Top 10 Sports Bars in Chicago

Direct Answer

The Best Overall sports bar in Chicago is Sluggers in Wrigleyville, where game-day energy, wall-to-wall screens, batting cages, and a packed Cubs crowd make it the city's most complete sports-bar night out. The Best Value pick is Will's Northwoods Inn in Lakeview, a beloved Wisconsin-themed bar where cheap beer, free brats on football Sundays, and an unpretentious crowd deliver one of the best game-watching deals in town.

This list is built for sports fans, game-day groups, casual drinkers, and visitors who want to catch the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, or any big national game in a room that actually feels alive — concentrated across Wrigleyville, Lakeview, River North, and the West Loop / Near North.

Every pick below is a real, currently-operating venue with its own screens, drink lineup, and game-day personality.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each bar against what makes watching a game out genuinely better than watching at home, drawing on local press, regular-customer reviews, and each room's game-day reputation. The weighting:

• Atmosphere & vibe — 25%
• Screens & viewing setup — 20%
• Drinks & menu — 20%
• Crowd & service — 15%
• Value — 10%
• Location & access — 10%

A bar with great TVs but a dead crowd, or huge energy but no sightlines from half the seats, drops fast. The winners pair real game-day atmosphere with the screens, drinks, and service to back it up.

1. Sluggers 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Sports bar / Game-day bar | Price: $$ | Best for: Cubs fans and big groups who want the full Wrigleyville experience

Steps from Wrigley Field in Wrigleyville, Sluggers is the definitive Chicago sports-bar night out. The multi-level space is packed with screens on every wall, a roaring crowd on Cubs game days, and an upstairs floor with batting cages, pop-a-shot, and games that turns watching into doing.

The bar pours cheap drafts, buckets of beer, and shots, and the energy spikes the moment the Cubs score. It's loud, crowded, and unapologetically a party — exactly what most people want from a sports bar near the Friendly Confines. The combination of location, screens, games, and crowd is why it takes the top spot.

Pros:

• Steps from Wrigley Field with peak Cubs energy
• Screens on every wall across multiple floors
• Upstairs batting cages and games
• Cheap drafts and beer buckets for groups

Cons:

• Mobbed and pricey on Cubs game days
• Lines and waits during big games

Verdict: The complete Chicago sports-bar night — screens, games, and Wrigleyville energy in one room.

2. Murphy's Bleachers

Type: Sports bar / Game-day bar | Price: $$ | Best for: Cubs fans who want the classic pregame and rooftop scene

Directly across from the Wrigley Field bleachers in Wrigleyville, Murphy's Bleachers is the quintessential Cubs pregame bar, open since long before the neighborhood got polished. The crowd spills onto the outdoor patio, the rooftop offers a view of the action, and the screens inside keep every other game in sight.

It pours plenty of cold draft beer, the food runs to burgers and bar staples, and the whole place runs on baseball tradition. On game days it's a sea of Cubs blue; off days it's a relaxed neighborhood haunt with serious history.

Pros:

• Right across from the Wrigley bleachers
• Big outdoor patio and rooftop
• Deep Cubs tradition and game-day ritual
• Plenty of cold draft beer

Cons:

• Packed and loud before and after games
• More baseball-focused than all-sports

Verdict: The Cubs pregame classic — the patio and rooftop make it a Wrigleyville essential.

3. Old Crow Smokehouse

Type: Sports bar / BBQ | Price: $$$ | Best for: Groups who want barbecue, big screens, and a lively party

In the thick of Wrigleyville, Old Crow Smokehouse pairs serious smoked barbecue with a big, screen-filled bar and a party that runs from brunch through last call. The kitchen turns out ribs, brisket, and wings, the bar mixes boozy slushies and spiked lemonades alongside the beer, and a DJ or live crowd keeps the energy up on weekends.

It's a step up in food and drink polish from the classic Wrigley dives, drawing a younger, dressed-up game-day-into-night-out crowd. Big screens throughout mean you never lose the game even as the room turns into a party.

Pros:

• Legit smoked barbecue kitchen
• Boozy slushies and spiked lemonades
• Big screens with a party-forward crowd
• Game-day brunch through late-night energy

Cons:

• Pricier food and drinks than nearby dives
• Tilts toward party over pure sports focus

Verdict: The BBQ-and-party pick — best when you want great food and a lively scene with the game on.

4. Will's Northwoods Inn 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Sports bar / Wisconsin tavern | Price: $ | Best for: Packers-and-value crowd who want cheap beer and free brats

A Lakeview institution, Will's Northwoods Inn is a Wisconsin-themed tavern that wins game day on pure value and charm. The wood-paneled, supper-club-meets-cabin room is Packers and Wisconsin sports headquarters in Chicago, and football Sundays come with free brats and cheap beer that make it one of the best deals in the city.

