Cubs postseason games are almost as rare as last week’s lunar eclipse, so Wednesday’s wild card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates is definitely cause for celebration. These local bars and restaurants are getting into the spirit with parties, curse-breaking food specials and other festivities you’ll want to take advantage of.
Giordano’s
1040 W. Belmont Ave. 773-327-1200
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The pizza spot’s Lakeview location shows the game with sound, and it and six other city locations serve up large “Fly the W” deep-dish pizzas (starting at $23.75) topped with a “W” made out of cheese in honor of the team’s win flag.
Chop Shop
2033 W. North Ave. 773-537-4440
When: 5 p.m.
Watch the game projected with sound on the Wicker Park spot’s rooftop patio, where they’ll be emulating the home game experience with tubs stocked with $3 New Belgium brews and a hot-dog cart selling $3 dogs. Play Plinko for a shot at winning New Belgium gear and tickets to the brewery’s holiday party.
Lowcountry
3343 N. Clark St. 773-996-9997
When: 5 p.m.-midnight
Drafts from eight Chicago breweries including Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Marz Community Brewing Co. are $5 at the new Wrigleyville bar, which will be showing the game with sound on two 70-inch TVs and four 60-inch sets.
Bottlefork
441 N. Clark St. 312-955-1900
When: 7 p.m.
The River North restaurant only turns its TV on for special occasions, but they’ll be airing the game with sound while serving $10 Chicago-style duck-fat dogs from sibling spot The Duck Inn.
Third Rail Tavern
1133 W. Madison St. 312-432-9107
When: 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Can’t decide between rooting for the Cubbies or tuning in to the Blackhawks season opener? You can see baseball on three screens while the West Loop spot airs hockey on five others with sound. Specials include half-price bottles of wine and $5 salads all day, plus $3 select drafts and $6 George Dickel whiskey on the rocks from 5-8 p.m.
Nisei Lounge
3439 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-525-0557
When: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Drink in Cubs history at this Wrigleyville dive bar, which opened in 1951. They’ll be serving $4 Old Style tallboys, Jeppson’s Malort and Budweiser cans and airing the Cubs on six TVs with sound, with the Blackhawks on their seventh set.
Merkle’s Bar & Grill
3516 N. Clark St. 773-244-1025
When: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said last month that his goal in life is to own a bar called The Pink Flamingo. He’ll be able to at least visit one in Wrigleyville, where Merkle’s has renamed itself for the month and decked out the space with a 5-foot inflatable bird, flamingo drink stirrers and pink flamingo lights. They’re also serving three $8 cocktails named for Maddon’s pet flamingos and donating all proceeds from those drinks to Susan G. Komen Chicagoland Area.
Glascott’s Saloon
2158 N. Halsted St. 773-281-1205
When: 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
Enter a raffle for a Cubs jersey at the Lincoln Park bar, which will be doling out complimentary Jell-O shots and pizza periodically during the night along with serving $4 pints of Harp, Guinness, Magners and Bass and $15 Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Lite buckets.
Jerk Modern Jamaican Grill
811 W. Chicago Ave. 312-763-2870
When: 7-10 p.m.
Share $10 pitchers of any of the River West restaurant’s craft beers while you watch.
The Stretch Bar & Grill
3485 N. Clark St. 773-755-3980
When: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.
Try your own wild-card luck by buying a card for $5 to enter a raffle for the entry money, with the winning card pulled after the seventh inning stretch. The Wrigleyville bar also offers $5 tallboy cans, $20 tallboy buckets and a burger and a beer for $12. A portion of the night’s food and drink sales will go to the Anthony Rizzo Foundation.
Lincoln Park Stadium Bar and Grill
2423 N. Clark St. 773-661-9710
When: 11 a.m.-3 a.m.
Watch the game on two 80-inch TVs and 18 65-inch sets and you’ll be treated to a free pizza buffet around the fifth inning. If the Cubs win, the bar will buy everyone a round of shots. Drink specials include $3 select pints and $5 Jameson, bourbon and margaritas.
