It’s no secret that Cubs and Sox fans are territorial — and we don’t blame ’em. The neighborhoods surrounding each team’s ballpark, Wrigleyville and Bridgeport, are ripe with intimate corner taps, loud sports bars and everything in between. With just five days until Opening Day, we decided to let both ‘hoods run up the score and see which one comes out on top.
BEST PLACE FOR A PRE-GAME MEAL
Bridgeport: Steeped in more than a century of history, Schaller’s Pump (3714 S. Halsted St. 773-376-6332) is the place for Sox fans who adore comfort cookin’. Order corned beef and cabbage ($5.95 lunch; $8.25 dinner) and any canned beer for $2.50 before an easy walk to the nearby U.S. Cellular Field.
Wrigleyville: Drop by The Full Shilling Public House (3724 N. Clark St. 773-248-3330) up to an hour before Cubs home games for a free dog with all the trimmings. The only catch: You have to buy a drink first — but we’re guessing that isn’t a problem. Try the special: $6 24-ounce select domestic cans.
Advantage: Wrigleyville. By just a hair. Schaller’s history is impressive, but free food always wins.
BEST PLACE TO CATCH THE GAME IF YOU DON’T HAVE TICKETS
Bridgeport: What was once the subdued Puffer’s is now Mitchell’s Tap (3356 S. Halsted St. 773-927-6073), a loud, hopping bar that attracts hordes of twenty- and thirtysomethings. If you’re too broke to spring for a ticket to The Cell, the four flat screens at Mitchell’s will keep you up on all the play-by-play.
Wrigleyville: With its unbeatable proximity to Wrigley Field (it’s just across the street), you can probably hear the actual crack of the bat before you see it on one of Sports Corner Grill’s (956 W. Addison St. 773-929-1441) 14 42-inch HD TVs. The place is packed during all Cubs games (home and away), but the crowd’s part of the fun.
Advantage: Wrigleyville. More TVs. ‘Nuff said.
BEST PLACE FOR A POST-GAME DRINK
Bridgeport: Located just a stone’s throw from The Cell, Shinnick’s (3758 S. Union Ave. 773-523-8591) is a popular joint for a celebratory drink — or two or three — after the game. Don’t bother ordering a draft here: There aren’t any. But all domestic beers, bottles and cans, are just $2.50.
Wrigleyville: Bars tend to come and go along certain stretches of street in Wrigleyville, but Blarney Stone (3424 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-348-1078) has been around for decades. It’s roomy, friendly and you can get $4 PBR drafts and $4.50 domestic bottles on Cubs home-game days.
Advantage: Bridgeport. Really cheap beer loses out to ridiculously cheap beer.
BEST PLACE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MANAGEMENT WITH THE LOCALS
Bridgeport: Hidden corner bar First Base (3201 S. Normal Ave. 312-791-1239) fills up on Sox game days, but patrons here will gab about the team any day. Belly up to the bar, order a Miller Lite ($3) and ask that guy in the corner about the last game. You’ll fit right in, trust us.
Wrigleyville: Small, friendly Higgins’ Tavern (3259 N. Racine Ave. 773-281-7637) is packed to the gills on game days, and you’ll usually find owner Jim Higgins perched at the end of the bar or chatting up regulars. It’s a cinch to find someone’s ear to bend here about the latest trade, that one awful call … or dreaming about next year.
Advantage: Bridgeport. Both bars earn big points with locals, but you can’t find that Bridgeport “character” anywhere else.
Bottom line: It’s too close to call — and even if it wasn’t, something tells us half of you would rush the field to kick dirt in our faces no matter what we said. We’ll leave this one to the fans: Go to metromix.com now to vote for your favorite game-day ‘hood.
———-
METROMIX@TRIBUNE.COM
