'hood. If you're not ready to commit to only one bar for all four quarters, check out one of these three neighborhoods with ample sports bars and create a DIY bar crawl. kbernot@redeyechicago.com | @redeyeeatdrink
Wicker Park
The stretch of Division Street that divides Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village isn't lacking for bars, but not all are created equal. If you're looking for plentiful TVs, beer and a lively gameday vibe, you can't do much better than these three stops.
First:The Anthem1725 W. Division St. 773-697-4804
Your 80-inch TV has nothing on the two massive projection screens here. Ten additional TVs mean that there's no bad bar stool for football-watching, especially during Bears games. Expect to hear the game with sound, music during commercials and the "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" touchdown song after each score. Large groups will want to consider reserving a table for one of the bar's gameday packages: The Kick Off ($170) includes a tableside cooler with a 24-case of bottled beer, 12 sliders, 12 wings and waffles fries for four; The Tailgate ($312) includes a tableside cooler with two cases of bottled beer or a bottle of vodka and mixers, 20 sliders, 20 wings and waffle fries for eight.
Second:The Boundary1932 W. Division St. 773-278-1919
Move on over to this sports bar staple, where 13 TVs broadcast Bears games with sound and a DJ plays music and videos during commercials and halftime. Make your own bloody mary or mimosa or choose from a well-rounded beer list that includes dozens of macro, craft and international beers.
Third:The Fifty/502047 W. Division St. 773-489-5050
Just west of Damen Avenue, this three-level sports bar broadcasts Bears games with sound across 25 TVs. If you're hungry by the fourth quarter, dig into comfort food classics such as jumbo wings (boneless or regular; 8 for $11), 16 signature burgers or seven types of sliders. Wash those down with Sunday game day specials including $4 Templeton rye shots, $16 five-beer macro domestic beer buckets, $20 five-beer import buckets and $24 mimosa buckets (four Korbel sparkling wine splits with a carafe of fresh-squeezed orange juice).
River North
Hotel bars and chain fast-casual spots are plentiful in the tourist-friendly 'hoods of River North and neighboring Streeterville, but good sports bars (for locals!) are there if you know where to look.
First:Highline 169 W. Kinzie St. 312-533-2742
This polished sports bar from the Four Corners Tavern Group (Benchmark, Trellis, Gaslight and others) replaced shuttered Central Standard in mid-September. Catch the game on 24 TVs-each seat has sightlines to three to seven screens at a time-while you split a $20 bucket of domestic canned beer or sip $12 craft cocktails such as a Hemingway daiquiri or Basil Hayden's old fashioned.
Second:Trophy Room170 W. Ontario St. 312-600-6920
The owners of Estate Ultra Bar quietly opened this pizza and sports bar in mid-October, with a grand opening planned for Nov. 7. Two 90-inch TVs and 35 smaller screens are tucked between works from local artists, and the bar plans to broadcast Bears games with sound, along with soccer and rugby matches. Snack on 17 different pizzas baked in the wood-fired oven while checking out the menu of 16 draft beers plus 24 macro and craft options in bottles and cans.
Third:Timothy O'Toole's622 N. Fairbanks Court 312-642-0700
True Bears fans know this is where to come for bleed-blue-and-orange spirit. If you haven't visited since last season, you'll notice a remodeled bar with 48 taps-that is, if you can tear your eyes away from the 73 TVs. Sunday specials include $4 22-ounce Miller Lite or Coors Light stadium cups, $3 mimosas, $5 build-your-own bloody marys, $6 Fireball whiskey shots and $5 Templeton rye shots.
South Loop
Even if you don't have Bears tickets, the energy radiating from Soldier Field is infectious in the South Loop. Swing by these bars for locally brewed beer, foot-long grilled cheese sandwiches and other gameday necessities.
First:The Scout1301 S. Wabash Ave. 312-705-0595
You'll have to arrive early if you plan to stake out a seat during a Bears game, but your foresight will be rewarded in the form of foot-long grilled cheese sandwiches ($12-$14) or gameday brunch specials such as berry- and mascarpone-stuffed French toast ($11) and a pulled chicken and chorizo breakfast burrito ($10). This also is a popular spot for Monday night games.
Second:Wabash Tap1233 S. Wabash Ave. 312-360-9488
This neighborhood standby opens at 10 a.m. on Bears game days (11 a.m. on other Sundays) to show the game on six big-screen TVs. Dig into gameday specials including $6 burgers and $4 PBR pints. Killing time during halftime? Head directly to the pool tables.
Third:Vice District Brewing1454 S. Michigan Ave. 312-291-9022
The new South Loop brewery's taproom opens at 11 a.m. on Bears gameday Sundays to cater to your craft beer needs. On Saturdays and non-Bears game Sundays, stop in beginning at noon for made-on-premise beer including Habitual dark Cascadian ale (you might know this style as a black IPA) and Pleasure Trip blonde ale. Claim a bar stool or spot at the long, wooden tables in front of the pull-down projection screen that broadcasts the Bears games.