Best Sports Bars in Chicago

The definitive Wrigleyville sports bar, located two blocks from Wrigley Field. Four floors, 60 screens, batting cages on the upper level, and a rooftop deck that fills up three hours before first pitch. The Chicago dog here is mandatory; the Cubs pennants are permanent.

Famous primarily for its burgers, Kuma's is also one of the best sports bars in Chicago, with screens throughout, exceptional craft beer, and a crowd that takes both sports and heavy metal equally seriously. Reserve for Bears games or prepare to wait.

The neighbourhood institution that pre-dates the Wrigleyville sports bar invasion. Gman is where Cubs fans who actually live in the neighbourhood come for games. No rope lines, no cover charge, no attitude, and one of the best draft beer selections in the area.

The upscale sports bar on Grand Avenue draws a Magnificent Mile-adjacent crowd who want to watch the game with table service and a serious cocktail programme. 40 screens, a reservations system that actually works, and food that goes well beyond wings.

Bowling and sports bar in Hyde Park, where the University of Chicago crowd mixes with neighbourhood regulars. The 16 bowling lanes mean it works as much as an activity venue as a watching destination. Good for groups with mixed interests.

The neighbourhood bar in Roscoe Village that treats sports like a local affair rather than a commercial product. 12 screens, no velvet rope, genuinely cheap beer, and a room that gets genuinely loud when the Bears are on.

The dive bar with a surprisingly good sports setup in Ukrainian Village draws a younger crowd who want to watch the game without paying for the experience. The beer fridge behind the bar is a time capsule of great decisions.

Three floors in River North with full billiards on the second floor and a rooftop that opens for summer games. The sports coverage is comprehensive; NFL Sundays pack every seat.

Located in the plaza directly adjacent to Wrigley Field, the Gallagher Way outdoor bar is open on game days and becomes the city's best pre-game venue from April through October. The craft beer options have improved dramatically in the past two years.

Old-school Chicago sports bar energy in a room that has changed almost nothing since 1988. The Walter Payton memorabilia on the wall is original; the Malört selection is extensive; the cheese fries are excellent.

The tourist-accessible sports bar location that actually holds up well on its own terms. The Navy Pier setting gives it water views alongside the usual screens, and the bar food is more consistent than the tourist-zone price point suggests.

The oldest bar in Roscoe Village serves as the neighbourhood's default sports bar without trying particularly hard. The beer selection is solid, the prices are among the cheapest in the area, and the crowd is authentically neighbourhood.