Cheese curds, an unpretentious neighborhood crowd, and screens tuned to the games round it out. It's not flashy, and that's the point — you come for affordable drinks, free food, and a warm, no-attitude room full of people who actually want to watch the game.

Pros:

• Free brats on football Sundays
• Cheap beer and genuine value pricing
• Cozy Wisconsin-cabin atmosphere
• Friendly, low-key neighborhood crowd

Cons:

• Best for Packers and Wisconsin fans specifically
• Older, no-frills room

Verdict: The best value in Chicago game-watching — cheap beer, free brats, and zero pretense.

5. Theory

Type: Sports bar / Restaurant | Price: $$$ | Best for: River North groups who want upscale food with the game on

In River North, Theory is the polished, restaurant-grade sports bar of the bunch, with dozens of HD screens, a huge projection wall, and a sprawling space that fills with downtown professionals on game nights. The kitchen does elevated bar food and shareables, the bar runs a deep beer and cocktail list, and the room scales easily for big groups and watch parties.

It's the spot when you want sightlines to every game, real food, and a more grown-up crowd than the Wrigleyville mayhem. The screen setup alone makes it one of the best pure viewing rooms in the city.

Pros:

• Dozens of HD screens plus a big projection wall
• Elevated food and a deep drink list
• Spacious, group- and watch-party-friendly
• Central River North location

Cons:

• Higher prices than the neighborhood bars
• Can feel corporate on slower nights

Verdict: The downtown viewing pick — best screens and food when you want a polished game-day room.

6. Timothy O'Toole's

Type: Irish sports bar | Price: $$ | Best for: Downtown visitors who want a reliable all-sports pub

Just off the Magnificent Mile in Streeterville / Near North, Timothy O'Toole's is a sprawling Irish pub that doubles as a dependable all-sports headquarters. Screens fill every angle, the kitchen is known for solid wings and pub grub, and the deep beer list and cocktails keep a mixed crowd of locals, hotel guests, and out-of-town fans happy.

It hosts watch parties for fan clubs across leagues and sports, so whatever game you're chasing, it's probably on here. The downtown location and big, welcoming room make it a go-to for visitors who want a guaranteed good game-watch.

Pros:

• Screens at every angle for all sports
• Reliable wings and full pub menu
• Deep beer list and central downtown spot
• Hosts fan-club watch parties across leagues

Cons:

• Can get touristy given the location
• Less neighborhood character than Wrigley spots

Verdict: The dependable downtown pub — wherever your game is, O'Toole's has it on.

7. The Cubby Bear

Type: Sports bar / Music venue | Price: $$ | Best for: Cubs fans who want a giant game-day-into-concert venue

Across from Wrigley Field in Wrigleyville, The Cubby Bear is a Chicago landmark that morphs from packed game-day sports bar to live-music and party venue at night. The cavernous space goes wild on Cubs days with screens, cheap beer, and a roaring crowd, then hosts bands and DJs once the game ends.

The food is straightforward bar fare, the drinks flow, and the sheer scale handles big groups and overflow crowds with ease. It's a one-stop shop for fans who want to watch the game and keep the party going long after the final out.

Pros:

• Iconic spot directly across from Wrigley
• Huge space that handles big crowds
• Live music and DJs after the game
• Cheap beer and full game-day energy

Cons:

• Cavernous room can feel impersonal off-peak
• Crowds and lines on big Cubs days

Verdict: The game-into-night venue — watch the Cubs, then stay for the party under one roof.

8. Brando's

Type: Sports bar / Karaoke | Price: $$ | Best for: Loop visitors who want sports early and karaoke late

In the South Loop / downtown Loop area, Brando's is a friendly, unfussy sports bar that flips into a beloved late-night karaoke spot. Early on, the screens carry the games and a relaxed crowd settles in with cheap drinks and bar food; later, the room turns into one of downtown's favorite karaoke hangs that runs into the early hours.

The value is strong, the bartenders are easygoing, and the dual personality makes it a versatile pick for a group that wants the game first and a singalong after. It's a downtown locals' favorite that visitors rarely regret finding.

Pros:

• Sports early, late-night karaoke after
• Affordable drinks and easygoing service
• Central Loop location for visitors
• Runs late into the early hours

Cons:

• Smaller screen setup than the big sports rooms
• Karaoke crowd can take over the vibe late

Verdict: The two-in-one downtown pick — catch the game, then close the night singing.

9. Benchmark

Type: Sports bar / Restaurant | Price: $$$ | Best for: Old Town groups who want a retractable-roof patio and screens

In Old Town, Benchmark is a polished bar and grill known for its big retractable-roof rooftop and patio, which makes it a standout warm-weather game-day spot. Inside, screens cover the bar and dining areas, the kitchen does a strong American menu, and the cocktail and beer programs are a cut above the average sports bar.

The crowd skews young-professional and social, and the room scales for everything from a casual game-watch to a full party. When the weather's good, the open roof and patio set it apart from the windowless sports caves elsewhere in the city.

Pros:

• Retractable-roof rooftop and big patio
• Screens throughout with a strong American menu
• Quality cocktails and beer list
• Lively Old Town young-professional crowd

Cons:

• Premium pricing for the neighborhood
• More bar-and-grill than die-hard sports den

Verdict: The warm-weather pick — the open roof and patio make game day feel like a party.

10. Stretch Bar & Grill

Type: Sports bar / Bears bar | Price: $$ | Best for: Bears fans who want a true game-day headquarters

In the Wrigleyville / North Side area, Stretch Bar & Grill is a serious game-day headquarters with a strong Chicago Bears following and a wall of screens that cover every league. The room runs game-day drink specials, solid bar food, and a fired-up fan crowd, and it's a regular watch-party home for fan clubs across sports.

It's less polished and less touristy than the downtown rooms, which is exactly what fans who want an authentic, no-frills game-watch are after. Big TVs, good value, and a crowd that lives and dies with the score round out a dependable pick.

Pros:

• Strong Bears-fan game-day following
• Wall of screens covering every league
• Game-day drink specials and solid value
• Authentic, no-frills fan atmosphere

Cons:

• Less polished than the downtown sports bars
• Best energy is reserved for big game days

Verdict: The fan's headquarters — an authentic, value-friendly room built for game day.

Where Should You Go Out?

What to Look For in a Night Out in Chicago

• Match the bar to the team — Wrigleyville spots like Sluggers and Murphy's live for the Cubs, Will's is Packers territory, and Stretch is a Bears headquarters. Pick a room that's into your game.
• Check the screen setup — The best viewing rooms like Theory and Timothy O'Toole's have sightlines from every seat; smaller bars may leave you craning your neck.
• Plan around game days — Wrigleyville bars get mobbed and pricier on Cubs days. Arrive early or pick a downtown room if you want elbow space.
• Hunt the value plays — Will's free brats and cheap beer, plus game-day drink specials at Stretch and Brando's, stretch a budget night a long way.
• Think about the after-party — The Cubby Bear adds live music, Brando's flips to karaoke, and Old Crow turns into a party, so you can keep the night going past the final whistle.
• Use the weather — When it's warm, Benchmark's retractable roof and Murphy's rooftop turn game-watching into an outdoor event.

What matters less than the hype: the single trendiest new bar. For sports, the rooms that consistently draw a real fan crowd, carry every game, and run honest drink prices beat whatever just opened — the classics here have earned their game-day reputations.

FAQ

What is the best sports bar in Chicago overall? Sluggers in Wrigleyville is our top pick for combining wall-to-wall screens, batting cages and games, cheap drinks, and peak Cubs energy steps from Wrigley Field.

What's the best value sports bar in Chicago? Will's Northwoods Inn in Lakeview wins on value with cheap beer and free brats on football Sundays in a cozy Wisconsin-themed room.

Where should I watch a Cubs game near Wrigley Field? Sluggers, Murphy's Bleachers, and The Cubby Bear are all steps from Wrigley and deliver the full Wrigleyville game-day experience, including patios and rooftops.

Where's the best downtown sports bar in Chicago? Theory in River North offers dozens of HD screens, a big projection wall, and elevated food, while Timothy O'Toole's near the Magnificent Mile is a reliable all-sports pub for visitors.

Where can Bears or Packers fans watch in Chicago? Stretch Bar & Grill is a strong Bears game-day headquarters, while Will's Northwoods Inn is the city's go-to for Packers and Wisconsin sports fans.

Which Chicago sports bar is best for a group that wants more than the game? Old Crow Smokehouse turns into a party with BBQ and slushies, The Cubby Bear adds live music, Brando's flips to karaoke, and Benchmark offers a retractable-roof patio.

Bottom Line

For watching a game in Chicago, Sluggers is our Best Overall — a Wrigleyville room that pairs wall-to-wall screens, batting cages, and roaring Cubs energy for the city's most complete sports-bar night. Will's Northwoods Inn is our Best Value, serving cheap beer and free game-day brats in a cozy Wisconsin tavern.

If you want a downtown viewing palace, a Bears headquarters, or a bar that keeps going after the final whistle, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Theory, Stretch, or The Cubby Bear instead. Match the bar to your team, check the screens, and Chicago will deliver the game.

Sources

• Yelp — Best Sports Bars in Chicago
• Eater Chicago — bars and sports-bar coverage
• Thrillist — Best sports bars in Chicago
• Time Out Chicago — best sports bars guide
• The Infatuation — Chicago bar guides
• Choose Chicago — official visitor bureau nightlife guide
• Sluggers — official site
• Murphy's Bleachers — official site
• Theory — official site
• Will's Northwoods Inn — official site

*best sports bars in Chicago review — best bars to watch the game, where to go out, ratings, and a review of the top sports bars in Chicago.*